Academy volunteer Al Schmitz's testimony during a congressional subcommittee hearing on the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program was previewed and the Academy's FAQ on the CLASS Act was cited.

Academy Senior Health Fellow Cori Uccello discussed the importance of the individual health insurance coverage mandate contained within the health reform law. She said the mandate helps limit adverse selection by encouraging enrollment of low-risk individuals. Uccello also said that alternatives would be necessary if the mandate is removed from the law, but that these policy options should also be considered to strengthen the mandate if it is not removed.

Academy Senior Health Fellow Cori Uccello discussed the importance of the individual health insurance coverage mandate contained within the health reform law. She said the mandate helps limit adverse selection by encouraging enrollment of low-risk individuals.

The Academy provided several policy options to strengthen the individual health insurance coverage mandate contained with the health reform law. These options also can serve as alternatives if the mandate is removed from the law.

The Academy's adverse selection and sustainability concerns regarding the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act were cited, and the Academy's July 2009 analysis of the federal long-term care program was referenced.

Sen. John Thune cited the Academy's adverse selection and sustainability concerns regarding the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act in his op-ed about the CLASS program.

The Academy's Pension Assistance List program was mentioned for providing free actuarial expertise to workers who have questions regarding their pension plans.

The Academy provided a list of policy options to strengthen the individual health insurance coverage mandate contained within the health reform law. Academy Senior Health Fellow Cori Uccello explained how these options also can serve as alternatives if the mandate is removed from the law.

The Academy’s April 4 Capitol Hill briefing on retirement risks was cited. The Academy provided a hypothetical example to demonstrate “timing risk.” In the example, a worker who retired on Jan. 1, 2009 as opposed to Jan. 1, 2008 would have his or her annuity reduced by 26 percent because of declining investment account values and higher annuity purchase rates resulting from declining interest rates.

The Academy's Public Plans Subcommittee Chairperson Bill Hallmark discussed early retirement incentives' affect on public pension financing. Hallmark said that most early retirement incentives are unlikely to have a "significant impact" on pension systems' fiscal health because costs tend to be spread over time.