NEA-Retired works to meet the needs of retired education employees. We work with active NEA members to:
- Protect and improve retirement pension, and health benefits—including state pensions, Social Security, and Medicare.
- Improve public education through mentoring, literacy, and intergenerational programs and activities.
- Achieve legislative and political action goals for education and education employees.
CHICAGO, Here We Come!
The 2022 NEA-Retired Annual Meeting will be held June 29-30, in Chicago at The Hyatt Regency Chicago. The address for the hotel is 151 East Wacker, Chicago, IL 60601.
The NEA rate is $185.00, plus applicable taxes (which are currently 17.39%), applicable service fees, and/or Hotel-specific fees in effect at the time of the Retired Annual Meeting. Group rates are available three (3) days pre- and post-Meeting dates, based on standard availability. Room rates include complimentary WIFI in guestrooms and access to the 24HR Fitness Center. Parking is $79.00 per night. The Hyatt will honor these rates until June 10, 2022.
To make reservations, please call the hotel directly at 1-800-233-1234.
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE RETIRED ANNUAL MEETING
The pandemic continues to impact Retired Annual Meeting (RAM) planning, so many new policies and procedures are being implemented to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Meeting Attendance
The 2022 Retired Annual Meeting will be held in-person with a virtual component, meaning that Retired elected delegates will have the option of attending the meeting either in-person or virtual. Delegates will declare their attendance preference at the time they register online. Seating will be extremely limited for guests and NEA-Retired members who are not delegates. Guests and Retired members who are not delegates will be available to access the meeting virtually. Information on how to access the meeting virtually will be available closer to the meeting.
Delegate Registration
In years past, delegates were able to register onsite. This year, all Retired Annual Meeting participants must pre-register online during the Representative Assembly registration process, May 31 – June 15. No registrations will occur onsite at the Chicago Hyatt.
This year, delegates will be able to check-in on June 29, prior to the meeting, from 8:00-10:00 am CT. However, an additional check-in time has been added on June 28 from 2:00-5:00 pm CT for delegates arriving that day. As a part of your registration, you will be required to agree to health protocols, which will be shared with delegates before the meeting. These protocols include mitigation strategies including wearing KN95 or N95 mask, in addition to requiring a COVID-19 rapid antigen test, and being up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations (meaning all recommended doses in a primary COVID-19 vaccine series plus one additional booster when eligible).
Electronic Device Needed
All participants will need an electronic device to connect into the meeting, including in-person attendees who will be voting on NBIs and amendments to documents in live time. Delegates who do not have a smart phone, computer, ipad, etc., should send an email to [email protected], and a staff member will assist.
We had hoped we all could be together this year, delegate and non-delegate, but we must be thoughtful of everyone's well being. Thank you for understanding.
- NEA-Retired President Sarah Borgman
Proposed amendments to the Bylaws, and the amended Standing Rules, will be available online on June 1.
NEA-Retired Election Updates
Important change for NEA-Retired nominations: For the first time, the deadline for nominations for NEA-Retired seats on the NEA Resolutions Committee is June 10. Nominations for these positions will no longer be accepted on the floor of the Retired Annual Meeting.
To nominate one’s self for election to an NEA-Retired seat on the NEA Resolutions Committee, please use this link, which will be open until June 10th.
For questions about NEA-Retired elections, please email NEA-Retired Elections Chair Steve Gorrie at [email protected].
Our Leaders & Governance
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 business of the organization.
- Meet the NEA-Retired leadership team.
- View the NEA-Retired bylaws, standing rules and elections procedures.
- Learn more about our Annual Meeting and the awards presented at the Retired Annual Meeting.
- Frequently asked questions about NEA-Retired membership and benefits.
- About NEA-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.
Find more information on Retired Organizing Grants and application information.
Calendar of Events
Find more opportunities to connect and contribute.
Jack Kinnaman Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of many NEA-Retired members, five NEA-Retired Jack Kinnaman scholarships will be awarded during the 2022 Retired Annual Meeting. Each scholarship amount will be $3,500, a significant contribution toward an Aspiring Educator’s higher education costs. From the first $1,000 award to one recipient in 2002, the program has grown significantly and now has awarded a total of over $90,000 in scholarship money to 46 Aspiring Educators.
To learn more about Jack Kinnaman, and for information on how to contribute to this incredibly impactful program, visit this webpage. All contributions, regardless of amount, are welcome; in fact, most donations are from small dollar donors who give less than $100. To ensure that your contribution is properly credited, please remember to make checks payable to “The NEA Foundation” and in the memo line, reference “Kinnaman Scholarships."
Retirees4PublicEd
Many opportunities exist for you to take action for retired educators and public education.
M.O.R.E. Projects
The M.O.R.E. Project is designed to mobilize, organize, recruit, and engage retirees in the strategic priorities of the NEA and its state affiliates. Active in Florida and Arizona, the M.O.R.E. Project is scheduled to expand to Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas in 2020.
Be a part of the NEA Retired Rapid Response Team!
Join with over 3,000 other NEA-Retired Members that live within a 50 mile radius of downtown Washington, DC. Your expertise and years of experience are crucial during this critical turning point in NEA’s history.
NEA-Retired Member Organizing Toolkit
NEA Retirees are helping to advocate for public education community by community, school by school, educator by educator, one conversation at a time — whether that’s on a front porch or in a classroom. They’re committed to dialoging with the next generation of educator organizers, because at the end of the day, they aren’t the first to fight for public education, and they won’t be the last. This organizing toolkit will help retirees take action — teaching, and training others in organizing for public education. Dive in to find help with assessing educational issues, needs and resources, addressing one-on-one conversation skills, engaging stakeholders, and building leadership.
Download the NEA-Retired Member Organizing Toolkit (PDF, 4.5MB, 98pgs)
Suggested Further Reading
