“Medicare: Implementation of Financial Incentive Programs under Federal Fraud and Abuse Laws,” (GAO-12-355, March 2012, .pdf format, 50p.).
April 30, 2012
CAAR – US Government Accountability Office Report – April 30, 2012
CAAR – US Census Bureau – April 30, 2012
“2010 State & Local Public-Employee Retirement Systems Data,” (April 2012, .pdf, ASCII text, and Excel format).
CAAR – National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper – April 30, 2012
“Riester Pensions in Germany: Design, Dynamics, Targetting Success and Crowding-In,” by Axel H. Boersch-Supan, Michela Coppola, and Anette Reil-Held (w18014, April 2012, .pdf format, 30p.).
Abstract:
Riester pensions are voluntary, but heavily subsidized private pension schemes in Germany. They were designed as a matching defined contribution scheme to fill the emerging ‘pension gap’ that is being generated by the gradually declining generosity of the public pay-as-you-go pensions in response to population aging. This paper investigates how the uptake of the recently introduced ‘Riester pensions’ depends on the state-provided saving incentives and how well the targeting to families and low-income households has worked in practice. It documents the costs of the scheme, and collects circumstantial evidence on displacement effects between saving for old-age provision and other purposes.
After a slow start and several design changes, Riester pension plans took off very quickly. While saving incentives were effective in reaching parents, they were somewhat less successful in attracting low-income earners, although Riester pensions exhibit a more equal pattern by income than occupational pensions and unsubsidized private pension plans. Riester pension savings totaled Euro 9.4bn in 2010 with an associated cost of Euro 3.5bn. One average one Euro of subsidies is thus associated with 2 Euros of households’ own Riester saving.
There is no evidence that Riester pensions have crowded out other saving. While households who plan to purchase housing and who attach high importance to a bequest motive are less likely to have a Riester pension, several regression results show that occupational pensions and other forms of private pensions act as complements rather than as substitutes. Aggregate national saving has increased since the introduction of Riester pensions.
CAAR – Urban Institute Report – April 30, 2012
“Potential Savings Through Prevention of Avoidable Chronic Illness Among CalPERS State Active Members,” by Timothy Waidmann, Barbara A. Ormond, and Brenda Spillman (April 2012, .pdf format, 10p.).
CAAR – UK Parliamentary Library Standard Note – April 30, 2012
“Retirement Age,” by Jacky Parker (SN00961, April 2012, .pdf format, 20p.).
CAAR – US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Decision Memorandum – April 30, 2012
“Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP),” (CAG-00324R2, April 2012).
www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-decision-memo.aspx?NCAId=255
CAAR – New Policy Institute [UK] Report – April 30, 2012
“Meeting the Housing Demands of an Ageing Population,” by Jenny Pannell, Hannah Aldridge, and Peter Kenway (April 2012, .pdf format, 90p.).
CAAR – US National Institutes of Health Press Release – April 30, 2012
“Avastin and Lucentis are equivalent in treating age-related macular degeneration,” (April 30, 2012).
CAAR – American Journal of Epidemiology Article Abstract – April 30, 2012
“Interactions Between Genome-wide Significant Genetic Variants and Circulating Concentrations of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1, Sex Hormones, and Binding Proteins in Relation to Prostate Cancer Risk in the National Cancer Institute Breast and Prostate Cancer Cohort Consortium,” by Konstantinos K. Tsilidis, Ruth C. Travis, Paul N. Appleby, Naomi E. Allen, Sara Lindstrom, Fredrick R. Schumacher, David Cox, Ann W. Hsing, Jing Ma, Gianluca Severi, Demetrius Albanes, Jarmo Virtamo, Heiner Boeing, H. Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, Mattias Johansson, J. Ramón Quirós, Elio Riboli, Afshan Siddiq, Anne Tjønneland, Dimitrios Trichopoulos, Rosario Tumino, J. Michael Gaziano, Edward Giovannucci, David J. Hunter, Peter Kraft, Meir J. Stampfer, Graham G. Giles, Gerald L. Andriole, Sonja I. Berndt, Stephen J. Chanock, Richard B. Hayes, and Timothy J. Key (Vol. 175, No. 9, May 1, 2012, p. 926-935).
April 27, 2012
CAAR – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Article Abstracts – April 27, 2012
A. “Summer temperature variability and long-term survival among elderly people with chronic disease,” by Antonella Zanobetti, Marie S. O’Neill, Carina J. Gronlund, and Joel D. Schwartz (Vol. 109, No. 17, Apr. 24, 2012, p. 6608-6613).
www.pnas.org/content/109/17/6608.abstract
B. “Identification of functionally active, low frequency copy number variants at 15q21.3 and 12q21.31 associated with prostate cancer risk,” by Francesca Demichelis, Sunita R. Setlur, Samprit Banerjee, Dimple Chakravarty, Jin Yun Helen Chen, Chen X. Chen, Julie Huang, Himisha Beltran, Derek A. Oldridge, Naoki Kitabayashi, Birgit Stenzel, Georg Schaefer, Wolfgang Horninger, Jasmin Bektic, Arul M. Chinnaiyan, Sagit Goldenberg, Javed Siddiqui, Meredith M. Regan, Michale Kearney, T. David Soong, David S. Rickman, Olivier Elemento, John T. Wei, Douglas S. Scherr, Martin A. Sanda, Georg Bartsch, Charles Lee, Helmut Klocker, and Mark A. Rubin (Vol. 109, No. 17, Apr. 24, 2012, p. 6686-6691).
CAAR – US National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief – April 27, 2012
“Osteoporosis or Low Bone Mass at the Femur Neck or Lumbar Spine in Older Adults: United States, 2005-2008,” by Anne C. Looker, Lori G. Borrud, Bess Dawson-Hughes, John A. Shepherd, and Nicole C. Wright (Data Brief No. 93, April 2012, .pdf and HTML format, 8p.).
CAAR – US House Committee on Ways and Means Hearing Testimony – April 27, 2012
“Hearing on Medicare Premium Support Proposals,” a hearing held April 27, 2012 (witness statements available in .pdf format).
waysandmeans.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=291824
CAAR – US Administration on Aging Funding Opportunity – April 27, 2012
“Empowering Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities through Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs,” (HHS-2012-AoA-CS-1211, .pdf and Word format, 63p.). Note: The application deadline is June 11, 2012.
PDF:
www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/docs/2012/FY2012_CDSMP_042612.pdf
Word:
www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/docs/2012/FY2012_CDSMP_042612.doc
CAAR – UK Office for National Statistics Article – April 27, 2012
“A fuller picture of the UK’s funded and unfunded pension obligations,” by Sarah Levy (April 2012, .pdf and HTML format, 23p.).
Related materials (.pdf and HTML format):
CAAR – Statistics Netherlands Report – April 27, 2012
“Baby boomers in the Netherlands,” (April 2012, .pdf format, 43p.).
www.cbs.nl/en-GB/menu/themas/bevolking/publicaties/publicaties/archief/2012/2012-babyboomers-pub.htm
CAAR – International Longevity Centre [UK] Report – April 27, 2012
“Population Ageing: Pomp or Circumstance,” by Dylan Kneale, Mark Mason, and Sally-Marie Bamford (April 2012, .pdf format, 41p.).
www.ilcuk.org.uk/index.php/publications/publication_details/population_ageing_pomp_or_circumstance
CAAR – Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Working Papers – April 27, 2012
A. “Review of the Swedish National Pension Funds,” by Clara Severinson and Fiona Stewart (OECD Working Papers On Finance, Insurance and Private Pensions, No. 17, April 2012, .pdf format, 34p.).
Abstract:
This paper provides a review of the Swedish National Pension Funds based on international good practice and OECD guidelines. The paper focuses mainly on the general size and structure of the funds, the investment framework and the governance of the funds. The internal management of the funds appears to be strong, with governance and risk management structures in place that appear to broadly follow OECD guidelines.
The report concludes that the AP funds could benefit from having one clear and specific long-term investment objective, set by an independent committee answerable to Parliament, for all the AP funds against which their long-term performance can objectively be measured. The mandate and role of the AP6 fund could also be clarified.
The report recommends the implementation of the prudent person rule as restrictive investment regulations are leaving the AP funds with less room to adopt varying investment strategies, and thus takes away some of the potential benefits of competition and diversification from having four different funds. Finally the selection process for the Governing Boards of the funds could be made more transparent and rigorous.
www.oecd.org/dataoecd/31/38/50192210.pdf
B. “Current Status of National Strategies for Financial Education: A Comparative Analysis and Relevant Practices,” by Andrea Grifoni and Flore-Anne Messy (OECD Working Papers On Finance, Insurance and Private Pensions, No. 16, April 2012, .pdf format, 36p.). Note: Links to the abstract and full-text can be found at:
CAAR – Tables of Contents – April 27, 2012
Experimental Aging Research (Vol. 38, No. 3, 2012).
April 26, 2012
CAAR – Wisconsin Longitudinal Study Data Release – April 26, 2012
“WLS 12.27 data set is now available.” (April 25, 2012). For more information about this data release go to:
www.ssc.wisc.edu/wlsresearch/data/updates/change_notice/chnt_034.htm
CAAR – National Academies Press Monograph – April 26, 2012
Geographic Adjustment in Medicare Payment: Phase I: Improving Accuracy, Second Edition, (edited by Margaret Edmunds and Frank A. Sloan, Institute of Medicine, 2012, ISBN-10: 0-309-21145-X, ISBN-13: 978-0-309-21145-1, OpenBook and .pdf format, 236p.). Note: NAP requires free registration before providing a .pdf copy.
CAAR – Employee Benefit Research Institute Periodical – April 26, 2012
EBRI Notes (Vol. 33, No. 4, April 2012, .pdf format, 20p.). The articles in this issue are: “Time Trends in Poverty for Older Americans Between 2001-2009,” by Sudipto Banerjee; and, “Characteristics of the Population With Consumer-Driven and High-Deductible Health Plans, 2005-2011,” by Paul Fronstin.
www.ebri.org/publications/notes/index.cfm?fa=notesDisp&content_id=5046
CAAR – New England Journal of Medicine Article Abstract – April 26, 2012
“The Long-Term Effect of Premier Pay for Performance on Patient Outcomes,” by Ashish K. Jha, Karen E. Joynt, E. John Orav, and Arnold M. Epstein (Vol. 366, No. 17, April 26, 2012, p. 1606-1615).
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa1112351?query=TOC#t=abstract
CAAR – UK Parliamentary Library Note – April 26, 2012
“NHS Pension Scheme,” by Djuna Thurley (SN03281, April 2012, .pdf format, 52p.).
CAAR – United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affaird Briefs – April 26, 2012
A. “Population Ageing and the Non-communicable Diseases,” (2012/1, April 2012, .pdf format, 2p.).
www.un.org/esa/population/publications/popfacts/popfacts__2012-1.pdf
B. “Towards global equity in longevity,” (2012/1, April 2012, .pdf format, 4p.).
www.un.org/esa/population/publications/popfacts/popfacts__2012-2.pdf
CAAR – Kaiser Family Foundation Medicare Guide Update – Apr. 26, 2012
“Talking About Medicare: Your Guide to Understanding the Program, 2012” (April 2012, .pdf format, 71p.).
www.kff.org/medicare/talkingaboutmedicare/
Click any of the tabs next to “Welcome” for links to full text.
April 25, 2012
CAAR – US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Article – April 25, 2012
“State-Specific Synthetic Estimates of Health Status Groups Among Inactive Older Adults With Self-Reported Diabetes, 2000-2009,” by Karen A. Kirtland, Matthew M. Zack, and Carl J. Caspersen (April 19, 2012, .pdf and HTML format, 12p.).
CAAR – Chamber of Commerce Report – April 25, 2012
“Private Retirement Benefits in the 21st Century: A Path Forward,” (April 2012, .pdf format, 24p.).
www.uschamber.com/reports/private-retirement-benefits-21st-century-path-forward
CAAR – Public Library of Science (PLoS) Articles – April 25, 2012
A. “Vitamin D and Physical Performance in Elderly Subjects: The Pro.V.A Study,” by Elena D. Toffanello, Egle Perissinotto, Giuseppe Sergi, Sabina Zambon, Estella Musacchio, Stefania Maggi, Alessandra Coin, Leonardo Sartori, Maria-Chiara Corti, Giovannella Baggio, Gaetano Crepaldi, and Enzo Manzato (PLoS ONE 7(4): e34950. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0034950, XML, HTML, and .pdf format, 9p.).
www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0034950
B. “Assessing Corpus Callosum Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease: Comparison between Tract-Based Spatial Statistics and Atlas-Based Tractography,” by Maria Giulia Preti, Francesca Baglio, Maria Marcella Lagana, Ludovica Griffanti, Raffaello Nemni, Mario Clerici, Marco Bozzali, and Giuseppe Baselli (PLoS ONE 7(4): e35856. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0035856, XML, HTML, and .pdf format, 9p.).
www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0035856
C. “Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate Upregulates PGC-1a and Protects against A{beta}1-42-Induced Neurotoxicity,” by Xiaolei Zhu, Cong Chen, Dan Ye, Dening Guan, Lan Ye, Jiali Jin, Hui Zhao, Yanting Chen, Zhongyuan Wang, Xin Wang, and Yun Xu (PLoS ONE 7(4): e35823. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0035823, XML, HTML, and .pdf format, 11p.).
www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0035823
CAAR – US Administration on Aging Website – April 25, 2012
“Webinar Series on Alzheimer’s Disease and Tools for Caregivers.” The Webinar will occur in three parts: May 9, June 13, and July 12. Registration is required.
CAAR – Health and Retirement Study Workshop – April 25, 2012
The University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research HRS announced on Apr. 24, 2012: “65th Annual Summer Institute in Survey Research Techniques: June 4-July 27, 2012: Week 2 (June 11-14): Health and Retirement Study (HRS) Workshop (not for credit).” For more information see:
hrsonline.isr.umich.edu/news/index.php?p=shownews3x1&hfyle=news322
CAAR – US Senate Committee on Finance Hearing Testimony – April 25, 2012
“Anatomy of a Fraud Bust: From Investigation to Conviction,” a hearing held April 24, 2012 (witness statements available in .pdf format, full hearing is available in Flash Player format, running time 1 hour 43 minutes).
finance.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=89f86e81-5056-a032-5200-808cc00b1fe6
CAAR – US National Institutes of Health Funding Opportunities – April 25, 2012
“Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R01),” (PAR-12-175, National Institute on Aging, application deadlines August 7, 2012; December 7, 2012; April 9, 2013; August 7, 2013; December 6, 2013; April 9, 2014; August 7, 2014; December 9, 2014; April 7, 2015). The opportunity links to two companion FOA: “Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R21)” (PA-12-174, R21); and, “Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R03),” (PAR-12-176, R03).
CAAR – Table of Contents – April 25, 2012
Educational Gerontology (Vol. 38, No. 7, July 2012).
www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/uedg/2012/00000038/00000007
April 24, 2012
CAAR – Tables of Contents – April 24, 2012
Age and Ageing (Vol. 41, No. 3, May 2012).
ageing.oxfordjournals.org/content/vol41/issue3/index.dtl?etoc
Journal of Aging and Health (Vol. 24, No. 4, June 2012).
CAAR – US National Institutes of Health Funding Opportunities – April 24, 2012
A. “National Institute on Aging: Revision Requests for Active Alzheimer’s Disease Centers (P50)” (PA-12-170, multiple deadline due dates, National Institute on Aging). For more information see:
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-12-170.html
B. “Limited Competition: Revision Applications to Advance Evidence-Based Research Related to Protections for Human Subjects (U01)” (PAS-12-166, application deadline is May 25, 2012, National Institute on Aging, in conjunction with several other agencies). For more information see:
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-12-166.html
C. “Limited Competition: Revision Applications to Advance Evidence-Based Research Related to Protections for Human Subjects (U54)” (PAS-12-169, application deadline is May 25, 2012, National Institute on Aging, in conjunction with several other agencies). For more information see:
CAAR – US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General Report – April 24, 2012
“Claim Modifier Did Not Prevent Medicare From Paying Millions in Unallowable Claims for Selected Durable Medical Equipment” (A-04-10-04004, April 2012, .pdf format, 29p.).
CAAR – Urban Institute Reports, Video – April 24, 2012
A. “Medicare, Medicaid and the Deficit Debate,” by John Holahan and Stacey McMorrow (April 2012, .pdf format, 18p.).
www.urban.org/publications/412544.html
B. “Unemployment Statistics on Older Americans,” by Richard W. Johnson and Janice Park (Updated April 2012, .pdf format, 11.).
www.urban.org/publications/411904.html
C. “Retirement Account Balances,” by Barbara Butrica and Philip Issa (Updated April 2012, .pdf format, 1p.).
www.urban.org/publications/411976.html
D. “Re-Imagining Pensions,” by C. Eugene Steuerle. There are three videos on this site, total running time: 26 minutes. “On February 22, 2012, Eugene Steuerle addressed Re-Imagining Pensions, a conference cosponsored by the Urban Institute, the Pension Rights Center, and Covington & Burling. Steuerle presented options for allowing workers to purchase annuities within Social Security, as well as granting partial benefits to accommodate phased retirement. While such options technically exist today, they are buried deep within the maze of Social Security’s complex provisions. Simplifying and clarifying these options would enable workers to provide themselves with a greater degree of inflation-protected longevity insurance in retirement.”
CAAR – Economist Article – April 24, 2012
China: “New homes for the old: Old-people’s homes are full, as attitudes to the elderly change” (Apr. 21, 2012).
CAAR – AARP Public Policy Institute Video, Factsheet – April 24, 2012
A. “Active Living for All Ages: Creating Neighborhoods Around Transit” (Streetfilms.org, April 2012, running time: 6 minutes, 40 seconds).
www.streetfilms.org/active-living-for-all-ages-creating-neighborhoods-around-transit/#more-52319
B. “The Employment Situation, March 2012: Unemployment Rises for Older Workers,” by Sara E. Rix (April 2012, .pdf format, 8p.).
April 23, 2012
CAAR – Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Trustees Report – April 23, 2012
“2012 Annual Report of The Boards of Trustees of The Federal Hospital Insurance and Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds,” (April 2012, .pdf format, 279p.).
CAAR – US Government Accountability Office Reports – April 23, 2012
A. “Medicare Advantage: Quality Bonus Payment Demonstration Undermined by High Estimated Costs and Design Shortcomings,” (GAO-12-409R, March 2012, .pdf format, 39p.).
www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-409R
B. “Defined Contribution Plans: Approaches in Other Countries Offer Beneficial Strategies in Several Areas,” (GAO-12-328, March 2012, .pdf format, 64p.).
www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-328
C. “Medicare Program Integrity: CMS Continues Efforts to Strengthen the Screening of Providers and Suppliers,” (GAO-12-351, April 2012, .pdf format, 37p.).
CAAR – US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General Report – April 23, 2012
“Medicare Payments for Drugs Used To Treat Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration,” (OEI-03-10-00360, April 2012, .pdf format, 18p.).
CAAR – Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging [University of Southern California] Report – April 23, 2012
“Current Conditions among Older Latinos and African Americans in Low- and Middle-Income Los Angeles Neighborhoods,” (April 2012, .pdf format, 16p.).
CAAR – AARP Report – April 23, 2012
“Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Influenza and Pneumococcal Immunization Rates among Medicare Beneficiaries,” by Lynda Flowers and Megan Multack (April 2012, .pdf format, 5p.).
CAAR – Public Library of Science (PLoS) Articles – April 23, 2012
A. “Tau Phosphorylation and {mu}-Calpain Activation Mediate the Dexamethasone-Induced Inhibition on the Insulin-Stimulated Akt Phosphorylation,” by Yudong Liu, Ying Su, Shenggang Sun, Tao Wang, Xian Qiao, Xiaoqin Run, and Zhihou Liang (PLoS ONE 7(4): e35783. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0035783, XML, HTML, and .pdf format, 9p.).
www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0035783
B. “Cost-Effectiveness of Magnetic Resonance Imaging with a New Contrast Agent for the Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease,” by Maria Biasutti, Natacha Dufour, Clotilde Ferroud, William Dab, and Laura Temime (PLoS ONE 7(4): e35559. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0035559, XML, HTML, and .pdf format, 14p.).
www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0035559
CAAR – Family Caregiver Alliance Periodical – April 23, 2012
Caregiving PolicyDigest (Vol. 12, No. 8, Apr. 18, 2012).
April 20, 2012
CAAR – National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper – April 20, 2012
“Entitlement Reforms in Europe: Policy Mixes in the Current Pension Reform Process,” by Axel H. Borsch-Supan (w18009, April 2012, .pdf format, 60p.).
Abstract:
Many European countries have begun (or have announced) programs intended to reduce the growth of entitlement programs, in particular of public pensions.
Current costs are high, and the pressures will increase due to population aging and negative incentive effects. This paper focuses on the pension reform process in Europe. It links the causes for current problems to the cures required to make the pay-as-you-go entitlement programs in Continental Europe sustainable above and beyond the financial crisis. It discusses examples which appear, from a current point of view, to be the most viable and effective options to bring entitlement systems closer to fiscal balance and still achieve their key aims.
There is no single policy prescription that can solve all problems at once. Reform elements include a freeze in the contribution and tax rates, an indexation of benefits to the dependency ratio, measures to stop the current trend towards early retirement, an adaptation of the normal retirement age to increased life expectancy, and more reliance on private savings – elements of a sustainable but complex multipillar system of pensions and similar entitlement programs.