San Rafael, CA – Marin County has one of the oldest populations in the state, and many residents need help making good financial decisions as they grow older. In response, the County of Marin has worked with the County’s Aging Action Initiative (AAI) to launch a program that offers free resources, workshops and events related to economic security for seniors.
The Money Matters program is intended to reach older adults and their loved ones, and special effort will be made to reach women.
“Money Matters: Addressing Your Financial Future in Marin” is kicking off with five public workshops starting October 1 that will help older adults and their loved ones clarify the family’s financial situation and make informed choices around critical issues like housing, jobs and financial planning.
Money Matters is the latest addition to the AAI, launched in 2014 by the Marin County Board of Supervisors to promote a countywide age-friendly environment. To date, AAI workgroups have focused on mental health and dementia, food and nutrition, and information assistance and referral.
“We knew economic security was of high concern to our residents, so we’re very pleased to introduce Money Matters as the next piece of AAI,” said Lee Pullen, Director of the Aging and Adult Services Division of Marin County Health and Human Services. “Living well and living long in Marin means acknowledging the common truth that it is expensive to live here. Money Matters helps residents make smart choices to better afford Marin life.”
Money Matters is a collaboration of the Marin Women’s Commission, the Marin Commission on Aging and several community organizations, including YWCA of Marin. The program is intended to reach older adults and their loved ones, and special effort will be made to reach women.
“Women here and elsewhere are at particular risk for economic insecurity because of a change in marital status or traditional family roles that may compromise their financial resources and literacy,” said District 3 Supervisor Kate Sears, who brought the collaborating parties together. “Many struggle to make ends meet on Social Security alone. Our goal with Money Matters is to enable both women and men to get educated and take action around pressing financial issues.”
The program, free to Marin residents, kicks off with five events this fall. To register for any event or to learn more about “Money Matters: Addressing Your Financial Future in Marin,” visit www.moneymattersmarin.org.
MONEY MATTERS
Special event calendar
Saturday, October 1, 9 a.m. to noon
Finances 50+Workshop: In partnership with the YWCA, this is a three-hour hands-on workshop developed by the AARP and Charles Schwab and led by a YWCA financial expert. The event will be co-sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and hosted by Dominican University in its Meadowlands Assembly Room, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael.
Thursday, October 6, 10-11 a.m.
The Impact of Running out of Money: A Look at Retirement Risks for Women. This is a one-hour presentation at the Marin Commission on Aging’s October meeting in partnership with the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER). Linda K. Stone, a fellow with WISER, will summarize the retirement and economic security risks for older women, including outliving assets, loss of spouse, and financial abuse. Attendees will learn basic financial and retirement planning terms and concepts and techniques for staying in control of the money they have. The presentation will take place at the Marguerita C. Johnson Senior Center at 640 Drake Ave, Sausalito. (Registration not required.)
Saturday, October 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Financial Planning Days: In partnership with the National Financial Planning Association of San Francisco, certified financial planners will provide free one-on-one counseling sessions at Marin Center’s Manzanita Room. Participants can discuss topics such as budgeting, insurance, education savings, and retirement, and they can bring documents to share. Certified financial planners are volunteers and will not engage in any marketing or selling activities before, during or after the event. Participants can reserve an appointment at the Money Matters booth at the Marin Senior Fair on October 26, can register online or obtain a drop-in appointment at the event.
Saturday, November 12, 9 a.m. to noon
A Place Called Home: Making the Most of the One You Have or Finding One You Can Afford: This is a three-hour workshop that explores options to leverage home ownership through shared housing arrangements or financial instruments and provides information about affordable housing options throughout the county. The event is co-sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and hosted by Dominican University at Guzman Hall, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael. Speakers will include housing experts such as Rachel Ginis, CEO of Lilypad Homes, and Leslie Klor, Director of Shared Housing for Episcopal Senior Communities.
Saturday, December 3, 9 a.m. to noon
50+ Employment: Yes, Virginia, You Can Still Find Meaningful Work. In partnership with YWCA and its 50 + Employment Support, this is a three-hour workshop to help participants secure just the right job for them, whether it be project-based, part-time or full-time. Participants learn how to make age an asset in the job search, hear from Marin employers who routinely hire mature workers, talk with older job seekers who recently landed a job, and explore self-employment options. The event will be co-sponsored by OLLI and hosted by Dominican University’s Guzman Hall, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael.