Jennifer Millea

-- Guest Blog By Kim Sirois Pita --

Did you know that only 31% of 4th graders in this country are able to read at a proficient level?

The following article is part of the AARP Connecticut 50+ Job-Seeker Series, featuring posts by AARP and local experts that are aimed at helping older workers take their job-hunting and career skills to the next level.

With romance scammers using the Internet to rob Americans of an estimated $81 million per year, AARP’s Fraud Watch Network today called on the online dating industry to institute new safeguards to better protect their users. AARP Connecticut and local Fraud Watch partners are inviting members and the general public to become involved in the national campaign by signing an online petition.

Looking for fun, educational and family-friendly entertainment this summer that won't break the bank? A new AARP local discount in Connecticut can help you spend quality time with friends and family, save you money and connect you with people and places in your community. Get to know AARP and other members this summer at AARP Free 4th Fridays at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo! AARP members receive free admission to Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo on the following dates in 2015:

AARP volunteers this week delivered nearly 1400 petitions signed by Connecticut residents to U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. Murphy's District Director, Ken Curran, visited AARP Connecticut in Hartford where staff and volunteers presented him with the petitions and urged the Senator to support efforts by the Department of Labor to close a loophole in the law that allows unscrupulous financial advisers to take advantage of hard-working Americans and line their own pockets.

IMPORTANT UPDATE, MAY 27, 2015: The Connecticut General Assembly gave final passage on May 27, 2015 to legislation (S.B. 573) that bans variable electric rates for residential customers and sets up a process for PURA to further investigate and make future recommendations to completely eliminate variable rates when a customer's contract expires. The bill now goes to the Governor for signature.

By Uri M. Overend-Allen, CPRW, MBTI Certified

A new survey of small business owners in Connecticut shows significant support for a public retirement savings plan that would encourage more people to save for their future and give small businesses a competitive edge in the marketplace.

AARP Connecticut is proud to sponsor the 2015 Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies set for August 21-29, featuring live world class tennis during a week-long festival of activities, booths, music and food. As the presenting sponsor of the "AARP Volunteer Village" at the Connecticut Open, we're also providing opportunities for you to see all the action up close and get behind the scenes at one of the area’s signature events, while giving back to your community as a Connecticut Open Volunteer!