FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009
CONTACT:
AARP Media Relations, media@aarp.org
AARP Applauds Congress for Extending Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Relief Coming Soon for Millions of Older Workers Unable to Find Employment in
Tough Economy
Washington, DC – AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond offered the following statement in support of House and Senate passage of legislation to extend unemployment insurance benefits to millions of Americans in light of the highest unemployment rate in recent history.
“AARP strongly supports the extension of unemployment benefits to assist millions of workers who are struggling to find a job in this tough economy. Today, there are nearly 2 million people age 55 and over who have a particularly difficult time gaining employment. These workers wait an average of 33 weeks or longer before finding another job, higher than most age groups.
“Extending unemployment benefits will assist nearly half a million workers age 65 and over who want to work but cannot get a job, which threatens not only their current financial health, but their long-term retirement security.
“Many older workers stay on the job as the best way to compensate for low savings, plummeting housing values, and declining retirement portfolios in this economy. The relief passed by Congress today is an important first step to address the financial security of millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, and we urge the President to sign this relief into law immediately.”
For more information, please visit www.aarp.org.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s nearly 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
-30-
