seniors

The Gift I Didn’t Know I Needed

Posted on 12/26/2012 by | Volunteering | Comments

Caregiving | Home & FamilyBefore my Pop Pop died, we had a conversation about our conversations. “I miss our talks,” I said one night, sitting by his bed. It was August and, though the doctors said he was in good health, he was miserable. During the day, the pain consumed him and I wondered where my grandfather went, but for an hour or so at bedtime, the Pop Pop I knew came back. “I know you’re hurting, and it’s hard to think about anything …

Ronald Reagan’s 9 Wisest Words About Social Security

Posted on 12/19/2012 by | General News | Comments

Money & Savings | Politics | WorkThe following is a guest post by David Certner, AARP legislative policy director. The last time we made significant changes to Social Security — including adjustments to benefits — was the 1983 Social Security amendments. At the time, Social Security had less than a year’s worth of solvency, and a bipartisan agreement to put Social Security on sound financial footing was essential. That legislation, negotiated by President Reagan and Democratic House Speaker Tip O’Neill, focused on what was needed protect …

Why Inflation Matters for Social Security

Posted on 12/13/2012 by | Social Security | Comments

Bulletin Today | Money & Savings | PoliticsOne of Social Security’s great strengths is that it offers meaningful protection against inflation. Each year, the program considers how prices are rising [as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers]. If prices go up, the Social Security benefits people have earned tend to be adjusted as well. For a typical household, this protection is huge – a point I tried to emphasize in my book, “Social Security for Dummies.” It helps people keep …

Digging Deeper on Changes to the Social Security COLA

Posted on 12/1/2012 by | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Money & Savings | PoliticsNo one with any common sense wants to see our politicians take us over the fiscal cliff. And I think most people with common sense also realize that Social Security, and the tougher issue of Medicare, are worth thoughtful debate and discussion so these vital programs can be put on stronger footing for future generations. However, when budget cutters take aim at today’s Social Security recipients, it’s time to ask questions and dig deeper into the fine print. A proposal …

Action Urged to Fight Elder Financial Abuse

Posted on 11/15/2012 by | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Bulletin Today | Home & Family | Money & SavingsThe following is a guest post from AARP Money Content Editor John Burgess. | Four decades out from his teen-aged check-forging spree, a lion-maned Frank Abagnale bears little resemblance to Leonardo DiCaprio, who portrayed him in the movie “Catch Me If You Can.” But Abagnale still knows a thing or two about fraud. What I did 40 years ago as a teenager is 4,000 times easier to do today due to technology,” the reformed con man told the Senate Special …

Hope Among Devastation

Posted on 11/2/2012 by | Philanthropy & Fundraising | Comments

Home & Family | VolunteeringNews reports have captured the magnitude of the devastation left by “superstorm” Sandy.  The impact continues to increase as word begins to spread of personal loss and tragedy.  A dire tale that I fear will grow worse in the coming days and weeks: 109 fatalities Public transportation systems severely damaged A lack of power has prevented those impacted from being able to access gasoline, food and other necessities Much is needed and less is available What inspires me are the …

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