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Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States / Research Report
March 2008— Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current population Surveys, this series of annual AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheets by Ke Bin Wu has been reporting the income, poverty and health Insurance status of Americans of all ages since 1995.

In Brief: From Work to Retirement: Tracking Changes in Women’s Poverty Status / Research Report
February 2008— Although poverty among older adults is lower than that of other age groups, poverty is twice as high among older women as among older men, and three times as high among older African American women as among older white women. This brief synopsis of a study for AARP’s Public Policy Institute demonstrates how poverty status among women changes over the life course and is influenced by race, marital status, health status, work experience, and poverty in earlier life. (2 pages) (Publication ID: INB156)

From Work to Retirement: Tracking Changes in Women’s Poverty Status / Research Report
February 2008— Although poverty among older adults is lower than that of other age groups, poverty is twice as high among older women as among older men, and three times as high among older African American women as among older white women. This study for AARP’s Public Policy Institute demonstrates how poverty status among women changes over the life course and is influenced by race, marital status, health status, work experience, and poverty in earlier life. (43 pages) (Publication ID: 2008-03)

The Impact Of Higher Energy Prices On Winter Heating Costs: many Consumers Over Age 65 To Be Hit Hard / Research Report
January 2008— Rising heating expenditures by low-income consumers far exceed available resources for low-income energy assistance programs, according to this Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet, in which Ann McLarty-Jackson and Neal Walters examine the impact of higher energy prices on the winter heating costs of consumers age 65 and older, and analyze how these costs vary with geographic location and fuel type. (4 pages) (Publication ID: I2)

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: A Critical Resource for Low-Income Households / Research Report
January 2008— The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the most important source of assistance for low-income households coping with rising energy costs; yet because of inadequate funding, many eligible households go without assistance. Written by Ann McLarty Jackson and Christopher Baker, this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet discusses funding for LIHEAP and participation in the program. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS138)

Sources of Income for Women Age 65 and Older / Research Report
November 2007— Without Social Security, half of all women over 65 would live in poverty, according to this Public Policy Institute Data Digest in which Ke Bin Wu analyzes the poverty rates of women age 65+ in the U.S. and the distribution by race/ethnic group of their income sources. (4 pages) (Publication ID: DD161)

Doors to Extra Help: Boosting Enrollment in the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy / Research Report
September 2007— The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 established the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program to reduce the financial burden on low-income Medicare beneficiaries paying out-of-pocket costs for prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D. This AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper, by Debra J. Lipson, Allison Barrett, Angela Merrill, and Noelle Denny-Brown of Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., examines factors that influence the ease or difficulty of applying for LIS and Medicare Savings Programs which are designed to help low-income Medicare beneficiaries afford Medicare premiums and potentially other cost sharing obligations. (45 pages) (Publication ID: 2007-15)

African Americans Age 65 and Older: Their Sources of Retirement Income in 2005 / Research Report
September 2007— This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet looks at sources of income for African Americans age 65+ and finds they rely on Social Security far more than retirees as a whole. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s March 2006 Current Population Survey, PPI’s Ke Bin Wu analyzes the poverty rates and distribution of income sources by sex. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS137)

Hispanics Age 65 and Older: Sources of Retirement Income in 2005 / Research Report
September 2007— This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet looks at sources of income for Hispanics age 65+ and finds they rely on Social Security far more than retirees as a whole. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s March 2006 Current Population Survey, PPI’s Ke Bin Wu analyzes the poverty rates and distribution of each income source by sex. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS135)

Vermont Energy Poll of Consumers 18+ / Research Report
July 2007— If the tax rate of Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power is raised to the rate charged state Wind Energy Companies, nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents to this poll of 400 Vermont consumers age 18+ support using the increased revenue to lower consumer energy costs. Nearly half favor raising the power plant rate, while just a third oppose the proposed increase. (2 pages)

Receipt of Entitlement and Other Safety-Net Program Benefits Among Families in 2004 / Research Report
April 2007— How government income assistance, health, education and other forms of aid to individuals and households were distributed among American families in 2004 through work-related and need-related (or means-tested) programs is analyzed in this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest by Ke Bin Wu. (8 pages) (Publication ID: DD156)

Developing a Savings Habit / Research Report
November 2006— Efforts by low-income working women between ages 45 and 65 to save money, the financial barriers confronting them, and their need for ways to overcome these obstacles are explored in this report of findings from focus groups conducted for AARP and the AARP Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Circle during August and September 2006. (79 pages)

2005 Connecticut AARP Member Survey / Research Report
August 2006— The opinions of AARP members in Connecticut about a variety of issues, including regulation and affordability of electric utilities as well as cost and availability of long-term care services, are examined in this 2005 AARP random-sample mail survey of 934 members.

Income and Poverty of Older Americans (Chartbooks) / Research Report
August 2006— Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent Current Population Survey of American households, this AARP Public Policy Institute chartbook by Kebin Wu provides detailed data on poverty and the distribution of income among older persons, families, and households in terms of gender, marital status, and living arrangement.

We Can Do Better: Lessons Learned for Protecting Older Persons in Disasters / Research Report
May 2006— Key lessons learned by public and private sector leaders during hurricanes Katrina and Rita are summarized in this AARP Public Policy Institute report of AARP’s December 2005 “We Can Do Better” conference. New data and examples of promising practices are also presented in the report by Mary Jo Gibson with Michele Hayunga. (Publication ID: D18526)

Comparing Poverty Rates by Official and Experimental Measures in the United States / Research Report
December 2005— Poverty rates are used for setting guidelines for eligibility for public programs, and thus directly affect the quality of daily life for those with low incomes. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest, Ke Bin Wu analyzes Census Bureau reports and finds that experimental poverty rates are significantly higher than the current official poverty rates, particularly for persons age 65 and older. (10 pages) (Publication ID: DD129)

Women Age 65 and Older: Their Sources of Income / Research Report
October 2005— Older women have fewer retirement income sources and are more likely to be poor than older men. This AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest by Laurel Beedon and Ke Bin Wu charts and discusses the income sources and poverty status of women 65 and older. (4 pages) (Publication ID: DD126)

Low-Income Housing Tax Credits: Helping Meet the Demand for Affordable Rental Housing / Research Report
March 2006— The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is the federal government’s primary vehicle for producing affordable rental housing. This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Kim Bright explains how the program works, highlights project characteristics, and discusses older renters in the program. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS74R)

2005 Survey of AARP Members in California / Research Report
September 2005— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: This mail survey was conducted to explore and measure the opinions of AARP members in California on a variety of issues, including their view of state legislative priorities and their experiences regarding prescription drugs and long-term care.

How Social Security Keeps Older Persons Out of Poverty Across Developed Countries / Research Report
May 2005— How or to what extent Social Security keeps older persons out of poverty in15 developed countries is analyzed in this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest by Ke Bin Wu which uses data from the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) database to examine changes in poverty rates of older persons with and without social security income. (8 pages) (Publication ID: DD118)

African Americans Age 65 and Older: Their Sources of Income / Fact Sheet
September 2004— The poverty status of -- and sources of retirement income for -- older African Americans in comparison with the economic security of the overall age 65+ population is presented by Laurel Beedon and Ke Bin Wu in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet underlining the importance of Social Security. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS100)

Poverty Using Official and Experimental Measures / Research Report
February 2004— The current official poverty measure is compared with a National Academy of Science panel's new approach to measuring poverty in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Brief by Ke Bin Wu. (13 pages) (Publication ID: IB66 )

Nutrition Assistance for Older Americans / Fact Sheet
April 2003— Public programs providing nutrition assistance to older persons are reviewed in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Enid Kassner. Among the programs described and for which data are provided are the Food Stamp Program, Congregate and Home-Delivered Meals, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS19R)

Model Legislation for Fair Share Payment Program to Assure Affordable Electric and Natural Gas Services / Publication
March 2003— Rising prices are making it even more difficult for lower income households to pay their gas and electric bills. AARP’s model for state legislation addresses bill payment assistance and energy efficiency programs that make bills more affordable. The approach targets consumers whose energy bills exceed a percentage of their household income. (24 pages)

Poverty Experience of Older Persons: A Poverty Study from a Long-Term Perspective / Research Report
March 2003— Although older Americans have been perceived by some analysts as being better off financially than younger persons, this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Ke Bin Wu finds that older persons, especially older women, still experience higher rates of long-term poverty than younger age groups do. (31 pages) (Publication ID: 2003-02)

Energy and Telephone Assistance in the States: Public Programs that Help Low-Income Households / Research Report
December 2002— Programs mandated, funded or approved by federal or state governments to help low-income households initiate and maintain home energy and telephone service are reviewed in this AARP Public Policy Institute report by Ann McLarty Jackson, Christopher Baker and Robert Wilden. (318 pages) (Publication ID: D17577)

The Impact of Social Security Reform on Low-Income and Older Women / Research Report
July 2002— How proposed reforms to the Social Security system might affect American women's economic well-being is explored in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Melissa M. Favreault and Frank J. Sammartino of The Urban Institute. (59 pages) (Publication ID: 2002-11)

Three States' Approaches to Pharmaceutical Assistance: A Guide for the Perplexed / Research Report
June 2002— Case studies of the development and implementation of New Jersey's direct benefit and California's price discount pharmaceutical assistance programs, and Maine's efforts to provide both direct benefits and drug price discounts. An AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Stephen Crystal, Kimberley Fox, Mina Silberberg, Tom Trail, Susan Reinhard and Joel Cantor of Rutgers University. (67 pages) (Publication ID: 2002-08)

Adding Assisted Living Services To Subsidized Housing: Serving Frail Older Persons With Low Incomes / Research Report
January 2002— Documenting the potential need for supportive services among older residents in federally subsidized housing, this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Robert Wilden and Donald L. Redfoot reports on 17 housing projects that respond to that need by offering assisted living services for older persons. (76 pages) (Publication ID: 2002-01)

Workers at the Bottom: An Update on America's Minimum Wage Workers / Research Report
October 2001— Updating the 1993 statistics used in her 1996 study of the working poor, Sara E. Rix examines the characteristics of workers who in 2000 earn at or below the minimum wage in this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest. (6 pages) (Publication ID: DD65)

The Alternative Financial Services Industry / Research Report
August 2001— An overview of the growing array of financial services (such as check-cashing outlets, payday lenders, pawn brokers, rent-to-own stores, subprime mortgage lenders) that are a major credit and banking source for low-income and working poor consumers. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Brief, Sharon Hermanson and George Gaberlavage discuss the industry's growth and address policy issues that affect consumers. (16 pages) (Publication ID: IB51)

State Pharmacy Assistance Programs 2001: An Array of Approaches / Research Report
July 2001— Many states--29 as of July 2001--have implemented or are developing programs to help older and disabled residents pay for prescription drugs. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Brief, David Gross provides background information about, a comparison of, and a context for analyzing these programs. (13 pages) (Publication ID: IB50)

A Summary of Federal Rental Housing Programs / Fact Sheet
May 2001— In 1999, about 1.7 million households headed by a person age 62 or older benefited from some kind of federal renting housing program. The history of these programs and how they respond to the critical need for affordable rental housing is outlined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Andrew Kochera. (4 pages) (Publication ID: FS85)

Older Persons Find It Hardest To Exit Poverty / Research Report
May 2001— The majority of older persons who have spent over four consecutive years in poverty will stay in poverty for a long time, and some of them will remain poor until death. An AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest by Ke Bin Wu. (4 pages) (Publication ID: DD61)

The Food Stamp Program And Older Americans / Fact Sheet
February 2001— The Food Stamp Program is the primary form of federal nutrition assistance for low-income people. In this fact sheet, Enid Kassner of AARP's Public Policy Institute describes the characteristics of age 60+ Food Stamp beneficiaries, their participation rates, and the benefit rules that affect them. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS20R)

The 1999 National Survey of Section 202 Elderly Housing / Research Report
January 2001— Changes in project and resident characteristics, consumer demand, services offered, management style, and capital needs since previous surveys in 1983 and 1988 are documented in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Leonard F. Heumann, Karen Winter-Nelson and James Anderson of the University of Illinois. (106 pages) (Publication ID: 2001-02)

Who Are The Long-Term Poor? / Research Report
December 2000— Findings from a study of the poverty experience of older persons over a five-year period are reported in this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest by Ke Bin Wu. (4 pages) (Publication ID: DD53)

The Effect of State TANF Choices on Grandparent-Headed Households / Research Report
November 2000— How welfare reform of state Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) policies has affected grandparents raising children in the absence of their parents is examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Faith Mullen and Monique Einhorn. (46 pages) (Publication ID: 2000-18)

State Pharmacy Assistance Programs / Research Report
April 1999— This AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by David Gross and Sharon Bee describes pharmacy assistance programs in 14 states--including each program's target population, income eligibility requirements, coverage levels, reimbursement policies, and enrollment levels. (23 pages) (Publication ID: 9905)

Bridging the Gaps Between Medicare and Medicaid: The Case of QMBs and SLMBs / Research Report
January 1999— This AARP Public Policy Institute study by Margo L. Rosenbach (Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.) and JoAnn Lamphere of PPI assesses state variations in Medicaid QMB/SLMB program enrollment of low-income Medicare beneficiaries and identifies best practices among states in the administration of these important programs. (39 pages) (Publication ID: 9902)