About the RTC
The Retired Teachers Chapter is a dynamic organization of approximately 70,000 members shaped by political activism and committed to protecting and improving retiree benefits — considered the nation’s best among public school teachers. Its vast and varied programs are designed to maintain the intellectual, physical and social wellbeing of its retirees.
Founded in 1960 by authorization of the newly formed United Federation of Teachers, the RTC continues to be an active participant in the work of the union here in the tri-state area and through retiree sections organized across the country and beyond. Retirees retain voting rights for union officer elections and serve as members of the UFT Executive Board. Working together, the RTC and the UFT have been able to dramatically improve health and welfare benefits, build a safe and secure pension system and gain retirement incentives for retirees to insure a financially sound retirement.
Programs and Benefits
UFT retirees have access to a broad array of social, educational, legal and retirement services. The entire 17th floor of union headquarters is devoted exclusively to retiree concerns and it’s one of the busiest floors in the 18 story Manhattan building where retirees seek answers to pension, health and retirement concerns.
The Supplemental Health Insurance Program (SHIP), organized in 1977 years ago to provide a supplement to retiree benefits, provides low cost, unique health insurance coverage beyond that provided by the NYC Health Plans. Today, nearly 90,000 members are enrolled in SHIP — including spouses and domestic partners.
As automatic members of NYSUT, AFT and the AFL-CIO, retirees have access to insurance programs such as catastrophic illness coverage, legal advice and UFT approved elder law attorneys as well as the publications these organizations provide.
The RTC keeps its members well informed through the retiree pages of the New York Teacher, RTC newsletters, fliers and bulletins shared on the UFT web site. The chapter also keeps in touch through our RTC monthly meetings, two annual benefits meetings, and two luncheons per year: a fall luncheon honoring new retirees and a spring luncheon for all retirees.
The RTC continues to work actively at all government levels to protect and improve retiree benefits. To keep the union’s voice strong, retirees are urged to stay active and contribute to COPE.
Beyond New York
RTC services and UFTWF Retiree Programs are available not only in the tri-state area but to members in its far flung chapter sections in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Coordinators are available to discuss changes and concerns with members who live in their areas and all members can join our RTC monthly meetings.
For general questions, call or write:
RTC Chapter
52 Broadway, 17th floor
New York, NY 10004
212-780-0127
In Florida:
3200 North Military Trail
Boca Raton, FL 33431
561-994-4929