About AARP

After an extensive review of several very qualified applicants, AARP Vermont has selected Bethel, VT to receive a $15,000 sponsorship aimed at a downtown revitalization demonstration project slated for late this summer. AARP, town officials and local groups will be collaborating with Team Better Block to implement the Community Demonstration Project -- an approach to revitalization that begins with temporarily transforming a single block into a vibrant destination that illustrates the potential for new business, safer streets and improved livability. Typically, cities and towns have used their Better Blocks to set up farmers’ markets, beer gardens, bookstores and fruit stands. They’ve built swings and climbing areas, set up trampolines and presented school plays, local dance troupes and open-mike musicians. They often lead to more permanent neighborhood improvements.

The CommYOUnity Tech Talk is a free event co-hosted by AARP Vermont, Small Dog Electronics, and Technology for Tomorrow that will provide community members with free tech training.

As part of its ongoing efforts to help consumers avoid falling victim to identity theft, AARP Vermont is holding “ Shred Fest 2016” – an event to provide free shredding of personal financial documents and other sensitive records.

Every 2 seconds someone's identity is stolen! Sadly, older Vermonters are being targeted in great numbers. AARP Vermont and the Fraud Watch Network are working across Vermont to give you information and tools to protect yourself and your family from these cons. Free informational forums are being offered to community groups, senior centers, libraries, residential facilities and other organizations upon request. If you are interested, contact Elliott Greenblott at 802-254-4489 or egreenblott@aarp.org.

At AARP, we are all about real possibilities and helping you discover “What’s Next” in life.

How much have you saved for retirement? Five hundred dollars? Five thousand? Fifty thousand? If you have even $5 saved, you’re one step ahead of nearly half of working-age households — who have ZERO saved for retirement.

Most Vermonters feel that ratepayers should not bear the costs of a gas pipeline nor be subject to higher rates to fund Vermont Gas System’s (VGS) Adison Natural Gas Project, according to a recent survey by AARP Vermont of registered voters across the state. Furthermore, most of those surveyed said they would be more likely to support a candidate who committed to ensuring that regulators advocated for affordable residential utility rates. Most felt they needed better representation from regulators at the state level regarding utility costs and that there should have been far more transparency on the increasing costs of the VGS pipeline project.

AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins offered the following statement in reaction to the 2015 Medicare Trustees report released today:

Every 2 seconds someone's identity is stolen!!

Congratulations go out to Doug Masson of Cambridge who was recently recognized as Volunteer of the Year for the Northeast region of the AARP Driver Safety Program. Doug is well deserving of the award and is an example of the kind of volunteer who routinely goes above and beyond -- for both his students and in supporting the statewide program. Dave Peters, former state coordinator for Vermont shared the following upon nominating Doug for this recognition: