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Staff from Alaska’s Social Security office will be available for questions via videoconferencing at the following locations and times in September: Kodiak Job Center, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (Sept. 10 and 24), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior Center, on the first and third Wednesday of each month (Sept. 4 and 18), 9 a.m. to noon. Ketchikan Job Center, every Thursday (Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26), noon to 3 p.m. Social Security provides toll-free telephone service to all of Alaska. Residents in Alaska’s Southeast communities can...
On June 28, Governor Dunleavy shocked the state by cutting $440 million from the legislature’s proposed operating budget for FY20, a 182 line item veto that devastated funding for crucial social services and programs such as the Senior Benefits Program, the Homeless Assistance Program, Medicaid and Dental Services, a host of Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery grants in addition to cutting 40% of funding for the University of Alaska system. Starting July 1, funds promised to Senior Benefits beneficiaries disappeared without warning and p...
“Age Smart – Let’s Talk”, the series of forums sponsored by AARP Alaska, Older Persons Action Group and the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, returns Aug. 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center. What does it mean to “age healthy?” And what does it take to be healthy as we age in the Last Frontier? Join UAA professor of Population Health Science, Dr. Britteny Howell, and her research assistants for this discussion on the challenges and opportunities for aging healthily in Anchorage. This engaging presentatio...
“The number of Alaskans who are 65 or older is growing rapidly in all regions of the state. This shift to larger senior populations across Alaska will play an important role in shaping our communities and households in the coming years.” These are the first two lines in an important new report, “Alaskans 65 and Older,” published in Alaska Economic Trends, a monthly publication of the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce. My inner tabloid journalist wants to use a screaming headline for this article like “Seniors Overrun Alaska!” or maybe “L...
Editor’s note: This press release was received on July 18, 2019. The Social Security Administration has introduced expanded online services for residents of Alaska available through its my Social Security portal at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security, announced that residents of Alaska can use the portal for many replacement Social Security number (SSN) card requests. This will allow people to replace their SSN card from the comfort of their home or office, without the need to travel to a Social S...
Interested in learning more about businesses and agencies providing senior services in the Anchorage and Mat-Su area? Want to get the word out about your own service? The monthly Service Providers Breakfast (formerly known as the Interagency Breakfast), sponsored by Older Persons Action Group, Inc., is an opportunity for all the above. Informal, early and free, with breakfast provided. The August meeting is Aug. 14, hosted by attorney Connie Aschenbrenner. Begins at 8 a.m. RSVP by calling Older Persons Action Group, Inc. for more information...
“Age Smart – Let’s Talk”, the series of forums sponsored by AARP Alaska, Older Persons Action Group and the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, returns July 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center. The July topic is, “Not Everything is as it Seems.” An increasing number of Americans are falling victim to more elaborate and sophisticated types of fraud and scams. These are inevitable by-products of our tech age, but are by no means limited to online hucksters. Moreover, scammers target people they believe are most vulner...
We want to shout out a very big thank you to a wonderful and ever growing group of people that includes our donors, sponsors, volunteers and exhibitors. These individuals provide much needed support for Alaska Health Fair’s South Central, South East and Tanana Valley/Northern Region Programs. We would not succeed without your ongoing support. AHF has ingrained itself into the Alaskan fabric, with residents who live and work here benefiting from 40 years of hard-working volunteers and employee dedication. These are caring Alaskans who give in s...
Summer is in full swing around here at Hospice of Anchorage. We would love for you to get involved with us, and we have a few opportunities coming up that may be of interest to you. Every month we hold an educational workshop that you are welcome to attend, network at, and learn from. Wednesday, July 17 from 3 to 4 p.m. we will be hosting a special workshop on “Obituary Writing 101”. Join Hospice of Anchorage staff as we give tips and tricks about what to include in an obituary and how to help your loved ones understand what is most imp...
Veteran Stand Down is an event providing supplies and services to homeless veterans, such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings and VA Social Security benefits counseling. Veterans can also receive referrals to other assistance such as health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment and mental health counseling. It is a collaborative event, coordinated between local VA Medical Centers, other government agencies and community-based homeless service providers. This year’s Stand Down is Aug. 17 at the Pioneer Park C...
Interested in learning more about businesses and agencies providing senior services in the Anchorage and Mat-Su area? Want to get the word out about your own service? The monthly Service Providers Breakfast (formerly known as the Interagency Breakfast), sponsored by Older Persons Action Group, Inc., is an opportunity for all the above. Informal, early and free, with breakfast provided. The July meeting is July 10, hosted by Maxim Healthcare. Begins at 8 a.m. RSVP by calling Older Persons Action Group, Inc. for more information on these events...
Dear Savvy Senior: As a teacher for 20 years, I receive a pension from a school system that did not withhold Social Security taxes from my pay. After teaching, I’ve been working for a small company where I do pay Social Security taxes. Now, approaching age 65, I would like to retire and apply for my Social Security benefits. But I’ve been told that my teacher’s pension may cause me to lose some of my Social Security. Is that true? - Ready to Retire Dear Ready: Yes, it’s true. It’s very likely that your Social Security retirement benefits...
Years of declining oil prices and increased spending of state funds came to a head for a number of state-subsidized senior assistance programs this legislative season. After taking office in Dec. 2018, Gov. Dunleavy’s proposed operating budget for FY20 sought to match state revenue to state expenses and asked Alaskans to look at the hard truth of the financial situation the state is currently facing. While a fiscally responsible budget is desired, programs that benefit low-income seniors in need, such as the Office of the Long Term Care O...
The Dunleavy administration has brought unprecedented threats to Alaska Seniors. From Senior Benefits to Medicaid health insurance, the governor has put elders in the crosshairs. Fortunately, legislators are working together to defend Alaska’s Pioneer and Veteran Homes from the governor’s attacks. The Dept. of Health and Social Services has proposed massive rate increases for Pioneer Home residents. His proposal would more than double rates for many residents. According to the non-partisan Division of Legislative Finance, proposed rate inc...
Still working on a tax return? Need some help? AARP Tax-Aide program volunteers will be available “off-season” in Anchorage and Ketchikan. Anchorage AARP State Office, Frontier Bldg., 14th Floor, from noon to 3 p.m. on June 13, July 11, Aug. 7, Sept. 4 and Oct. 2. Appointments are encouraged for June and July; walk-in only for August, September and October. Call 907-538-4228 or email alaskataxaide@gmail.comalaskataxaide@gmail.com. Ketchikan Call for appointment, 907-821-8263. Be sure to bring your Social Security card, picture ID, W-2s and all...
Interested in learning more about businesses and agencies providing senior services in the Anchorage and Mat-Su area? Want to get the word out about your own service? The monthly Service Providers Breakfast (formerly known as the Interagency Breakfast), sponsored by Older Persons Action Group, Inc., is an opportunity for all the above. Informal, early and free, with breakfast provided. The June meeting is June 12, hosted by Trinion Quality Care Services. Begins at 8 a.m. RSVP by calling Older Persons Action Group, Inc. for more information on...
“Age Smart – Let’s Talk”, the series of forums sponsored by AARP Alaska, Older Persons Action Group and the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, returns July 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center. The July topic is, “Not Everything is as it Seems.” An increasing number of Americans are falling victim to more elaborate and sophisticated types of fraud and scams. These are inevitable by-products of our tech age, but are by no means limited to online hucksters. Moreover, scammers target people they believe are most vulner...
Dear Savvy Senior: I recently received a strange call from a Social Security employee. He told me my Social Security number had been suspended because it was involved in a crime, and that I needed to reactivate it and secure my bank funds by withdrawing them and putting them on gift cards. Is this a scam? - Worried Rita Dear Rita: Yes. It’s actually known as the “Social Security impostor scam” and it’s becoming a widespread problem in the U.S. The Federal Trade Commission has received more than 76,000 reports about this growing scam in the pas...
Staff from Alaska’s Social Security office will be available for questions via videoconferencing at the following locations and times in June: Kodiak Job Center, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (June 11 and 25), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior Center, on the first and third Wednesday of each month (June 5 and 19), 9 a.m. to noon. Ketchikan Job Center, every Thursday (June 6, 13, 20 and 27), noon to 3 p.m. Social Security provides toll-free telephone service to all of Alaska. Residents in Alaska’s Southeast communities can call the...
Update, May 3, 2019: Our print edition version of this story went to press as the legislature debated reversing the Senior Benefits cuts discussed in this story. After the paper was printed, the House and Senate both agreed to restore the funding, however the final budget has not been approved. When that happens, it will go to the governor for his approval. Stay tuned for updates. Senior Benefits payments to some Alaska seniors will be suspended in May and June, according to the Dept. of Health and Social Services, which oversees the program....
It was an extraordinary historical event in the history of Alaska. April 30, 1993, KUAC-TV in Fairbanks brought together five current and former Alaska governors to discuss Alaska’s future. Governors Keith Miller, Jay Hammond, Bill Sheffield, Steve Cowper and Walter Hickel were all sitting at the same table at the same time. In light of the contemporary interest in the question of personal income taxes in Alaska, let’s take a look at what our Alaska “founding fathers” had to say about it. But first, a brief historical review. In 1989 the Ala...
The old baseball star Satchel Paige is supposed to have said: Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind it does not matter. On Capitol Hill, old seems to be the new young. In the House of Representatives, the top three leaders are all seniors. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is 79 years old. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., is 80, and Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., is also 80. While you can actually start serving in the House at age 25 and age 30 in the Senate, the 2018 elections brought in a much younger group of l...
Interested in learning more about businesses and agencies providing senior services in the Anchorage and Mat-Su area? Want to get the word out about your own service? The monthly Service Providers Breakfast (formerly known as the Interagency Breakfast), sponsored by Older Persons Action Group, Inc., is an opportunity for all the above. Informal, early and free, with breakfast provided. The May meeting is May 8, hosted by the Anchorage Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Begins at 8 a.m. RSVP by calling Older Persons Action Group, Inc....
Dear Savvy Senior: What can you tell me about three-wheeled bicycles? I'm 65 years old and would like to start cycling again but I have some occasional balance problems and don't trust myself on a two-wheeler. What can you recommend? - Ready to Ride Dear Ready: Three-wheeled bikes – also known as adult trikes – are a great cycling option for older adults, especially those who have concerns with their balance or stamina. Here's what you should know, along with some tips to help you shop for one...
The Alaska Commission on Aging will hold its quarterly board meeting Thursday, May 30, 2019. The meeting will be held via videoconference and teleconference, available at sites listed below, or statewide via toll-free telephone. The meeting takes place 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call the Alaska Commission on Aging office at 465-3250. Videoconference sites Anchorage Senior and Disabilities Services, 550 West 8th Ave., Room 323. 269-3666 Fairbanks Senior and Disabilities Services, 751 Old Richardson Highway, Suite 100A. 451-5045 Ju...
