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.
Work and Retirement
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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.
January 14, 2010
By: Sara E. Rix | Source: AARP.org
The Employment Situation, November 2009: Welcome Drop in Overall Unemployment Does Not Extend to Older Workers
This PPI fact sheet highlights the employment and unemployment situation for persons aged 55 and older as of November 2009. The unemployment rate for the total aged 16+ workforce fell. However, the picture was not a rosy one for older job seekers, who saw their unemployment rate, duration of unemployment, involuntary part-time employment rate, and job-seeking discouragement rise.
December 9, 2009
By: Sara E. Rix | Source: AARP.org
The Employment Situation, October 2009
This PPI fact sheet highlights the employment and unemployment situation for persons aged 55 and older as of October 2009. Once again, the picture was not a rosy one for older job seekers, who saw their duration of unemployment rise. Job-seeking discouragement also increased.
November 16, 2009
By: Sara E. Rix | Source: AARP.org
Saving Jobs in a Recession: How Work Sharing Can Help
Work sharing helps employers avoid layoffs during a downturn by cutting work hours and spreading the remaining work among existing employees, who receive pro-rated unemployment benefits. Work sharing may be particularly beneficial for older workers, who often find it more difficult than younger workers to find a job after a layoff. Seventeen states have active programs that permit the use of unemployment funds to support work sharing. In addition, the governments of a number of developed countries promote work sharing as a way to save jobs in a weak economy.
September 18, 2009
Source: AARP.org
Older Workers on the Move: Recareering in Later Life: In Brief
Career change may become more common as more individuals continue to work past retirement age, according to this AARP Public Policy Institute Research Paper by Richard W. Johnson, Janette Kawachi, and Eric K. Lewis of The Urban Institute, which examines the characteristics of workers who change careers in later life.
August 11, 2009
By: Richard W. Johnson, Janette Kawachi, and Eric K. Lewis, AARP Public Policy Institute
Older Workers on the Move: Recareering in Later Life
This AARP Public Policy Institute Research Paper by Richard W. Johnson, Janette Kawachi, and Eric K. Lewis of The Urban Institute examines the characteristics of workers who change careers in later life. Career change may become more common as more individuals continue to work past retirement age. (67 pages)
May 7, 2009
By: Richard W. Johnson, The Urban Institute; Janette Kawachi, The Urban Institute; Eric K. Lewis, The Urban Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute; The Urban Institute
Little to Cheer About: Unemployment and the Older Worker—December 2008
This fact sheet by Sara E. Rix of AARP’s Public Policy Institute highlights the unemployment situation of workers aged 55 and older one year into the current recession. It shows that in December 2008, the unemployment rate for this group was the highest monthly rate it has been since October 1992. (2 pages)
January 31, 2009
By: Sara E. Rix, Ph.D., AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
Making Work More Flexible: Opportunities and Evidence
The availability of and barriers to flexible work options, with a particular focus on older workers and phased retirement, are examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues report. Author Melissa A. Hardy of The Pennsylvania State University considers the utilization of and demand for workplace flexibility, highlights the various types of workplace flexibility, and discusses what workplace flexibility means to employers and employees. (23 pages)
November 30, 2008
By: Melissa A. Hardy, Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute; The Pennsylvania State University
The Employment Picture, October 2008—Mostly Grim News for Older and Younger Workers
This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Sara E. Rix highlights the employment and unemployment situation for workers as of October 2008, with a focus on workers and jobseekers aged 55 and older. (4 pages)
November 13, 2008
By: Sara E. Rix, Ph.D., AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
Determining Whether 401(k) Plan Fees are Reasonable: Are Disclosure Requirements Adequate?
Excessive fees on 401(k) plans can drastically reduce a retirement nest egg. The current regulatory framework does not require that plan participants receive adequate information on fees, and they are typically poorly informed. This Research Report, by Sandy Mackenzie of AARP’s Public Policy Institute, finds that a reform of the framework is needed to provide them with the basic information necessary to understand the costs of different investment options. (9 pages)
September 15, 2008
By: Sandy Mackenzie, 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.
