Not just another e-mail

Hi. You are receiving the first issue of the AFT Retirees e-newsletter—a monthly e-mail with articles tailored to your interests. I promise you, this is not just another e-mail. It contains timely news about your national union as well as helpful resources and tools.

The AFT publishes five other e-newsletters geared to the needs of our constituencies—teachers, paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRP), higher education, public employees and healthcare professionals. If you would like to add any of these e-newsletters or change your subscription, simply click here.  

Thanks for reading. I’ll see you right back here next month.  

Sincerely,
Adrienne Coles
Editor

‘Supercommittee’ weighs its options

As a result of the recent debate on the nation’s debt ceiling, a congressional "supercommittee" has been created to find $1.2 trillion in budget savings over the next 10 years. Retirees are worried that those savings could come from cuts to programs they need the most—Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Find out more about how structural changes to these entitlement programs could reduce benefits, and why AFT retirees nationwide are lobbying their lawmakers and urging the super committee to refrain from making changes that could jeopardize a secure retirement for all.

Read more and find resources on how the debt ceiling deal will affect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid

AFT Voices

As part of the recent deal to temporarily raise the debt ceiling, a congressional "supercommittee" was created to recommend ways to reduce federal spending and lower the deficit. What recommendations do you think this committee should make?

Leading by example

Christina Sharp is a 2011 AFT Everyday Hero Christina Sharp highly recommends staying involved in the work of the union after retiring. Although she retired from teaching more than a decade ago, Sharp continues to work hard on behalf of her retired colleagues as well as active teachers.

Read more about Sharp’s “can-do” attitude, and how remaining active as a union volunteer led to her being named a 2011 AFT Everyday Hero.

Do you know a retiree who has what it takes to be an AFT Everyday Hero? Nominate them at www.aft.org/everydayheroes and be entered to win $250.

Fighting for the future of Social Security, Medicare

With Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid facing possible budget cuts, members of the Alliance for Retired Americans traveled to Washington, D.C., this fall to send a message to their legislators: "Don't balance the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable."

Find the full story on AFT.org

Watch AFT president Randi Weingarten's speech to Alliance members

Online Resources: Medicare

Check out the Medicare Rights Center’s searchable online guide, Medicare Interactive, which features answers to real Medicare questions, as well as case examples and links to numerous state-specific resources. Medicare Interactive provides clear, up-to-date guidance on questions such as:

Can I change my Medicare health plan at any time?
What questions should I ask before joining a Medicare private health plan?
How do I enroll in the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Part D)?

Important Medicare dates you need to know—now
The dates for Medicare’s Fall Open Enrollment Period have changed. The period now begins on Oct.15 and lasts through Dec. 7. During this window, Medicare participants can change their Medicare health and drug coverage options without restriction. Stay up to speed on these and other changes with resources developed by the Medicare Rights Center.

Cortese retires, Johnson and Lawrence step up

Toni Cortese After more than four decades as a leader in the labor movement, AFT secretary-treasurer Antonia Cortese retired in September. A former fourth-grade teacher and champion of children’s rights, Cortese served as AFT executive vice president from 2004 to 2008, becoming one of three women elected to the union’s top offices—a milestone for the labor movement.

Lorretta Johnson, who had been the AFT’s executive vice president since 2008, and a leader of paraprofessionals and school-related personnel for decades, is now AFT secretary-treasurer.

Fran Lawrence Francine Lawrence, who recently retired after 14 years as president of the Toledo (Ohio) Federation of Teachers and who became an AFT vice president in 2008, is the new AFT executive vice president, assuming the position vacated by Johnson.

In This Issue

Not just another e-mail

'Supercommittee' weighs its options

Leading by example

Fighting for future of Social Security, Medicare

Cortese retires, Johnson and Lawrence step up

AFT on

About the Alliance for Retired Americans’ recent conference, Marianne Sorenson Dumont posted: "This was one of the BEST conventions I have ever been to! Workshops were very informative, speakers were top-notch, and the whole pace of the convention was great. Not a lot of downtime, but none of the time was wasted!"

Join AFT on Facebook

Elections matter: Make your voice heard

The 2012 presidential election promises to be a highly competitive race. Because elected officials have a direct impact on you, your rights, and your family’s and community’s well-being, it is critical that you get involved.

In the weeks ahead, the AFT will be assessing all of the candidates based on their positions on key issues
Make your voice heard and let us know what you think. Go to AFT.org/election2012.


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