As the United States transitions to a “majority-minority” population over the next three decades, Social Security must be modernized to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse and economically insecure workforce, according to a report released today by the Commission to Modernize Social Security, made up of national policy experts representing African American, Asian American, Latino and Native American communities.

Although Social Security does not contribute to the federal deficit, Social Security benefit cuts are at the center of discussions in Congress to reduce the federal debt. The report – Plan for a New Future: The Impact of Social Security Reform on People of Color – argues that changes to the program must consider the impact on workers and families of color who are more vulnerable to economic instability and far less likely to have generational wealth than white families. The report cites U.S. Census Bureau data showing that a majority of babies born in this country are now from minority racial groups. If this trend continues, the overall U.S. population is expected to become “majority-minority” by 2042.

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The Commission to Modernize Social Security was formed in March 2011 by the Insight Center for Community Economic Development and Global Policy Solutions to identify proposals to extend Social Security’s long-term solvency while modernizing the program to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse society. The Commission is comprised of individuals from the following organizations: Center for Economic and Policy Research, Demos, Economic Policy Institute, Global Policy Solutions, Harvard University Department of Government, Insight Center for Community Economic Development, Institute for Women’s Policy Research, International Association for Indigenous Aging, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Latinos for a Secure Retirement, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc., National Council of La Raza, National Council of Negro Women, National Urban League Policy Institute, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, The Aspen Institute, and University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.

Read more at Yahoo! News, PR Web.

On Friday the U.S. ratings agency Standard & Poor's slapped the United States with a downgrade, demoting the country from a top-notch AAA credit rating to AA+. Although the nation's other two major agencies, Moody's Investor Service and Fitch Ratings, reaffirmed the United States' AAA credit rating, S&P's move triggered fear through the stock market, which on Monday had its worst day since the 2008 financial crisis.

S&P took further action on Monday, downgrading to AA+ the credit ratings of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other entities linked to long-term U.S. debt.

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So ... are we going to be OK or not? The Root spoke with Wilhelmina A. Leigh, senior research associate on economic security for the Joint Center of Political and Economic Studies about what the credit downgrade means for your finances, S&P's spotty track record on good judgment and whether this will give Congress the urgency it needs to seriously tackle the deficit.

Read more at The Root.

On August 1, 2011, the Joint Center conducted a webinar that focused on the challenges facing African Americans and other people of color, and particularly their concerns that measures related to the debt ceiling debate could exacerbate already high unemployment and undermine short-term and long-term economic prospects. Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) joined several scholars and economists in a spirited discussion on the day before the President signed the bill into law.

The webinar audio and slideshow can be viewed here. Slides are also available for download.

WHUR Interview with Gina Wood is here.