BenefitsCheckUp a Helpful Resource for Retirement

Washington, DC – December 27, 2010 – In January, the first wave of baby boomers will start the New Year by reaching a series of significant milestones. This generation will begin turning 65, and as a result of entering into the age of retirement, will start to become eligible for various benefits, including Medicare. It is helpful for this aging population to learn about important benefits programs that may be available to them at this stage in their lives, regardless of whether or not they plan to retire anytime soon.

Baby boomers can use BenefitsCheckUp, a free online screening service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), to learn about Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, as well as to get information for over 2,000 federal, state, and local benefits programs for which they may be eligible.

“In this day and age where retirement doesn’t come cheap or easy, it helps to have a resource like BenefitsCheckUp to serve as a guide for programs that may provide help during these years,” said Stuart Spector, senior vice president at NCOA. “Signing up for the appropriate benefits in a timely fashion can result in a happier retirement.”

As the first wave of baby boomers come of age and become eligible for Medicare at the beginning of next year, it’s a good time to use BenefitsCheckUp to find out about available prescription drug benefits, including Medicare Part D, and if they qualify for the Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help). Using the online service, baby boomers can also discover whether they are eligible for additional benefits that help pay for health care, energy bills, food, and other household costs. It is as simple as completing an online questionnaire at www.benefitscheckup.org.

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About NCOA The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for older Americans – especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged – and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities. For more information, please visit www.NCOA.org.

About BenefitsCheckUp
Developed and maintained by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), BenefitsCheckUp is the nation’s most comprehensive Web-based service to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources. It includes almost 2,000 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Since 2001, more than 2.6 million people have used the service, identifying benefits valued at more than $9.3 billion. For more information, visit www.benefitscheckup.org.

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National and Community-based Organizations help Older Americans Make Ends Meet in Tough Times

Washington, DC – December 2, 2010 – The National Council on Aging (NCOA) and Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced a partnership to provide one-on-one financial assistance for older adults in six communities across the U.S. that have been hard hit by the recession. With a $275,000 grant from the Foundation, NCOA and the newly established Economic Security Centers, located in Baltimore, Detroit, Houston, San Francisco, Trenton, and Orange County, NY, will serve over 1,200 vulnerable older adults over the next year.

The Economic Security Centers will provide a comprehensive assessment of all financial, health, housing, and employment needs and will assist seniors in finding and applying for public and private services, including benefits, to help them survive and thrive in these tough economic times.

In spite of recent stories highlighting the oncoming wave of well-off retiring seniors, recent data indicates that millions of seniors are struggling to maintain their most basic economic security. The unemployment rate for seniors aged 55+ is at an all-time high (7%) and it takes these workers an average of eleven months to secure new employment (Source: Oct. 2010 BLS). After months of searching, some seniors have given up. Frustrated by the economy, over 2 million older adults have filed early for Social Security, taking a reduced monthly rate at a time when they can least afford to do so.

“These are extremely tough times for seniors in America,” said Sandra Nathan, senior vice president for economic security at NCOA. “This collaboration provides the tools and resources that seniors need to empower themselves to make more informed and fruitful economic decisions.”

“As an increasing number of low-income seniors struggle financially, we are pleased to partner with the National Council on Aging to help build their financial security,” said Kerry Sullivan, president, Bank of America Charitable Foundation. “Providing integrated services from job placement to health and transportation resources is essential to promoting economic self-sufficiency and stability to a population in need.”

In addition to supporting one-on-one services, the centers will coordinate community-wide discussions among over 60 national and local stakeholders on how to better assist seniors in need. NCOA and Bank of America will also work together on helping connect more seniors to the public benefits and income support to which they are entitled as well as leverage bank associate volunteers to increase senior awareness on personal economic issues.

The following local organizations are working with NCOA and Bank of America on this campaign:

Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (CASH) Campaign is leading outreach and direct service efforts in Baltimore, in partnership with community partners such as the United Way of Central MD, City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education, Baltimore County Office on Aging, Catholic Charities’ Senior Community Services Employment Program, MD Volunteer Lawyers Service, and the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of MD & DE.

The Detroit Area Agency on Aging is leading outreach and direct service efforts in partnership with AARP MI, the Community Foundation of Southeast MI, Elder Law of MI, Wayne County Department of Human Services, and United Way of Southeastern MI.

Care for Elders in Houston will lead outreach and direct service efforts in partnership with United Way of Houston, City of Houston Health and Human Services, Family Services of Greater Houston, Harris County Social Services, Catholic Charities, Jewish Family Service, Boat People SOS, Neighborhood Centers, Inc., and the Chinese Community Center, all members of the Care for Elders Access Network.

The Family Services Agency of San Francisco will lead outreach and direct service efforts focused on San Francisco in partnership with about 15 other community partners.

NCOA’s Senior Community Service Employment Program Resource Center in Trenton and greater Mercer County, NJ is leading efforts in partnership with the New Jersey Foundation on Aging.

PathStone Corporation in New York is spearhead efforts from offices in rural Middletown and will extend to surrounding Dutchess and Sullivan counties.

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About NCOA
The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for older Americans – especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged – and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities. For more information, please visit www.NCOA.org.

About Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, last year Bank of America embarked on a new, 10-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation gave more than $200 million in 2009, making the bank one of the largest corporate cash donors in the United States. Bank of America approaches investing through a national strategy under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities. Reaffirming a commitment to develop and sustain a culture of service, the bank announced the “Million Hour Challenge,” a pledge by the company’s associates around the world to donate 1 million volunteer hours by the end of 2010. In 2009, bank associate volunteers contributed more than 800,000 hours to enhance the quality of life in their communities nationwide. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.

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