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Everything You Wanted to Know About KNEA-Retired Program

NEA-R and KNEA-R function to meet the expressed needs of retired education employees. 

Here are several ways that happens:

• participating in NEA programs,
• seeking solutions to retirement issues,
• networking with other retiree organizations, and
• sharing social and professional contacts with Active members of the profession.

NEA-R and KNEA-R utilize the energies and enthusiasm of Retired members for the benefit of public education and the education profession. Their years of experience in political action, collective bargaining, communications, public relations, and professional development make Retired members highly effective allies for Active members.

KNEA-R members are more active than ever

KNEA-R members recently organized Sunflower Chapter, KNEA-Retired, in Shawnee, as the newest local chapter. Hartland Retired Educators in the Wichita area, continues to grow. Retired teachers in Salina/Manhattan and Topeka are planning local chapters for their communities. KNEA-R leaders are ready to assist community leaders across the state in organizing their own local chapters.

Who is eligible for membership in NEA-R and KNEA-R?

NEA Retired membership is open to any person who is at least 45 years of age or who is eligible to receive a pension from a retirement system and who was employed for at least five years in a position that qualified him or her for active membership but is not longer employed. (Retired membership is the category of membership that those persons who are disabled should use.)

How does a person join?

Members should contact Kevin Riemann at KNEA Headquarters (kevin.riemann@knea.org). Members must join the retired program at the state level and at the national level.

What are the dues?

There are two types of NEA-Retired memberships: Retired-Annual and Retired-Lifetime. KNEA-R also has annual and lifetime dues.

NEA-R Annual Dues - $25.00
NEA-R Lifetime Dues - $200.00

KNEA-R Annual Dues - $15.00
KNEA-R Lifetime Dues - $150.00

Special Notes:

• Active Life members do not automatically become members of KNEA-R.
• Only those individuals who were KNEA members the year immediately prior to their retirement are eligible for membership in KNEA-Retired.

What are some of the other benefits of joining NEA-Retired and KNEA-Retired?

EEL Insurance

Many retired members have decided to return to teaching as substitutes. NEA and KNEA-Retired members, who return to educational employment on a day-to-day basis are covered by the same liability insurance as they were when they were active members. This coverage is in effect ONLY if the retired person substitutes on a day-to-day basis. If the education employment is on a part-time or full time basis, he/she must become an Active member.

• NEA Member Benefits
• NEA MemberCare Medicare Supplement Program
• NEA MemberCare Long-Term Care Insurance Program
• NEA Three-Way Home Protection Plan
• NEA Homeowners Insurance
• NEA Guaranteed Issue Life Plan
• NEA Term Life Insurance Plan
• NEA AD&D Insurance
• NEA-R MasterCard
• NEA Line of Credit
• NEA Home Financing Program
• NEA Credit Plan
• NEA Valuebuilder Programs
• NEA-Sponsored GoldCertificate CD
• NEA Magazine Service
• NEA Car Rental Program

Publications

• NEA Today -- a newspaper published by NEA nine times a year
• This Active Life -- a bi-monthly magazine published by NEA
• KNEA Issues -- newspaper tabloid, published by KNEA seven times a year
• The Apple Corps -- a newsletter published by KNEA-R four times a year

Can a person join KNEA-R and NEA-R before they actually retire?

Yes, a person may choose to join as a "pre-retired" member and pay the lifetime dues while he/she is still working. By the time retirement occurs, the lifetime dues are paid. Many teachers in Kansas choose this option.

KNEA-Retired members have adopted as their slogan:
Retire from your job -- not your profession!

How can local associations use the expertise of retired members? Don't forget them. Local associations may want to pay the first year's annual dues for teachers retiring from their district. When there is work to be done, remember to call on retired members. Many retired members volunteer to help with Read Across America activities, work on local newsletters, put up yard signs during elections and even deliver Association material to schools.

Contact your UniServ Director or KNEA for a copy of the membership form.