Got this from Bill Foreman in Fisheries:

We’ve received several calls from older individuals confused about the age 65 and licenses, and several have reported that they have been told by a “game warden” (no further information) that their original (pink, I think) “lifetime” fishing license is no longer valid. The inland fishing licenses should remain valid (however, hunting needs annual renewal regardless of issue date, and the marine licenses were never “lifetime”). Below is the information that we’ve included in the Angler’s Guide (as per conversations with Donna Kinney to confirm that this is how they are handing these) concerning the age 65 and older licenses:

• The free resident “lifetime” inland fishing, hunting and trapping licenses for individuals age 65 and older became annual licenses effective October 1, 2009.
• All “age 65 and older” free inland fishing, hunting and trapping licenses obtained since October 1, 2009 must be renewed annually.
• Additionally, all “age 65 and older” free marine fishing licenses must be renewed annually.
• Holders of age 65 and older “lifetime” Connecticut inland fishing licenses obtained prior to October 1, 2009 are not required to reregister, however, should one misplace this “lifetime” license, they will need to obtain a free replacement by registering through the Automated Licensing System (from their home computer or at a participating vendor).
• All individuals with “lifetime” hunting or combination hunting and fishing licenses will need to register themselves in the Automated Licensing System to obtain the appropriate permits and tags along with their unique Conservation ID#.

The reasoning behind this was that there was nothing in the relevant pieces of legislation that revoked the previously issued “lifetime” versions.