AARP Advocacy Updates

To view this email as a web page, click here.     Before his big speech… In one week, on April 28, President Biden will address a joint session of Congress for the very first time. We MUST urge him to use this moment to take on some of the core challenges facing Americans 50+: help seniors stay in their homes, support family caregivers, and lower drug prices. President Biden is working on his speech now — and we must get loud to ensure he addresses these concerns. Send your public message on Twitter now and ensure President Biden commits to supporting family caregivers and helping our community of Americans 50+.         On our reading list: The Social Security and Medicare Trustees’ annual reports are coming out any time now, and we’re ready to dive in. These annual reviews of Medicare and Social Security provide a long-term outlook — and last year, the reports projected shortfalls in 2026 for Medicare and 2035 for Social Security. We’ll fill you in once we see this year’s report. In the meantime, we cannot let Congress consider any cuts to these programs. Right now, lawmakers are considering a bill, the TRUST Act, which could put these programs at risk. It’s time to tell Congress: no cuts to Social Security or Medicare.           The future of COVID-19 As of this week, all adults ages 18+ are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s a big step, and we’re hopeful that vaccinations will help us start to put the pandemic behind us. Yet, vaccinations alone might not mean the end of the coronavirus. Learn what infectious disease experts see on the horizon for the virus.         Long-term care: a f%^$^#@ mess?       Anyone else catch this episode of John Oliver? Excellent piece on the chronic, ongoing issues in our long-term care system that put residents at risk. Seniors deserve better. (Just be prepared for profanities!)                 In the News Fighting for Social Justice One-Third of COVID-19 Survivors Develop a Brain Disorder What is the IRS Timeline to Send the Third Stimulus Checks?         TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE         Are you taking advantage of this year’s extended federal tax filing deadline? Well, it’s creeping up — make sure you’re set to file by May 17! Brush up on your tax breaks now: Which of the below isn’t normally an eligible deduction? A) Health savings accounts B) Traditional IRA contributions C) Unemployment benefits D) Student loan interest         Scroll down for the answer         We are AARP: Kathy from Colorado     Caregiving for her father after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis was a weight on Kathy. After balancing work, family, and caring for her dad, her stress led to heart issues — and a realization that the support she needed wasn’t there. “I wasn’t prepared for the pulling away of family after diagnosis. It was so unexpected,” Kathy wrote. “There are several things I would have done differently, but the quality of life he enjoyed here and the time spent with him before his passing made me feel honored he entrusted me with this part of his life.” Read Kathy’s story, which represents the lows and highs of many caregivers.           TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ANSWER         C) Unemployment benefits. Normally, those benefits are taxable. But this year, you can catch a break! The American Rescue Plan Act excludes up to $10,200 of unemployment compensation paid in 2020 from being taxed if your income is below $150,000. Get all the details — and check out our full list of often overlooked tax breaks before the May 17 IRS filing deadline.