Congratulations to AARP Maine Volunteer Advocate, Jessica Linzer, on her reappointment to the Maine Retirement Savings Board!

On March 1^st, the HCIFS committee unanimously voted to reappoint Jessica Linzer to the Maine Retirement Savings Board! Jessica's term will be four years.

Following is the testimony from AARP Maine Volunteer State President, Carl Bucciantini, from the hearing:

The Following is Testimony in Support of the Reappointment of Jessica Linzer to Serve on the Maine Retirement Savings Board by Carl Bucciantini, AARP Maine Volunteer State President

Senator Bailey, Representative Perry and Honorable Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services. I am Carl Bucciantini, the Volunteer State President for AARP Maine. On behalf our more than 200,000 members statewide, I am testifying in support of Jessica Linzer’s re-nomination to the Maine Retirement Savings Board.

Jessica Linzer was a leader in championing the benefits of the legislation related to the creation of the Maine Retirement Savings Board. Of note is that Board members are charged with leading the research and development of the Maine Retirement Savings Program to best benefit participating Maine workers and their futures. Jessica understands the value of saving for retirement and that reliance on government programs is not sufficient. With the background knowledge gained from her career experience in the Social Security Administration, she is well-suited to perform the tasks required of members of the Maine Retirement Savings Board.

I have known Jessica since I first became involved with AARP Maine. She is passionate in her beliefs about financial security in retirement, and, she has already shown great integrity and reliability during her initial tenure on the Board. Most importantly, she is a strong advocate of older adults, particularly retired persons, and will continue to represent that voice on the Board.

I whole-heartedly urge you to vote to re-confirm Jessica Linzer as a member of the Maine Retirement Savings Board.

Thank you,
Carl Bucciantini
Volunteer State President AARP Maine

The following is part of Jessica's own statement to the HCIFS and what it means to her to be re-nominated to serve on the Maine Retirement Savings Board:

"Being re-nominated by Governor Mills to represent the interest of retirees and employees on the board is once again humbling and a great honor.  I am a retiree, from the federal government, after a 35 year career with the Social Security Administration in Manhattan and Elizabeth NJ.  I began as a new college graduate and retired as a “Technical Expert”, a senior employee/mentor assigned the most difficult and complex cases to adjudicate.   My husband Henry and I retired to Maine in 2010.

In Maine, I am still involved with two organizations that address issues of vital importance to retirees and financial security in retirement.  The first is NARFE- National Active and Retired Federal Employees.  Being the legislative liaison for the Casco Bay Chapter of NARFE now for 11 years and counting, I report to our group monthly, mainly about pay and benefit issues surrounding workers and retirees.

I very much want to continue this work and be there as the program goes live by making financial security through a ROTH IRA an integral part of Mainers future. 

I am so excited by the work taking place on the board.  We have chosen an excellent Executive Director, sent out RFP’s and RFI’s for marketing, branding, program design, investment advisor candidates, drafted a mission statement and more.   I volunteered to be on the subcommittee to meet with other states to explore partnerships and met virtually with 4 state entities.  I have attended all board meetings, and am an active and engaged board member who is not afraid to ask questions."
 

Congratulations, Jessica, and THANK YOU for all your tremendous efforts on behalf of working Mainers and their families!