Social Security modernization will result in a retirement system that is stronger and more fiscally sound than the pay-as-you-go system we have today.

We really need to think about four pillars for retirement. ... The first pillar is Social Security. The second is individual pensions or savings. The third is health insurance, very important. And the fourth, surprisingly, is the continued ability to earn, because many people are going to need to find some way of bringing in earnings after they pass normal retirement age, and we think that that should be more and more emphasized in terms of getting ready for that possibility.

If we earn less, we receive a lower Social Security payment in retirement. Any proposals that cut retirement benefits will disproportionately hurt gay people.

Social Security is not a retirement savings plan; it is a social insurance program. It's a contract that says, as a society, we will look out for you and your family when you can no longer work.

Having a pension and Social Security [combined with private savings] allows most households to live as well after retirement as they did before. If you don't have a pension, you'll have to tighten your belt in retirement.

[Boeing negotiators also have been stressing that retirement resources should includes pensions, company-matched 401(k) savings, Social Security, and personal savings.] During these negotiations, there has been a lot of discussion about pensions ... What hasn't received much discussion is the concept of balance.