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A large majority of state laws lack protections for individuals creating financial powers of attorney, according to the Public Policy Institute’s research report, Power of Attorney Abuse: What States Can Do About It.
A power of attorney is a critical planning tool – a legal document delegating authority to another person to handle financial matters. As the population ages, the power of attorney will be used even more often to appoint trusted family members and others. But the power of attorney can also be a “license to steal” because it grants broad powers with little oversight.
The PPI report, written by attorneys at the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, explores the problem of power of attorney abuse and how state legislatures can protect vulnerable adults against it. It explains how the new Uniform Power of Attorney Act helps prevent, detect and redress abuse, and provides resources to promote enactment of this model law. A two-page In Brief summarizes the key points in the report.
Need for Low-Income Heating Assistance Continues Despite Recent Drop in Some Home Heating Costs This fact sheet explains that low-income households continue to struggle to pay for heat and the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program remains inadequate to help low-income individuals and families.
Can Advance Metering Help Reduce Electricity Costs for Residential Consumers? This paper examines advanced metering, a system to charge consumers different prices for electricity on the basis of the time of day the electricity is used, and potential benefits and concerns.
Financial Literacy
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Financial Literacy: More Important Than Ever
Financial Literacy: More Important Than Ever
July 31, 2009
By: George Gaberlavage | Source: AARP.org
Older Online Investors: Trading Activity, Information Sources, Online Trading Experiences, and Privacy Issues
Key findings from a national survey, conducted online, of online investors age 45 and older. A Public Policy Institute Data Digest by Sharon Hermanson of AARP's Online Investor Study. (5 pages)
January 28, 2005
By: Sharon Hermanson, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
Homeownership Education Counseling
This brief report explains the history of homeownership education counseling (HEC), types of mortgage counseling programs, the issues that are key to effective HEC, and their implications for public policy. (6 pages)
November 1, 2003
By: Sharon Hermanson, AARP Public Policy Institute; Robert Wilden, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
The Fair Credit Reporting Act: Issues and Policy Options
The FCRA’s effectiveness can be improved by including provisions designed to increase the accuracy of consumer reports, improve the dispute resolution process, prevent identity theft and assist the victims of such crimes in restoring their credit reports. An AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Brief by Neal Walters. (8 pages)
January 1, 2003
By: Neal Walters, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
Survey of State Investment Adviser Laws: A Chartbook
This AARP Public Policy Institute report by Maureen Thompson of The Hastings Group updates information on the content of state investment adviser laws and the capacity of state securities agencies to protect investors from fraud, and unfair and deceptive practices in the sale of securities. (42 pages)
May 1, 1999
By: Maureen Thompson, Hastings Group; Anita Stowell-Ritter, AARP Knowledge Management | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute; Hastings Group
Solutions Forums
Saving Jobs in A Recession: How Work Sharing Can Help
Seventeen states have programs that use unemployment funds to keep workers on the job with reduced hours. Learn how federal and state policy can better promote these work-sharing programs--and how several European nations have implemented work-sharing.
The Auto IRA: Strategies for Successful Implementation
Experts from the US and abroad discussed how an Auto-IRA can improve retirement security; lessons from similar programs in New Zealand and the UK; and how the Auto-IRA can work well for workers, small business and the financial industry.
Protecting Your Home, Car and Investment Savings: How to Stop Financial Fraud
How fraud impacts financial security, especially for older Americans—and discussion of policy options for combating mortgage, auto sales and investment scams. Luncheon speaker SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro discussed the Commission’s priorities on financial fraud.
Getting it Right: Smart Housing and Transportation Planning for Livable Communities
This forum featured release of new research on preserving subsidized housing near transit and discussion of how to coordinate housing, transportation and land use policy to develop livable communities.
What Happened to My Social Security COLA?
Why no COLA is expected for 2010 and how this affects individuals and the states. Panelists include experts from the Social Security Administration, AARP, the National Governors Association and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
A New Look at Making Financial Decisions for Retirement
PPI released a series of new reports offering a fresh look at financial decisions related to retirement. Experts examined why many people make poor choices and explore how to improve the options available to retirees.
Fixing Chronic Care in America
National experts discussed problems facing millions of Americans with multiple chronic conditions, and explored potential solutions highlighted in a new PPI publication, Chronic Care: a Call to Action for Health Reform and in a new video Faces of Chronic Care.
AARP Public Policies
Learn about the policy development process at AARP. For a complete guide to AARP's positions on public issues, see The Policy Book, AARP Public Policies 2009-2010.
Center to Champion Nursing in America
The Center to Champion Nursing in America seeks to ensure Americans have the highly skilled nurses we need to provide affordable, quality health care. The Center serves as a consumer-driven, national force to increase the nation’s capacity to educate and retain nurses.
