As a retiree with 20 years of service, I strongly urge all UFT members to contribute as much as you can afford to your TRS retirement program. I returned to teaching after a 23-year absence and retired in 2005. During that time, I maximized my TRS account as best I could while working after school for the Home Instruction Office.

I have benefitted greatly from this decision. Please heed the words of your UFT chapter leader, who should be encouraging you to maximize your TRS contribution. I am glad I followed the advice of my teaching colleague, Tom Brown, now the UFT assistant treasurer.

Paul Apfel, retired