You may not be an in-service employee anymore, but you haven’t left the UFT. Now it’s time to become a member of the union’s Retired Teachers Chapter (RTC) and participate in what’s considered the nation’s best retiree program for public school...

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”...

Members who have spent their professional lives under the academic calendar, even in retirement look at school openings as a pivot point. RTC Chapter Leader Tom Murphy looks at where we have been and, after our summer respite, where we are headed.

Si Beagle trips make a seamless transition from in-person walking tours to virtual excursions for Retired Teachers Chapter members.



More than 30 years ago, Antoinette Messina, now retired, taught an immigrant boy to speak English. In a simple twist of fate, that boy, who grew up to be a physical therapist, today is teaching Messina to walk again.

Retiring members who wish to continue their UFT membership and take advantage of our many benefits must enroll to join the Retired Teachers Chapter. You can enroll online or download an application form on the UFT website and mail it to us at: UFT...

The SHIP application process begins the day you retire and are enrolled as a UFT-RTC (Retired Teachers Chapter) member. We strive to have all applications processed on the day of retirement, but please allow for up to one week to complete the...

Please refer to the SHIP card for the exact fees, as they depend on the time of year and whether or not you also enroll a spouse or domestic partner. You must pay upfront for the first year through December and the cost is $10.00 per month per person...

You must first be enrolled as a UFT-RTC (Retired Teachers Chapter) member. Your SHIP application cannot be processed until your retirement date, therefore, please send your application and payment approximately one month prior to your date of...

Dues are .004 of retirement allowance for members who retired after July 1, 1984. Members who retired before July 1, 1984 and after July 1, 1970 pay $36 annually. Members who retired prior to July 1, 1970 pay $18 annually.