AARP Home » AARP Research Center »Public Policy Institute

The Public Policy Institute informs and stimulates public debate on the issues we face as we age. The Institute promotes development of sound, creative policies to address our common need for economic security, health care, and quality of life.

Learn More About the Public Policy Institute

PPI Staff Expertise / Strategic Initiatives / Annual Report

Spotlight

Recently
Released

Boomers and the Great Recession: Struggling to Recover

The recession and its aftermath have left many Boomers without jobs or savings, and with homes they can neither afford nor sell. Many are uncertain about the future as they move toward retirement. read

Across the States 2012: Profiles of Long-Term Services and Supports

The ninth edition of PPI’s state LTSS reference report presents comparable state and national data for more than 140 indicators, drawn from a wide variety of sources. read

Across the States 2012: Profiles of Long-Term Services and Supports

The ninth edition of PPI’s state LTSS reference report presents comparable state and national data for more than 140 indicators, drawn from a wide variety of sources. read

Meeting the Needs of Diverse Family Caregivers

Addressing the needs of racially and ethnically diverse family caregivers can help reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and nursing home care, and improve transitions between care settings. This report finds many needs not being met. read

Older Worker Unemployment Rate Dips Slightly

The rate dropped in August to 5.9%, down from 6.2% in July. About 1.9 million older workers remain unemployed. read

Protecting Family Caregivers from Employment Discrimination

This paper calls for developing public and private solutions to ensure that workers with eldercare responsibilities receive equal employment opportunity and are protected from workplace discrimination. read

Improving State Oversight of Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)

Interviews with officials in eight states provide insight into the specific capacities Medicaid agencies need to monitor the performance of Medicaid managed LTSS. read

Removing Barriers to APRN Care: Home Health and Hospice Services

Allowing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to certify home health and hospice services would benefit consumers, physicians, and the health care system. read

Mortgage Crisis Hit Older Americans Hard

This groundbreaking study shows more than 1.5 million older Americans have lost their homes since 2007 and millions more remain at risk. read

Assisted Living and Residential Care in the States

Discussion of assisted living and residential care and new data on state capacity. read

Summer Cooling Costs Burden Many Older Consumers

Soaring temperatures raise cooling bills for many older consumers. read

Measuring Respite Care

The latest available data on the main sources of publicly funded respite care. read

Assessing Family Caregiver Needs

Why it’s important to assess and respond to family caregiver needs—and what states are doing to address these needs. read

What Medicare Beneficiaries Spend Out-of-Pocket on Health Care

Most beneficiaries spend more than $3000 of their own money each year on health care. The oldest and poorest spend about a quarter of their incomes. read

Long-Term Care Insurance: 2012 Update

Long-term care insurance (LTCI) plays an important role covering overall long-term care costs but high premiums keep most people from purchasing it. read

Older Americans' Ambivalence Toward Annuities

Annuitizing some or all of the assets in a 401(k) can help reduce the risk of running out of money in old age. Yet, many Americans remain reluctant to purchase annuities. read

Medicare Part D’s Medication Therapy Management (MTM)

This paper examines current Medicare MTM program requirements, shifting program parameters, and success in several MTM programs outside of Part D. read

Chronic Conditions Among Older Americans

Prevalence of the top chronic health conditions among the over 50 population by race and ethnicity read

Congressional Testimony on Reverse Mortgages

Lori Trawinski presented “Oversight of the FHA Reverse Mortgage Program for Seniors” at a May 9 hearing of the Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity, U.S. House Committee on Financial Services read

Flu and Pneumonia Immunization: Disparities Persist

Medicare beneficiaries can get flu and pneumonia vaccines at no cost, but many don’t. Immunization rates among older African Americans and Hispanics are lower than those for whites. read

Creating Neighborhoods Around Transit

A new PPI video shows how transit-oriented development facilitates the independence and mobility of older adults. Watch

Social Security: A Brief Overview

Key facts on Social Security coverage, benefits and financing—and a look at future prospects for the program. read

The Medicare Program: A Brief Overview

Who benefits from Medicare and what services does the program cover? This fact sheet provides an overview, along with a look at how services are delivered and how Medicare is financed. read

Moving Toward Person- and Family-Centered Care

The advantages of delivering health care and long-term services and supports in ways that address individual goals and preferences, and support family caregivers. read

Social Security: A Key Resource for Women

Social Security is particularly helpful for women who have lower lifetime earnings and, on average, tend to live longer than men. The program currently keeps almost 38 percent of older women out of poverty. read

Rx Price Watch: Retail Drug Prices Outpace Inflation

This AARP Public Policy Institute report by Stephen Schondelmeyer and AARP’s Leigh Purvis finds that the cumulative change in retail prices for a combined set of widely used prescription drugs was almost double the rate of inflation between 2005 and 2009. read

The Case for the Auto IRA

New research from economists at the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute shows adopting the Auto IRA would greatly expand retirement savings opportunities for an estimated one-quarter of the US workforce. read

Setting the Record Straight about Medicare

As the nation considers the future of Medicare, it is important to separate the facts from misconceptions about Medicare coverage, costs to beneficiaries, and efficiency of the program. read

A Call to Action: Meeting the Challenges of Family Caregiving

Ten prominent authors offer recommendations on policies and practices to improve support for family caregivers. read

Money, pill bottle, stethoscope-Health insurance for Americans 50-64

Health Insurance Coverage for 50-to 64-Year-Olds

Adults 50 to 64 face higher health care out-of-pocket costs and declining access to employer-sponsored coverage. read

On the Verge: The Transformation of Long-Term Services and Supports

Many states are turning to managed care for older Americans who need LTSS. This and other trends are revealed in a new report from PPI, NASUAD, and Health Management Associates. read

See All »

In
Focus

50+ and Worried

This report by Sara Rix highlights growing concerns about current and future financial well-being. read

How Many Older Americans Live: Ten Facts to Consider

This AARP Public Policy Institute fact sheet by Gary Koenig and Lina Walker provides ten statistics to describe the economic security of persons age 65 and older. read

Recovering from the Great Recession: Long Struggle Ahead for Older Americans

The recent recession has caused high unemployment, loss of income and savings, and lower home values. Four in ten of older Americans surveyed expect a lower standard of living in retirement than that of their parents. An Insight on the Issues report by Sara E. Rix read

More From
PPI

Winter Heating Costs Burden Many Older Consumers

Heating bills remain high for many older consumers this winter, especially those using fuel oil for heat read

Expanding Clinical Trials

Including older, sicker patients in clinical trials would make medical research more relevant for treating these people. read

What Care Works Best For Dual Eligibles?

A report on focus groups held with older Americans who receive Medicare and Medicaid. read

Aging in Place: State Livability Policies and Practices

A survey of state land use, housing and transportation policies and practices that promote aging in place. Written jointly with the National Conference of State Legislatures. read

Protecting Older Investors with Diminished Capacity

This report by Naomi Karp and Ryan Wilson reviews current financial services industry practices and recommends ways to improve protection of older investors. read

Removing Barriers to Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Care: Hospital Privileges

Consumers benefit when advanced practice registered nurses have hospital privileges read

Valuing the Invaluable: 2011 Update - The Growing Contributions and Costs of Family Caregiving

This report estimates the economic value of family caregiving at $450 billion in 2009, up from $375 billion in 2007. The report also details the costs of providing family care, and provides policy recommendations to better support caregiving. read

Protecting Investors—Establishing the SEC Fiduciary Duty Standard

This research report explains how the SEC can strengthen federal guidelines for protecting older investors. read

Housing for Older Adults: The Impacts of the Recession

This report highlights a drop in the percentage of homeowners over 50 who own their homes free and clear and shows rising costs for those who rent or still pay mortgages. An AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues by Rodney Harrell, PhD. read

Add RSS feed from AARP Public Policy Institute

Search PPI

Browse
Policy Research

Visit PPI's Main Page

Discounts & Benefits

Trusted Solutions. Better Value. Be a smart shopper and enjoy the benefit of member-only services & discounts.

Join

See All »

PPI
Topics

Consumer Protection

Financial Services, Financial Literacy, Fraud and Deception, Energy and Public Utilities, Telecommunications/Information Technology, Advance Planning and Legal Rights.

More...

Economic Security

Social Security, Pensions and Retirement Saving, Income and Assets, Tax and Budget, Work and Retirement, Low-Income Programs and Populations

More...

Health Care

Medicare; Medicaid; Health Costs; Health Coverage/Insurance; Health Quality, Safety and Access; Healthy Behavior and Public Health; Prescription Drugs; Health Care Work Force; Nursing

More...

Livable Communities

Housing, Transportation

More...

Long-Term Care

Assisted Living, Caregiving, Home and Community-Based Services, Long-Term Care Insurance, Nursing Homes, Medicaid

More...

Highlights

Join for Just $16 A Year

Join for Just $16 A Year

AARP Membership Benefits

Renew for Just $16 A Year

Rejoin for Just $16 A Year

stateData Center

events

our publicpolicies

faces of chronic care

ChampioningNursing

Spotlight

RecentlyReleased

InFocus

More From PPI

Search PPI

BrowsePolicy Research

Discounts & Benefits

PPITopics

about AARP

INITIATIVES

PROGRAMS

PRESS & MEDIA

Where AARP Stands

Policy

Research

Take Action

AARP in Your State

News From:

state
Data Center

our public
policies

faces of
chronic care

Championing
Nursing

Recently
Released

In
Focus

More From
PPI

Browse
Policy Research

PPI
Topics