AARP Hearing Center
Key takeaways
- A newly approved pancreatic cancer drug extended median survival in trials.
- USPS postmark changes may affect deadlines for mailed documents.
- More small businesses now offer 401(k) plans to their employees.
Summary
Pancreatic cancer treatment and small business retirement plans are among the key developments highlighted this week. The FDA approved daraxonrasib for pancreatic cancer after clinical trials showed patients doubled their median survival time compared with chemotherapy while reporting less pain and fatigue. The approval offers a new prescription option for a disease that remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States.
The update also covers a court ruling that allows the U.S. Postal Service to change when most mail receives a postmark, which could affect time-sensitive submissions. In addition, new data shows that more small businesses are offering workplace retirement plans, expanding access to 401(k) benefits for many employees, including older workers.
The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
Full transcript
[0:00:04] The FDA has approved a pancreatic cancer drug offering new hope against
[0:00:08] one of the deadliest forms of cancer.
[0:00:11] Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and
[0:00:14] affects many adults 50 and older.
[0:00:17] The drug, daraxonrasib, showed in clinical trials that patients doubled
[0:00:22] their median survival time compared with chemotherapy with less pain and fatigue.
[0:00:27] The drug can be found under the name Rasonque and is available by prescription.
[0:00:34] A court ruling has cleared the way for the U.S. Postal Service to
[0:00:38] change how mail is postmarked.
[0:00:40] Under the new policy, most mail is postmarked when it’s
[0:00:43] processed at a USPS facility, not when it’s dropped in a mailbox.
[0:00:48] That means mail sent by a deadline could still be marked
[0:00:51] late if processing is delayed.
[0:00:54] This policy change could affect deadlines for mail-in ballots, tax returns, Medicare
[0:00:59] forms and other time-sensitive documents.
[0:01:03] A new study finds that older workers for small businesses have more
[0:01:07] retirement options than before.
[0:01:10] According to Gusto, nearly 1 in 3 companies with less than 100 employees
[0:01:15] have active 401(k) plans, up from roughly 1 in 5 companies seven years ago.
[0:01:22] This is especially good news for older workers as nearly half of
[0:01:26] small business employees 50-plus have access to a workplace retirement plan,
[0:01:31] according to data provided to AARP.
[0:01:34] Larger companies still lead with retirement plans, with more than 90%
[0:01:39] offering those benefits to employees.
