PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE
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Older Americans and the Recession
PPI’s Economics Team analyzes the impact of the current recession on older workers and retirees.
Work Disability and Early Retirement
Four papers examine the characteristics of early retirees and people with work disabilities and policy options that could improve their health and financial security.
In November 2009, nearly 2.1 million persons aged 55 and over were officially unemployed, that is, they were without jobs but looking for work. This figure, up from 843,000 at the start of the recession, translated into an unemployment rate of 7.1 percent. Average duration of unemployment had risen to 36 weeks for the aged 55+ unemployed, over half of whom had been out of work for 27 or more weeks.
Low-Income Programs and Populations
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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 through various federal programs, including Supplemental Security Income program, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, the Medicare Savings Programs (MSP), and the Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS). This report shows how increases in resource limits or changes in the way resources are counted could have a substantial effect on the number of people potentially qualifying for some major types of federal assistance. Reforming resource tests would also simplify administration and increase participation among currently eligible individuals.
April 15, 2009
By: Mark Merlis, Independent Consultant | Source: AARP.org
Employment Support for the Transition to Retirement: Can a New Program Help Older Workers Continue to Work and Protect Those Who Cannot?
This AARP Public Policy Institute report by David Stapleton of Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., proposes a program to encourage later retirement by helping older workers increase their earnings and postpone reliance on their retirement benefits until the benefits are larger. (51 pages)
April 15, 2009
By: David C. Stapleton, Ph.D., Center for Studying Disability Policy, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute; Center for Studying Disability Policy, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
Nutrition Assistance for Older Americans
This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Jean Accius describes the federal programs that provide nutrition assistance to older Americans and the funding sources that support these programs. Information is included on food stamps, congregate and home-delivered meals, and food programs. (3 pages)
October 20, 2008
By: Jean C. Accius, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
The Food Stamp Program And Older Americans
This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Jean Accius highlights recent changes in the Food Stamp Program, including expanded program access due to the reauthorization of the 2008 Farm Bill. Data are provided on the characteristics of older participants, participation rates, eligibility, benefits, and special provisions for older households. (3 pages)
October 20, 2008
By: Jean C. Accius, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
In Brief: Boomers at the Bottom: How Will Low-Income Boomers Cope with Retirement?
Wealth accumulation, poverty levels, net worth, and income replacement rates at age 67 for low-income boomers are projected and compared with those of low-income retirees from other birth cohorts in this brief synopsis of a report written for the AARP Public Policy Institute by Barbara A. Butrica, Eric J. Toder, and Desmond J. Toohey of The Urban Institute. (2 pages)
March 31, 2008
Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
Boomers at the Bottom: How Will Low-Income Boomers Cope with Retirement?
Wealth accumulation, poverty levels, net worth, and income replacement rates at age 67 for low-income boomers are projected and compared with those of low-income retirees from other birth cohorts in this AARP Public Policy Institute publication by Barbara A. Butrica, Eric J. Toder, and Desmond J. Toohey of The Urban Institute. (98 pages)
March 31, 2008
By: Barbara Butrica, The Urban Institute; Eric Toder, The Urban Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute; The Urban Institute
From Work to Retirement: Tracking Changes in Women’s Poverty Status
Although poverty among older adults is lower than that of other age groups, poverty is twice as high among older women as among older men, and three times as high among older African American women as among older white women. This study for AARP’s Public Policy Institute demonstrates how poverty status among women changes over the life course and is influenced by race, marital status, health status, work experience, and poverty in earlier life. (43 pages)
February 22, 2008
By: Sunhwa Lee, Ph.D., Institute for Women's Policy Research; Lois Shaw, Ph.D., Institute for Women's Policy Research | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute; Institute for Women's Policy Research
From Work to Retirement: Tracking Changes in Women’s Poverty Status
Although poverty among older adults is lower than that of other age groups, poverty is twice as high among older women as among older men, and three times as high among older African American women as among older white women. This study for AARP’s Public Policy Institute demonstrates how poverty status among women changes over the life course and is influenced by race, marital status, health status, work experience, and poverty in earlier life. (43 pages)
February 22, 2008
By: Sunhwa Lee, Ph.D., Institute for Women's Policy Research; Lois Shaw, Ph.D., Institute for Women's Policy Research | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute; Institute for Women's Policy Research
In Brief: From Work to Retirement: Tracking Changes in Women’s Poverty Status
This brief describes a new study for AARP's Public Policy Institute which demonstrates how poverty status changes over the course of people's lives, and how it is affected by race, marital status, health status, employment, and poverty in earlier life.
August 31, 2009
Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
Hispanics Age 65 and Older: Sources of Retirement Income in 2005
This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet looks at sources of income for Hispanics age 65+ and finds they rely on Social Security far more than retirees as a whole. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s March 2006 Current Population Survey, PPI’s Ke Bin Wu analyzes the poverty rates and distribution of each income source by sex. (2 pages)
September 18, 2007
By: Ke Bin Wu, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
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.
