Preparedness

AARP Social Security Calculator

When will you claim your Social Security retirement benefits?

"For many of us, Social Security is the most important part of our retirement picture, and deciding when to claim is a big decision. The amount of your benefit will depend on your average income over your working years, your spouse’s average income and the age at which you claim benefits.

This calculator will help you decide when to claim and show you how to maximize your benefits."

Use the following link to take advantage of this AARP tool.

ADHS - Extreme Weather & Public Health

Heat Safety - Heat-Related Illness

Arizona is one of the hottest places on earth from May to September. Heat-Related Illnesses (HRI) are common during the summer. Approximately 4,298 people visit Arizona emergency rooms every year because of HRIs.

See the most recent data on HRI hospital visits in the Heat-related illness Emergency Department & Inpatient Admissions (Hospitalizations) 2019 to 2023, Arizona Residents and Non-Residents Report.

Some heat-related illnesses can even be fatal. More than 4,320 people have died from exposure to excessive heat in Arizona from 2012 to 2023. View a summary of heat-related deaths in the Heat-Caused & Heat-Related Deaths in Arizona by Year (2012 to 2023) Surveillance Report.

As a result, the Arizona Department of Health Services has developed a Heat Emergency Response Plan, a Heat Safety Resource Guide, and a bilingual Heat Brochure.

To sign up for email alerts and information regarding extreme heat warnings, check out the instructions on our Extreme Weather and Public Health homepage.

Stay Weather Aware and Prepare for Arizona's Monsoon Season

Stay weather aware and prepare for Arizona’s monsoon season.

While it may feel like summer is just kicking off, the monsoon season has officially started and that means some safety measures should be mixed in with your summer fun.

What is the North American Monsoon? The monsoon involves changes in seasonal winds that can cause extreme weather conditions including extreme heat, dust storms, sudden downpour, lightning, flash flooding, and wildfires. By learning more about how monsoon weather can impact your health and taking steps to be prepared, you can ensure you and your loved ones have a safe monsoon season.

This article was published on the Arizona Department of Health Services website on June 20th, 2023.

If you are new to Arizona or unfamiliar with the monsoon season, this information can be lifesaving for you and your family.

What to Do if Your Wallet is Lost or Stolen

7 steps to prevent identity theft and money loss — plus how to replace what’s missing.

You reach for your wallet to settle up a bill and find … nothing. Panic sets in as you frantically pat down your pockets or fumble around the contents of your purse. It’s gone. Losing whatever cash you may have on hand is bad enough, but the other contents in your wallet can be a treasure trove for criminals, who can go on to perpetrate credit card fraud and identity theft.

The silver lining: Act fast and you can minimize much of the potential damage. Here’s where to start.

An AARP article from June 20th, 2023 by Barbara Stepko . . .

CR's Ultimate Heat Survival Guide

"Sweltering temperatures have become a worrisome part of summer's new normal. Here's what you need to know to stay comfortable and safe this season, wherever you are."

"We’re running out of ways to describe our summer weather. Last year was one for the record books: Phoenix endured 31 days in a row above 110° F. Miami’s heat index was over 100° F for 46 days straight. And even the Twin Cities of Minnesota had 33 days of 90° F (more than twice as many as average). Elsewhere on the globe, Sardinia, Italy, hit almost 119° F, while Japan recorded its hottest year in over 130 years. Overall, 2023 emerged as the hottest year on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which gave 2024 a 61 percent chance of surpassing that record.

Extremely hot weather isn’t just unpleasant, it’s a serious health risk. More than 1,200 people die from extreme heat every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Last summer, we constantly saw heat- and air-quality-related issues, especially for those taking different medications for conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes,” says Rachel Marquez, MD, a family medicine physician with Kaiser Permanente in Virginia. “Heat-related illness—from the dizziness, nausea, and cramping of heat exhaustion to the slurred speech and weakness of heatstroke—can happen more easily at lower body temperatures for these individuals.”

This comprehensive June 2024 article from Consumer Reports provides a lot of insight on the impact of severe heat and how to prepare for it.

AARP - Money Map

Navigating your finances just got easier.

Whether you're managing debt today or saving for tomorrow, let AARP Money Map™ guide you to better financial health and peace of mind.

Take Control of Your Money.

Our free online money management tools help you slash your debt, build up savings, and more.

Features focused on your finances.

GET YOUR PLAN

Get personalized plans that fit your goals. Your plan includes tips and monthly activities that help you stay on track.

GOAL TRACKING

Track your financial goal progress against your action plans for reducing expenses, paying off debt, saving for emergencies, and more.

CALCULATORS

Estimate the costs of using a credit card or borrowing money via a personal loan, home equity loan, or retirement plan.

DASHBOARD

See your road ahead clearly with a central view of your tools and progress.

DEBT PROJECTIONS

Find your best route for paying off debts with estimates for payoff dates and possible ways to save.

FUNDING SOURCES

We’ll help you navigate the pros, cons, and true costs of payment options for unplanned expenses.

MILESTONES

Create a savings plan complete with milestones to help keep you on track.

BUDGETING

Use Budget Builder to help prioritize expenses, pay down debt, and reach your savings goals faster.

Use the following link to access the AARP Money Map tools.

CR's Ultimate Heat Survival Guide

"With temperatures rising, we’ve gathered the best ways to stay comfortable and safe—both inside and out—even on scorching hot days."

A July 10th, 2023, survival guide from Consumer's Report. Check it out!

Older Adult Toolkit: Extreme Heat - Stay Safe When Our State Heats Up

Heat Safety - Older Adult Toolkit

Heat illness is a preventable condition, but has been the number one weather-related cause of death in the United States. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), heat illness causes more deaths than hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined. From 2009 to 2019, over 2,000 deaths were caused from exposure to excessive natural heat. Of deaths among Arizona residents, 34 percent occurred in older adults over the age of 65. The Heat and Older Adults Safety Toolkit (HOAST) was created to provide older adults and caregivers information to stay safe in the heat.

An informative article from the Arizona Department of Health Services

Preparedness - National Fire Protection Association

The National Fire Protection Association is the leading information and knowledge resource on fire, electrical and related hazards.

This website provides extensive information on potential hazards from electrical devices and sources. It provides excellent recommendations on how to protect your family and property from many forms of electrical hazards, including e-bikes, seasonal fire hazards, smoke alarms, home escape and lithium batteries.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.

AARP Retirement Calculator

AARP Retirement Calculator: Are You Saving Enough?

Find out when — and how — to retire the way you want.

Are you financially prepared for retirement?

Thinking about retirement can be overwhelming. You may ask:

• Am I saving enough?
• When can I afford to stop working?
• How long will my money last?

Use the AARP Retirement Calculator to help plan your financial future so you can retire when - and how - you want. You've got options. This calculator will help you discover what they are.

Use the following link to access the AARP Retirement Calculator.

Be Prepared to Meet with a Financial Advisor

Be confident, informed and prepared to meet with a financial advisor.

AARP Interview an Advisor^TM helps you understand the advisor’s credentials, compensation and how to get the conversation started.

This is a great tool prepared by AARP to help you to be prepared to meet with prospective financial advisors.

Investment professionals generally come in two varieties; registered investment adviser representatives and broker-dealer agents. As is explained in more detail below, registered investment advisers typically offer a greater depth of services and advice than broker-dealer agents, and are an appropriate choice for someone looking for substantial investment advice and account monitoring. On the other hand, if you are simply looking to buy or sell stocks, for example, you can readily find a broker-dealer to execute your transaction. Read on, and apply the “gold standard” if you are looking for advice and guidance from a personal financial professional.

Preparing Makes Sense for Older Americans: Get Ready Now.

In the case of an emergency or a disaster, older Americans need to be prepared in advance to be sure that they have the resources, knowledge and support needed to survive. This PDF from Ready.gov addresses preparing a kit of emergency supplies, making a plan and being informed about what might happen. Download this guide and begin your preparations.