In Brief

• GBRTA is planning for a Zoom meeting on December 3,2020 at 10:00 am. Save the Date! Details to follow.
  
  
• The Connecticut Teachers’ Retirement Board ‘s Open Enrollment Presentations, highlighting your 2021 medical insurance plan benefit offerings, will be held virtually. The virtual meetings are scheduled from October 15 to October 28.
  
  The annual open enrollment period for the upcoming plan year will be from October 5 to November 30. Visit the TRB website at www.ct.gov/trb and select the Open Enrollment link, click the Meeting Schedule link and follow the directions to participate in the meetings.
  
  
• ARTC/PAC has asked candidates for the Connecticut Senate and House of Representatives about their understanding of and support for issues important to retired teachers. PAC recommendations are available at www.ARTCT.org
  
  
• There was no legislative action on the Income Tax Exemption for teachers’ pensions. The issue will come up again when the Legislature begins its new session in January 2021.

President's Letter

Dear Colleagues,

When I assumed the presidency in July 2019, I had no idea that I would preside over only three meetings to date. At this time, GBRTA’s Board of Directors does not anticipate any in-person meetings until spring of 2021. Despite the lack of in-person gatherings, GBRTA will keep members informed about retirement issues through its newsletter and emails.

GBRTA continues to support students entering the field of education by awarding scholarships to graduating seniors from the 16 public high schools in our geographic area. Special thanks for doing a difficult job under extraordinary circumstances go to our scholarship co-chairs Marilyn Mitchell and Deena Begin.

As I write this letter, our area students are returning to school. I know many of us are grateful that we do not have to address in-school, hybrid or remote distance learning as well as masks, social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing desks. Speaking with colleagues who are still active educators, I found that the past year was very difficult for each and every one of them. Let us wish them well for the 2020-2021 school year.

With national and local elections only weeks away, every registered voter in CT should have received an absentee voter request form in the mail. If you do not feel comfortable going to the polls in person, send in the form and an absentee ballot will be mailed to you. Fill out the ballot. Remember to sign it. The number one reason a ballot is rejected is the lack of a signature. Either mail it or drop it in the locked box in your municipality. Do it as soon as possible so that your vote will be counted. I cannot emphasize strongly enough, do not wait until November 3rd.

Like many activities, our collection for Samaritan’s Purse will not take place this year. However, I encourage you to give a holiday gift to a needy child through your favorite charity. In closing, I eagerly await the time when we will see each other again. I am sure that you miss the camaraderie at the luncheon and the opportunity to visit with friends.

Stay safe,

            Rose Marie D’Aquila