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The New York State Retired Teachers’ Association (NYSRTA) is, to my knowledge, the only state-wide organization that works exclusively for retired educators. The Association is comprised of ten geographical areas, called zones. Western Zone is one of these areas, and has the largest membership, presently about 5,000. Membership is available to all retired educators, public and private.
The Western Zone (WZ) is comprised of sixteen local retired teachers’ units serving all of the school districts and communities in Western New York.
One of the most important accomplishments of the Association during the last decade was the enactment of the retirement pension’s COLA provision. This was done in collaboration with the many other organizations in New York State representing the various governmental employee retiree groups. WZ and NYSRTA actively lobby our state and federal legislators regarding retiree benefits and related matters.
A particularly important benefit available only to WZ members is the health insurance program. WZ is a Univera group and offers a variety of health insurance policies for both pre-65 and post-65 (Medicare) individuals.
Non-educator spouses may become non-voting Association members and thereby also become eligible to participate in the health insurance program, even after the death of the educator spouse. Note that a couple can benefit if the district’s policies are only for individual or the more expensive family coverage. Note, too, that the "escrow" funds that many districts have set up for retirees to help pay them for health insurance premiums can be used to pay the WZ premiums.
For more detailed information about our health insurance program, call Pam Styn at 716-836-7013, ext. 228, call toll free at 888-683-3682, ext.228, or go to the Health Insurance Services page on this website.
An especially significant program of both the WZ and the state association is our assistance to retired educators who need financial and other help, either in an emergency or on a regular basis to supplement their pension. The pensions of our older members who retired many years ago can be very, very meager!
While NYSUT and SAANYS work primarily for active teachers and administrators, respectively, our focus is entirely on retirees. So we are not in competition with either of those groups, but add a new area of service and opportunity.
For information about our many programs and other benefits, look through the other sections of our website and speak to your local unit officers or any of the WZ officers.
If you are not a member yet, we urge you to join us! Encourage your colleagues to become members - we need them! As retirees, let’s work together to help ourselves and to help educator retirees in need!
Sincerely,
John Olsen, President, Western Zone
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