Registration Now Open: Alliance National Membership Meeting is this April

Attendees will elect the Alliance’s officers, participate in special workshops, learn about emerging issues and what’s at stake in the 2026 elections, and ways to grow our retiree activism. They will also attend a special “Senior Prom Ball and Dinner” celebrating the Alliance’s anniversary.

The registration fee is $150 and covers all meeting activities and most meals. The hotel rate is $69 per night, plus tax, with no resort fee and free parking. Register at this link.

Hotel reservations must be made separately. To book your hotel room online, visit this link or call 888-696-2121. Be sure to use the code ARA2626. Please contact Joni Jones at [email protected] or 888-373-6497 with any questions.

Report: United Health Group Gamed the System to Boost Medicare Advantage Payments

United Health Group manipulated a special insurance process in order to boost profits from Medicare Advantage, according to a new report from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The process, known as “risk adjustment,” allows insurers to get extra payments for patients with certain complex conditions. UnitedHealth records show that the corporation gamed the system by adding diagnoses to patient records to qualify for additional money. Sen. Chuck Grassley (IA) began the investigation last year and the U.S. Department of Justice started a separate investigation into UnitedHealth’s Medicare billing practices in July.

Medicare Advantage plans are privately run alternatives to traditional Medicare, primarily serving people aged 65 and older. More than 9 million patients are currently enrolled in a UnitedHealth Medicare Advantage plan.

“Lawmakers must take steps to ensure that all Medicare Advantage insurance companies are held accountable and deliver quality healthcare at a fair price,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “This issue that matters to seniors and every American who pays into the Medicare system throughout their working life.”

You’re Invited: Special Webinar to Stop the Scam and Protect Older Adults from Social Media and AI-Driven Fraud

Scams targeting older adults are rapidly evolving, fueled by social media platforms and increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence tools. From fake ads and impersonation messages to cloned voices and deceptive videos, scammers are exploiting trust and technology at unprecedented levels. Older adults are being disproportionately harmed, yet education, consumer protections, and accountability have not kept pace.

Join us January 29 at 4 PM ET for a webinar introducing the Alliance’s Stop the Scam Campaign.

During the webinar participants will learn how social media and AI are being used to target and deceive older adults and why education and collective action can lead to stronger protections and safer online environments.

Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/allianceforretiredamericans/event/883590/

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. and What He Did to Uplift Workers

On Monday, January 19, we will honor the birth of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the work he did to advance social justice for marginalized and underrepresented communities in the United States – including workers.

He emphasized labor’s importance for the civil rights movement in a January 1962 letter to Amalgamated Laundry Workers, writing: “As I have said many times, and believe with all my heart, the coalition that can have the greatest impact in the struggle for human dignity here in America is that of the Negro and the forces of labor, because their fortunes are so closely intertwined.”

“Many people do not know that Dr. King’s legacy involved unions. He understood that the labor movement was – and always will be – a powerful tool in the fight for equality and justice,” said President Roach. “He understood that civil rights and labor rights are not separate issues. We should follow his example by remembering this connection and lifting up workers whenever we can.”

The AFL-CIO is spotlighting Dr. King’s pro-union legacy this week at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. The theme of the conference is “Honoring Our History-Fighting for Our Future.” Event speakers include AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler; Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr., New York Times best-selling author and James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor, Princeton University; and United Steelworkers (USW) Vice President at Large and President-Elect Roxanne Brown.

Hawaii Alliance Holds Convention

The Hawaii Alliance held their biennial convention from Monday, January 12, to Thursday, January 15 in Honolulu. Alliance Executive Director Richard Fiesta addressed attendees about emerging threats to retirement security in 2026 and gave an overview of what’s in store for this year’s midterm elections.

“The senior vote will be more important than ever during the midterms this year,” said Executive Director Fiesta. “Alliance members showed up to protect democracy and elect pro-retiree candidates last year, and they will do it again this year.”

Other speakers included Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Silvia Luke, Hawaii State AFL-CIO President Randy Perreira and Hawaii Alliance President Ann Ebesuno. Members re-elected Ebesuno as President, HGEA Retired; and elected Greg Miskian as Vice President, Kokua Council; Rae Yamanaka as Secretary, HSTA Retired; and Phyllis Hiramatsu as Treasurer, CAN.

Left: Hawaii Alliance President Emeritus Al Hamai, Hawaii Alliance Secretary Rae Yamanaka, Hawaii Alliance Vice President Greg Miskian, Hawaii Alliance Treasurer Phyllis Hiramatsu, Hawaii Alliance President Ann Ebesuno, and Alliance Executive Director Rich Fiesta. Right: Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Silvia Luke

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