AARP: Mark-Viverito's, Council's Age-Friendly Agenda for NYC a Major Step in Right Direction

Plans Could Help Stem Baby Boomer Flight & Looming Economic Crisis by Addressing Group's Concerns

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Oct 22, 2014, 04:51 ET

NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP says Baby Boomers are planning a mass exodus from New York City in retirement, taking roughly $53 billion a year with them. The chief reasons for what the Association has coined "Boomer Flight:" affordability and livability. Both issues are central to new city-wide proposals announced by New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito at an AARP and Governing Magazine roundtable discussion today at the East Side Marriott in Manhattan. The proposals have garnered the strong backing of AARP New York.

Baby Boomers are a voting powerhouse: 75% of them cast their ballots for Mayor de Blasio last year. The group made up the single largest voting bloc in the 2013 city elections, accounting for 35% of all ballots cast in the mayoral race, with 50+ voters accounting for more than half - 54% - of all votes. Boomers also represent roughly half of all consumer spending in the city, $100 billion. AARP says the Speaker's plan marks a major step towards keeping many in the voting and economic powerhouse in NYC.

Topping the Speaker's agenda is to make every community in the city "age-friendly," addressing issues such as pedestrian safety by lengthening crosswalk times and ensuring curb cuts for both the elderly and children, ensuring accessible transportation and affordable housing, and improving design of parks and roads for use, safety and access by all ages. Speaker Mark-Viverito's plan would expand the Age-Friendly Neighborhood program to 10 new NYC districts and to all 51 districts in the city by 2018. A recent AARP survey found 40% of NYC's 50+ voters cited streets in need of repair and cars not yielding to pedestrians as major problems.

"Kitchen table economic issues, such as housing and utility costs, are major factors driving Boomers from NYC and represent a core struggle for the 50+ in New York," said Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP in New York State. "Getting to the heart of these issues is key to helping both groups, as Speaker Mark-Viverito's plan helps to do."

Housing costs are a major pain point for all New Yorkers, but younger Boomers worry the most about being able to afford their rent in the city's coming years, with 62% of 50-59 years olds expressing concern in AARP's survey vs. 55% of those 65+. As those younger Boomers plan for the future, the income cap for SCRIE (Senior Citizen Rent Income Exemption) has now been raised from $29,000 to $50,000, allowing thousands more to be eligible to freeze their rent once they hit 62 years old.

"This year, the last of the Baby Boomers turns 50 – representing a massive demographic shift in the city - and they carry with them a host of concerns: they are sending kids to college as they are caring for aging parents, financially they are worried, strapped, stretched and strained – in fact many are what we call the working worried, worrying about their own kitchen table economies as retirement seems to be something simply slipping away," added Finkel.

While most 50+ New Yorkers worry about paying some of the highest utility bills in the nation, those with lower incomes feel the pinch even more. Coupled with the struggle of putting food on the table and maintaining their health, those are harsh realities. AARP was pleased with the announcement that the City will work with Hunter College's Silberman School of Social Work and the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging to explore how to connect older New Yorkers with crucial, and in many cases life-saving, benefits such as the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Assessing senior centers across the city to better have them reflect and represent the unique needs of their communities was another key initiative announced today.

"AARP commends Speaker Mark-Viverito, Council Member Chin and the City Council for these crucial initiatives that help to address core issues of concern for the 50+ and really help make our city a better place to live, work, and age for all generations," added Finkel. "These are great steps, and we have more work to do. AARP looks forward to working with the Speaker, Mayor Bill de Blasio, the City Council and leaders from the health, business and housing communities to continue down this path."

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

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SOURCE AARP New York