The AFT executive council voted overwhelmingly on July 11 to endorse Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primary for president of the United States. The AFT is the first national union to endorse a presidential candidate this year. “In vision, in experience and in leadership, Hillary Clinton is the champion working families need in the White House,” says AFT President Randi Weingarten.

“Quality education isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have for our kids and our economy. Hillary Clinton understands that, and that’s why her economic vision includes strong education, from early childhood education all the way through higher education. I’m proud that my AFT union is supporting Hillary,” says Marty Fridgen, a teacher in South Washington County Schools in Woodbury, Minn.

Read more at aft.org

The June 2015 issue of NYSTRS’ Resource newsletter is now available on the NYSUT website. Download the newsletter (PDF).

In This Issue:

Coming in September: A COLA Increase
Eligible retirees receiving a monthly benefit of any amount from NYSTRS will see a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 1.0% on the first $18,000 of their annual benefit payment beginning this September, the result of legislation enacted in New York 15 years ago.

NYSTRS Remains a Top-10 Fund
NYSTRS is once again ranked among the top-10 pension funds in the nation according to trade publication Pensions & Investments (P&I).

Promised Pensions Are Guaranteed
NYSTRS retirees have received benefits in full and without fail since 1921.

Your Pension a Better Bang for the Buck
Pension plans like the one administered by NYSTRS are far more cost efficient at providing retirement income compared to individual defined contribution accounts, according to a study conducted by the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS).

Changing Banks? Also Change Direct Deposit Info
If you’re changing banks, make sure you update your direct deposit instructions with NYSTRS. If you have a MyNYSTRS account, you can now make the change online at NYSTRS.org.

Experience the Convenience of MyNYSTRS
A MyNYSTRS account gives you access to all your Retirement System benefit information and a variety of self-service tools – accessible in one convenient, secure location.

You’re Invited to Clean Out Our Account!
NYSTRS holds $13.5 million in an Abandoned Accounts Fund that the System would ideally like to see drawn down. Your help in locating rightful owners of the money would be appreciated.

Board Meeting Highlights

Read previous issues of Resource on the NYSUT website. – See more at: http://rc23.ny.aft.org/member-benefits/nystrs-resource-june-newsletter#sthash.WiPigUtT.dpuf

NYSUT is partnering with the Working Families Party and other allied organizations to build a Progressive Candidate Pipeline Project. As part of this project, Zephyr Teachout will be a speaker at two events on Long Island entitled, “Why She Runs”. The Suffolk County event is being held on Wednesday, June 10 at NYSUT Suffolk Regional Office in Hauppague. A reception will begin at  6:30 p.m., followed by the event at 7:00 p.m.

Teachout will be speaking along with other local officials about the need to have people, who have our interest in mind, to step up and run for office.