Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP is expanding its financial resilience programming, delivered through its flagship Senior Planet program. Over two years, OATS will reach 1,500 low-income older adults across New York, Maryland, and Washington DC, through in-person classes and live virtual instruction on seniorplanet.org. This is supported by the Citi Foundation’s 2026 Community finance Initiative, which was announced last month.
As a part of this expansion, older adult participants will learn to safely use digital financial tools, recognize scams, safeguard against fraud, and protect their finances through hands-on training, updated curriculum, and ongoing support resources, such as the Senior Planet Tech Help Hotline. Services and training received by participants in any Senior Planet program are always free of charge.
Financial Resilience is one of OATS’ three core impact areas, next to health and social connection, which makes this initiative a perfect expansion of the work already being done to help strengthen older adults’ financial futures. For older adults living on fixed or limited incomes, having the skills and confidence to manage finances online can be life-changing, helping them protect the resources they rely on and make informed financial decisions. Financial resilience training can also help older adults avoid costly scams and fraud, navigate an increasingly digital financial landscape, and maintain greater independence and security as they age.
“At a time when many families are feeling stretched, we’re proud to support nonprofits that are showing up every day with the tools and support that American households need to pursue economic opportunity,” said Brandee McHale, Head of Community Investing and Development at Citi and President of the Citi Foundation in the announcement. At OATS, our role is to provide the skill training necessary for older adults to be able to confidently use the digital tools available to them in order to build sustainable financial futures.
“At OATS, we believe that digital skills training should lead to positive improvements in older adults’ day-to-day lives. That includes safeguarding against scams and saving money,” said Marisa Giorgi, Vice President of Program Operations at OATS. “We are grateful to Citi Foundation for its investment and commitment to providing older adults the digital skills they need to deepen their financial resilience.”
This grant is a part of Citi Foundation’s 2026 Community Finance Initiative, which will provide a collective $35 million to 70 organizations working to expand economic opportunity and help communities thrive across the U.S.
