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.
A new AARP survey, released in conjunction with Social Security’s 90th anniversary, confirms that Americans highly value Social Security, and even more so than five years ago. The vast majority of Americans – 95% of Republicans, 98% of Democrats, and 93% of Independents – consider Social Security vital to the financial security of all Americans, and 67% believe it is even more important for retirees than it was five years ago.
This past summer, AARP Virgin Islands (AARP VI), in partnership with the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, successfully convened the first two of three Elder Justice Summit sessions. These gatherings brought together legislators, financial professionals, advocates, legal professionals, first responders, law enforcement, and mandated reporters. The consensus was clear: existing protections are insufficient. Findings from the first two sessions have shaped AARP VI’s legislative priorities, and the organization has pledged to lead the charge in advancing changes that will safeguard the financial futures of our elders.
AARP VI has already briefed Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Avery L. Lewis, Kurt A. Vialet, Kenneth L. Gittens, and Marvin A. Blyden of the 36th Legislature, and has engaged the Lieutenant Governor’s Office.
Scams and data breaches are in the news a lot. Considering myself a savvy consumer, I had never been the victim of either. I had taken what I thought were all the appropriate steps to protect myself.
AARP Maryland is proud to announce Sara M. Westrick’s appointment as its new advocacy director. Ms. Westrick will lead AARP Maryland’s legislative strategy, working closely with volunteers, legislators, and community partners to champion issues that matter most to older adults—from caregiving and health care to financial security and livable communities.
Let’s face it, New Jersey weather doesn’t mess around. One minute it’s sunny and calm, the next minute we’re watching the radar like it’s a thriller movie. Hurricanes, floods, nor’easters… we’ve seen it all. And while we can’t control Mother Nature, we can control how ready we are when she decides to stir things up.