Message From The HEA-R President

As president I extend a welcome to those of you who are retired, preparing to retire and those thinking about retirement in the future to join our retired branch of the Hillsborough Classroom Teacher’s Association (HCTA).  We are affiliated with FEA-Retired, NEA-Retired and AFT. Each of these groups offers retirement benefits.. Here are a few Benefits available to you as a member:

• Medical Supplements, Dental, Vision and Long Term Care Insurance available from NEA-R with low monthly premiums. (Members qualify for benefits regardless of preexisting health conditions.)
• An FEA Assess Card provides many opportunities to save on daily purchases such as car rentals and dining opportunities. (Use this card a few times a year and its covers your Annual Membership dues.)
• As a member of AFT- retired there are savings on hotels, car rentals, mortgages, travel packages, retail shopping and computer software.
• Be informed on major issues through publications from FEA, NEA, and AFT.  In these publications are also resources for vacation sites and leisure activities.

If you are currently receiving union sponsored benefits as an active member of CTA, these may not be available to you without being an active member in our retirement group.

Our Goals 

• Remain involved with issues in education and supporting ways to protect quality education.
• Remain informed on retirement issues and benefits and find ways to help keep them.
• Assist in lobbying efforts to improve pension and insurance coverage.
• Provide Speakers on educational topics and activities for our members.
• Continue fellowship and communication between active and retired educators.

Our Meeting Times 

Regular meetings are held at the HCTA building on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 10:00 am, August through May. Come early for coffee and refreshments and join us at a nearby restaurant after the meeting. We have a fall picnic at a local park, a holiday luncheon in December, and a community outing in March. Each May we host a potluck to honor the HCTA staff.

Guest speakers inspire, educate, and entertain us. Past speakers include a Coast Guard Auxiliary hurricane scientist, a sheriff’s deputy “scam” investigator, an estate lawyer, a journalist/storyteller, and the coordinator from Gibsonton Community School.

HEA-Retired takes a summer break but keeps members informed with the newsletter. This summer we highlighted school board candidates endorsed by HCTA and encouraged members to renew their Vote by Mail application. You are welcome to join us at these scheduled meetings.
 
Aug. 21: Proposed Millage Referendum
Sept. 18: Nature’s Classroom tour
Oct. 16: ABC & D of Medicare
Nov. 20: 70th Anniversary of Brown vs. the Board of Education
Dec. 11: Holiday Luncheon
 
Barb Toepke                      
HEA-Retired President 
813-439-7481