MISSION STATEMENT

The Illinois Retired Teachers Association is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization of retired educators.  The Association serves the needs and interests of its members through advocacy, education, cooperation and socialization in a flexible organizational structure.

IRTA PHILOSOPHY & STRUCTURE

The philosophy of IRTA has not changed from its conception.  The purpose is still to work to maintain and improve benefits for annuitants of the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS); promote education and the professional, social and economic status of all members; and work in cooperation with other organizations to obtain these goals.

IRTA is governed by the Board of Directors, which consists of the officers, immediate past president, area representatives, regional directors, and chairs of standing committees. The Executive Committee is composed of the officers, immediate past president, and the area representatives. The officers consist of the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer and are elected for two-year terms while the area representatives are elected for four-year terms. The regional directors serve two-year terms and are selected by a unit in their region with the selection rotating among the units in alphabetical order. Committee chairs are appointed by the president, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.

There are ninety-three units in the state divided into eighteen regions and six areas. In 1995 the number of regions and areas was increased from twelve regions in four areas to allow for more equal representation by population. Area conferences are held every year in each of the six areas while our state convention is held in odd-numbered years.

Our committees function well. These groups are involved in numerous activities, such as increasing membership, spreading the news of IRTA throughout the state, and working with the state legislature to insure the rights and benefits of retired educators.

IRTA LEGISLATION

Illinois Retired Teachers Association members are represented at the Capitol by the executive director, James Bachman,  and by the statewide volunteer legislative committee.  This IRTA legislative team is constantly working on pension issues - particularly funding and improved benefits, TRIP health insurance,  issues related to education, and issues of interest to consumers.  The IRTA has a 50+ year record of solid accomplishments in pension and benefit improvements for retired Illinois educators.

IRTA SERVICES

 I CARE 

I CARE is the long-term ombudsman program under the auspices of the Illinois Department of Aging, advocating for residents’ rights in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

As a regional community service program sponsored by the Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation, volunteer advocates (ombudsmen) serve residents, age sixty and older, in licensed long-term care facilities within a twelve county area.

For more information on ways you can become involved in your local ombudsman program, you may contact the I CARE program by phone at 1-800-728-4782 or by e-mail at icare@icare.org

 IRTA FOUNDATION 

IRTA Foundation is one of the many working partners with the Illinois Retired Teachers Association.  As a not-for-profit organization recognized as a Section 501(c)(3) corporation under the Internal Revenue Service Code, it is able to provide valuable assistance and outreach.

The Foundation endeavors to provide financial assistance to those retired teachers who are in need of additional monthly stipends due to increased insurance, medical fees, energy costs, etc which can not be met with their present TRS allotment.

In 1996, the Foundation started a scholarship program.  Each academic year, scholarships are awarded in each of the six IRTA Areas for any junior or senior college student accepted into a teacher certification program.

Information on the art of giving is available, and all gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible to the extent of the law.

You are invited to call the Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation for information on any of the programs.  The toll free number is 1-800-728-4782.

IRTA BENEFITS

 Endorsed Benefits Overview - IRTA MEMBERS ONLY 

Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA) is a nationwide full-service agency focused on plan design, negotiations, and implementation of benefits for associations. AMBA provides insurance evaluation and financial expertise to assist organizations in obtaining quality products with options and flexible choices for their members.

In an effort to improve the quality of benefits available to IRTA members, the IRTA board agreed to endorse products recommended by AMBA. These products were selected because they provide superior benefits and competitive premium rates. These products have been heavily negotiated on behalf of retired school employees in many states, and the IRTA board believes that they are the finest available anywhere today. 

Available endorsed benefits include:

• AAA
• Annuity Policy
• Government Employee Travel Opportunities (GETO)
• CSIdentity Protector
• Credit/Debit Card
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• First Diagnosis Cancer Benefit Policy
• Horace Mann
• Life Line Screening
• Life Policy
• Long-Term Care
• Medical Air Services Association

Log on to IRTA Members homepage for information on these benefits.

 IRTA Informative Benefits Overview - IRTA MEMBERS ONLY 

Benefits provided to members as a service.

Available informative benefits include:

• Air Evac Lifeteam
• Apple Products
• Astrum Hearing
• AT&T Discounts
• Broadway in Chicago
• Dell Computers
• Flower Discounts
• Hearing Plan Discount Benefit
• Prudential Home Connections (PHC)
• Rental Car Discounts
• Verizon Discounts
• Wells fargo Advisors Financial Network
• Wirefly

Log on to IRTA Members homepage for information on these benefits.

• Legislative representation and advocacy for improved retirement benefits (health insurance and pension funding, etc.)
• Legislative Updates
• Member Benefits
• Quarterly IRTA Action News Bulletin
• Members-Only Website, etc.
• More details once you become a member.

WHO CAN BECOME AN IRTA MEMBER?

• Any retired certified staff member -- 
     public or private schools, colleges, universities
• Certified Illinois public or private school staff member
• Non-teacher spouse of a deceased annuitant
• Non-teacher spouse of an annuitant 
  (Associate or Associate Life Membership)
• Any person interested in education 
  (Associate or Associate Life Membership)

DOWNLOAD IRTA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION:
   https://www.irtaonline.org/documents/membershipform.pdf