2023 Archives: Financial Security and Livable Communities

The following documents related to consumer affairs, financial security, and livable communities issues that benefit people 50-plus are presented in reverse chronological order.

September

L: On September 28, 2023, AARP sent a letter to U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) endorsing their Social Security Child Protection Act of 2023. This legislation would provide important identity theft protections to younger Americans and their families whose Social Security number was compromised due to theft of their documentation. (PDF)

L: On September 12, 2023, AARP sent letters to U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and U.S. Representatives Brian Higgins (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), endorsing the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act. This legislation would make long-overdue updates to the asset limits under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to encourage personal savings among SSI beneficiaries, including older Americans and those with disabilities, and increase access to financial assistance to those who are most in need.  (Senate PDF) (House PDF)

L: On September 7, 2023, AARP sent a letter to Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) endorsing their Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act. This legislation would streamline and improve the assistance provided by the Social Security Administration by providing a single point of contact at the agency to assist individuals whose Social Security number has been stolen or misused. (PDF)

L: On September 6, 2023, AARP sent letters to Chair Patty Murray and Ranking Member Susan Collins of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and to Chair Kay Granger and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro of the House Committee on Appropriations. The letters expressed AARP’s deep concerns about customer service at the Social Security Administration. The average wait time for calls is now more than 40 minutes, and the agency’s Inspector General recently found that 44 percent of the calls to Social Security’s 1-800 number go unanswered altogether. For people who cannot work and apply for disability benefits, it can take more than 700 days to get a final decision. To prevent further erosion in customer service in the event of a Continuing Resolution, AARP respectfully requested that Congress provide an anomaly in the event of a Continuing Resolution of no less than the $14.9 billion requested for the Social Security Administration’s Limitation on Administrative Expenses, as has been requested by the Administration. (Senate PDF) (House PDF)

August

C: On August 24, 2023, AARP submitted comments to the Universal Service Fund Working Group of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband in response to their request for public comments on the current state of the program, as well as its future. AARP’s comments express strong support for a critical examination of how the nation’s USF programs can most effectively achieve universal deployment, affordability, adoption, availability, and equitable access to high-speed internet service throughout the United States. We call on Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to work together to devise a sustainable approach to achieve the goal of universal service. (PDF)

C: On August 22, 2023, AARP submitted comments to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in response to a notice of proposed rulemaking to include automatic emergency braking (AEB) into the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for heavy vehicles. Unfortunately, recent data demonstrate that existing efforts to improve safety are not doing enough to prevent deaths and injuries on our roadways, particularly for vulnerable road users, i.e., those outside of vehicles. Analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that there were 4,714 fatalities in large truck crashes in 2021, 17 percent higher than in 2020. While safer vehicle design is important for everyone, it is particularly vital for older adults, who are more likely than younger people to be killed in crashes of the same severity because of their increased frailty. For this reason, AARP strongly supports the proposal to include AEB as standard equipment on heavy vehicles. This technology will reduce the frequency and severity of crashes involving trucks, which can have serious and often fatal consequences. (PDF)

C: On August 14, 2023, AARP submitted comments to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in response to a notice of proposed rulemaking to adopt a new motor vehicle safety standard to require automatic emergency braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB (PAEB), systems on light vehicles. AARP strongly supports NHTSA’s proposal to incorporate AEB and PAEB into the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. AARP further recommends that NHTSA include additional factors in its testing regimen, including detection of pedestrians using mobility devices (wheelchairs, walkers, canes), pedestrians of all skin tones, pedestrians at slower walking speeds, and pedestrians approaching at an angle. We also call on NHTSA to include bicyclist detection in the vehicle safety standard. Lastly, AARP recommends measures to help drivers understand the technology in their vehicle and how to use it. (PDF)

C: On August 7, 2023, AARP submitted comments to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) in response to their rulemaking on “Amendments to PCAOB’s Auditing Standards related to a Company’s Noncompliance with Laws and Regulations, and Other Related Amendments.” AARP generally supports the PCAOB’s continued efforts to update its auditing standards, including the proposed amendments to strengthen auditing standards to better protect older investors and savers from potential fraud or wrongdoing by companies. (PDF)

L: On August 3, 2023, AARP sent a letter to Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) and Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) of the House Financial Services Committee thanking them for their work to improve the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Accredited Investor Definition and urging them to protect the retirement assets of hard-working Americans by excluding retirement savings and income from the current definition. (PDF)

July

On July 27, 2023, AARP sent a letter to Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) endorsing the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2023. This legislation would help combat financial fraud and scams that exploit older Americans, particularly in the cryptocurrency space. The bill would apply the Bank Secrecy Act regulatory framework to crypto, and help bring fraud perpetrators’ identities to light and allow scammed older Americans to recover losses. It will also strengthen Bank Secrecy Act enforcement, making it easier for regulators to protect those that have been defrauded and deter future fraud. (PDF)

C: On July 25, 2023, AARP filed comments today with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration supporting NHTSA’s decision to modernize the New Car Assessment Program to include testing of pedestrian crashworthiness. However, we recommend that the testing be expanded to include crashworthiness testing for impacts with torsos. We also recommend that bicyclist safety and driver visibility be included in the testing. At least 7,500 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2022, the highest number since 1981. Pedestrians age 65 and above are killed at a higher rate than other pedestrians. (PDF)

C: On July 25, 2023, AARP submitted comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on its proposed rule and request for public comment regarding Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans. AARP supports the CFPB’s efforts to protect borrowers. The market for PACE loans lacks many basic consumer protections applicable to the market for other consumer loans. Rules against unfair, deceptive, or abusive financial products are essential to helping people and communities build and maintain wealth, and to that end, AARP strongly supports efforts to protect the public from predatory and fraudulent practices. (PDF)

L: On July 25, 2023, AARP sent an endorsement letter to Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Patty Murray (D-WA) thanking them for introducing the Women’s Retirement Protection Act. The bill prevents the withdrawal of retirement funds by one spouse without the consent of the other, while also boosting access to independent consumer information. The also boosts financial literacy among working and retired women, and will serve as an important tool in helping women across America better secure their financial future. (PDF)

June

L: On June 20, 2023, AARP endorsed the bipartisan AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act, S. 1669/H.R. 3413 and sent letters of support to the bill sponsors -- Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA, sponsor) and Ted Cruz (R-TX, cosponsor); and Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ, sponsor) and Tom Kean (R-NJ, cosponsor). The bill would require the Transportation Secretary to issue a rule requiring vehicles manufactured in or imported into the U.S. to have devices installed that provide access to AM radio. It would also ensure that the AM radio is conspicuous to the driver in the dash and require motor vehicles that do not include AM radio to be labeled as such to consumers in a clear and conspicuous manner. Adults age 50 and above represent the largest share of AM radio listeners, but they also represent those most at risk from disaster events. AM radio is a critical element of the emergency response system. House (PDF) Senate (PDF).

L: On June 14, 2023, AARP sent an endorsement letter to Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) thanking them for introducing the bipartisan Protecting Older Americans Act of 2023. This bill prohibits forced arbitration for age discrimination claims in the workplace, protecting the legal rights of older Americans who experience age discrimination in the workplace. (PDF)

L: On June 13, 2023, AARP sent a letter to Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) and Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA) urging the Committee to permanently remove the age cap on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in any tax package to help millions of older low-income working Americans earn their way out of poverty. (PDF)

L: On June 12, 2023, AARP sent letters to all members of appropriations committees urging them to provide Social Security with the full funding needed to fix customer service issues at the agency. This funding is critically needed to improve the customer service experience of the 66 million Americans across the country who receive Social Security and help to better ensure they receive timely and accurate information. (PDF)

L: On June 9, 2023, AARP sent a letter to U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-2) endorsing the Veterans Protection from Fraud Act. This legislation would help fight against fraud targeting our nation’s veterans and their families by enhancing the criminal penalties for committing email or telemarketing fraud against veterans. (PDF)

L: On June 6, 2023, AARP sent a letter to House Ways & Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Drew Ferguson (R-GA-3) and Ranking Member John Larson (D-CT-1) endorsing their Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act. This legislation would streamline and improve the assistance provided by the Social Security Administration by providing a single point of contact at the agency to assist individuals whose Social Security number has been stolen or misused. (PDF)

L: On June 1, 2023, AARP sent a letter of endorsement for the Protect Older Job Applicants Act (POJA) to Representatives Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL). POJA would amend the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) by adding applicants for employment to ensure all older job applicants, not just current employees, are protected against age discrimination. This is an important additional protection to keep older job seekers connected to the workforce. (PDF)

L: On June 5, 2023, AARP sent letters to the Chairs and Ranking Members the U.S. House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, Subcommittees on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, asking that the Committees continue to make investments in programs that help ensure older Americans can live independently and with dignity as they age.  Specifically, AARP urged investment in the programs that address the availability and affordability of housing for the elderly as well as the availability and accessibility of transportation options for older adults and people with disabilities. Senate (PDF) and House (PDF)

L: On June 1, 2023, AARP sent a letter to Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) endorsing the Emergency Vacating Aircraft Cabin (EVAC). The bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a final rule establishing evacuation standards that takes into account real life conditions, including the needs of older adults and persons with disabilities. We also sent a similar letter to lead bill cosponsor, Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). We endorsed this legislation last year as well. (PDF)

L: On June 1, 2023, AARP sent letters to U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and U.S. Representative Ann Wagner (R-MO-2) endorsing the Senior Security Act of 2023. This legislation would help combat financial exploitation of older Americans by creating an interdivisional taskforce at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to examine and identify challenges that seniors face while investing. It would also require the U.S. Government Accountability Office to study and report on the economic costs of the financial abuse of seniors. Senate (PDF) and House (PDF).

May

C: On May 30, AARP filed comments on tenant screening practices with the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in response to a Request for Information. The letter endorses the regulators’ solicitation of information regarding the use of criminal and eviction records, as well as the algorithms used in screening practices since reliance on each of these in rental decisions may unfairly limit access to housing. Among other recommendations, AARP urges the agencies to: 1) make clear that only criminal background information that is relevant to tenancy and that results in conviction may be used for screening; 2) to prohibit eviction records from background checks unless a case is decided in favor of the proprietor, and require expungement of the record after a reasonable period of time, and; 3) ensure accuracy, transparency, and fairness in data and algorithms used in the screening process. Adults age 55 constitute 30 percent of all renter households. Nearly 5.5 million renters are extremely low-income seniors or people with disabilities. (PDF)

L: On May 30, 2023, AARP sent a letter to U.S. Representative Brad Wenstrup (R-OH-2) and U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) endorsing their Social Security Child Protection Act of 2023. This legislation would provide important identity theft protections to younger Americans and their families whose Social Security number was compromised due to theft of their documentation. (PDF)

L: On May 17, 2023, AARP sent letters to the Chairs and Ranking Members the U.S. Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, Subcommittees on Labor, Health & Human Services asking that the Committees continue to make investments in programs that help ensure older Americans can live independently and with dignity as they age.  Specifically, AARP urged investment in the programs associated with the operation of the Social Security Administration and the many vital services provided through the Older Americans Act that older Americans rely upon. (Senate – PDF) (House – PDF)

L: On May 17, 2023, AARP sent letters to the Chairs and Ranking Members the U.S. Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, Subcommittees on Financial Services and General Government asking that the Committees continue to make investments in the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program and the Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to help ensure older Americans receive the tax help they need and the refunds they are owed. For the 2022 tax season, more than 26,000 volunteers served more than 1.2 million taxpayers, nearly 700,000 of whom were adults age 50+ with low income. AARP Tax-Aide helped taxpayers get back more than $1 billion in refunds and tax credits -- older adults with low income received refunds totaling more than $481.8 million. (Senate – PDF) (House – PDF)

L: On May 16, 2023, AARP sent a letter to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation regarding the forced retirement age of 65 years for airline pilots. AARP opposes mandatory retirement ages for all workers. Pilots should be judged on the basis of their individual ability, flying skills, and their health, not their age. AARP urges Congress to correct this age-discriminatory policy that forces job loss at age 65. (House – PDF) (Senate – PDF)

L: May 10, 2023, AARP sent a letter to Representatives Mfume and Salazar endorsing the Reporting Instances of Non-authorized Grift (RING) Act of 2023. The bill would amend the Truth in Lending Act to require that certain creditors establish a toll-free phone number dedicated solely to assisting consumers ages 50 and over in resolving billing errors and mitigating fraudulent activity. (PDF)

C: On Monday, May 1, AARP submitted comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce (NTIA) regarding NTIA’s design and implementation of its digital equity grant programs. NTIA published a request for comments soliciting input on how the agency should structure two programs it is administering: 1) The $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant program; and 2) The $1.25 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant program. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) includes $2.75 billion to implement the “Digital Equity Act of 2021.” This landmark provision will help states and territories develop and implement comprehensive plans to ensure equal access to the internet for historically underserved communities and populations, including digital inclusion programs for seniors. The Digital Equity Act specifically identifies older adults as one of the populations that can benefit from digital equity initiatives. (PDF)

April

C: On April 24, 2023, provided comments to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in response to a proposed rule entitled “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing.”  AARP expressed support for HUD’s efforts to clarify grantee obligations to “affirmatively further fair housing” and to establish procedures designed to assist grantees to evaluate and implement their obligations. AARP urged HUD to strengthen, finalize, and fully enforce the Proposed Rule to ensure that the promise of the Fair Housing Act becomes a reality for people in all communities. (PDF)

L: On April 20, AARP wrote to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in response to a request for information regarding consumer credit card markets. Fair, equitable, and transparent financial products are essential to helping people and communities build and maintain wealth. To that end, AARP noted its strong support efforts by the Bureau to ensure access to high-quality credit products, including limiting the frequency and amount of fees and increasing consumer protections on emerging products such as “buy now, pay later” products. (PDF)

S: On April 20, 2023 AARP sent a statement for the record to the Senate Special Committee on Aging for holding a hearing on economic resilience for older workers. The statement urged Congress to address age discrimination, a main barrier to employment for older workers, as well as highlighting things that AARP is currently doing to help older individuals remain or return to the labor force. (PDF)

C: On April 17, 2023, AARP submitted comments to the Social Security Administration on their proposed rule on Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculations for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. AARP supports the proposed rule to omit food from SSI’s In-Kind Support and Maintenance calculations as an improvement to the SSI program and beneficial to applicants, recipients, and program administrators. (PDF)

L: On April 6, 2023 AARP wrote to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regard the Corporation’s (“FDIC”) proposed rule making changes to official sign and advertising requirements, prohibitions regarding false advertising, misrepresentation of insured status, and misuse of the FDIC’s name or logo. AARP noted that we are encouraged by the FDIC’s effort to ensure that bank customers understand which products are insured and which are not. AARP called for clear signage both in person and online, as well as strengthening restrictions on misrepresentations around FDIC insurance. (PDF)

L: On April 5, 2023, AARP sent an endorsement letter for the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act that Senator Casey (D-PA) and Senator Grassley (R-IA) reintroduced to restore protections for older workers against age discrimination. AARP commends their ongoing leadership on this issue. (PDF)  

March

C: On March 31, AARP submitted comments on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s regarding a proposed rule entitled Registry of Nonbank Covered Persons Subject to Certain Agency and Court Orders. AARP noted that we strongly support efforts to increase transparency and encourage accountability with respect to financial institutions and financial professionals that harm customers. (PDF)

L: On March 27, AARP submitted a letter to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in response to a request for comment regarding use of electronic mediums in participant elections and spousal consents. AARP called on the IRS to reinstate the pre-Covid requirement that spousal consent requires in person notarization of spousal consent, in order to better protect consumers and hedge against potential fraud. (PDF)

L: On March 23, 2023, AARP sent a comment to Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Vanessa Countryman to submit its views in response to the SEC’s request for public comment on the Prohibition Against Conflicts of Interest in Certain Securitizations.  AARP works hard every day to help American workers save and effectively plan for retirement, and believes that all financial professionals should act in the best interest of savers, putting the client’s best interest first. With these comments, AARP took this opportunity to reiterate the broad importance of Regulations Bl, including the need for rigorous enforcement, in ensuring the protection of all investors, especially older Americans, in interactions with their financial advisers. (PDF)

L: On March 20, 2023, AARP sent a letter of endorsement to Senators Bill Cassidy, Tim Kaine, Susan Collins and Chris Coons for their legislation to improve the terminology the Social Security Administration uses in relation to retirement benefit claiming ages. This bipartisan bill would provide American workers with better and more understandable information about the impact claiming age has on their earned retirement benefits and help them make more informed choices about when to start collecting Social Security. (PDF)

L: On March 20, 2023, AARP sent a letter of endorsement to Senators Bill Cassidy, Tim Kaine, Susan Collins and Chris Coons for their legislation to once again place vital, paper Social Security statements in the hands of American workers. This bipartisan bill would help millions of Americans more effectively plan for retirement and better understand their stake in Social Security by requiring the Social Security Administration to send more regular paper statements via the mail. (PDF)

L: AARP filed comments on March 20, 2023 in response to a Federal Highway Administration Request for Information on Improving Road Safety for All Users on Federal-Aid projects. Our letter stresses the need to imbed safety accountability in all road projects, not just those funded with safety-specific program dollars. It also emphasizes the importance of applying the Complete Streets approach in design standards, regulations, and guidance particularly with regard to arterial roadways where older pedestrians are an elevated risk of death or serious injury. For more information, you may contact Debra Alvarez in Government Affairs. (PDF)

L: On March 9, 2023 AARP sent a letter to U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga expressing strong concerns regarding the discussion draft under consideration in the House Financial Services Committee that would direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to promulgate rules requiring the use of electronic means as the default delivery method for vital financial disclosures. While so many Americans still do not have access to reliable internet at home, or do not have the skills to use the technology, AARP opposes switching to electronic delivery as a default, however does support electronic delivery for those who choose to receive these important disclosures via email. When every American has full and affordable access to the internet, AARP will of course be open to digital disclosures by default. Unfortunately, we are still a long way from achieving that goal. (PDF)

L: On March 2, 2023, AARP sent letters of endorsement to Chair McMorris Rodgers and Ranking Member Scott of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and to U.S. Senators Robert Casey and Steve Daines for the reintroduction of the bipartisan Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act.  People with disabilities should not be treated differently or be paid less than non-disabled employees.  This legislation would phase out subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities and allow them to earn fair compensation. (Senate – PDF) (House – PDF)

February

L: On February 28, 2023, AARP sent a letter to Acting Commissioner Kijakazi of the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding customer service challenges at the agency and following the release of SSA’s fiscal year 2023 Operating Plan. In the letter, AARP expressed several concerns regarding SSA’s projected decline in phone and disability customer service for the upcoming year and requested additional service-related information from the agency. (PDF)

C: On Thursday, February 16th, AARP filed comments on the FCC’s Broadband Labels docket, “Empowering Broadband Consumer Through Transparency.” This is a follow-up order to last year’s Broadband Transparency Labels Order, which required broadband internet access service providers to display easy-to-understand labels allowing consumers to comparison shop for broadband services. This updated order is meant to refine and strengthen the label in ways the initial order did not address. AARP’s comments were cited extensively in the updated FCC order. AARP’s comments on this new Order speak to the questions around language accessibility, network management, and how to properly display price and speed information (PDF)

January

L: On January 23, AARP filed comments regarding the Department of Transportation’s proposed rule to ensure fee transparency in airline ticket purchasing. AARP endorsed the requirement to disclose the true price of a ticket including critical add-on fees the first time the fare is displayed at time of booking. Knowing the full cost of an airline ticket is essential for making informed decisions when shopping for affordable travel arrangements. The required disclosures would cover any fees for passengers to sit with their children, change or cancel a flight, and bring checked or carry-on bags. AARP further suggests that DOT act to reduce or eliminate such fees wherever possible. (PDF)

L: On January 19, 2023, AARP sent a letter to the Social Security Administration to advance our discussions regarding much-needed service delivery improvements at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Millions of older Americans, people with disabilities, and their families rely on Social Security, and they deserve to receive timely and accurate assistance from the agency. (PDF)