A New Year’s resolution for those unable to retire

Our most conspicuous work takes place in Washington, D.C., where we fight on a daily basis to defend against harmful cuts to the retirement lifelines -- Social Security and Medicare – on which the vast majority of older Americans rely. At the state and local levels, everyday people support our efforts by making their voices heard. In November, AARP Rhode Island delivered the names of some 8,455 petitioners who urged the state’s congressional delegation to prevent those programs from becoming bargaining chips in the effort to reduce the federal deficit. Social Security and Medicare did not cause the deficit.

How important is Social Security to Rhode Islanders? For starters, 94 percent of Rhode Islander 65 and older collect benefits, and, according to the latest statistics, 37 percent of those collecting would be living below the poverty line if not for Social Security.

Also important in these tough economic times, Social Security pumped $2.6 billion into the Rhode Island economy last year. Think about it. Few retirees salt away their monthly checks to save for the future. Instead, they spend money on goods and services – and that means supporting Rhode Island businesses and Rhode Island jobs. Would cuts in Social Security benefits be good for our state?

Arguably, most everybody is now looking at retirement and collecting Social Security in a whole new light. Not that long ago, people anticipated turning 62 or 65 and the day they could quit their jobs, settle back and enjoy life. My hat is off to those people that worked hard, succeeded at saving for retirement and are all set at age 62. If you are one of those people, raise your hand. That’s what I thought. We could hold that convention in a phone booth.

So it comes as no surprise that in this age of economic uncertainty, most people approaching what we used to call “retirement age” have no immediate plans to stop working.

A recent Associated Press report quoted AARP Vice President of Financial Security Jane Setzfand as saying the idea of a set retirement at age 65 is changing as companies drop pensions and people are living longer and staying healthier. “Our belief here,” she added, “is we want people to work as long as they desire to do so.”

And so they are.

U.S. Department of Labor statistics show that the number of people 75 and older who work full time or part time has risen from about 487,000, or 4.2 percent, in 1990, to 1.2 million, or 6.9 percent, last year.

There was a great article recently in “AARP the Magazine” that pointed out that the longer you work the better off you will be financially. In the best situations, you will continue to earn full wages and receive paid benefits, including health care; you can continue to pay into your 401k plan (instead of living off it); and by pushing back the age when you collect Social Security, you will earn higher benefits when you do retire.

And that gets me to a New Year’s resolution.

If working into your 70s is your plan for retirement security, make a commitment to improve your health. Don’t take present good health for granted. Never doubt that there is room for increasing your chances of working and living longer by taking better care of yourself.

Exercise and good eating habits obviously are important. Staying in shape can even be fun if you find the right activity and discover that healthier eating does not necessarily mean starving yourself of foregoing every pleasure. And get regular medical checkups. Early intervention is a critical factor.

Need a motive? First, imagine what happens to your just-keep-working retirement security plan if you are unable to work past 65. Then, consider how great you will feel if you retire later and retire in better health. You’ll settle down to a much happier life.

In an unrelated matter, please join me in congratulating Jorge Cardenas, recipient of the AARP Rhode Island 2011 Andrus Award for Outstanding Community Service. Also recognized at our December awards luncheon were volunteer leaders Alan Neville (advocacy); Julia Valles (community presence); Tia Scigulinsky (education) and Antony Ballirano (driver education). Furthermore, thanks to all our volunteers who help make possible the work of AARP Rhode Island.


Kathleen S. Connell is state director of AARP-Rhode Island. She can be contacted at kcon-nell@aarp.org.