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CONSUMER PROTECTION
The Public Policy Institute’s Consumer Team conducts research and policy analysis, and brings together thought leaders to develop and advance AARP’s public policy agenda on consumer protection.
Click below for reports on major consumer protection topics. Use the PPI search box on the right for a more precise search.
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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
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
A Snapshot of 2010 Utility Expenditures by Older Consumers
A new PPI report shows utility expenditures increased for consumers over 50 while remaining flat for younger consumers. 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
Upgrading the Nation’s Water Infrastructure While Maintaining Affordable Water Rates
This report by Neal Walters explores concerns about replacing the nation’s rapidly aging water infrastructure while keeping water rates affordable for consumers. read
Protecting Vulnerable Adults: Oversight and Screening of Court-Appointed Guardians
Testimony by PPI’s Naomi Karp before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts. 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
Summer Cooling Costs and Older Households – August 2011
Older consumers are facing rising electric bills as a result of this summer’s unusually hot weather and the increasing cost of energy. read
Improving Advanced Illness Care: The Evolution of State POLST Programs
This report by AARP’s Naomi Karp and Charles Sabatino of the ABA looks at how states are adopting a promising program to honor the treatment goals of people with advanced illness. read
Winter Heating Costs and Older and Low-Income Households - March 2011
The burden of winter heating costs on older low-income households in various geographic locations. read
Prepaid Cards: Promise and Pitfalls for Consumers
The potential benefits and drawbacks of using prepaid debit cards and key design principles to protect consumers. read
A Portrait of Older Underbanked and Unbanked Consumers: Findings from a National Survey
Older unbanked and underbanked consumers often use alternative financial services, sometimes putting their financial stability and personal property at risk. read
Affordable Home Energy and Health: Making the Connections
Adequate and affordable home energy use helps older adults maintain both economic security and good health. read
Preventing the Misleading Use of Senior Designations—What States Should Do
Financial services salespeople often use so-called senior designations to differentiate themselves and show they are experts in retirement investing or investing by older customers. States should adopt and enforce both the NASAA and NAIC model rules that regulate the use of these designations. read
Safe at Home? Developing Effective Criminal Background Checks and Other Screening Policies for Home Care Workers
States increasingly require criminal background checks for home care workers to protect vulnerable adults from harm. read
Financial Literacy: More Important Than Ever
In the wake of a $7 trillion decline in the value of pensions and household portfolios, is a discussion about financial literacy relevant? Absolutely! Workers—especially those nearing retirement—and retirees are likely to face a number of challenging questions due to the effects of the financial crisis. read
Generations of Struggle
Debt has become the common denominator of American life: in 2007, more than a million people filed for bankruptcy. In this paper, researchers Deborah Thorne of Ohio University, Elizabeth Warren of Harvard Law School, and Teresa A. Sullivan of the University of Michigan analyze data from the 1991, 2001, and 2007 Consumer Bankruptcy Project surveys. read
A First Look at Older Americans and the Mortgage Crisis
Homeowners age 50 and over have been significantly affected by the mortgage crisis according to this data analysis. read
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