Local Resources

AARP is excited to be working for its members again during the Maryland Legislative Session. Here are the main issues that we are fighting for in 2016.

While using cash or a debit card to pay for purchases prevents tacked-on interest charges and helps you to stay on budget, you should still pay with credit cards this holiday season because they are the most protective payment choice.

By Jackie B. Peterson: author, teacher, entrepreneur

One of AARP New Jersey’s newest volunteers, Jacqueline Robinson worked in the Pharmaceutical industry for the majority of her career. When she was downsized after working at her last company for 27 years, Jackie decided to step out on a limb – she opted to take the retirement package offered to her and start JRR Consulting, Inc., and the division “Retire and Reinvent” ( www.retireandreinvent.com). Because Jackie is passionate about helping people become the person they were meant to be, she became a Certified Seminar Leader. “I developed ‘Passion & Purpose: A Guide to Rewriting Life After Retirement,” said Jackie. “The goal of the seminar is to help professional Baby Boomer women define their passions and use them as a guide to their purpose.”

Every month, millions of Pennsylvanians receive their electric utility bill and I would guess that many of us look at the total, maybe grumble a little, then make a payment and go on with our business. I would also hazard a guess that most consumers don’t know how to read or understand their utility bills, and don’t know exactly what the charges are for or how one could be saving money. Do you know the difference between ‘supplier’ and ‘distributor’? Did you know that you can shop for your electric supplier, but not your distributor? How do you know where you could be saving money on your monthly electric utility bill and which costs are fixed?

AARP New Mexico is pleased to announce that it has awarded its highest honor, the 2015 AARP New Mexico Andrus Award for Community Service, to Ms. Janell Whitlock of Carlsbad.

By Pamela Schmid

The stress of the holiday season can be especially hard on family caregivers, and AARP Montana wants them to know relief is available. The Montana Lifespan Respite Voucher Program offers a break for Montanans who care for a parent, spouse or other loved one at home. Thanks to advocacy by AARP, grandparents raising grandchildren are eligible as well.

AARP Washington and more than 40 other advocacy and community service services organizations that advocate and serve thousands of older adults in King County and the State of Washington are deeply concerned that United Way’s new funding priorities will no longer include investments in programs that serve older adults and people with disabilities.

Save the date for these upcoming webinars covering Medicaid expansion in Montana.