MYTH: Older Americans need exceptional protection because they are poorer and more vulnerable than the rest of society.

REALITY: Incomes and net worth for the elderly have risen since 1989 while dropping for the young and middle-aged.

The economic and financial status of older Americans was spelled out in a study released in September by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The authors of the study defined the age groups as “young,” meaning under 40 years of age; “middle-aged,” 40-61; “younger-old,” 62-69; and “older-old,” 70 and over.

Tracking these groups since 1989, the median, inflation-adjusted family income for the young dropped 6.1 percent and 2 percent for the middle-aged. For the two older categories, income increased 60.5 percent for those 62-69 and 27.9 percent for the 70 and over category.

The median, inflation-adjusted net worth during the same period fell 30.5 percent for the young and 24.1 percent for the middle-aged. The younger-old group ballooned 74 percent and the older-old group rose 47.7 percent.

Any notion that this problem is only related to the recent recession is belied by the research. Older families have fared better than younger families both during periods of economic and financial weakness and during periods of economic strength.

The study concludes that seniors are better off, in large part, because they are highly motivated to save, resist excessive indebtedness, and have diversified their assets. The authors also sound an ominous note that the younger and middle-aged groups will not experience the same favorable income and wealth outcomes going forward as their elders.

Which brings us back to the myth that keeps Social Security and Medicare on funding autopilot. The stereotype of the poor elderly is politically useful, because no one wants to take anything away from grandma. The problem is that Americans are incapable of having an intelligent discussion about where to place the safety net for those who are truly needy at the same time the two federal programs are on financial life-support.

The other problem is that the younger generations are unduly burdened with supporting us (I speak as a geezer), while anticipating a lower programmatic return when they join the ranks of the seniors. This, of course, assumes the two programs are even functioning. We’re living in a time-warp where we still think it is 1935 and 1965 and the country can support ever more generous “entitlements.”

The economic plight of younger Americans should make all of us face reality. It’s time to stop pampering seniors and worry about the next generations.

Norman Poltenson is publisher of The Central New York Business Journal. Contact him at npoltenson@cnybj.com

Veteran’s Day is a time we honor our veterans and thank them for their service. We pause to reflect on their lives and appreciate how their sacrifices keep us safe and protect our country and our freedoms. I’ve always believed that New York State should do more for our veterans. We can’t rely solely on the federal government’s benefit structure to honor our state veterans’ service.

This year the State Legislature enacted a number of bills. Many seek to provide better access to services, education, and jobs. I wanted to highlight a few that recently became effective or were signed into law that I supported in the Assembly.

Hire a Vet Tax Credit

This year’s budget created a tax credit for employers who hire veterans. Beginning in 2015, those who hire a veteran who has been discharged on or after Sept. 11, 2001, will receive a tax credit equal to 10 percent of each veteran’s salary or $5,000, whichever is less. The credit increases to 15 percent for the employer if the veteran is disabled.

A Veteran’s Employment Portal was added last year. This offers a one-stop career priority service to veterans and their eligible spouses, which can be accessed at http://www.veterans.ny.gov/.

Driver ID Mark

The Department of Motor Vehicles now provides a special mark on a driver’s license or non-driver identification card indicating that the holder is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, as long as veterans provide proof, such as Form DD-214. This law came about because it is sometimes difficult for veterans to carry original paperwork to obtain health services, or discounts that businesses offer to veterans, for example.

With this mark, if the veteran has his license, he can easily receive a discount at a restaurant or through a service provider. I was pleased to support this during our last session. It passed unanimously in the Assembly and I’m glad it went into effect last month.

Mental Health Portal

Earlier this year, the State Legislature passed a bill that requires the State Division of Veterans’ Affairs to provide better access to services concerning suicide prevention, peer outreach, and other support services. This bill was signed into law in June and created portals along every page within the State Veteran’s Affairs website.

This builds on last year’s legislation which created an “interagency plan” to address the needs of returning veterans. I was pleased to support both in the Assembly. On every Division of Veteran’s Affairs webpage, there is a crisis hotline number to call. I recognize that this is a small step in helping veterans, but having the ability to find help at someone’s hour of need can save lives and pain for families.

Combat-related mental illness has been and still is a critical issue for American war veterans. According to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, at least one in three Iraq veterans and one in nine Afghanistan veterans will face mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Multiple tours have increased the stress of combat. Having quick access at a critical time can help save a life.

More information on any of these services can be found at the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs at http://www.veterans.ny.gov.

While legislative changes and state programs can assist veterans, so can individuals by showing appreciation. Veterans deserve our respect and admiration for all they have done. Whether it’s just saying “thank you” to one that you know or meet, or joining a more organized effort, all helps the sacrifices seem more worthwhile. Locally, a group called Thank a Service Member was created to do just that. Since its inception in 2006, it has held a number of locally based events and has grown to a national organization. To learn more, visit http://www.thankaservicemember.org/.

William (Will) A. Barclay is the Republican representative of the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses most of Oswego County, including the cities of Oswego and Fulton, as well as the town of Lysander in Onondaga County and town of Ellisburg in Jefferson County. Contact him at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us, or (315) 598-5185.

Being a father and now a grandparent, I’ve learned that kids just don’t fit into molds. So why should their education?

Kids learn in a number of different ways, and teachers know how to teach to these different learning styles. Common Core is threatening to break apart the productive relationship our children have with their teachers and their learning. Common Core’s standardized testing puts pressure on teachers to “teach-to-the test.” As more time is focused on teaching to pass a test, the education of our children is compromised.

Another consideration is the great expense that this federal mandate is costing New York and its schools. In order to comply with Common Core, our schools will have to invest a considerable amount of time and money into training personnel, purchasing costly textbooks, materials, and technology. In fact, according to the Pioneer Institute of Public Policy Research, states participating in Common Core, like New York, will be spending nearly $16 billion over the next seven years just to implement the new standards.

The mandated costs will cause schools to have less freedom to invest in what will best serve their student populations. Across my district, schools’ needs vary from rural communities to busier towns like Herkimer and Gloversville. All schools are not alike and all children are not alike.

I believe in preparing our children to be successful adults. That means a number of things. For one child it may mean attaining a higher education, while another is bound for skill-based work. In the end, Common Core distracts educators and students from pursuing these opportunities.

Because of the important role education plays in our children’s lives, I am not willing to let Common Core derail the progress we’ve made with our students. Several other states are reconsidering their involvement with Common Core and I am sponsoring a bill that would remove it from our schools.

Marc W. Butler (R,C,I–Newport) is a New York State Assemblyman for the 118th District, which encompasses parts of Oneida, Herkimer, and St. Lawrence counties, as well as all of Hamilton and Fulton counties. Contact him at butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us