the first is robert romasco, president of aarp. he had a distinguished career in the private sector and written expensively -- and has written extensively. andrew biggs, thank you for joining us. research -- he is devoted his career to researching retirement savings and pension issues and served as a principal deputy commissioner of social security ministration. welcome. , published extensively on these issues and on the tax treatment of retirement benefits and one of the foremost experts in the field. his research is readily cited in major outlets. welcome. finally, john sweeney, executive vice president of fidelity. he is responsible for portfolio, advisory services for fidelity's develop some of the best research available in america's retirement security. thank you, mr. sweeney for joining us. your written statements will be entered into the record. mystery moscow, please begin. romasco, please begin. >> we thank you for holding this hearing on social security's role as one of the nations most important family protection progra

the first is robert romasco, president of aarp. he had a distinguished career in the private sector and written expensively -- and has written extensively. andrew biggs, thank you for joining us. research -- he is devoted his career to researching retirement savings and pension issues and served as a principal deputy commissioner of social security ministration. welcome. , published extensively on these issues and on the tax treatment of retirement benefits and one of the foremost experts in the field. his research is readily cited in major outlets. welcome. finally, john sweeney, executive vice president of fidelity. he is responsible for portfolio, advisory services for fidelity's develop some of the best research available in america's retirement security. thank you, mr. sweeney for joining us. your written statements will be entered into the record. mystery moscow, please begin. romasco, please begin. >> we thank you for holding this hearing on social security's role as one of the nations most important family protection progra