When Johanna Pontillo makes her once-a-month trips to Atlantic City, she always “bets the max” on the casino poker machines.

Nearly 500 retirees shared stories and camaraderie on May 28 at the UFT’s 56th annual Retiree Luncheon at the New York Hilton in midtown Manhattan, honoring fellow members for chapter leadership, political and human rights activities, community service and for 50, 60 and 70 years of union membership.

Most of our retired members on Medicare should have received their 2018 Medicare Reimbursement by May 1, 2019. The 2018 Medicare Part B Reimbursement will be electronically deposited into the same account as the pension payment.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) recently asked me to fill its held position on the Senior Council of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Since the Council’s purpose is to offer advice on strategic issues and policies important to retirees’ economic security and general livelihood, I gladly agreed.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew was the keynote speaker at the 40th annual Florida Luncheon at the Royal Fiesta Event Center in Deerfield Beach on Feb. 26. A full house turned out to hear Mulgrew discuss the latest education, labor and political news.

Each year my colleagues and I go on the road for Annual Meetings, mostly from January through March, with our far-flung retirees across the country and in Puerto Rico.