National Bureau of Economic Research Cuts Ties With Larry Summers

The former Treasury secretary and Harvard president is no longer affiliated with America's leading economics organization.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Lawrence Summers has lost his affiliation with the National Bureau of Economic Research, America's leading economics organization, following a review of his conduct by an ad hoc committee. The termination of his appointment as a research associate is the latest consequence for the former Treasury secretary and Harvard president stemming from his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein.

Why it matters

Summers' departure from the NBER, a highly influential economic research organization, represents a significant professional setback and further damages his reputation following the controversy over his association with the disgraced financier Epstein.

The details

An ad hoc committee at the NBER reviewed Summers' conduct and recommended terminating his appointment as a research associate with the organization. The NBER did not provide specifics on the reasons behind the committee's decision.

The NBER announced the termination of Summers' affiliation on March 9, 2026.

The players

Lawrence Summers

The former U.S. Treasury secretary and president of Harvard University.