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What Every New NYSUT Member Should Know

Can you put more than the mandatory 3 percent into the pension fund each pay period? What happens after the 10-year period?

Previously, all teachers and teaching assistants entering the state Teachers' Retirement System after Sept. 1, 1983, had to make mandatory 3 percent contributions to their retirement fund. Thanks to recent legislation, members of tiers 3 and 4 with 10 years' membership in the system no longer have to make the mandatory contributions.

You cannot deposit more than the mandatory 3 percent to the fund. However, you may purchase a tax-deferred annuity 403(b) and deduct up to 20 percent of your salary or $10,500 - whichever is less. New York State United Teachers endorses the Opportunity Plus plan from Aetna.

After completing 10 years of credited service, or once you have reached your 10-year anniversary date, you will stop making the 3 percent contribution. You may continue the deductions for your 403(b).

Under certain conditions, depending on your salary, you might not be able to deduct the full 20 percent. Check with your local president for more info about your district's policies. (Source: Joseph McLaughlin, teacher-member on the TRS Board of Directors.)

I am a new teacher in an elementary school. One student's Individualized Education Program specifies she should have an aide. Yet when I've raised this with the principal, he keeps putting me off. What should I do?

The school district is required by law to provide all programs and services in the student's IEP - including an aide. Failure to do so is a violation of the student's right to a free and appropriate public education.

If a mentor program exists in your school, speak to your mentor. Your mentor probably knows the building principal and may be able to discuss the issue on your behalf.

You should also notify your building representative of the situation. Your union colleague can work directly with the chairperson on the Committee on Special Education. Your building rep can inform you of procedures in your district and decide whether this is an issue that needs to go to the union president.

This can be a no-win situation if your principal feels you are going over his head. By speaking with your mentor teacher first, you can try to resolve the situation without bruising his ego. (Source: NYSUT Effective Teaching Program instructor.)

Do you have a work- or union-related question that you'd like to see answered in "Your Union Mentor"? E-mail your question along with your name and local association to: cbutler@nysutmail.org.

- Clarisse Butler