ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. \u2014\u00a0The legislative session is underway, and\u00a0many\u00a0Bay area seniors hoping for lawmakers to address affordability are watching closely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Financial security is\u00a0a\u00a0top priority\u00a0for the aging population.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
In a recent AARP survey of Floridians over 45, many said that adequate Social Security benefits are a top concern
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There are bills in both the\u00a0House\u00a0and Senate that would establish a\u00a0\u201cFlorida Retirement Savings Task Force”
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Another bill would require local governments to allow\u00a0accessory dwelling units
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There’s also a bill that aims to protect people from cryptocurrency kiosk fraud<\/p>\n
Kathy Donovan, 83, said she doesn\u2019t qualify for food stamps, so she goes to the Love Thy Neighbor food pantry and other food banks throughout the month.<\/p>\n
\u201cGroceries have doubled, taxes and insurance have doubled,\u201d Donovan said.<\/p>\n
In a recent AARP survey of Floridians over 45, nearly all respondents<\/a> said that having adequate Social Security benefits and enough income to retire are\u00a0extremely important\u00a0or\u00a0very important\u00a0concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I had to just live on Social Security, if I didn\u2019t have food banks, after I pay my bills, food would be tight,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n AARP Florida said financial security is one of its priorities during this legislative session. There are bills in both the House<\/a> and Senate<\/a> that would establish a\u00a0\u201cFlorida Retirement Savings Task Force.” They would\u00a0develop recommendations to expand access to retirement savings for\u00a0residents who lack employer-sponsored retirement plans.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do we set up people for when they retire, they retire comfortably, can continue to own or rent in the state of Florida, afford the cost of living, but also be comfortable,\u201d said AARP Florida Senior Director of Advocacy Zayne Smith.<\/p>\n