Inside ERS [Winter 1997]

(,A
E"\00
,Pi
R41<191 I I

Winter 1997

Inside ERS

...

The ...

E.

m.... ..p..l

o

y
.

e

e

s

' .

.R...e..t.i..r..e..m...e..n...t.

.S...y.

s

t

e

m

The front page of this newsletter is usually devoted to introducing you to the ERS staff. However, in this issue we have a sadder purpose. John Boland, our former coordinator for the pre-retirement seminars, passed away last November.
In 1971, John helped modify and keep alive the program which prepared State employees who could retire within five years. Later, he was instrumental in expanding the program to cover younger State employees interested in making a career in public service.
John was always ready to chat and he had a talent for putting people at ease. Anyone who attended one of our seminars and heard one of John's stories will in some part share the sadness we feel at his passing. We will all miss John.
John's wife, Norma, has asked us to print the following letter, and we are happy to oblige.

It was reported in this newsletter last summer that John Boland, Retirement Coordinator for ERS, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. To those of you who hnew John personally, John approached his illness with the same wit and tenacity that he approached everything else. However, he lost the battle to cancer November 14, 1996.
John was overwhelmed by the response from you, the members, to the report of his illness. He made several attempts to dictate a letter to thank you for all of the cards, letters, words of encouragement, and most of all your prayers. I am sure those prayers helped him through the bad times. Even though his power of endurance was stretched to the limit, he was able to face each day with courage and each ordeal with remarkable grace and dignity.
Hearing from all ofyou never failed to bring a smile to John's face. Also, thank you for sharing your success stories. Nothing was more gratifying since his desire was for everyone to enjoy a happy and fulfilling retirement.
Thank you for your support and may God bless each of you.
Mrs. John W. Boland (Norma) and Family

page2

INSIDE ERS

It's Tax Time, Again!
Whether you agree or disagree with all of the programs the federal, state, and local governments administer with your tax dollars, the deadline for filing tax returns is still April 15. If you feel overwhelmed when faced with the 1040 tax form and you cannot afford a professional tax service or an accountant, TAX-AIDE may be for you.
TAX-AIDE is a volunteer program sponsored by the A.A.R.P. (American Association of Retired Persons) Foundation in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service Tax Counseling for the Elderly. Celebrating its 29th year of service, TAX-AIDE is designed expressly for older tax payers of low to moderate income.
TAX-AIDE volunteers are trained to correctly complete federal and state tax returns that don't require specialized or extensive forms. They are specifically trained to handle items such as taxable and non-taxable pensions and social security, sale of primary home, qualifying

widow(er), tax credit for the elderly, earned income credit, child or dependent care credit, differences between federal and state tax credits or exclusions, and estimated taxes.
TAX-AIDE provides face to face counseling at established sites, such as libraries and senior centers. For those who cannot travel to these central areas, some volunteers can also travel to special locations like hospitals and nursing homes. Some have even made home visits.
The TAX-AIDE sites operate from February 1 through April 15. Their services are always confidential, and best of all, these services are free.
To find the TAX-AIDE site nearest to your home, call your local Internal Revenue Service office. (You'll find it listed in the U.S. Government section of your local phone directory.) Or call the toll free phone number 1-800-829-1040. In the Atlanta area call the TAX-AIDE number: (404) 888-7744 (not a toll-free number).
Regional and State AARP offices can also give you information about TAXAIDE sites. Look in your phone book under American Association ofRetired Persons for the nearest office. For those with a computer and a modem, information can also be obtained on the AARP Web Place: http: I I www.aarp.org:BO I taxaide I home.h tml

INSIDE ERS
And spe~ldngof tax~s,the 1099R's ror
your retirement benefits \Vere mailed in mid.:.January. If you have not received your 1099R, contact our payroll department as soon as possible. Ittakes a few .days to get these tax forms reprinted,. so don't wait until the last minute.
Living Better .. . Living Longer
How well people do mentally and physically after retirement may not be just due to heredity or good fortune. According to a 1996 article by Jane Brody, many scientific studies point to ways to increase your chances for successful aging.
Dr. John W. Rowe, the director of the MacArthur Foundation Consortium on Successful Aging has found that "Only about 30 percent of the characteristics of aging are genetically based; the rest - 70 percent - is not." Dr. I ohn McLearn, another member of the Foundation, has stated that" ... by age 80, for many characteristics there is hardly any genetic influence left."
The MacArthur studies have found that several factors seem to predict successful aging: 1) regular physical activity, 2) continuing social connections, 3) resiliency or the ability to bounce back after sufferinob- a loss, and 4) the feeling of being in control of one's life. And these are all factors that you can change.
Dr. Robert Kahn of the MacArthur project has found that those who age successfully don't have a "blessed" life with no losses or major illnesses. Rather, they are

page 3
able to come through life's setbacks intact, while other people have long lasting or permanent effects.
Dr. Kahn also found that people who continue to lead active and productive lives after retirement are likely to age successfully. He described productive activities as taking care of a family or a child, gardening, doing volunteer work, or fixing things around the house rather than doing something for monetary gain.
Dr. Teresa E. Seeman, a social epidemiologist at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles found that people who had more emotional and physical support had a better self image, which seems to produce better mental and physical functioning. Her studies suggest that people with a higher degree of social support have lower levels of stress. She also found that people who showed stronger self-confidence in their abilities were also able to cope better in stressful situations.
Drs. Warner Schaie and Sherry Willis found that there are people who did not decline mentally with age. But they also found that retirees who did decline could minimize the deterioration and in some cases improve their mental functions through "intellectual" training or doing activities such as crossword or jigsaw puzzles.
A study by Dr. Marilyn Albert at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston found that the verbal intelligence did not necessarily decline as a person got older. The speed that a person processes information does tend to slow down, but given enough time, the older person will do just as well as a younger person in verbal tests. (Continued page 4)

page4
In short growing older does not mean you just have to give up and "let nature take its course". By being more physically and mentally active, by keeping social contacts strong, by retaining a positive attitude toward life's setbacks, and by taking control of as much of your life as possible, you will certainly live a more fulfilling and healthy retirement. And you just might live longer.

INSIDE ERS
WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE?
In a study done in 1975, a national sample ofpeople were asked why they did not enroll in an educational institution. For those people under age 65, the most frequent answers were "not enough time" and "not interested". For people age 65 and older the most common answers were "not interested" and "I'm too old"! (emphasis added)
In a 1977 study students already enrolled in continuing education courses were asked why they were taking the courses. The 19-year olds' primary reasons were "to get a better job" and "to make more money". People age 65 or older answered "to learn more things of interest" and "to meet people who are interesting".
Rudolph Johnson Director
Jim Larche Deputy Director
Inside ERS is published by the Employees' Retirement System for
the retirees of Georgia State government
Frank Perriello Editor, chief cook, and bottle washer

t:Iimplo~.e.ez' ~tir.em.ent~~zi.em
Two Northside 75, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30318

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID
ATLANTA GA PERMIT NO. 3336