The National Academy of Social Insurance is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization made up of the leading experts on social insurance in the United Sates. Its mission is to advance solutions to challenges facing the nation by increasing public understanding of how social insurance contributes to economic security. Social insurance encompasses broad-based systems that help workers and their families pool risks to avoid loss of income due to retirement, death, disability, or unemployment, and to ensure access to health care. The Academy convenes Study Panels and Task Forces that are charged with conducting research and issuing findings on social insurance and related policies and programs. Members of these groups are selected for their recognized expertise and with due consideration for the balance of disciplines and perspectives appropriate to the project. The Academy also conducts an annual policy conference and a range of other events that focus on one or more social insurance issues.