R-UTN News

R-UTN News posts display information specific to the Retired – Untied Teachers of Northport organization.

Congratulations 2023 R-UTN Scholarship Recipients

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A stage filled with deserving seniors seated and excitedly awaiting their names to be called to receive one (or more!) scholarships – this was the setting for the NHS Senior Scholarship Ceremony which took place on the evening of June 7, 2023. Seventy-one scholarships were awarded, among them three RUTN ones, each in the amount of $2,000. The following students were applauded by a very proud audience in the HS auditorium:

• Ashly Lopez-Lopez will be seeking a degree in Education at SUNY Old Westbury.

• Dessa Kavrakis will be attending Harvard and majoring in both science and music.

• Sam Rosenfeld-McMahon will be off to American University to study Political Science.

We are so very proud of all these students, and wish them good luck and much success in all they do!

Retiree Council 23 Luncheon, June 7

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Larry Ryan, Jane Flood, Alberta Scot, Vickie Newell, Teddy Emmanuel

The view from the windows of Captain Bill’s Restaurant in Bay Shore was hazy and smoke-filled due to the Canadian wildfires, but the atmosphere inside a roomful of retirees was spirited and happy. Retiree Council 23 (RC 23) held its spring luncheon there June 7. Much was discussed and brought to our attention, including:  NYSHIP changes (recently published and distributed in the Empire Plan Special Report), Medicare, the need for continued VOTE-COPE donations, the state of Tier 6 employees in terms of pension and contributions, and how far we have progressed as a union over the years.

A special guest was recognized as well, as the RC 23 COMMUNITY SERVICES award-winner ~ Christine Pendergast, wife of deceased R-UTN member, Chris Pendergast. She offered us words of wisdom and much gratitude for supporting Chris’s legacy, the ALS Ride for Life.

It was an informative, enjoyable couple of hours! The next luncheon will be held in October, and the Retiree Conference will also take place that month at the Marriott on Route 110. Stay tuned for details later in the summer. 

A Very Successful Happy Hour

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Sharon Wolpert, Larry Ryan, Jane McNamara, Judy Bensimon, Mary Ellen Mack

A Happy Hour indeed! A few R-UTN friends gathered at Napper Tandy’s on Thursday, June 8, to share stories, have an afternoon snack and drink ~ lots of laughter and chatter could be heard!

Many thanks to Nancy and Jane M. for making the arrangements. Watch for announcements about our next gathering and make plans to join us!

More photos on our Photo Gallery webpage!

Eligible Retirees to Receive COLA Increase

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Eligible retirees will receive an extra $45 monthly beginning with the September 30 pension payment under New York’s legislated cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

The 3% COLA for 2022-23 is applied to the first $18,000 of the maximum retirement benefit.

To be eligible for a COLA, you must be one of the following:

  • At least 62 and retired at least five years.
  • At least 55 and retired at least 10 years.
  • A retiree receiving a NYSTRS disability benefit for at least five years regardless of age.
  • The surviving spouse of an eligible retiree receiving a lifetime benefit. (By law, the spouse receives an increase equal to one-half the COLA the retiree would have received.

Visit the NYSTRS Website for more information on how the COLA benefit is calculated.