Millions in unclaimed tax rebates

Tax season is long over, but thousands of Georgians have yet to file their taxes, and that means no Economic Stimulus rebate checks for them either.

So the AARP is heading up an effort to get what they approximate at 50 million dollars in rebates into the state. It’s holding a 3 day blitz to sign up recipients with 25 offices around the state open to help.

The checks ranging from 300 to 600 dollars are part of the federal growth package approved earlier this year to combat a faltering economy. Tax payers must send their income tax return by October 15 in order to get the rebate.

For more information, go here, or call 1-877-926-8300.

AARP launches retirement campaign in Georgia

The AARP say more employers should automatically enroll employees in savings plans to avoid a retirement crisis. The group plans to launch a promotion in Georgia this week. A recent study showed only 17 percent of 401(k) plans offered automatic enrollment. The group is launching a national campaign to spread the message.

Atlanta among best places for seniors

Atlanta is among the AARP’s best places to live for seniors. The AARP has named Atlanta, Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood, Chandler, Arizona outside of Phoenix, Milwaukee and Portland, Oregon as the best places to live for older Americans.

Among the reasons the cities are senior-friendly … urban renewal plans that favor mass transit, encourage walking, and allow older people to downsize while staying in their neighborhoods.

In Atlanta, the AARP looked at city initiatives promoting mixed-income housing as well as mixed-use living in areas like Atlantic Station. The AARP also like Atlanta’s availability of cultural venues within walking distance of residential developments, such as the High Museum of Art in Midtown.

The rankings appear in AARP magazine’s September/October issue.