The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare holds a briefing on the release of “Breaking the Social Security Glass Ceiling,” a report on women and social security.

The organization, along with two other seniors’ and women’s organizations, examined the challenges facing America’s elderly women and provide proposals to modernize benefits.

Speakers included Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD), Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), National Organization for Women Foundation President Terry O’Neill, Institute for Women’s Policy Research President Dr. Heidi Hartman and Institute for Health and Aging at the University of California Founding Director Dr. Carroll Estes.

The poverty rate for senior women and widows is 50 percent higher than other retirees 65 and older, according to the NCPSSM.