GCREA - Newsletter

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GCREA Newsletter

Gloucester County Retired Education Association

Spring 2025

Thank You and Welcome

We would like to thank Roger Baker for his service as GCREA President. Roger has dedicated his time attending meetings and gathering information to help benefit all of our members. As Roger ends his term as President, we would like to welcome our incoming President, Susan Clark. Sue brings with her a wealth of experience and has represented and continues to represent our members in many capacities from the local level and beyond. Thank you Roger and welcome Sue!

A Message from

First Vice President

Margery Walsh

This year has been very busy. We have had many events and tried some new venues. Our Fall General Membership Meeting and Luncheon was held at the GCEA office in Woodbury. A catered lunch was served. The Holiday Luncheon was at the Riverwinds Restaurant in West Deptford. Entertainment was provided by the Gateway High School Madrigal Singers. It put everyone in the Holiday spirit listening to the beautiful voices of the students. Since there was no formal business at this event, it was open to members and non-members. In March, we held the Laura Maltman Workshop. The Theme this year was 'How to Handle Stress.' A great topic for our times. There were two guest speakers from NJEA, who provided us with valuable information. Our final event of the season, our Spring General Membership Meeting and Luncheon, was held at Ott's Restaurant in Washington Township. Our guests were Sean Spiller, a Gubernatorial candidate, Petal Robertson, Secretary, Treasurer of NJEA, Steve Beatty, VP of NJEA and Sarah Favinger, a benefit representative from Mike Salerno's office. Newly elected, NJEA Secretary-Treasurer was in attendance as well. She will be the new liaison between our active and retired members. Sean Spiller spoke about what he would like to do as our Governor and said he would protect teacher benefits. Also, at this event, there was our first-ever mini Members Benefit Fair with important information available to all members. The new NJREA officers were also officially sworn into office by NJREA president, Joan Wright.

A Message From

Government Relations

Linda Behm

Recently, we avoided a healthcare budget situation by NJEA organizing an emergency webinar attended by 1500 members and a successful Lobby Day attended by over 100 active and retired members. Due to our actions, Senator Johnson withdrew his bill that would have affected our Medicare IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) reimbursement for our retiree members in SEHPP.

We need to be vigilant and build on that success. It is VERY IMPORTANT to remember that our healthcare is a line item in the budget. So as we look forward to the election in November: Vote carefully to secure our benefits.

Become an activist!!

2025-2026 Officers

President: Susan Clark

1st Vice President: Margery Walsh

2nd VIce President: Felicia Seigel

Treasurer: Pat Senff Clark

Recording Secretary: Andrew Seigel

Corresponding Secretary: Mickey Fox

Get Involved!

If you would like to be more involved in GCREA, please reach out to any officer. There are always ways to help out the organization. Please volunteer to serve on a committee or help in any way that you would like to contribute. Your participation is valued here.

NJREA Dedicated Phone Line

You are now able to get your questions answered on an NJREA member-dedicated phone line. The phone number is: 609-310-4546.

Phone prompts:

NJREA Officers
Pension
Medicare/health benefits
Prudential life insurance/survivor benefits
NEA/NJEA Member benefits
NJREA website
NJEA/NJREA mailings
NJEA PAC
NJREA membership

GCREA Website

Access our GCREA website for up-to-date information.

https://sites.google.com/view/gcrea/home

You can also access it by going to

https://www.gceanj.org/

From the GCEA website, click “Other EA’s” in the upper right hand corner. From the drop down menus, select “GCREA.”

Member Benefits

We have access to a multitude of savings through not only our NJEA Member Benefits program, but there are multiple products and services available from NEA Member Benefits. Many members rely on resources available at NEAmb.com for travel, show tickets, cell phones, and Federal Student Loan Relief. Rakuten is also promoted by NEA.

The NJEA Member Benefits website is www.njea.org. Choose ‘menu’ and log in with your NJEA PIN and password.

Here are two programs available to us:

https://www.njea.org/dorvie-concierge-tackles-your-tasks/ Dorvie is a concierge experience. This service is ready to help with small tasks or complex challenges. They can solve the logistics of life when you are at home, recovering from surgery or coming home from a rehabilitation center.

https://njea.securusid.com/ Securus ID is an identity theft protection program which has been very well received. Go to their website for more information and enrollment for a savings up to 60%.

Membership

Please remind your active colleagues that retirement doesn’t mean good-bye! Here are four reasons to continue their membership:

1. Assistance on pension and medical benefits issues.

2. Travel tips for maintaining benefits coverage on the go.

3. Survivor’s benefits and resources for navigating life changes.

4. Details on working after retirement and protecting your pension.

Additionally, membership also means current and factual information on protecting their hard-earned pension and health benefits.

For more information on how active members can join the retirees’ association, contact Sue Clark -sueeclark1@gmail.com or Lynn cianci-lynncianci@gmail.com

A Message from

Corresponding Secretary

Mickey Fox

I wanted to update you about the duties I handle for GCREA. I am our point of contact with other retired associations within the county and state. I also assist with the many other activities that our county organization does to help our members stay informed. Throughout the year, I have been involved and represented our membership by attending:

GCREA Executive Committee Monthly Meetings, our members semi-annual meetings and Holiday Luncheon.
Educational Law Center webinars to stay informed about how our government affects our educational system. Protecting Our Public Schools and knowing what we can do to advocate for them.
Post Card “Posse” where we send out info, physically, to our members to keep them informed on the political front.
NJEA School Finance Committe meetings representing NJREA as the retired member of this committee. This requires 4-6 meetings per year to discuss how school funding is done, how it affects our districts, suggest to NJEA possibilities that they could use for discussion at the state level.
GCEA Representative Council, when assigned, where GCREA has a voice to allow active members to stay informed of what GCREA is doing to advocate for all to keep our union strong.
Attend semi-annual NJREA Meetings and Luncheons to stay informed of what our retired organizations can do, to advocate for our union, for pension and health benefits, and to always stay vigilant.

NJREA Members Are Invited to Facebook

Members should look for the Facebook group “NJREA Members” and ask to join. Once your membership is confirmed, you will be accepted into the Facebook group. The group is a great place to ask a question, keep track of upcoming events, and share personal stories of trips and activities.

Important Phone Numbers

NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits

(609)292-7524

Aetna

(866)816-9662

Optum RX

(844)368-8765

NJEA Confidential Helpline

(866)243-6532

Medicare

(800)633-4227

Social Security Administration

(800)772-1213

PAC

NJEA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) is our association’s collective voice for public policy advocacy. From state legislators to local board of education members, NJEA PAC works to

support candidates who share our values and make sure they know where we stand. Political contributions made to endorsed candidates by NJEA PAC come from active and retired members who understand the importance of contributing to PAC, which is a member-supported, member-led effort. For more information, please reach out to Linda Behm at (856)371-8602.

Fit For Life

NJEA offers our retired educators Zoom workout classes with Eric Daw. Register in advance for these classes at https://tinyurl.com/2yzz49bs After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

In Memoriam

GCREA would like to recognize the following members who have recently passed away:

Judith Reasner
Florence Shumann
Karen Moritz

Your GCREA Officers would like to wish you a safe, happy, and healthy summer! It is our sincerest hope, that you will join us for events during our 2025-2026 season!

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