More than 1 million private sector workers nationwide have joined state retirement savings programs, which advocates for seniors said is a key step in supporting an aging population.

In Washington, where more than 40% of private sector employees lack employer retirement plans, many will gain access through the new Washington Saves program starting in 2027. The program will let workers automatically contribute a portion of each paycheck to an individual retirement account.

Marguerite Ro, state director of AARP Washington, is helping design the new program.

"If you make a retirement program easy and automatic, people will do it," Ro pointed out. "That's why it's so important to have these auto IRA retirement savings programs in place."

Research shows people are 15 times more likely to save when it happens through a payroll deduction at their job. Ro added retirement savings will save the state almost $4 billion in public assistance funds by 2040.

Ro stressed retirement savings are not only important for individuals. They can also alleviate some of the financial pressures extended family or friends may feel who are providing care as people age.

"People who are Gen Xers today and even some millennials are now caregiving," Ro observed. "That also costs money and so saving for times ahead becomes more and more important."

Ro explained once the auto IRA plan is set up, it will follow people from job to job, so they never have to sign up again. She explained the plan will take a small percent from each paycheck, up to of 7%, and the money can be accessed by people if they need it for an emergency before retirement.

"So really not wanting to take a great deal of money out of people's pockets but just slowly starting bit by bit to save for the future," Ro emphasized.

Research shows nationwide one in five Americans over the age of 50 have no retirement savings. Fifteen states so far have enacted automatic IRAs and many others have proposed similar programs.

Eastern Kentucky is still trying to recover from the decline of coal production and a regional nonprofit will soon kick off a digital training initiative for older adults in counties in need of extra job skills.

The nonprofit Shaping Our Appalachian Region was awarded a Community Challenge grant from AARP to help get this program off the ground. Participants will receive free training on artificial intelligence-related tools, Microsoft Office and internet safety.

Colby Hall, executive director of the group, said the classes send a message: Just because a key industry is no longer a force, it does not mean people living here do not have a future in these parts.

"We have a lot of really awesome, hardworking, passionate, caring people that don't want to have to leave to find opportunity," Hall explained.

Whether it is volunteering or seeking a new job later in life, Hall argued communities cannot let older adults fall behind because they have not used much digital technology. He stressed they bring years of knowledge and life experience to a project or business. Beyond remote work opportunities, labor analysts said health care and aerospace are among the in-demand sectors in the region.

As they put the final touches on the program, Hall added they want to ensure people living on a fixed income still have access to devices and other technology after the training.

"We also are going to be able to leverage our office to be able to have rental equipment," Hall pointed out. "They can use computers and have access to internet in the office."

Shaping Our Appalachian Region is based in Pikeville but the training will be offered out of its Whitesburg location. Hall noted they hope to start training the first group later this summer.

AARP Kentucky said this year, a total of eight organizations across the state will share $84,000 in Community Challenge grants.

Six Michigan projects have been awarded funding through AARP's largest-ever Community Challenge grant, aimed at making communities more livable, especially for those 50 and older.

More than $4 million in quick-action grants are supporting close to 400 projects nationwide, including $73,000 for initiatives across Michigan.

Ramon Harris, associate state director of community outreach and engagement for AARP Michigan, said the grants are designed to spark immediate, tangible change in communities.

"These are small grants with big impacts," Harris explained. "Supporting projects that improve public spaces, or it could be housing, transportation, digital access. Since 2017, the program has funded over 1,000 projects nationwide."

In Michigan, better walkability investments include safer crosswalks in Dearborn, more benches in Holland, and upgrades in Marlette. The funding is also helping to expand digital access in Detroit and support home safety checks in Macomb County.

This year, nearly half the grants are going to rural areas, AARP's biggest rural investment yet.

Some corporate giants are joining the effort, including Toyota, helping fund safer streets and sidewalks and Microsoft backing projects to boost broadband access to get more people connected online. Harris emphasized the importance of livable communities as the population ages.

"You buy this beautiful home, you pay it off hopefully by retirement, and then you want to live there, you want to age there," Harris observed. "This is about trying to help make sure a community is viable for people to stay in their homes, stay in their communities and age in place."

In Michigan, one in three residents is age 50 or older; just over 3 million people shaping the state's future.

A new report ranks Colorado as the 15th safest state in the nation for aging in place, tied with Michigan.

A record 4.2 million Americans are expected to reach retirement age this year, and 75% have said they want to stay in their homes as they get older, instead of moving into retirement homes or assisted living, according to AARP's latest data.

Christine Healy, chief growth officer for the senior living technology company Seniorly, the group behind the report, said Colorado's low level of precipitation helped push the state toward the top of the list.

"If we think about what makes a city walkable or accessible for an older adult, you really want to minimize the level of hazards," Healy explained. "Dry, safe walkways are great places for older adults."

Utah, North Dakota and New Jersey took the top three spots. North Carolina, Kentucky and Florida rounded out the bottom three. Healy noted generally, the best states for aging in place make it easier to get around, stay healthy and feel supported. States lagging behind tend to lack support in critical areas including health care access, home care services, and community-level resources.

The number of people aged 65 and older is projected to grow from 63 million this year to just over 82 million by 2050, a 26% increase. Cost is considered to be the greatest factor in retirement planning and staying home can be far less expensive than entering a retirement community or long-term care facility.

Healy believes aging in place can be good for those who can stay socially engaged and active.

"That's not always the case," Healy acknowledged. "A lot of older adults are aging in place on their own, they're becoming more socially isolated, they're not leaving the house as much."

Colorado ranks 12th nationally for both the timeliness of emergency care and the use of smart technologies in the home. But the state ranks 42nd nationally for high housing costs and 38th for access to home meal delivery. Other factors considered in the report include road safety, local walkability and the quality and availability of home health care.


get more stories like this via email