Page 1 - CSEA Retiree News Summer 2019

R
etiree
etiree
Retirees have a major impact on our state
NEWS Danny Donohue, President SUMMER 2019
cseany.org
Arecent New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) report confirms what we already know well — that public retirees play a major role in our state and local economies.
The report notes that in 2017, the latest year statistics were available, public retirees generated $12 billion in economic activity across the state.
Of the 470,596 retirees
and beneficiaries in the state retirement system, 79 percent are spending their retirement years in New York.
Our state’s public retirees have defined-benefit (guaranteed) pensions, a major factor in a secure, dignified retirement.
Nearly a half million retirees and beneficiaries in our state’s retirement system have stronger retirement benefits because
of strong unions that fight for pensions.
Strong unions don’t only benefit
members and their families, but strengthen all of our communities.
Here is some more evidence of how public retirees are making
a positive difference for all New Yorkers:
In 2017, retirees and beneficiaries paid $1.9 billion
in property taxes, as well as
$650 million in state and local taxes. This tax revenue helps fund the essential public services that CSEA members provide in every community in New York, every day.
In addition to staying in New York, the study shows that public retirees also spend money in local businesses. According to the study, public retirees are responsible for about 73,000
jobs across the state, including health care, restaurants and entertainment.
We all know that a rising tide lifts all boats and retirees are no exception. When we fight for
470,596
retirees and beneficiaries in the state retirement system.
79% of them are spending their retirement years in New York.
$12 billion
in economic activity generated by public retirees.
retirement security, not only for current retirees, but for future retirees, we are fighting to ensure
that our state and communities remain strong.
Our working brothers and sisters are facing challenges
from anti-labor groups that claim that our members would have ‘freedom’ if they didn’t belong to a union.
Our pensions, Social Security and health care, however, give us the security and freedom
to pursue our interests after retirement.
To see a breakdown of retirees’ financial impact on your region, visit tinyurl.com/ NYretireescontribute.
CSEA mourns loss of Naomi Kaplan
WARWICK — CSEA is mourning the loss of former Southern Region and Retiree Division activist Naomi Kaplan, 84, who passed away on June 1.
Kaplan served as a longtime unit president at the Warwick Valley School District. She was also known as an outspoken Southern Region and Orange County Local activist.
Soon after retiring in 1999,
she continued her CSEA activism through our union’s Retiree Division, serving as our longtime Orange-Ulster-Sullivan Retirees Local President until 2017.
She is survived by a son, grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
Naomi Kaplan, right, speaks with Orange-Ulster-Sullivan Retirees Local member Harold Trout during the local’s 2017 summer barbecue meeting.