Retirement Security Symposium: Philadelphia’s Future Outlook: City-Based Options

City Controller Alan Butkovitz along with AARP and Wharton’s Pension Research Council hosted a Retirement Security Symposium to discuss Philadelphia’s future outlook. Local and national experts participated in several panels to identify issues and present policy options. Several plans that are currently being discussed around the country were highlighted at the event, including Secure Choice (Auto-IRA), Open Multiple Employer Plan, Retirement Marketplace and the promotion of Federal myRA. Featured guests included: Phyllis Borzi, Asst. Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Labor; Mark Iwry, Asst. Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Treasury; Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, CEO, Center for Retirement Initiatives; and many others. AARP University of Pennsylvania

Conference videos may be found here.

AGENDA

8:30 Continental Breakfast

9:00 Welcome: Olivia S. Mitchell, Director, Pension Research Council/Boettner Center, and Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

9:05 State of Retirement Security in Philadelphia:[1] Remarks by Alan Butkovitz, Controller of the City of Philadelphia

9:30 The Implications of Federal Rule Making: Moderator: Angela Antonelli, Executive Director, Center for Retirement Initiatives, Georgetown University

Panelists:

  • Phyllis Borzi, Employee Benefits Security Administration, US Dept of Labor
  • Mark Iwry, Deputy Assistant Secretary, US Department of Treasury
  • Norman Stein, Professor of Law, Drexel University

10:30 Break

10:45  Options for Local-level Retirement Plan Policy: Moderator: Jeff Hornstein, Director of Financial & Policy Analysis, Philadelphia City Controller

Panelists:

  • Philip Dukes, Senior Policy Advisor & Counsel, NYC Mayor’s Office of Pensions and Investments
  • Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Center for Retirement Initiatives, Georgetown University
  • Richard Ludlow, Executive Director, myRA

11:45 Lessons from Academia and Industry: Moderator Olivia S. Mitchell, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Panelists:

  • Geoffrey Sanzenbacher, Research Economist, Boston College
  • Bennett Kleinberg, Vice President of Product Development at Prudential Financial
  • Diane Garnick, Chief Income Officer, TIAA-CREF
  • David John, Senior Strategic Policy Advisor, AARP Public Policy Institute

12:45 Q&A/Networking/Wrap-Up

1:00  Adjourn

[1] With reference to the City of Philadelphia’s recent Report on Current Conditions and Paths to Better Outcomes