Embedded Player As the nation slowly recovers from the worst economic meltdown in recent history, older Americans are likely to continue to feel its after-effects. Many seniors on fixed incomes have had to rely on credit cards to stretch their finances, like 74-year-old Florida retiree Esperanza Lops, who accrued $19,000 in debt. David Alecock, a vice president at the non-profit credit counseling service InCharge Debt Solutions, offers advice to those considering retirement.