For the eighth consecutive year, identity theft topped the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) list of leading consumer fraud complaints. In 2007, the FTC received 258,427 complaints – more than four times the next-highest entry.¹ And a recent survey conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research found that 8.4 million Americans were victims of identity fraud last year alone.²

There are a number of steps you can take to limit access to your personal information and reduce your risk of falling victim to identity theft. Here are just a few:

 Safeguard Personal Information – Since “dumpster diving” is a proven way to gather personal information, shred account statements and financial documents before tossing them in the trash. You may also want to send mail containing personal information from a secure location, such as the post office.

 Don’t Fall for Scare Tactics – Beware of anyone who reports a service issue or emergency and asks for your account information. If you have a legitimate business relationship, the person should already have any information needed.

 Click Carefully – Don’t open attachments or click on links sent to you from an unknown source. Pop-up ads and e-mail links may sometimes contain viruses or spyware – and may even attempt to capture your information by using a Web site that resembles a familiar company or service (a practice known as “phishing”).

 Protect Your Social Security Number – In many ways, your Social Security number is your most valuable asset. It holds the key to your personal information, such as your health and financial records. As a result, you should never write your Social Security number on a check, use it as a password, or give it to anyone unless necessary.

 Monitor Your Credit Reports and Accounts – If you see any unfamiliar charges, or notice that your billing statements haven’t arrived, be sure to report it to your creditor or financial institution. You can also request a copy of your credit report to see what accounts have been opened in your name and check your payment history. To receive your free credit reports, just call 1-877-322-8228, or visit www.annualcreditreport.com It’s possible to protect your personal information and keep identity thieves at bay. For additional resources, please visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft

¹“FTC Releases List of Top Consumer Fraud Complaints in 2007,” February 13, 2008, www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/02/fraud.shtm
² “How Many Identity Theft Victims Are There? What IS the Impact on Victims?” updated June 2007, www.privacyrights.org/ar/idtheftsurveys.htm

Health and money: two things that are top of mind our entire lives. Even more so as we get older. We all wish to live nice, long lives. And thanks to healthier lifestyles and medical advances, we’re living longer than ever before. But there’s a flip side. We hope that the money we’ve saved will be enough to last.

This is why some of us rely on several sources of income to support us through retirement: savings, investments, Social Security benefits, a company pension or other retirement plans. However, an unpredictable economy could shrink your sources of income sooner than expected. Combined with a longer-than-anticipated retirement, you may run the risk of outliving your money.

That said, this may be why nearly half of retirees are concerned they will run low on money as they grow older, and why a record number of annuities are being purchased.* So maybe you’ve thought about a fixed immediate annuity as an additional income source. If you have, then you know that the guaranteed income stream you receive from this annuity may provide important financial stability in your retirement years. After all, it offers dependable, predictable income.

A fixed immediate annuity is a contract between you and the insurance company. When you purchase this type of annuity, the insurance company promises to pay you a fixed monthly income that you can’t outlive. Regardless of stock market performance or interest rates, the income payments will never vary. And even after your total monthly income payments equal your annuity purchase price, you’ll still continue to receive a monthly check. This means that if you live a long, healthy life, you could collect thousands of dollars above and beyond what you paid into the annuity.

Lastly, there’s another important advantage to keep in mind. Some annuities, like those offered by New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation, promise that if you die before your monthly income payments equal the full amount of your annuity purchase price, your beneficiary will be paid the difference. This is a valuable guarantee, and not all annuity plans offer that assurance.

If you’re looking for a source of income that you can’t outlive, even during uncertain times, then a fixed immediate annuity may be just the thing to consider.

The AARP Lifetime Income Program
from New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation
For more information about our annuity program,
call 1-800-309-6807 or visit
lifetimeincome.nylaarp.com/newsletters

*LIMRA International, September 2007.

If you like choices, the AARP Life Insurance Program from New York Life is for you. In addition to a host of quality, affordable life insurance plans, we offer a variety of convenient payment options. You can pay by check, of course, or take advantage of one of the following free services:

NEW! One-Time Web Payments: You now have a fast and secure way to make your premium payments online. We can deduct your premium directly from your account. You can access the system by visiting our Customer Service Web site – www.nylaarp.com – and selecting the “Make a Payment” link. The instructions are easy to follow. Just make sure to have your contract (policy), bank account, and routing/ABA numbers handy to complete the transaction.

Electronic Payments and Transfers: The AARP Life Insurance Program accepts most forms of electronic payment, including EFT, ePay, and online banking. Like the One-Time Web Payment plan mentioned earlier, these services allow you to debit your account electronically, as opposed to writing a check. Transactions are not made automatically, however, so you will need to contact your financial institution whenever you would like to make a payment.

Automatic Premium Payments: When you enroll in this free service, all future premium payments will be withdrawn electronically from your bank account. Withdrawals are made automatically each month, so there’s no need to worry about a missing or late payment. Depending on your insurance plan, you may even save as much as $12 per year for taking advantage of this option.


To enroll in the Automatic Premium Payment plan, or ask questions about any of our convenient payment options, please call 1-888-963-7219 (8 a.m. to 10 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday). There’s absolutely no obligation, and our customer service representatives will be happy to help.

It’s no secret that a healthy diet, exercise, and taking vitamins and other supplements can be keys to maintaining good health. And taking prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs also helps us stay healthy.

But it’s important to understand how the medications and supplements you take interact. Taking the wrong combination could actually make a drug ineffective or increase a drug’s effect, posing possible health risks.

Prescriptions and OTC drugs can interact with each other. And even mixing medication with the vitamins and herbs found in dietary supplements can cause a problem. Believe it or not, drug interactions can even occur with some foods and beverages. Symptoms can be mild, such as headaches or nausea, to severe, like an irregular heartbeat or a drop in blood pressure.

And the more medications you take, the greater the risk of drug interactions. Of course, doctors have a good understanding of drugs and their effects. But there are also a few simple steps you should follow to further reduce your risk, including:

 Always read drug labels carefully.

 Learn about the warnings for all drugs you take.

 Make sure all of your doctors know about every prescription medication, OTC drug, and dietary supplement (including vitamins and herbs) you take.

 Keep good records of the medications you take, and keep a list in your wallet and at home. Tell a family member where you keep the lists.

  Mention the medications you’re taking to your doctor when you’re prescribed a new medication.

  Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking an OTC drug if you’re taking any new prescription medication.

  Use one pharmacy for all your drug needs.If you’d like to learn more about preventing drug interactions, visit www.fda.gov for additional information.

Source: “Preventing Serious Drug Interactions,” FDA Consumer Magazine, July-August 2004 issue.

Are today’s high fuel costs starting to take their toll on your budget? If so, there are some relatively easy ways to keep your home heated and your car running – while saving a few dollars at the same time.

Money-Saving Tips for the Home

Perform Routine Maintenance: Before winter arrives, be sure to replace your air filters, check your ductwork for leaks, and have your furnace serviced to make sure it is operating efficiently.

Eliminate Drafts: To keep the cold from sneaking in, make sure your windows are caulked, weather stripping is tight, and your door sweeps are intact. Consider fabric window curtains as a second line of defense.

Watch Your Water: You may be able to save money by lowering the temperature on your water heater. If you have a dishwasher, just make sure the temperature doesn’t drop below 120 degrees.

Don’t Heat More Than You Have To: If you can, lower your thermostat a few degrees at night, and close the vents in infrequently visited areas. Space heaters and fireplaces can provide additional comfort, but should never be left unattended.

Driving Dos & Don’ts

Roll Up Your Windows: When traveling at high speeds, it’s better to use air conditioning than to open up a window. The more aerodynamic your car, the more fuel efficient it will be.

Avoid Sudden Stops & Starts: Since your car uses more fuel when accelerating, try to maintain a consistent speed. Use cruise control whenever possible, and set your speedometer at 55 mph when the speed limit permits.

Maintain Your Vehicle: Underinflated tires, dirty air filters, and unchanged oil can turn even the most fuel-efficient car into a gas guzzler. A good coat of wax can also reduce wind resistance and help you burn less fuel.

Eliminate Unnecessary Trips: The best way to save gas is to reduce the amount you drive. Try to accomplish multiple tasks with each trip, and see if you can organize or join a local car pool.

With the high cost of fuel these days, any little change can make a big difference. Give these tips a try, and see how much you can save.

Enjoy peace-of-mind benefits with the AARP Rewards Visa card, offered exclusively to AARP members. The AARP Rewards Visa offers everything that you would expect from the only card endorsed by AARP:

 No annual fee

 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

  Fraud liability protection

  AARP member discounts, exclusive extras and more

At www.chaseclearandsimple.com you’ll enjoy easy-to-use tools and resources, such as:

 Payment Calculator

  Free Account Alerts

  Credit Line Control

  Managing Debt

To find out more, or to apply for the AARP Rewards Visa card, simply call
1-888-689-3896 or visit www.aarpcreditcard.com.

Accounts subject to credit approval. Restrictions and limitations apply. AARP Rewards Platinum Visa credit cards are issued by Chase Bank USA, N.A. See www.aarpcreditcard.com for pricing and rewards details. New York Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with the AARP Rewards Platinum Visa Card.

Scam-Proof Your Life
This essential action guide by dogged consumer reporter Sid Kirchheimer reveals smart tips, techniques, and tactics that anyone can use to avoid being victimized – financially, physically, or emotionally. Repairmen divulge the tricks of their trades, con men offer defensive directives, and much more, all to help you get the most for your time and money.

AARP members receive 35% off AARP book titles when they order from the AARP Web site. Visit http://www.aarpmagazine.org/books