PRIME-A PROGRAM ON RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND MEDICARE EDUCATION FOR EMPLOYEES

ALTHOUGH MOST LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE IS CURRENTLY SOLD ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS TO PERSONS OVER AGE 65, THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR PROVIDING LONG-TERM CARE PROTECTION APPEARS TO BE THROUGH EMPLOYER-SPONSORED GROUP POLICIES. THERE IS WIDESPREAD RECOGNITION OF THE NEED FOR PREFUNDING OF LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE OVER THE WORKING LIFETIME OF EMPLOYEES IF IT IS TO BE AN EFFECTIVE FINANCING MECHANISM TO HELP PAY FOR THE NATION'S LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE COSTS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP A LOW-COST, LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE TRAINING PROGRAM AND EMPLOYEE/CONSUMER'S GUIDE TO HELP PRERETIREES AND POSTRETIREES EFFECTIVELY PLAN FOR ADEQUATE INCOME SECURITY DURING RETIREMENT. THE PROJECT WILL BE GUIDED BY THE MOST CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN LONG-TERM CARE FINANCING OPTIONS AND PRERETIREMENT PLANNING AND WILL RESULT IN A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO CURRENT EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS POSTRETIREES, IN ALL PRIVATE COMPANIES AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS, REGARDLESS OF SIZE. PHASE I ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: (1) DEVELOPING A MODEL TRAINING CURRICULUM THAT CAN STAND ALONE OR BE INCORPORATED INTO EXISTING PRERETIREMENT PLANNING PROGRAMS, (2) DEVELOPING A SELF-STUDY EMPLOYEE/CONSUMER GUIDE, (3) DESIGNING A PHASE II RESEARCH PROJECT TO EVALUATE AND REFINETHE PROGRAM, AND (4) IDENTIFYING A POTENTIAL SITE IN WHICH THE PROGRAM WILL BE TESTED DURING PHASE II.