shAARP Talk: Observations from AARP

This week saw the unveiling of two online forums that the Presidential candidates are using to talk about the issues. One, which began on Thursday, brought to us by MySpace and MTV- click here to check it out.

The other, organized by the Federation of American Hospitals and Families USA, feature candidates being interviewed by a panel of prominent journalists from ABC News, National Public Radio, the Wall Street Journal, and the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Click here to see more.

If you’re already feeling guilty about not doing your exercise this morning, be sure to check out this great AP story about the 59-year old college football player. It will only make you feel worse. Mike Flynt, at nearly 60, is starting on Saturday as his team, the Sul State Lobos, battle Howard Payne. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on Flynt’s progress.

Washington Post: Following Bush Over a Cliff

If ever there was a crowd-pleaser of a bill, this is it. Hundreds of organizations -- grass-roots groups ranging from AARP to United Way of America and the national YMCA -- have called on Bush to sign the bill. America's Health Insurance Plans, the largest insurance lobbying group, endorsed the bill on Monday.

Associated Press: Bloomberg: No One Has Health Care Answers

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a potential presidential candidate, said none of the White House contenders has offered a health care plan that works, and he suggested that socialized medicine "may not be all that bad."

Associated Press: Iraq conflict tops Democratic debate agenda

Foreign policy blended with domestic issues at the debate on a Dartmouth College stage, and several of the contenders endorsed payroll tax increases to assure a stable Social Security system.

Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, as well as Dodd, Obama, Edwards all said they would apply the tax to income now exempted.

Richardson said he wouldn't and Clinton refused to say. "I'm not putting anything on the proverbial table" unilaterally, she said.

Marketwatch: In pursuit of the future

Most retirement gurus are extremely pessimistic about the future. Some are modestly hopeful. But there is one who is "wildly optimistic" about what's in store for the millions upon millions of aging baby boomers.

Washington Post: House Passes Children's Health Bill

Indeed, the compromise worked out between the House and the Senate has garnered the support of the health insurance industry, AARP, the American Medical Association, governors from both parties and a platoon of children's health advocates.

The Hill: A bipartisan approach to America’s greatest fiscal challenge

As senators from different political parties, it is true that we do not always agree on fiscal policy. But we do agree on this: Our nation will soon confront one of its greatest fiscal challenges, and it is our responsibility as elected leaders to work together today on a solution that will best serve American citizens and the long-term health of the economy.

New York Times: To Keep Health Plans, Many Firms Shift Costs

Health insurance premiums have been rising faster than the rate of inflation for years. Lack of health coverage has become a major issue in the presidential race. Yet somehow, 59 percent of small businesses provide some kind of insurance, according to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Marketwatch: Five ways to streamline your finances

Whether you're a financial newbie or just a late bloomer, it pays to follow MSN Money columnist Liz Pulliam Weston's five laws of basic money management.

Marketwatch: Mature employees wanted

With brands like Shout, Windex and Scrubbing Bubbles under its name, SC Johnson certainly should be one of the cleanest companies to work for. But on Tuesday, AARP acknowledged the company for a different reason: its policies and practices that make it the best workplace for those over the age of 50.

AFP: Keep older workers or face skills gap: study

Industrialized nations must convince older workers to stay on the job beyond retirement age or face a skills shortage and higher labour costs, a study released Tuesday warned.

Associated Press: Bush Admin. Urges Social Security Fix

Paulson, Bush's point person on Social Security reform, said he has had a number of discussions with members of Congress from both parties over the issue of fixing the problems in Social Security with the looming retirement of 78 million baby boomers.

Washington Post: GOP Senator Says Bush Should Put Health Bill Before Policy Goal

A senior Senate Republican accused President Bush yesterday of holding a bipartisan expansion of the popular State Children's Health Insurance Program hostage to his broader policy goals of using tax deductions to help people afford private health insurance coverage.

Good news – despite how you might feel at work today, there are lots of employers that are working to try and keep employees who are 50+. With incentives like flexible hours, generous benefits, onsite medical services, and tuition reimbursement, you may want to check out the list.