DES MOINES, April 13, 2017 - Iowans of all ages are invited to join AARP Iowa, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and members of the Iowa Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division for a live, statewide teletown hall on impostor scams at 10 am, Tuesday, April 25, during Money Smart Week Iowa.

Des Moines, Iowa - It's tax time again and beginning February 1 through April 18, AARP Foundation is providing free tax assistance and preparation for Iowans through its Tax-Aide program.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 49th year, is the nation's largest free tax assistance and preparation service, offering free tax preparation help to anyone, especially those who are 50 and older, who cannot afford a tax preparation service

What: Public Form on Age Discrimination in the Workplace

Iowans affected by age discrimination in the workplace and those who are concerned about age discrimination on the job are invited to join AARP for a public forum with state and national AARP leaders, members of the media and the public to illustrate how important this issue is for the financial security of older workers in Iowa. The hearing is timed for Iowans to share their stories of age discrimination in the workplace as Congress considers legislation sponsored by Iowa Senators Tom Harkin (D) and Chuck Grassley (R), the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, (S. 1391, H.R. 2852).

When: Thursday, May 29, 2014

10:00 -10:40 a.m. - official remarks and stories of Iowans

10:40-11:00 a.m. - audience questions/comments

11:00 a.m. or immediately following end of comments - media availability with AARP national and state spokespersons

Where: The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd., SW, Cedar Rapids

What: Public Hearing on Age Discrimination in the Workplace

Iowans affected by age discrimination in the workplace and those who are concerned about age discrimination on the job are invited to join AARP for a public hearing with state and national AARP leaders, members of the media and the public to illustrate how important this issue is for the financial security of older workers in Iowa. The hearing is timed for Iowans to share their stories of age discrimination in the workplace as Congress considers legislation sponsored by Iowa Senators Tom Harkin (D) and Chuck Grassley (R), the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, (S. 1391, H.R. 2852).

When: Thursday, May 29, 2014

10:00 -10:40 a.m. - official remarks and stories of Iowans

10:40-11:00 a.m. - audience questions/comments

11:00 a.m. or immediately following end of comments - media availability with AARP national and state spokespersons

Where: The Hotel at Kirkwood Center - 7725 Kirkwood Blvd., SW, Cedar Rapids

Who:

Eric Schneidewind, AARP Board President-Elect (incoming), Grand Rapids, MI

Cheryl Matheis, Senior Principal Counsel, AARP External Affairs

Kent Sovern, AARP Iowa State Director

Jack Gross and stories from other Iowa victims of age discrimination

Why: According to a recent AARP national survey, Americans believe the problem of age discrimination in the workplace is widespread and growing worse.  About two-thirds (64 percent) of survey respondents think that people over age 50 face age discrimination in the workplace. Further, nearly one-third say they have faced discrimination themselves in the last four years or know someone who has.

Since the landmark Gross v. FBL Financial Services Supreme Court case of 2009 (involving Iowan Jack Gross) makes it more difficult for older workers to prove age discrimination, 82 percent of respondents believe that ruling makes it easier for employers to discriminate. More than three-fourths (78 percent) of respondents support the proposed Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act and want their members of Congress to support it.

Des Moines - AARP thanks the Iowa House and Senate for coming together and passing Senate File 2239, a bill that for the first time creates a definition of elder abuse and specific protections for older Iowans and their families against elder financial exploitation.

"We applaud the bipartisan work of Iowa lawmakers to create a definition of elder abuse and provide new protection from financial exploitation," said Kent Sovern, AARP Iowa State Director. "In tandem with the Iowa's new Uniform Power of Attorney Act, also passed by the General Assembly this session, Iowans can expect greater protection from the devastating effects of financial exploitation and abuse," said Sovern.

"This bill is a good compromise and a much-needed step toward better defense against financial exploitation, one of the most common types of elder abuse," said Sovern. The bill will allow Iowans to seek protective orders against perpetrators of financial exploitation to put a stop to this form of abuse. "While it is unfortunate this final bill does not include criminal sanctions as originally passed by both the House and Senate, we look forward to working with state leaders and stakeholders to establish criminal provisions next session."

For the past two years, AARP Iowa has been active on the Iowa Elder Abuse Taskforce, working with state leaders, advocates and other organizations appointed by the Iowa General Assembly to study the issue of elder abuse in our state and recommend actions to combat it.  Creating an elder abuse definition and better combatting financial exploitation were the top consensus taskforce recommendations.

AARP particularly thanks Rep. Lisa Heddens (D), Rep. Chip Baltimore (R) and Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm (D) for their leadership on this important protection for older Iowans and their families.

Protecting the financial security of older Iowans has been a top priority of AARP in Iowa and nationally. Since the Association's founding more than half a century ago, AARP has been at the forefront of fighting for protections against financial exploitation of older Americans in statehouses across the country.

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source.  AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands. More www.aarp.org.

Des Moines, March 26, 2014 - AARP applauds today's action by members of the Iowa House for their unanimous passage of much-needed uniform power of attorney legislation, Senate File 2168, a bill creating a Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA).  This vote follows yesterday's House passage of legislation defining financial exploitation of a vulnerable elder, Senate File 2239.  AARP advocated for enactment of both measures to help curb the growing problem of elder financial abuse in Iowa. 

"We commend members of the Iowa House of Representatives for working through the complexities of the issue of elder abuse and coming up with two very strong bills to better protect vulnerable Iowans and their families from this growing problem," said AARP State President Tony Vola. "AARP advocated passage of a Uniform Power of Attorney Act as the most important tool Iowa can use to combat the devastating problem of financial exploitation of elders. Together these bills give Iowans greater peace of mind with the assurance stronger protections against financial abuse and exploitation," said Vola.

Multiple national studies have found that financial exploitation is the most common and under-reported type of elder abuse, with estimates that one of every six adults over age 64 has been a victim of financial abuse.

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows someone to make decisions on behalf of someone else. A power of attorney document can be a useful tool in the event of future incapacity and can avoid the need for court appointment of a guardian or conservator. But power of attorney misuse and abuse can lead to dire consequences for the person it was meant to benefit.  

 

Many Iowans are fortunate to have a power of attorney agent who fulfills their responsibilities. This legislation addresses the unfortunate cases where an agent representing an older Iowan either fails to understand his or her responsibilities, misuses the power of attorney, or outright abuses the power of attorney, all of which hurt the individual and his or her family.

For the past two years, AARP Iowa has been active on the Iowa Elder Abuse Taskforce, working with state leaders, advocates and other organizations appointed by the Iowa General Assembly to study the issue of elder abuse in our state and recommend actions to combat it.  Passage of a strong Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA) was a consensus taskforce recommendation and a legislative priority of Iowa Bar Association. 

AARP urges the Iowa Senate to pass and the Governor to sign SF 2168 to more effectively address the growing problem of elder financial abuse in our state and help older Iowans and their families have the protections they need to take action against current and future abuse. 

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source.  AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands. Morewww.aarp.org

DES MOINES –"AARP is pleased federal officials and Iowa state officials have reached an agreement to provide health coverage to Iowa's over 100,000 adults, including over 17,000 Iowans between age 50 and 64, many of whom are working poor who lack coverage.  We are pleased state and federal leaders put people first and achieved a bipartisan compromise.  AARP looks forward to reading the important details of the final agreement."

--Kent Sovern, AARP State Director

 

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source.  AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.
New Study Shows 1 in 4 Iowans Has Experienced Hunger

DES MOINES - Most Iowans view hunger as an important problem in the state, with a third saying it is a very important issue, according to a new AARP Iowa survey released at the 2013 Iowa Hunger Summit, organized by the World Food Prize Foundation.

Findings also show that more than one in four Iowans surveyed said they had experienced food insecurity in their own household, and nearly half said that someone close to them has had limited access to adequate food on a regular basis due to not having enough money or other resources to buy food.

Forty-eight percent of Iowans said they think the number of families at risk for hunger has increased over the past two years, and 40 percent said they believe the need for places where those at risk can get free food or meals has increased, as well.

"Iowans, have a long history of humanitarian leadership against hunger at home and around the world, so it's not surprising that they rank hunger as an important problem for our state to address," said AARP Iowa State Director Kent Sovern. "What is surprising is that while about one in four Iowans has had direct experience with hunger in their household, almost half of Iowans know someone who has been food insecure. With increasing numbers of Iowans at risk for hunger there is a need for more resources to reduce food insecurity and we hope these survey results will focus more attention on the urgency of the issue and renew Iowans' desire to help in their communities."

Findings show Iowans are committed to fighting against hunger as more than half of Iowans responded that they have donated money or food to an organization providing food to those in need or directly to individuals in need in the last 12 months. In addition, far more Iowans surveyed indicated they would give more money and food, if asked.

"The generosity of Iowans really comes through in this survey," said Sovern. "And, the findings clearly indicate that people are willing to give more if asked. We hope our partners and all of Iowa's hunger advocates will be able to leverage these survey results to increase hunger relief in communities across our state through increased volunteer involvement and food and money donations. "

The survey finds that Iowans strongly approve (79.9 percent) of the State of Iowa's $1 million match of donations to Iowa food banks in 2014, and by about the same ratio, Iowans support AARP's role in working with the state of Iowa in fighting hunger for Iowans age 50 and above. Iowans believe that both the public and private sectors must work to reduce the number of families at risk for hunger as nearly three-quarters of the respondents indicated they see fighting hunger in the state as an issue best dealt with by state government working in conjunction with public and private organizations and individuals.

"These findings highlight the great work Iowans are doing to help fight food insecurity. The data also helps us to focus our attention and resources on those in greatest need." said Sovern.

AARP Iowa and AARP Foundation commissioned the statewide survey as part of their commitment to raise awareness of the issue food insecurity, particularly among older adults. The telephone survey of 800 Iowans age 18 and over was conducted by Precision Opinion between Sept. 6-16, 2013. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.5 percent.

Survey demographics identify respondents as roughly 50-50 male-female, ranging in age from 18-34 (30%), age 35-49 (27%); and age 50+ (43%).  Respondents are long-time Iowans, having lived in the state an average of 39 years, and for an average of 16 years at their current residence.  Almost 18 percent of respondents live on a farm.  The majority of respondents are voters, with 54% reporting they always vote and 26% reporting they vote most of the time.  Respondents identify political party affiliations as Republican (27%); Democrat (28%); Other (28%); No Party (11%).

A full copy of the survey is posted at www.aarp.org/ia or is available by contacting the AARP Iowa State Office at 515.697.1003 or emailing the office at ia@aarp.org

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About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

 

AARP Study Quantifies Social Security Benefits' Critical Contributions to National, State Economies

DES MOINES, Oct. 1 - A new study from the AARP Public Policy Institute calculates that each dollar paid to Social Security beneficiaries in Iowa generates nearly two dollars ($1.74) in spending by individuals and businesses, adding about $13.5 billion in total economic output to the Iowa economy - contributing to the $1.4 trillion total economic output Social Security added to the national economy - in 2012.  The report finds the $8.3 billion paid in Social Security benefits to Iowans in 2012 helped create or maintain more than 95,000 jobs.

Social Security's Impact on the National Economy details the powerful multiplier effect created when Social Security recipients spend their benefits and the companies that receive those dollars spend their profits and pay their employees, who in turn spend their wages. The report provides both national and state-level data.

"This report tells us that any adjustments Washington makes to Social Security will have a profound effect on individuals of all ages, businesses and our economy as a whole," said AARP State Director Kent Sovern.  "That's why AARP is fighting the chained CPI and calling for a national conversation about the future of Social Security - so those who paid into the system can have a voice in the debate and so future generations get the benefits they've earned."

AARP Iowa Associate State Director for Advocacy Anthony Carroll and AARP national leaders are visiting Capitol Hill offices today to deliver the report to Iowa's Members of Congress, along with a summary report of comments from more than 3,000 Iowans on their concerns about Social Security and Medicare collected by AARP during the 2013 Iowa State Fair.  Starting this week and continuing over the next 78 days - in honor of Social Security's 78th anniversary - AARP Iowa will be elevating the voices of Iowans about Social Security in daily social media activities.  In addition, AARP Iowa volunteers will also be delivering to more than 20,000 signed petitions to Congressional district offices representing Iowans opposed to the chained CPI.

Social Security benefit payments in 2012 supported more than $370 billion in salaries, wages and compensation for workers across the country. Of the more than nine million jobs supported by Social Security spending, about four million were in just ten industries. Nationally, the largest employment impacts were seen in the food services, real estate, health care and retail industries.

In addition to illustrating Social Security's vital role in supporting national and local economies, jobs and workers' incomes, this report reiterates the importance of Social Security as a vital source of income for millions of Americans. Social Security benefits keep 22 million people out of poverty, including more than 15 million older Americans, and serve as the foundation of a secure retirement for more than 435,929 Iowans age 65+ who receive Social Security benefits.

Social Security's Impact on the National Economy uses an economic modeling system known as IMPLAN to calculate the multiplier effect and trace the impact of Social Security spending through the national and state economies. View the full report and details on methodology here:

http://www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-09-2013/social-security-impact-on-the-national-economy-AARP-ppi-econ-sec.html

 

Additional resources are available at www.aarp.org/socialsecurity and www.earnedasay.org.

Noting Social Security's importance to millions of Americans including 445,043 Iowans, AARP continues work to protect and strengthen the program.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On the eve of the 78th anniversary of the creation of Social Security, which provides an average annual retirement benefit of $14,900 to 445,043 older Iowans AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond issued the following statement:

"In the years since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the legislation creating Social Security, it has become the foundation of retirement security in America, lifting tens of millions of seniors, as well as widows, children and people with disabilities, out of poverty. Declining pensions, inadequate savings, shrinking home values, and a difficult job market mean that the promise of Social Security will become increasingly important as today's workers approach retirement.

"Yet, some in Washington want to cut this invaluable program to reduce the deficit. Social Security is a self-financed program, not a piggy bank for deficit reduction. That's why AARP is fighting to stop Congress and the President from cutting Social Security benefits using the 'chained CPI,' a change that would hurt seniors already in retirement as well as veterans, women, children and disabled Americans. Just last week, AARP volunteers delivered to Congress more than 1.5 million signed petitions opposing the chained CPI.

"Social Security is too important to rush changes like the chained CPI, or increasing the eligibility age, into a budget deal. As we look to address Social Security's long-term financial challenges, we must think of the current and future beneficiaries who have earned their benefits and rely on them. Any adjustments to Social Security will affect individuals, families, businesses and our economy as a whole. That's why AARP is calling for a separate debate about responsible solutions that will ensure Social Security's strength for current and future generations.

"For 78 years, Americans have found peace of mind and a measure of financial stability in the modest but critical benefits provided by Social Security. As we reflect on its remarkable success, AARP looks forward to engaging with elected officials, business and non-profit leaders, and the American people in an open, honest conversation about how to strengthen Social Security for the future."

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