shAARP Talk: Observations from AARP

An update from Google on Google Health, their effort to create a product for electronic medical records that’s worth reading about and keeping an eye on. I’ve talked a lot about the benefits of electronic medical records, so read about what the googlers are planning on doing.

Hi all, I’m back to bring you the second edition of my U@50 YouTube competition postings. This week I have posted the 4th place winning video. The piece is entitled “Jenny AT 50” and was created by Jenny Carreiro. Jenny is a Psychology major from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. She won $500 for her prize winning entry. The video has a creative format posing as a local news show. It’s interesting to see how Jenny is worried about many of the same things we are concerned with at AARP including staying fit and caring for loved ones. Check out the video below:

Washington Times: Primary Day Care For Preschoolers Still Relative

"When it comes to caring for babies, toddlers and preschoolers whose mothers work, 'Nanas' and 'Pop-Pops' are still tops." Amy Goyer, national coordinator of the AARP Foundation Grandparenting Program, noted, "Historically, grandparents have stepped in and helped raise grandchildren and done a lot of care," adding, "As mothers have gone to work more and more, I think grandparents have stepped in even more." Besides "being primary caregivers for young children, grandparents are often pinch-hitters: When parents were asked to list all providers for their children in the past month, the portion of children cared for by grandparents rose to 30 percent."

Washington Post: Candidates Said To Agree With Others In Their Party About Healthcare

"Eugene Robinson writes, "I'm not saying that coverage of the campaign thus far has been flawless." However, "the issues haven't been neglected." It may seem that way "because on matters of real substance, such as health care "neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have seen much internal disagreement." An example is that in Tuesday's debate, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton argues "over the possible contours of a [health insurance] program that does not exist." The difference between their health-care plans is "not as important as the fundamental issue of whether to aim for universal health insurance (the Democrats' position) or not (the Republicans')," which is "why personality, with all its components, is so important this year."

USA Today: Consumers Paying Off Credit Cards, Car Bill Instead Of Mortgages

"Across the nation, credit counselors are reporting the same trend." In "a striking reversal from the norm," credit bureau analyses of consumer payment data found "that financially squeezed borrowers have begun paying their credit card and car bills before their mortgages." This "reflects rising desperation" and "suggests that some people essentially have given up trying to stay current with their mortgages and instead are focused on using credit cards to squeak by."

The housing crisis has spread like wildfire and for many it can mean losing their homes. It doesn’t end there; the economy is also a victim.

The Senate is gearing up to debate legislation that can help the over half a million people who are facing foreclosure to stay in their homes while they work out a way to pay their loans. The Foreclosure Prevention Act wouldn't let people run off without being responsible. Instead, it would help them to try and save their homes by allowing them to go to court to restructure their loans. Right now, people can restructure loans on vacation homes and yachts - this protection should include a person's home.

Too many people are facing a dire financial situation today. If Congress can give them the opportunity to prevent total disaster, they should. Plain and simple.

Homes are a vital part of retirement security and any opportunity for folks to stay in their homes is an opportunity for a more secure financial future, something we're all trying for.

Divided We Fail (AARP, Business Roundtable, SEIU and NFIB) and WISER are co-sponsoring an event today to examine how women can increase their lifetime financial security. An array of perspectives and solutions ranging from implementing new public policy to rethinking financial planning options will be presented, with panels to include Martha Hamilton of the Washington Post, Mary Beth Franklin of Kiplinger, and folks from a whole range of groups.

This comes on the heels of a new report that shows women are nearly twice as likely to be poor as men as they reach pre-retirement and retirement ages, according to a new report. The Public Policy Institute Report found that variables such as marital status, labor force participation, and health status affect the risk of poverty for women as they age. In fact, the poverty rate in retirement for African-American women is nearly three times the rate for white women. African-American women, even those who are not poor, are only one-third to one-half as likely as white women to have income from assets.

Check out the conference.

It’s not only in America now… AARP’s Global Network is joining with the Canadian Association for the Fifty-Plus (CARP) and Fenacom, an organization headquartered in Rome serving Italy’s aging population to help these groups better meet the needs and interests of their 50 plus populations. All the details are forthcoming, but this could mean a range of AARP endorsed benefits will be available in Canada and Italy. They join Copenhagen-based DaneAge, who joined last year.

Fox Business: Boomers Look To City Life In Retirement

"According to AARP, people usually choose to stay put after retirement. And if they do move, it's usually to be closer to family. But this isn't your grandmother's retirement...'People like the idea that they can walk out their door or hop on public transportation to get to a theater, museum, restaurant or shopping mall,' said Elinor Ginzler, director of livable communities at AARP."

Marketwatch: Columnist Answers Questions On Social Security

"Week in and week out, readers email questions about Social Security in hopes of learning how to maximize this most basic of benefits." Powell responds to "some of the more common and not so-common questions that have crossed the transom."

Washington Post: Supreme Court Sides With Worker In Age Discrimination Case

"The Supreme Court yesterday gave the benefit of the doubt to a FedEx worker who claimed age discrimination, and said her case should not be thrown out because of mistakes made by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission."

Yes, in Ohio the temperatures are freezing. But if the candidates are out, so are AARP volunteers and staff. Across the state, they are bird dogging candidates and talking to people about health and financial security. Some photos from AARP Ohio's Kevin Craiglow, who is currently counting to make sure he still has all 10 fingers and all 10 toes.

The WE Media Conference is happening in Miami today and it looks to be a pretty cool event focusing on how communications in general can impact both economic models and social change.

While there's a bunch of cool panels, one worth looking at is called the Future of Information and Communications Technologies on Health. AARP's Chief Brand Officer, Emilio Pardo, is on the panel and talking about how the stories and pledges all of you have sent in as part of Divided We Fail are an example of how individual voices can contribute to community building and social change in the healthcare arena.

AARP is also in the healthcare tech game with the organization's push for improving health IT. Ultimately, the online universe brings huge opportunities when it comes to policy, action and ideas. The digital world is not only the future, it is an intergenerational medium where knowledge and wisdom can be shared by all.

An interesting piece in Kiplinger’s about the National Federation of Independent Business and Divided We Fail that’s worth checking out. The piece brings up a key argument in the health care reform discussion that cannot be overlooked, which is that even business recognizes there needs to be a change in the way health care is delivered in this country. When Starbucks spends more on health care than on coffee, you know that something’s gotta give.

Washington Post: Clinton, Obama Debate Healthcare In Cleveland

"Clinton and Obama "traded accusations over campaign tactics and engaged in a detailed dissection of their rival health-care plans in the opening moments of a critical debate." Clinton used "the opening moments of the debate" to "delve into health care, repeating her assertion that Obama's plan would leave 15 million people uncovered. She interrupted Obama and the debate moderators repeatedly to press her points and complained briefly that she had been repeatedly subjected to the toughest questioning in this and previous debates."

USA Today: Even As Consumers Lose Heart, Prices Rise

"Consumer confidence plunged to the lowest since the onset of the Iraq war in 2003, while wholesale inflation surged to the highest yearly rate in a quarter-century, according to Tuesday reports offering fresh evidence the economy is teetering near recession."

The Hill: Commerce Secretary Touts Digital Transition Efforts

"Carlos Gutierrez, U.S. secretary of commerce, writes, "The good news is that the public education campaign to alert consumers about this dramatic change is well underway and the word is getting out." In addition, "we are proactively working to reach and address specific concerns of consumers most likely to be impacted by the transition, such as seniors, minority communities, people with disabilities, the economically disadvantaged and those in rural areas."

Another night, another debate. And we're not hearing anything different than we have before. The same argument over the health care plans of Senators Clinton and Obama that we've heard since the first debate in South Carolina 10 months ago. Yawn.

It's amazing that the issues the people are concerned about, health care and financial security, were barely touched upon tonight. The debate covered no new ground and failed to give voters any new information to help them make a decision. The issues were abandoned tonight and instead we heard and saw clips of the candidates on the attack. This type of bickering only deflects from what's really important- how these candidates are prepared to solve the challenges that are plaguing our nation.

I'm all for the candidates to have the opportunity to go on national television to talk about the issues. But come on... talk about the things people care about.

Yesterday, Senator Barack Obama was out on the stump talking about Social Security. It's about time we started hearing about this issue from the candidates, particularly with people so concerned about their financial futures. Reform is important and yesterday the Senator mentioned just one option when it comes to making sure Social Security is around for future generations - raising the payroll tax. There are lots of other ideas out there and with 80 million Americans likely to retire in the next 20 plus years, it seems like a great time to start looking at the ways to make sure that Social Security is around for the next generation.

Solutions will involve answering difficult questions and making tradeoffs, no doubt about it. Whoever is elected in November will have to lead in finding a solution.

Yesterday’s NY Times opined about the Medicare debate. It’s a little in the weeds on the policy front, but they do mention some good ways to help with soaring health care costs across the system: electronic health records and paying doctors for the quality of their care. These ideas are right on because they address the broader issue in the health care system, costs.

What they also mention - forcing high income beneficiaries to pay more for drugs- does not help with the larger issue. Beneficiaries already contributed their fair share through higher payroll and income taxes throughout their lives. To boot, they are paying a second tier of taxes on their Social Security benefits for the Medicare program. And they are already paying more for doctors, with their premiums doubling since 2000. If you’re working past age 65, you may even get hit by this proposal.

Ultimately, the sentiment of the Times is laudable, but trying to lower costs this way is no way to reform healthcare.

Associated Press: Existing Home Sales Decline

"Sales of existing homes fell for the sixth straight month in January, dropping to the slowest sales pace on record. Median home prices were also down and many analysts predicted further price declines in the months ahead given high levels of unsold homes."

Washington Times: Collegial Hand For Seniors

"Assisted living's "rapid expansion -- and the need for trained administrators -- is predicted to continue as baby boomers age." In response, George Mason University set up its "program in assisted living/senior housing administration," the "only one of its type in the United States."

US News and World Report: Senators Seek Increased Transparency In Nursing Home Industry

"A "controversial" new proposal by Sens. Chuck Grassley and Herb Kohl "seeks to force nursing homes to provide more information about ownership and accountability. If it passes, the legislation will trigger the largest reform of nursing home care in 21 years. 'More transparency, enforcement, and staff training are all needed,' Grassley said."

Marketwatch: Housing Industry Sees New Market In Green Homes

"Housing developments that target baby boomers may be the next big push for the green housing market and statistics indicate this could be a good marriage...In 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated there were approximately 78.2 million baby boomers in America. A December 2007 survey by AARP found that roughly half of all boomers see themselves as environmental stewards, or 'green boomers.'"

Washington Times: NFIB Reiterates Support For Health Care Reform

"Amanda Austin, senior manage of legislative affairs for the National Federation of Independent Business, writes that the Times "editorial 'Health care and the GOP' reiterates the importance of health care in this year's presidential race and underscores the fact that the candidates are not doing enough to address the rising cost of health care."

Washington Post: Post Columnist Sees Few Ramifications In 401(k) Ruling

"The Supreme Court's ruling on the mismanagement of a 401(k) plan last week isn't likely to have broad ramifications for investors saving for retirement. But it does highlight ongoing efforts to expand protections for investors managing their own retirement accounts."

I wrote about it yesterday, but U.S. News and World Report has an interesting Q and A on the Supreme Court’s 401(k) ruling from earlier this week. It gives a little more detail about how this impacts consumers, so get smart and check it out.

TV Technology: AARP Finds Faults In Preparation For DTV Switch

"AARP Federal Affairs Consultant Debra Berlyn on the digital TV switch...TV Technology writes, "Despite funding to subsidize analog-to-digital converter boxes, and an array of educational campaigns, AARP thinks some legislative loopholes could leave the most vulnerable seniors without their TV services." Debra Berlyn says, "Television provides an essential information tool in the home for older Americans, with important safety and weather information, and local news, and we simply can't risk allowing any households to lose this vital access."

USA Today: USA Today Columnist Recommends Social Security Strategy

"Sandra Block writes, "A little-known Social Security option...gives early retirees a way to have their cake and eat it, too." Senior citizens "who receive early-retirement benefits from Social Security can withdraw their application, repay the benefits they've received and refile for higher benefits at a later date," which in some cases, can give "the equivalent of an inflation-indexed annuity...for about 40% less than the lowest-cost annuity available on the private market."

USA Today: States Want To Tap Boomers' Skills

"The wave of baby boomers hitting retirement age threatens to create such a void in the workforce that states are crafting policies and programs to keep older Americans working and volunteering." Five states have already done so and eight more are "working with the National Governors Association to study ways to keep boomers in the labor market as volunteers or part-time workers." USA Today writes that the laws are "a major shift in public policy in a nation that has treated the aging of 79 million boomers as a likely drain on social and entitlement programs."

After watching another debate, the conclusion remains the same... these debates are just not a helpful forum for getting any details from the candidates on the real issues. Health care and financial security were barely mentioned; just one question was asked about financial issues. The candidates themselves brought up health care, or else the issue would have just been left out in the cold tonight.

Where is the commitment to addressing health care? What about doing something about the financial squeeze people are feeling? Don't look to the debates, you won't get any answers.

The papers were all over it today… the Supreme Court’s ruling that will allow employees to sue their retirement plans. But what does this mean for the average person? It means that if the people who we have entrusted our 401(K) plans to are not responsible stewards of our dough, we now have the recourse to sue them. AARP filed a brief in support of the plaintiff in the case, calling the lack of ability to sue a barrier to retirement savings – I mean, who wants to trust their money to someone that is not really accountable.

Some say it will result in more lawsuits, but clearly it is a win for consumers at the highest level.

Hey everyone, since this is my blogging debut I thought I’d take the chance to talk about one of the more interesting projects going on at AARP. The U@50 challenge is a contest we recently finished where people between 18 and 30 submitted videos on what they expected their lives to be like at 50. People submitted videos to our YouTube contest channel and the top 5 videos chosen by our judges would win cash prizes including $5,000 for first place.

The goal of the challenge was to create a dialogue between generations and give AARP a better idea of the issues that matter to young people. With over 50 videos submitted, the challenge was definitely a success, and we recently named our 5 prize winning videos. This video below is the 5th place winner entitled The College Years: Episode 50, and was submitted by Daniel J. Pawlik who is a Pre-film and Electronic Arts Studies student at California State University at Long Beach. We’ll be featuring a video once a week, so keep coming back.

USA Today was on it early, but AARP is pairing up with musicians of all stripes to promote their upcoming 50th anniversary. This includes priority seating at the upcoming Foreigner concerts (14-cities to be announced in March); exclusive member-only pre-sale events to Ramsey Lewis and the Legends of Jazz (in April); the One Love Gospel Choir Competition (starting in March); and a June concert in Atlanta featuring soul music stars Yolanda Adams, Patti Austin, Shirley Caesar, Chaka Khan, Queen Latifah, Dionne Warwick, CeCe Winans.

Time to get rockin!

AARP today announced it’s 2008 legislative agenda and it includes some important stuff that lawmakers need to work on this year. You can read the whole thing, but I’ll give you the Cliff Notes version. The big thing is modernizing and improving health care and containing costs by supporting things like health IT (including e-prescribing) and greater reliance on evidence-based medicine. Not to be forgotten is strengthening Medicare and Medicaid; expanding health coverage not just for children (SCHIP), but also the 50-64 set; and making prescription drugs more affordable.

Your pocketbook shouldn’t be forgotten either. The focus on the financial side will include getting lawmakers to establish programs in the workplace that help Americans save for retirement, like automatic enrollment in IRA and 401(K) plans and greater use of payroll deduction through the work place. Other things include broader protections for consumers from financial fraud and abuse and improved transportation and housing options for older Americans. On housing issues, protecting funding for federal housing programs and promote more affordable reverse mortgages will take front and center. And don’t forget about working for better utility regulations and more affordable energy.

Phew, that’s a lot of work…

Washington Post: Economy Remains Key Issue In Democratic Presidential Race

"Hillary Clinton "launched a tough new offensive against Sen. Barack Obama on Wednesday, asserting flatly that her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination is not prepared to serve as commander in chief." The Post suggests she launched the new attacks because, "Exit polls in Wisconsin suggested that Clinton's economic message -- a populist-tinged pledge to restore the policies of the 1990s boom -- may be falling flat. Obama held a big advantage over her among Wisconsin voters who rated the economy as their top concern. He edged her out among those naming health care, her signature issue, as the country's single biggest problem."

Associated Press: Government Plan Does Little to Help "Jumbo" Loans

"The piece of the government's economic stimulus plan aimed at bolstering the housing market may not work out as planned." While Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac "can now purchase and guarantee home loans of up to $729,750, they won't be traded in a key secondary market, limiting the prospect for sharply lower rates on 'jumbo' mortgages." Therefore, the interest rates on these loans "will need to be higher to attract investors. And that's less-than-ideal for consumers looking to take out or refinance jumbo home loans."

Associated Press: States Looking To Expand Age Mandates For Health Plans

"Almost all states, when regulating insurance plans for small- and medium-sized employers, set a maximum age for coverage of dependent children," but now states are "looking at this group of young people as they seek to reduce the number of uninsured." An organization of "lawmakers who specialize in insurance regulation, the National Conference of Insurance Legislators, will vote on a policy recommendation in two weeks that supports increasing the availability of dependent benefits up to age 25. The endorsement would be important because legislators around the country look to the organization for guidance on insurance issues."

Last night there was another set of primaries/caucuses in the march towards November and as part of my regular commentary, here’s the skinny from the CNN exit polls. There were only exits from Wisconsin (since Washington and Hawaii had caucuses) and again, 50 plus voters were half of the electorate on both the Democratic and Republican side – 51 percent for the Dems and 52 percent for the Republicans. As for issues, Democrats cited the economy tops, with health care coming in second. For Republicans, 41 percent called the economy the most important issue.

Wisconsin is following a what we have seen across the nation – AARP’s top issues continue to dominate the landscape.

Associated Press: More Americans Turning To 401(k) Loans

"As home prices fall and banks tighten lending standards, more people are doing the same thing: raiding their retirement savings just to get by." But the withdrawals "are taxed as income and are subject to a 10 percent penalty if the worker is under 59 1/2 years old," increasing the risk of "coming up short on retirement savings or may have to rely on an overburdened Social Security system." Financial planners are warning that 401(k) borrowers "may have to work longer and shorten their 'golden years' of retirement," if they "didn't save enough"

Washington Post: Samuelson Criticizes Obama's "Sanctification Of The Status Quo"

"Robert Samuelson writes, "The trouble, at least for me, is the huge and deceptive gap between [Barack Obama's] captivating oratory and his actual views." While promising "change," Senator Obama "pledges not to raise the retirement age and to 'protect Social Security benefits for current and future beneficiaries.' This isn't 'change'; it's sanctification of the status quo." Further, his proposal to "exempt all retirees making less than $50,000 annually from income tax," would shift "more of the tax burden onto younger workers."

Newsweek: McCain Advisor Plans Big Changes To Health Care System

"Douglas Holtz-Eakin, senior policy adviser on economics for the McCain campaign, said, "We have a big health-reform plan that includes changes in the Medicare payment system," which "taken as a package,...will address the growth in health-care spending, which is really the driving issue." Later, Holtz-Eakin says, "You have to change the practice of medicine so it's not based on fee-per-service, but instead spending on making people well. That's step one. Step two, you have to improve the insurance market. The current individual insurance market is terrible."

Worth a Look: Over the weekend, the Wall Street Journal did a really interesting piece about the 12 people who are changing retirement. AARP’s John Rother was included, but he’s not the only one doing remarkable things. The list includes Professor Joe Coughlin of the MIT Age Lab, who is helping companies find ways to use technology that can help everyone as they age and Dr. Bill Thomas, who has led innovation in nursing homes.

Check out the full piece, but there’s one thing that comes through on all these profiles – these are people who recognize that how we age is changing and their innovations are making life better for all of us.

In the dark of a Friday night before a long weekend, the Administration proposed a non-solution to exploding health care costs – raise premiums on those in Medicare. Unfortunately, this ignores the elephant in the room, the entire health care system needing reform. I’ve written about this a dozen times, but the entire health care system need attention and is the cause for the explosion in Medicare spending.

Before completely dissing the proposal, there is some interesting stuff in the White House’s proposal that are worth a look. Things like electronic medical records and paying doctors for quality, not quantity. These types of measures would be helpful in lowering costs in the entire health care system, not just Medicare.

Enough tiptoeing around the edges; it’s time for a real solution on health care.

Washington Post: AARP Backs Age Discrimination Suit Before Supreme Court

"The Supreme Court will hear "allegations of age discrimination in five cases this term. While the sheer number of cases probably can be explained away as coincidence, the topic is one of growing importance as more people work longer because of economic necessity or by choice. 'The importance of protecting older workers as the work force ages is enormous,' said Stu Cohen, AARP's director of legal advocacy. 'More older workers remain in the workforce and projections are that the percentage will continue to expand.'"

Fox Business: AARP's Ginzler Offers Advice On Caring For Elderly Parents

"Baby boomers increasingly are having to assess their parents' medical needs and ability to live alone," and boomers need to be aware of "signs that their parents might need more care than they are currently receiving, said Elinor Ginzler, director of livable communities at AARP and co-author of Caring for Your Aging Parents." If boomers "notice some of these problems the best way to approach a conversation, according to Ginzler, is to start out with something like 'Mom, I couldn't help but notice that...'"

Associated Press: Boomers Living Standards Threatened By Health Care Costs

"Many baby boomers are not going to be able to maintain their standard of living in retirement, not only because they're not saving enough but also because they face skyrocketing health care costs. A study being released Tuesday by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College found that health care expenses could take a big bite out of retirees' budgets."

Our colleagues at New Jersey AARP are working hard to curtail predatory lending practices, particularly when it comes to annuities. Instead of me explaining it, check out the video below courtesy of bluejersey.com.

Jill is back in the house - tan, rested and ready from her visit to warmer climes. It's been a fun week blogging with you all. If she let's me guest blog in the future, I'm demanding my own avatar! Even I don't drink that much coffee!

- Tammy

We just got the neatest letter from First Lady Laura Bush “thanking us for the opportunity to discuss women’s heart health” in AARP Bulletin this summer.

It seems Mrs. Bush got a phone call from a nurse whose patient’s life was saved because she read the article! This is a great story – here are a few excepts from the First Lady’s letter:

“The patient arrived at the emergency room 30 minutes after she began feeling chest pains. She told the nurse that the day before she had read the Bulletin’s article describing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack in women. She also mentioned she would feel silly if her chest pain was not a heart attack,

“Within 20 minutes of being at the hospital doctors determined that she was indeed having a heart attack and they began preparing her for a cardiac catheterization. She suddenly became unresponsive … and the team of doctors quickly responded by shocking her heart two times. She was stabilized and the doctors went on to perform a cardiac catheterization …

“Within 50 minutes of the onset of her symptoms, her heart had gone into a rhythm that could have caused her death if she had not read the AARP Bulletin and recognized the signs…

“This patient’s personal story highlights the importance of raising awareness about heart disease in women. Keep spreading the word – together we can continue to make a lifesaving difference!

“With best wishes,
Laura Bush”

I hate to be so cheesy, but I’m reminded of AARP’s motto, “The power to make it better.” It feels pretty darn good to be a part of this organization. We were so proud we had it framed and are looking for a prominent place to hang it for everyone to see.

We’re an organization that was started by a woman, so we don’t need Susan B. Anthony Day to recognize great female talent. But, why not spotlight women who are doing great things?

Check out these links to AARP’s Board and E-Team and get to know trailblazers like President-Elect Jennie Chin Hansen, General Counsel Joan Wise and Nancy Leamond who heads up Divided We Fail and all of AARP’s Social Impact work. (And there are plenty more where that came from… Joanne, Shereen, Ellie, Bonnie, Cora, Nelda, Mara, Robin, Maeona, Mary and Joanne!)

And on our 50th Anniversary, get to know Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, the feisty former teacher that started this whole crazy thing. She’d be proud of AARP’s new generation of women leaders and of our nearly 20 million women members.

USA Today: Falling home sales problem spreads to 45 states

"Underscoring the breadth of the real estate recession, sales of existing homes fell in 45 states and Washington, D.C., in the last quarter of 2007, and prices dropped in more than half the metro areas it tracks, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday."

Washington Post: Clinton, Obama Offer Similar Economic Visions

"Hillary Rodham Clinton slammed Barack Obama during an appearance at a General Motors plant here on Thursday for what she charged was a lack of a record of achievement on the economy. But as both Democratic presidential candidates announced comprehensive economic plans this week, they advocated similar visions for what has become the single biggest issue for voters in the 2008 campaign."

Washington Times: FTC Finds Consumer Fraud On The Rise

"American consumers reported 20 percent more cases of consumer fraud last year than the previous year, and nearly a third of their complaints related to identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission reported yesterday. The federal agency, in an annual report on consumer-fraud complaints, revealed that out of around 810,000 cases of consumer fraud reported, more than 258,000 involved identity theft, the top complaint for the eighth year in a row."

AARP The Magazine’s Editor Steve Slon tells Valentine Day love seekers, “You don't have to be a glamorous movie star like Demi Moore to proudly sport a younger man.” We recently featured a study in the magazine that found one third 40+ single women are dating younger men.

It seems that marriage is less on our minds over 40 than when we obsessed through our younger years. What we all want most is someone to just hang out and have fun with. Maybe we aren’t so unlike our brothers when it comes to enjoying a wide range of ages.

For those of us that are single, the study found that 53 percent of those surveyed said personal freedom was the biggest perk and a sassy 28 percent of us love not having to answer to anyone but ourselves!

One of the things dearest to our founder’s heart was education. On the occasion of our 50th anniversary, AARP is celebrating that legacy by awarding high schools across the country grants totaling more than $1 million.

As reported in today's Washington Post, AARP CEO Bill Novelli, AARP D.C. State President Denise Rolark Barnes, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee and 800 enthusiastic McKinley Technology High School students were on hand to celebrate their $100,000 award, which will deploy students via a technology van to teach participants at senior centers how to use computers.

AARP DC Director Mimi Castaldi, DC Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, McKinley Principal David Pinder, AARP DC President Denise Rolark Barnes, McKinley student Thandi Burrell, AARP CEO Bill Novelli and Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.

The first award of the more than $1 million was given to Lincoln High School in Los Angeles where AARP founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus was a principal. The funds will establish a performing arts program for the school and refurbish its auditorium.

Learn more about the Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Awards by visiting www.aarp.org/legacyaward.

AARP Alaska’s Ann Secrest gets the most creative blog post lead of the day with this contest in the Anchorage Daily News calling for the most creative uses of romance words like “schmoopy” in a poem. Enjoy this one from Vicki Baker in from today’s paper!

OK, so your blogger has no plans for Valentine’s Day. So sad.

If anyone wants to take me out for a last minute date, please peruse the 2008 Movies for Grownups winners for ideas. I know I’m a bit of a nerd, but I might pass on Atonement for Paris, je t'aime, a collection of love stories set in Paris by Gena Rowlands.

(Maybe that’s why I don’t have a date… I should have said I wanted to see American Gangster or In the Shadow of the Moon. Men just love crime and space.)

Whether you heart or hate Valentine’s Day, here are a few things to get you in the mood:

· Tips on teaching your man to be a better kisser!

· Check out this article on revving up your relationship if your desire has been shifted into neutral and find out if there will ever be a PINK VIAGRA…

· Get tips on internet dating and try out our Interactive Personal Ad Maker.

· Did AARP’s Music Blogger Get the Top 10 Love Songs of All Time Right? Weigh in on your choices here.

· Read more about Hollywood bad boy and Bucket List star Jack Nicholson’s latest thoughts on love from the AARP The Magazine cover story: “I’d do everything to a woman of AARP age, and have. In fact, every year I like to cover a very broad spectrum.”

· Learn the secrets of 50-year marriages.

Leave us a comment here and tell us how you’re feeling today.

CNN Money: Rebates for Seniors - Next Steps

"The IRS has said it will make a special effort - working with the Social Security Administration - to reach out to seniors living on Social Security to make sure those who are eligible know what they will need to do. The IRS outreach will be echoed by the AARP, which is planning a campaign to increase awareness about the rebates among seniors through its publications and Web site as well as on its TV and radio shows, said AARP spokesman Jim Dau."

Washington Post: AARP Honors McKinley Tech

"McKinley Tech High School is the recipient of a $100,000 award from AARP. The Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Award, named after the organization's founder, recognizes a public high school in the city that has an innovative program that connects generations or fosters greater civic engagement among the community"

Washington Times: 401(k) Debit Card Draws Criticism

"A new debit card that lets consumers use ATMs to withdraw money from their 401(k) plans is drawing a sharp reaction from financial planners. The debit cards allow cardholders to take out loans from their employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement funds. Normally, restrictions on the funds discourage account holders from making withdrawals before they are 59½ years old. Early withdrawals from 401(k) plans come with taxes and fees, which could deprive account holders of their nest eggs if they fail to replace the money promptly."

Bill Novelli, AARP’s CEO, issued the following statement after the President signed into law a bipartisan economic stimulus package passed by Congress last week.

“Today is a reminder of how leaders in Washington should work together more often.

“Last month, our elected officials worked across party lines to propose a stimulus plan that focused almost entirely on tax rebates and business incentives. The American people voiced their concern that this plan would be unfair, leaving out approximately 20 million people who depend on Social Security, as well as disabled veterans. In the end, Congress listened and passed a better plan that will give these people a little help in a tough time, as well as a role in turning around our economy.

“Today, the President signed the bill into law and directed the federal government to move quickly on the package.

“All this happened in the span of three weeks – and it only happened because elected officials were willing to move past partisan politics and listen to their constituents.

“The stimulus bill, while not perfect, is a breakthrough in Washington, where partisan gridlock has stalled progress on critical issues like affordable health care and lifetime economic security. We are grateful to Congressional and Administration leaders from both parties for listening to the American people and getting this done. Now let’s keep it up.”

Today, President Bush signed the new economic stimulus rebate program you advocated for into law, but that’s not the end of this story.

As CNNMoney.com reports today, “The decision to add 20 million seniors to the ranks of Americans who'll get rebates as part of the economic stimulus plan was in the end an easy one to make. Getting the rebates in their hands may not be as simple to do.”

The deal is, nearly 12 million low-income older Americans don’t file tax returns because they normally aren’t required to. But in order to receive their tax rebate, many will have to file a 2007 federal tax return this year.

Stay tuned as we expect to hear more this afternoon. AARP is planning a campaign to let you all know what you need to do in order to get your rebate.

In the mean time if you’d like to volunteer, get free assistance with your taxes or learn more, visit AARP Tax-Aide’s website.

According to the Washington Post, “In Virginia, exit polls estimated that nearly one-third of registered voters turned out yesterday, a state record in a presidential primary. In the District, nearly three times as many voters cast ballots as in the 2004 primary. Maryland officials, meanwhile, projected turnout of about 39 percent, nearly equal to the record set in 1992.”

AARP Virginia’s Amy Gilbody pointed us to this story that had people voting on slips of paper because they ran out of ballots!

Despite nasty weather that left some commuters on the road for 8+ hours, you stuck to it and let your vote be counted. Thanks to all of the AARP volunteers that braved the cold to greet commuters with Divided We Fail candidate side-by-side brochures!

AARP VA's Divided We Fail Program Assistant Liz Gannon talks with voters on Election Day.