2018 Archives: Financial Security and Consumer Affairs

August

C: On August 7, 2018, AARP submitted comments to Chairman Jay Clayton of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) concerning standards of conduct of registered investment advisers and broker-dealers. (PDF) The poll referred to in the comments can be found here. The detailed Appendix referred to in the comments can be found at these links (File 1, File 2, & File 3). 

C: On August 7, 2018, AARP submitted comments to Chairman Jay Clayton of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) concerning standards of conduct for registered investment advisors and broker-dealers and the SEC-proposed Customer Relationship Summary forms. (PDF)

C: On August 7, 2018, AARP submitted comments to Chairman Jay Clayton of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) concerning a proposed interpretation regarding the standard of conduct for investment advisers.  (PDF) 

June

L: On June 21, 2018, AARP sent a letter to Chairman Womack and Ranking Member Yarmuth of the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on the Budget concerning the House Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2019.  In the letter, AARP urged the Budget Committee to reject the large mandatory cuts the Committee is considering that would have a devastating impact on programs important to older Americans. (PDF)

S: On June 14, 2018 David Certner provided a statement and testimony on behalf of AARP at a public meeting in Atlanta, Georgia by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Investor Advisory Committee on its proposed Client Relationship Summary disclosure form.  The testimony provides comments concerning the proposed disclosure forms to be used by financial professionals who provide investment advice to their customers.  The proposed forms describe the relationship between an investor (customer or “saver”) and their financial professional (broker or investment advisor) so that the investor has a clearer understanding of that relationship.  AARP believes that all financial professionals should act in the best interest of the savers they are serving -- they should put the client’s best interest first, and ahead of their own interest.  AARP applauds the Commission’s intent in proposing a relationship summary that seeks to “fill the gaps” between investor expectations and legal requirements; however, AARP encourages the SEC to make a number of improvements to the disclosure that will ensure that savers are truly empowered to make informed decisions about their investments. (PDF)

May

C: On May 3, 2018 AARP sent a letter to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) responding to NAIC’s request for comments on its proposed “Suitability and Best Interest Standard of Conduct in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation.”  (PDF)

April

L: On April 9, 2018 AARP expressed views to the U.S. Congress on the balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  In the letter, AARP indicated that a balanced budget amendment would likely harm Social Security and Medicare, subjecting both programs to potentially deep cuts without regard to the impact on the health and financial security of individuals. It would also likely diminish the resources available for programs assisting Americans who are least able to provide for themselves – services such as meals or heating for those who are too poor or physically unable to take care of their basic needs without some support. (PDF)

February

L: On February 6, 2018 AARP sent a letter of opposition to the “ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017” (H.R. 620) to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.  This bill would weaken protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) that help guarantee access to public accommodations for persons with disabilities, including 16 million Americans age 65 and older who have one or more disabilities. AARP urged House leadership to vote no on H.R. 620. (PDF)

L: On February 8, 2018 AARP sent a letter to the entire U.S. Senate expressing views on current the budget deal and continuing resolution.  In the letter we expressed support for a number of issues, including the full repeal of Medicare’s arbitrary limit on physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy services. We expressed our support for the bicameral, bipartisan policy included in the budget deal that would replace the temporary exceptions process with a permanent fix that ensures care is delivered to vulnerable patients, protects beneficiaries from high out-of-pocket costs, and safeguards the long-term viability of the Medicare program. (PDF)

January

L: On January 23, 2018, AARP sent a letter to Mick Mulvaney, Director for Office of Management and Budget outlining AARP’s federal priorities for fiscal year 2018 respectfully urging the Administration to support and strengthen policies and programs important to older Americans.  Among the programs, AARP specifically focused on Medicare, Medicaid and Long-Term Care Services, Prescription Drugs, the private insurance market, the medical expense deduction, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and various discretionary programs (including LIHEAP and the Older Americans Act). (PDF)