Now there’s great news for AARP members who are planning a long and rewarding retirement. In response to member concerns about the possibility of outliving their assets, New York Life is pleased to announce the creation of the AARP Lifetime Income Program. Exclusively available to AARP members ages 50-85, this program can provide a steady stream of income for life and dependable, fixed monthly payments that will help sustain you throughout retirement.

“As traditional sources of retirement income, such as pensions, become less and less available, AARP members— like all Americans in or near retirement— are increasingly concerned about how best to address their income needs and safeguard their financial security,” said Larry C. Renfro, President of AARP Financial. “Mindful they run the risk of outliving their assets without ongoing income, many AARP members have expressed interest in the potential of annuities to help fill their income gap.”

With Americans living longer than ever, the demand for lifetime income has never been greater. In fact, more than half (58%) of pre-retirees surveyed by New York Life considered it “important” to supplement the retirement income they will receive from Social Security or a pension. Lifetime income annuities, like the kind featured in this program, address this need by providing an unlimited number of income payments. The longer you live, the more money you will collect — sometimes far more than your annuity purchase price.

AARP members will also find it reassuring to know that the amount of their income payments is fixed, so there’s no need to worry about declining interest rates or the impact of a down market. Furthermore, an important plan feature guarantees that if you pass away before your total income payments equal your annuity purchase price, your beneficiary will be paid the difference.

“The new AARP Lifetime Income Program from New York Life will help AARP members effectively address one of retirement’s most urgent financial needs,” said Mr. Renfro. “This offering is part of AARP Financial’s commitment to provide members with a comprehensive suite of low-cost, lifelong financial and investment solutions.”

This program, from New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation, offers a fixed immediate annuity that provides guaranteed income for life, no matter how long you live. You simply purchase this annuity with a single lump-sum payment, and in return, you are guaranteed a monthly check for the rest of your life.

For more information on the AARP Lifetime Income Program,
call 1-800-610-3147 or visit www.lifetimeincome.nylaarp.com

Edited Larry C. Renfro quotes from AARP Financial Draft Press Release, “AARP Financial Launches New York Life Guaranteed Lifetime Income Products To Millions Of AARP Members,” Jeanne Murphy Romano, January 2007.

New York Life is committed to giving AARP members the highest level of service. In addition to our award-winning customer service department, we have developed several convenient, automated ways for you to conduct needed services and access helpful information about your life insurance certificate. These automated features are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can use them whenever your schedule allows.

Visit Us Online at https://www.nylaarp.newyorklife.com:
Even first-time visitors will find this Web site easy to use. Just click on the appropriate button to review your policy information, make address and billing changes, switch payment options, and download required forms. To ensure the highest level of security, please be prepared to enter your certificate number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You can even request online help if you have any problems.

Call Anytime, Toll Free, 1-800-695-5164: Through our interactive voice response system, AARP members have the ability to verify payments (option 1), request forms (option 2), receive AARP and other service provider phone numbers (option 3), and even inquire about loan information (option 4).

All options are available in English and Spanish, and if you are calling during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 10 p.m. [ET] Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday) you can be connected to a live customer service representative.

Now that spring is here, you probably have the urge to fix up the house a bit … perhaps wash the winter grime off your windows, straighten up your garage, maybe even plant some new flowers in your garden. However, before you dive headlong into your annual spring cleaning, you might want to consider getting your financial affairs in order as well. After all, you may find it just as gratifying, and the long-term effects could be far more significant.

Start by taking a good look at your life insurance coverage. Simply read through your contract and review your beneficiary information. Is there anyone you would like to add — perhaps a new grandchild? Or would you like to change the percentage each beneficiary receives? And what about the amount of your coverage … is it still adequate, or do you need more protection due to a change in your family or finances?

While you are examining your coverage, be sure to take a moment to reacquaint yourself with all its features and benefits. These features may be particularly important if you have had a significant change in health. The Living Benefit and Nursing Home Waiver of Premium riders, for example, are included with many AARP Life Insurance plans and can help ease your financial burden by providing access to benefits or covering your insurance premiums in times of need.

It is vitally important to re-examine your retirement plans as well. Take a look at the size of your total retirement savings picture … has there been a dramatic change over the last year? Have market forces — or other financial needs — reduced the amount available to sustain you? If so, you may want to read our cover article, “New Program Helps AARP Members Enjoy Guaranteed Income For Life,” and see how easy it can be to add a steady stream of lifetime income to your portfolio.

Given a solid foundation, your finances will be there to shelter and protect you and your family for the rest of your lives. So before you start working on the house, be sure to spend just a few minutes cleaning up your financial affairs as well.

If you have any questions about the benefits listed in your AARP Life Insurance Plan, or would like to make any beneficiary changes, call us, toll free, at: 1-800-695-5164.

If you would like to receive free information on the new AARP Lifetime Income Program, please call 1-800-610-3147. There is no obligation.

Would you like to lose weight — but can’t stomach the idea of another diet? If so, you may want to consider an alternate strategy. By introducing more fruits and vegetables into your meals, it may be possible to reduce the size of your waistline — without going on a strict diet or counting calories.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, weight loss is achieved whenever your body uses more calories than it consumes. While eating less food is probably the most common strategy, it’s possible to achieve the same result through exercise (so that you burn more calories) or by replacing highcalorie foods with healthier alternatives.

Fruits and vegetables, while relatively low in calories, contain high amounts of water and fiber. As such, they can be a healthy — and hearty — way to add volume to a meal. Fruits and vegetables also come with a variety of other health benefits, such as providing essential nutrients and protecting your body from a host of chronic diseases.

How can you incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your meals? Here are a few simple suggestions:

BREAKFAST Cut back on the amount of cereal you consume and instead add bananas, peaches or strawberries to your bowl. If you like omelets, consider reducing the amount of eggs or cheese you use in favor of some fresh tomatoes, onions and mushrooms.

LUNCH Instead of preparing soup filled with meat or noodles, use broth and a cup of chopped vegetables. You may also want to consider replacing some of the meat and cheese in your sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers or onions.

DINNER Rather than rice or pasta, use chopped vegetables as a side dish. To help you consume smaller portions of meat, try garnishing the main course with onions, tomatoes or mushrooms. Need dessert? Simply cut back on the number of sweets and add some fresh fruit to the mix.

Losing weight is never easy, and some individuals may find it necessary to employ all three strategies (dieting, exercise, and calorie replacement) in order to succeed. But if you are looking for a way to keep your stomach and scale happy, perhaps now’s the time to check out all the fresh, mouthwatering alternatives at the local produce stand.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Nutrition for Everyone: Healthy Weight: How to Use Fruits and Vegetables to Help Manage Your Weight” (last updated September 11, 2006), on CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/nutrition_for_everyone/healthy_ weight/weight.htm

Are you trying to shake those winter blues? Or shed a few unwanted pounds? When it comes to managing your weight and maintaining good health, studies have shown that what you do is often less important than how often you do it.

In fact, the Mayo Clinic reports that just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day — walking, running, swimming, anything that gets your heart pumping faster — is one of the best things you can do to improve your overall health. Best of all, the benefits of regular exercise are long-term, regardless of your age or current level of fitness. Here are just a few of the many reasons why it is so important to make exercise part of your daily regimen:

 Reduced risk of coronary disease and stroke
 Decreased blood-sugar levels and risk of diabetes
 Increased bone density and mobility
 Improved energy levels throughout the day
 Reduced risk of developing breast, colon and prostate cancer (among others)
 Decreased risk of hypertension (high blood pressure)
 Greater resistance to minor viral infections such as a cold or the flu
 Reduced stress levels and risk of depression
 Enhanced weight loss and improved self-esteem

As you can see, a daily routine of aerobic exercise, even in small doses, can have a profound effect on your mind and body. So as the weather warms up, get outside and take advantage of the opportunity to improve your health.

Mayo Clinic Health Information, “Aerobic Exercise: What 30 Minutes a Day Can Do for Your Body,” March 4, 2005, found at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aerobic_ exercise/EP00002

Crusading activist Sid Kirchheimer takes you on an eye-opening tour of the world of “ripoffs, bogus deals, and other consumer headaches” in Scam-Proof Your Life from AARP Books. Sid peels back the online aliases, telephone personas, and other devious disguises of scammers to teach you how to spot shady dealings a mile away. You’ll receive expert guidance from industry insiders, as well as reformed con artists who once pulled these scams themselves, on how to armor-plate your bank account, your identity, and your good name.

To learn more about Scam-Proof Your Life and other AARP Books, please visit www.aarp.org/books, where AARP members receive a discount of 35%.

The AARP Rewards Platinum Visa card from Chase is offered exclusively to AARP members — the only credit card endorsed by AARP:

 Straightforward, easy to redeem rewards
 Ability to earn up to $600 cash back on purchases annually
 Opportunity to redeem points for cash or gift certificates at leading merchants
 No annual fee
 Low APRs
 Pick your own payment due date
 Fraud liability protection
 AARP member discounts, exclusive extras and more
To find out more or to apply for the AARP Rewards Platinum Visa card, simply call 1-800-728-2465.