What is RPEA?

The Retired Public Employees Association, RPEA, is a powerful advocate for current and future public service retirees. Founded in 1969, RPEA today has approximately 50,000 members living in all 50 states and seven foreign countries.

Our membership includes retirees (and pre-retirees) from New York State and local governments, school districts, public authorities in New York State, and state employees in the New York State Militia, including their spouses .

• Effective Advocacy and Lobbying
• Education and Information
• Personal Assistance
• Conducting Research

A Board of Directors, a President and other officers, (all are volunteers and are elected from the membership), govern RPEA. Our major areas of activities and operations are coordinated and led by an Executive Director and a dedicated and accommodating staff

Why do Retirees need RPEA?

 Many of us who retire from government move on to other jobs, start new careers, relocate, or are able to pursue their hobbies or other interests.  Whatever your situation, the retirement income and benefits you earned are absolutely essential to your economic security.  You can’t afford to take them for granted!

Make no mistake about it. Retiree benefits are under attack. We’ve all heard the story and seen the headlines –

“Budget in Crisis”
“Pension Costs Skyrocket”
“Retiree Health Insurance Plans Too Expensive”

We have earned our retirement benefits and we cannot allow a negative political climate, either on the State or local level, to reduce or destroy them.

RPEA is a not for profit representing the interests of 50,000 retirees mostly from New York State and local governments. RPEA is the only organization we know of that exists solely to protect, promote and advance the interests of all public service retirees.

We are not an employee organization bargaining on behalf of active employees. Neither do we have affiliations with political parties. In fact, we do not endorse or support any political candidates or political parties financially or otherwise. We deal strictly with issues that enhance the lives, security, and protection of our retirement benefits.

We are all about retiree issues and only retiree issues. We have been doing this for almost 40 years and we are good at it!

Who we are and What we do

You may not have heard of us while you were working – we’re not a labor union. Once you get to know us, however, you’ll learn why RPEA is often called “the best kept secret in government”. Retirees know and love us! As a matter of fact, the overwhelming number of members that join RPEA renew their memberships again and again.

Our headquarters is in the State Capital - making it convenient for us to work with state legislators. Our Staff are mostly government retirees sharing the same concerns all of us face in our lives.

RPEA has 13 regional Chapters in New York, 5 in Florida and 1 in the Carolinas.

What can RPEA do for you?

• Provide you with easy access to up-to-date information about issues that affect you. RPEA publishes a sixteen page bimonthly newsletter and maintains this site to provide you with important news and keep you informed of our lobbying efforts on your behalf.
• Fight to protect your retirement benefits. RPEA was the leader in successfully lobbying for the historic permanent pension cost of living adjustment (COLA) to improve your future pension benefits. Now we are fighting for legislation to keep the State and local governments from unfairly cutting health insurance benefits for their retirees. And as a recognized strong advocacy voice for retirees before members of New York State’s congressional delegation, we are working vigorously to protect your future Social Security and Medicare benefits.
• Assure quick access to personal assistance with your questions and concerns about your pension or health care coverage. RPEA offers e-mail and toll free telephone access to its member services specialists who are experienced in working personally with members to resolve problems as quickly and easily as possible.
• Offer useful and valuable member benefits! RPEA offers many membership benefits such as dental plans (including GHI Preferred), vision care programs, and discounts on auto, homeowners and long term care insurance.
• Sponsor informative and enjoyable activities! The regional chapters in New York State, Florida and in Carolina's provide numerous opportunities to socialize with your fellow retirees, some of whom may be your friends and former colleagues, at informative programs and during interesting trips and activities.

RPEA delivers cost-effective services to our members through the efforts of a competent staff and a host of active dedicated volunteers – your fellow retirees. There is strength in numbers.

Become a member and join the effort. An annual membership is $24 – that’s an investment of only $2 a month to protect and advance your interests at both the State and Federal levels of government.

Just click on JOIN at the top of this page and you’ll have instant access to a membership application. Or, feel free to call us and talk to a real person, at (518) 869-2542 or toll free at (800) 726-7732.