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.
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Improve public education
NEA-Retired members continue their commitment to public education through mentoring, literacy, and intergenerational programs and activities.
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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.
NEA-Retired Membership Poster (En Español)
NEA-Retired Membership Push Card
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.
LANDMARK Victory! GPO and WEP repealed
With a win 40 years in the making, NEA secures full retirement benefits for educators.
‘I Won’t Change You’
A grandparent’s love and acceptance can make a critical difference for LGBTQ+ young people.
Eating for Longevity
Today’s experts say healthy eating isn’t only about losing weight, it can also add years to your life.
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.
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.
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?
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.
LANDMARK Victory! GPO and WEP repealed
A win forty years in the making, NEA secures full retirement benefits for educators
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.
Events
NEA-Retired Annual Meeting
Dates: The 2026 NEA-Retired Annual Meeting will be held June 30-July 1 in Denver, Colorado. Doors will open each day at 9:00 am and the meeting will begin at 9:30 am on June 30. For information about the meeting, please email [email protected].
Location: The NEA-Retired Annual Meeting will be held at the Hilton Denver City Center. The rate is $202.00 per day, plus all applicable taxes for single/double rooms. The hotel's check-in time is 4:00 pm. Check out time is 11:00 am. The hotel will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate early check-in.
To book your room, please click HERE. Guest room reservations must be made on or before June 8, 2026 in order to receive the group rate or until the room block reaches capacity. After this date, or once the room block is filled by members/delegates, guestrooms will be made available at the best rate. Due to the limited amount of rooms available, we encourage Retired delegates to reserve only one room under your name. Booking and holding rooms that are not needed prevents other delegates from making reservations.
Delegate Check-In/Non-Delegate Member and Guest Registration:
All delegates must register online before arriving in Denver. Delegates will still need to 'check in' for the meeting in order to receive credentials to enter the meeting.
Retired members, who are not delegates, and all guests must register onsite at the Hilton Denver City Center.
Check-in and registration will be available in the foyer outside of the Colorado Ballroom on the lower level. Delegates who pre-register and request Accessibility Services for the NEA Representative Assembly will be able to pick up materials when checking in for the Retired Annual Meeting at the Hilton Denver City Center. Delegates who do not pre-register for Accessibility Services will need to register at the convention center.
The dates and times for check-in and registration are:
- June 29, 2026 - 2:00-5:30 pm
- June 30, 2026 - 7:30 am-5:00 pm
- July 1, 2026 - 7:15 am-12:00 pm
A meeting agenda is forthcoming and will be posted here when available.
For more information, including information on the New Business Item submission process, visit the NEA-Retired Annual Meeting page. To access the current version of the governing documents and instructions on how to amend the governing documents, visit the NEA-Retired Governing Documents page.
Calendar of Events
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 10/14-16/2025 | NEA-Retired Executive Council Meeting | NEA Headquarters, Washington, DC |
| 12/1/2025 | Jack Kinnaman Scholarship | Jack Kinnaman Scholarship application opens |
| 2/25/2026-2/27/2026 | NEA-Retired Annual Meeting | Virtual |
| 4/15/2026 | Candidate filing deadline | For Retired governance positions: NEA-Retired President (3-year term), NEA-Retired Secretary (1-tear, 2-month term), NEA-Retired 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) |
| 4/15/2026 | Membership Awards | Deadline for Membership Awards application |
| 4/15/2026 | Jack Kinnaman Scholarship | Scholarship application closes |
| 4/15/2026 | Communications Awards | Deadline for Communication Awards application |
| 4/15/2026 | Distinguished Service Award | Deadline for Distinguished Service Award nominations |
| 5/1/2026 | Resolutions filing deadline | For NEA-Retired seats on the NEA Resolutions Committee (6 positions, 1-year term) |
| 5/4/2026-5/6/2026 | NEA-Retired Executive Council Meeting | NEA Headquarters, Washington, DC |
| 5/12/2026 | Candidates Meeting | Virtual |
| 6/30/2026-7/1/2026 | NEA-Retired Annual Meeting | Denver, CO |
| 7/8/2026 | Deadline | Candidate expense reports due to NEA-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.
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.
Our Governing Documents
Find the NEA-Retired Bylaws, standing rules governing meetings, and other governing documents in our online library.
Running for Office
Nominations for 2025 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.
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.
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.
Retired Organizing Grants
Exciting Updates Coming Soon!
Stay Informed We'll come to you
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