New Brunswick, NJ – Ann Lippel has been selected by AARP, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and older, to receive the 2025 AARP New Jersey Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service.
As of November 1, 2025, millions of Americans—including many older adults—may not receive their monthly food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This disruption affects individuals living on fixed incomes, many of whom rely on SNAP to afford groceries and maintain their health.
Starting January 2026, Social Security payments will increase by 2.8%. This cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) means the average monthly retirement payment will rise by about $56, from $2,015 to $2,071. Survivor benefits will go up by roughly $52, and disability payments will increase by $44. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will see their first boosted payment on December, payable in January 2026.
This November, join AARP Long Island (New York) in recognizing National Family Caregivers Month with discounts, resources and information around AARP’s HomeFit at participating Costello’s ACE Hardware stores, across Nassau and Suffolk this November.
In August, AARP testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging to spotlight a growing threat to Americans: fraud carried out by translational organized crime groups. Operating openly abroad, these networks are draining billions of dollars from victims, local communities and economies every year. Older adults are navigating a minefield of increasingly sophisticated scams that threaten not only their lifetime savings but even their homes, independence, and health. Money that was saved for retirement is instead supporting illicit activity around the world.
While the recent announcement of a 2.8% cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment for Social Security is great news for all Wisconsinites on the program, we know that more can be done to help our state’s residents age with dignity, purpose, and financial security during these difficult economic times.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we wanted to spotlight our incredible volunteer, Pablo Rojas, and have asked him to share his favorite recipe from Ecuador.