Supporting mandatory participation for all full-time paraprofessionals in the NYC Teachers' Retirement System

WHEREAS full-time paraprofessionals became eligible to voluntarily enroll in the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) on August 1, 1983; and

WHEREAS paraprofessionals who enroll in the retirement system are guaranteed while in-service many valuable benefits including, but not limited to, accident and ordinary disability benefits and death benefits; and

WHEREAS paraprofessionals in TRS can ensure themselves a financially secure retirement by collecting a pension and being covered for health insurance and United Federation of Teachers (UFT) Welfare Fund benefits; and

WHEREAS the vast majority of paraprofessionals are members of the retirement system and are entitled to these benefits, there are many who fail to enroll and jeopardize the guarantees that membership in the retirement system offers to  in-service and retired members; and

WHEREAS the UFT succeeded in getting the New York State Legislature to pass legislation mandating participation in the retirement system for paraprofessionals in the 1990s, but that legislation was vetoed by then Governor George Pataki; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the UFT reintroduce legislation mandating TRS membership for all current and future full-time paraprofessionals in the next session of the New York State Legislature and work to get it enacted.