Social Security has struggled with customer service for years. Declining staffing and funding has seen the Social Security Administration (SSA) leaving District residents in the lurch, dealing with long wait times on the phone and in Social Security offices, getting busy signals on the phone, or sometimes simply being unable to reach anyone for their customer service needs. SSA recently scrapped a proposed service change that would have forced many older District residents to have to go in-person to a Social Security office for routine services that have been handled over the phone.
Throughout 2024, AARP DC continued to advocate for policies to empower District residents to improve their lives and choose where and how they live as they age. AARP DC has a long history of supporting older District residents who want to live independently as they age. This year, AARP DC fought for issues that matter most to seniors, their families and caregivers.
The District of Columbia has some impressive statistics to describe recent successes. What do these statistics say about the age-friendliness of the District? How are its health and social services? How is community and civic participation? What about its public spaces and transportation like? What about housing? When you think about how the city is making the District more age-friendly for all residents, but especially the age 50+ residents, what rating would you give the District? Choose one: POOR, FAIR, GOOD, VERY GOOD OR You DON'T KNOW, and tell us why you gave the District that rating.
If you or someone you know is planning to attend inaugural activities during this time, here are some considerations to share and use from the District of Columbia Office on Aging:
AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond has reiterated the Association’s opposition to including a cut to the benefits of current and future Social Security recipients as part of a year-end budget deal via a formula change known as Chained CPI. She offered the following statement:
Some are considering cramming changes to Medicare and Social Security into a year-end budget deal to avoid the "fiscal cliff." If the Medicare eligibility age goes up to 67, then 9,351, District seniors will be kicked off Medicare. More data at http://www.kff.org/medicare/med032911nr.cfm. Private insurance will cost them $2,200 a year more, and all Medicare beneficiaries' premiums will increase if the youngest and healthiest beneficiaries are dropped from the program.
Join AARP for a free screening of the award-winning documentary, Age of Champions, about inspiring, older athletes who compete for gold at the National Senior Olympics, such as the Tatum brothers from DC. Watch the trailer and RSVP for free tickets at www.ageofchampions.org/DC or call 1-877-926-8300.
Join AARP for a free screening of the award-winning documentary, Age of Champions, about inspiring, older athletes who compete for gold at the National Senior Olympics, such as the Tatum brothers from DC. Watch the trailer and RSVP for free tickets at www.ageofchampions.org/DC or call 1-877-926-8300.
The Vida Senior Centers, one of the oldest Latino organizations serving seniors in the District of Columbia, and the AARP District of Columbia State Office celebrated the establishment of Vida’s Multicultural Club, AARP DC’s first “community group, Vida’s Multicultural Club. The club is organized according to a new AARP model which recognizes the dynamics of today’s diverse environment and the desire for a more flexible approach to local gatherings that can be connected to AARP.