MEA-Retired News
Todd Crenshaw, second from right, was the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of MEA-Retired. Here, he poses with (from left to right): Dan Rudd, secretary-treasurer; Judy Foster, vice president, and Mary Christian, president.
Still going strong
MEA-Retired celebrates 25th anniversary
MEA-Retired is still going strong after 25 years.
About 200 retired school employees attended the group's annual meeting April 15. They celebrated the silver anniversary of the program, which advocates on behalf of retirees, by receiving a special resolution about the organization.
Keynote speaker Todd Crenshaw praised MEA-Retired members, telling them that their hard work to help students and advocate for their profession is important. He cited a Michigan program in which retired teachers mentor college students who are preparing to be educators.
MEA-Retired members who attended the NEA-Retired Western Regional Conference in Portland, Oregon, from March 31 – April 2, 2009.
Michigan represented at the NEA-Retired Regional
Eight people from Michigan represented MEA-Retired at the NEA-Retired Regional in Portland, Oregon March 31-April 2. Those were: Dan and Helen Rudd, Rose Cross,Mary Christian, Vicki and Dean Parling, Barbara Stockman and Judy Foster. Featured speaker was NEA President Dennis Van Roekel talking about "Security in an Insecure World." Several workshops were offered to those attending: Outlearning the Wolves, Why all Politics is Local, The Elder Law Difference, Developing the Retired Organization, and Balancing Your Money. Al-Tony Gilmore spoke to the group and signed his book, All the People: NEA's Legacy of Inclusion and Its Minority Presidents. Michigan folks enjoyed a tour of Portland provided by the Oregon Retirees.
Tips to manage your finances
There’s no question that the U.S. financial markets have been volatile over the past few weeks. But, when it comes to your personal finances, don’t panic.
That was the message to MEA-Retired members from Paul Gonzalez, executive director of MEA Financial Services, which offers insurance and investment products for members.
He offered four tips for managing personal finances during turbulent times:
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If you decide to invest in treasury bonds, stay short – three to six months is best.
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Know your financial adviser or firm – don’t trust your money with strangers.
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Check your safety net.
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Know how to get your money if you need it.
Gonzalez predicted tame inflation this year but little, if any, relief from the chaos that’s marked financial markets since September.
“It’s going to get really, really nasty,” he said, adding that things may not calm down until the end of 2009 or early 2010.
Strategies for healthy living
You can’t get the flu from a flu shot.
That was the one fact that Dr. Robert Graham, medical director of the mid- and central Michigan district health departments, wanted MEA-Retired members to take away from a presentation about healthy living Thursday.
He urged all retirees and people who live with a retiree to get a flu shot annually. The flu peaks in mid February, so it’s not too late to get the vaccine.
“The flu shot is the best way to avoid the flu – or you can go live on a deserted island,” Graham said with a laugh.
Other healthy living tips included:
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Everyone over 60 should get a shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine.
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People under 64 should get a shot to prevent whooping cough.
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All retirees should have one or possibly two doses of the pneumonia vaccine.
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Wash your hands before you fix food and after you’ve used the restroom.
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Eat good food, not too much, and mostly plants.
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Exercise your brain every day – read, learn a language, do puzzles, write, paint, draw.
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Embrace spirituality (which may or may not mean religion, depending on your beliefs).
Updated: May 27, 2009 2:12 PM
Other News
2009 Spring Michigan Retirement Report (PDF)
2009 Winter Michigan Retirement Report (PDF)
2008 Fall Michigan Retirement Report (PDF)
2008 Summer Michigan Retirement Report (PDF)
2008 Spring Michigan Retirement Report (PDF)
Health Insurance Changes for April 1, 2008 (PDF)