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Public Opinions

2007 Survey of WV Residents Age 50+ on Prescription Drug Affordability  / Research Report
April 2008— West Virginia residents age 50+ are concerned about the rising cost of prescription drugs, according to this recent AARP survey, with Boomers age 50-61 being significantly more concerned than others in the 50+ population. (15 pages)

The State of Health Care in Montana: A Survey of Self-Identified Registered Voters Age 18+  / Research Report
April 2008— Montana residents believe that the state’s health care system needs improvement, are concerned about future health care costs, and feel that access and affordability of health care should be top priorities for the governor and state legislature, according to a November-December 2007 telephone survey of registered voters age 18+.

Colorado Health Care: A Study of Voter Concerns and the Support for State Reform  / Research Report
April 2008— A majority of Colorado voters believe that all state residents should have access to affordable, quality health care and would support a sales tax increase on cigarettes and alcohol if the money were used to help ensure such access, according to this December 2007-January 2008 survey. (26 pages)

AARP Bulletin Survey on Plans to Spend Stimulus Package Rebates  / Research Report
March 2008— A minority of Americans intend to spend the entirety of their stimulus package tax rebates, according to this executive summary of an AARP Bulletin nationwide survey. However, a greater percentage of those ages 50 and older plan to spend their entire rebate than those ages 18-49. (8 pages)

Opinions of Pennsylvanians Age 50+ on Health Care Reform  / Research Report
March 2008— The opinions of Pennsylvania’s 50+ population on health care reform were assessed in this AARP survey, as well as their experiences and concerns relative to health care access and costs. A majority of the respondents are ready for change, supporting several reform proposals. (20 pages)

The Employee Point of View: Opinions of Workers in North Carolina on Election Issues, Retirement, Caregiving, and Job Benefits  / Research Report
March 2008— The majority of working people in North Carolina believe that the country is on the wrong track, according to an October-November 2007 telephone survey of 800 workers age 30 and older. Over 75% said that financial security and health care issues are important to them in deciding whom to vote for in the 2008 election. (33 pages)

New Jersey Health Care Reports  / Research Report
March 2008— The opinions of self-identified voters age 18+ in New Jersey on issues related to health care reform, quality of health care, and health care access and costs are explored in these two reports. Information is based on an AARP survey of 805 New Jersey residents conducted in December 2007-January 2008.

Improving Health Care in Iowa: A Survey of Self-Identified Registered Voters Age 18+  / Research Report
March 2008— This telephone survey of 800 Iowa residents age 18+, who self-identified as registered voters, explores Iowans’ perception about their health, how they prioritize health care, and specific ways to improve and expand access to health care coverage. (20 pages)

Preparing for Their Future: A Look at the Financial State of Gen X and Gen Y  / Research Report
March 2008— To profile and better understand Generation X and Generation Y’s current and future financial situation, the American Savings Education Council (ASEC) and AARP (on behalf of Divided We Fail) commissioned this January 2008 online survey of 1,752 Americans ages 19-39. The report addresses financial behavior, financial goals, and financial literacy as well as perceptions of differences with older generations and views about workplace benefits. (59 pages)

The 2008 Hawaii Health and Long-Term Care Survey  / Research Report
March 2008— Hawaii self-reported registered voters age 18+ are concerned about having affordable, quality health and long-term care, according to this December 2007-January 2008 survey. Read why 62% of these voters support a proposal to develop a public long-term care insurance program. (30 pages)

Long-Term Care in Tennessee: A Survey of Self-Identified Registered Likely Voters Age 18+  / Research Report
March 2008— Registered likely voters age 18+ in Tennessee are strong supporters of increasing funds for long-term care services that will allow people to remain in their own homes and communities, according to this telephone survey commissioned by AARP. (22 pages)

Investor Protection: A Survey of Oregon Adults Ages 40 and Older  / Research Report
February 2008— Oregon ranked seventh in the nation in 2006 in fraud complaints received by state securities regulators. This November 2007 telephone survey found that that the majority of Oregon residents age 40 and older invest in financial securities, but few are confident in their knowledge of investing. (23 pages)

Westchester County, New York Livable Communities Fact Sheet, Annotation, and Methodology  / Research Report
February 2008— More than seven in ten residents of Westchester County, New York, rate their community as excellent (14%), very good (26%), or good (31%), according to a recent telephone survey of 800 residents ages 50+. More than nine in ten say it is extremely (27%), very (45%), or somewhat (19%) important for them to remain in their community for as long as possible. (30 pages)

Ohio Health Care: A Study of Current Challenges and the Support for State Reform  / Research Report
February 2008— Ohio residents believe that the Ohio health care system needs improvement, are concerned about future health care costs, and feel that access and affordability of health care should be top priorities for the Governor and State Legislature, according to a December 2007 telephone survey. (27 pages)

Should Older Americans Be Included in The Stimulus Package? Attitudes of Likely Voters  / Research Report
February 2008— An overwhelming majority of likely voters ages 18+ (90%) believe it is important for the government to ensure that older Americans and others who rely primarily on Social Security are eligible to receive rebates provided to other Americans. However, the voters are divided on whether a rebate plan will effectively stimulate the economy. (10 pages)

2007 AARP Driver Safety Program Course Evaluation  / Research Report
January 2008— Satisfaction with the AARP Driver Safety Program and with AARP is very high among program participants, according to a September 2007 survey. Almost all participants (95%) changed at least one key driving behavior and a third of nonmembers said they would be more likely to join AARP because of the course. (20 pages)

AARP Bulletin Poll "Getting Ready to Go" Executive Summary  / Research Report
January 2008— This nationwide poll, commissioned by the AARP Bulletin, found that an overwhelming majority of adults age 35 and older are aware of steps they and their parents can take to prepare for the end of life, but that less than half have completed the paperwork. Likelihood of completion varied by age and health status. (9 pages)

The State of Health Care: A Survey of New York Residents Age 50-64  / Research Report
January 2008— New York residents age 50-64 overwhelmingly agree that state policymakers should work to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to quality, affordable, and adequate health care coverage, according to this October 2007 telephone survey. (27 pages)

It's Good to Be Green: Socially Conscious Shopping Behaviors Among Boomers  / Research Report
December 2007— Who are the Green Boomers? Making up 54 percent of the boomer population, they are 40 million consumers who actually make the choice to buy environmentally safe brands. Released by AARP Services, Inc. and Focalyst, this executive summary of a recent report finds that Green Boomers are often more demanding of quality in the products and services they buy, more attuned to advertising, both positively and negatively, and exhibit higher brand loyalty than other boomers. (4 pages)

In Brief: Reverse Mortgages: Niche Product or Mainstream Solution? Report on the 2006 AARP National Survey of Reverse Mortgage Shoppers  / Research Report
December 2007— A succinct summary of the AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) Research Report of the same title in which Donald L. Redfoot of PPI, Ken Scholen of the AARP Foundation, and S. Kathi Brown of AARP Knowledge Management present the results of the first survey of reverse mortgage shoppers—older homeowners who have gone through reverse mortgage counseling and either taken out a loan or decided not to do so. (2 pages) (Publication ID: INB999)

Reverse Mortgages: "Niche Product or Mainstream Solution? Report on the 2006 AARP National Survey of Reverse Mortgage Shoppers"  / Research Report
December 2007— Results of the first survey of homeowners who have considered a reverse mortgage, both those who have taken out these loans and those who have decided against them, are presented in this AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) Research Report by Donald L. Redfoot of PPI, Ken Scholen of the AARP Foundation, and S. Kathi Brown of AARP Knowledge Management. (228 pages) (Publication ID: 2007-22)

Awareness of Security Freeze Legislation and Use of Security Freezes by Consumers Age 18+  / Research Report
November 2007— Consumers are largely unaware of their option to use a security freeze to shield their credit reports from identity thieves, according to this April-May 2007 AARP telephone survey of age 18+ residents in seven states. Older consumers report that they would be more likely to use a security freeze if the process were easier and less costly.

Spirituality and Religion among Hispanics Age 40+  / Research Report
November 2007— That 41% of Hispanics are practicing Catholics, 29% Protestants, and 28% former Catholics are among the findings of this February-March 2007 AARP bi-lingual telephone survey of Hispanics age 40 and over living in the United States. The study includes patterns of religious affiliation, things that Catholics value about their church, reasons former Catholics left the Church, and challenges of transmitting faith to the new generation. (139 pages)

Flu and Pneumonia Survey  / Research Report
November 2007— Flu season is right around the corner, but less than one in seven respondents ages 50 and older report having received their flu shot this year. Not thinking they needed the shot, being concerned about possible side effects, or saying they never get the flu are the primary reasons respondents cite in this September 2007 telephone survey for not getting immunized. (22 pages)

Prescription Drugs and Medicare Part D: A Report on Access, Satisfaction, and Cost  / Research Report
November 2007— People aged 50 and older are generally satisfied with their access to brand name and generic prescription drugs and are willing to talk to their physicians and other health professionals about their prescription drug options, according to this October 2007 AARP telephone survey. Individuals aged 65 and older who have Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage report high levels of satisfaction with the plan and their premiums, with many stating that prescription drugs are more affordable now than they were prior to their enrollment. (37 pages)

Preparation for Retirement: The Haves and Have-Nots  / Research Report
November 2007— Working households that lack access to a retirement savings plan at work are less prepared for retirement than working households that participate in a 401(k) or 403(b) plan. These households are less likely to have given their retirement at least some thought (72% vs. 82%), saved for retirement (51% vs. 86%), or tried to calculate the amount of money they will need in retirement (38% vs. 49%). Over six in ten financial decision-makers in working households (66%) who lack access to a retirement savings plan at work would be very or somewhat likely to participate in a retirement savings plan like a 401(k) if their employer or their spouse's employer were to offer one. These are among the key findings of a survey conducted by Harris Interactive for AARP of respondents without defined benefit plans. (26 pages)

Barriers to the Use of Security Freezes by Older Consumers  / Research Report
October 2007— Older consumers are largely unaware of their option to use a security freeze to shield their credit reports from identity thieves, according to this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest by Neal Walters, which also finds that older consumers would be more likely to use a security freeze if the process of placing and using it was easier and less costly. (4 pages) (Publication ID: DD160)

AARP Poll of Arkansans Age 40+ on Retirement and Investment: Summary of Top-line Findings  / Research Report
October 2007— Long-term financial security is critical to attaining what people want in retirement. This survey found that Arkansas residents age 40+ are not highly confident about preparing for retirement, and that while most respondents invest and own securities, they also indicate low levels of confidence in their personal knowledge of financial investing. (18 pages)

AARP Bulletin Poll on Financial Literacy  / Research Report
October 2007— The AARP Bulletin recently revealed the results of a nationwide poll of 1,031 people ages 40 and older that explored financial literacy on important consumer subjects such as Social Security benefits, 401(k) retirement plans, credit card theft liability, and bankruptcy trends. This Executive Summary, by Dawn V. Nelson, explains that half of the respondents “failed” the financial literacy quiz, correctly answering fewer than 50% of the items. (7 pages)

AARP Profit From Experience: Perspectives of Employers, Workers and Policymakers in the G7 Countries on the New Demographic Realities  / Research Report
September 2007— How prepared are the world’s leading economies to cope with the accelerating aging of their workforces? And what are they doing about it? This AARP study by Towers Perrin explores how governments, employers and employees are responding in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. (119 pages)

The Results Are In.....2007 AARP Poll of Guam Residents Age 50+  / Research Report
September 2007— This first-ever 2007 AARP telephone survey of 554 age 50+ residents of Guam identifies recent life events of significance and concern to them and explores their opinions regarding such specific issues as Social Security, health care quality and services on the island, Medicare and consumer fraud. (22 pages)

AARP Bulletin Poll on Workers 50+: Executive Summary  / Research Report
September 2007— As the nation celebrated Labor Day 2007, the AARP Bulletin revealed the results of the AARP-commissioned national poll of 510 workers age 50+ which explored employment status, expected retirement age, job satisfaction, as well as workers’ experiences and opinions on age-based discrimination in the workplace. (5 pages)

Automatic IRAs: Worker Attitudes and Likelihood of Participation  / Research Report
August 2007— Do workers who would be affected by Automatic IRA legislation support the idea? Of 700 age 25+ employees responding to this 2007 Internet-based AARP survey, 71 percent favor the concept and 79 percent say they are likely to participate in an Individual Retirement Account through a regular payroll deduction. (15 pages)

Perceptions of Tax Reform Among 18+ Florida Self-Identified Voters: Challenges and Opportunities  / Research Report
August 2007— While large numbers of age 18+ self-identified Florida voters support the idea of limiting the amount of money that can be collected and spent by the state government, many would oppose any proposal to limit government’s taxing and spending ability if such limits would result in cuts to essential services. (20 pages)

2007-2008 AARP Key Legislative Priorities: A Survey of Likely Voters in North Carolina  / Research Report
July 2007— Likely Tar Heel State voters’ thoughts about six issues important to AARP, which are being considered by the North Carolina General Assembly during its 2007-08 session, are examined in this March 2007 telephone survey of 626 voters with a history of having voted in general elections in the last three years. (12 pages)

401(k) Participants’ Awareness and Understanding Of Fees  / Research Report
July 2007— How much do 401(k) plan participants know about the fees and expenses associated with their plans? Of 1,584 age 25+ 401(k) plan participants surveyed by AARP, 79 percent of those who make decisions about their investments say fees are an important consideration in their investment decisions, but 83 percent admit not knowing how much they pay with their own plans. (41 pages)

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)

2007 Money Management Outcomes Study: Executive Summary  / Research Report
June 2007— Gauging the impact of the AARP Foundation’s Money Management Program on clients who are older and/or disabled, and have limited income, this study finds that most are able to pay their bills on time, do not experience any questionable withdrawals or expenses, and have their checks clear successfully. (9 pages)

Thoughts on the Afterlife Among U.S. Adults 50+  / Research Report
June 2007— What happens to people after they die? In this 2006 AARP telephone survey, 1,011 age 50+ Americans share their thoughts about the afterlife and reveal their beliefs about life after death, heaven and hell, religion and spirituality, and spirits and ghosts. The study explores the possible influence of demographic variables on these beliefs. (16 pages)

An Evaluation of the 2006 Medication Review Programs  / Research Report
June 2007— The success of AARP medication review programs in changing medication-related behaviors is evaluated in this baseline survey and follow-up among 222 participants in California, Colorado, Oregon and Virginia. Volunteer pharmacists were also surveyed to determine their experiences and findings (9 pages).

Employer Awareness and Attitudes About Automatic 401(k) Plans  / Research Report
June 2007— The motivation of mid-size employers to automate their 401(k) plans and the underlying drivers such as the prevalence and understanding of automatic 401(k) plan features are explored in this national AARP telephone survey of 800 mid-size employers. (26 pages)

Stolen Futures: An AARP Washington Survey of Investors and Victims of Investment Fraud  / Research Report
June 2007— Investment fraud victims in Washington State are more likely than non-victims to be male, married, and employed as well as more financially literate, according to this February 2007 AARP telephone survey of two groups of investors, 125 reported victims and 258 reported non-victims of investment fraud. (44 pages)

Employment Planning for an Aging Workforce: Results from an AARP California Survey of Employers  / Research Report
June 2007— Are California employers thinking about how changing labor force demographics, like an aging workforce trend, will affect business? This AARP survey of 514 Golden State employers with 50 or more employees tells what they’re doing now and what they’re thinking about doing next. (17 pages)

Strategies to Improve Health Care Quality in Virginia: Survey of Residents Age 50+  / Research Report
May 2007— How to assure that doctors and other health care professionals maintain their skills and proficiency through periodic testing is explored in this November 2006 telephone survey of 800 age 50+ Virginians. Approaches to preventing medical errors by physicians and nurses, hospitals and pharmacies, and related practitioners are also examined. (37 pages)

Health Care in Wisconsin: An AARP Survey of Residents Age 18 to 64  / Research Report
April 2007— While 95 percent of age 18 to 64 Wisconsinites in this March 2007 AARP telephone survey consider themselves to be in relatively good health, 49 percent feel the state’s health care system isn’t, and 13 percent say it’s in critical condition and needs intensive care. (22 pages)

A Survey of African-American Likely Voters in South Carolina  / Research Report
April 2007— For this April 2007 random telephone survey by AARP and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, 700 African American likely voters in South Carolina were asked to identify the domestic concerns and crucial issues they want presidential candidates to address in campaigning for the state’s January 2008 primary. (28 pages)

Looking Toward an Older Workforce: A Focus on New Mexico Employers  / Research Report
April 2007— While most employers in New Mexico are aware that they are likely to experience shortages of qualified workers in the next five years due to older employees retiring, this late 2006 AARP survey of businesses with three or more workers finds only 24 percent beginning to prepare for it. (39 pages)

AARP Segunda Juventud Hispanic Retirement Study: Financial Matters  / Research Report
March 2007— A 2007 AARP omnibus survey of Hispanics ages 40-74 explores issues related to retirement including which sources of income they feel fairly certain they can rely on in retirement, and how their saving for retirement compares with that of their parents’ generation. (10 pages)

AARP - Iowa Divided We Fail Survey  / Research Report
March 2007— A majority of Iowa registered Democrats and Republicans strongly support health care availability for all Americans, an affordable long-term care system, and strengthened laws against age discrimination, according to this March 2007 telephone survey of 400 Iowa residents registered to vote as either Republicans or Democrats.

Long-Term Care Preferences: A Survey of Alabama Residents Age 35+  / Research Report
March 2007— Being able to remain in their own homes while receiving long-term care services is very important to 89 percent of age 35+ Alabamians, and this December 2006 AARP telephone survey finds that 85 percent would support creating a Money Follows the Person program to allow individuals to decide where they receive the care they need. (28 pages)

2007 AARP Indiana 50+ Worker Newsletter  / Research Report
February 2007— The majority of Indiana workers age 50+ support the changing of legislation to allow individuals to bring age discrimination cases to state courts and also support legislation to extend age protection to workers who are older than 75. These are among the findings from this November 2006 AARP survey of 50+ workers in Indiana. (15 pages)

Perceptions of an Aging Workforce Trend  / Research Report
February 2007— American businesses’ awareness of potential labor shortages due to baby boomers retiring with fewer younger workers following close behind – and what their organizations are doing to prepare – are examined in these November-December 2006 AARP surveys of 400 employers in each of several states.

Access to Physicians Survey  / Research Report
February 2007— How the medical care experiences, reactions and satisfaction levels of those between ages 50 and 64 who have private health insurance compare with the experiences of those age 65+ covered by Medicare is examined in this February 2006 AARP telephone survey of 2,010 age 50+ Americans. (23 pages)

Legal Needs of Older Floridians: A 2006 Survey  / Research Report
February 2007— Which legal issues most concern age 60+ Floridians? How do they now receive legal help, for what issues, and how can their legal needs be met? This late 2006 AARP mail survey seeks answers to these questions, examining issues of health care coverage, housing, hurricane damage, consumer fraud, and legal services. (58 pages)

Slot Machines in Maryland  / Research Report
February 2007— A telephone survey of 801 Maryland residents age 50+ revealed that half strongly or somewhat supported expanding the state lottery, while 60 percent supported legalizing slot machines if revenues were used to avoid state budget cuts. Respondents wanted to see revenue from slot machines used for home- and community-based services, prescription drug assistance, education, long-term care, and transportation. (12 pages)

Retirement Security Survey Report: February 19, 2007  / Research Report
February 2007— Reflecting their concerns about retirement security issues, this January 2007 online AARP survey of 1,514 age 21+ Americans finds them open to a conversation about seeing that Social Security can meet its long-term financial obligations with a majority willing to at least consider four out of eight suggested reform options. (51 pages)

Medicare Price Negotiation of Prescription Drugs - A National Poll: February 12, 2007  / Research Report
February 2007— When this late January 2007 AARP national poll asked 1,000 age 18+ Americans if Medicare should be allowed to negotiate prescription drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, 87 percent said yes, and 61 percent think Congress should make the issue a top priority. (13 pages)

Consumer Payment Study  / Research Report
February 2007— The extent to which newer electronic payment methods (such as automatic bill payment and online transactions) and more traditional payment methods (cash, checks and credit cards) are used is examined in this Spring 2006 national survey of 1,500 age 25+ individuals with bill-paying responsibility for their households.(31 pages)

AARP New York Election Survey: Prescription Drugs -- Executive Summary for State Senate District 7  / Research Report
January 2007— The extent of concern among 400 age 50+ New York residents about the rapidly rising cost of prescription drugs, their support for legislative proposals to help make medications more affordable and how this could influence their choices in the Special Election being held in State Senate District 7 on February 6th, 2007, are examined in this January 2007 AARP telephone survey. (13 pages)

Understanding Women's Financial Needs & Behavior  / Research Report
January 2007— Women influence over half of family investments and control 60 percent of the nation’s wealth. This December 2006 AARP telephone survey of 2,017 women ages 18 to 65+ reveals the factors that influence women’s behavior and decision-making – and the information and assistance they need – when dealing with financial questions and situations. (5 pages)

A Great City for Older Adults: An AARP Survey on the Strengths and Challenges of Growing Old in Burlington  / Research Report
January 2007— Characteristics and factors that make a community livable – and a good place to age in – are explored in this November 2006 AARP telephone survey of 800 age 45+ residents of Burlington, Vermont. It also reveals the challenges the city faces in maintaining its livability as its population ages. (77 pages)

Long-Term Care Choices: A Survey of Arkansas Residents Age 40+  / Research Report
January 2007— Support for a proposed Arkansas Options Counseling for Long-Term Care Program to inform people seeking such services in Arkansas about all of the care options offered in their areas is gauged in this December 2006 AARP telephone survey of 800 age 40+ Arkansas residents and 200 age 50+ Arkansas AARP members. (24 pages)

Whose Credit is it Anyway? A Survey of Washington State Adults 18+ About Security Freeze Legislation  / Research Report
January 2007— The extent of Washington state consumers’ support for legislation enabling them to have credit reporting agencies not release information from their files without their written consent – and their willingness to use this service if doing so entailed a fee – are examined in this 2006 AARP telephone survey of 800 age 18+ state residents. (20 pages)

Complementary and Alternative Medicine  / Research Report
January 2007— Why 69 percent of people using herbal supplements, meditation, chiropractic, acupuncture and other non-conventional products and practices don’t discuss it with their physicians is explored in this 2006 study by AARP and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). (21 pages)

The Costs of Long-Term Care: Public Perceptions Versus Reality in 2006 -- AARP Fact Sheet  / Research Report
December 2006— These key findings from the similarly titled AARP report show that, in the five years since AARP's original survey, age 45+ Americans' perception of long-term care costs is essentially unchanged and they still know less about it than they think they do. (2 pages)

Caught in the NET: A Survey of Orlando Area Residents 40+ About Online Use and Safety  / Research Report
December 2006— What 500 age 40+ Orlando area computer and email users do to protect their identities from thieves and avoid phishing, spyware and other Internet hazards is examined in this November 2006 AARP telephone survey of Floridians’ online experiences and practices. (22 pages)

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)

Caught in the NET: A Survey of Los Angeles Area Residents 40+ About Online Use and Safety  / Research Report
November 2006— With California having the third highest statewide identity theft rate in the nation and the Los Angeles area fifth in ID theft-related complaints, this October 2006 AARP telephone survey of 500 age 40+ LA computer users examines their level of concern and what they’re doing to avoid becoming online crime victims. (22 pages)

Experiences with Medicare Part D Among Enrollees and Non-Enrollees  / Research Report
November 2006— While their awareness of and satisfaction with the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan are relatively high, the 3,602 age 65+ enrollees and non-enrollees in this September-October 2006 AARP mail survey rated their understanding of the plan somewhat lower and offered suggestions for changing the program. (52 pages)

AARP Election Watch 2006: Pulse of a Generation  / Research Report
November 2006— Of 1,500 age 42+ likely voters surveyed between October 23rd and 29th, 2006 by AARP, 83 percent are seriously considering the rising budget deficit in their voting decisions, and 76 percent are likely to vote for candidates supporting increased domestic spending while 47 percent favor and 40 percent oppose creating a national sales tax to fund healthcare for children and the uninsured.

Caught in the NET: A Survey of Philadelphia Area Residents 40+ About Online Use and Safety  / Research Report
October 2006— Computer ownership and Internet access by Philadelphia area residents age 40+, their concerns about safeguarding their personal information, their experience with spam, phishing, worms, viruses, and spyware, and the measures they take to prevent these problems are explored in this AARP telephone survey of 500 Philadelphia metro area residents. (22 pages)

Telephone Deregulation in Mississippi: A Survey of Self-Identified Registered Voters Age 18+  / Research Report
October 2006— Support for repealing their state’s 2006 deregulation law allowing telephone rate increases up to 100 percent each year while reducing consumer protection is gauged in this random telephone survey of 803 age 18+ self-identified Mississippi voters during August and September 2006. (21 pages)

Legislative Issues in Maryland: A Survey of Self-Identified Registered Voters Age 50 Plus  / Research Report
October 2006— Views and concerns about state legislative issues regarding crime, economic security and health care are explored in this October 2006 AARP telephone survey of 802 self-identified age 50+ registered Maryland voters. (24 pages)

Caught in the NET: A Survey of Raleigh-Durham Area Residents 40+ About Online Use and Safety  / Research Report
October 2006— With North Carolina having the 21st highest number of identity theft victims, the level of concern among age 40+ Raleigh-Durham area computer users about providing personal information over the Internet and what they are doing to protect themselves are examined in this Fall 2006 AARP survey. (22 pages)

AARP New York Election Survey: Prescription Drugs – Executive Summaries for State Senate District 2, 3, 35, and 49  / Research Report
October 2006— The extent of concern among 400 age 50+ residents in each of four New York State Senate Districts about the rapidly rising cost of prescription drugs, their support for legislative proposals to help make medications more affordable and how this could influence their choices in the November 2006 elections are examined in these October 2006 AARP telephone surveys.

Mississippi Taxes on Cigarettes and Food: A Survey of Self-Identified Registered Voters Age 18+  / Research Report
October 2006— The views of Mississippi voters regarding proposed legislation to increase the state’s 18 cents per pack cigarette tax by $1 and reduce the 7 percent sales tax on food by half are examined in this August-September AARP telephone survey of 803 age 18+ self-identified registered voters. (20 pages)

Caught in the NET: A Survey of Charlotte Area Residents 40+ About Online Use and Safety  / Research Report
October 2006— What 500 age 40+ Charlotte, NC area computer and email users do to avoid being victimized by spam, phishing, worms, viruses, spyware and other Internet hazards are examined in this October 2006 AARP telephone survey about their online experiences and prevention strategies. (22 pages)

Preparing for an Aging Workforce: A Focus on New Hampshire Employers  / Research Report
October 2006— How New Hampshire businesses, both small and large, are preparing – or not preparing – for an aging workforce in the relatively near future is explored in these reports of findings from two 2005 AARP mail surveys of 1,076 of the state’s employers.

Business Executives’ Attitudes Toward the Aging Workforce: Aware But Not Prepared?  / Research Report
October 2006— While most of the 1,055 business executives surveyed by AARP during July 2006 know that their companies may be – or already are – affected by the aging of the workforce, few say their organizations are preparing for boomer retirements while 59 percent believe their firms should be thinking about how to retain older workers. (28 pages)

Caught in the NET: A Survey of New York City Area Residents 40+ About Online Use and Safety  / Research Report
October 2006— Preventative measures that they take to avoid spam, phishing, worms, viruses, spyware and other Internet hazards are examined in this September 2006 AARP telephone survey exploring the online experiences of 500 age 40+ New York City area computer and email users. (23 pages)

Aging and Migration: Three Reports  / Research Report
September 2006— Why people choose to either age in their communities or move to different locales is explored in three AARP reports based on demographic analysis of U.S. Census data and a late-2005 telephone survey of 1,201 age 60+ individuals and 149 community leaders.

Caught in the NET: A Survey of Chicago Area Residents 40+ About Online Use and Safety  / Research Report
September 2006— The experiences of 500 age 40+ Chicago metro area residents with spam, phishing, worms, viruses, spyware and other Internet hazards are explored in this August 2006 AARP telephone survey which also covers the preventative measures they take to avoid these problems and where they go for help. (22 pages)

Attitudes Toward Work and Job Security  / Research Report
August 2006— Many of the 1,053 age 18+ U.S. workers surveyed by AARP in July 2006 say they feel fairly secure in their current jobs and, expect to continue working well into their late 60s, 70s or beyond. (11 pages)

Caught in the Net: A Survey of Phoenix Area Residents 40+ about Online Use and Safety  / Research Report
August 2006— How concerned Phoenix area residents are about providing personal information over the Internet, what they are doing to protect against destructive emails and software, and where they would turn for help are examined in this August 2006 AARP survey of 500 Metropolitan Phoenix residents age 40 and over. (27 pages)

Help Keep the Lights On: Vermonters’ Opinions of an Electricity Assistance Program  / Research Report
August 2006— The majority of Vermonters support a low-income energy assistance program—even if they have to pay $1.25 each month to fund it, according to a recent AARP telephone survey examining the opinions of Vermont residents concerning utility rates, winter shut-offs, and assistance for low-income utility customers. (14 pages)

Patriotism Survey Among U.S. Adults Age 18 and Older  / Research Report
June 2006— The extent and expression of patriotic feelings among adult Americans, their plans for celebrating Independence Day 2006, and how rising gas prices may affect their patriotic July 4th observances are explored in this May 2006 AARP survey of 608 age 18+ men and women for the AARP Bulletin. (17 pages)

2006 Utah Transportation Survey: Aging and Mobility  / Research Report
June 2006— The present transportation situations of age 50+ Utahans and how to assure their access to flexible and safe mobility options for going where they need and want to go as they grow older are explored in this Spring 2006 AARP telephone survey of 1,210 Utah residents, including 206 age 85+ and 192 in rural counties.

Cell Phones for Safety and Security in Case of an Emergency  / Research Report
June 2006— Consumers purchase cell phones for many reasons. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet, Christopher Baker presents survey results that show women, low-income consumers and older consumers are among the most likely cell phone users to cite safety and security as a reason for having cell phone service. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS131)

Nursing Home Quality and Long-Term Care in the District of Columbia: A Survey of Registered Voters Age 35+  / Research Report
June 2006— Opinions and concerns about the importance of remaining at home when needing long-term care, making home and community-based services more available to residents, and holding nursing homes accountable for any care violations that endanger residents are examined in this April-May 2006 AARP telephone survey of 801 age 35+ registered District of Columbia voters. (23 pages)

A Sales Tax for Puerto Rico? Opinions of Residents Age 50-Plus  / Research Report
May 2006— Most Puerto Ricans age 50+ think that a 7% sales tax would be very difficult for them to pay, according to an April 2006 AARP telephone survey of 811 Puerto Rican residents age 50-plus. They also think that any sales tax imposed should exempt low-income residents and exclude groceries. (7 pages)

Hispanic Sleep Study  / Research Report
May 2006— While there is disagreement about whether sleep needs decline with age or remain constant over the adult lifespan, many older adults report being less satisfied with the sleep they’re getting. Of 487 Hispanics in this AARP telephone survey, 67 percent of those age 40+ say they’re sleeping enough, but the percentage drops to 57 among those age 50+. (6 pages)

2005 Massachusetts AARP Driver Safety Program Graduates and Non-Graduates Study  / Research Report
May 2006— The differences between AARP members in Massachusetts who have taken an AARP Driver Safety Program course and those who haven’t are explored in this 2005 joint AARP/Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab mail survey of 1,151 AARP members of whom almost half had taken the AARP DSP course and over half had not. (29 pages)

Summary of 2005 AARP Driver Safety Program Graduate Study  / Research Report
May 2006— The impact of the AARP Driver Safety Program upon its graduates’ driving habits and changes they made because of what they learned is examined in this May 2005 mail survey of a random sample of 3,512 men and women who had taken the AARP DSP classroom course. (12 pages)

Opinions About Health Care and Prescription Drug Coverage Among 50-64 Year Olds  / Research Report
May 2006— With the first wave of baby boomers turning 60 in 2006, their concerns may play an important role in shaping present and future health policy. AARP’s Spring 2006 telephone survey of 1,500 persons between ages 50 and 64 reveals how financially protected or unprotected they are for dealing with personal health problems now and in the future. (25 pages)

Legislative Issues in North Carolina: A Survey of Residents 50 Plus  / Research Report
May 2006— Health care (including prescription drugs) and economic security dominate the issues considered most important by age 50+ North Carolina residents in this Spring 2005 AARP telephone survey. And many say they would be likely to vote for or against a candidate for state office based on how he or she addresses these concerns. (29 pages)

Retirement Planning Survey Among U.S. Adults Age 40 and Older  / Research Report
May 2006— Americans’ financial preparedness – or lack thereof – for retirement is examined in this April 2006 AARP telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,782 age 40+ workers and retirees which finds many concerned about their ability to cover medical, long-term care or even basic expenses in retirement. (38 pages)

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)

An Assessment of Beneficiary Knowledge of Medicare Coverage Options and the Prescription Drug Benefit  / Research Report
May 2006— This AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Judith Hibbard, Jessica Greene and Martin Tusler of the University of Oregon assesses Medicare beneficiaries’ knowledge of Medicare Part D and the differences between the fee-for-service Medicare program and Medicare Advantage plans; and identifies which factors contribute to differences in knowledge levels and attitudes about information seeking. (56 pages) (Publication ID: 2006-12)

Looking at Act II of Women’s Lives: Thriving & Striving from 45 On  / Research Report
April 2006— While most of the 1,200 women age 45+ interviewed say growing older is better than expected, this 2005 study for the AARP Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Circle finds many exhibiting possibly false assurance about their future financial and health situations even when they have not taken steps to adequately prepare themselves. (94 pages)

2005 AARP Puerto Rico Social Impact Survey  / Research Report
April 2006— Experiences, opinions and concerns regarding the cost and affordability of the prescription drugs they take, the utilities they use, the livability of their communities, home modification, property tax burdens and long-term care are explored in this Summer 2005 telephone survey of 1,010 age 50+ residents of Puerto Rico.

Physical Activity Survey, 2006  / Research Report
April 2006— How much physical activity adult Americans engage in, their perceptions of the benefits of exercise, their exercise preferences, and whether they have always been as active or inactive as they report being now are explored in this AARP telephone survey of 1,011 age 18+ individuals. (9 pages)

Enrollees' Perceptions of Medicare Part D: Three Months and Counting  / Research Report
April 2006— Why enrollees in the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan signed up, whether they have used the benefit yet and, if they have, how much they estimate they saved by doing so are examined in this Spring 2006 AARP telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,514 age 65+ persons. (9 pages)

Security Freeze Legislation: Consumer Attitudes on Paying Activation and Lifting Fees  / Research Report
April 2006— Delaware, Oklahoma and South Carolina are actively considering legislation to enable consumers to guard against identity theft by blocking credit reporting agencies from releasing their personal information without written consent. The likelihood of people doing so if they have to pay a fee is examined in these 2006 AARP telephone surveys of age 18+ residents of the three states.

Caught in the NET: A Survey of Washington State Residents 18+ About Online Use and Safety  / Research Report
April 2006— The level of concern among age 18+ state of Washington computer users about providing personal information over the Internet, their knowledge of various ways in which that information and their computers can be illegally accessed by others, and what they are doing to protect themselves are examined in this 2006 AARP survey. (36 pages)

Opinions on Taxes Among U.S. Adults  / Research Report
March 2006— Americans’ opinions about the fairness of the tax system, cheating on taxes and their own methods of preparing their taxes are explored in this February 2006 telephone survey of 1,016 age 25+ individuals. (5 pages)

Images of Aging in America 2004  / Research Report
February 2006— How much adult Americans know – or think they know – about aging is explored in this AARP/University of Southern California study which examines how accurate their perceptions of growing old actually are. The report includes a 25-question true/false quiz (with answers) that allows readers to test their own knowledge. The report also examines personal anxieties about aging and the level of intergenerational conflict.

Defending Your Financial Privacy: The Benefits and Limits of Self-Help  / Research Report
February 2006— Coping with threats to consumers’ financial privacy is examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Robert N. Mayer which concludes that while individuals are taking significant actions to protect their privacy, they can't do it alone, and that businesses and government bodies must become involved in educating the public, developing new privacy protection technologies, and offering credible, well-publicized programs that lower what it costs consumers to defend their privacy. (54 pages) (Publication ID: 2006-06)

Views of the Individual Investor Toward Internet-Based Delivery of Company Proxy Materials  / Research Report
March 2006— A January 2006 AARP telephone survey of age 25+ investors finds that less educated investors and older investors would be placed at a disadvantage by a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission proposal to allow corporations and mutual funds to deliver proxy materials by relying primarily on email to announce their availability at online Web sites. (67 pages)

In Brief: Defending Your Financial Privacy: The Benefits and Limits of Self-Help  / Research Report
February 2006— A succinct summary of the similarly titled AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Robert N. Mayer examining how consumers are coping with threats to their financial privacy. While individuals are taking significant actions to protect their privacy, they can't do it alone, the study finds, business and government need to educate the public, develop new privacy protection technologies, and offer credible, well-publicized programs that lower what it costs consumers to defend their privacy. (2 pages) (Publication ID: INB118)

Prescription Drug Affordability: AARP Survey of Hispanic New Yorkers  / Research Report
February 2006— Hispanic New Yorkers are adamant supporters of legislation that would address prescription drug affordability by allowing the state to implement a preferred drug list and to establish a bulk purchasing program. The telephone survey was conducted in November 2005 among age 18+ individuals in the New York City metropolitan area who identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino. (15 pages)

Long-term Care in Tennessee: A Survey of Registered Voters Age 35+  / Research Report
February 2006— How age 35+ registered Tennessee voters feel about where to receive long-term care (LTC) services, their confidence in being able to afford them, their support for redirecting public funds to help people stay at home as long as possible, and the likelihood of their voting for state candidates supporting this issue is explored in this Fall 2005 survey. (23 pages)

Protecting Your Name: A Survey of Montanans on Identity Theft  / Research Report
February 2006— Becoming a victim of identity theft is a major concern of Montanans. A recent AARP survey finds that over half of Montana’s registered voters are extremely or very concerned about unauthorized access to their financial assets. Almost 80% support legislation that would allow them to place a security freeze on their credit reports. (20 pages)

Awareness and Use of Personal Medication Records among 50+ Americans  / Research Report
March 2006— The extent of awareness and use of personal medication records to record all of the medications they currently take is examined in this 2005 telephone survey of 1,023 Americans age 50 and older. Interest in receiving a personal medication record among those who currently do not use one is also measured. (15 pages)

Prescription Drug Affordability: An AARP Poll of 18+ Idahoans  / Research Report
March 2006— Support for public posting of prescription drug prices and for advocates to assist the uninsured in accessing free and low-cost prescription drug programs is gauged in this December 2005 survey of age 18+ Idaho residents. (12 pages)

AARP New York Identity Theft Poll  / Research Report
March 2006— Poll results from a December 2005 telephone omnibus survey of 702 likely voters in New York (age18+) show 92 percent are concerned about identity theft and 91 percent support proposed State legislation to enable consumers to place a security freeze on their credit reports. (1 page)

AARP New York Home Heating Poll  / Research Report
March 2006— Poll results from a December 2005 telephone omnibus survey of 702 likely voters in New York (age 18+) show 82 percent are concerned about being able to afford the cost of heating their homes this winter and 83 percent support the State providing low-income assistance for those who cannot afford to when Federal programs can’t provide enough help. (2 pages)

Opinions on the Federal Budget Among U.S. Adults  / Research Report
January 2006— Most Americans age 18 and up are concerned about the current federal budget deficit and how to reduce it. Of those surveyed by AARP in January 2006, the majority favored keeping the estate tax on assets over $2 million (69%) and raising income taxes for households earning over $100,000 dollars (61%). Respondents were strongly opposed to cutting Social Security benefits (92%) and Medicare and Medicaid spending (87%). (6 pages)

Money Management Programs in Iowa: What Service Providers Say  / Research Report
January 2006— Most of the money management services currently available in Iowa are furnished on an ad hoc basis. Of the 182 service organizations surveyed, 82 percent report having received calls from or having had contact with mid-to-low income clients experiencing problems in managing their money because of mental, physical or social incapacity. (18 pages)

Let Us Choose: A Survey of Floridians Age 35+ on Long-Term Care Choices  / Research Report
January 2006— At least 90 percent of age 35+ Floridians consider it important to choose how and where they would receive long-term care services, and the overwhelming choice of participants in this 2005 telephone survey is to receive services at home that would help them stay at home for as long as possible. (36 pages)

The 50+ Workforce: An AARP Wyoming Survey of Businesses  / Research Report
January 2006— A look at how employers in Wyoming plan to recruit and retain workers age 50+, particularly in light of a future potential worker shortage. The relative importance of and the degree to which older employees possess certain important worker qualities, as well as the importance of retaining the institutional knowledge of retiring workers are examined in this 2005 AARP mail survey of 1,075 Wyoming companies. (35 pages)

Multicultural Study 2004 - Perspectives Past, Present and Future: Traditional and Alternative Financial Practices of the 45+ Community  / Research Report
March 2006— Spending, saving and borrowing patterns of age 45+ consumers – with an emphasis on past and future financial activities including purchasing homes, saving for retirement, and paying medical bills – are explored in this multicultural AARP telephone survey of 2,609 midlife and older individuals.

The Effects of Energy Costs On U.S. Adults  / Research Report
November 2005— Due to rising energy costs, Americans are reducing energy use by adjusting thermostats (61%) and limiting driving or travel (58%). Respondents to this recent AARP poll (of U.S. residents age 18 and over) place blame for these high costs on energy companies (89%), oil exporting countries (81%) and increased global demand (81%). (6 pages)

Health Care in Vermont: Support for Universal Coverage  / Research Report
October 2005— Escalating health care costs concern Vermont residents, most of whom (88%) have some kind of health insurance coverage. This report presents findings from a June 2005 AARP survey of Vermont residents on their experiences with health insurance in the state. (27 pages)

Putting Aging Workforce on Employment Planning Radar: Results from an AARP Florida/Florida Trend Survey  / Research Report
October 2005— How are Florida businesses planning for an aging workforce and addressing older worker recruitment and retention concerns? This report presents results of a recent AARP survey of Florida business leaders that explores these issues. Few Florida employers, it turns out, are preparing for potential employee shortages as baby boomers approach retirement age. (4 pages)

The Effects of Gasoline Costs On U.S. Residents 50+  / Research Report
October 2005— Due to rising gasoline costs, older Americans are cutting down on driving and other spending. In two AARP polls (of U.S. residents 50+), taken shortly before and after Hurricane Katrina hit the United States, increasing numbers of respondents report that they have limited their daily driving, their travel or vacations, and reduced spending in other areas. (6 pages)

AARP National GROW Accounts Poll: September 8, 2005  / Research Report
September 2005— What are GROW Accounts? How do people view them? This AARP National Poll gauges the general public’s opinion of a recent proposal by some in Congress to create private accounts for workers under age 55 by borrowing an amount of money equal to the annual surplus of the Social Security Trust Fund. (19 pages)

Balancing the State Budget and Maintaining Health and Long-term Care Funding in California: A Public Opinion Poll  / Research Report
August 2005— Most Californians (90%) think it is important that the state maintain current levels of funding for health and long-term care services even in light of the state’s budget deficit, according to a 2005 AARP telephone survey of 1,200 California residents age 18 and over. (10 pages)

AARP Massachusetts End of Life Survey  / Research Report
August 2005— How do people think about death and dying? This 2005 survey of AARP members age 50 and older in Massachusetts provides a comprehensive view of their concerns and attitudes toward end of life issues. (40 pages)

Social Security 70th Anniversary Survey Report: Trends Over Time  / Research Report
August 2005— The American public again affirms its strong support for the Social Security program in this AARP 2005 telephone-survey report. Comparisons between the findings of this 70th anniversary survey and those of the 50th and 60th anniversary surveys indicate that the public today knows more about the program and continues to rate it highly. (26 pages)

Older Consumers’ Attitudes Toward The Use of Credit Scores  / Research Report
July 2005— How much do people know about credit scores? Older persons are much less likely (39 percent) than younger persons (67 percent) to be familiar with credit scores, according to this Data Digest by Sharon Hermanson and Ann Jackson of the AARP Public Policy Institute. (6 pages) (Publication ID: DD120)

International Retirement Security Survey  / Research Report
July 2005— An AARP international survey on income security in retirement reveals public opinion in 10 developed nations: the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia, and the Netherlands. The survey shows how residents aged 30-65 differ in their retirement expectations, preparations, and public policy priorities. It also reveals how concerns, expectations, and preferred policy solutions cross national boundaries and are similar across borders. An executive summary and a power point presentation of the detailed findings are available. (116 pages)

South Carolina Money Management Needs Assessment  / Research Report
June 2005— Does South Carolina need a state-wide money management program to assist people at risk of losing their independence due to inability to manage their financial affairs? What kinds of community support would such a program attract? An AARP survey of organizations across the state explores these questions. (33 pages)

Long-Term Care in Michigan: A Survey of Voters Age 45+  / Research Report
June 2005— Individuals’ values, experiences and preferences regarding Long-Term Care (LTC) services are examined in this May 2005 AARP telephone survey of 1,200 age 45+ registered Michigan voters following the release of state government task force recommendations for addressing unmet needs and for better utilization of state LTC resources. (51 pages)

AARP Oregon Social Security Survey: June 3, 2005  / Research Report
June 2005— Oregon residents’ opinions about Social Security, private accounts, and the consequences of taking money from Social Security to create private accounts are examined in AARP’s random telephone survey of 700 age 18+ Oregon residents conducted between May 21st and 25th, 2005. (17 pages)

Mother's Day Survey  / Research Report
May 2005— Annotated questionnaire from the AARP The Magazine survey in April 2005 of over 1,000 baby boomers in which 40 percent named their mother as their favorite parent, compared to only 20 percent saying the same of their father. (4 pages)

Utility Issues in Illinois: A Survey of Residents 18+ in the Prairie State  / Research Report
April 2005— Opinions of Illinois residents age 18+ about the cost of utility services, utility company practices, and upcoming legislation are explored in this AARP survey of these residents on a variety of specific Illinois utility issues, including phone company sales methods, electric service rate setting, and cell phone contracts. (23 pages)

Addressing the State Budget Deficit: A Survey of Minnesotans in 2005  / Research Report
April 2005— Different approaches to balancing the state’s budget – cutting current services, increasing state revenues, or a combination of service cuts and revenue increases – are explored in this 2005 AARP telephone survey of 1,016 age 18+ Minnesota registered voters, including 200 AARP members. (23 pages)

Caregiving in Connecticut: An AARP Survey  / Research Report
April 2005— Profiles of individuals receiving care, characteristics of caregiving situations, intensity of caregiving, impact of caregiving on work, strains and stresses of caregiving, and coping mechanisms used by caregivers are explored in this 2004 AARP telephone survey of 400 age 18+ Connecticut residents who had been caregivers within the previous12 months. (42 pages)

Prescription Drug Use Among Midlife and Older Americans  / Research Report
April 2005— The importance of having consumer-friendly research on prescription medications for comparing safety, effectiveness and cost is examined in this October 2004 AARP telephone survey of 1,001 age 50+ Americans. In addition they were asked about their conversations with doctors regarding prescription drugs, use of generic drugs, and the perceived impact of direct-to-consumer advertising on consumer choice. (32 pages)

The State of 50+ America 2005  / Research Report
April 2005— AARP's second annual survey of the quality of life of Americans age 50 and older finds that the 50+ population has lower income today than they had in the late 1990s, are more dependent on Social Security today than a decade ago, and are concerned about their ability to afford health costs in light of stagnant incomes. (53 pages) (Publication ID: D18211)

AARP Ohio Congressional District 14 Social Security Survey: April 14, 2005  / Research Report
April 2005— Opinions about Social Security, private accounts, and the consequences of taking money from Social Security to create private accounts are examined in AARP’s random telephone survey of 503 age 18+ residents of Ohio’s 14th Congressional District conducted between April 1st and 13th, 2005. (16 pages)

AARP Ohio State Social Security Survey: April 18 2005  / Research Report
April 2005— Ohioans’ opinions about Social Security, private accounts, and the consequences of taking money from Social Security to create private accounts are examined in AARP’s random telephone survey of 700 age 18+ Ohio residents conducted between April 1st and 13th, 2005. (16 pages)

AARP Iowa Social Security Survey  / Research Report
April 2005— Iowans’ opinions about Social Security, private accounts, and the consequences of taking money from Social Security to create private accounts are examined in AARP’s random telephone survey of 710 age 18+ Iowa residents conducted between April 1st and 7th, 2005. (16 pages)

Physicians' Attitudes And Practices Regarding Generic Drugs  / Research Report
March 2005— How doctors feel about substituting generic medications for brand name drugs, how much they know about the generic bioequivalence, where they get their information, and how various pressures from patients, insurance companies and others may affect their decision-making are examined in this online survey of 425 American primary care practitioners and medical specialists. (32 pages)

Attitudes of Individuals 50 and Older Toward Phased Retirement  / Research Report
March 2005— Reactions of 2,167 individuals age 50 and older to the concept of phased retirement and the extent to which phased retirement in general would motivate them to remain in the workforce beyond when they planned to retire are explored in this online survey conducted by AARP in January 2005. (28 pages)

Public Attitudes Toward Social Security and Private Accounts  / Research Report
February 2005— How Americans age 18 and up feel about Social Security, private accounts, and the consequences for Social Security if private accounts are created with Social Security funds are examined in these reports of findings from AARP's national telephone survey conducted in late January and its individual state telephone surveys of Arkansas, Florida, Montana, Nebraska and North Dakota conducted in late January and early February.

Stealing Your Good Name: A Survey of Washington State Residents 18+ on Identity Theft Incidence and Prevention  / Research Report
February 2005— The extent to which Washingtonians have been victimized by identity theft, their concern about becoming victims of this new and rapidly growing crime, and steps they are taking or might take to prevent their own victimization are examined in this telephone survey of 800 age 18+ residents. (16 pages)

The Public Response to the Consequences of Social Security Private Accounts  / Research Report
January 2005— How the public views the Social Security program is examined in this report of a December 2004 telephone survey of 1,500 age 30+ individuals, which also assesses their attitudes toward private accounts carved from Social Security funds.

Prescription Drug Affordability: An AARP Idaho Survey  / Research Report
January 2005— The importance of and support for legislation to create a state prescription drug discount program to help uninsured, low-income Idahoans afford their prescription drugs is measured in this 2004 telephone survey of 800 age 18+ state residents. (30 pages)

Prescription Drug Affordability: An AARP Survey of Washington Voters  / Research Report
January 2005— The favorable inclination of Washington State voters age 18 and up toward legislative proposals aimed at helping the state’s residents, especially those with lower incomes, to be able to afford their prescription drugs is gauged in this late 2004 telephone survey of 801 self-identified registered voters. (19 pages)

Colorado TABOR: A Survey of Colorado Likely Voters Age 18+  / Research Report
December 2004— Voters’ opinions about Colorado’s budget, ways of raising money to pay for state services, and possible changes to the state’s Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights (TABOR) law are explored in this November 2004 telephone survey of 1,001 randomly selected age 18+ state residents identifying themselves as registered and likely to vote in the 2006 state election. (21 pages)

2003 Minnesota Advance Directives Survey  / Research Report
December 2004— End-of-life issues and the use of Advance Health Care Directives, Living Wills, Health Care Power of Attorneys and other means of making one’s wishes known to those who can implement them at the right time are explored in this survey of Minnesotans age 18 and older. (7 pages)

Medical Uses of Marijuana: Opinions of U.S. Residents 45+  / Research Report
December 2004— Opinions regarding the medical uses of marijuana are examined in this mid-November 2004 AARP telephone survey of 1,706 age 45+ United States residents of whom 72 percent favor such usage by adults if a physician recommends it. (13 pages)

Putting the "Facts" Back into the O'Reilly Factor  / News Release
December 2004— AARP welcomes the opportunity for an honest discussion of the issues.

Filling the Rx: An Analysis of the Perceptions and Attitudes of Medicare Rx Discount Card Holders  / Research Report
December 2004— This second in a series of AARP surveys about the Medicare Rx discount card, conducted during October 2004 reveals that most individuals who secured a card, seem to have saved money with it, did not regard the process as confusing, and do not want to switch cards when given the opportunity. (17 pages)

When the Boom Drops: A Survey of Virginia Businesses on Older Workers  / Research Report
December 2004— Worker qualities important to Virginia employers and the degree to which they feel older employees possess these qualities are explored in this mail survey of 1,056 businesses in the Old Dominion. The study also gauges the extent to which employers implement approaches to retain older employees, and examines where businesses go for information on issues affecting older workers. (115 pages)

2004 AARP Driver Safety Program Volunteer and Graduate Survey Report  / Research Report
December 2004— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: Evaluation of the AARP Drivers Safety program (DSP) courses and training materials and impact on recent graduates’ driving behavior. The AARP DSP is the nation’s first and largest classroom refresher course for age 50+ drivers. (64 pages)

AARP International Opinion Leader Research on Global Aging  / Research Report
November 2004— Opinion leaders in the G-7 seven countries were surveyed in an effort to foster dialogue and greater understanding of global aging.

GRAYSIA: Issues in the Aging Japanese Workforce  / Research Report
November 2004— This is a brief by S. Yoshida, JARC Executive Director on the aging Japanese workforce

Pension Participant Knowledge About Plan Fees  / Research Report
November 2004— Defined contribution plan participants pay billions of dollars annually in fees to fund managers for the management of their investments. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest, John Turner and Sophie Korczyk reveal survey results that provide insights into pension participants’ knowledge of the fees they pay for their 401(k) plans. (2 pages) (Publication ID: DD105)

AARP Minnesota Identity Theft Survey: A Study of Residents 18+  / Research Report
November 2004— Almost all Minnesotans age 18 and over favor strengthening laws and regulations to protect consumers by requiring businesses to notify consumers when customer information has been stolen or compromised, stiffening penalties for repeat identity theft offenders, giving identity theft victims a formal legal mechanism to clear their names, and enabling individuals to place a security freeze on credit reports. (26 pages)

Boomers at Midlife 2004: The AARP Life Stage Study  / Research Report
November 2004— How boomers are doing at this point in their lives, whether their outlooks on life have changed over the past year or two and specific areas of their lives boomers want to improve are all explored in the third wave of this annual survey.

Work, Family and Caregiving in North Carolina: Perspectives from Employers and Employees  / Research Report
October 2004— How workers’ need to care for relatives affects both the involved individuals and the businesses they work for is examined in these two AARP surveys of North Carolina employees and employers: 'AARP North Carolina Caregiving in the Workplace Survey' and 'AARP North Carolina Caregiving Employee Internet Survey: Balancing Work and Family.'

In-Brief: State-Funded Home and Community-Based Service Programs for Older People  / Research Report
October 2004— A succinct summary of the similarly titled AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Laura L. Summer and Emily S. Ihara of Georgetown University which provides detailed descriptions of state-funded home and community-based care programs, independent of Medicaid, that serve older people. Spending for such programs was $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2002. (2 pages) (Publication ID: INB89)

State-Funded Home and Community-Based Service Programs for Older People  / Research Report
October 2004— State-funded home and community-based care programs, serving older people, independent of Medicaid, are described in detail in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Laura L. Summer and Emily S. Ihara of Georgetown University. Spending for such programs was $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2002. (41 pages) (Publication ID: 2004-11)

Spirituality and Religion Among Americans Age 45 and Older  / Research Report
October 2004— The spiritual and religious beliefs of midlife and older Americans are examined in this 2004 study which surveys their churchgoing behavior, what they consider their most satisfying spiritual and religious experiences, and their dissatisfaction, if any, with religion or their church. (32 pages)

A Changing Political Landscape As One Generation Replaces Another  / Research Report
October 2004— How the GI and boomer generations regard their political experiences, how those experiences have influenced their expectations and beliefs, and what changes these expectations and beliefs will cause in the political landscape when boomers become the elders of politics are explored in this multi-generational survey. (18 pages)

AARP Pre-Debate Surveys - 2004 Election
September 2004— The voting behavior of randomly selected age 50+ registered voters and their opinions about issues are examined in these reports of results from three national telephone surveys conducted prior to the presidential and vice presidential debates and from four separate similar surveys in each of the states (Florida, Ohio, Missouri and Arizona) in which the debates took place.

Montana Energy Service, Prices, and Programs: An AARP Survey  / Research Report
September 2004— The impact of energy rates with regards to whether or not they have experienced a rate increase in the past year, how much their energy rates may have changed, and if they have sought assistance to help pay their bills is explored in this survey of 800 age 18+ Montanans. (25 pages)

Political Behavior and Values Across the Generations: A Summary of Selected Findings  / Research Report
July 2004— What may happen when the “greatest generation” passes on is examined in this synopsis of findings from AARP’s survey of three generations of midlife and older Americans about their voting behavior, party affiliation, activism and civic involvement. The beliefs of the 1,804 respondents about government’s role and priorities, and their attitudes toward social, ethical and economic issues are also explored. (22 pages)

The Need for Wireless Telephone Consumer Protections: A Survey of New York Residents  / Research Report
June 2004— Cell phone service is one of the most complained about industries in the nation. Results from this study show overwhelming support among New Yorkers for proposed consumer protection legislation for wireless telephone service. (18 pages)

Prescription Drug Affordability: A 2004 AARP Montana Survey  / Research Report
June 2004— The need for prescription drug assistance and the importance of – and support for – a state prescription drug program among Montanans are explored in this survey of residents age 18 and older. (28 pages)

Filling the Rx: An Analysis of the Perceptions, Attitudes and Buying Habits of Medicare Beneficiaries  / Research Report
June 2004— The buying behaviors and attitudes of Medicare beneficiaries concerning prescription drugs were investigated in this first of three surveys on this subject, conducted before the introduction of the Medicare discount card. (17 pages)

Perceptions of the EEOC Ruling Among the 50+ Population: Results of a National Survey  / Research Report
May 2004— This survey found that more than 7 in 10 people age 50+ (73%) disagree with the April 2004 ruling of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that employers may reduce or eliminate health benefits for retirees when they become eligible for Medicare at age 65. (12 pages)

The Divorce Experience: A Study of Divorce At Midlife and Beyond  / Research Report
May 2004— Divorce at midlife and older is more emotionally devastating than losing a job, about equal to experiencing a major illness, and nearly as devastating as losing a spouse. Such is the judgment of 1,147 surveyed men and women ages 40 to 79 who were divorced after the age of 40. (151 pages)

Caregiving in the U.S.  / Research Report
April 2004— Activities they perform for recipients of their care, the perceived impact of their caregiving on their own daily lives, and their unmet needs are examined in this joint National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP telephone survey of 1,237 age 18+ caregivers. (138 pages)

Property Tax Proposals in Maine: An AARP Poll of Registered Voters  / Research Report
April 2004— This survey of 819 registered Maine voters age 18+ assesses opinions about property tax and current proposals to reduce the tax. Most voters initially say they would vote for current property tax relief proposals, but support drops when they consider the costs of the programs. (26 pages)

Tough Choices Ahead: An AARP Iowa Revenue Survey of Residents 18+  / Research Report
March 2004— Most age 18+ Iowans support raising revenues--especially sin taxes--as a way to help balance the state's 2004-2005 budget and avoid cuts in health care and long-term care services for older persons and people with disabilities. (23 pages)

Into the Black: A Survey of Virginia Voters on State Service Cuts and Tax Changes  / Research Report
March 2004— Registered age 18+ Virginia voters’ opinions about cuts to spending on state services and changes to the tax system as potential ways to address the state’s budget gap are explored in this AARP survey. (29 pages)

Boomers at Midlife: The AARP Life Stage Study  / Research Report
February 2004— How satisfied or dissatisfied are middle-aged baby boomers with various aspects of their lives? Their views of the present and outlooks for the short-term future are revealed in this series of annual surveys.

Investor Perceptions and Preferences Toward Selected Stock Market Conditions and Practices: An AARP Survey of Stock Owners Ages 50 and Older  / Research Report
February 2004— Investor concerns about the stock market and the importance of such considerations as best available price, fees, transaction speed, and confidentiality are explored in this online survey of midlife and older investors. (24 pages)

Tax Reform in Alaska: An AARP Survey of Residents Age 18+  / Research Report
January 2004— How age 18+ Alaskans feel about three proposals for generating revenue in their state in order to prevent education and human services from being cut due to reductions in government income derived from oil production. (36 pages)

Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs in Hawai'i: A 2003 Survey of Residents Age 18+  / Research Report
December 2003— The importance of – and support for – implementation of two state-funded prescription drug programs is gauged in this survey of 1,002 age 18+ people in Hawai’i. The study also broadly assesses the need for prescription drug assistance among Hawai’i residents by examining the out-of-pocket expense and financial burden that buying medications may create for some people. (26 pages)

Boomers at Midlife 2003: The AARP Life Stage Study  / Research Report
December 2003— Findings from the second in a series of annual surveys about how satisfied or dissatisfied middle-aged baby boomers are with various aspects of their lives, and their short-term outlook for the future.

Connecticut Money Management Program Needs Assessment  / Research Report
November 2003— The need for expanding the AARP Foundation Money Management Program in Connecticut is examined in this study which also determines what services are currently in place to help meet the money management needs of individuals. (55 pages)

Unsolicited Commercial Email (Spam) and Older Persons Online  / Research Report
November 2003— How age 50+ frequent Internet users use the medium, their concerns about unsolicited commercial e-mail or SPAM, and actions they feel policymakers and consumers need to take to deter it are detailed by Sharon Hermanson in this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest of a national survey. (6 pages) (Publication ID: DD94)

Selecting a Presidential Candidate: Priority Issues of New Hampshire Voters Age 50+  / Research Report
November 2003— Findings from a late October-early November 2003 survey of 1,184 age 50+ registered Granite State voters who are likely to participate in the state’s presidential primary on January 27, 2004: the survey explored their opinions about the importance of several national issues in selecting a candidate and whether they think the country is headed in the right or wrong direction. (15 pages)

Iowa Long-Term Care: A Synthesis of Consumer and Provider Research  / Research Report
October 2003— Findings from a series of research activities conducted during 2003 to elicit information from long-term care service consumers and providers about the efficacy of Iowa’s current system, their experiences with it, and their opinions about streamlining the system. (88 pages)

Iowa Long-Term Care: A Consumer Survey of Adults Age 50 and Over  / Research Report
October 2003— Age 50+ Iowans' opinions about the affordability, accessibility and quality of long-term care (LTC) are examined in this report. Those with prior experience with long-term care were also asked about the ease of applying for LTC services and financial assistance. (45 pages)

Funding Health and Long-Term Care: A Survey on Increasing Kentucky's Cigarette Tax  / Research Report
October 2003— How do age 18+ Kentucky residents feel about increasing the state’s 3-cent per pack cigarette tax to generate money for health and long-term care services in response to falling state revenues and rising costs? Of those surveyed, 70 percent support increasing the tax to 28 cents per pack, and are evenly divided over increasing it to 78 cents. (15 pages)

2003 Consumer Experience Survey:  / Research Report
October 2003— Age 45+ consumers’ experience with and knowledge of various aspects of the financial marketplace, including home repairs, credit scoring, home equity loans, investments, personal debt levels, and identity theft and fraud are assessed in this update of similar surveys conducted in 1993, 1999 and 2000. (80 pages)

Tennessee Physical Fitness: A Survey of AARP Members  / Research Report
September 2003— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: Findings from a survey of 1,479 Tennessee AARP members about the importance of staying healthy, whether or not they currently exercise, how they exercise, reasons for not exercising, and interest in volunteering for physical fitness programs in their community. (37 pages)

Staying Ahead of the Curve 2003: The AARP Working in Retirement Study  / Research Report
September 2003— Findings from a 2003 nationwide telephone survey of age 50-70 workers about their vision of retirement, the types of jobs that those who plan to work in retirement imagine holding, and the types of jobs currently held by today’s working retirees. (150 pages)

2003 Hawaii Health and Fitness: A Survey of AARP Members  / Research Report
June 2003— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: Findings from a mail survey of AARP members in Hawai’i exploring their attitudes about physical activity or exercise, as well as their ability to engage in exercise, their exercise behavior, their reasons for exercising, and barriers to starting an exercise routine experienced by them. (35 pages)

These Four Walls... Americans 45+ Talk About Home and Community  / Research Report
May 2003— Most midlife and older people say they want to stay in their own homes as they grow older. In this national study, over 2,000 age 45+ Americans were asked what home features, community characteristics, and community services they think they will need to age in place – and their expectations of being able to do so. (116 pages)

Oklahoma Nursing Homes: An AARP Survey of Oklahomans Age 50+  / Research Report
May 2003— While most age 50+ Oklahomans prefer to remain in their own homes for as long as possible and, if necessary, receive long-term care services in settings other than nursing homes, they also feel that improving the quality of care provided in the state’s 379 nursing homes should be a top or high priority. (21 pages)

Financing a Prescription Drug Program in Utah: An AARP Survey  / Research Report
May 2003— Utahns’ experience with prescription drugs in terms of their concern about being able to afford their medications and the extent of financial burden they feel when paying for them are examined in this 2003 telephone survey of 1,025 state residents age 18 and older. (32 pages)

Addressing the State Budget Deficit: A Survey of Minnesotans  / Research Report
March 2003— Minnesotans age 18+ say it is important to maintain current funding levels for services for low-income, older, and disabled persons. They support generating additional revenues for those services through increases in taxes on liquor, beer and wine, a dollar/pack cigarette tax increase, a temporary income tax surcharge on high-income households, and closing loopholes and exemptions. (23 pages)

Health and Long-Term Care Services During a Budget Crisis: A Survey of Wisconsin Residents 50+  / Research Report
March 2003— To 92 percent of age 50+ Wisconsin residents, it is important that the state maintain current levels of funding for the SeniorCare prescription drug program and home and community-based care services. And, even if they themselves are not currently personally eligible, 91 percent say Wisconsin should continue present funding levels for helping people obtain such services. (27 pages)

Massachusetts Prescription Advantage: An AARP Survey  / Research Report
March 2003— How age 40+ Massachusetts residents feel about their governor’s proposed elimination on June 30, 2003 of the state’s prescription assistance program for age 65+ residents and younger persons with qualified disabilities as part of his efforts to balance the state budget. (13 pages)

Maintaining Health and Human Services with Diminishing Resources: A Survey of Ohio Voters  / Research Report
March 2003— It is important to 89 percent of age 18+ Ohio voters that the state maintain current levels of funding for human services. And, even if they themselves are not currently personally eligible, 86 percent say it is important that Ohio maintain current levels of funding that help people obtain such services. (26 pages)

Long-Term Care in New Hampshire: A Survey of AARP Members (Executive Summary)  / Research Report
February 2003— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: AARP members in New Hampshire would strongly support a law allowing people who qualify for Medicaid coverage of nursing home care to receive their long-term care at home, if they choose to, instead of in a nursing home. (8 pages)

AARP Vermont Member Survey: Long-Term Care  / Research Report
February 2003— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: AARP members in Vermont highly value home-based and community-based long-term care, and support increasing and dedicating taxes to make such services more widely available in the state. (35 pages)

The Deregulation of Internet Access Through DSL: An AARP Survey of Texans  / Research Report
February 2003— Key findings from a random telephone survey of age 18+ Texans in January 2003 about their experiences with Internet access service and their opinions regarding the proposed deregulation of the state’s high-speed digital Internet service. (23 pages)

Funding Health and Long-Term Care: A Survey on Increasing Iowa's Cigarette Tax  / Research Report
February 2003— To help finance – and prevent cutbacks to – health and long-term care services for which they believe there is not enough money in the state budget, 59 percent of age 18+ Iowans support raising the state’s cigarette tax from 36 cents per pack to $1.36 a pack. (17 pages)

AARP New Hampshire Telemarketing and "Do Not Call" List Survey  / Research Report
February 2003— Results of a random telephone survey of 562 age 18+ New Hampshire residents in February 2003 which investigated the degree of support for a new telemarketing law that would give consumers the option of placing their names on a statewide ""Do Not Call"" list. (7 pages)

Electric Utilities Regulation in Oklahoma: An AARP Survey of Oklahomans  / Research Report
February 2003— Oklahomans age 50 and older are divided about supporting or opposing deregulation of electric utilities in their state, but almost all agree that, if they were to switch electric providers, keeping consumer protections in place is important. (13 pages)

Utilities Regulation in Connecticut: An AARP Survey of Connecticut Residents Age 50+  / Research Report
February 2003— Five years after Connecticut began deregulating the electric industry with the goal of encouraging competition, that goal has not been realized and the majority of the state’s age 50+ residents say they would support returning to stable, affordable, state-regulated, cost-based rates. (20 pages)

Support for Maintaining Health and Long-term Care Programs: A Survey of Oregonians Age 35+  / Research Report
January 2003— Opinions about measures to prevent across the board cuts in health and long-term care and related services due to budget shortfalls are examined in this random telephone survey of 1,000 age 35+ Oregonians. (19 pages)

Experiences of Older Refinance Mortgage Loan Borrowers: Broker- and Lender-Originated Loans  / Research Report
January 2003— Older refinance borrowers with broker-originated loans are much more likely to report that they did not initiate the contact about the loan, relied more on the broker than borrowers with lender-originated loans, and are more likely to have received loans with less favorable terms. An AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest by Kellie Kim-Sung and Sharon Hermanson. (4 pages) (Publication ID: DD83)

AARP Maryland Member Opinion Survey  / Research Report
January 2003— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: AARP members in Maryland are extremely concerned about the safety of their pension benefits or retirement savings and about having access to affordable prescription drugs which, along with the quality of health care, is one of their top two legislative priorities. (48 pages)

Minnesota Long-Term Care Survey: An AARP Survey of Minnesotans  / Research Report
December 2002— If they were to need long-term care, nearly all age 35+ Minnesotans consider remaining in their own homes as long as possible important. They also support strengthening enforcement of nursing home health and safety standards and 70 percent favor increasing the state’s cigarette tax from 48 cents a pack to $1.48 a pack to fund health and long-term care services. (17 pages)

2002 AARP Colorado Member Opinion Survey: Long-Term Care  / Research Report
December 2002— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: 34 percent of AARP members in Colorado think they are likely to need long-term care in the next five years while 88 percent say it is important to them to be able to stay and be cared for at home should they become ill or disabled. (21 pages)

AARP Washington Prescription Drug Survey  / Research Report
December 2002— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: How consumers age 18+ in Washington state react to different elements of state legislation designed to help contain prescription drug costs that was proposed but not enacted in 2002 – and their concerns about and experiences with prescription drug affordability (22 pages)

2002 AARP Idaho Prescription Drug Survey  / Research Report
December 2002— Over half of age 18+ Idahoans support the state offering a prescription drug assistance program for persons in need (76 percent), and increasing the state cigarette tax (64 percent) to help pay for it. Of those supporting a state prescription drug program, 93 percent say they would do so even if they are not eligible for it. (14 pages)

Funding Health and Long-Term Care: A Survey on Increasing Virginia's Cigarette Tax  / Research Report
December 2002— Facing a $2 billion shortfall in the State budget, 61 percent of Virginians age 18 and over say they would support increasing Virginia's cigarette tax from 2.5 cents per pack to 62.5 cents per pack in order to maintain current funding for health and long-term care services. (20 pages)

2002 AARP Oregon Prescription Drug Survey  / Research Report
November 2002— Access to comparisons of the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs is called very important by 79 percent of age 50+ Oregonians who also say that a prescription drug guide with this type of comparative information should be made available to them. (17 pages)

Understanding Household Energy Use: Consumer Awareness and Knowledge of Electric Utility Restructuring  / Research Report
November 2002— Seeking to lower prices through competition, some states have deregulated their electric utility industries. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest of findings from a national survey of 3,067 adult energy bill payers, Kellie K. Kim-Sung and Christopher A. Baker suggest that many consumers have neither the necessary information nor options to benefit from these changes. (4 pages) (Publication ID: DD81)

Boomers at Midlife 2002: The AARP Life Stage Study  / Research Report
November 2002— Succinct synopsis of findings from the first in a planned series of annual surveys about how satisfied or dissatisfied middle-aged Baby Boomers are with various aspects of their lives, and their short-term outlook for the future. (13 pages)

Boomers at Midlife: The AARP Life Stage Study  / Research Report
November 2002— Succinct synopsis of findings from the first in a planned series of annual surveys about how satisfied or dissatisfied middle-aged Baby Boomers are with various aspects of their lives, and their short-term outlook for the future. (13 pages)

Prescription Drug Costs and the Role of Generic Drugs: Public Opinion Among Americans Aged 45 and Over  / Research Report
October 2002— How do age 45+ Americans feel about rising drug costs and the role of generic drugs? Key findings from a September 2002 AARP survey about the use of generic drugs, the impact of rising drug prices on employer-provided healthcare coverage and public support for legislation to increase the availability of generic drugs. (7 pages)

Maintaining Health and Long-Term Care: A Survey on Arkansas' Food, Medicine, and Soda Pop Tax  / Research Report
October 2002— While the majority of registered Arkansas voters age 18+ oppose the proposed constitutional amendment to eliminate state taxes on food, non-prescription medications and soda pop, thereby reducing the funding of state services including health and long-term care, they would favor increasing taxes on alcohol and cigarettes to make up the difference if the amendment passes. (17 pages)

Utilities Regulation in Minnesota: An AARP Survey of Minnesotans  / Research Report
October 2002— Minnesotans age 18 and older are almost equally divided as to whether utilities deregulation would help (38%) or hurt (34%) them, and many are uncertain (25%). While they are also divided about opposing or supporting it, most supporters would shift to opposing deregulation if it resulted in less reliable service or additional costs to consumers. (15 pages)

Tennessee Grandparenting Issues: A Survey of AARP Members  / Research Report
September 2002— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: What AARP members in Tennessee think about the primary care of grandchildren, the importance of having access to affordable child care services, and preferences for types of information and resources pertaining to being a caregiver for their children’s or other kin’s children. (25 pages)

South Dakota Long-Term Care: An AARP Survey  / Research Report
September 2002— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: Of 1,169 AARP members surveyed in South Dakota, 53 percent think it is very important for them to remain in their own homes and receive care there for as long as possible. Many, however, are not confident that they could afford a one-year stay in a nursing home or assisted-living facility. (24 pages)

Staying Ahead of the Curve: The AARP Work and Career Study  / Research Report
September 2002— A complex portrait of the motives, attitudes, and perceptions of workers age 45-74 in which they express their needs for an ideal job, their concerns about age discrimination, and their desire to work during the traditional retirement years. Individual links to Executive Summary and Full Report.

Medicare Prescription Drug Legislation in the U.S. Senate: Public Reaction Among Americans Aged 45 and Over  / Research Report
August 2002— Among age 45+ Americans, 80 percent say it is important that the U.S. Senate pass legislation adding a prescription benefit to the Medicare program, and 61 percent are angry that it was unable to pass such legislation before recessing for Congress' summer vacation. (5 pages)

West Virginia Prescription Drug Survey: An AARP Study  / Research Report
August 2002— More than half of West Virginians age 60 and older report having experienced problems paying for the prescription medications they need, and two-thirds support the state developing a more comprehensive prescription drug plan, even if the plan required a greater commitment of state resources. (20 pages).

Michigan Telemarketing Fraud and "Do Not Call" List: An AARP Survey  / Research Report
August 2002— Most consumers consider telemarketing phone calls an intrusive invasion of their privacy and would support laws in their states allowing them to place their names on lists that would prohibit telemarketers from phoning them.

North Dakota Home and Community-Based Long-Term Care: An AARP Survey  / Research Report
July 2002— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: If they needed long-term care, 86 percent of AARP members in North Dakota say it would be important to remain in their own homes as long as possible, and 89 percent support AARP advocating the development and expansion of community-based long-term care services even at the expense of reallocating state funds (14 pages).

Nebraska Home and Community-Based Care Survey  / Research Report
July 2002— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: 95 percent of AARP members in Nebraska consider it important to have long-term care services to enable them to live at home as long as possible, and 75 percent say the state should fund making home and community-based services more widely available, even if it requires an increase in state taxes. (17 pages)

Nebraska AARP Prescription Drug Survey  / Research Report
July 2002— Offering a state-funded Prescription Drug Assistance Program for persons needing help with medication costs is supported by 78 percent of age 50+ Nebraskans even if they might not be eligible for benefits under the program. (24 pages)

Medicare Prescription Drug Benefits: A Survey of Registered Voters Age 50+ in Tennessee  / Research Report
July 2002— Almost nine in ten (86%) age 50+ registered voters in Tennessee consider it important that the Senate enact a permanent Medicare drug benefit that has an affordable premium, has some cost sharing, has no gap in coverage, is voluntary, and is available to everyone eligible for Medicare. (8 pages)

Medicare Prescription Drug Benefits: A Survey of Registered Voters Age 50+ in South Dakota  / Research Report
July 2002— Over eight in ten (86%) age 50+ registered voters in South Dakota consider it important that the Senate enact a permanent Medicare drug benefit that has an affordable premium, has some cost sharing, has no gap in coverage, is voluntary, and is available to everyone eligible for Medicare. (8 pages)

Medicare Prescription Drug Benefits: A Survey of Registered Voters Age 50+ in New Hampshire  / Research Report
July 2002— Over eight in ten (83%) age 50+ registered voters in New Hampshire consider it important that the Senate enact a permanent Medicare drug benefit that has an affordable premium, has some cost sharing, has no gap in co