Senior citizens represent a growing segment of New York’s population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 13 percent of New Yorkers are over the age of 65 and two percent are 85 or older. Nationwide, the median age of the U.S. population continues to rise (the median age in New York is 37.7 years), with the ratio of women to men aged 65 or older increasing steadily.

While the challenges facing our senior citizens are varied, many programs are available through federal, State and local governments that can help you hold onto more of your hard earned money.

If you have any questions about programs for seniors in New York State, please contact the New York State Office for the Aging’s Senior Citizen Helpline at 1-800-342-9871. The federal government provides a central access point where seniors can link to agencies and information to address health care, housing, retirement, and other concerns.

The Affordable Care Act is intended to provide greater savings to individuals and families and increased quality health care. You can learn more about how the law impacts your Medicare benefits by reading a brochure from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or 1-800-633-4227.

In addition, other State and federal resources are designed to strengthen the financial futures of our senior citizens. Learn more about:

• Reverse Mortgages
• Health Care
• Saving & Investing
• Retirement and Estate Planning
• Social Security
• Scams and Frauds

 

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