NEA Today for NEA-Retired, October 2026

NEA-Retired Builds Power in 2026

This year, NEA-Retired members demonstrated what they can accomplish when they step up, think creatively, and reach out to one another.

We welcomed thousands of new members and engaged educators at every stage of retirement and pre-retirement. Our March NEA-Retired Conference shattered records for attendance and first-time participants. We also raised tens of thousands of dollars for NEA’s political action committee, which helps elect pro-public education candidates.

That same spirit of engagement will be critical as the midterm elections approach. We remain focused on helping every student succeed, and this election gives us another opportunity to advance that goal. We can help voters understand how decisions made at the local, state, and national level impact schools, colleges, and universities in their communities. We can help retired educators understand how these decisions impact their quality of life during retirement. As retired educators, we bring experience, trusted relationships, and firsthand knowledge to those conversations.

The election is only a month away, but it’s not too late to connect with retired and active educators. Talk with parents, caregivers, neighbors, and friends. Share reliable information about the issues affecting public schools. Encourage others to learn where candidates stand on the issues—and, above all else, urge them to vote. In many states, it is not too late to register to vote.

Not everyone will participate in the same way, and that’s OK. There’s something for everyone, from making phone calls to attending community events. We have already shown what happens when NEA-Retired members work together. Now, let’s carry that momentum into the midterm election and make an impact at the ballot box. To get involved, go to edvotes.org.