AARP Bulletin - May 2012

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; AARP® Roadside
Assistance
Members can save up to
$10 off first-year member-
ship fees on AARP Roadside
Assistance from Allstate.
For more information, call
1-800-918-2047 or visit
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Although bipartisanship in Washing- ton is rare today, a bill aiming to over- turn a Supreme Court decision that makes it harder for older workers to sue their employers for age discrimination has gotten the backing of senators from both parties. ; Thecase thatprompted the legislation was brought by an Iowan, Jack Gross; the bill’s sponsors are Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Patrick Leahy
(D-Vt.). AARP and other organizations that back the measure, called
the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, are seeking
additional bipartisan congressional support. AARP plans to reach out
to its members so they can get involved. ; “We want our members to
contact their representatives of both parties in Congress now, and urge
those lawmakers to cosponsor and support the bill,” says Deborah
Chalfie, AARP senior legislative representative. ; The legislation
stems from the case of Gross, now 63, who was demoted when FBL
Financial Services restructured in 2001. Gross filed
suit under the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act and won. But the Court of Appeals in the 8th
Circuit reversed the decision, and Gross appealed to
the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2009, the high court ruled
against Gross, stating that employees who sue their
employers for age discrimination must establish that
age was the deciding factor in their firing or demotion.
; “Jack Gross’s story is unique but, sadly, is not uncom-
mon,” Harkin said at a hearing late last year. ; Support-
ers of the legislation say that swift action is needed so
that other plaintiffs aren’t forced to sue under a higher
burden of proof. To urge your senators to cosponsor the
bill, call 1-800-221-2764.

; WASHINGTON WATCH

A Push to Build
Momentum for
Age Bias Proposal

Attendee Vernon Wildy at a You’ve Earned a Say event in Richmond, Va. AARP is encouraging a national conversation about Medicare and Social Security issues.

; MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD Scan code at left to have a say on Medicare and Social Security. Or check aarp.org/earnedasay.

On May 12, communi-
ties nationwide will
leave nonperish-
able foods for postal
carriers to deliver
to local food banks.
; The Stamp Out
Hunger food drive,
hosted by the Na-
tional Association
of Letter Carriers
and the U.S. Postal
Service, is supported
by AARP and the
AARP Foundation. ; Will
you or did you participate
in the drive? Tell us and get
a chance to win free grocer-
ies. Go to DrivetoEndHunger
.org/fillthebag by June 1.
Help Stamp
Out Hunger

; SWEEPSTAKES

No purchase necessary. Participation in the food drive or a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C. who are AARP members prior to March 26, 2012. Void where prohibited. Promotion ends June 1, 2012. For official rules, prize descriptions, odds disclosure and methods of entry, visit Driveto EndHunger.org/fillthebag. Prize value: $4,800. Sponsor: AARP, 601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049.