What does elder economic security mean for New Jersey?

Our New Jersey partner, the New Jersey Foundation for Aging blogs today about the great service programs in their state that help move elders toward economic security.

The New Jersey Foundation for Aging (NJFA) will be releasing the New Jersey Elder Economic Security Initiative (NJ-EESI) next week. In preparation for these events, we have reached out to many stakeholders who share our concerns for Economic Security for people of all ages.

In these difficult economic times, it is easy to see how “aging into poverty” will become a serious issue. With the launch of the Initiative, NJFA is encouraging many people to advocate for economic security. We hope that legislators and policy makers will see the need to use the Elder Index as a bench mark for program eligibility. NJFA wants seniors themselves to see this data and become aware of support programs that they may qualify for. Furthermore, we hope all citizens of New Jersey will access the data and be proactive in advocating for, not only the economic security of seniors, but also for all generations.

There are many great programs to be commended in New Jersey, such as the Global Options Medicaid Waiver program and the Property Tax Reimbursement (Senior Freeze) program. There are also many valuable programs that can be expanded and made more accessible to seniors and intergenerational households. NJFA will continue to advocate for any supports that can help elders to close the gap. One in four seniors in NJ rely solely on Social Security as income, at an average of $14,285, that leaves many elders in a position where they may have to cut spending on food or medication. The stakeholders involved with NJ-EESI believe that elders deserve to age with dignity.

Civic Ventures Blogs About Elders!

Civic Ventures, an organization aimed at making sure elders have economic security through quality employment, shares its thoughts today.

Encore careers are one of many routes to a more holistic approach to ensuring the economic security of older Americans. To make certain that others understand the importance of encore careers in this holistic approach, please help us spread the word on how your encore career has made a difference in your life and others by blogging about your transition on May 1, during the "Blog About It: Elder Economic Security"event, sponsored by the Elder Economic Security Initiative team at Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW).

WISER Blogs About Women's Economic Security

The Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement, an event co-sponsor, blogs today about women specifically and their lives in retirement. Check out the post here!

"Blog About It" Featured on the Huffington Post

Our co-sponsor, the Coalition on Human needs, have their "Blog About It" post featured on the Huffington Post. Check it out!

National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment Blogs About It!

The National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment, an event co-sponsor, blogs about the current economic crisis and how it's affecting elders.

As the current economic crisis deepens, the assets and net worth of older adults and younger people with disabilities – like that of all Americans – are also shrinking, forcing many to choose once again between paying for medications and paying for food or energy bills. However, as we mark the beginning of Older Americans Month, it is important to remember that there is a safety net for older adults – particularly those in need. Programs such as the Medicare Part D Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), the Medicare Savings Programs (MSP), Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as Food Stamps), State Pharmacy Assistance Programs (in many states), and more provide much-needed, valuable benefits for seniors with limited means.

Yet despite the existence of this safety net (and much intense outreach and enrollment work on the part of national, state and local agencies), millions of seniors who have limited incomes and resources qualify for, but are not yet enrolled in programs that help pay for prescription drugs, medical care, food or heat for their homes. Estimates show that somewhere between 1.8 and 3 million Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for, but not receiving, LIS. The enrollment rate in one of the MSPs is only 13 percent, and only about one-third of eligible seniors participate in SNAP.

At the National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment at the National Council on Aging, we are working to improve access to benefits for seniors and younger adults with disabilities, and we invite you to join us in this important work. You can find out if you or someone you know qualifies for benefits through BenefitsCheckUp, our free, confidential online Web service. Or if you’re an organization working on benefits access issues, email us to let us know how you’re working to improve benefits access for seniors in your state. We look forward to hearing from you!

Pension Rights Center Blogs About Elder Economic Security

The Pension Rights Center, an event co-sponsor, is blogging today about the needs of elders on their blog, Perspectives. Check it out!

Thoughts from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare , an event co-sponsor, shares their thoughts today on what needs to be done for elders, regarding health care, to attain economic security on their blog. Check it out!