AARP Hosts Maui Forums on Health and Retirement Security

AARP Hawaii.

By Wendy Osher

AARP Hawaii hosts a discussion on Maui today about the future of Medicare and Social Security today.

The ‘You’ve Earned a Say’ events take place in Kula and Wailuku on Monday, April 16 and are free and open to the public.  Registration is requested by calling 1-877-926-8300 or registering online.

The first session runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Kula Community Center.  The second session takes place this afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Maui Economic Opportunity offices in Wailuku.

The launch of ‘You’ve Earned a Say’ coincides with the release of a national survey of adults showing strong belief in the importance of Social Security and Medicare, but lack of confidence in the programs being there throughout retirement.

According to the AARP, over nine in ten adults, or 96% believe that Social Security is important to people’s financial security in retirement, but only about half believe it will be there for them throughout their retirement.  Similar statistics were reported for Medicare.

In a 2011 survey of Hawaii adults age 50 and older, nearly nine in ten residents said receiving Social Security was extremely or very important. Nearly half of Hawaii respondents said that health care is the top problem or challenge facing mid-life or older adults.