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News and Announcements

Check here for the latest news and announcements affecting VEA-Retired members and members-to-be.

The very latest...

Your guide to the 2009-2010 VEA-Retired elections. Elections have concluded. Meet your new officers and convention delegates here. For an official vote count, click here.

Join us at VEA-Retired Lobby Day. VEA-Retired will hold its Lobby Day on January 28, 2010. Join with your fellow retired educators to let our state legislators know that we support traditional pension plans for all educators, full funding for the SOQs and expansion of the health insurance credit to ESPs. Get the facts that morning at 8:30 a.m. in House Room 3 in the Capitol with a briefing from VEA's Government Relations staff. Coming from Northern Virginia? A charter bus will pick up members at the Fair Oaks Mall beginning at 5:45 with a departure time of 6:00 am. A second pick-up point will be at 6:30 from the parking lot of Little River United Church of Christ at 8410 Little River Turnpike (across from the Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale). Estimated arrival at the Capitol will be 8:00/8:30 am. If you'd like to reserve a seat on the bus, please contact Barbara Allen (Barbarwallaceallen@yahoo.com) or 703-978-0470 no later than January 14.

Five Health Care Lies Being Spread to Seniors. No, health care reform will not destroy Medicare or result in death panels. Get the facts here in this piece from NEA Today.

VEA members give advice to new teachers. NEA reporters recently filmed Ernest Holley and Katherine Hairston giving their tips for new teachers. Watch the videos here and add your own tips here.

Pension Update. Don't be surprised if lawmakers this year suggest cutting pension spending via measures to alter the Virginia Retirement System. Arm yourself with the latest findings from the National Institute on Retirement Security, which show that each dollar paid out in a pension in Virginia returns $1.34 in total economic activity for the state.

Regional Meetings Set. Did you know VEA-Retired is holding five regional meetings across the state in October? Get the lowdown on locations, dates, topics, and fees here.

Read the Latest. The latest issue of VEA-R Connections is out, with great articles on social networking, what needs to be on your "bucket" list, and much more. You can download a copy here.

Learn about VEA's new bylaw amendment and what it means for VEA-Retired. Also, find out about the 2009 NEA-Retired Annual Meeting in San Diego. Photo: VEA-Retired members at the VEA Delegate Assembly in Hampton.

 

 

 

 

Cost-of-Living Update. The VRS Board of Trustees announced a 3.84 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for retirees, effective July 1, 2009. The increase is applied to the benefit retirees receive dated August 1, 2009. The amount of the adjustment is equal to the full amount of the first 3-percent increase in the Consumer Price Index-Urban and half the increase from 3 percent to 7 percent. Under current law, cost-of-living adjustments cannot exceed 5 percent. Social Security  awarded a 5.8% COLA in October 2008. Their next COLA will be announced in October 2009.

NEA Guidance on Taxes. Be sure to read this story  about tax withholding and contact your financial advisor or tax professional. You don't want to end up owing more than you expect!

VEA Retired members were among those participating in Read Across America festivities. Photo: Mimi Dash (Fairfax) reads at Westgate Elementary School.

Another Reason to Protect the VRS. A new survey highlights the limitations of defined-contribution retirement vehicles such as 401(k) plans.

VEA-Retired: A Great Deal for Active Employees.  If you're an active education employee, lock in your future benefits of Association membership with a lifetime membership for $400.

Thinking of Working After Retirement? Know the Rules. Get the inside scoop on VRS rules for working after retirement.

VEA-Retired Membership Grants Available. Find out more about the grants and download an application form  today!

Retired Members Play Host to NEA-R Conference. Over 250 retired Association members from around the country gathered in Williamsburg for three days of learning, networking and good, old-fashioned fun.

VEA-Retired Election Winners for 2008. Eddie Fifer is elected VEA-Retired vice president. Delegates and alternates to the VEA and NEA conventions also are named.