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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 Page 17 First Financial Trust, The Savings Bank Subsidiary, Launches New 401(k) Service F irst Financial Trust, N.A. (FFT) has expanded its trust administration, investment management, estate settlement, and personal fi nancial planning services with the addition of a 401(k) advisory and fi duciary program to its portfolio. First Financial Trust, a subsidiary of The Savings Bank, launched its 401(k) program following inquiries made by local businesses about the GRADUATION | FROM PAGE 2 fact, I would say this year has been as far from traditional as anyone could have imagined before last March. This global pandemic has lingered over us for nearly a year and a half, and this will be a period in history where everyone will be able to say what they were doing during this time in their lives. While everyone was impacted, our students faced unprecedented uncertainties since last March. Uncertainty is possibly the best word to describe this entire time for our graduates that sit before us. They left our old school building for two weeks on Friday, March 13th, 2020. Two weeks turned into three weeks, then it was until after April vacation, then we ended up staying until long after that school was demolished and the 20192020 school year ending. We started this school year in a new complex with stateof-the-art technology and a groundbreaking educational design for students grades six to twelve. Oh, and by saying we started – it was remotely via computers from home and not actually in this new complex. There were several start dates that came and went before fi nally coming into a hybrid model, two days a week in late February, and ultimately back in person fully the week before April vacation. It was more than a full year later. But even then, school was diff erent and not just because it was a new building or that there was a middle school sharing the space. There were the new terms that we had become all too familiar with, social distancing, COVID protocols, quarantining, cohorting, contact tracing, and we were all wearing masks. It was the late Christopher Reeve that said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who fi nds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” It would be fair to say that we have all been availability of retirement plans, a key factor in helping them retain and attract employees. “Our 401(k) program is an excellent opportunity to provide more value to existing First Financial Trust and The Savings Bank clients, as well as to build new relationships with businesses throughout the community,” said Bob DiBella, President and CEO of The Savings Bank. on our own hero’s journey this year. The sports seasons happened with strange rule changes and for some sports during diff erent seasons. For example, who does not think football in New England in March. Our drama club did an old radio play before an audience of about 30 people performing while wearing masks. “Meetings” and “classes” happened virtually, and we all came to know another phrase – “you’re on mute” – and we consistently had the instinct to wave goodbye after every Google Meet or Zoom Conference. We were truly through the looking glass and just hoping that we would get closer and closer to a sense of normalcy. To your credit, the graduates for the Class of 2021 rose to the challenges and overcame the obstacles to get to a relatively traditional end of the school year. While we would never have chosen to have gone through a year like this, I truly believe our graduates are better prepared to face the challenges in their future. This pandemic has served them to overcome adversity and be better for it. John Wayne declared, “Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway,” and looking back I think that is what each of us did to get back to a sense of familiarity. The graduates sitting before us today certainly demonstrated courage and perseverance to get through senior year in the midst of all the adversities. I know that I started my speech a little diff erently than past years’, but this year is different. I do want to thank the Superintendent and his administration for their eff orts in making this year happen. Thank you to the School Committee, Selectmen, Town Manager and State Representative, many of whom are here this evening. You have all helped our school and our commuThe new 401(k) program was launched with American Trust Retirement, an award-winning third-party administrator. With this partnership, First Financial Trust, N.A. has two 401(k) advisory services from which businesses can choose after meeting with First Financial Trust and discussing their individual needs. TRUST | SEE PAGE 18 nity get back on our feet. For myself, I want to thank my administrative team for stepping up and orchestrating a move to a new complex, the merging of two staff s and providing a safe and healthy environment for staff and students. I further need to thank the stakeholder groups that helped our students the most during this stressful time. Thank you to the teachers and all of the building staff , especially our nurses, and the parents/guardians, families and friends that collaborated together to bring teaching and learning back to the forefront in Saugus. The Town of Saugus and the Saugus Public Schools have risen to the occasion and helped us conquer this historic challenge. I am truly proud to be a Saugonian today. To the graduates of Saugus High School, Class of 2021, you will truly be a class that I will never forget. I am proud to have gotten the opportunity to be your principal and I am certain that you are all up to the challenges to come. I will end my speech with a quote from a former fi rst lady, that I have previously used but now seems so appropriate to our current conditions. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’” I would say that just about sums it all up; you have been through this crazy period in history; you are ready to take on anything. Best of luck, enjoy and embrace your future, make every day count, and most importantly...Thank you and congratulations. Editor’s Note: Michael Hashem, a 1985 graduate of Saugus High School, is in his eighth year as principal of Saugus High. He has spent 30 years of his professional career as a teacher and administrator in Saugus Public Schools. S y Senior H li S i Fid Dit d Sa e a BY JIM MILLER elping Seniors Find Discounted High-Speed Internet Services Dear Savvy Senior, Do you know where I can fi nd cheaper high-speed internet services for my home? I’m 70-years old and live strictly on my Social Security and would like to fi nd something faster and less expensive than I currently have. Surfi ng Susan Dear Susan, There are actually two new resources available today that can help you save money on your home internet services, but what’s available to you will depend on your income level and where you live. Here’s where to begin. Internet Discounts Depending on your financial situation, a good fi rst step to reducing your home internet costs is through the new Emergency Broadband Benefi t (EBB) program. This is a temporary federal benefi t that provides a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute $10 to $50 toward the purchase price. To qualify, you’ll need to show that your annual household income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, which is $17,388 for one person or $23,517 for two. Or, if you’re receiving certain types of government benefi ts such as Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP), SSI, public housing assistance, veterans’ pension or survivors pension benefi t, or live on federally recognized tribal lands. Households that experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020 due to job loss or furlough can also qualify for the EBB program, as long as their household income for 2020 was at or below $99,000 for single fi lers and $198,000 for joint fi lers. To apply, go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org where you can apply online or print out an application and mail it in. If you’re already receiving assistance through the federal Lifeline benefi t (see LifelineSupport.org), which is a $9.25 monthly subsidy for phone or internet costs, you automatically qualify for the EBB program, and you can receive both benefi ts at the same time. You can apply your EBB and your Lifeline benefi t to the same or separate services. Or, if your broadband provider already has its own low-income or COVID-19 relief program, you may be able to qualify through this program as well. Talk to your broadband provider for more information. Low-Cost Internet If you’re not eligible for the EBB program, another resource for locating cheaper highspeed internet is Aging Connected, which has a higher income qualifi cation. Created by Older Adults Technology Services from AARP (OATS) and the Humana Foundation, Aging Connected is a nationwide campaign created to help lower-income seniors fi nd low-cost, inhome broadband options in their area. Partnering with telecommunications companies, nonprofits and public entities, Aging Connected will help you search for services in your area that provide high-speed internet at a very low cost. Most participating companies charge around $10 to $15 per month, with no contract and no equipment fee. Aging Connected also provides referrals to affordable desktop and laptop computers for under $160. To qualify, you’ll need to show that your annual household income is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, which is $23,800 for one person or $32,200 for two. Or, if you’re receiving certain types of government benefi ts similar to the EBB program. To search, go to AgingConnected.org and type in your ZIP code, name and email address, or you can call 877-745-1930. Other Search Options If you fi nd that you’re not eligible for either of the previously listed resources, you may still be able to save on your internet by shopping and comparing. The best way to do this is at websites like InMyArea. com and BroadbandNow.com, both of which provide a list of internet providers in your area, along with pricing and download speeds. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Seni nior ni r ior

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