Planning retirement?     If you are planning to retire at the end of this school year, call the Pension Department at 1-212-598-6866/7 for an appointment. You will be given the next available appointment for a consultant at your local borough office.     Do not delay in making your appointment. You may jeopardize getting an appointment if you wait too long. We do not want you to retire without this valuable UFT service. Pensions and the Paraprofessional     FOURTH EDITION Of course it hurts when the government takes so much money out of your paycheck. But theres one deduction that surely pays ... . . . the one for your retirement. If you contribute to your pension now, the city will also add to the fund, and you can have some peace of mind That youll have an income after you retire. That you and your family will have comprehensive health insurance after you retire. That you and your family will be covered if you become seriously ill or disabled. That your family will have support after your death. The UFT fought for pension rights for paraprofessionals for many years. Victory finally came in 1983, when Albany passed a UFT-sponsored law over the citys vehement objections. Most paras today take advantage of this valuable benefit. In fact, more than 11,000 paras have filed for membership in the pension system. Isnt is worth paying a small price now to provide some security for your retirement and for your family after youre gone? Want to know more about the retirement plan? Read on.

Q. If I join the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), what will I get? Before you retire you get: An income if you have 10 years of credited service should disability force you to retire early. Benefits for your family if you die after 1 year of service. The right to borrow from your TRS account. The right to participate in the TRS tax- deferred annuity program. After you retire, you get: A pension check every month. Medical, dental and optical benefits to protect your family after your death. And from the Social Security system to which you belong automatically you get: Social Security payments monthly. Social Security payments to eligible dependents after you die. Social Security payments to eligible dependents should you become disabled. NOTE: This is just a brief outline. Some restrictions may apply. See the UFTs Tier IV Pension Handbook for details. Q. How much will I get? It depends on how much you earned and how long youve worked when you retire. A UFT pension consultant can help you estimate your benefits. And remember, theres no limit on the total amount you collect. Once you retire, those monthly pension checks will keep coming for the rest of your life. Q. How long do I have to work to get a pension? To be eligible for a pension, you must have at least 5 years of credited service as a member of TRS. Most public employment in New York City and State can be credited, including work as a school aide, for example. Q. How old do I have to be to collect a pension? That depends: Age 55 if you have 5 years pension credit or more. Under age 62 & fewer than 30 years of service pension reduced; see UFT pension consultant. Age 55 or older & 30 or more years of service full pension based on years of experience. Age 62 or older & 5 or more years of service full pension based on years of experience. Ordinary disability any age if too sick or disabled to work, but need 10 years of credited service. Accident disability (due to injury in line of duty) any age & no service requirement. Q. What if I stop working before retirement age? If you worked for 5 years, you can get reduced pension checks at 55, or full benefits at 62. If you leave your job sooner, youll get back your contribution plus 5% interest. Q. Can I collect Social Security and a pension? Absolutely. If you join TRS, you can collect both Social Security and Retirement System benefits when you retire. Q. Are there other major benefits of joining TRS? You will be eligible for terminal leave and/or termination pay similar to teachers. So upon leaving service, you can receive payment for unused sick time on a two-for-one basis. Q. How much will it cost? Your pension contribution equals 3% of your gross payuntil you have ten (10) years of membership or credited service and it is federally tax-deferred. The UFT is working hard to end all your contributions. In the meantime, 3% buys a lot of protection. Q. What will happen to me if I dont join TRS? You may not like to think about what will happen if you become ill or too old to work. But its wiser to plan ahead. If you dont join TRS, you wont get pension income, health insurance or other UFT Welfare Fund benefits for yourself or your family after you retire. Your only medical coverage would be Medicare.      However, you cant lose your job or any job rights if you dont join TRS. The decision is up to you. Q. What if I join and then change my mind? Membership in TRS is permanent. Once you join, you cant stop contributing while you work for the Department of Education. Q. How do I join? You can get an application at your school, at your UFT borough office, or by writing to: Teachers Retirement System 40 Worth St., New York, NY 10013. Q. How can I get more information? The Pension Handbook for Tier IV members (which incudes all paras) is your best source. Ask your chapter leader or para representative to borrow a copy or buy one of your own for $5 from the UFT. There also are informational meetings in each borough every fall and citywide meetings in the summer.      You may call your borough office with any pension question. And as a para you have the same right as all other UFT members to a confidential pension consultation as you near retirement. To find out more about your individual situation, make an appointment to talk with an expert. Here are the phone numbers: Bronx                (212) 529 - 4352 Queens             (718) 275 - 4400 Brooklyn           (718) 852 - 4900 Manhattan         (212) 598 - 6800 Staten Island     (718) 605 - 1400 NOTE: THE L AW DETERMINES ALL BENEFITS AND TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER THIS BROCHURE.   UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS 260 PARK AVENUE SOUTH  NEW YORK, NY 10010 RANDI WEINGARTEN, President TOM PAPPAS, Secretary   MEL AARONSON, Treasurer MONA ROMAIN, Assistant Secretary   MICHELLE BODDEN, Assistant Treasure Vice President: CARMEN ALVAREZ, FRANK CARUCCI, RONALD JONES, RICHARD MILLER, DAVID SHERMAN, JOHN SOLDINI STOCK # 014-G/JJ

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