Local Resources

AARP Kansas is pleased to once again to be part of the Financial Freedom Expo, set for Saturday, April 16, in Wichita. The Expo will provide participants with a wide variety of information and resources to promote financial literacy. This free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Urban Preparatory Academy located at 2821 E. 24th Street.

Every 2 seconds, someone’s identity gets stolen. That’s why AARP launched the Fraud Watch Network – to arm people of all ages with the tools they need to spot and avoid scams.

AARP Kansas is now in a new location in Topeka. In October 2015, the office was relocated to space on the southwest side of the city. The new address is 6220 SW 29 th Street, Suite 300, Topeka, Kansas 66614. The building is shared with the Community Blood Bank.

Trained volunteers are available throughout Kansas from now until April 15 to help taxpayers prepare their tax returns. AARP Foundation is again providing free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low to moderate income through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 48th year, is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention the older population. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.

Now that 2015 has come to a close, tax season is just around the corner and with it comes our nation’s largest scam: IRS fraud. IRS scams are the most common con and pose a continued threat to the American taxpayer. Using threats and intimidation, phony IRS agents have stolen millions of dollars out of the pockets of hard working Americans. Each year we see more sophisticated tools and technology being used to generate doubt and panic in even the most logical and educated taxpayer.

By Gabrielle Armstrong, AARP Kansas Intern *

If you live in or near Wichita, please join AARP for the Grandparents Park Fall Festival on Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. until noon. The park, located near Estelle and Kellogg in south Wichita, will be full of activity with live music, pumpkin painting, balloon art, face painting, free snacks, drinks and more.

Help people and give your mind a workout, too…..

Many of us have been to a retreat of some sort, either through our jobs, churches, or through community groups. But have you ever participated in a caregiver's retreat?

If you’re a Westar Energy customer, are you ready to see your utility bills go up? That’s what’s going to happen if the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) grants Westar’s request for a $152 million (almost 8%) annual rate increase. Residential customers with average monthly consumption of 900 kilowatt hours of electricity would have an average monthly increase of $13.