Thirteen members of the West Grayson Retired School Personnel Association (RSPA) attended a recent District 10 Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) conference in Richardson at the Region 10 Educational Service Center.
Dressed for the ‘50s theme, members sported poodle skirts, rolled-up jeans with white shirts and neck scarves. Twenty-one local chapters heard from TRTA Executive Director Tim Lee, who thanked members for their hard work in getting a much-needed, one-time stipend for many members and Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the first time in 20 years.
He spoke on the importance of continuing that advocacy during this coming legislative session as these benefit enhancements were not continuing increases for retirees.
Members also heard from Jeremy Brown, AMBA insurance representative, about benefits available through TRTA membership including dental, vision, long-term care, Medicare supplements, medical flight, travel and after-care insurance offered to members.
Two members of West Grayson RSPA, Carol Golden and Glenda Coulson, received special recognition by being named “Stars of District 10.” These awards recognize outstanding service and leadership in their local chapters.
Golden has planned and directed the annual memorial service each year honoring those members who have passed during the past year. She finds interesting and fun day trips for members to enjoy several times during the year.
Coulson served as president of WGRSPA for the past two years and was instrumental in organizing the legislative advocacy among the members that helped retirees organize and work for the benefit enhancements received.
Both ladies serve on additional committees and represent the leadership needed to make WGRSPA a successful and fun organization for its members.
WGRSPA welcomes all public education retirees and encourages each to become members as well as any persons interested in public education. Their mission is to work for enhanced benefits by maintaining the TRS fund is actuarially sound, maintaining the defined benefit retirement system that guarantees a lifetime benefit and providing affordable health care through TRS-Care for members.
TRTA also works for members who have reduced Social Security benefits as a result of two federal laws, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the (Government Pension Offset (GPO). Austin leadership is working with members of Congress to repeal or adjust these two laws that deprive retirees of earned benefits as a result of receiving TRS benefits.
Additionally, work today benefits active school employees by continuing to maintain and enhance benefits for their futures. As the organization advocates with legislators to maintain these benefits for, numbers count, and the success of their hard work this past session proved the strength of this organization.
Area retirees are encouraged to join by contacting any WGRSPA member. Meetings are the first Tuesday of the month September through May at La Hacienda Restaurant with the December meeting at the First United Methodist Church Wesley Hall for lunch and entertainment.
