Governor Whitmer Header




Dear Friend,?

Michigan?s seniors have spent their lives building this great state ? raising families, running businesses, and serving their communities. Many still work in and give back to their communities. It?s our duty to ensure they are taken care of and have the dignity, respect, and independence they deserve.

That?s why we are working hard to make Michigan the best place to retire and live out the golden years of your life.

I?m committed to driving down the cost of prescription drugs, easing the tax burden on seniors, expanding access to nursing homes, and helping those who care for our seniors.

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We Rolled Back the Retirement Tax

Last year, we rolled back the retirement tax, giving seniors the largest tax break in decades. After working for a lifetime, Michiganders deserve to be able to retire and keep every hard-earned dollar of their retirement funds.

In 2012, Michigan?s tax code was rewritten to slap a retirement tax on hundreds of thousands of Michiganders. Money that was promised to seniors was taken out of their hands. It was wrong. We made it right.

Our retirement tax repeal will save half a million households an average of $1,000 a year. It?s 100% phased in for first responders who spent their careers protecting us and saving lives. That?s extra cash in seniors? pockets for groceries, gas, and gifts for the grandkids.

To learn more, the Michigan Department of Treasury has prepared detailed information [ [link removed] ] explaining how to benefit from the retirement tax repeal.

Retirement Tax
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Lowering the Cost of Healthcare?

I?ve been working hard alongside the Biden-Harris Administration to expand Medicare and lower healthcare costs for seniors. For the first time, Medicare now negotiates drug prices directly, with insulin costs capped at $35 per month.

Last December, I signed bills lowering the cost of prescription drugs and increasing pharmacy oversight, protecting Michiganders against surprise medical billing, and fostering more competitive health care pricing.

We increased wages for direct care workers and other staff assisting seniors who require home-based and nursing home services and support. We will continue to invest in programs to support older Michiganders, including increased nursing home support payments and expanded services to help seniors age in place with access to senior centers and home care.

To follow through on these investments, I established the Health and Aging Services Administration in 2021. This department is focused on helping aging adults thrive by improving access to health care services and transportation, combatting elder abuse, and more.

Our efforts are paying off. The work we?re doing has made Michigan the first ?Age-Friendly State? in the Midwest according to the AARP.

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*Caring for MI Family Tax Credit*

In my State of the State address this year, I laid out my plan to offer support for Michigan?s caregivers with the Caring for MI Family Tax Credit. Michiganders who are caregivers have enough to worry about. They spend thousands of dollars out-of-pocket on their loved ones while juggling their own lives, families, and careers.

To lower the cost of caregiving, the Caring for MI Family Tax Credit could save thousands of Michigan families up to $5,000 on their taxes. By allowing people to write off expenses including counseling, transportation, and nursing or respite services, they can save money while caring for parents, children with long-term care needs, or an aging or sick relative.

We are working to get this done so that we can help families who care for our seniors.

seniors
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GetSetUp

We are also creating new ways for older Michiganders to continue learning and stay connected. Michigan has partnered with GetSetUp, an online learning and discovery platform [ [link removed] ] designed specifically for older adults. GetSetUp helps older Michiganders combat social isolation and stay mentally, physically, and socially active by providing them with 500,000 free virtual classes across a range of topics.

If you are a Michigan resident over 50, you can access the easy-to-use GetSetUp learning platform and join free, friendly, peer-led classes to learn about health and wellness, explore hobbies, and much more.

Learn more about GetSetUp at Getsetup.io/partner/Michigan [ [link removed] ].

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Michigan is committed to lowering costs, expanding support for care, and working across the aisle to tackle the high cost of prescription drugs.

Together, we will ensure that older Michiganders have the dignity, respect, and independence they deserve.

Sincerely,

G Signature

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor








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