Minnesotans who have been defrauded now have a better chance of financial recovery, thanks to a new bipartisan law championed by AARP Minnesota. The Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund, the first of its kind in the nation, was signed into law in 2025 with strong bipartisan support. This innovative fund will help victims of fraud recover lost money—especially in cases where scammers are untraceable or bankrupt.
A new AARP survey, released in conjunction with Social Security’s 90th anniversary, confirms that Americans highly value Social Security, and even more so than five years ago. The vast majority of Americans – 95% of Republicans, 98% of Democrats, and 93% of Independents – consider Social Security vital to the financial security of all Americans, and 67% believe it is even more important for retirees than it was five years ago.
Six communities throughout Minnesota will receive 2025 Community Challenge grants to fund quick-action projects aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, with a focus on the needs of older adults.
The State Legislature bridged a historically narrow political divide to pass a two-year state budget during a special session. Despite facing challenges such as vacancies in both chambers, federal budget uncertainties, and a looming structural deficit, the Legislature successfully advanced several of AARP Minnesota’s key legislative priorities.
AARP has been fighting in Washington DC, St. Paul, and state capitols across the country to make sure that older Americans are prioritized to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and have timely and accurate information about how and when to sign up to get vaccinated. And while we are encouraged by the milestones and progress of last week - including eclipsing the one million mark for vaccination, the continued downward trends in COVID-related deaths and hospitalizations, the work to vaccinate residents and staff in long term care, and the launch of the Minnesota Vaccine Connector - we know that our state’s vaccination rollout has left too many feeling frustrated and confused. A recent online questionnaire fielded between 2/12 and 2/15 by email to AARP members across Minnesota reflected just that. More than 1,700 AARP members completed the questionnaire.
We know that it takes time to build great communities. But, we also believe that tangible improvements can spark long-term change. AARP launched the Community Challenge in 2017 to fund projects that build momentum to improve livability for all. We are excited to announce the program is back in 2021 for its fifth year and is currently accepting applications online through April 14, 7:00 p.m. CST.
Sadly, the December 13 Star Tribune Special Report ("Desperate at 'Death Ridge' ") details at length an utterly ruinous response to the pandemic. Having spent over 40 years working in nursing home administration and regulation, I am deeply disturbed about what happened and believe that there must be accountability.
AARP MN hosted this live Q&A event to hear the latest COVID-19 vaccine information with our guests, Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner, Jan Malcolm and Director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Kris Ehresmann.
AARP Minnesota State Director, Will Phillips, participated in a press conference today with Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health to share the state's next steps in its vaccine distribution plan. AARP Minnesota has been calling on the state to prioritize older Minnesotans to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
The latest release of AARP’s Nursing Home COVID-19 Dashboard depicts a worsening crisis from coast to coast, including Minnesota. In the four-week period ending December 20, 62.2% of nursing homes in Minnesota reported residents with confirmed cases of coronavirus, and 92.4% with at least one staff member diagnosed.