AARP Minnesota will sponsor a forum Thursday in St. Paul about how Medicare and Social Security are organized and funded, and proposed federal changes.

"For the past year, Medicare and Social Security have been under attack in Washington, but all of the debate has taken place behind closed doors," said Michele Kimball, state director. The forum will be an opportunity for interested people to talk about the programs.

The event, called a "conversation on health and retirement security," will be 1 to 3 p.m. at the Wilder Center, 451 Lexington Av. N., St. Paul. Other meetings will be held in April in May in Bloomington, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud and other cities.

For information, call 1-866-554-5381 or go to www.startribune.com/a1164