Reasons to Join the RETIRE D - United Federation … brochure brieﬂy outlines 21 reasons to join...

21Reasons to Join the

TEACHERS CHAPTER

UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS52 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10004

THIRTEENTH EDITION

RETIRED

Includes the essentialNew Retiree Checklist

gg201_RTC21reasons2009:gd407.RTC21reasons2007 12/23/09 3:05 PM

Dear Retiree,We want to welcome you to the world of

retirement and wish you well on your newjourney! We also want your association with theunion to continue even though you have chosento retire—and here’s how you can do that.

This brochure briefly outlines 21 reasons tojoin the Retired Teachers Chapter when youretire and lists some of the benefits ofmembership. I urge you to read it carefully, forUFT-RTC membership entitles you to manyunion benefits and will, without doubt, enrichyour years of retirement.

The union exists to serve each and every oneof its members—and that includes retirees. Sodon’t hesitate to call on us with questions,concerns or problems. And be sure to continueyour involvement with us. We need your ideasand support and, in return, you can count onour commitment to your continued well being.

Michael MulgrewPresident


1. Want to keep informed?You can do that by reading The New York Teachercarefully from cover to cover. You’ll particularlywant to read the Retired Teachers Chapter section,which has the latest news on your pension andbenefits. SORRY! The newspaper is NOT mailed tonon-members.

2. Want to enroll in SHIP?The Supplemental Health Insurance Programprovides unique health insurance coverage beyondthat provided by the NYC Health Plans and isavailable only to UFT-RTC members. You must electthe optional rider or have comparable coverage fromanother source and apply to enroll in SHIP withinone year after your retirement. You must payretroactive to the month of your retirement. Whenyou join you must complete a SHIP applicationadvising them of your date of retirement and thehealth coverage you have elected. Payment is duewhen application is submitted. If you have anyquestions, call (212) 228-9060.


3. Want the Retiree Handbook?The Retiree Handbook is an encyclopedia withinformation about your union, your pension, yourhealth benefits and much more. It has a place tokeep your Retiree newsletters and pockets to storeyour important pension and other papers! Thishandbook is given as a gift to retirees.

4. Want your voice to be heardin Congress?

The UFT-RTC works closely with the AFT and theAFL-CIO in promoting federal legislation in the areasof social security, health care and pension.


5. Want to be represented atthe state legislature?

The UFT-RTC, along with NYSUT, lobbiesactively for benefits in Albany, such asincreasing the automatic cost-of-livingadjustment (COLA) that was enacted in 2000.

6. Want to be represented at City Hall?

The UFT-RTC’s vigilance at City Hall fights anylegislation designed to decrease benefits whilebattling for improvements on your behalf, suchas reimbusement for Medicare Part B.

7. Want to be part of seniorcitizen coalitions?

The UFT-RTC works with many other groups tolobby for and protect the interests of seniors.These groups include other NYSUT, AFT andNEA retiree groups, and the Alliance for RetiredAmericans, AFL-CIO.

8. Want to maintain all yourUFT rights and privileges?

As a member of the UFT-RTC you can continueto participate in all UFT activities.


9. Have problems with yourpension check?

Want to change your variable annuity election? Areyou getting your COLA? The UFT-RTC has pensionconsultants ready and waiting to answer yourquestions. Just call (212) 598-9536.

10. Have a question aboutyour health benefits?

We have health consultants who are trained tohelp you weave your way successfully through thebureaucratic maze. Call (212) 598-7726 Mondaythrough Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

11. Need social services?If you or your family are facing difficult times, theunion’s Retiree Social Services Program may beable to help no matter where you live. Our staff, ledby a geriatric social worker and a gerontologist, canoffer guidance, information and references toservices in your community. And, if you are in theNew York area, we offer short-term counseling. Allof our services are free and confidential to UFT-RTCmembers, so give us a call at (212) 598-6880.

12. Want to continue youreducation?

The Si BeagleLearningCenters Programoffers a widearray of courses,day trips andseminars in thefive boroughs,Nassau, Suffolk,Westchester,Putnam,


Rockland and New Jersey, through the UFT RetireeLearning Centers Program. You can participate in taichi, art, opera, music, folk dance, computers, bridgeclasses, and defensive driving courses, to name a few.To continue your life-long learning, register throughthe Si Beagle bulletin mailed to you in July andJanuary, or call (212) 598-6879.

13. Want to participate in alocal UFT-RTC section?

We now offer services through chapter sections inNassau and Suffolk;Westchester,Putnam andRocklandCounties; Arizona;California;Florida; Georgia;New Jersey;Nevada; NorthCarolina;Washington DC;Puerto Rico andIsrael. KnowledgeableUFT retiree coordinators in each area arrangemeetings, courses and activities. Each sectionparticipates in all union activities. Call the UFTRetiree Program for information (212) 598-6879. Our Florida section offers extensive services andcourses in the Florida office at: Potomac TrailBuilding, 3200 North Military Trail, Suite 100, BocaRaton, FL 33431. Call (561) 994-4929. The office is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.,Monday to Friday.

14. Want to receive the Retiree?The UFT-RTC Retiree— the Retired TeachersChapter newsletter — is chock full of information forretirees and it is mailed to members quarterly. You’llwant to save it in your UFT-RTC Retiree Handbook(see #3).


15. Want information aboutyour legal plan?

You have a free prepaid legal plan which providesyou and your spouse/domestic partner with threeimportant documents: a simple will, a health careproxy and a power of attorney at no cost. You alsoare entitled to free legal advice and more. UFTapproved elder law attorneys are available at adiscounted rate of 20% from their normal fees. Callthe legal plan at (800) 832-5182.

16. Want to join us for theaterand other cultural events?

Register through the Si Beagle bulletin for ourTheater Club Proram. Enjoy on- and off-Broadwayperformances. Discounted tickets are available aswell. Call (212) 598-6879 to reach a theatercoordinator.

17. Need catastrophic illnesscoverage? Life insurance? Long-term care insurance?

UFT-RTC members are kept informed about allNYSUT and AFT insurance programs, as well asabout all publications that they provide for retirees.Your UFT-RTC membership makes you an automaticmember of NYSUT, AFT and the AFL-CIO.


18. Want to celebrate yourretirement?

Sometime after you retire, the UFT will honor youat a reception. Please be sure to attend! You willmeet the leaders of the UFT-RTC who want towelcome you into their ranks and share with youthe benefits and services that the union provides toits retired members.

19. Have a question aboutunion services or theRetired Teachers Chapter?

Dial the Retired Teachers Chapter at (212) 780-0127 for assistance with any questions other thanhealth or pension.

20. Want to tell us whatservices and programs youwould like?

Our retiree programs are constantly expanding tomeet the needs of our members. Call us at (212)598-6879 with any suggestions you may have.

21. Of course, there is one finalreason to join the UFT-RTC.

Consider the alternative:


NEW RETIREE CHECKLIST

IMPORTANT:Make copies of all your retirement papers and health

forms and keep them in a safe place with yourrecords. Mail all correspondence certified mail,

return receipt requested.

1. I have had my final pension consultation.

2. I have filed my retirement application with:The NYC Teachers’ Retirement System, 55Water St. New York, NY 10041, AT LEASTone business day, but NOT MORE THAN90 days before my retirement date. Formsshould be hand-delivered or mailed certified,return receipt requested.

3. If I elected to take a loan at retirement, I filedan application with the NYC Teachers’ Retire-ment System at least one business day before Iretired. If I wish to directly roll over all or partof the taxable portion of my loan I have filed aQPP Loan Direct Rollover Election Form.

4. If I elected to remove my excess funds (for TierI or II), I filed an application with the NYCTeachers’ Retirement System at least onebusiness day before I retired. If I wish to roll myexcess funds over to an IRA rollover account, Ihave filed a QPP Direct Rollover Form.

5. a) If I elected to defer my TDA, I filed anapplication with the NYC Teachers’Retirement System at least one businessday before I retired.

b) If I elected to remove my TDA, I filed anapplication with the NYC Teachers’Retirement System at least one businessday before I retired.

c) If I elected to annuitize my TDA, I havefiled a TDA Annuity Program RetirementApplication.

6. I have filled out an ERB form to continue myhealth insurance or to waive it and I havechecked yes for the Optional Benefits Rider.

I have brought the ERB form to the DOE’sHealth and Welfare unit at 65 Court St. in


Brooklyn — with my receipt from TRS, and Ihave retained the member’s copy for my records.

7. a) If I decide to use my sick days as terminalleave, I have filed OP40 with my schoolsecretary one month prior to starting theleave (or if starting in September, by theprevious June 1).

b) I have filed OP44 for termination paywith my school secretary (which will bepayable in three installments).

8. If I am eligible for Social Security, I havefiled for it three months prior to retiring.

9. If I am eligible for Medicare, I have appliedfor Part A (hospitalization) and for Part B(medical coverage) at my local SocialSecurity office three months prior to retiring.

10.Membership:

a. I have filled out my UFT-RTC member -ship card and mailed it to the UFT.

b. I have retired on deferred payability, and Ihave enclosed my check with my mem-bership card for $36 per year or $3 permonth, from the month I retired to themonth of my payability date.

c. I have vested, and I have enclosed mycheck for annual dues of $25 with mymembership card.

11. I have filled out the UFT-RTC SupplementalHealth Insurance Plan (SHIP) application,which includes the pension deductionauthorization section, and mailed it, alongwith my check, prorated for the year.

12. I have hand-delivered or mailed all of theforms certified, return receipt requested,and I have filed copies in a safe place.

13. If I am moving at retirement, I have sentmy new address and telephone number tothe UFT’s Membership Department at 52Broadway, New York, NY 10004. I includedmy Social Security number. I also havenotified TRS, the Department of Educationand Employee Health Benefits of mychange of address.


UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERSRETIRED TEACHERS CHAPTER

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Reasons to Join the RETIRE D - United Federation … brochure brieﬂy outlines 21 reasons to join...

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