MARCH 2015
Helping Older Adults to Make Ends Meet By John Bowman
I
n order to balance their personal budgets, Marin County older adults need to become more resourceful than ever. Consider that Social
Security payments will increase 1.7 percent in 2015, while the Cost of Living average for the San Francisco Bay area is 2.7 percent higher than it was a year ago. And, older adults on average have 28 percent lower income
than people under age 65. According to the Census Bureau and the Public Policy Institute of California, median household income in 2013 was $60,190, but for those over 65, it was $43,495. continued on page 5 Photo by Trevor Henley Photography
Laurie Vermont, right, Whistlestop’s Volunteer Services Manager, waving her thrift store hat at a San Rafael Women of Industry event.
Whistlestop Source of $avings 16
Amazing Balancing Bird Act 11
Immigrating to USA is the ‘Bargain’ 13