Thinking Policy Blog

The AARP Public Policy Institute offers in-depth analysis of today’s most pressing public policy issues. Stay informed with thoughtful perspectives on aging, equity, and economic security.

Work, Finances & Retirement

Financial Strain Drives Retirees Back to Work

Recent employment indicators show a mixed labor market: strength in some sectors, losses in others — with many older workers concentrated in the most affected fields.

Work, Finances & Retirement

Financial Strain Drives Retirees Back to Work

Recent employment indicators show a mixed labor market: strength in some sectors, losses in others — with many older workers concentrated in the most affected fields.

Health & Health Care

HIV & Aging: Progress and Challenges

HIV and Aging Awareness Day is a time to celebrate remarkable advances in HIV treatment and consider solutions for the evolving health and social needs of older adults with HIV.

Livable Communities

Homebuilding Policies Can Help Adults 50+

Changes to zoning and land-use policies that would enable more homes to be built are broadly popular, including among older adults.

Health & Health Care

Reforming Medicare Advantage Payments

MA costs 20% more per person than traditional Medicare, totaling $84B in 2025. Reforming payment rules could reduce premiums and improve Medicare’s sustainability.

Health & Health Care

More Scrutiny for Medicare Drug Price Proposal

The Inflation Reduction Act allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices starting with 10 Part D drugs, expanding yearly to save billions while preserving fairness and patient access.

Health & Health Care

Preventative Care at Risk

SCOTUS may end no-cost preventive care. Over 12M adults 50–64 could lose access to screenings like diabetes checks. AARP is watching Braidwood v. Kennedy closely.

Work, Finances & Retirement

State Auto IRA Programs Spur Expansion in Private-Plan Market

Access to an employer-based, payroll-deduction retirement savings plan plays a key role in allowing people to save for the future.

Work, Finances & Retirement

Medical Debt Reporting Change Benefits Many

A change by the major credit rating bureaus to eliminate medical debts of less than $500 that are sent to collections from consumer credit reports had a favorable benefit for many.

Work, Finances & Retirement

Payroll Deduction is Key to Retirement Savings

Half of American working adults lack access to a payroll-deduction workplace retirement savings plan. States like Oregon, California, & Illinois have taken steps to close the gap.

Long-Term Services & Support

Ensuring Equitable Access to High-Quality LTSS

Almost everyone is touched by the need for long-term services and supports (LTSS) at some point, but not everyone receives the same quality of care and services.

Work, Finances & Retirement

Investing in Age-friendly Sustainability

As the U.S. ages, sustaining 900+ age-friendly communities is key. Success depends on collaboration, diverse leadership, spillover impact, and reframing aging narratives.

Health & Health Care

Strengthening SNAP to Combat Food Insecurity

In 2023, 12.6 million – or over one in 10 – adults ages 50 and older were food insecure. Strengthening SNAP is an important step in addressing rising rates of food insecurity.

Livable Communities

Disaster Planning for Vulnerable Older Adults

As states and communities continue to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, many are left wondering what could be done to prevent large-scale destruction from such disasters.

Health & Health Care

High Cost of Health Insurance for Midlife Workers

Employers play a central role in health insurance coverage in the US, with the vast majority of employees working for a company that offers a group health insurance benefit.

Health & Health Care

More Savings Possible for Medicare Part D Enrollees

Some Medicare Part D enrollees may find that a quiet CMS policy change could reduce the amount they must pay before reaching the out-of-pocket spending cap in 2025.

Health & Health Care

Women Affected by Menopause Need Guidance

Many women face menopause symptoms affecting life and work, yet few studied treatments exist. More research is needed to assess current and discover new options.

Long-Term Services & Support

Home Care Inflation Strains Older Adults, Caregivers

Home care inflation is rising fast, straining older adults and caregivers. Policy and private sector solutions are needed to ensure people can afford the care they need.

Health & Health Care

Why Expand Medicaid in Mississippi

If Mississippi joined the states that expanded their Medicaid eligibility, it could net $701 million in savings and get 125,000 people health care coverage, including 28,000 people ages 50-64.

Work, Finances & Retirement

Data Needed to Curb Elder Financial Exploitation

Elder financial exploitation is growing—costing older adults billions yearly. Better demographic data is needed to tailor prevention and intervention strategies.

Social Connections & Leisure

Well-Being of Parents Living with Adult Children

“Boomerang” transitions back to the parental home have been associated with both positive and negative effects on parents’ quality of life and well-being.

Work, Finances & Retirement

Social Security is a High Priority Among Americans

Survey and polling research demonstrate that a strong majority of Americans believe Social Security is an important program they view favorably, and oppose reductions in funding.

Health & Health Care

Needed: Data on How People Use MA Supplemental Benefits

Supplemental benefits are a defining feature of Medicare Advantage, yet information about consumer use of those benefits remains limited.

Work, Finances & Retirement

Financial Literacy for Women and its Limits

To address older women’s financial inequality, we must support them at every age with high-quality work, fair wages, caregiving support, and a secure retirement.

Health & Health Care

RSV Vaccine Survey Points to Need for Outreach

A recent AARP survey found RSV vaccine awareness is growing among older adults, but uptake is uneven—many remain unsure if they need it. .

Health & Health Care

How the Government Pays MA Insurers

A video from the AARP Public Policy Institute explains the ins and outs of a key aspect of MA policy: how the federal government pays MA insurers.

Health & Health Care

New Federal Rules for Prior Authorization in MA

Medicare Advantage plans commonly use prior authorization. But concerns over improper care denials have led to increased scrutiny and new federal guidelines for MA plans.

Work, Finances & Retirement

US Pop. Age Shifts Will Affect the Labor Market

In the decade ahead, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the fastest growth rates among 75+ workers alongside a decline in the number of workers ages 55 to 64.

Technology

Financial Technology Apps for Caregivers

Financial technology apps, or fintech, are poised to help financial family caregivers. A recent AARP study sheds light on barriers that stand in the way.

Health & Health Care

Find the Best Plan During Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment helps adults 50–64 find affordable coverage. Expanded tax credits under ARPA and the Inflation Reduction Act lower premiums and improve access.

Work, Finances & Retirement

Medical Credit Cards: A Potential Debt Trap

Medical credit cards expose consumers to high-cost debt and financial risk, threatening the financial security of older Americans.

Health & Health Care

Rx Drug Assistance Options for Native Elders

Native elders navigate federal, state, and tribal prescription drug assistance options, including Medicare LIS, SPAPs, IHS, tribal programs, and sponsorships.

Work, Finances & Retirement

Navigating New Jobs & Reskilling for the Future

A growing number of new occupations and demographic shifts towards an older workforce suggest a greater need for helping workers reskill & retrain for new jobs over their careers.

Health & Health Care

New Opportunity to Enroll More in MSPs

A new CMS rule streamlines the MSP application process, helping states enroll more eligible low-income Medicare beneficiaries quickly.

Health & Health Care

Consider Drug Formularies During Open Enrollment

During open enrollment, you can check if the formulary covers your drugs, note any restrictions, and see expected out-of-pocket costs for the upcoming year.

Health & Health Care

New MA Rules Will Help Protect Consumers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ 2023 rule changes bolster federal guidelines for how health insurers can communicate about and market their Medicare Advantage plans.

Work, Finances & Retirement

The Workforce's Missing Millions

The pandemic triggered millions of worker exits, highlighting older workers’ value and prompting calls for age-inclusive practices to retain experienced talent.

Health & Health Care

Medicare Part D Rx Spending Exceeded $180 Billion

Total Medicare Part D spending on the 10 drugs selected for the first round of Medicare price negotiation exceeded $180 billion over six years.

Health & Health Care

Telehealth and Medicare: Audio-Only Visits

Lawmakers must decide whether Medicare will continue to cover audio-only (that is, telephone-without-video) visits. Requiring video would represent a major change.

Health & Health Care

Streamlining Eligibility for Medicaid and MSPs

CMS proposes updates to simplify Medicaid and MSP eligibility, reduce burdens, and expand “spenddown” to include home-based services—helping more people qualify.

Health & Health Care

Medicare Telehealth’s Future Remains Unclear

Medicare telehealth access expanded during COVID-19 but may change in 2024. Research is needed to guide future policy decisions on coverage and care quality.

Health & Health Care

A Look at the RSV Vaccine for Older Adults

New vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for adults 60 and older could save thousands of lives each year.

Health & Health Care

Guidelines Recommend Anxiety Screening

Screening adults younger than 65 for anxiety disorders is effective in identifying these conditions so adults can receive the care they need.

Work, Finances & Retirement

The Gender Savings Gap and 401K Access

In 2021, nearly 20 percent of women, compared to 12 percent of men, had less than $10,000 in retirement savings. Troubling statistics point to systemic barriers.

Aging Experience

Americans Interested in Global Aging

Results of the new survey from AARP reveal areas for further exploration in the U.S. healthcare system, especially when it comes to issues of access.

Work, Finances & Retirement

Small Biz Trends Influence US Older Workforce

Small firms remain vital for workers ages 50+. In 2022, 24.2 million 50+ workers were employed by firms with fewer than 500 employees.

Health & Health Care

North Carolina Wins With Medicaid Law

A new law in North Carolina paves the way for 182,000 adults ages 50-64 to get Medicaid coverage, a recent analysis shows. It also means more money in the state’s budget.

Health & Health Care

Medicare Spending Is Growing Slower Than Expected

Medicare spending growth rates in the decade before the pandemic were substantially lower than expected, according to a recent analysis by the CBO.

Health & Health Care

Addressing Health Care Disparities with the CRA

The Community Reinvestment Act incentivizes financial institutions to address gaps in health care access in low-to-moderate income communities.

Health & Health Care

SNAP Work Rules Could Reduce Access

Expanded SNAP work requirements could worsen barriers and increase the risk that many older adults would not receive the benefits they are eligible for.

Health & Health Care

Report: Fix Medicare Advantage Payment System

Medicare spends more on a person enrolled in Medicare Advantage than the same person in traditional Medicare. Changes to how Medicare pays MA insurers must prioritize consumers.