November 2016
Volume 4 • Issue 11
AARP survey shows state’s residents not ready for retirement
Marine Corps veteran Steve Prince of Richland works for Vietnam Veterans of America to assist veterans from all branches to receive Veterans Affairs benefits.
BY KRISTINA LORD editor@tcjournal.biz
Social Security benefits to increase
Page 3
Q&A: What do you enjoy about your senior years?
Page 13
Tri-City area holiday bazaar listings
Page 15
save the date
Dec. 6 - 7 7 p.m. A Celtic Christmas Concert Uptown Theatre 1300 Jadwin Ave. Richland
The golden years imply the living is easy, affordable and carefree. The reality is that not very many people are financially prepared for life after retirement, according to a new study by AARP. “We have a retirement savings crisis,” said Cathy MacCaul, advocacy director for AARP Washington. Forty-five percent of Washington adults have less than $25,000 in retirement savings and many have even smaller retirement nest eggs, the study showed. More than 77 percent surveyed said they were confident they will retire and no longer work because it’s something they want to do and they think they will have enough money saved to afford to retire. Most said their income in their retirement years will come from money they have saved in a 401K or other personal savings tool, but three in five have never calculated how much money they will need in retirement, according to the survey. “Why aren’t people saving? You have family, you have other obligations, you’re saving for a house, you’re feeling stretched,” MacCaul said. MacCaul said AARP is engaging with its members to help connect them with their children and grandchildren and share information they’ve learned about retirement and savings. “Given how little many of us are putting away for our retirement years, it makes sense that some consumers feel anxious about their financial futures,” said Doug Shadel, AARP state director, in a news release. “But it’s even more troubling to see how many Washingtonians are unaware of just how unprepared they are.” uAARP, Page 2
Richland man’s mission is to get veterans their due BY KRISTINA LORD editor@tcjournal.biz
A Richland man who’s helped file more than 31,000 claims for VA assistance for veterans and their families is quick to shrug off any praise for his work. “I ain’t nothing but a secretary with hairy legs,” said Steve Prince, who served in the Marine Corps. The gruff but kind-hearted 64-yearold works at the Veterans Affairs office in Pasco helping veterans from World War II to Afghanistan file their paperwork. It’s a full-time gig. The veterans he’s assisted receive about $3 million a month in VA claims, he said. He’s been filing VA claims for about 21 years.
Prince is quick to point out that “it’s the vet who comes in with a problem” and that he’s just more familiar with the seven pages of instructions on the VA forms than most. Veterans must provide power of attorney for Prince to submit claims on their behalf. Prince has met veterans in airports, prisons, at the Fiery Foods Festival, senior homes and coffee shops. Some who served in the military suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and are afraid to walk into Prince’s office because they might feel confined. So Prince visits them elsewhere, said retired Army lieutenant colonel Skip Novakovich, president of the Port of Kennewick Commission. uVETERANS, Page 14
New nonprofit offers free home repairs for those in need BY JEFF MORROW for Senior Times
John Veysey watched with satisfaction as 60 volunteers helped spruce up five houses last month in a Pasco neighborhood near Shoshone and Third streets. Crystal Carter also was there and she was pleased too. “There are times in life where everybody needs a hand,” Carter said. “Together, we create this community we live in.” The Pasco neighborhood demonstration project was organized by Rebuilding Mid-Columbia, a new nonprofit whose
vision is “a safe and healthy home for every person.” Rebuilding Mid-Columbia, or RMC, is a volunteer organization which makes free home repairs for low-income homeowners who are elderly, disabled or have families with children. The group’s work helps preserve affordable housing, allows the elderly to age at home and keeps families with children or family members with disabilities safe in their home. There are few Tri-City organizations that can help people in need maintain their homes. uNONPROFIT, Page 9
PLEASE DELIVER TO CURRENT Occupant
Senior Times 8919 W. Grandridge Blvd., Ste. A1 Kennewick, WA 99336
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Pasco, WA PERMIT NO. 8778