The Consumer Team conducts research and policy analysis, and brings together thought leaders to develop and advance AARP’s public policy agenda on consumer protection.

The team focuses on critical marketplace practices and regulatory developments that affect financial services and literacy, credit practices, fraud and deceptive practices, energy and telecommunications, and advance planning issues such as guardianship and powers of attorney.

The Economic Team analyzes and develops policies related to the economy and its impact on financial security, particularly security in retirement. Key research topics include:

• Solvency of the Social Security program and the adequacy of benefits for low-income retirees;
• Adequacy and coverage of workplace pensions;
• Individual retirement saving, managing assets in retirement, and the income of older Americans;
• Supplemental Security Income and other programs to protect low-income families and retirees;
• Workplace flexibility, training, age discrimination and other issues related to the older workforce; and
• Equity and efficiency of tax policies and the adequacy of tax revenues.

The Health Team conducts research and policy analysis, and brings together thought leaders to develop and advance AARP’s public policy agenda on health care.

The team examines critical public policy issues that affect access to health care services, quality and safety, cost of care and public health. Our goal is to foster sound and creative solutions that meet the health care challenges of an aging society and to inform state and national policymakers, opinion leaders, researchers, program planners and administrators.

The Livable Communities/Long-Term Care Team focuses on expanding consumer access and choice to an array of affordable long-term care options, with an emphasis on improving home and community-based services, supporting family caregivers, and making communities more livable.