Retired special education teacher Patricia Garone took her athleticism to a whole new level after she retired in 2016 at age 59. Since then, she has completed eight Half Ironman triathlons, two Full Ironman triathlons and dozens of other races.

The UFT has initiated an outreach program to determine how the union can best support retired paraprofessionals. The Retired Teachers Chapter includes approximately 7,600 paraprofessionals.

The city’s roughly 250,000 Medicare-eligible retirees will remain in their current health plans with the same benefits this fall after a trial court judge this summer blocked the city from moving ahead with the Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO Plan. The city is appealing the decision.


Leo Hoenig, a founder of the UFT and longtime active member of the Retired Teachers Chapter, died on June 3 at age 86.

After four years, our annual Nassau Section “Not Back to School” Luncheon is returning. Please join us on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, from noon to 3 p.m. at The Inn at New Hyde Park, 214 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.

The UFT has a partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK), the top-ranked cancer hospital in the Northeast, that benefits both in-service and retired UFT members. When you or a family member is facing a cancer diagnosis, MSK’s specialists and services are available to you.