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New Member Checklist

Your choice to embark on this career shows so much about your character and determination, and our city is lucky to have you. Use this checklist to help you get started.

Enroll in the UFT

Join our 195,000-member-strong family and know that you have the power of a strong union behind you.

membership card

Request your membership card

You should receive a card with your six-digit UFT member ID number in the mail 45-60 days after you enroll.

Healthcare -stethoscope

Choose health insurance

Although you are covered from your first day of work, you must enroll in a city health plan within 30 days of your first day on payroll.

Optical benefits

Get other health benefits

Your prescription, dental and vision benefits are provided by the UFT Welfare Fund.

retirement finance

Manage retirement benefits

Log in to the Teachers' Retirement System to start contributing to your Tax Deferred Annuity and to name your beneficiaries.
Purple hexagon showing a plus sign and dollar sign

Confirm your salary

You may be eligible to apply for a salary differential to increase your pay.

Register on UFT.org

Create a UFT website account to access searchable contracts, your supplemental health benefits and more.

Hexagon with green background showing speech bubbles representing UFT text messages

Opt in for texts

Sign up to receive mobile text messages from the UFT to stay informed.