Standing Strong for Public Education We are NEA-Retired
Continuing to lead the way for public education and issues affecting retired educators.
Your dedication to public education doesn't end when you retire, and your membership in your union doesn't need to either. NEA-Retired offers members meaningful opportunities to connect with fellow retired educators, advocate for positive changes in public education, and have a productive and successful retirement. By belonging to NEA-Retired, you will stay up to date on critical issues in education, remain engaged in your profession, and maintain access to valuable benefits.
6 Reasons to Join NEA-Retired
Whether you’re already retired or planning your transition from your education career, membership in NEA-Retired can offer you a more fulfilling retirement while maintaining a lifetime commitment as a champion for public education. Click on the left tabs below to see the benefits of membership, and click here to join!
NEA-Retired members:
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Protect retirement security
Together, we advocate to safeguard and improve retirement pension and health benefits—including state pensions, Social Security, and Medicare.
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Improve public education
NEA-Retired members continue their commitment to public education through mentoring, literacy, and intergenerational programs and activities.
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Politically advocate for schools and students
NEA-Retired members empower educators, push for school funding, fight for students' and educators' rights, and work to dismantle systemic racism by supporting NEA's legislative and political action goals for education and education employees.
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Stay connected to colleagues and the profession
NEA-Retired members continue their involvement with their State Association and NEA to enjoy new and different activities with former colleagues and new friends.
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Stay informed through conferences and media
NEA-Retired members may participate in national and regional conferences and seminars to develop skills and forge connections with fellow retirees and activists. Members also receive news and information through their quarterly magazine: NEA Today for Retired Educators.
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Access financial benefits
NEA-Retired membership enables you a continuation of NEA Member Benefits, such as:
- insurance programs
- credit programs
- loan and mortgage programs
- deposit savings accounts
- investment programs
Have questions about joining? Check out our NEA-Retired Frequently Asked Questions page.
Ready to join? Find more information here about joining your state retired association.
Retired Educators in Action
These educators are acing retirement—working hard to protect retirement security, advancing racial justice, and making the most of their talents. Read their stories and find more in the most recent issue of NEA Today for Retired Educators.
U.S. House Takes Historic Leap toward Social Security Fairness
Thanks in part to the tireless work of NEA and NEA-Retired, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to repeal two unfair Social Security provisions known as GPO and WEP.
The Unsung Hero Behind Paid Family Leave
Fifty years ago, teacher Jo Carol LaFleur was the plaintiff in an historic Supreme Court case that struck down the common requirement that pregnant teachers leave their classrooms.
Get Involved
There are many ways you can support public education and protect retirement security. From local actions to fighting for the repeal of punitive pension policies, make your voice heard on key issues.
Join Retirees for Public Education
If you live within 50 miles of Washington, DC, or in Florida, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, or Texas, you can join a team to advocate for retired educators and public education on Capitol Hill and regionally.
Give to the PAC
The NEA PAC is committed to electing public school champions up and down the ballot regardless of political party. It has never been more important to come together to fight for real leaders at the federal and state level. NEA-Retired members may make voluntary donations. Will you lend your support?
Visit NEA's Action Center
Help advocate for fully funded public schools, dismantle unjust systems, give students the opportunities they need to succeed, and protect retirement security.
End Social Security penalties that deprive educators of benefits they have earned
More than 2.5 million hard-working Americans, including many educators, have their Social Security benefits reduced—or lose them entirely—due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). NEA is pushing to end this injustice by enacting federal legislation.
Should You Run for Public Office? Yes, You Should!
As an experienced educator and union member, you’ve shown your commitment to students and schools. But imagine your potential impact as an elected official, where you could leverage your passion, experience, and insights to improve public education on a larger scale.
NEA’s See Educators Run program helps educators like you learn all they need to know about how to run a successful campaign for public office, including how to prepare to become a candidate, fundraise, and communicate with voters.
Events
2025 NEA-RETIRED CONFERENCE
March 9-11, 2025
Fort Pontchartrain Detroit A Wyndham Hotel
2 Washington Blvd
Detroit, MI 48226
The theme this year is “A Lifetime of Promoting, Protecting, and Strengthening Public Education: The Foundation of Our Democracy”
NEA-Retired Annual Meeting
Dates: The 2025 NEA-Retired Annual Meeting will be held June 29-30 in Portland, OR. Doors will open each day at 9:00 am and the meeting will begin at 9:30 am on June 29.
The hotel and meeting location will be announced prior to the meeting in 2025. For questions about the meeting, please email [email protected].
Delegate Check-In/Non-Delegate Member and Guest Registration:
All delegates must register online before arriving in Portland. Delegates will still need to ‘check-in’ for the meeting in order to receive credentials to enter the meeting.
Retired members who are not delegates, and all guests, must register onsite at the location of the meeting. The exact location for Check-In and Registration will be announced when it is available. Additional details about check-in for delegates with physical challenges is forthcoming.
The dates and time for check-in and registration are:
- June 28, 2025 – 2:00-5:30 p.m.
- June 29, 2025 – 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- June 30, 2025 – 7:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
For more information, including information on the New Business Item submission process, visit the NEA-Retired Annual Meeting page. To access the current version of the governing documents and instructions on how to amend the governing documents, visit the NEA-Retired Governing Documents page.
Calendar of Events
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 12/1/24 | Jack Kinnaman Scholarship | Jack Kinnaman Scholarship application opens |
| 4/15/25 | Candidate filing deadline | For Retired governance positions: NEA-Retired Vice President (3-year term), NEA-Retired Council (2 positions, 3 year terms), NEA Retired Members on the NEA Board of Directors (2 positions, 3 year terms), NEA-Retired Alternates to the NEA Board of Directors (2 positions, 3 year terms) |
| 4/15/25 | Membership Awards | Deadline for Membership Awards application |
| 4/15/25 | Jack Kinnaman Scholarship | Scholarship application closes |
| 4/15/25 | Communications Awards | Deadline for Communication Awards application |
| 5/1/25 | Resolutions filing deadline | For NEA-Retired seats on the NEA Resolutions Committee (6 positions, 1-year term) |
| 5/1/25 | Distinguished Service Award | Deadline for Distinguished Service Award nominations |
| 5/14/25 | Candidates Meeting | |
| 5/5/2025-5/7/2025 | NEA-Retired Executive Council Meeting | NEA Headquarters, Washington, DC |
| 6/29/2024-6/30/2025 | NEA-Retired Annual Meeting | Portland, OR |
| 7/8/25 | Deadline | Candidate expense reports due to NEA-Retired Elections Chair Steve Gorrie |
Elections & Governance
Learn more about who's leading the 320,000 educators in NEA-Retired, their guiding documents, and how retired members can get more involved in their union.
Meet the NEA-Retired Leadership Team
NEA-Retired is governed by a nine-member Executive Council, elected by NEA-Retired members. NEA-Retired members serve on various committees within NEA and meet annually in June to conduct the business of the organization.
Our Governing Documents
Find the NEA-Retired Bylaws, standing rules governing meetings, and other governing documents in our online library.
Running for Office
Nominations for 2025 NEA-Retired positions are now open! Candidates may run for a position on NEA-Retired's leadership team or run to represent Retired on the NEA Resolutions Committee or on the NEA Board of Directors.
Awards, Scholarships & Grants
NEA-Retired supports and recognizes its members through several awards and leadership and organizing grants. In addition, it administers the member-supported Jack Kinnaman Scholarship to assist the next generation of educators.
Recognizing Excellence
NEA-Retired recognizes the hard work and contributions of NEA-Retired members through its Distinguished Service Award, Communications Awards for newsletters and websites, and Membership Awards. Learn more about each award and find lists of past winners at the links below.
Jack Kinnaman Scholarship
Each year, NEA-Retired awards scholarships to Aspiring Educators to help with higher education costs. Scholarships are funded by the generous contributions of NEA-Retired members and to date, over $107,000 has been awarded to 51 students.
Retired Organizing Grants
Each year the NEA Center for Organizing, in collaboration with NEA-Retired, awards State Organizing Grants to State Retired entities. Grants are used for Membership Recruitment, Organizing New Retired Locals, Retired Organizing Projects, Creating Retired Activists, Developing Retired Leaders, or Developing and Strengthening Community Partnerships.
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