The number of optical stores available to UFT Welfare Fund-eligible members has increased by almost 800 nationwide with the addition of Visionworks to the General Vision Services network.

Union members enrolled in the UFT Welfare Fund and their eligible dependents can now get eyeglasses or contact lenses more frequently, for less money out of pocket and from more optical stores than ever.

The UFT enhanced its Welfare Fund optical benefit and hearing aid benefit for in-service members and retirees on March 1.

The Teachers’ Retirement System issues 1099 tax forms each January to people who received distributions from TRS in the previous year.

TRS may ask retirees to complete a Retirement Allowance Verification Form annually. If you receive such a letter, don't ignore it.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew told delegates at the Delegate Assembly on Nov. 17 that the union plans to seek extensive member input to help shape priorities for upcoming negotiations on the next contract and health care.

Thank you to those of you who attended our meetings for NYC child care providers. Here are the forms and resources we promised you regarding comprehensive background clearance requirements.

UFT members who have requested to transfer from the Board of Education Retirement System to the Teachers’ Retirement System must complete and notarize a key form by Dec. 10 for their transfer to be finalized.

As a member of the UFT Welfare Fund, you and your eligible dependents can obtain optical services annually. Learn all you need to know about your optical benefit.

The city of New York's health plan and the UFT Welfare Fund-provided supplemental health benefits are among a UFT member's most valuable assets. Learn about what both plans provide so that you and your eligible dependents can access these benefits...

The UFT is enhancing its Welfare Fund optical benefit and hearing aid benefit for in-service members and retirees effective March 1, 2022.

The following information was sent in an email from Chapter Leader Rosemarie Thompson on Oct. 19, 2022.

Teacher Tisha Gomez and the students in the vision technology program at the School for Cooperative Technical Education in Manhattan give the gift of sight, free of charge, to students and community members every day, producing eyeglasses in their...

Membership in the UFT means never having to figure it out all alone, with union support and resources across the spectrum of financial, physical and mental wellness. Here is a list of resources available to UFT members.

Every three years, you have an opportunity to elect a school chapter leader, a paraprofessional representative for your school as well as the leadership of the citywide Paraprofessionals Chapter.

Retirees with GHI Senior Care may now choose to purchase the 365‑day hospitalization rider separately from the prescription drug rider — you no longer have to buy both together. Learn more »

The 2024 Retired Teachers Chapter elections will take place this spring. The elections will determine various leadership positions, including chapter leader, vice chairs, secretaries, treasurer, and executive board members.

Each year at the beginning of March, eligible retired members receive a partial reimbursement from the UFT Welfare Fund for the cost of an optional drug rider that provides prescription coverage from their insurance carrier.

UFT members can use the union’s English language learners complaint form to advocate for English language learners.

Problems with the U.S. Department of Education’s rollout of a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and an understaffed call center caused a 3% drop in applications this year, a set of federal reports released in September found.


Workers’ compensation can provide valuable benefits to full- or part-time paraprofessionals, school nurses, occupational or physical therapists, administrative employees and substance abuse prevention/intervention specialists who have a work-related...

Teacher’s Choice, initiated by the UFT over 30 years ago, allows school staff members to exercise their professional judgment to purchase supplementary supplies and materials to improve the educational experience for their students. Here are answers...

The annual open enrollment/transfer period for both in-service employees and retirees is Nov. 1 - Nov. 30. During this period, active DOE employees and retirees may transfer from their current health plan to any other plan for which they are eligible...

The Retired Teachers Chapter and the UFT Welfare Fund are proud to present an in-person series of educational, thought-provoking and entertaining lectures as part of the UFT Florida Center’s Day at the University. Please join us for one or all of...

Whether you are a new member, in mid-career or close to retirement, here are steps you can take to learn about your pension benefits and stay on track as you progress down the road to a financially secure retirement.

Whether you are a new member, in mid-career or close to retirement, there are steps you can take to learn about your pension benefits and stay on track as you progress down the road to a financially secure retirement.

The UFT heard from many members about their frustrations with the paperwork demands created by the Department of Education’s Special Education Remote Learning Service Plan. After relaying those concerns, we were able to convince the DOE to extend the...

The UFT Welfare Fund provides a hearing aid benefit that reimburses UFT-represented employees and their dependents up to a maximum of $4,000 once every three years.

As it has for more than 35 years, the Teacher’s Choice program will again reimburse UFT-represented educators for some of their out-of-pocket expenses for supplemental instructional supplies and materials of their choice.


Thanks to the union’s advocacy, UFT-represented educators will be reimbursed for some out-of-pocket expenses through Teacher’s Choice at the same levels as the previous school year. Teachers will once again receive about $250.

Pedagogical DOE employees who are injured or made sick on the job are covered by the Line of Duty Injury provision of the DOE-UFT contract — not workers’ compensation. The following Q&A answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Line...

Barbara Zietchick began taking painting lessons and learning about printmaking while she was still a kindergarten teacher on Staten Island in the 1980s. Now, 37 years after her retirement, Zietchick’s lifetime commitment to “change and growth”...

Workers’ compensation is insurance paid for by the employer. It covers medical costs associated with an on-the-job injury or illness, and it pays a portion of lost salary if you miss work. Full- or part-time paraprofessionals, occupational and...

In this Valentine's Day season, it is worth remembering that there are various types of love around us all the time, all worthy of celebration. Rather than being dependent on a romantic partner, love is something each of us creates from within, every...

The start of a new school year is a good opportunity to review the basics of membership in the Teachers’ Retirement System or the Board of Education Retirement System.

Medicare B 2023 IRMAA reimbursements are scheduled to be issued by October 2024. Eligible retirees must submit the IRMAA 2023 application along with required supporting documents.