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large group photograph of 2022 NEA Retired Annual Meeting Attendees

Standing Strong for Public Education We are NEA-Retired

Continuing to lead the way for public education and issues affecting retired educators.

Your dedication to public education doesn't end when you retire, and your membership in your union doesn't need to either. NEA-Retired offers members meaningful opportunities to connect with fellow retired educators, advocate for positive changes in public education, and have a productive and successful retirement. By belonging to NEA-Retired, you will stay up to date on critical issues in education, remain engaged in your profession, and maintain access to valuable benefits.

6 Reasons to Join NEA-Retired

Whether you’re already retired or planning your transition from your education career, membership in NEA-Retired can offer you a more fulfilling retirement while maintaining a lifetime commitment as a champion for public education. Click on the left tabs below to see the benefits of membership, and click here to join!

NEA-Retired members:

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Protect retirement security

Together, we advocate to safeguard and improve retirement pension and health benefits—including state pensions, Social Security, and Medicare.

2
Improve public education

NEA-Retired members continue their commitment to public education through mentoring, literacy, and intergenerational programs and activities.

3
Politically advocate for schools and students

NEA-Retired members empower educators, push for school funding, fight for students' and educators' rights, and work to dismantle systemic racism by supporting NEA's legislative and political action goals for education and education employees.

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Stay connected to colleagues and the profession

NEA-Retired members continue their involvement with their State Association and NEA to enjoy new and different activities with former colleagues and new friends.

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Stay informed through conferences and media

NEA-Retired members may participate in national and regional conferences and seminars to develop skills and forge connections with fellow retirees and activists. Members also receive news and information through their quarterly magazine: NEA Today for Retired Educators.

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Access financial benefits

NEA-Retired membership enables you a continuation of NEA Member Benefits, such as:  

  • insurance programs
  • credit programs
  • loan and mortgage programs
  • deposit savings accounts
  • investment programs

 

Have questions about joining? Check out our NEA-Retired Frequently Asked Questions page

Ready to join? Find more information here about joining your state retired association.

Retired Educators in Action

These educators are acing retirement—working hard to protect retirement security, advancing racial justice, and making the most of their talents. Read their stories and find more in the most recent issue of NEA Today for Retired Educators.
MIssouri retiree Martha Karlovetz in her home art studio.

Being a Teacher Cost This Retiree $111,384

GPO/WEP deprives millions of public servants of the Social Security benefits they’ve earned. NEA-Retired members are leading the charge to change the law.
Retired teacher Sherri Kelley Barber with a customer in her barbershop

How to Launch a Second Career

Follow a dream, pursue a new passion—Retiring from teaching can be a new beginning.
NEA-Retired member Chris Salamone, at a bus stop in Buffalo, N.Y.

Being ‘Not Racist’ Is Not Enough

Retired educators are speaking out when they see incidents of systemic racism.

Get Involved

There are many ways you can support public education and protect retirement security. From local actions to fighting for the repeal of punitive pension policies, make your voice heard on key issues.
NEA-Retired member in suit and sunglasses poses in front of the US Capitol building

Join Retirees for Public Education

If you live within 50 miles of Washington, DC, or in Florida, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, or Texas, you can join a team to advocate for retired educators and public education on Capitol Hill and regionally.
Group of schoolchildren in front of school bus

Give to the PAC

The NEA PAC is committed to electing public school champions up and down the ballot regardless of political party. It has never been more important to come together to fight for real leaders at the federal and state level. NEA-Retired members may make voluntary donations. Will you lend your support?
An image of a $100 dollar bill and social security cards

Visit NEA's Action Center

Help advocate for fully funded public schools, dismantle unjust systems, give students the opportunities they need to succeed, and protect retirement security.
NEA Retired members pose as a group with a sign that says repeal GPO/WEP

End Social Security penalties that deprive educators of benefits they have earned

​More than 2.5 million hard-working Americans, including many educators, have their Social Security benefits reduced—or lose them entirely—due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). NEA is pushing to end this injustice by enacting federal legislation. ​
Woman speaking in front of group with a microphone and her hand raised

Should You Run for Public Office? Yes, You Should!

As an experienced educator and union member, you’ve shown your commitment to students and schools. But imagine your potential impact as an elected official, where you could leverage your passion, experience, and insights to improve public education on a larger scale.

NEA’s See Educators Run program helps educators like you learn all they need to know about how to run a successful campaign for public office, including how to prepare to become a candidate, fundraise, and communicate with voters.

Learn more about the program

Events

NEA-Retired Annual Meeting

Dates: NEA-Retired will hold its Annual Meeting in Philadelphia from June 30-July 1, with the meeting opening at 9:30 a.m. on June 30.

Hotel: Information about the NEA-Retired Annual Meeting (RAM) hotel will be shared here once the hotel contract is finalized.

Delegate Check-in/Non-Delegate Member and Guest Registration: All delegates will register online before they arrive in Philadelphia and will need to only check-in upon arrival at the hotel. Retired members who are not delegates, and all guests, must register onsite in the meeting hotel. 

Delegate check-in and member non-delegate and guest registration will be held on the following dates and times. The room in which check-in/registration will be held will be shared once the hotel is confirmed. Additional details about check-in for delegates with physical challenges is forthcoming.

  • June 29: 2:00 – 5:30 p.m.
  • June 30: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • July 1: 7:15 a.m. – noon

Agenda: Tentative agenda coming soon.

For more information, including information on the New Business Item submission process, visit the NEA-Retired Annual Meeting webpage. To access the current version of the governing documents and instructions on how to amend the governing documents, visit our NEA-Retired Governing Documents page.

Calendar of Events

Date Event Details
4/15 Candidate filing deadline Filing deadline for: NEA-Retired Secretary (3 year term) NEA-Retired Executive Council (2 positions, 3 year terms) NEA-Retired Members on the NEA Board of Directors (2 positions, 3 year terms) NEA-Retired Alternates to the NEA Board of Directors (2 positions, 3 year terms)
5/1 Candidate filing deadline For NEA-Retired seats on the NEA Resolutions Committee (6 positions, 1-year terms)
5/6 Retired Executive Council Meeting Washington, DC
5/13 Candidates Meeting
6/30-7/1 Retired Annual Meeting Philadelphia, PA
7/8 Deadline Candidate expense reports due to Retired Elections Chair Steve Gorrie

Elections & Governance

Learn more about who's leading the 320,000 educators in NEA-Retired, their guiding documents, and how retired members can get more involved in their union.
headshot of Anita Gibson

Meet the NEA-Retired Leadership Team

NEA-Retired is governed by a nine-member Executive Council, elected by NEA-Retired members. NEA-Retired members serve on various committees within NEA and meet annually in June to conduct the business of the organization.
close up of a male and female attendee at the NEA Retired annual conference

Our Governing Documents

Find the NEA-Retired Bylaws, standing rules governing meetings, and other governing documents in our online library.
NEA-Retired President Sarah Borgman addresses delegates to the RA delegate assembly

Running for Office

Nominations for 2024 NEA-Retired positions are now open! Candidates may run for a position on NEA-Retired's leadership team or run to represent Retired on the NEA Resolutions Committee or on the NEA Board of Directors.

Awards, Scholarships & Grants

NEA-Retired supports and recognizes its members through several awards and leadership and organizing grants. In addition, it administers the member-supported Jack Kinnaman Scholarship to assist the next generation of educators.
Group shot of NEA-Retired Distinguished Service Award Winners

Recognizing Excellence

NEA-Retired recognizes the hard work and contributions of NEA-Retired members through its Distinguished Service Award, Communications Awards for newsletters and websites, and Membership Awards. Learn more about each award and find lists of past winners at the links below.
Briana Hale

Jack Kinnaman Scholarship

Each year, NEA-Retired awards scholarships to Aspiring Educators to help with higher education costs. Scholarships are funded by the generous contributions of NEA-Retired members and to date, over $107,000 has been awarded to 51 students.
Jane Franz outside with protest signs

Retired Organizing Grants

Each year the NEA Center for Organizing, in collaboration with NEA-Retired, awards State Organizing Grants to State Retired entities. Grants are used for Membership Recruitment, Organizing New Retired Locals, Retired Organizing Projects, Creating Retired Activists, Developing Retired Leaders, or Developing and Strengthening Community Partnerships.
NEA-Retired member Marilyn Warner
Through my local, state, and national involvement on various committees, I get to see the enthusiasm of active educators and hear about the projects they’re working on. It’s important to stay involved and help keep public education alive.
Quote by: Marilyn Warner, retired elementary school teacher

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National Education Association

Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.