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Important News for Seniors following the recent Connecticut State Legislative Budget Session

​This year’s State Legislative session in Hartford has now ended.  With the support of our legislators (Sen. Tony Hwang, Rep. Laura Devlin, Rep. Brenda Kupchick and Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey) Urb Leimkuhler and Gordon Mackenzie provided testimony at the March Finance Committee budget session in Hartford, and FSA members sent a number of emails advocating retention of tax relief for middle income seniors.

Also, supported by our legislators, Bill Lenahan led our efforts toward an elder abuse registry. Our work included written public testimony, FSA member emails and a strategic meeting with the legislation’s co-sponsors, Rep. McCarthy Vahey, outside agencies, and department heads. 
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The outcomes were favorable, especially in light of the State’s financial stress.

Following are details of legislation we advocated: 
  • CT state tax exemptions on Social Security and pension/annuity income preserved for $75,000 individual/$100,000 joint income earners.  (Governor Lamont’s initial budget had proposed elimination of the higher levels of income eligibility that were agreed to in the 2017 budget and in effect as of 1-1-19. 
  • For $75,000/$100,000 income earners pension and annuity income restored to a “roll-out” exemption of 14% per year, starting 1-1-19, with an additional 14% each year thereafter until 100% exemption is reached.
  • Provided public access to a searchable database of perpetrators of crimes and other substantiated abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment of elderly or disabled persons. The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors will manage the database. 
  • Rejected the Governor’s proposed asset test for the Medicare Savings Program for lower-income seniors.
A number of bills were generated to eliminate the mandatory maximum state tax withholding on pension and annuity income unless a new Form W4P is submitted.  However, these bills died in the Finance Committee.  FSA will continue to monitor activity in this area.
Our May 23rd Housing Event
We had a great turnout (close to 100) at our May 23, 2018 Housing Workshop. There were presentations by town staff and developers, and it was a very informative and well received event!

For more information see our MAY 23 EVENT INFORMATION page for a summary.  

​​Our Focus Goals: 

Our goal: keeping seniors at all income/asset levels in Fairfield and CT; this is so important to everyone's finances.  This requires addressing tax and cost of living burdens affecting our senior community.
  • ​ Finding senior-friendly housing solutions 
  • Evaluating State, Federal and Town programs that affect seniors   
  •  Advocating for change through our Legislative reps and State  leaders
  • Networking with senior/taxpayer groups in other towns
  • Delivering a series of small victories – a signal that things will get better
  • Mobilizing seniors, listening to their concerns, informing them of progress  
FSA is an advocate for Bigelow (Senior) Center programs and activities

​Our Mission

Make Fairfield an attractive town for older adults: an affordable, desirable, vibrant, ​engaged community. This makes our community - and our finances - better.

Our Core Values

  • Seniors are important to our town: to its economy, diversity, sense of community.
  • FSA is non-partisan and represents all Fairfielders. 
  • FSA is inclusive: No age restrictions, all points of view considered.​​
Everyone: regardless of your situation or plans, please take our senior housing/living survey (see link above). 
Please sign up for email updates, meeting notices or specific  volunteer opportunities.