Retired teachers chapter news

Why do UFT retirees volunteer in such large numbers? Part of it is a call to duty by UFT President Michael Mulgrew who refers to us as “The Daytime Union.” Another part is the old semi-religious concept of “vocation” which in Latin means “a calling” to serve others. Teaching is a kind of vocation. We are called to serve in the transmission of culture from one generation to the next.

After the Annual Meetings wrapped up, the chapter got back to holding its general membership meetings in Shanker Hall, Manhattan, the first taking place on April 17.

Just before the Supreme Court heard arguments about the constitutionality of the Affordable Health Care Act, Barbara Easterling, president of the Alliance for Retired Americans, gave UFT retirees a pat on the back for their part in supporting the historic health care measure that has proven so valuable to seniors.

It was a party atmosphere at UFT headquarters on Feb. 27 as Ann Kessler, one of the founders of the union, was honored at her 95th birthday celebration. "I've been involved with the union for 60 years," Kessler said. "I was elected chapter chair of my school, then Al Shanker asked me to run as district leader ... 60 years later, here I am."

RTC leaders recently attended four Annual Meetings in areas of the West where significant numbers of our retiree colleagues now reside. That includes Northern and Southern California, Arizona and Nevada. As one retiree said: “We didn’t hang our social consciences on the hook with our keys when we left the schoolhouse.”

This is the time of year when we visit our retiree sections around the country to bring them up to date on union news and listen to their concerns. So far, Sandra March, Gerri Herskowitz and I have visited retirees residing in areas around Atlanta, Ga, Raleigh, N.C., Washington, D.C. and several cities in Florida.

Once again SHIP, the RTC’s Supplemental Health Insurance Program, comes through for us, improving out-of-pocket savings for its 67,000 members — 47,000 retired UFTers and 20,000 spouses. The SHIP Board of Trustees has approved several benefit changes to SHIP coverage for all eligible members starting Jan. 1.

Federal tax law allows taxpayers who elect to itemize deductions to deduct their state and local income taxes or state and local general sales taxes to reduce their federal income tax.

The UFT takes very good care of us — its 60,000 retirees. Not only do we have the best teacher pension and health benefits in the nation, we also have access to a full range of social services provided by experienced professionals who are prepared to help us and our families, wherever we live in the United States.