AARP Releases Voters' Guides for Presidential, Senate, Congressional Candidates

Voters get information, in candidates' own words, on plans for Social Security, Medicare, financial security.

CHICAGO, Aug. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today AARP released the "You've Earned a Say: Vote for Retirement Security" 2012 Voters' Guides at www.earnedasay.org, featuring information from presidential, senatorial and congressional candidates – in their own words – on their plans to strengthen Social Security, Medicare and financial security.  The 2012 presidential Voters' Guide will also appear in the next issue of AARP The Magazine, arriving in homes beginning next week.

"For more than 26 years, AARP has worked to make sure that candidates address the issues important to older voters and that these voters had the information they need to make their own choices at the ballot box," said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond.  "AARP's Voters' Guide brings nonpartisan, straightforward information on important issues from the campaign trail to American kitchen tables."

AARP's federal Voters' Guide poses three questions on Social Security, Medicare, and Financial Security: 

• How would you protect Social Security for today's seniors and strengthen it for future generations?
• How would you put Medicare on stronger financial ground and protect today's seniors and future retirees from the burden of rising health costs?
• How would you help Americans build a financial nest egg for their retirement?

The responses, which appear alongside AARP principles on each issue, consist of publicly available information and excerpts from candidates' campaign sources.  Voters can enter their address to see responses not only from the presidential candidates, but also from general election candidates in their specific races for seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Visitors to www.earnedasay.org will also be able to contact the presidential campaigns with their comments or questions.

Earlier this month, AARP released a series of surveys on the opinions of voters ages 50 and over, which found that these voters overwhelmingly think the candidates have not done a good job of explaining their plans on Social Security (67%) and Medicare (63%).  Voters 50-plus – across party lines – say that getting more information on the candidates' plans on Social Security (72%) and Medicare (70%) will help them determine their vote on Election Day.

"We are doing our part to make sure that voters 50-plus have reliable information from candidates on these important issues," added LeaMond.  "We think the candidates would be wise to do more themselves, as well."

The nonpartisan AARP does not support or oppose any political candidates, nor contribute any money to political action committees, campaigns or super PACs.  In the coming weeks, AARP will also be releasing Voters' Guides for state elections addressing a variety of issues including home and community based services, prescription drug assistance, utilities and healthcare. 

SOURCE AARP Illinois