WEB SITE UPDATED: 9/26/2023
ANNUAL COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA)
Information regarding the MainePERS Cost-of-Living adjustment can be found by clicking the following link: https://www.mainepers.org/
If you have any questions please feel free to contact MAR at telephone: (207) 582-1960 or by e-mail:mar@maineretirees.org
NOTE: MAR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ALL DAY, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH DUE TO STAFF ATTENDING REGION III, INFORMATIONAL MEETING.
NOTE: INFORMATIONAL MEETING-REGION III-CANCELLED-ROCKLAND
Please note that due to lack of attendance the Informational meeting that was to be held at Rockland Public Library has been cancelled.
SENIORHOMES ORGANIZATION
Looking for senior living can be overwhelming, emotional, and time-consuming.
Staff here at MAR have connected with the Seniorhomes organization and thought their services and information would be extremely helpful in the journey to find the right match for your needs or the needs of a loved one.
This is a nationwide organization that provides a family advisor as a free resource to help you find the right match at your local level.
Along with an Advisor, Seniorhomes has hundreds of articles available to you to help educate you throughout the process.
Seniorhomes helped more than 400,000 seniors since 2009. Their web site provides information on how to determine the level of care you need. They help you explore your financial options and will even schedule a tour with the home that you may be interested in visiting.
Their articles cover subjects such as: Independent Living; Assisted Living; Continuing Care; Memory Care; Retirement
Communities; along with Aging in Place.
Take a moment and click on the link below and explore the information and services they provide.
Here is their link: https://www.seniorhomes.com/
SUMMER FAIRS! OLD FASHION FUN!
Agricultural Fair Program
Maine has some of the best agricultural fairs in New England! If you want to know more about Maine’s great agricultural fairs, go to the https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/fair_promotion/index.shtmlwebsite for the latest news and information or directly to the fairs listed below.
Upcoming Agricultural State Fair Dates
| Dates | Fair | Town |
| July 26, 2023 – July 30, 2023 | Union Fair | Union, Maine |
| August 3, 2023 – August 6, 2023 | Bangor State Fair | Bangor, Maine |
| August 3, 2023 – August 6, 2023 | Northern Maine Fair | Presque Isle, Maine |
| August 8, 2023 – August 13, 2023 | Topsham Fair | Topsham, Maine |
| August 10, 2023 – August 19, 2023 | Skowhegan State Fair | Skowhegan, Maine |
| August 24, 2023 – August 27, 2023 | Acton Fair | Acton, Maine |
| August 24, 2023 – August 27, 2023 | Piscataquis Valley Fair | Dover-Foxcroft, Maine |
| August 26, 2023 – August 27, 2023 | Washington County Fair | |
| August 27, 2023 – September 4, 2023 | Windsor Fair | Windsor, Maine |
| August 31, 2023 – September 4, 2023 | Blue Hill Fair | Blue Hill, Maine |
| September 1, 2023 – September 4, 2023 | Harmony Fair | Harmony, Maine |
| September 7, 2023 – September 10, 2023 | Clinton Lions Agricultural Fair | Clinton, Maine |
| September 8, 2023 – September 10, 2023 | Litchfield Fair | Litchfield, Maine |
| September 13, 2023 – September 16, 2023 | Oxford County Fair | Oxford, Maine |
| September 15, 2023 – September 17, 2023 | New Portland Lion’s Fair | New Portland, Maine |
| September 17, 2023 – September 23, 2023 | Farmington Fair | Farmington, Maine |
| September 21, 2023 – September 24, 2023 | Common Ground Fair | Unity, Maine |
| September 24, 2023 – September 30, 2023 | Cumberland Fair | Cumberland Ctr, Maine |
| October 1, 2023 – October 8, 2023 | Fryeburg Fair | Fryeburg, Maine |
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WELLBEING!
IT DOES MATTER!
This is a reminder to all State retirees who have Aetna Medicare Advantage insurance you have access through the “Living Resources Program” that offers the following services:
Short-term counseling sessions (up to 5 visits per year at no cost)
Legal and financial programs
On-line programs and more
You can find the links for each of these programs and more at (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/wellness/retirees)
Remember, life is not easy even at the best of times. If you live alone or even if you live with others. Sharing your struggles with your friends, is not something you feel comfortable doing. Please reach out and utilize the services given through your Aetna Medicare Advantage plan.
For our members who do not have Aetna Medicare Advantage, please check with your Insurance carrier to see if they have a similar program like the “Living Resources Program”. Most insurances do have what they call a “Mental Health” rider included in your plan.
VETERANS GUIDE TO STARTING A BUSINESS
We at MAR look for articles that might be of interest to our retired members. This particular article speaks to Veteran’s but Veterans that might have a business or still want to start a business. So we thought we would share the following link. This link will give you an abundance of information on creating a business idea, create a business plan, how to start the business and manage it to name a few areas the article covers. This article speaks to Federal agencies that may have money, grants, etc. set aside for Veterans to help them with the cost of starting a business or to keep their business going. If you are not interested in the information but you know of a veteran wanting to get started in a business feel free to share the information.
Here is the link: http://(https://digital.com/veterans-business/
MAR REQUEST
SHREDDING BENEFIT AT MAR – REMINDER
As a member of MAR, you receive the benefit of free shredding of documents at our Farmingdale office location. The staff at MAR will gladly do your shredding for you ensuring that all will be held to strict confidentiality standards or you may shred them yourselves.
We do ask, and as a reminder, please go through your documents and only bring what truly needs shredding. In recent months individuals have brought bags and boxes of documents of which many of the items do not have to be shredded. An example is a 2006 oil bill, individual pages out of magazines, notes with no personal information on the notes.
This will help staff to more quickly shred documents and will save time freeing them up for other duties they have to perform.
We ask that you do not just dump draws into a bag and bring them in.
Thank you in advance and we look forward to serving you and you shredding needs.
MAR Staff
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Franco Center-Lewiston, Maine is in great need for volunteers for the important work they do each day. Many volunteers find that helping out non-profit organizations is satisfying, and fun!
History buffs who have time to lead tours and maintain the genealogy/history library and history exhibits located in their buildings are very much needed.
This non-profit envisions a rotation of volunteers assigned from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on one day, to be determined.
Contact: Denise Scammon, Marketing/Development Director, at the Franco Center, 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240, Telephone (207) 261-5240 or mailto:dscammon@francocenter.org
Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice Thrift Stores, are looking for volunteers to work the cash register and process donations at their two locations, 165 Capitol Street, Augusta and 245 Center Street, Auburn. These volunteers are essential to the success of the store and responsible for the welcoming environment for both the donors and shoppers. Last year alone, Androscoggin provided more than $1.6 million dollars in free care to uninsured and underinsured patients and families in their local communities. This was largely due to their Thrift Store proceeds generated by volunteers! If you would like to volunteer, contact Rhonda Small, Thrift Store Coordinator by calling (207) 754-2973, e-mail rhonda.small@androscoggin.com, visiting their web site or visiting them at both locations.
The Gathering Place, located in Brunswick, is a drop-in day center for people who live alone or are experiencing homelessness, seniors on fixed income, and others seeking a place to fill lonely daytime hours with positive energy and a sense of community. Volunteers at TGP respectfully engage with our guests while serving refreshments, sorting through donations, and otherwise helping to maintain a welcoming atmosphere. Retired State employees can continue to make a difference in others’ lives by volunteering a few hours a week/month at The Gathering Place. Please visit our table at the MAR Annual Meeting, browse our website at brunswickgatheringplace.org, or call TGP’s Volunteer Services Coordinator Jenny Gaghan at 729-0288 for more information.
Bath-Brunswick Respite Care, located in Bath and serving the MidCoast Maine area, offers an adult day program for individuals experiencing memory issues. Our services help seniors remain in their homes by providing their caregivers with the time they need to take care of errands, get some rest, and re-energize while their loved ones spend joyful time at “The Club”, socializing, singing, exercising, doing crafts, and playing games in a beautiful setting. Volunteers are the heart of our program. We invite you to spend a small part of your retirement doing something that will bring you joy and provide immense support to your community. Please visit our table at the MAR Annual Meeting, browse our website at respite-care.org, or call Respite’s Executive Director Nancy Herk at 729-8571 for more information.
FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGAM (TEFAP)
The link below is from Maine State Government, Department of Agriculture. This link lists all the Food Banks in Maine and their locations. If you or someone you know are struggling with the cost of food and need to supplement your groceries and fill your freezer or cupboards, please do not hesitate to go to one of these Food Banks and get what you need. Remember the Banks sole purpose is to give food to those in need. They welcome everyone with a warm smile and are happy to serve you. It is a non-judgmental zone. The amount of food they receive is plenty and they do not want to waste any food left at the Bank.
Please feel free to forward this link to anyone that may need assistance.
Maine Department of Agriculture: TEFAP https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/tefap/index.shtml
MAINE.GOV https://www.maine.gov/portal/index.html
DACF Home → Bureaus & Programs → Bureau of Agriculture → Agricultural Resource Development Division → Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) → Search Food Programs → Programs By Town. https://www.maine.gov/dafs/
COST OF LIVING INCREASE (COLA)-CHECK SENT OUT
Governor Mills signed Maine’s Supplemental Budget which included a one-time, 1.0% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for eligible retirees who receive monthly payments through State sponsored retirement plans. The additional 1% applies to benefit payments up to a maximum of $24,186.25 for the one-year period ending August 31, 2022. The increase is a one-time payment and is not included in the calculation of future benefit adjustments. MainePERS will be processing the COLA as part of the April pension payroll.
TAXES
Following are links on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
regarding tax filing and two other links to help with filing
our taxes if you meet certain eligibility guidelines.
IRS Key points to keep in mind when filing 2022 tax
returns
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/key-points-to-keep-inmind-when-filing-2022-tax-returns
IRS Free File Options
https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxesfor-free
AARP Tax Aide Foundation for 2022 Tax Return Filing
https://taxaide.aarpfoundation.org/
CA$HMAINE Help for Filing Taxes
JOIN SOLAR
Join Solar is a leader in community solar development in
Maine and we are proud to partner with the
Maine Association of Retirees. Our membership is open to all renters and home owners who are serviced by CMP & Versant – offering these benefits:
• Free and simple to join
• Save money on your energy bill
• Support clean, local energy
• Offsite solar array, nothing on your roof
Community solar offers local residents an opportunity to
participate in clean energy production – with guaranteed savings
and no risk involved. Your community solar membership
supports the environment while lowering your utility bills. Click
this link https://enroll.joinsolar.org/community-partner to
learn more and become a member of Join Solar. If you would like
to speak with a Join Solar representative, please contact Michael
Borrell at (651)-364-7185 or michel.borrell@joinsolar.org
*Use referral code ‘MAOR-0250’ upon registration and Join Solar
will donate $50 to the Maine Association of Retirees*
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
LAST UPDATE
If you would like to show support for any of the LD’s, please contact your legislator. Following is the link to testify in person at the hearing or submit written testimony:
https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/
If you would like to know what MAR has been doing with regard to Legislation that would effect Public Service retirees. Following is the link:
https://maineretirees.org/legislation-policy/
For further information contact Diane Bailey, Executive Director, Maine Association of Retirees, 280 Maine Avenue, Farmingdale, ME 04344
207-582-1960 Ext. 208
Email: dbailey@maineretirees.org
EDUCATION
UMA Senior College NEWS-2023
REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED BUT CALL FOR FUTURE REGISTRATIONS.
UMA Senior College will be offering some exciting new programs in 2023! Spring Registration begins March 6, 2023 at noon and most classes will start Monday, March 20th with the exception of the Classic Films which begins on Friday, March 17th. Classes are free with membership. There are also exhibits on campus at the Danforth Gallery, KLAHR Center which has a current exhibit – Artists Response to Ukraine. Visit the UMASC website to see the many classes and lectures offered.