Fixed-income seniors struggle with budgets

TRAVERSE CITY -- There was a time when Pat and Bob Pierce had a money cushion, a few dollars left over once the bills were stamped and sent.

Those days are gone. So too is eating out. And traveling. And purchases that aren't absolutely necessary.

"We used to be able to save a little bit each month. There's nothing to save anymore," said Pat Pierce, 74. "Some months, it's right down even ... I don't like that."

The Pierces, married for 55 years, live in a Garfield Township mobile home park. They are among the region's senior population who have serious worries about rising prices, declining investments and increasingly tumultuous economic times.

The couple exists on Social Security benefits and Bob's pension from Chrysler, so the much-publicized plight of the Big Three automakers only adds to their concern.

"It may not be a huge pension, but it is what keeps us here where we're at right now," Pat said. "I would say possibly if he lost his pension we might eventually lose our home."

The Pierces aren't alone, and sometimes kinship helps. Organizations like the Traverse City Senior Center, where both of them volunteer each week, provides resources and a sounding board.

"Being with the senior center, we've got friends in there in the same situation," Bob said. "We can talk about it and be honest with each other and try to lift each other's spirits up."

But because seniors are cutting back on travel and other expenses, the center has seen a decrease in patrons as the economy soured, Director Lori Wells said.

"If anything, I think people are staying home even more, which really bothers me," she said.

Wells said those who stop by mention the same concerns: reduced or eliminated pensions, high heating and food costs and reduced retirement investments. Some have to keep working longer than planned. Others have to go back to work.

It's difficult to quantify how many of the region's seniors are struggling financially, said Dee Wilkinson, spokeswoman for the 10-county Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan. But more seniors need help, she said, and some are reaching out for the first time.

"(We get) apologetic calls, people say 'I never thought I'd be here," she said. "Every call is a tough call to make."

The Grand Traverse County Commission on Aging has seen a sharp increase in seniors who take advantage of a program that provides a one-time payment up to $500 for emergency home repairs, heating costs or other expenses.

In 2006, 96 such payments were made, said commission Director Georgia Durga. But nearly 150 have been made through November of this year. Officials expect to see the number rise throughout December.

The Goodwill Inn, which houses homeless, hasn't seen a noticeable overall increase in seniors in recent months, Director Lois Lannin said. But they have noticed a jump in people older than 75, she said, a relatively uncommon occurrence in previous years.

"When they do come, it's like everybody else," Lannin said. "They have a bunch of problems."

The number of Grand Traverse County residents 65 and older living below the poverty level jumped from 2.6 percent in 2006 to 4.5 percent in 2007, according to United States Census data. But figures for both years were significantly lower than those for residents ages 18-64, which ranged up to 9.6 percent.

Jim Rowlett, chair of the Traverse City-based Poverty Reduction Initiative, said seniors are somewhat cushioned because many already are out of the turbulent workforce.

"They're affected, but I think they're affected less than the general population," he said.

Bob Pierce retired from Chrysler in 1982 after more than 30 years as a die maker. The thought of having to go back to work has crossed his wife Pat's mind, she said.

Or she could make and sell crafts, though she knows that likely won't bring in enough to pay the bills.

Plummeting gas prices eased some of the pain, but those savings are offset by a cold, early winter and seemingly ever-rising heating costs. They're already preparing to make some adjustments.

"If we do have a really cold winter, what I'll do is turn the heat down and just have a blanket on me," Pat said.

They've also taken advantage of "Angel Food," a program run through their church that gives them $70 worth of groceries a week for about $30.

Traverse City resident Nancy Goerlich, 72, also needed to shave her grocery bill. Last week she pushed a cart through Save-A-Lot on Garfield Avenue, a grocery stop she now usually chooses over pricier stores.

"It's the expense of everything, and the groceries," she said. "That's why I'm in this store ... it's more economical."

Goerlich's husband Larry owns a sign shop. He always thought he'd be at least semi-retired a long time ago, she said, but the couple just can't afford it.

For seniors, many of whom have children, economic worries extend far beyond themselves. Their kids have grown up and moved out, but the parental instinct never fades.

"Our kids, that's who I'm scared for," said Mary Franklin, 70, as she shopped at the Salvation Army Thrift Store on South Airport Road. "So far my kids are okay, but they're on the brink, I feel."

The Pierces can relate. They have a daughter and son-in-law who lost their jobs and eventually lost their home. They gave support, but eventually had to look out for their own finances.

"We helped them as long as we could, but we had nothing left to give," Pat said. "That was hard."

For now, the Pierces will try to maintain a positive outlook, they said. They know other seniors who are in worse shape. They lean on their spirituality and give thanks for what they have.

"We are strong Christian people, and we have faith that we're going to be taken care of no matter what situation comes up," Bob said. "That's the only thing I can look for, because I don't know what the future's going to be. Nobody does."

Photos

Bob and Pat Pierce look over bills in their Garfield Township home. The couple, married for 55 years, is concerned about high heating costs and other expenses. Record-Eagle