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AARP You’ve Earned A Say Community Conversations Listen To Mississippians

April 10, 2012

AARP Mississippi’s You’ve Earned A Say community conversations give Mississippians a platform to make their voices heard on issues such as Medicare and Social Security.

See also: You’ve Earned a Say

Starting May 8 through July 19, AARP Mississippi will hold eight public community conversations throughout the state. So that Mississippians’ voices can be heard, You’ve Earned A Say will hold two community conversations in each of the state’s four Congressional Districts. In addition to the community conversations, a series of questionnaires will be distributed and the results will be published on the You’ve Earned a Say site, through AARP publications, and in a Mississippi summary report.

Mississippi has 596,637 Social Security beneficiaries and 501,142 Medicare beneficiaries. In the state, 33.9 percent of Social Security beneficiaries depend on Social Security for 90 percent of their income. Another 58.2 percent of Social Security beneficiaries rely on Social Security for 50 percent of their income.

“Attending these conversations is important... after working most of our lives, paying into the system of Social Security we should expect to be listened to. It is our right and expectation to be heard,” said Ronald McLaughlin, a retired Chicago school administrator.

The community conversations are not just for AARP members but for all who have a concern about their future in health and retirement security. According to a national You’ve Earned A Say survey, roughly half (54 percent) of adults age 50-65+ are confident that Medicare will be there for them throughout their retirement. However, 45 percent of the younger adults age 18-49 are less confident.

When it comes to Social Security, about half (49 percent) of adults age 50-65+ are confident that it will be there for them throughout their retirement. However, another 34 percent of young adults age 18-49 do not feel the same.

“I do have that concern that when I get in my 60s I won’t have Social Security funds,” said Lindsey Walker, a 21-year-old, senior at Jackson State University. “I often wonder if I will be working and saving for retirement for nothing. I think the younger generation should attend these community conversations.”

The Mississippi community conversations are scheduled for:

  • May 8, 10 a.m., Southaven, The Landers Center, 4560 Venture Drive 38671
  • May 30, 10 a.m., Starkville, Sportsplex, 405 Lynn Lane 39759
  • June 9, 10 a.m., Hattiesburg, Lake Terrace Convention Center, One Convention Center Plaza 39401
  • June 14, 10 a.m., Ocean Springs, Ocean Springs Civic Center, 3730 Bienville Blvd. 39564
  • June 26, 10 a.m., Meridian, MSU Riley Center Studio Theater, 2200 5th Street 39301
  • July 10, 10 a.m., Columbus, Trotter Convention Center, 402 S. 2nd Ave. 39701
  • July 19, 10 a.m., Greenwood, Leflore County Civic Center, 200 Highway 7 S. 38930

Learn more about You’ve Earned a Say online, and follow AARP MS on Facebook.