D.A. Endorses Mel Aaronson for TRS Trustee
Some Salary Deductions Get Special Tax Breaks
Investment Choices for Tier I/II Members in QPP and All Tiers in TDA
2005 Pension Laws Enacted
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A letter from the president

D.A. Endorses Mel Aaronson For TRS Trustee

Dear Colleague:

The UFT’s Delegate Assembly has resoundingly endorsed Mel Aaronson for re-election to the position of teacher-member of the New York City Teachers’ Retirement Board. His record surely deserves our continued support.

Mel has been actively involved in union affairs since he began teaching high school biology more than 40 years ago. He is currently the treasurer of the UFT. He served as high school network chairman, UFT field representative (working with retirees) and chapter leader of DeWitt Clinton and Springfield Gardens High Schools. He is a delegate to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) conventions.

He has served as a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Public Employee Pension Systems as well as chair of the Pension Sub-Committee of the Municipal Labor Committee. His pension expertise has been recognized by the industry with his election as a vice president of the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS).

Over the years, his insight, ideas and political skills were crucial in securing numerous changes in state law that have improved the pensions that we will all receive. He has also used these skills to help prevent the passage of legislation to reduce the benefits for future members.

For many years, Mel has given pension counseling to thousands of Teachers’ Retirement system members. He has spoken at innumerable school meetings, conducted pension clinics and written pension articles for the New York Teacher. He is the author of highly acclaimed UFT pension handbooks. As chair of the UFT Pension Committee, he is responsible for the outstanding pension services the UFT provides for its members.

With the mayor’s attack on our pension plan and the nationwide attack on defined benefit traditional pensions, we need Mel more than ever at this time.
The law requires that candidates for the retirement board be nominated by petition, and those petitions are being circulated between now and April. To show full support for Mel, we ask that all members of the TRS sign the petition.
Mel has done an excellent job. Let’s keep him in office with all that experience.

Very truly yours,

Randi Weingarten