If you are one of America’s 55 million Medicare beneficiaries (or, if someone in your life is), you need to know about a big, POSITIVE change coming. Starting this month, the U.S. government is mailing out new Medicare cards that have been redesigned to help prevent identity theft. New enrollees will be among the first to get the cards. Current enrollees will get theirs over the next year.

The biggest change you’ll notice is that your Social Security number will no longer be on the card. Thank goodness, since Social Security numbers are like gold for scammers. If they get a hold of your number, criminals can file fake tax returns in your name to collect refunds; they can also take out loans, open credit card accounts, and do other things that wreak havoc with your finances and peace of mind.

This important step to protect older Americans is the result of a law passed by Congress in 2015.  But, it’s still important to stay alert! Fraudsters have already come up with new scams based on the new cards. Already, we’ve heard about seniors getting calls from people claiming to be from Medicare to collect a processing fee for the new cards. (They’re not. The cards are FREE.) Or, scammers say they need to verify your Social Security number before sending out your new card. (NOPE. Medicare already has your Social Security number). Or, they claim there’s a balance on your old card and they need bank account information to transfer the refund. (NO AGAIN. Medicare does NOT call beneficiaries asking for personal information like this.)

AARP is working hard to make sure that our members and their families understand the new card program and protect themselves from scams. Earlier this year, we fielded a survey that found more than three-quarters of Medicare-aged consumers didn’t know the new cards were coming. So, we’re getting the word out in all kinds of ways  . . . there’s a big feature story in the latest edition of the AARP Bulletin, and we’ve put together videos (here and here), an animated “quiz” and a webinar to tell people about the new cards, how to protect them and how to spot card scams. Across the country, AARP teams on the ground are talking to folks in their communities and giving them fact sheets to share with their friends and neighbors.

Every year, fraud and scams impact thousands of families, and older Americans are frequent targets. That’s why AARP launched the Fraud Watch Network – to give our members and people of all ages the information and resources they need foil the fraudsters. When it comes to the new Medicare cards, the roll-out process will go on for a year . . . and so will the scams. We will continue to let our members and others know what to watch out for through our publications, www.aarp.org, and our Fraud Watch Network. To get timely scam alerts, sign up for our watchdog alerts.

Nancy LeaMond is AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer. She leads the organization’s Communities, State and National Group, including government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

The post As Medicare Rolls Out New Cards, Fraudsters Roll Out New Scams appeared first on AARP.

AARP led a group of 75 organizations yesterday, calling on Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar to implement the bipartisan Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act. In a letter, the organizations write, “Millions of individuals count on family caregivers every day. Family caregivers are counting on implementation of this commonsense law.”

The RAISE Family Caregivers Act, which passed Congress with overwhelming support and was signed into law by President Trump on January 22, requires the Secretary of HHS to develop a strategy to support family caregivers within 18 months of the law’s enactment – the clock started ticking five months ago.

According to the new law, the Secretary must:

• Establish an advisory council of representatives from both the private and public sectors to advise and make recommendations for the strategy.
• Identify as part of the strategy recommended actions that communities, providers, government, and others are taking and may take to make it easier to coordinate care for a loved one, get information, referrals and resources, and improve respite options so family caregivers can reset and recharge, among other areas.

Every day, more than 40 million Americans help aging parents, spouses, and other relatives and friends manage chronic conditions and disabilities so their loved ones can live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. About 3.7 million family caregivers provide care to a child under age 18 who have medical, behavioral, or other condition or disability, and 6.5 million family caregivers assist both adults and children They manage medications, help with bathing and dressing, prepare and feed meals, arrange transportation to medical appointments (or do the driving themselves), handle financial and legal matters and much, much more. Many do all of this while working full time and raising families.

Family caregivers are the backbone of our care system in this country. The unpaid care family caregivers provide — a staggering 37 billion hours valued at about $470 billion annually — helps delay or prevent more costly care and unnecessary hospitalizations, saving taxpayer dollars.

Once implemented, the RAISE Family Caregivers Act will:

• Help improve the collection and sharing of information, including information related to evidence-based or promising practices and innovative models regarding family caregiving.
• Better coordinate, assess, maximize the effectiveness, and avoid unnecessary duplication of existing federal government activities to recognize and support family caregivers.
• Inform state and local efforts to support family caregivers.

Jennifer, who cares for her elderly mother with dementia, Yoko, demonstrates the importance of this new law and its enactment. “Taking care of Mom is a full-time job, including getting up several times a night to help her walk to the bathroom. This has been a challenge since I no longer get a full night’s rest. During the day, I’m responsible for broad duties such as her finances and healthcare decisions, as well as everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, and medication management.”

Family caregivers, like Jennifer, take on huge responsibilities every day, and the RAISE Family Caregivers Act is one way to help make their lives a little bit easier.

On behalf of America’s more than 40 million family caregivers—and the loved ones who count on them—AARP urges Secretary Alex Azar to promptly implement the RAISE Family Caregivers Act. Family caregivers need support today.

Nancy LeaMond is AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer. She leads the organization’s Communities, State and National Group, including government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

The post The Clock is Ticking to Implement a New Law Helping America’s Caregiving Families appeared first on AARP.

Think for a moment about everything you do in a typical week . . . going to work or school or volunteering, visiting friends and family, getting to a doctor’s appointment or the grocery store, grabbing a bite to eat, catching a movie . . . and you’ll understand why safe, affordable transportation options are a key component of what we at AARP call “livable communities” – great places to live for people of all ages. Day-to-day mobility is critical to earn a living, raise a family, contribute to your community, and, really, enjoy life.

For generations in the U.S., the car has been king – particularly outside of big cities. Overall, about 86% of American workers commute by car with about 3 in 4 of those driving solo. And, while car ownership has seen a recent decline, 91% of U.S. households own at least one.

But how can you get around if you don’t want to – or can’t – drive yourself? This question is particularly important for older adults who want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. Today, 40 million Americans age 65 and up have drivers licenses, including more than 3.5 million who are 85 years old or older. Most will outlive their ability to drive safely by as long as a decade. Giving up their car keys is incredibly difficult. Without other options, it can mean a loss of independence and social isolation.  In fact, studies show that former drivers have an increased risk of depression and are more likely to move into institutional care facilities.

That’s why AARP is actively engaged on a range of transportation and mobility initiatives.

In some places, that means supporting local action to increase investment in public transportation. A great example is the work that AARP Indiana staff and volunteers are doing to help expand and improve bus service in Indianapolis and Marion County. With innovative approaches like electric bus rapid transit and a revamped route structure that helps people travel efficiently between neighborhoods, the project could serve as a useful model for low-density cities looking for transit options that won’t break the bank.

But, improving mobility options is about more than buses and trains.  It’s also about making it easier (and safer) to cross the street, bike to work, and walk around town to do your errands. AARP works with cities, towns, and states across the country on “complete streets” initiatives that focus on things like improving crosswalks and sidewalks so they can be navigated by residents of all ages and abilities. These seemingly small changes can make a big difference for a parent pushing a stroller, a teen riding a bike, someone in a wheelchair or an older adult who isn’t comfortable getting behind the wheel.

These solutions, however, only get us so far. But, thanks to technological innovation, we are on the cusp of game-changing breakthroughs. Ride-sharing through apps like Uber and Lyft may have started in cities, but they’re now changing the mobility landscape in communities of all sizes.  In fact, Lyft says that 95% of the U.S. population is a mere 10 minutes away from a ride with one of their drivers, and both of the big names in ride sharing are partnering with health providers to help get people to and from medical appointments. We’re also seeing creative ventures from start-ups and non-profits that focus specifically on giving rides — and in some cases a little extra help — to older adults and people of all ages with disabilities, whether they’re going to see a doctor or do some grocery shopping.  And the sharing economy ethos is transforming how we view personal mobility resources from something that you own to something that you pay to use only when you need it – whether it’s a car, a bike, or an electric scooter.

Meanwhile, auto and tech companies are racing to be the first-mover on autonomous vehicles – a development that has the potential to be truly transformative.  And, it’s coming sooner than you may think. Today’s cars already come with the kinds of advanced technology features that are the building blocks of AVs . . . things like rear-view back-up cameras, ‘lane assist’ technology, and (my personal favorite) automated parallel parking.

While we wait for fully autonomous cars to come on-line, we’re helping AARP members and other older adults get ready. That means being comfortable with auto technology and jumping into someone else’s car. Through AARP Driver Safety’s SmartDriverTEK program, we are helping older Americans understand and use advanced features that are already available, and later this summer, we are launching pilot projects to educate older adults about using ride sharing services.  We’ll also be testing a technology solution that will connect older adults with a range of mobility options, including public transit, bike sharing, volunteer drivers as well as ride-share companies.

These initiatives are incredibly promising. Taking an “all of the above” approach that combines safe, walkable streets with accessible public transit and a range of on-demand options, we can help millions of Americans stay independent as they age.

Nancy LeaMond is AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer. She leads the organization’s Communities, State and National Group, including government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

The post Moving forward: Mobility Options are Key Element of Livable Communities appeared first on AARP Blog.

We’ve all experienced our phones ringing off the hook with a barrage of telemarketing calls. While these calls can be a real nuisance, some are far worse. Scammers use the latest telemarketing technology to rip off victims to the tune of millions of dollars each year. The threat of financial loss is especially great for older Americans living off of their retirement nest eggs.

The Federal Communications Commission and AARP are working together to educate older Americans about different kinds of phone scams. For instance, there’s the government impostor scam (someone claiming to be from the IRS threatens to arrest you for back taxes); the tech support scam (the caller, claiming he represents a well-known tech company, warns you about a “virus on your computer”); and the grandparent scam (a late night caller says, “Grandma, I need help; please wire money and don’t tell anyone”). Then there are a host of telemarketers – some acting legally, others not – trying to convince you to buy the latest dietary supplement or cure-all.

Today, scammers often leverage “robocall” technology that auto-dials phone numbers to deliver a pre-recorded message that may ask the recipient to respond. Lawful uses for this technology include things like prescription refill reminders, political campaign messages to your landline phone, emergency communications, telemarketing calls you have consented to, and educational calls to your landline phone by non-profit organizations such as AARP.

Scammers may use robocall technology unlawfully as a way to steal victims’ money, deploying other devious tactics to confuse intended victims.  A common one is “caller ID spoofing,” which makes the call look like it’s coming from a trusted source like your bank or a neighbor.

The FCC and AARP will use robocall technology for good when we co-host two Telephone Town Halls on Tuesday, September 18 at 10 am and 2 pm EDT. AARP members and the general public will hear directly from FCC experts on how to avoid phone scams and what the agency is doing to help consumers through enforcement actions. The FCC will also explain initiatives that will enable phone companies to improve caller ID and call blocking technology for use on both landlines and cell phones.

If you would like to be added to AARP’s outbound telephone call list for one of these Telephone Town Hall sessions, register here for the 10 am EDT session, or here for the 2 pm EDT session.

For recommendations on avoiding unwanted calls, see the FCC’s online consumer guides on spoofed caller ID and illegal robocalls.  And for information about various types of consumer fraud and scams, visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network.

Nancy LeaMond is AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer. 

Patrick Webre is chief of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.

The post FCC and AARP Join Forces to Educate Older Americans about Phone Scams appeared first on AARP Blog.

With less than a month until Election Day, political campaigns are in high gear, and party control of Congress, Governor’s mansions and state houses are on the line. The landscape is volatile to say the least. But, one thing is certain . . . candidates who ignore older voters do so at their peril.

At AARP, we spend a lot of time listening and looking at data to understand Americans age 50 and up and their engagement in the political process. What we find is that year after year, election cycle after election cycle, older voters are the largest, reliable voting bloc. FULL STOP. Millennials and other young Americans may be the majority of ELIGIBLE voters, but they have yet to show up at the polls commensurate with their numbers.

Most recently, AARP looked at voter file data in the 42 states that track age and found that, in 2016, Americans age 50 and up made up 56% of the national electorate and were at least half of the electorate in all of the 42 states. We also know that older voters historically play an even larger role in mid-term Congressional elections. According to the U.S. Census Current Population Survey, voters age 45 and over have made up more than 60% of the voting population in every mid-term election since 2006, reaching 70% in 2014.

These trends will likely continue this year. In a recent Washington Post / ABC poll, 79 percent of registered voters age 40 to 64 and 82 percent of those age 65 and up say they are “ABSOLUTELY” going to vote in 2018. That’s more than 12 points higher than the 18 – 39 year old demographic.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that older voters are not a monolithic – or static – group.  For a number of cycles, Republican candidates have counted on their support, and that’s certainly been the trend in recent presidential elections according to exit poll data. But, when we look a little bit deeper, we see some big differences. Older minority voters, particularly African-American voters, consistently vote for Democratic candidates, and, older women tend to be more Democratic than older men.

In a lot of ways, voters age 50 and up are the ultimate swing voters. In 2016, the 50+ voted for the winning Senate candidate in 17 out of 19 races where we have exit poll data by age – cutting across both red and blue states. And, the conventional wisdom that being older means you are more conservative may be starting to shift.  Vietnam War protest era Boomers have turned 65 and the oldest Gen Xers – children of the Reagan Era – are now in their early 50’s.

Setting aside political party, there is a lot of common ground when it comes to the issues that older voters care about. A recent AARP survey found that the biggest worry for older voters across party lines is how divided America has become. And, when we asked about issues that are important to their voting decisions, health care costs rose to the top. We see strong bipartisan consensus around many of the health care issues that have been debated in Congress over the last year:

• Protecting the Medicare Part D donut hole deal that lowers seniors’ out of pocket costs on prescription drugs received overwhelming support. 73% of Republicans, 80% of Democrats, and 81% of Independents say they oppose Congress granting drug companies’ request to renege on that deal.
• There is also overwhelming strong bipartisan support for AARP’s positions opposing the “age tax” (80% of Republicans, 88% of Democrats and 84% of Independents) and maintaining protections for people with pre-existing conditions (73% of Republicans, 93% of Democrats and 83% of Independents)).
• Another 80% issue is the medical expense deduction and ensuring that the income threshold stays at 7.5 percent.
• Older voters also agree that Medicare should be allowed to negotiate for lower drug prices – though with more of a party split . . . 75% among Democrats, 57% among Republicans and 66% of Independents.
• And, older voters across party lines also overwhelmingly agree that older Americans should be protected from age discrimination just as strongly as they are protected from discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin and religion.

The time is now for candidates to engage with older Americans and talk to them about the issues that really matter. Yes, Medicare and Social Security, but also how we can lower health care costs, make sure there is a level playing field for older workers, and be more unified as a country. AARP is conducting an intensive voter outreach and education campaign called “Be the Difference. Vote.” We’re encouraging our members and other older Americans to vote on November 6, and we’re reminding candidates for office that older voters will likely be the ones who decide the elections.

Nancy LeaMond is AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer. She leads the organization’s Communities, State and National Group, including government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

The post Candidates Who Ignore Older Voters Do So At Their Peril appeared first on AARP Blog.

As another baseball season draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the incredible opportunity every at bat represents: three strikes means at least three chances to make it count before it’s back to the dugout. But imagine you were stepping up to the plate, and the ump said you already had three strikes against you. Whether anyone has told you that or not, there’s a good chance it’s true. Every day millions of women suit up, head to work, care for their families, and dream of a comfortable future, all while carrying three strikes against them.

Strike 1: Right out of college—for those who can afford it or are willing to load up on student debt—the imbalance begins. An average female college graduate makes just 82 cents to every dollar her male peer earns. Women of color have an even steeper hill to climb. African-American and Latina women are making, respectively, 68 and 62 cents to the dollar. These differences persist from the lowest-paid workers to the highest: a survey of 6,000 companies recently found that women hold only 47 cents of equity in their companies to every dollar that men hold, even at the founders’ level. At the risk of mixing metaphors, that playing field is not level!

Strike 2: The next setback comes if a woman decides to start a family. On average, mothers take eight years out of the paid workforce to raise children and manage households. That’s eight years of climbing the ladder—both financially and in experience—that millions of women opt out of. This can be a sound financial decision in the short-term, with money saved by not paying for childcare offsetting the foregone paycheck. But, those years of lost earnings have long-term implications as they get factored into future hiring and salary decisions as well as Social Security benefits.

Strike 3:  And now for the curveball. She’s established a career, figured out parenting, maybe made some headway in saving for retirement, when all of a sudden her (or her partner’s) parent falls ill and needs care. In their 40s and 50s, women often find themselves caring for aging parents or in-laws. Some may see it coming and make a plan, and some don’t.  In either case, caring for an aging or ailing adult takes a significant toll. In 2015, an average caregiver devoted 20 hours a week to caregiving tasks, spent nearly $7,000 out-of-pocket on caregiving expenses, and was more likely to report their own health as fair or poor than a non-caregiver. Women are more likely to take time off from work during this period than men, and some women retire earlier than they planned as a result of the time and energy their loved one requires. A woman who leaves the workforce due to caregiving responsibilities is estimated to miss out on $142,000 in wages. Even when a woman keeps working, she often turns down opportunities for advancement and higher pay to maintain the precarious balance between caregiving and work. And remember, those years of lost earnings and lower salaries are counted against her when she begins collecting Social Security.

The final score:

Women…

• spend 44% of their adult life out of the workforce compared to 28% for men
• earn $1,055,000 less in cumulative wages and salary than men over their careers
• collect $3,772 less each year in Social Security benefits than men ($13,891 vs. $17,663)
• live five years longer than men
• incur 39% or $194,000 more in healthcare costs in retirement than men ($688,000 vs. $494,000)
• account for 58% of the population aged 65 and over who are living in poverty

Women, like men, work for years seeking professional success, personal satisfaction, and financial security. Yet women spend more of their resources—time, health, and money—caring for others, leaving them on shakier ground as they age. Caring for our loved ones is a privilege and an obligation. We shouldn’t penalize women for accepting this responsibility.

Nancy LeaMond is AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer. She leads the organization’s Communities, State and National Group, including government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

The post Women Caregivers: In a League of Their Own appeared first on AARP Blog.

A few months ago, I wrote a blog about the vital role that transportation options play in what we at AARP call “livable communities” – great places to live for people of all ages. Being able to get around is critical to earn a living, raise a family, contribute and stay connected to your community and enjoy life. And, having alternatives to getting behind the wheel of your own car is particularly important for older adults who want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

The good news is that mobility solutions are evolving by leaps and bounds, driven by technological innovation and the sharing economy.

Just think . . . Uber went live in San Francisco a little over eight years ago. Today, the company’s name is used as a verb and a noun in casual conversation; there is stiff competition for customers and drivers from Lyft and other services, and, the sharing economy model now extends to cars, bikes and electric scooters in cities across the country.

These two mobility innovations – technology facilitated ride-sharing and transportation as something that you borrow, share or order up like a service – are the subject of two AARP pilot projects in three locations – Ft. Worth, Indianapolis and Columbia, South Carolina.

While awareness of ride-sharing apps is fairly high among AARP members and our broader constituency, older Americans are less familiar with how the services actually work, and they have concerns about personal and financial safety. So, our Ride@50+ workshop is testing ways to get older adults up to speed about using services like Uber or Lyft. We are conducting hands-on educational sessions in Ft. Worth and Indianapolis, providing free rides to get folks started, and evaluating the use of those rides and benefits to the participants in terms of increased social connections and ease of mobility.

Meanwhile, in Columbia, South Carolina, we are preparing to test a solution that connects older adults with a range of mobility options so they can choose the best way to get where they want to go for any particular trip. Everything from public transit to ride-sharing companies, bike sharing and volunteer drivers can be accessed through this one-stop-shop that positions mobility as a service rather than something you own and operate like a personal car.

All of this is a precursor to the game changer that’s on the horizon – autonomous vehicles (AVs). While auto and tech companies race to be the first-mover in the AV marketplace, and, the public sector gets its arms around testing protocols and regulatory frameworks, AARP’s pilots and SmartDriverTEK program are helping bridge a significant knowledge and trust gap. If older drivers are more comfortable with technology that is already available – whether it’s an app on their phones or a safety feature in their cars – they’ll be more comfortable with AVs as a logical next step.

There is a lot “coming down the pike” that can make a real difference helping older adults stay engaged and active in their communities and get where they need to go. And, AARP is helping make sure they’re ready to take advantage of these new opportunities.

Nancy LeaMond is AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer. She leads the organization’s Communities, State and National Group, including government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

The post Mobility Solutions: Accelerating toward the Future appeared first on AARP Blog.

In an election year filled with partisanship and political fights, it’s no surprise that many Americans feel that their voices aren’t being heard or that the issues that affect their lives aren’t being addressed. But, many outstanding elected officials work hard every day to make a positive difference for their constituents. 

That’s why AARP recognizes state legislators, governors, and other elected officials – from both sides of the aisle – who have stepped up and worked together to write, support, and advance common-sense policies that help older Americans remain in their homes and communities and retire with confidence.

AARP is proud to announce our fifth annual bipartisan class of Capitol Caregivers, who fought this year to increase support for family caregivers and their loved ones, along with our fourth annual bipartisan class of Super Savers, who championed policies that enhance retirement security.

Capitol Caregivers
Every day, more than 40 million Americans help aging parents, spouses, children with disabilities and other loved ones with a whole host of tasks that help them live independently in their homes and communities – things like assisting with bathing and dressing, preparing meals, driving to doctor visits, paying bills, and administering medication and other medical tasks. About sixty percent balance their caregiving responsibilities with full- or part-time jobs, and some are also raising families.

AARP is fighting for commonsense solutions to make these big responsibilities a little bit easier, and we’ve seen real progress in states across the country.

AARP’s 2018 class of Capitol Caregivers includes 58 state legislators and 6 governors from more than 20 states who championed policies that:

• support family caregivers when their loved ones are admitted to the hospital and as they transition home
• give nurse practitioners the full authority to heal by cutting through the red tape that prevents them from doing their jobs
• help working caregivers to balance responsibilities at home and work with workplace flexibility and paid and unpaid leave policies
• update state guardianship laws to better protect vulnerable adults and provide family caregivers and other legal guardians more training and support
• help protect vulnerable adults and provide their caregivers with the tools they need to make important financial decisions through power of attorney laws
• break down the barriers that prevent use of telehealth — using digital information and communication technologies, like computers and mobile devices
• protect or increase the number of older adults who have access to state-funded services at home, like home care and adult day care

A list of AARP’s 2018 Capitol Caregivers and the legislation they championed can be found here.

Super Savers
Today, a secure retirement is out of reach for millions of Americans, especially those who are self-employed or work for small businesses. About half of all U.S. households are at risk of not having enough savings to maintain their standard of living in retirement, which means it will be difficult to pay the bills or put food on the table.

Social Security is a critical piece of the retirement puzzle, but it is not enough on its own for true financial security. The average annual Social Security benefit for a 65+ family is approximately $18,000, and older American families on average spend $20,000 annually on food, utilities and healthcare.

To help Americans increase their retirement savings, AARP is advocating for Work and Save programs that allow businesses to access a retirement savings option for their employees with little effort and no cost or risk. Research shows that workers are 15 times more likely to save for retirement when they have a payroll deduction savings program at work. 

AARP’s fourth class of Super Savers includes a governor, two state treasurers and 17 state legislators who led efforts to help workers increase their retirement savings.

A list of AARP’s 2018 Super Savers and the efforts they championed can be found here.

2014 Capitol Caregivers
2015 Capitol Caregivers
2016 Capitol Caregivers
2017 Capitol Caregivers
2015 Super Savers
2016 Super Savers 
2017 Super Savers

Nancy LeaMond is AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer. She leads the organization’s Communities, State and National Group, including government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

The post AARP Announces 2018 State Capitol Caregivers and Super Savers appeared first on AARP Blog.

“Any changes to Medicare should help, not hurt, patients,” say the PhRMA ads. Yet PhRMA’s actions tell a different story.

Last February, Congress struck a bipartisan deal to help close the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage gap, known as the ‘doughnut hole,’ a year earlier than expected. In addition, brand name drug companies are now responsible for picking up more of the cost of their products for Medicare beneficiaries who are in the doughnut hole.

The provision was part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and was a huge win for seniors because it will help save them billions of dollars in their out-of-pocket prescription drug costs starting this year. In fact, thanks to the Part D doughnut hole deal, Medicare Part D enrollees are expected to save $1.3 billion in 2019 alone. And they will save an estimated $6.7 billion in Medicare premiums and cost sharing between 2020 and 2027.

Unfortunately, PhRMA lobbied relentlessly to roll back this bipartisan deal. PhRMA’s sticking point is what they claim is an “extra” $4 billion that drug companies will contribute to seniors’ costs while they are in the doughnut hole. The $4 billion will be spread out over 10 years among the more than 400 drug companies enrolled in the Part D coverage gap discount program. In contrast, the Medicare Part D program paid drug companies $141 billion in 2016 alone.

Let’s be clear: Rolling back the Part D doughnut hole deal would have hurt, not helped, patients.

This year, Medicare Part D enrollees will enter the doughnut hole when their total drug spending reaches a threshold of $3,820. After this point, the new law requires brand-name drug manufacturers to begin paying 70 percent of the cost of their products for people who are in the doughnut hole—up from the 50 percent they paid previously. The higher manufacturer discounts will help lower out-of-pocket costs for seniors by reducing the amount they have to pay to move through the doughnut hole and enter catastrophic coverage where their costs drop substantially.

Reversing this important improvement would have negatively impacted a population that simply cannot afford to take on higher prescription drug costs, putting their health and possibly even their lives at risk. The median annual income for Medicare beneficiaries is $26,200. Meanwhile, AARP’s most recent Rx Price Watch report found the average older American taking 4.5 medications each month faced more than $30,000 in brand name drug costs in 2017. Drug therapy is not affordable when its cost exceeds the patient’s entire income.

And let’s not forget that drug companies are reaping enormous profits as a direct result of the tax bill passed earlier this year. They were already making colossal profits before the tax bill. According to The Wall Street Journal, 10 of the largest drug companies bought back about $52.4 billion of their own shares this year, more than twice the amount they repurchased the year before. Yet none of these companies’ tax gains appear to have been passed on to patients in in the form of lower drug prices.

Poll after poll shows that prescription drug prices are a top concern among the majority of Americans. Both President Trump and leaders in Congress have said that pharmaceutical prices are too high, and something must be done to lower them. We agree.

Despite PhRMA investing millions in lobbying for a back room deal and advertising to mislead Congress and the public, they ultimately failed to roll back the Part D doughnut hole deal. This defeat was due in large part to the thousands of AARP members and volunteers who fought back on behalf of seniors by signing petitions, calling their Senators and Representatives, and speaking out forcefully.

But this fight isn’t over. Drug companies will keep spending millions on lobbying and advertising to protect their monopolies and ability to set high prices. AARP will continue to lead the fight for lower pharmaceutical drug prices, for those age 50-plus and all Americans.

The new year ushered in a new congress and gives us a prime opportunity to work on bipartisan solutions to the problem of high prescription drug prices in the U.S. In 2019, we’ll continue pressing Congress and the Administration to put Americans before drug company profits.

Nancy LeaMond is AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer. She leads the organization’s Communities, State and National Group, including government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

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A career in Washington, DC, means a lot of turnover, and so, at the tender age of 50, I was job hunting after leaving the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative towards the end of the Clinton Administration. Freshly polished resume in hand, I recall going through at least three different job interviews where the questioner probed for my age instead of focusing on my qualifications and experience. While I didn’t feel a need to hide how old I was – I certainly didn’t consider myself to be “old” – perhaps the interviewers were reacting to my head of white hair. Whatever their reason, it was disconcerting, to say the least.

Unfortunately, my experience nearly 20 years ago is something that older workers and job seekers continue to face today. AARP research finds that more than 6 in 10 workers ages 45 and older have seen or experienced age discrimination, and most believe it starts when workers are in their 50s. A recent Urban Institute study found that 56% of older workers have been laid off at least once or pushed out of a job prematurely, and 90% of them never recover earnings comparable to the job they lost.

To make matters worse, today’s older workers have fewer legal protections than they did a decade ago. While the Age Discrimination in Employment Act has prohibited employers from discriminating against job applicants and employees based on age since 1967, a 2009 Supreme Court decision changed the rules, making it harder to prove age discrimination than other kinds of workplace discrimination. In a nutshell, someone making an age discrimination claim today needs to prove that age was a determining factor in the employer’s action. Even if I had an email that shows a hiring manager saying “Nancy’s too old for this position,” my erstwhile employer could effectively (in the eyes of the court) counter my claim by offering other reasons they didn’t give me the job or promotion. This is a fundamentally different standard than what is applied to discrimination claims centered on gender, race, or religion, where unlawful factors are not permitted to play any role.

So what can we do?

First, we need to educate employers about the important role older workers play in our economy and the value they bring to the workplace. About one-third of the U.S. workforce is age 50 and up, and research shows that these experienced workers bring important skills, professionalism and a strong work ethic to the job. Older workers also tend to be more engaged, an attribute that is linked to increased revenue growth and lower turnover rates. Age-diverse and inclusive workplaces also have higher-performing teams.

AARP is spreading the word through our Employer Pledge program. Hundreds of organizations have signed up, affirming their commitment to valuing and supporting older workers.

Second, Congress must act to reinstate protections for older workers that were rolled back by the Supreme Court in 2009. Last week, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (H.R. 1230 / S. 485, known as POWADA) was introduced in both houses of the U.S. Congress. This bipartisan legislation would re-level the playing field for older workers by treating age discrimination claims – and the required burden of proof – the same way that other types of workplace discrimination are treated. Passing POWADA would also send a strong message that any amount of age discrimination is unlawful, and it will be handled the same way by the courts as other forms of discrimination.

AARP, on behalf of our 38 million members, sends thanks to POWADA’s co-sponsors for their leadership on this important issue: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). Anyone who wants to join AARP’s efforts to end age discrimination and stop older workers from getting pushed out of the workforce can sign up here to receive important updates and opportunities to take action.

Nancy LeaMond is AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer. She leads the organization’s Communities, State and National Group, including government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

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