April
is finally here with showers to bring forth the May
flowers. With Easter behind us we can start planning
our gardens and I'm looking forward to seeing all
the birds return. Spring is a wonderful time of year.
It is my favourite season.
April
is also time to get your income tax return ready.
Some may already have theirs completed, especially
if you are receiving money back. This year you also
are allowed to do income splitting. Eligible income
for splitting includes 1) pensions from registered
pension plan and 2) annuity payments from RRSP, LIF
or RRIF if received as a result of the death of a
spouse or if you are 65 or older at the end of the
tax year. Your OAS, CPP and other government income
programs must be included in the calculation of your
annual income, but these pensions do not qualify for
income splitting. Apparently it almost never makes
sense to split pension income when both partners have
about the same income. Pension income splitting is
complex and highly personal therefore it is advisable
to seek professional help. You can consult the following
sources:
|
or a Certified tax software or web application.
|
Do
you have trouble opening a package that was so well
sealed that you wish you'd never bought it? I bought
an Open It cutting tool. It really works! Apparently
several hardware places have them.
Our
research project with the OPP, Seniors Against Victimization,
is completed. I have a copy of the report and we are
waiting for the literature review and project evaluation.
It is already on our website. Click on and read it.
The brochures were distributed at the Ontario Network
for the Prevention of Elder Abuse Conference at the
end of February where many were given out.
The
USCO is also working with the Ontario Bar Association
(OBA) and the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA)
putting on a seminar at the end of April. We are working
on Regulation OReg 381/03 compensation for injuries
sustained in a car accident that you heard about last
August at our convention. I will be speaking at the
seminar on behalf of all seniors. As I know more about
the seminar, I will keep you informed. The USCO is
making great strides in getting our organization recognized
as the oldest and largest seniors' organization in
Ontario.
This
is our 50th Anniversary so it is a great time to promote
the USCO in your area and bring many to the convention
in Burlington August 18-20th to celebrate the event.
Your resolutions are due April 11th, so please bring
your problems to the attention of the government in
our brief.
In
some areas, long term homes and senior organizations
are working together to take up petitions asking for
more money for more staff and operating costs to long
term care facilities. Do you realize a prisoner is
allotted $10.50 to $11.00 per day for food and persons
in long term care facilities are only allotted $7.00
per day? Are our seniors not as important as an incarcerated
person? As a senior we need your help to speak out
against these injustices.
The
USCO needs your voice to be heard not just your president's
voice at all the government meetings. Some weeks I
attend four meetings on behalf of seniors. Instead
of asking what is the USCO doing for you, think: What
can you do for the USCO? We need your help and voice.
You are the USCO, not the Board. It is your organization.
Let's work together to strengthen our grey power with
our MPP's and the government. Seniors are the greatest
volunteers (in all aspects of life) and we appreciate
any assistance we can get. Thank you in advance for
your help - you are the backbone of the USCO.
We
hope more songs and chants will come in next month
for the contest. How many new members do you have?
How many pictures have you taken for our album?
That
is enough questions for this message, but we are working
to keep all the benefits seniors have and to improve
conditions for seniors and for our children and grandchildren
and great grandchildren. Do inhale and enjoy the spring
and all the wonders of nature.
