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Congratulations on Your Retirement!
Very soon you’ll wonder where you ever found the time to work! Before you launch your relaxation and fun projects, we’d like to introduce ourselves:
Who we are We are the Retired Staff Association (RSA) — an all-volunteer group combining retired individuals from MEA, MESSA, MEA Financial Services and MEDNA. We are a watchdog group whose mission is to understand and act when we become aware of potential threats to our pension and/or benefit plans.
What we do At the present time, we believe pen-sions and benefits are secure; and in an ever-changing political climate, we are committed to keeping them that way. Dues are $52 annually (July 1 - June 30); or you can become a lifetime member for a single payment of $520. If you pay by check/cash/money order, there is a $2 discount for annual dues (remit only $50) and a $20 discount for lifetime dues (remit only $500). This money is used to build a defense fund. In order to keep costs down, we primarily communicate with our fellow retirees and outside experts electronically. We’ve already obtained important legal advice answering some of our BIG questions. We have a members’ only website where we share that type of information, retiree news, and other RSA activity. We also have a yearly meeting to elect officers, enjoy fellowship, and get an update on our pension plan, benefits, and the individual organizations. The annual meeting is followed by a social
gathering which has a nominal fee. Attendance at this meeting is not required.
Join us! Your home and email address, along with your membership dues, are all that is needed to become a member of the RSA.
To contact the RSA Treasurer, Deb Hahn, about joining and paying your membership dues, please email [email protected]. Once your dues are paid, you will receive the password to gain access to our website.
The RSA has not always received contact information for retirees. If you have retired MEA Family friends who have not received RSA information, please share this flyer and/or the Treasurer’s email shown above. Surviving beneficiaries are also welcome in this group!
Contact Us If you have any questions about the RSA, contact any of the following representatives. We’re happy to help!
• Mary Anne Adams (Retired - MEA)([email protected])
• Karen Spotts (Retired - MEA FS) ([email protected])
• Marcy Trepky (Retired - MESSA) ([email protected])
www.IamMea.org/RetiredStaffAssoc
Revised Dec. 2019
Retirees of MEA•MESSA•MEA•FSRSA
The Retired Staff Association (RSA) is an all-volunteer group combining retired individuals from MEA, MESSA, MEA Financial Services and MEDNA. As a watchdog group, its mission is to understand and act whenever there may be potential threats to our pension and/or benefit plans.
Peace of Mind for the Future
Any retiree from the MEA Family is welcome, including surviving beneficiaries. The low cost of $52 per year, or single lifetime dues payment of $520, (or a cash/check/money order discounted dues of $50 annual and $500 lifetime) is all that is needed for you and/or your beneficiary to become a member. Retirement is a wonderful time to enjoy the fruits of many years of labor. You can help to keep your retiree benefits secure by investing in the RSA for your family’s future.
Member Testimonial
Here are a few words from Sherryl Benton, whose spouse was Walter Benton, a UniServ Director for MEA for over 30 years:
When RSA was formed, we attended the yearly meetings so we could hear what direction the leadership was taking to protect us and our benefits as we did not have a voice as retirees. When my husband passed away I was unsure if I could continue to be a member of RSA — but the answer is YES! As a beneficiary you are taking the place of the deceased employee. It is in our best interest as survivors to be well informed about our benefits and pension. Through RSA we have access to information and a voice regarding protection of these important assets. By enrolling as a member you will continue to stay informed through RSA and help build a legal fund should we need to protect our members’ benefits and pensions. I see the dues as an insurance policy or investment in helping to secure peace of mind that RSA is watching to make sure we will have pensions and benefits in years to come. I encourage you to join us in our quest for information and representation.
Sincerely, Sherryl Benton
For More Information
For additional information about the RSA, contact any of the following representatives: Mary Anne Adams at [email protected], Karen Spotts at [email protected], or Marcy Trepky at [email protected]. To join the RSA, contact Deb Hahn, RSA Treasurer, at [email protected].
http://www.rsa-mich.org
RSA - An Investment for a Secure Future
Revised Dec. 2019
Retirees of MEA•MESSA•MEA•FSRSA
Frequently Asked Questions & Other
Information
Revised Dec. 2019
My co-worker is going to retire in 3-6 months. Can he or she join the Retired Staff Association (RSA) just before retiring? Although your co-worker is not eligible to join while fully employed; he or she can contact an RSA representative to provide an email address and expected date of retirement. A Welcome ePacket can be sent close to the time of retirement so that your co-worker has the opportunity to join as soon as he or she retires.
One of my co-workers just retired and doesn’t know about the RSA. Who should he or she contact for information? Your co-worker can contact any of the following representatives: Mary Anne Adams at [email protected], Karen Spotts at [email protected], or Marcy Trepky at [email protected]. A Welcome ePacket can be sent by providing an email address to one of the people mentioned above.
Does MEA Human Resources (HR) or the Retirement Office automatically notify the RSA that I’ve retired? The RSA is not an extension of the MEA or its offices; therefore, we have not always received contact information for retirees. If you have retired or if you have MEA Family friends who would like information about joining the RSA, please contact an RSA representative.
Is the $52 membership fee a one-time deal? No, it is not a one-time fee. Membership dues are required annually for one year of membership. However, there is a lifetime dues option that allows one single dues payment of $520. The amounts are discounted to $50 and $500 if you pay by cash/check or money order.
Can I pay my membership dues in cash, or does it have to be by check? You may pay in cash at the annual meeting; however, please do not send cash through the mail. If you are paying by mail, please send a personal or cashier’s check. Contact Karen Spotts about auto-deduction of dues if you are a CASE Credit Union member. Or you can go to the RSA web site http://www.rsa-mich.org/ and complete a Membership Form and submit it online. Click on the link to the secure PayPal portal to submit payment by credit/debit card or your PayPal account - $52 yearly or $520 lifetime.
If I pay my membership dues in October, do I need to pay again on July 1st? Yes; if you pay yearly, the membership year is July 1 - June 30. If you choose single lifetime dues payment of $520, you are covered for life.
Retirees of MEA•MESSA•MEA•FSRSA
Frequently Asked Questions & Other Information (continued)
I retired from MESSA and heard the RSA is just for MEA retirees. Can I still join? RSA membership is open to all retirees of the MEA corporate family. That includes MESSA, MEA, MEA Financial Services and MEDNA. What if my spouse isn’t entitled to my pension once I pass, can he or she still become a member? No; your spouse is eligible for RSA membership only if he or she was designated to receive pension benefits at the time you retired.
Can I still join if I’m retired and now live outside of Michigan? Yes; please provide your email and home address so that RSA materials can be sent to you.
Do I have to attend the annual membership meeting each June to remain a member? No; attendance at the annual membership meeting is not required to maintain membership. You can cast your vote for RSA elections via absentee ballot if you will not be attending the annual meeting.
Will I be notified when it’s time to pay my $52 membership dues again? Yes; a reminder is given in the information you’ll receive just before each annual membership meeting.
If I don’t have a computer or mobile device and I mail in my membership form and dues, how will I know they’ve been received? You will receive confirmation via regular mail sent to the address provided or shown on your membership form.
Do I have to fill out a membership form each year when I pay my $52 membership dues? No; however, you may be asked to update your information occasionally (e.g., email, address, phone number, or beneficiary additions/changes).
I bank through CASE and heard there’s a way I can easily pay my membership dues each year through the credit union. If that’s true, how do I do it? Yes, you can choose to have your RSA membership dues automatically deducted from your CASE Credit Union account. If you are interested in signing up for this convenient option, contact Karen Spotts at [email protected] for more information.
Still have questions? For additional information about the RSA, contact any of the following representatives: • Mary Anne Adams at [email protected] • Karen Spotts at [email protected] • Marcy Trepky at [email protected]
How to Join the RSA Joining the RSA and becoming a member is easy!
There are three options for becoming a member:
1. Simply complete a Membership Form and submit your membership dues by check/money order at the discounted rate - $50 yearly or $500 lifetime.
2. Don’t have a Form? Go to the RSA web site http://www.rsa-mich.org/ and download a Membership Form. Print the form and mail with your membership dues (check/money order, payable to RSA) at the discounted rate - $50 yearly or $500 lifetime.
3. Go to the RSA web site http://www.rsa-mich.org/ and complete a Membership Form and submit it online. Click on the link to the secure PayPal portal to submit payment by credit/debit card or your PayPal account - $52 yearly or $520 lifetime.
Once your form and payment have been received, you become an RSA member. (Dues are payable annually for continued membership unless you are a lifetime member.)
Membership Form Information
The RSA Membership Form provides contact information, the company from which you retired, and beneficiary information. One of the great perks of being an RSA member is that your surviving beneficiary may also become a member with the same benefits. It is necessary for the RSA to have this information for current member communication purposes. Your personal information will be kept confidential.
If you choose to use a printed Membership Form, mail it along with your check or money order (payable to RSA) to the address shown below:
Retired Staff Association (RSA) c/o Deb Hahn
2827 Arlington Road Lansing, MI 48906
Check the appropriate box in the upper right corner of the form to indicate your payment preference. If you are a CASE Credit Union member and would like to have your membership dues auto-deducted from your account, contact Karen Spotts at [email protected] for more information about this convenient option.
RSA handles the majority of its communications digitally as a cost-saving measure. If you do not have an email address or own a computer or mobile device, please ask a fellow retiree to share RSA communications with you.Revised July. 2018
Retirees of MEA•MESSA•MEA•FSRSA
MEA Retired Staff Association and CASE Credit Union
have teamed up to make Annual Dues Payment a breeze!
In our busy lives, continuing Retired Staff Association (RSA) dues payments should be hassle-free and without worry. Now you can pay your annual dues with ease! Check out the following automated options and choose the one that’s right for you:
If you are a CASE Credit Union member
If you are currently a CASE Credit Union member and have paid your current RSA annual dues, you can begin the automatic deduction of dues for the following year from your CASE account. The deduction will be made annually on May 1st.
If you are NOT a CASE Credit Union member
If you are not currently a CASE Credit Union member and wish to use this easy payment option, you can join CASE online at www.casecu.org. Simply click on Banking, then Membership under Key Information to apply. Your automated annual RSA dues will begin on May 1st.
Lifetime Dues Payment
For your convenience, RSA membership dues can be paid as a one-time lifetime discounted dues payment of $500. If you are currently a CASE Credit Union member and wish to make a one-time $500 dues payment, you can have the deduction made from your CASE account.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding these RSA dues payment options, please contact Deb Hahn at 517-321-2083 or send an email to [email protected].
If you have other questions about the RSA or membership, contact Mary Anne Adams ([email protected]), Karen Spotts ([email protected]) or Marcy Trepky - MESSA ([email protected]). .
Pay Your Annual Dues with Ease
Revised July. 2018
Retirees of MEA•MESSA•MEA•FSRSA
