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Writing an obituary is one of the most intimate steps in beginning the grieving process. How can you sum up a loved one’s life in a few sentences? How would you sum up your own life in a few sentences? As you sit down to write your loved one’s obituary, or perhaps even your own, consider a few simple steps to begin with. List the basics first. Write down their name, age, spouse, children, parents, etc. and, if there will be a memorial service, the information can be shared here. Then consider the things that your loved one was passionate abo...
Dear Savvy Senior: Are there any financial assistance programs you can refer me to? The coronavirus pandemic has cost me my part-time retirement job and has shrunk my measly IRA account. - Needy Retiree Dear Needy: Absolutely. In addition to the $1,200 federal coronavirus stimulus check that was distributed in April and May, there are many other financial-assistance programs (both public and private) that can help struggling retirees, as well as give relief to family members who help provide financial support for their loved ones. To find out...
The Post Office has been a fundamental United States institution since 1775. In my opinion it is vastly underappreciated. Most people do not know the scope of what it does for us – especially while we are hunkered down at home seeking safety from the pandemic. Here’s a summary of some useful Post Office services. Informed Delivery. Despite the big-brotherish name of this service, it can be a huge convenience, even a personal safety factor in your life. Do you sometimes think, “Gosh, is there anything really worthwhile in my mail box or PO bo...
First, some good news. Do you feel the power, senior power? Well, OK, maybe we are a bit worn down at the moment from the stress of months of lockdown and fear of COVID-19, or maybe (speaking from personal experience) it’s nap time, but this might perk you right up: “With 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day, the American labor force is transforming. Out of the 11.4 million jobs expected to be added to the U.S. economy by 2026, 6.4 million will be filled by workers over 55. Moreover, all of the net increase in employment since 200...
What are the options for voting safely during this coronavirus pandemic? Join AARP Alaska for a telephone town hall with Lt. Governor Kevin Meyer and Director of Elections Gail Fenumiai to ask your questions about the upcoming election. What: A telephone town hall on voting safely, hosted by AARP Alaska When: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 22 Who: Lt. Governor Kevin Meyer and Director of Elections Gail Fenumiai How to participate: Call 855-286-0294 toll-free a few minutes before 10:30, or register to be called at www.vekeo.com/AARPAlaska....
Important update to my Social Security’s Representative Payee portal Millions of Americans who get monthly Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits need help managing their money and may need a representative payee. A representative payee is a person or an organization we appoint to receive the Social Security or SSI benefits for beneficiaries who can’t manage or direct the management of their benefits. Representative payees must know the beneficiary’s needs to decide the best use of benefits for care and well-...
Dear Savvy Senior: Can you recommend some simple devices that can help tech-challenged seniors with video calls? My 80-year-old mother has been isolating herself for months now in fear of the coronavirus and I haven’t been able to see her face-to-face in quite a while. - Concerned Daughter Dear Concerned: Video chatting is a great way to stay connected and keep tabs on someone when you can’t be there, but it’s even more important now during this pandemic as many isolated seniors are also suffering from chronic loneliness. To help connect you a...
Here’s a thought experiment: What would happen if Social Security were suddenly entirely eliminated? The most immediate consequence would be that six million households across the United States would be plunged into poverty or near-poverty, i.e. below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL). A recent study found that 37 percent of households with older persons already survive on 200% or less of the FPL. The study is entitled, “Examining the Nest Egg -- The Sources of Retirement Income for Older Americans.” The report primarily limits itsel...
On April 29, 2020 Governor Dunleavy signed into law House Bill 96 (HB 96) for the Alaska Pioneer Homes (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitk, and Alaska Veterans & Pioneers Home in Palmer). The Pioneer Homes serve elder Alaskans needing assisted living care. Residents of the homes receive help with daily living activities, medications, meals and some nursing services depending on level of service. HB 96 brings with it positive changes for senior residents of Alaska. Younger seniors needing care will now be able to move in earlier, as...
A lawsuit filed in November 2019 related to massive rate hikes at Alaska’s Pioneer Homes has been settled out of court, Alaska State Attorney Kevin Clarkson said on May 6. In a statement released by the Department of Law, Clarkson addressed the dismissal. “The plaintiffs and the State have asked the court to approve this resolution calling for dismissal of the lawsuit. The parties agree there is no benefit to continuing expensive and time-consuming litigation over rates that will no longer be in effect after July 1 of this year.” Alaska House B...
During this time when our physical offices are closed to the public, you may wonder, “How can I get help from Social Security without visiting an office?” You can find the answer at www.ssa.gov/onlineservices, which links you to some of our most popular online services. You can apply for retirement and disability benefits, appeal a decision, and do much more. Our newest my Social Security feature, Advance Designation, enables you to identify up to three people, in priority order, who you would like to serve as your potential representative pay...
You’ve planted a victory garden, cleaned the garage, and caught up with old (and older) friends. If you’re lucky, you’ve stayed healthy and are still employed (or retired). COVID-19 has affected each of us differently, but there’s no doubt it’s been a game changer for those of us at or near retirement. What effect might the pandemic have on your financial life? I like to believe every problem comes packaged with its own solutions. Maybe it’s not a welcome solution, and maybe it doesn’t present itself as quickly as we’d like, but patience an...
Container gardens are a viable and popular cultivation option, especially for those who have limited sun-exposed spaces or are looking to start small and learn the basics of gardening. "Containers, whether bought or recycled, are a great place to plant herb and vegetable gardens," says landscape designer, Doug Scott of Redeem Your Ground in Atlanta, Ga. "But to get it right, there are a few things to keep in mind." To help you successfully cultivate a container garden, Scott offers the...
Dear Savvy Senior: What can you tell me about the retirement account changes that Congress recently passed in response to the coronavirus crisis? - Seeking Answers Dear Seeking: Tucked into the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, that President Trump signed into law in late March were a series of changes that can help retirement savers in need of cash, as well as help preserve the retirement savings accounts of current retirees while the stock market is down. Here’s a rundown to how three provisions in the CARES A...
Part two of two Last month we discussed retirement planning for the decade before retirement. This month, we continue with planning for retirement and post-retirement. Retirement Many boomers experiment with a trial retirement before we pull the plug. Perhaps we take a short leave or work part-time. Most importantly, we test the type of lifestyle we plan for our post-retirement years. A trial retirement allows us to examine how our expenses will change and whether we’ll be able to fill our time in meaningful ways. It also increases the l...
Part one of two. Seniors are “investdemics” – it is a characteristic of our age group that we have tried to compile investment portfolios that (fingers crossed) will last us. Some want to leave a legacy to favored charities and descendants, and others want to spend their last dime on their dying day. How do we cope with investing for unknown futures? Goals of investing for seniors include: 1) Setting up our accounts so that we understand how to stay within our acceptable parameters of spending. 2) Keeping a buffer of cash, savings accou...
Coronavirus scams are spreading nearly as fast as the virus itself. The Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration have sent warnings to seven companies for selling products that would allegedly cure or prevent COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. “These products are unapproved drugs that pose significant risks to patient health and violate federal law,” the two agencies said in a news release March 9. The FTC and FDA jointly issued warning letters to Vital Silver; Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd.; Xephyr, LLC...
In March, the IRS extended the deadline to file taxes to July 15, in an effort to help with the impact from the COVID-19 virus. Also in March, AARP closed all of its Tax Aide free tax assistance sites, nationwide. They will remain closed until further notice. For updates, call 2-1-1. There are online options for free assistance with self-preparation, such as www.myfreetaxes.com and IRS Free File ( www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free .) Each provider has their own criteria, so MyFreeTaxes.com (no income limit but only...
Dear Savvy Senior: In light of the stock market crashing, I’ve heard that Social Security offers a lump-sum payment to new retirees who need some extra cash. I have not yet filed for my retirement benefits and would like to investigate this option. What can you tell me? — Seeking Cash Dear Seeking: There is indeed a little-known Social Security claiming strategy that’s been around for many years that can provide retirees a lump-sum benefit, but you need to be past your full retirement age to be eligible, and there are financial drawbacks you n...
The Alaska Geriatric Exchange Network, also known as AgeNet, is a statewide association of senior service providers that’s been advocating for older Alaskans for more than 20 years. According to an AgeNet fact sheet, the goal of AgeNet is “working to assure the appropriate network of senior services is available in every Alaskan community for all seniors so they might live independently with honor and dignity.” In February, AgeNet released the following outline of its three priorities for this legislative session: Senior Nutrition Grant Program...
“Age Smart – Let’s Talk”, the series of forums sponsored by AARP Alaska, Older Persons Action Group and the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, returns March 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center. This month’s topic is palliative care. What comes to mind when you hear “palliative care?” Hospice? End of Life? Or perhaps you’ve not heard of it because doctors themselves don’t often talk about it. This session of Age Smart – Let’s Talk will help to bring life to the topic, and that’s exactly what palliative care is — he...
This article is a follow-up to the Feb. 2020 edition story “Pioneer Home residents file lawsuit over rate increases.” On Nov. 4, 2019, a lawsuit was filed against Alaska Pioneer Homes Director Clinton Lasley, Commissioner of the Dept. of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Adam Crum, Alaska State Governor Michael J. Dunleavy and the State of Alaska on behalf of Alaska Pioneer Home residents Eileen Casey of Ketchikan, Marion and Howard Rider of Juneau and all Pioneer Home residents. The lawsuit is in response to the state’s recent decision to im...
Part three of three. What are the big issues that create uncertainty, havoc, even tragedy in the lives of Alaska seniors? In the course of building the Alaska State Plan for Senior Services FY2020 –2023, thousands of Alaska seniors were engaged in conversations that revealed their answers. Here is a selection of some of those issues and strategies, along with major organizations tasked to address them during the period of the latest plan, 2020 – 2023. But first, a smattering of background. Part one of this series (Senior Voice, December 2019) p...
Dear Savvy Senior: Can you offer some tips to help seniors guard against census scams? With the 2020 Census gearing up, I’ve read that there are a lot of potential scammers out there looking to take advantage of older people and I want to protect myself. – Cautious Judy Dear Judy: Unfortunately, scams have become a persistent problem when the U.S. Census Bureau does its once-a-decade count of the U.S. population. Here’s what you can expect from the 2020 Census in the coming weeks, and how you can protect yourself from potential scams. What...
“Amblin’ for Alzheimer’s,” the perennial blockbuster fundraising event for Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, returns this year on May 2 at the Anchorage Golf Course. Sal’s New York Grill will be back to make breakfast burritos. Registration is different this year, but the fees remain the same: Adults $25, Students/Military $20, Children/Seniors $15 ($5 more on the day of the event). Here’s the registration link: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/alzheimer-s-resource-of-alaska/2020-amblin-for-alzheimer-s. On the right side of that page you...
