Spotlight: Alabama Education Retirees Association (AERA)
As education retirees in the State of Alabama, it’s essential that each of us remains engaged with what’s happening in the State Legislature regarding our pension and benefits, since fully funding our pension and benefits is not a guarantee. One way to do that is through involvement with the Alabama Education Retirees Association (AERA). AERA advocates on our behalf to support full funding of the TRS retirement system every year, as well as working to ensure future bonus checks and COLAs. (See AERA’s website at http://aerainc.org for more information.) AERA is divided into 10 districts, and TUARA is a part of District 10, which represents higher education retirement organizations statewide.
Advocacy training
AERA is sponsoring a series of advocacy training meetings in January 2024 in preparation for the legislative session slated to begin on February 6. Registration is at 9:30 am, and the meeting starts at 10 am. TUARA and all District 10 members are welcome to attend any of the three training sessions. If you are interested in attending a session, please let Kevin Whitaker (tuara.ua@gmail.com) or Debbie Lane (lanedeborah201@gmail.com) know,so we can carpool as desired. You must also pre-register for the advocacy session you plan to attend at http://aerainc.org.
Your legislator
You can find the name and contact information of your legislator at the Alabama Legislature website at https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/.
AERA Offers Scholarships to Public Education Employees
The AERA Foundation is offering ten $2,000 scholarships to public education employees who are employed in a state public school system (K-12) or state public postsecondary institution, with one scholarship awarded in each of AERA’s 10 districts. Among other requirements, an eligible educator must be a current Alabama Education Association (AEA) member. The application deadline is March 12, 2024. For more information and the application form, visit https://www.aerainc.org/scholarships. Information about joining AEA is available at https://myaea.org/join. Please share this information with current UA employees or others who may be interested in applying.
Connect with TUARA
Follow TUARA on Facebook at facebook.com/tuara.ua.
Remember, official news and announcements from TUARA will be posted on the TUARA Facebook page, TUARA.ua. The TUARA Facebook group is an open group that anyone can join and post to.
Final Call for 2023 Volunteer Hours
Please report any unreported volunteer hours for 2023 as soon as possible so we can share them with AERA. AERA uses retirees’ volunteer hours statewide to demonstrate the value that retirees bring to Alabama’s economy and quality of life. It’s easy! Just email your hours, broken down by the categories in the chart below, to tuara.ua@gmail.com.
Service hours should include activities in Alabama for which you have not received financial reimbursement. Hours should also not include 1) Sunday school and church attendance, 2) Caring for family members, and 3) Participation in AERA activities on state committees or the Board of Directors. You may include hours spent on TUARA activities, except for attending board meetings.
| Categories | Examples | # of Service Hours |
| Arts | Children’s Hands-On Museum, theater, opera, arts | |
| Church | Church related service projects (not attendance for worship services) | |
| Civic | Organizational projects, civic and special interest | |
| Health | Bloodmobile, clinics, nursing home, nutrition, home care | |
| Education | Mentoring, literacy projects | |
| Transportation | Shopping, errands, escort services | |
| RSVP/Volunteer Programs | Shut-Ins, telephone, etc. | |
| Youth Work | Big Brothers Big Sisters, work related to youth programs | |
| TUARA | TUARA volunteer activities, administrative work, communications, etc. | |
| Other (specify) | ||
| Total Hours |
TUARA
• Advocates for retiree benefits on campus and in Montgomery
• Promotes retirees’ volunteer service
• Awards the Robert E. Witt First-Generation Scholarship
• Provides networking and fun with colleagues and friends
Annual membership is only $25! Visit www.tuara.ua.edu for more information.