The Retired Teachers Association of Chicago

Since 1926, this Association has dedicated itself to the betterment of all teachers who have retired from the Chicago Public Schools.

The
RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
of Chicago
111 N. Wabash Ave. Suite 2010
Chicago IL 60602-2949
Phone: 312-750-1522 Fax: 312-750-1502

John A. Butterfield,
President

Arlene Crandall,
Executive Director

News, Opinions, Resources, Archives & Forms

Legislation and Advocacy

Workshops, Calendar of Meetings, Events, Activities and Opportunities

(Mouse over these options to see the drop down menus-more details are here.)
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Remember, RTAC is YOUR independent voice for pension protection and enhancement. We are NOT part of the Chicago Public Schools nor the Chicago Teachers Union. We work with but are NOT a part of the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund.
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NOTE:
All Spring 2020 RTAC Workshops and Seminars have also been POSTPONED.
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2020 IRA/401 (k) Required Minimum Distributions Update

The SECURE Act and the CARES Act have ‘paused’ individual taxpayers with IRAs and 401k investments from having to take a Required Minimum Distribution in 2020. Those who did so prior to the announcement that the RMDs are being waived for 2020, have until August 31, 2020 to return them if they wish. It is our understanding that if taxes were withheld from the early distributions those will not be returned. However, the withheld taxes will be credited to one’s 2020 tax obligations.

If one chose to take an RMD and donated the funds to qualified charitable organization/s, the RMD is not taxable to either the donor or the qualified charitable organization/s.

Others have inquired about the impact of the RMD waiver on one’s Medicare obligations. Per Kiplinger, the ‘income-related monthly adjustment amounts’ or IRMAAs, that determine how much one pays for Medicare Part B and Part D plans rely on a formula specified in the Social Security Act. This formula bases the rates on one’s adjusted gross income from two years before. Although one’s IRMAA will stay the same during 2020, one should see one’s lower AGI reflected in the rate/s one pays in 2022.

If you have any questions about the waiver and the best approach for you to take, it is recommended that you consult your financial adviser.

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Read about and contribute to our 'Legal Defense Fund' here.
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Photos from our 93rd Annual Fall Luncheon are Here.
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Please go to our Guestbook and leave your comments and suggestions.
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To contact the Webmaster: Click here.

See a history of RTAC's actions and involvement for the benefit of ALL retirees here.

BEWARE OF THE RE-EMPLOYMENT LIMIT
If you decide to return to work within the Chicago Public School system, there are VERY STRICT limits as to how many days you may work. Going over by as little as ONE DAY can jeopardize YOUR ENTIRE PENSION.
It is YOUR responsibility to keep accurate track of the time/days you work for CPS!
For more information see this CTPF website page.

HELP RTAC HELP YOU!!!
PLEASE join our RTAC-ALERT Network. Members get the FASTEST UPDATES on pending legislation, often on the same day that events occur. Just click on RTAC-ALERT Network and give your name, e-mail address and zip code (this is to verify your RTAC membership). THE ONLY OBLIGATION IS YOUR PROMISE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH LEGISLATORS, if requested, on behalf of retired Chicago Public School teachers. The Alert Network's fast and massive responses have already earned the respect of legislators throughout the state, and constitute our first line of defense. Join NOW! Your help is urgently needed!

Remember too that EVERY contribution to RTAC COPE will help gain our objectives! Like it or not, MONEY TALKS – and, unfortunately, so does the absence of it!

Legislation That Needs Your Support if You Receive Social Security
Federal GPO-WEP Social Security Fairness legislation - July 2020 - New Legislation Introduced to Remove the Social Security Offset! Details here.
Where do the Presidential candidates stand on GPO/WEP? See this
Last update 9/21/19

If you have an IRA, there are rules you should be aware of.
Read this
Last Update 7/11/20

Know a Fellow Retiree in Financial Difficulties?
Check the Aid Fund website - crtaf.org.

Fun things are here.
(If a frog double parked, would it be toad?)
Humorous (but true??) Cartoons are here.
Check your birth year for interesting information here.
(Enter your birth year, click the question mark and then sit back and watch.)

Useful household products are here.
(Are there other uses for Preparation H?)

PROPER E-MAIL PROTOCOL AND VIRUS AWARENESS
SEE THIS ARTICLE ON PROPER E-MAIL SECURITY AND PROTOCOL.
DO NOT OPEN ANY ATTACHMENTS UNLESS YOU ARE CONFIDENT YOU KNOW WHO REALLY SENT IT!

Defined Benefits vs. Defined Contributions
Currently we have a defined benefit retirement plan where we are guaranteed our benefits for life. If some legislators get their way, new employees will work under a defined contributions retirement plan where the benefits are based entirely on how much was contributed.
Read an analysis of Public Pensions by the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability -- here.
If you would like to see how much you would have needed to contribute to a retirement fund to enjoy your current pension, click here and enter some data. Be aware that the projected total you have in your account when you retire must last for life - i.e. if your retirement account has $1,000,000 in it when you retire and you expect to live another 20 years, you can only withdraw $50,000 per year and the balance will continue to decrease until your account is completely depleted and you have nothing left to live on.

Looking for something to do?
Check out our EVENTS page.
The EVENTS page lists events of interest to all CPS teachers, active as well as retired.
The Events page contains direct links to over 100 area entertainment venues!
You might also like to check our VOLUNTEER, JOBS and OTHER OPPORTUNITIES pages.

For information and updates from the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund, click here.
Click here to see a list of delinquent Charter Schools.

Site Map and Links

What is RTAC all about, and what good is it to you? Click on Orientation.
What CTU and RTAC events are coming up? Need more information about a Scene listing? Click on Events.
Want a listing of some of the resources available to RTAC members? Click on Resources.
How do we seek our legislative objectives? Click on Advocacy.
What are our current legislative priorities? Click on Pending Bills.
Check on Illinois Legislative activity and bills pending: Click on Legislation status - Illinois.
Check on U. S. Congressional activity and bills pending: Click on Legislation status - Federal.
Want to know more about YOUR legislators and candidates? For more information than you dreamed possible, click on Legislators.
Can’t think of anything to say to legislators? Click on Samples page for suggestions.
Looking for a paid job for a retired teacher? Looking to volunteer your time? Click on Jobs.
Is your school having a Class Reunion? Tell us about it! Click on Reunions.
Want to see what interests and/or amuses us on the web? Try Just for fun AND FOR PETE”S SAKE, if you find a good one send it to the webmaster!
Have a question for the RTAC office? To send them an e-mail, click on E-mail Office.
Want to get a copy of the Illinois Legislative flow chart, or ask a question of the Editor, or join the RTAC Alert Network, or have a suggestion about this web site? Send the an e-mail.
Homesick? Want to see what the CTU is up to now? Click on CTU.
Retired and want to keep your certificate active? See the ISBE Retired Educator's page here.
Check out what the National Education Association says about Social Security Offsets. Click on NEA. (Email your Congressman while you are there.)

Latest SITE update:July 11, 2020
Last Advocacy page update: October 12, 2015
Last Archives page update: July 11, 2020
Last Committee Meetings page update: April 15, 2020
Last CTPF information page update: October 31, 2018
Last Events & Activities page update: April 1, 2020
Last Forms page update: February 9, 2019
Last Home page update: July 11, 2020
Last Jobs page update: January 23, 2020
Last Just for fun page update: December 10, 2013
Last Legislation Update page update: July 15, 2016
Last Orientation page update: February 14, 2014
Last Other Opportunities page update: February 23, 2020
Last Pending Bills page update:October 1, 2019
Last Resources page update: October 25, 2019
Last Reunions page update: November 26, 2019
Last Samples page update: June 12, 2015
Last Volunteer page update: February 23, 2020
Last Workshop & Seminar page update: March 17, 2020

See our FUN page for more.

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A more detailed listing of the pages available.

News, Opinions, Resources, Archives & Forms	Legislation and Advocacy	Workshops, Events, Activities and Opportunities
News Bulletins Go Green The latest News Bulletin is available through this link as are many of the past News Bulletins. Updated 12/6/18 The Archives of past legislation, stories and posts are here.	Legislation Update & Pending Bills Illinois Federal RTAC supported legislation Find your legislators HERE (Enter your 9 digit zip, 'Find Address' then 'Confirm Address') The 2019 legislative calendars are available for both the House and Senate. Updated 1/11/20	Workshops & Seminars Updated 3/17/20 Scheduled Board & Committee Meetings (Most are open to the public but space is limited.) Updated 4/16/20 Events & Activities Spring 2020 workshops & seminars have been CANCELLED. Updated 4/1/20
Opinions and Editorials supporting RTAC's position on Pension matters are here.	Become a 'Pension Fund Ambassador' (here) and print letters to your legislators about the economic impact of your pension (here).	Help Wanted The Archdiocese of Chicago's School system has various employment opportunities. NAEP is Seeking Field Study Staff to Administer a Study Updated 1/23/20
The CTPF website is here, recent CTPF actions and information is here and the CTU website is here. Alert Network For more information about the Alert Network, click here or join the E-mail Alert Network	Find Your State and Federal Legislators here Illinois Senators by district Illinois Senators by name Illinois Representatives by district Illinois Representatives by name Updated 1/10/20 Photos of visits to legislators Updated 3/4/17	Volunteer Opportunities Updated 2/2//20 Other Volunteer Opportunities The Howard Area community Center needs adult tutors Madonna Mission needs tutors Teaching Excellent STEAM needs volunteers Updated 2/23/20
Fraud Alert/Identity Theft Updated 5/13/14 Resources Updated 2/15/18	How to Write Your Legislator + + + + + + + Sample Letters (and the addresses of media outlets) Updated 6/12/15	A list of businesses and services that provide Senior discounts. Updated 6/1/15
RTAC forms Legal Defense Donations Nomination for the Armstrong Award Bylaws and Conflict of Interest Form Updated 2/9/19	Advocacy See Photos of RTAC members meeting with their legislators and at other activities. Read a summary of the presentations at the AARP:NRTA conference in Washington D.C. Updated 3/4/17	Reunions Morgan Park Reunion Picnic Saturday, August 15, 2020 Updated 9/26/19

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