In the late 1990s, a small group of people met to discuss the need to reform the Social Security program, to strengthen it for the long run, and to give Americans a greater opportunity to build personal wealth. One of the participants in that discussion, George W. Bush, went on to become President of the United States. And one of the leaders of that discussion, William Shipman, is today a much-sought-after expert on Social Security and retirement income issues.

Shipman has been invited by influential bodies worldwide to speak on vital public-policy issues. In addition to testifying before congressional committees in this country, he has consulted on retirement finance reform with government officials from Australia, China and Russia, as well as the European Commission. The People’s Republic of China recently invited him to be a visiting professor at its Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s Social Insurance Institute.

He is the coauthor of Promises to Keep: Saving Social Security’s Dream, a frequently-quoted text on Social Security reform. He is co-chairman of the Cato Project on Social Security Privatization and has served as a delegate to the White House Conference on Social Security. He has been invited to deliver literally hundreds of speeches on Social Security reform in 21 countries, across six continents. His ideas are being utilized by President Bush and other world leaders to find a solution to complex retirement and Social Security challenges.

Today, Shipman is chairman of Carriage Oaks Partners LLC, a Massachusetts-based consulting firm specializing in retirement finance. He has spent more than 30 years in international finance and consulting.

Whether the topic is what individuals need to do to prepare for retirement, or the changes needed to sustain and strengthen Social Security for future retirees, William Shipman brings an unparalleled level of expertise and insight to the podium.