UFT retirees who are members of the Retired Teachers Chapter can join the Supplemental Health Insurance Program (SHIP) during their first year of retirement and recoup hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars for out-of-pocket medical expenses, including ambulance rides, dental work, hearing aids and private-duty nursing.

The UFT Welfare Fund Retiree Social Services' Nationwide Telephone Reassurance Program offers support for retirees that is just a phone call away. Retirees can chat for as long as they need about whatever issue they may wish to discuss or may be going through.

About three-quarters of UFT members participate in the Tax-Deferred Annuity program. Retirees who are 73 or older must withdraw a certain percentage of funds – known as required minimum distributions (RMDs) — from the tax-deferred annuity each year. Here's all you need to know about RMDs.

The UFT Welfare Fund Retiree Legal Plan with Elder Law Supplement offers many benefits, but the five that UFT retirees use the most are assistance with estate planning, elder law, civil litigation, real estate and matrimonial law.

Membership in the Retired Teachers Chapter confers many benefits — from social services support and Si Beagle classes to legal assistance — but retirees must sign up to remain UFT members and enjoy the perks.

What to do after a UFT retiree dies? Here is a checklist of the steps a surviving spouse or beneficiary should take to receive all the benefits they are due.