During his final public Town Meeting, Jan. 16 in Philadelphia, outgoing SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt plans to deliver an address on individual investor rights and responsibilities.

"We have witnessed one of the most powerful and striking developments in the history of our capital markets - the rise of the individual investor," Levitt says. "I will remind individual investors that they are entitled to fundamental rights of fairness in our markets, and like those set forth by America's founding fathers, these rights are enduring."

As reported previously by AccountingWEB, investor protection was Levitt's top priority at the SEC, where he has spearheaded various education causes for individual investors. He created the SEC's Office of Investor Education and Assistance, and helped reform financial accounting by requiring that companies disclose important information to all investors at the same time.

The town meeting at 7 p.m., EST, will occur at the Arch Street Meeting House.