financial security
American families have been accumulating debt at a rapid pace over the past two decades, with the debt level nearly doubling. Yet family incomes have not kept pace. As a result, the long-term retirement security of many families is at risk.
Policymakers should remove artificial obstacles preventing low-income workers from going back to work and businesses from filling vacancies.
Claiming Social Security earlier means more time receiving benefits, but that action will permanently reduce them, which can threaten financial health at older ages.
Financial access gaps persist, and demonstrate how much work remains to ensure that all financial products are fair, equitable, and affordable.
Emergency savings accounts are more than just a good idea. They can help protect households against financial hardship today and enable greater retirement security in the future.
A few thousand dollars of liquid savings – in this case a federal stimulus payment – can make a profound difference in Americans’ financial well-being.
The pandemic has highlighted longstanding gaps in bank account access and ownership for older adults.
A payment pause and expanded employer assistance help some borrowers tackle their student loans, although others are left out.
Student loan debt was never meant to last a lifetime or become a threat to retirement security. Yet today, borrowers frequently wind up carrying it into retirement, long beyond their working years.
AARP recently hosted public, private, and nonprofit professionals for a summit discussing ways to address disparities and inequality as we promote longer, healthier lives.