Building great communities takes time – but small, tangible improvements can spark lasting change. That’s the idea behind the AARP Community Challenge, a grant program launched in 2017 to support quick-action projects that enhance livability nationwide.
Starting January 1, 2026, Minnesota workers will have access to Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)—a new state benefit that provides financial support and job protection when you need time away from work to care for yourself or a loved one.
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.
Gayle Brown Olson has been awarded the 2025 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service for Minnesota. The annual award is AARP’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award.
Voters age 50 and older were the deciding factor in last year’s midterm elections, according to the National Election Pool Exit Poll results. The findings confirmed that 50-plus voters made up the majority of voters 64% in Minnesota, and Candidates who ignored older voters, Minnesota’s most powerful voting group, paid a price on Election Day.
A network of Fraud Fighter volunteers with AARP Minnesota educate our members and the public about consumer fraud and identity theft. They offer formal presentations to community groups, but also spread the word with their family and friends to help everyone avoid financial crime.
As the year begins, AARP Minnesota is seeking advocacy volunteers to help bring the voices of older Minnesotans to St. Paul in order to provide their perspective on important issues such as elder abuse, prescription drug costs and support for family caregivers.
AARP Minnesota members can look forward to another year of craft brewery gatherings in 2019. AARP MN is building on several successful years of partnering with craft breweries and their local food shelves for charity. Bring a non perishable food item or make a monetary donation and AARP will buy you a craft brew and give you a tour of the brewery.