March Issue of AARP Bulletin Examines the New War on Cancer, the Latest Smartphone Scams, How Inherited Homes Can Tear Apart Families, and More

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Feb 29, 2016, 08:40 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the White House looks at a "moon shot" program that will conquer cancer, the March issue of AARP Bulletin explores, in its cover story, the latest medical breakthroughs in the war against cancer, how to cope with a cancer diagnosis, patients who far outlive their prognoses, and features an exclusive interview with Vice President Joe Biden discussing how his family tragedy made the White House mission personal. Other stories include a feature that offers advice on how to divide inherited estates between family members, rather than having the estate divide the family; Jane Bryant Quinn's term life insurance advice; lessons on how to defend your smartphone from scammers; a Q & A with legendary LA Dodger's announcer Vin Scully; tips on decluttering your home in time for spring; planning the future of retirement; and an interview with AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins on her new book, Disrupt Aging.

Cover Story: Are we closing on a cure for cancer? March's AARP Bulletin cover story reports on the new war on cancer, from the latest medical breakthroughs and new thinking on treatment, to patients like actress Valerie Harper who are living with cancer far longer that their doctors originally thought possible. In an exclusive interview, Vice President Joe Biden discusses how his son's death from brain cancer has made the White House's "moon shot" against cancer a personal mission. And Dr. Vincent DiVeta discusses his memoir, The Death of Cancer.

Inheriting Trouble: For some families, inheriting a house is a harmonious affair. Unfortunately, "we're seeing disputes a lot more often," notes New York elder-law attorney Bernard Krooks. "It's just awful." The sluggish economy also plays a role, as some financially strapped siblings seek to cash out of a longtime investment. Inevitably, there are arguments over the value of the house and payout terms. Estate planners say the best way to avoid disputes is to have a family discussion while the parents are still alive, to explore everyone's expectations and desires. The article details the troubles with estate planning and ways to avoid them.

The Term Life Decision: Many older Americans bought term life insurance policies when they were younger. But what if you're in your 50s and 60s and your term policy is expiring and you find that you still need coverage? Perhaps you married or remarried late in life and still have children to support. Perhaps, an illness ate at your retirement savings. AARP's personal finance expert, Jane Bryant Quinn, explores for ways of getting-or keeping-life insurance coverage past middle age.

Defend Your Smartphone from Scammers: Spam, one-ring cons and bank messages are all phone scams that can cause you big headaches. Keep in mind that smartphones are prime targets for old-fashioned theft. Don't let yours reveal your secrets if it winds up in the wrong hands. This article will teach you some tricks to prevent this from happening.

Vin Scully: AARP Bulletin sits down with legendary L.A. Dodgers announcer Vin Scully for an exclusive interview about his historic career, his greatest baseball memories over the past seven decades, and his thoughts on retirement.

Declutter Your Home: AARP Bulletin welcomes springtime by helping you focus on how you can declutter your home with 20 ways to downsize or just clean up. Some of the items you can dispose of? Wedding dress, love letters, boxes of photos, china set, books, hand me down furniture, and kids' stuff! The article is adapted from AARP's Downsizing the Family Home: What to Keep, What to Let Go by Marni Jameson.

Planning the Future of Retirement: A growing cadre of builders, designers and architects are rethinking spaces for older people. According to an AARP Foundation/Harvard study, the U.S. faces a critical shortage of affordable housing for its 50-plus population, which will grow to 133 million by 2030, a 70 percent jump since 2000. These older individuals will benefit from different, better options than the gated condo astride a golf course in a Sunbelt suburb, the isolated apartment complex, and the grim nursing home. Instead, designers are now imagining social and age-integrated homes and communities that accommodate residents for decades, not just for the last years of their lives. They want to make "design for aging" imperative to the profession and even sexy! This article explores some of the sexy designs to come.

Interview with AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins on her new book, Disrupt Aging: AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins discusses her new book, Disrupting Aging. She is changing the conversation about what it means to grow older. In an interview with AARP Bulletin Editor-in-Chief Robert Love, Jenkins talks about three core areas – health, wealth and self – in which we can embrace opportunities of aging.

About AARP Bulletin
The definitive news source for AARP's members, AARP Bulletin (http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/) reaches more than 23.5 million households each month in print, with additional news and in-depth coverage online. Covering health and health policy, Medicare, Social Security, consumer protection, personal finance, and AARP state and national news developments, AARP Bulletin delivers the story behind the key issues confronting 50+ America. The monthly consumer-oriented news publication has become a must-read for congressional lawmakers and Washington opinion leaders, and it provides AARP members with pertinent information they need to know.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

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SOURCE AARP