Money

On behalf of our more than 237,000 members, AARP Utah is working to pass legislation and support policies that empower all Utahns to choose how they live as they age.

“I’m not going to let them win,” Joyce, from Utah, said through tears as she shared what happened to her last year. She never imagined she would fall victim to a scam, but in just a few months, she lost her entire savings of over $1 million to criminals who knew exactly how to exploit her trust and vulnerability.

According to an AARP survey, 61% of older adults are worried they will not have enough money to support themselves in retirement, and 20% of older adults have no retirement savings at all.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides free tax assistance with several preparation options now through April 15.

It’s a tax break right there for the taking — but many Utah residents aren’t taking it.

State retirees paid into Social Security throughout their working lives and now count on it to make ends meet. What they don’t appreciate is having to pay state taxes on that vital retirement money. But Utah is one of 13 states that tax Social Security income.

by Micah Festerly, Management and Program Analyst in Taxpayer Outreach, Partnership and Education with the IRS

Social Security turns 80 on August 14, 2015 and has fulfilled the promise made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt when he signed it into law, that it would “protect the average citizen and his family against the loss of a job and against poverty-ridden old age.” It has done just that. In Utah alone, Social Security lifts 94,000 Utah retirees from poverty; 42 percent of the state’s population age 65 and older would have incomes below the poverty line without Social Security. [1]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new survey of internet users shows that the freedom and convenience of public wireless networks may come at a cost. Nearly half failed a quiz about online and wireless safety, while tens-of-thousands admit to engaging in activity that could put them squarely in the sights of hackers looking to steal their personal information.

The following press release was issued by AARP on Tuesday, June 16.