FSA‘s focus is in three broad areas:

Tax Issues

Since 2017 FSA has actively worked to improve the taxation of middle income CT seniors through:

• Letter campaigns to State legislators; 
• Position statements to Statewide and local newspapers;
• Public statements and testimony in Hartford; and
• Cost/benefit analyses presented to State legislative committees.

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Our work on the State level has addressed:

• Elimination of State taxes on social security income; 
• Phase out of State taxes on pension/annuity (including IRAs); and
• CT estate taxes at Federal levels.

FSA supports State tax reduction for all seniors.

In Fairfield FSA has worked for improvements in the Town Senior/Disabled Tax Relief (SDTR) Program by:

• Research to compare our tax relief programs to those of other towns;
• Compiling/analyzing published data on senior population / demographic trends;
• Sounding board for Town Committees; and
• ​Recommended changes in SDTR programs.

Housing 

FSA has advocated for better senior-friendly housing options for seniors at all income/asset levels.  FSA is working on multiple fronts to achieve more "affordable housing" units but also housing stock that works for other seniors who wish to downsize and stay in Fairfield. 

Our educational seminars included a highly-attended forum with developers, architects and planners to expedite "affordable housing" and a broader range of housing options for Fairfielders.

In late 2020 FSA proposed new regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and  worked with Town staff and other boards toward their approval in 2021 and subsequent amendment in 2022. ADUs are viable options for some seniors, millennials and others who need smaller, budget-friendly  accommodations, which may or may not be subsidized. 
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The 2022 Affordable Housing Plan addresses our broad Town needs beyond those for subsidized  housing. FSA was a major player in its development.

On a continuing basis FSA works with our local university partners to capture insightful demographic profiles of our current/future senior and overall community to beter understand housing/living needs.   

​ Senior/Community Life

FSA remains on watch to protect our most vulnerable seniors.  When funding for the Medicare Savings Plan was challenged we stressed the importance of funding State Benefits for economically challenged seniors. We wrote to our officials and asked other seniors to support this effort.

At our request, State representatives introduced legislation to establish an Elder Abuse Registry to protect vulnerable senior citizens.

Each year during the State legislative session we carefully study proposed changes in State laws that would affect seniors and work with partner organizations to support or propose changes in these.

FSA is no active in AARP's age-friendly community program. Fairfield would become the 6th State community member of the network through a launch of structure initiatives to enhance living and aging across the generations in Town. More to come on this exciting initiative.