2026 Archives: Financial Security and Livable Communities

L: On January 26, 2026, AARP sent a letter to Representatives Jefferson Shreve (R‑IN) and Tom Suozzi (D‑NY) endorsing the bipartisan Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act (H.R. 5490). The bill takes aim at the transnational criminal networks that steal billions of dollars from older Americans each year through increasingly sophisticated, technology‑enabled scams. The legislation establishes a federal task force—bringing together the State Department, Justice Department, Homeland Security, Treasury, and other agencies—to coordinate a whole‑of‑government strategy to dismantle overseas scam compounds, disrupt the criminal networks behind them, and hold corrupt foreign officials accountable. With older adults losing an average of more than $83,000 per scam, and many victims facing life‑altering financial harm, AARP’s endorsement underscores the urgent need for federal action to combat global fraud targeting older Americans. (PDF)

C: On January 20, AARP filed a comment letter in response to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) request for continued approval of the information collection supporting the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). FARS is the most comprehensive nationwide source of information about fatalities from motor vehicle crashes and enables government agencies and other stakeholders to make informed decisions on vehicle design and roadway safety. Importantly, the FARS database has shown that older adults are at higher-than-average risk of death in vehicle crashes. (PDF)

C: On January 16, 2026, AARP filed comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding potential changes to “broadband nutrition label” requirements. Current FCC rules require broadband providers to display clear, point‑of‑sale information on prices, introductory rates, data allowances, speeds, and other disclosures. AARP’s comments urge the FCC to maintain the display of core information so older adults and other consumers can effectively compare broadband plans. (PDF)

T: On January 14, 2026, AARP’s Senior Director of Fraud Prevention Programs, Kathy Stokes, testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging at a hearing titled “Made in China, Paid by Seniors: Stopping the Surge of International Scams.”Her testimony detailed the explosive growth of fraud—driven largely by transnational criminal organizations—and the devastating financial and emotional toll on older Americans. She highlighted AARP’s extensive fraud‑prevention work, including education, victim support services, and efforts to reframe public narratives that unfairly blame victims. Stokes also underscored alarming trends such as tech‑support scams, bank‑impostor scams, financial grooming, and the rapidly increasing misuse of cryptocurrency kiosks. Her testimony called for systemic, whole‑of‑government action to combat fraud, improve law‑enforcement tools and data systems, strengthen consumer protections, and elevate coordinated national responses such as the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center. (PDF)

L: On January 13, AARP sent a letter to Representatives Mark Messmer (R-IN) and Josh Harder (D-CA) endorsing the bipartisan Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act. This bill removes the regulatory burden on employers to calculate an employee's overtime pay when providing elder care, making it easier for employers to offer these benefits. This will provide much-needed relief and assistance for the 63 million family caregivers, most of whom are juggling their jobs and family responsibilities. (PDF)

S: On January 7, AARP submitted a statement for the record for a House Education & the Workforce Committee hearing on “Modernizing Retirement Policy for Today’s Workforce.” In the statement, AARP emphasized the current retirement crisis and the need to improve access to and uptake of workplace savings, strengthen protections for defined benefit plans, close loopholes that allow conflicted advice, and ensure strong regulatory guidelines as investment products. (PDF)