The Public Policy Institute informs and stimulates public debate on the issues we face as we age. The Institute promotes development of sound, creative policies to address our common need for economic security, health care, and quality of life.

                            Read PPI's 2009 Annual Report

Resource Tests and Eligibility for Federal Assistance Programs: Effects of Current Rules and Options for Change

Resource tests disqualify many individuals and families whose income would otherwise make them eligible for federal assistance. This report shows how increases in resource limits or changes in the way resources are counted could increase the number of people potentially qualifying for assistance. Reforming resource tests would also simplify administration and increase participation among currently eligible individuals.

The Employment Situation, December 2009: Overall Unemployment Rate Holds Steady But Ticks Up Slightly for Older Workers

This PPI fact sheet highlights the employment and unemployment situation for persons aged 55 and older as of December 2009.  The unemployment rate for the total aged 16+ remained unchanged at 10 percent.  However, 29,000 more persons aged 55 and over were unemployed in December than in November, bringing the total unemployment rate for this group up to 7.2 percent from 7.1 percent.

Rx Watchdog Report: Trends in Prices of Prescription Drugs Used by Medicare Beneficiaries

This report--which shows prescription drug prices significantly outpacing inflation--has prompted a Congressional investigation into drug industry pricing.

Beyond Age Rating: Spreading Risk in Health Insurance Markets

How health insurance companies can profitably insure older adults without setting premiums based on age.

Federal and State Income Tax Incentives for Private Long-Term Care Insurance

To help make long-term care insurance more affordable and to encourage purchases, both federal and state governments provide tax subsidies for private long-term care insurance.  This PPI research report describes these subsidies, their value to taxpayers (by age and income), and where possible, their cost to federal and state governments.

The Social Compact in the Twenty-First Century

This PPI special report examines perceptions of and changes in what is often referred to as the “social compact” or “social contract”—the reciprocal relationship between employers and employees that for millions of workers has led to a good job that promised financial security during working years and into retirement. It examines changes in the compact over time and analzes employers’ and employees’ perspectives on the social compact and related issues based on data from separate surveys of employers and employees.

Employer-Provided Pensions: Less to Count On

The coverage of the employer-provided pension system is limited, and there are marked disparities in coverage between rich and poor, Hispanic and white, well- and less well-educated and other social groups.  The Automatic IRA would broaden coverage substantially, and improving the Saver’s Credit would provide incentives for low- and moderate-income workers to save for retirement.

The Consumer Price Index: How It Impacts the Federal Budget and Social Security Benefits

This Fact Sheet by Selena Caldera of AARP's Public Policy Institute Economics team describes the four consumer price indexes and discusses how they impact the federal budget and benefit programs. The Fact Sheet explains the calculation of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to monthly Social Security benefits and why there are no COLAs projected for 2010 and 2011.

Health Reform: Cost of Doing Nothing

Highlights the costs of inaction on health care reform from the perspective of consumers, businesses, society, and the nation.

Complete Streets for an Aging America

A model for planning and designing our streets and roads to increase safety and travel options for older adults.

Physician Payment: Opportunities for Reform

Ways to improve the current physician payment system, with a focus on Medicare, and ideas for reform, including international models of payment.

Preserving Livable Communities: Subsidized Housing Near Transit

How older adults benefit from federally subsidized housing near transit, and policies to head off threats to preserving that housing.

Safe at Home? Developing Effective Criminal Screening Policies for Home Care Workers

An assessment of current state laws and methods for conducting criminal background checks of home care workers, a look at key policy considerations and guidance on approaches that show promise.

Building Adult Foster Care: What States Can Do

The role of adult foster care (AFC) in long-term care and guidance for policy-makers interested in developing or expanding AFC.

Chronic Care: A Call to Action

A fresh look at problems faced by millions of older Americans with multiple chronic conditions, care models that work and recommendations for improving chronic care in the context of health reform.

Providing More Long-Term Care at Home: Critical for Health Reform

Explains how expansion of home and community-based long-term care services can help address the health care needs of many older adults.

Power of Attorney Abuse: What States Can Do About It

Explains how the Uniform Power of Attorney Act helps prevent, detect, and redress power of attorney abuse and provides resources to promote enactment of this model law.

• Social Security Financing: Automatic Adjustments to Restore Solvency
• A Medicare Buy-in? Pros and Cons
• Taking the Long View: Investing in Medicaid HCBS
• The GINA Law: Consumer Protection in a New Era
• Cost Containment in Medicare: What Works?
• Across the States: Profiles of Long-Term Care
• The Earned Income Tax Credit and Older Workers