Alert
Close

Last chance! Play brain games for a chance to win $25,000. Enter the Brain Health Sweepstakes

AARP Membership: Just $16 a Year

Highlights

Close

Grocery Coupon Center

Powered by Coupons.com. Access to grocery coupons

Bad consumer experience?

Submit a complaint to AARP's consumer advocate

Geek Squad

Exclusive offers for members

Technical Icon

Spanish Preferred?

Visit aarp.org/espanol

10 Steps to Retirement

Do something every day to help you achieve your goals

Contests and
Sweeps

You Could Win $25,000!

Enjoy fun, challenging games and learn about brain health. See official rules.

Today's
news

Most Popular
Articles

Viewed

Recommended

Commented

National Debt Glossary
  • Text
  • Print
  • Comments
  • Recommend

A term sometimes applied to a period when federal agencies lack authority to obligate or spend funds because their appropriations for that period have not been enacted.

Spending gaps occur most frequently at the beginning of a fiscal year, but agencies occasionally run out of money later in the year. During such periods, agencies sometimes furlough many of their employees and shut down many of their operations.

SOURCE: House Budget Committee

Topic Alerts

You can get weekly email alerts on the topics below. Just click “Follow.”

Manage Alerts

Processing

Please wait...

progress bar, please wait

Tell Us WhatYou Think

Please leave your comment below.

You must be signed in to comment.

Sign In | Register

More comments »

national debt
News

Debt Supercommittee Calls It Quits

Automatic cuts won't affect Social Security, Medicare benefits.

AARP Responds to End of Deficit Panel

Fight continues for 'an approach that protects the vulnerable, promotes economic growth.' 

DISCOUNTS & BENEFITS

From companies that meet the high standards of service and quality set by AARP.

Auto Insurance

Members can receive lifetime renewability with AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford.

Note to see lawyer

Members receive a free, 45-minute consultation with Legal Services Network from Allstate.

Homeowners Insurance
Member Benefits

Members receive exclusive member benefits & affect social change. Join Today

Being Social

featured
groups

Politics — Current Events

Speak out on the issues and controversies of the day. Discuss

Issues & Elections

Civil, bipartisan discussions of today's issues and topics of national interest. Discuss