[2] Her research focused primarily on the distribution of wealth and savings in the American population and the impact of retirement policies and plans.

In 1992 she published a study that claimed Boston-area banks had practiced racial discrimination in mortgage lending against black and Hispanic applicants.

[5] In December 1992, President-elect Bill Clinton held an economic forum in Little Rock, Arkansas, which Munnell attended.

[6][7] By January 20, 1993, when Clinton was inaugurated, Munnell was seen as the likely choice for the post of Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy.

[13] She was confirmed later that month by a voice vote following floor debate in which several Republicans reiterated objections to the pension tax proposal.

[1] However, as a senior official in the Treasury Department she worked in a number of other areas, including investment policy for private pension plans, the administration's response to the Federal Reserve's moves against inflation,[15] and Superfund reform.

[18] Her views on pensions and the mortgage discrimination study she led were also cited as reasons the lending industry pressured Republicans to oppose her.

[19] The Fed Board seat remained vacant until June 1996, when the Senate confirmed Lawrence Meyer to replace LaWare.

[20] The Washington Post reported in December 1996 that Clinton would name Munnell to head the Social Security Administration during his second term,[21] but this did not come to pass.

[4] She continues to publish on retirement income policy, including Social Security, employer-sponsored pension plans, and labor force activity among older workers.