Retirement
AARP Statement on GAO “Retirement Decisions” Report
News Release
July 11, 2007
AARP has consistently supported an individual’s choice and opportunity to work later in life. For example, to eliminate disincentives for those who want to work, AARP championed the elimination of the Social Security Earnings Limit for workers at age 65. In this report, GAO found indications that removing that limit led to a higher number of people working in their late 60s.
Since 1999, AARP surveys have consistently shown that a large majority of boomers (as high as 80 percent) plan to work into their retirement years—citing reasons such as income needs, health care coverage and personal fulfillment.
However, for many Americans faced with increasing financial demands and escalating health care costs, they have no choice but to work instead of retiring. To help solve those issues, Divided We Fail was launched with the message that Americans need action, answers and accountability from our nation’s leaders and common sense solutions that recognize that individuals, business and government all have a role and a responsibility in securing health care and life-time financial security.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50 + educators; and our website, www.aarp.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.