Originally Posted by Pbthrockm@msn.com (Post 1873179)

Shame on you if you suggested she sell her house. This is not merely her house but her home. Being military it probably is the only one she has known. Did you notice her name. She maybe from Europe and married military man. And military pensions are not automatic the military person has to signup for it at time if retirement for their spouse and there is a monthly premium to be paid that is not cheap.
The residents of the villages many have a great deal of money and it would be the right thing to do to set up a fund to help her Having her move will add to her already difficult situation. Emotional and financial as moves are not cheap.

Originally Posted by brfree1411@aol.com (Post 1873273)

retired military pension stops at their death. Social security is probably minimal. She needs to fix her house in order to sell it. This might be too much for her to do alone. Maybe she has children or family members she can ask for help.

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com (Post 1873115)

I’m a very soft touch for charities but this lady has a very nice pension coming in and who knows how much is in the house . I give to some go find me people but they usually have nothing because of some disaster or medical, even if there’s not much in the house she can find many inexpensive nice places to live on that pension and one poster is right where are her neighbors

Originally Posted by DON10E (Post 1873097)

I read this story and it’s been bothering me all day. Her husband was military till he died and she needs help to bring her house up to standards. She seems like a great candidate for a Go Fund me page but I have no experience with that. Do you? Any ideas? There but for the Grace of God...Merry Christmas?



A Villager is claiming her loss of supplemental income is making upkeep at her home too expensive for her to afford.

The home of Ingrid Rickard at 16558 SE 77th Northridge Court in the Village of Calumet Grove was the subject of a public hearing Friday before the Community Development District 4 Board of Supervisors.

A complaint about missing lanai screens and weeds was lodged against her property Oct. 13 with Community Standards. The violation was verified the following day.

Rickard’s husband, a retired Air Force colonel, died in 2012. They moved to The Villages in 2003. The house in Calumet Grove was built in 2004 and they were its first and only occupants.

In the years since her husband’s death, Rickard has fallen on hard times.

She said her supplemental income from retirement has been depleted

“I have no other way of making any money,” the 76-year-old told the CDD 4 board.

She had to trim back on her landscaping budget to save money and friends from her church have been helping her pull weeds.

On Tuesday, she signed an agreement with a contractor who can replace the screens in her lanai. But the contractor is “backed up” and can’t get to her job for 12 to 14 weeks.

Rickard said she understood she could be fined if the work isn’t performed in a timely manner.

“I had to borrow money to have the screens replaced. I cannot afford a daily fine,” she said.

Supervisor Don Deakin urged Rickard to get other competitive bids and potentially use them to spur her chosen contractor to move up the job on his priority list.

CDD 4 Board Chairman Jim Murphy reminded Rickard that she has a responsibility to “keep up the property.”

By a unanimous vote of the board, she was given 45 days to bring the property into compliance. If she fails to do so, she will face an initial $150 fine followed by $50 daily fines.

Originally Posted by Eg_cruz@comcast.net (Post 1873147)

That would be rare most retired military passes to spouse

Originally Posted by kimaquintana@aol.com (Post 1873244)

Well I am very serious, I am very experienced in these types of situations and I am more than happy to help out a woman in distress. If someone has her contact information, please give her my phone number 978-476-1342. If not, I suppose I can knock on her door and if that is the way it goes, I will keep you all posted on the outcome! Have a safe and happy Holiday season.

Originally Posted by Number 10 GI (Post 1873314)

The OP says her husband was a retired Colonel drawing a pension, but when a retired service member dies his pension ends. The wife receives nothing unless he enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan which is voluntary not mandatory. The way the plan works is that a military retiree pays a premium each month from his pension. The amount of the benefit paid to the spouse each month is based on how much the retiree pays into the fund each month. This premium can be quite expensive depending on how much of a benefit they determine the wife will need to live. Most military personnel don't enroll in this plan as the premiums are too expensive for the benefit received. Even at max participation the benefit is far less than the retired pay received by the service member.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 1873204)

She gets her spouse's Social Security income, but she may not get a military pension. Her spouse could have opted out of the surviving spouse pension with her signature approval. Some spouses will sign this without even knowing what they are signing.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1873135)

I looked it up too. She paid $283,000 in 2003. I agree with you. I would clean up what I could and sell it and get out from under the amenity fees and live smaller and cheaper somewhere close. I for one would do that far before I would allow a go fund me.

Originally Posted by kimaquintana@aol.com (Post 1873188)

Is anyone in touch with this woman? I would be happy to meet with her and potentially purchase the house and let her stay there and pay monthly rent. OR I would be willing to see what she is in need of and help her get workers scheduled and put up funds to get the work done. How do I get in touch with her? Kim Quintana 978-476-1342