RTC members in Florida flocked to Boca Raton for the reopening of the remodeled Florida Retiree Center on Feb. 27. UFT President Michael Mulgrew and Treasurer Debra Penny cut the ribbon during the ceremony, while (back, from second left) Retired Teachers Chapter Leader Tom Murphy and Florida Section Coordinator Ken Goodfriend joined other onlookers.

In 2000, after several frustrating years, the UFT, NYSUT and the rest of the state’s labor movement convinced New York State to provide an annual, permanent cost-of-living adjustment to retiree pensions.

If you are a new retiree, you will notice that full in-service dues were deducted from your summer pay checks. There is no need to request a refund. Upon receipt of all the dues records for UFT members from various city agencies, the accounting department will automatically calculate a refund for all eligible members and send them a check.

Members who are retiring at the end of the school year will receive four summer checks.

If you’re planning to choose a new bank to electronically receive your monthly retirement payments from the Teachers’ Retirement System, keep in mind the following so that you can avoid suspension of your Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT).