The Gerontology Institute: The First Years, 1984-1987

During the first years of its existence, the Gerontology Institute has worked with older people to convert retirement years into opportunities for continuous growth and learning, while simultaneously seeking to re-examine social, political, and economic roles for elders in society. It is hoped that through such engagement of older individuals, the Institute has inspired a more positive attitude in society towards its aging population

The Massachusetts Elder Economic Security Index (2011)

The Elder Economic Security StandardTM Index measures the income that Massachusetts’ seniors need to maintain independence and meet their basic living expenses in the community. The Elder Index uses an income measure that reflects the actual expenses for basic needs of older adults, and includes cost estimates for housing, food, medical care, transportation, and household essentials. Elder Index values are calculated for each state, on a county-by-county basis, providing policy makers and individuals a benchmark for determining what income or governmental supports are needed in their communities

The Older Population in Massachusetts, 1980-1990

Massachusetts and the nation are aging! People 65 and older are growing in numbers more rapidly than other younger segments of the population, and the unprecedented growth of this group has created new demands on and new opportunities for every major sector of American life. But if we are to make constructive plans for an aging society, we must have sound information on the major changes in the make-up of the population. This report shows how the older populations in Massachusetts and in the United States have changed in the decade between 1980 and 1990. It is designed to serve the basic information needs of ordinary citizens, of organizations working with the elderly, and of the mass media. At the core of the report are a set of tables. Some show changes that took place during the last decade in Massachusetts and in the country as a whole. Others show the relationships between major variables for Massachusetts in 1990. Supplementing the tables is a brief text that highlights major findings. In addition, some of the results are illustrated in graphic form as well as tables

The National Elder Economic Security Standard Index

The Elder Economic Security Standard Index (Elder Index) is a new tool for use by policy makers, older adults, family caregivers, service providers, aging advocates, and the public at large. Developed by the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston and Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW), the Elder Index is a measure of income that older adults require to maintain their independence in the community and meet their daily costs of living, including affordable and appropriate housing and health care. The development and use of the Elder Index promotes a measure of income that respects the autonomy goals of older adults, rather than a measure of what we all struggle to avoid—poverty

Long-Term Care Policy: Where Are We Going?

Millions of Americans suffer from physical or mental conditions that make it difficult for them to live fully independent lives. These are the frail elderly, disabled and chronically ill persons of all ages, and many mentally ill or mentally retarded persons. They need help to manage daily activities, whether they live in their own homes or in nursing homes. Such care can be extremely expensive, since it often must be provided for many years, even a lifetime. Today, those costs are met largely by the individuals themselves or by their families and by public programs for low-income persons. For many years, persons in the U.S. in need of long-term care have struggled along with a patchwork system of private financing, insufficient state and federal funding, and limited private insurance. But today there is a new awareness and a new public focus on the difficulties that disabled and chronically ill Americans face in obtaining and paying for long-term care services. This report examines the background of the long-term care issue and the debate that has developed in Congress on how to address concerns about the financing and availability of long-term care

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI): A Program of the Gerontology Institute

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UMass Boston is the largest lifelong learning program in Massachusetts. It was established in 1999 as a learning community to enrich the intellectual, social, and cultural lives of adults aged 50 and older. One of our objectives is to build a sense of community – a social connection among members. In additions to our courses, we offer this opportunity through several social events a year: a holiday party, a Boston harbor cruise, museum trips, attendance at theatre events, overnight trips, and international trips. OLLI has helped the university to secure over $4 million endowments from the Osher Foundation and state matching funds. Part of the funding is used to provide scholarships to at least 10 undergraduate students each year

Pension Action Center

The Pension Action Center (PAC) strives to improve retirees’ and workers’ standard of living in retirement through individual case advocacy; referrals to appropriate programs and professionals; and issue analysis and reform of public policy. The center, which is part of the Gerontology Institute at UMass Boston, focuses on the experience of participants in retirement plans throughout its work. The PAC is a one-of-a-kind organization in New England that touches the lives of thousands of people

Lump Sum vs Annuity Payments: Which is right for me?

As employers are looking to reduce pension plan liabilities, more and more participants are being given the option to receive a one-time lump sum payment from their pension plan in lieu of receiving monthly annuity payments for life. Deciding on which form of pension benefit to take is a very important decision that requires careful consideration. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. While a lump sum may make sense for one person, it may be a serious mistake for another. And it is a decision that you will have to live with for the rest of your life. Anyone who accepts the lump-sum offer will lose the benefits of a lifetime income stream and will be responsible for taking care of their own investments and making sure the money lasts through retirement. This fact sheet will briefly discuss the benefits and risks of lump sum and annuity payments in order to help you achieve a better understanding of your payment options

Gender and Marital Status Differences in Retirement Planning

During the past decades, women have increasingly joined the labor force and worked in their later years. Yet women, especially married women, often have shorter work histories than their male counterparts due to taking time off for child care or care for ailing relatives. Are they also different in their retirement expectations? To answer this question, we explore gender and marital status differences in retirement plans

Protecting Your Retirement Savings from Potential Creditors

State and federal laws provide strong protections to New England residents to shield their retirement savings from creditors. The particular protections available depend on whether you have filed for bankruptcy, how your retirement savings are kept, and where you live