A seminar for public school personnel considering retirement is being held Saturday at the Lone Star National Bank corporate office in McAllen.
The Palm Valley Association of Retired School Personnel and the Texas Retired Teacher Association, or TRTA, joined forces to conduct presentations equipping prospective retirees with the tools and knowledge needed before departure of the public school system.
A representative from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, or TRS, the organization responsible for providing pensions to retired teachers, will be present to answer questions concerning health care and other pressing issues for their future.
Such sessions have been held in McAllen, but this will cater to the Mid-Valley — specifically Weslaco, Mercedes, Donna, Elsa and Progreso.
Anita Rodriguez, an eight-year retiree, played a large role in the planning process.
Since retiring from Weslaco ISD, Rodriguez, vice president of the Magic Valley Retired School Personnel Association, has kept busy through volunteering for the MVRSPA and Weslaco Museum.
Most retirees she knows are doing the same.
A variety of factors, she said, play into whether it’s the right time and people may return to work if retirement is not working out for them.
Rodriguez has also enjoyed the liberty of late mornings and having the freedom to visit her children living out of state.
The MVRSPA hosts monthly meetings and receives guest speakers who discuss “things retirees are interested in,” said Rodriguez.
Changes and updates to any pensions, premiums and deductions for school personnel are also monitored by the organization, which exists as part of the TRTA — the largest association of retired teachers across the nation— and will be covered on Saturday.
“We want to know everything that’s happening,” she said. “It’s for the welfare of our teachers.”
Cafeteria workers, bus drivers, teacher aides and other professions employed by a public school district should attend even if retirement is being considered not this year, but in the near future,” Rodriguez encouraged.
Pre-registration may be completed by texting “attend,” along with your name and school district to (956) 624-5364. The event begins at 9 a.m., with registration at 8:30 a.m.
