ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

Today’s Sioux City Journal gets it right - Republican presidential candidates are missing an opportunity to talk to 50+ voters in Iowa by not yet agreeing to come to the AARP Forum on October 25th.

So far former Governor Huckabee and Senator John McCain have agreed to attend. We’re still waiting to hear from the rest of ‘em. AARP took out ads asking folks in Iowa to contact the campaigns directly. Print ads here and radio ads here.

Just so you know... AARP has over 390,000 members in Iowa, including over 65,000 that have attended a caucus before.

Politics aside, Paul Krugman highlights a fascinating report on his blog about happiness and age. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, “Happiness among American men and women reaches its estimated minimum at approximately ages 49 and 45 respectively.”

Guess there’s only one direction to go.

Washington Post: Means Test Sought for Medicare Drug Plan

"You say it saves money and these people can afford it, but it also eats away at the incomes of seniors. It erodes their sense of the reliability on these federal programs, and it certainly erodes political support," said John Rother, policy director for AARP, the powerful senior lobby.

Los Angeles Times: Bill seeks to shed light on 401(k)s

Senior citizen advocacy group AARP estimated that over 30 years, the $20,000 would grow to $132,287 with the lower fee -- but just $99,679 with the higher fee.

"The fee information participants currently receive about their plan is often scattered or difficult to access or nonexistent," said David Certner, AARP's legislative policy director. "It's clear that better information is needed."

Associated Press: FDA Seeks Speedier Generic Drug Reviews

FDA officials outlined a half dozen recent changes that it said will streamline how the agency processes applications for cheaper versions of branded drugs.

Politico: Predicting politics is exercise in futility

On the domestic front, the parties seem to be moving closer together on issues demanding immediate attention yet remain miles apart.

Both parties see health care costs and the growing pool of uninsured as an emerging crisis that can be solved with a mix of tax incentives and government spending.

Interesting column from Robert Samuelson about Social Security and Medicare. Look, we know all know the programs need to be strengthened so everyone can afford to grow older. Samuelson is missing the full point. As both Matthew Ygleasias of the Atlantic and CBO Director Peter Orszag note, the growing cost of health care is the root of the problem. That’s the real problem politicians need to start addressing.

Politico: SCHIP supporters storm Capitol Hill

AARP will mobilize its grass roots and PR machine, said spokesman Drew Nannis. The group’s targets include House members who voted against the bill but have supported similar health care policies in the past and those who voted for the legislation but need support going forward.

“When a bill has the kind of wide, bipartisan support that SCHIP has, members vote against it at their own risk,” Nannis wrote in an e-mail to Politico.

Washington Post: Good Old Employers

They work at hospitals and financial services firms. They are engineers, accountants and nurses. And they have gray hair, wrinkles -- and bright career prospects.

That's because they work for the 50 organizations identified by AARP, the seniors' group, as the best employers for workers age 50 and up.

Associated Press: Robots May Aid Aging Japanese Population

With nearly 22 percent of Japan's population already aged 65 or older, businesses here have been rolling out everything from easy-entry cars to remote-controlled beds, fueling a care technology market worth some $1.08 billion in 2006, according to industry figures.

USA Today: Sky's the new limit for urban living in Texas, and beyond

And demographics shifted: As baby boomers became empty nesters, their desire for convenience and fun suddenly merged with those of young professionals. Both groups are flocking to urban settings.

As reported everywhere in the free world, President Bush has vetoed the CHIP bill. While the rumors had been brewing for days, this really represents a step backwards for everyone. We’ve got a health care crisis in this country and the chance to insure 9 million kids is an opportunity to start addressing the problem.

The latest from NBC is that the White House is open to negotiations. Let’s hear what he’s got.

Washington Post: Escaping the Budget Impasse

A combination of these plans might work best. A 20-member group would be manageable and should include four outsiders to provide different perspectives and, possibly, to build public support. Perhaps the head of AARP should be included. And it would be a mistake to present the next president with a take-it-or-leave-it package. The Cooper-Wolf plan would allow a new administration to make changes -- and get credit -- without being able to start from scratch.

USA Today: Community colleges take lead in retraining retirees

About 79% of baby boomers plan to pursue some kind of work after the traditional retirement age of 65, a survey by the AARP shows.

Los Angeles Times: Healthy living could save U.S. $1 trillion, study finds

The rapid rise in preventable chronic diseases -- such as obesity and heart disease -- over the last 20 years is hurting U.S. economic productivity, escalating treatment costs and causing unnecessary suffering, a new report says.

USA Today: Tightrope: Retirement's ripe for entrepreneur plans

You are not off-base to think about continuing to work, as long as you strike a balance between work and leisure. And you should be working toward balancing work and leisure in your current position. According to the study, Boomers don't want full-time leisure or full-time work.

In honor of AARP’s upcoming October 25th Republican Presidential Forum, the Sioux City, IA City Council had declared October Divided We Fail month. The forum in being held in Sioux City and as of today, Senator John McCain and former Governor Mike Huckabee have agreed to attend. Story here.

Not sure if you have seen the funny, clever video put together by Peter Oakley, that turns the idea of age on its’ head.

This is not all of Peter’s work, he is a YouTube star. And today, in honor of the International Day of Older Persons, Oakley is coming to DC for the premier of a BBC documentary about the formation of the Zimmers, a British rock group of the 50+ set.

New York Times: Standard Medicare Premium Will Rise 3.1% Next Year

David P. Sloane, director of government relations at AARP, the big lobby for older Americans, said increases in Medicare premiums were “eating away at the cost-of-living adjustment” made each year in Social Security checks.

As a result, Mr. Sloane said, “it is becoming more difficult for older Americans, especially those on fixed incomes, to afford their health care.”

The Hill: Democrats go on offensive with SCHIP as their weapon

House Democrats, along with Republicans such as Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), say they will try to flip some House Republicans to get enough votes to override Bush’s veto.

Wall Street Journal: How Baby Boomers Tap Nest Eggs To Fund Ventures

Entrepreneurs have always tapped their cash reserves to start businesses. But boomers are discovering they have a crucial advantage over younger businesspeople: They can draw on decades' worth of savings to fund their start-ups.

USA Today: Your Money: Consider employer's health options carefully

When the days get shorter, the leaves start falling, and the stores fill their shelves with Halloween treats, it can mean only one thing: Benefits enrollment season is here.

Late last week, TMZ caught this great video of a Tony Bennett signing autographs after an appearance on Regis and Kelly. And guess what the big fan stuck in Tony’s face to get the signature?

The AARP Magazine, of course. Link here.

Associated Press: Market widens for senior-friendly homes

"CAPS," as they are known, include many contractors and architects who work with families to assess risks in the home. The CAPS designation was created several years ago by the National Association of Home Builders and AARP.

Washington Post: Sen. Clinton's Empty Table

Because Social Security increases are pegged to wages, rather than inflation, economic growth alone won't solve the problem. Fiscal responsibility first is fine; fiscal responsibility only is an irresponsible dodge, as Ms. Clinton well knows.

Washington Post: Taxes, Health Lead Hill Agenda

Out of a political stalemate over Iraq, domestic policy is surging to prominence on Capitol Hill, with Republicans and Democrats preparing for a time-honored clash over health care, tax policy, the scope of government and its role in America's problems at home.

Los Angeles Times: Candidates go Code Blue on healthcare

The task is eased by the fact that the two political parties have largely converged on distinct diagnoses of what the system's problems are and what reform would look like.