AARP Bulletin - March 2012

WASHINGTON WATCH

Continued from page 21

long-term costs of Medicare and Medicaid and strengthen Social Security, so long as those programs remain a guarantee of security for seniors.” ; In 2012, AARP aims to take the conversation about these programs out from behind closed doors in Washington. On March 19, the organization will launch You’ve Earned a Say, an initiative that will allow members to share their ideas on how to strengthen Social Security and Medicare. Events are planned in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and include surveys and debates. (See the Medicare and Social Security questionnaire between pages 24 and 25.) ; “Together, we need to start a national discussion on strengthening health and retirement security for hardworking Americans,” says AARP CEO A. Barry Rand. ;

The AARP Foundation invites members to submit pho- tographs reflecting “Your Best Life” for its 2013 calendar. Fourteen images will be selected. Entrants must be AARP members and amateur photographers. ; Download an entry form at aarp.org/calendarcontest. Or request one by calling toll-free 1-888-687-2277. Email the form and a high-resolu- tion digital image to afletcher@aarp.org. Or mail hard copies of the form and photo with a negative to: AARP Founda- tion 2013 Calendar Contest, P.O. Box 93028, Long Beach CA 90809-3028. ; Entries must be postmarked by May 4. Celebrate ‘Your Best Life’ ; PHOTOGRAPHY

More than 6,500 AARP Foundation Tax-
Aide sites nationwide offer free help in
preparing and filing federal, state and lo-
cal tax returns. The confidential program
helps low- to moderate-income taxpayers
of all ages, with special attention to those
60 and older. ; With about 35,000 trained
volunteers, Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest
free, volunteer-
run tax preparation and assistance
service. And it works. A 2011 survey
found that 95 percent of clients were
very satisfied with the program’s ser-
vice. Many return year after year. ; To
learn more and find a Tax-Aide site
near you, visit aarp.org/taxaide or call
toll-free 1-888-227-7669.

Get Free Help With Filing Your Tax Returns

; TAX-AIDE

DISCOUNTS
; Doughnuts
AARP members can get a free
doughnut when they pur-
chase a large or extra-large
hot coffee at Dunkin’ Do-
nuts. Valid AARP member-
ship card must be shown.
Visit aarpdiscounts.com/
dunkindonuts for details.

; Car Rentals Members can save up to 30 percent from Budget Rent A Car at participating locations. Visit budget.com/aarp and use Budget Customer Discount (BCD) number Y508519.

AARP is seeking nominations for the 2012 state Andrus Awards for Community Service. The Association’s most prestigious volunteer tribute recognizes outstanding individuals age 50-plus who made their communities better in ways consistent with AARP’s mission, vision and commitment to volunteer service. ; A recipient for the award, named for AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus, will be selected in each of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. ; The deadline for nominations is June 1. For criteria and nomination forms, go to aarp.org/andrusawards or call toll-free 1-888-687-2277. Nominate an Outstanding Volunteer ; SERVICE