Georgia, also known as The Peach State, is a state full of options for members of Georgia retirement communities. Whether looking for outdoor pursuits, sporting events or cultural experiences, there is something for everyone.

Georgia is nicknamed The Peach State because it is a major producer of peaches for the US. But, it is also a supplier of peanuts, pecans and the famous Vidalia onion. Coca-Cola was created in Atlanta in 1886 and the company is still headquartered there. With numerous state parks in Georgia there are plenty of opportunities for nature lovers. For the very adventurous, the Appalachian Trail starts in Springer Mountain, Georgia and ends in Mount Katahin, Maine.

The state is home to an ever-expanding entertainment industry. Numerous movies and television shows have been filmed in the state. The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is one of the largest in the world & home to beluga whales, sea lions and penguins. If sporting events are of interest for members of Georgia retirement communities the state is home to 4 major professional sports teams: the Atlanta Braves, (baseball), the Atlanta Falcons (football), the Atlanta Hawks (basketball) and Atlanta United FC (soccer).

Georgia has four defined seasons. Spring brings beautiful flowers and trees in bloom. Summers are typically warm with an average of 80 degrees but those warm days usually last until October. Fall has beautiful foliage in the Georgia mountains. Winters are mild and brief. Light snowfall is not uncommon in the northern part of the state.

Taxes in Georgia

Georgia collects a 4% state sales tax and the average local tax rate is 3.31.

Georgia has six income tax brackets and residents are taxed at different rates depending on whether they file individual or joint taxes. The levels start at 1% for up to $750 for single filers and $1000 for joint filers. The highest rate is 5.75% for income over $7500 for single filers and $10,000 for joint filers. Social Security income is not taxed.

Retirement Communities In Georgia

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) and Lifecare Communities in Georgia offer seniors age 55+ a residence that allows them to be independent and active today yet equipped to provide for their future healthcare needs.

Today’s seniors have many retirement housing options. Deciding where to live is one of the most important and complex decisions one will make. Making these decisions while still healthy can help you avoid difficult and costly situations in the future.

Find Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Georgia

Options for Retiring in Georgia

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) are sometimes referred to as Full Service Retirement Communities or Life Plan communities. This is because are the only type of retirement community that offer residents independent living when they enter the community with the security of having assisted living and/or skilled nursing care options on site.

Georgia CCRCs or Life Plan communities generally offer various accommodations including apartments, townhomes, and cottages. These communities usually include common activity areas such as a restaurant-like dining room, a library, activity and craft rooms, an assisted living facility, and a nursing home. Other amenities frequently include swimming pools, a fitness center, golf courses, convenience stores, walking trails, gardens, beauty/barber shops, banking services and guest accommodations.

Regulating CCRCs In Georgia

Currently thirty-eight states regulate CCRCs through various state divisions such as insurance, financial services, aging or elder services, or social services. For those states that regulate CCRCs the mandatory requirements and degree of oversight vary dramatically from one state to another. Because of the varying requirements vetting each community individually is the safest way to insure a community is in good standing.

In Georgia CCRCs are regulated by the Department of Insurance, all licensed Georgia Continuing Care Retirement Communities are required to file an Annual Disclosure Statement including a financial statement.

>> See FREE reports on Georgia CCRCs

Selecting A CCRC In Georgia

Most CCRCs in Georgia have entrance requirements; they vary by location but may include some or all of the following:

  • Entry fee to cover the housing unit’s cost and other services and amenities, including contractually provided access to health care. The entry fee may also help keep monthly services fees lower than they might be at a comparable rental community.
  • Monthly income equal to a multiple of the monthly service fee. The range is usually similar to that required for assets and savings.
  • Assets and savings equal to a multiple of the entry fee. A typical range is between 2-4 times the entry fee, but this can vary.
  • Minimum age requirements as allowed by the Housing for Older Persons Act.
  • Medical reviews. Providers will often request medical records, talk with a prospective resident’s primary care physician, or request a health exam. The specific type of contract offered by the community will determine the degree of emphasis placed on this requirement.
  • Medicare and possibly a Medicare supplement policy, or a similar private-pay plan.
  • Will, healthcare power of attorney, and durable power of attorney.

Entry Fee Requirements For Georgia CCRCs

Most CCRCs or Life Plan Communities in Georgia require an entry fee. This is due to several reasons. First and foremost, it secures a resident’s contractual and priority access to the care they may need while living in the community. The money received from entry fees is also used to help pay down, or limit, the amount of debt required for development, expansion, or long-term capital projects, which keep the community attractive and competitive in the marketplace and also benefits current residents. A portion of the entry fee may go towards an endowment fund set up by the community. An endowment fund is used by many CCRCs- particularly non-profit providers- offer a financial assistance to help ensure that if a resident runs out of money due to a longer than average stay in the healthcare facility, or some other unforeseen circumstance, they will not be forced to leave the community.

>> See FREE reports on life plan communities in Georgia

Is A Georgia Life Plan Retirement Community Right For You?

A CCRC or Life Plan Community in Georgia might be a good fit for you or a loved one. Get detailed information on top-rated Life Plan communities in Georgia by searching myLifeSite’s continuing care retirement community directory and proprietary database for helpful profile reports. For all the information you need and questions to ask as you begin contacting retirement communities directly, myLifeSite is a one-stop resource. Our independent reports provide everything needed to make an informed decision including retirement community pricing, healthcare aspects, important contract details and more.

1 Bankrate.com

Updated September 2021