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Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education |
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Editor's note: Note in this issue the announcement and question about the future AROHE in-person conference, and the video about one professor's closing of a 40-year teaching career, The Last Class. See Tell Us Your Story to share your intergenerational experience. Check the link in "Tell Us Your Story" to suggest newsletter topics. |
Issue Highlights
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Retirement Organization News
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Retirement Trends and Resources
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President's Message
Cherie Hamilton |
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Dear AROHE Members,
I hope you enjoyed
a wonderful summer, despite many of us facing storms, flooding, wildfires,
smoke, and extreme heat - reminders of the challenges brought on by climate
change.
This fall, our
editor invited Retirement Organizations to share how they welcome back former
members and recruit new ones.
Our members are the
reason we exist. Retirement Organizations give us a way to continue the
community and camaraderie we valued during our university careers. If you are
newly retired, we encourage you to join your Retirement Organization this fall.
If they host a Meet and Greet,
attend—you’ll learn about the benefits available and how the group can support
your needs.
If your institution
does not have a Retirement Organization, consider joining AROHE’s newly
developed Virtual Retirement Organization (VRO).
Visit the AROHE website to learn how the VRO works and the benefits it
provides. Members also gain access to AROHE trips and travel lectures focused
on healthy aging.
The important thing
is to join—or renew—your membership. At this stage of our lives, staying
connected is one of the best things we can do for our health and well-being.
Wishing you a
joyful and healthy 2025–2026.
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Connections & Conversations: Notes from Valerie
This fall, we are excited to bring you engaging programs designed to inform, inspire, and connect our community. From practical insights in our Estate Planning series to new adventures through the Travel Institute previews, there’s something for everyone. As part of the Estate Planning Series, I am excited to reach Harry's Book: Get Your Ducks in a Row; The Baby Boomers guide to Estate Planning. We’re also building community through a new Idea Exchange through shared writing experiences, where members can connect and learn together. And looking ahead, planning is continuing for our 2026 in-person conference hosted by the University of Florida—an event you won’t want to miss! Check out our newly redesigned Events page!
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Estate Planning Series
Planning for the future is one of the most important steps you can take for yourself and your loved ones. Join Harry S. Margolis who has been representing seniors, individuals with special needs and their families since he started ElderLawServices, the predecessor of Margolis Bloom & D’Agostino, in June 1987. Since then, he and the firm as a whole have helped thousands of clients pay for long-term care, grapple with the incapacity of a family member, and plan for safe and productive futures for their children and grandchildren.
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Part I: The Five Essential Documents: September 30, 2025
Learn about the core documents every estate plan should include—Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Will, Revocable Trust, and Medical Directive. We’ll explore their purposes, the decisions they involve, and how they work together to protect your wishes.
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Part II: Trusts—The Swiss Army Knife of Estate Planning: October 14, 2025
Discover the many roles trusts can play in estate planning. From probate avoidance and tax reduction to incapacity planning and asset protection, this session will explain how trusts work, the responsibilities of trustees, and the rights of beneficiaries—plus the differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts.
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Part III: Long-Term Care and Tax Planning: October 28, 2025
Understand the risks and realities of long-term care and how it can impact retirement. This session will cover the key differences between Medicare and Medicaid, eligibility rules for Medicaid planning, and strategies for protecting assets. We’ll also explore the basics of estate and capital gains taxation, including the often misunderstood “step-up in basis.”
By the end of the series, participants will gain practical knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions, safeguard assets, and ensure their wishes are carried out with clarity and care.
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Travel Opportunities with AROHE
We are excited to continue offering enriching and engaging travel opportunities designed specifically for our members. Whether you’re dreaming of a slower-paced journey or an immersive cultural experience, the Travel Institute is your gateway to meaningful adventures.
Costa Rica Update
There are still a few spots left for our Costa Rica program! Don’t miss this chance to explore breathtaking landscapes and discover the meaning of pura vida. Contact Road Scholar at (877) 645-0532 or via e-mail at arohetravelinstitute@roadscholar.org
New York City at a Slower Pace – Trip Preview
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
1 PM EDT | 12 PM CDT | 11 AM MDT | 10 AM PDT
In this live session, you’ll hear directly from a New York City travel expert who will walk you through trip highlights, answer your questions, and provide insider tips. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with fellow AROHE members who may become your future travel companions.
Cuba Trip Preview
Monday, October 6, 2025
2 PM EDT | 1 PM CDT | 12 PM MDT | 11 AM PDT
Discover the culture, history, and rhythms of Cuba! Join us for this preview session to learn about the highlights of our upcoming trip and how you can be part of this unforgettable journey.
Missed a Session?
If you couldn’t join us for our 2026 Trip Preview, the recording is available on our website. Visit arohe.org/Travel-Institute and click the photo at the bottom of the page to watch the session.
We look forward to traveling with you! |
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Invitations to Authors! AROHE is creating a publication---"Building Community through Shared Writing Experiences”. You are invited to submit content about an individual or group writing experience with your RO that helped build community: Memoir Writing, Memories from Your College Career, and other topics. Contact Dr. Dee Stegelin at dstegel@clemson.edu, for information and submission.
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AROHE at the University of Florida for the 2026 In-Person Conference
We’re thrilled to announce that the University of Florida has won the bid to host AROHE’s 2026 In-Person Conference! We couldn’t be more excited to partner with such an enthusiastic and supportive institution.
Initial planning is already underway for this special event, scheduled for Fall 2026, which will bring together thought leaders, innovators, and members from across the country to explore the future of retirement in higher education.
Stay tuned in the coming months for more details, including a formal “Save the Date” announcement and opportunities to get involved in shaping this extraordinary conference experience.
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Retirement Organization News |
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University of Memphis Association of Retirees - Annual Fall Event
The University of Memphis Association of Retirees (UMAR) hosts an annual fall event to which all retirees are invited. The event is on the first Tuesday in October and traditionally has been held in our Athletic Department's Hall of Fame (an easily accessible building on campus with complimentary parking). The event, "Elevate and Celebrate", is a 2 hour wine and cheese reception and is highlighted by: welcoming comments from the University President and top university administrators, the awarding of UMAR's Undergraduate and Graduate scholarships, the awarding of UMAR's University-wide Dissertation Award, and a brief presentation by a noted faculty member conducting research on a topic of interest.
Last year's program was provided by a research-active retiree on Artificial Intelligence. This year's program will be a presentation by a current faculty members who is the lead researcher on Memphis' aquifer, which is being impacted by Elon Musk's Memphis based super computer, Colossus.
The event is an enjoyable time to socialize with other retirees and university officials, meet and interact with student award recipients and their guests, listen to an informative scholar, raise funds for UMAR scholarships and awards, and inform recent retirees of opportunities to stay connected. This event certainly centers on student accomplishments and is entitled "Elevate and Celebrate".
To learn more, contact Ann Harbor, President-Elect, annflukerharbor@aol.com.
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University Connecting Canadian College and University Retiree Association Colleagues Although our local retiree association group at the
University of Calgary (U of C) is fairly quiet until September, it does not
mean that we are sleeping. We are excited to continue to revise our rather old
website. We thought it would be a rather simple process, but we were wrong! We
are also planning a tour of the Nickle Galleries, which is a creative hub at the heart of the
University of Calgary campus. One other event that we are planning is on
a wine tasting evening at one of our local speciality stores.
Within our province of Alberta, where U of C is located, we
have an informal group representing 4 universities in both the northern
and southern part of our province. We
talk about the challenges that we face in recruiting members, including
enhancing support from our home universities.
We are also in conversations with our national group about
a benefits focused webinar for the early fall 2025. It will be facilitated by
our Later Life Learning (LLL) group (https://curac.ca/en/committees/later-life-learning-committee). It will be one of several webinars hosted by
CURAC (College and University Retiree Associations of Canada) to inform and
perhaps entertain our members.
For
more information, contact Sandra P. Hirst BScN, PhD, and Carole-Lynne LeNavenec, RN, PhD,
Associate Professors Emeriti, University of Calgary, shirst@ucalgary.ca, cllenave@ucalgary.ca.
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University of California Retiree Survey -- Retirees Making a Great Impact.
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Most older adults who have used AI-powered voice assistants and home security devices said these technologies help them live independently and safely in their homes.
However, the poll also reveals a degree of skepticism: 46% of adults age 50 and older said they have very little to no trust in AI-generated information.
These findings present opportunities for older adults and their families to learn about ‘healthy’ AI use and how AI can support healthy aging. Read the report at https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/reports-more/report/how-older-adults-use-and-think-about-ai.
University of California Retiree Survey -- Retirees making a great impact
After their UC careers end, many retirees stay active in life and their communities. And they remain highly engaged with the University. They are not only generous with their talents and time as volunteers at their UC locations; they also make significant financial contributions to the UC.
Those are among key findings of a new survey report which gauged retirees’ activities, concerns, and interests from January 2021 through September 2024.CUCRA-2024-SurveyReport.pdf
The survey was conducted by the Council of University of California Retiree Associations (CUCRA), a system wide consortium representing retirees from nine campuses, three national laboratories, and the UC Office of the President. A total of 4,466 retired UC staff and non-Senate academics completed the survey last October. Retirees report a wide range of activities and interests, and remain committed to the University’s mission. Thousands of retiree donors contributed more than $169 million in gifts and pledges to UC campuses during the past four years, and nine percent have indicated that they have made UC part of their estate plans.
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Retirement Trends and Resources
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The Last Class – The closing of a 40-year teaching career
The Last Class captures a master educator wrestling with the dual realities of his own aging and his students inheriting a world out of balance. Robert Reich confronts the impending finality with unflinching candor, humor, introspection, and a rawness of emotion he has never before shown publicly. American political economist, professor, author, and social media sensation, Robert Reich teaches his final “Wealth and Poverty” class to 1,000 students at UC Berkeley, ending a 40-year career that reached 40,000 students.
About the filmmakers: Elliot Kirschner is a New York Times best-selling author and Emmy-award winning news and documentary producer with a passion for science filmmaking and education.
The Last Class (2025) – Gateway Film Center
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Grandparents Day -- Sunday September 7, 2026
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#DoSomethingGrand and celebrate Grandparents
Day (Sunday, September 7, 2025) throughout the month of September! This year
we are celebrating “Stories From the Table.”
Inspired by the Emmy-nominated Netflix film
NONNAS, this year’s theme honors the food, family, and wisdom shared across
generations. Whether you’re gathering around the table, swapping recipes, or
simply sharing stories, it’s a chance to strengthen intergenerational
connections in your family and community. Learn more at
https://grandparentsday.org Grandparents Day (Sunday, September 7, 2025).
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The Second Fifty: Answers to the 7 Big Questions of Midlife and Beyond.
As she approached her fiftieth birthday, Debra Whitman, a globally
recognized expert on aging, wanted to delve deeper into why so many Americans
struggled to live well as they aged.
Suddenly, the questions she’d been studying for years became How long
will I live? Will I be healthy? Will I lose my memory? How long will I work?
Will I have enough money? Where will I live? How will I die?
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Age is a Superpower -- Older Adult Mentors Needed.
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Age is an asset, and older adults are in demand. A company founded on these ideas has enabled thousands of people in their 60s, 70s, and beyond to contribute their wisdom and experience to a younger generation.
This cross-generational program is called Eldera, and while Eldera always welcomes new volunteer mentors, the CEO, Dana Griffin, said that a surge in signups by young people created an immediate demand for older adults to serve as mentors.
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The company safely connects people across generations for weekly virtual conversations, group socials, and Q&As. Young people gain social and emotional growth, and the older generation celebrates renewed purpose and community.
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Griffin started Eldera inspired by her own mentor. “Young people need a caring, compassionate adult who shows up with curiosity and listens with empathy,” Griffin says. She adds that anyone 60-plus who passes a simple background check can join to “make a positive impact, share, and leave a legacy of a better future for all.”
To sign up: www.eldera.ai.
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Oct. 9 is Ageism Awareness Day
Ageism Awareness Day is an opportunity to draw attention to the impact of ageism in our society and how we can reframe aging in our communities.
Ageist stereotypes make out that older adults are a monolithic group. But, the reality is that older adults have a wide range of experiences, interests, skills, and identities.
Additionally, across all life stages and identities, we share values and needs. We often treat people of different age groups as “the other,” keeping us from finding solutions together.
We must create a new shared picture of aging, and acknowledge the fundamental needs that unite us. On October 9, join ASA and others across the country in tackling the age bias that keeps us from building a better future for us all. Learn more at Ageism Awareness - American Society on Aging.
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AROHE members are encouraged to submit stories that reflect activities, news and events from your retirement organization and campus that support retirees and highlight the value retirees bring to their colleges and universities. The November issue of AROHE Matters will focus on how retirement organizations are connecting younger and older generations in rewarding intergenerational programs.
Articles
are limited to 250 words in a Word file, noting the contact person for the
reader's follow-up. A relevant picture (jpeg or png) and web links are valued
additions to any article.
Share your story for the November issue of AROHE
Matters by Monday, October 20, 2025,
to Patrick Cullinane, editor, at pcullinane@berkeley.edu
We would love to learn topics of interest from our members! Please fill out our future topics survey!
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Come Join Us in Transforming Retirement |
Since 2002 AROHE has supported both institutions and individuals by transforming the experience of retirement – the preparation, the transition, and post-retirement programming – into a smooth and productive life-course change.
To renew, join or learn more, visit arohe.org or contact AROHE by emailing info@arohe.org. |
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AROHE's mantra is "Transforming Retirement."
At AROHE, we know that higher education retirees are assets of society who reinvent, NOT retire from, life; positively impact their communities; and contribute to the greater good.
AROHE champions transformative practices to support all stages of faculty and staff retirement, their mutually beneficial engagement, and continuing contributions to their academic institutions. By sharing research, innovative ideas, and successful practices, AROHE emphasizes the development and enhancement of campus-based retiree organizations and programs which support this continuing engagement in higher education.
Privacy policy: AROHE will never sell or give your personal information to sponsors or partners without your expressed permission. This permission is typically done as a part of an event registration where members and registrants "opt in" to receive email notices from a partner or sponsor. In this case a member or registrant's email address is provided to the sponsor or partner.
Copyright © 2020 AROHE. All rights reserved.
Contact email: info@arohe.org
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