Senior Congress to address finances





Carolyn Kopp

Carolyn Kopp

A slate of financial experts and senior living specialists will present “Money 101 for Seniors: Making It, Spending It, Saving It and Giving It” on Wed., Feb. 6 in Thousand Oaks.

The ninth annual Senior Congress will be presented by Conejo/ Las Virgenes Future Foundation from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, O’Riley Hall, 5801 Kanan Road.

According to Karen Malatesta, executive director for the foundation, the program will touch on financial issues that contribute to a “secure, productive and enjoyable senior life.”

“While seniors are concerned about how long they will survive on the money (e.g., pensions, Social Security, investments), they are not always knowledgeable enough to make all the right choices for the future,” Malatesta said. “Presentations by 10 experts will help (seniors) understand the options for living within their means, effective options for employment, how to enjoy their income and keep their investments safe, and what they could ultimately do with their assets while they are alive and thereafter.”

Carolyn Kopp, trustee emeritus for the foundation and a former president and executive officer, organized the event and will talk about employment opportunities for seniors.

“Rather than talking about how seniors can find jobs, I will be speaking about how retirement and employment have changed for seniors in light of the challenges nationally and internationally during the past five years, reduced values of investments, increased costs of healthcare, longer lives, etc.,” Kopp said. “Early retirement is no longer common, whereas delayed retirement has become the norm for many seniors.”

Still, some things haven’t changed much.

“It is still about having enough money to provide for their needs as well as to enable them to have a level of comfort and enjoyment in retirement years,” Kopp said. “The factors impacting that issue have changed significantly.”

Other topics to be covered at the seminar include how to live within ones means, Social Security “smarts,” how to cut utility costs, Medicare and long-term care choices. Safe investments, travel ideas, gift giving and estate strategies will also be discussed.

Colleen Carroll, a certified yoga therapist, will present yoga routines that can be done in a chair at home or in the office.

Organizations and businesses that serve seniors in the community are sponsoring the event. They will host booths and exhibits to provide information to guests.

The title sponsor is UCLA Health System. Major sponsors include the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, Thrivent Financial, Agoura Hills Senior Retreat, Grand Oaks Senior Living, Home Helpers Caregivers, OakView at University Village, Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary, Senior Helpers and Silverado Senior Living.

Admission is free but seating is limited, so advance reservations are required by emailing info@clvff.org or calling (818) 880-1054.


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