Discovering Retirement (Back to Contents)

Challenges and Opportunities

"One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his greatest surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do.”
Daniel Joseph Boorstin

 

Volunteering

Almost 84 million U.S. adults volunteered 15.5 billion hours in 2000, according to a national survey conducted by Independent Sector. This volunteer army represented the equivalent of over 9 million full-time employees at a value of $239.2 billion.

You don't have to look hard to find organizations that can use your time and skills. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to stay active and the satisfaction of making a positive contribution to society.

It need not take a great deal of your time, either. According to the Independent Sector study, volunteers averaged 3.6 hours of service per week.

Many organizations are hungry for volunteers, especially retired educators who have the experience of working one-on-one or in small groups, as well as making presentations and organizing data. Sometimes, volunteer work can lead to an exciting new career.

Here are some things to consider if you're thinking about volunteering:

• Look for situations where you can recreate the aspects of teaching you found most satisfying—maybe coaching or tutoring.
• Start with organizations where you're already active—a religious institution, club, charity or community service group.
• Explore the possibilities of on-line volunteering you can do right at home.
• Consider working at special events in your community, such as fundraisers for worthy causes.

Traveling

Imagine being able to travel whenever you want without worrying about a rigid schedule. How about being able to take advantage of off-season rates? These are just two of the many benefits of retirement travel.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 336.2 million pleasure trips were taken by U.S. residents in 2000. Another federal agency, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, reports that almost 30% of all trips are taken by those 50 years old and up, and that more than 11% of all trips are taken by retirees.

According to a report by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), over 9 million American adults head south for a month or more in the winter. More than half (54%) are 55 or older and 37% are retired. More than one-quarter (28%) of "snowbirds" are from New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

TIA also reports that New Yorkers rank fourth in the nation in travel spending ($26.6 billion annually), behind only residents of California ($59.5 billion), Florida ($40.1 billion) and Texas ($31.2 billion).

The Internet is the world's largest travel agent, offering information and bargains to assist you in making your travel plans. If you are among the many who travel by car, you can use the Internet to find highway route planners that, at the click of the mouse, produce personalized and comprehensive itineraries. Hotels and restaurants can be researched on the Web and, in many cases, you can make on-line reservations. Airline flights and cruises can also be booked from the comfort of home.

Valuable travel information is also available in libraries and bookstores.

If you do your research, you can broaden your experiences and make your trip an exciting discovery.

Teaching and Tutoring Around the World

How's your sense of adventure? Would you welcome the chance to interact with students again? How about the opportunity to travel abroad and learn firsthand about foreign cultures? Here are some organizations that offer you these opportunities.

Bridges for Education
A New York State-based nonprofit organization that coordinates English language camps in Eastern and Central Europe, and newly independent states. Founded by NYSTRS member J. Beth Ciesielski, who is its executive director, the group caters primarily to teenagers. Participating teachers must have state certification, or have successfully taught in private school or college. Learn more at www.bridges4edu.org.

Elderhostel's "Learning Through Service" Programs
A nonprofit that bills itself as the oldest and largest "educational and travel organization for older adults." You can tutor in the United States on a reservation, work at a summer camp for children with special needs, or travel abroad and teach in English language camps. The cost will vary depending on the length of the program and your transportation expenses. Write to Elderhostel, 11 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111, call (877) 426-8056 or visit its Web site at www.elderhostel.org.

Global Volunteers
A nonprofit organization that sends teams of volunteers to work with people on human and economic development projects. Volunteers' energy and creativity are put to use, while at the same time they gain a better understanding of how other people live. Programs run from one to three weeks and take place in developing countries worldwide, as well as in communities in the United States. Teachers have the opportunity to volunteer in the English language development program offered to youths and adults in several European countries. For more information and costs, write to Global Volunteers, 375 East Little Canada Road, St. Paul, MN 55117, call (800) 487-1074 or visit their Web site at  www.globalvolunteers.org.

InterAction
A coalition of humanitarian relief, development and disaster relief organizations, it offers resources for people seeking both paid and volunteer positions in the United States and abroad. You can find volunteer information in InterAction's Global Work, a guide listing opportunities from 68 organizations and contacts in 120 countries (including the United States). For more information, or to order the guide, write to InterAction, 1717 Massachusetts NW, Suite 701, Washington, DC 20036, call (202) 667-8227 or visit its Web site at www.interaction.org.

Caregiving

Caregiving is a critical issue in our country today. It can have a significant financial and emotional impact during your retirement. About 60% of people age 65 or older will need some form of long-term care in their lifetime. Only 10-20% of people who need caregiving help are in long-term care institutions. The remaining are cared for by informal caregivers—a spouse, child or family friend.

While caregiving is sometimes provided by couples or men, the typical caregiver is a daughter or wife. Caregiving usually means helping with rides to the doctor, shopping and other daily activities, as well as providing meals and/or money.

The elderly, however, aren't the only ones needing help today. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 1.4 million children living in households headed by grandparents. This group is faced with the same problems as all caregivers: They need financial, legal, medical and emotional support. Like other caregivers, they often feel they are alone in their situation.

Caregiving can become a reality for anyone, even the well-known. In her book, Helping Yourself Help Others: A Book for Caregivers, former First Lady Rosalyn Carter talks about her experiences as a caregiver and its effect on her family. "Caregivers get so isolated. They start to believe they are the only ones in the world with this problem. They need to know there are so many people in the same situation," she writes. She also emphasizes the importance of making family decisions about who should provide the care, and when and how much care.

Her advice echoes that of others who have gone through the process: Know that there are organizations, support groups and respite care for caregivers, in addition to other useful resources including books, pamphlets and videos.

A Caregiver's Checklist

• Brainstorm with family and friends about ways to help an older family member remain active, both physically and mentally.

• Familiarize yourself with legal issues, health care resources, support services, and the aging process.

• When making a change, start with the smallest step possible. This will help you avoid becoming overwhelmed by so many difficult decisions.

• Don't try to do everything alone. Share the responsibility with family, friends, and professionals. Join a support group.

• Allow the person to participate in decision making, giving her/him a sense of autonomy.

• Give reassurance to the person being cared for by expressing support and showing you can be depended upon to provide assistance.

• Take time off for yourself. You also need recreation and time to pursue personal interests. Find out if there is an adult daycare center nearby.

• Consider ways to make the residence and surroundings comfortable and safe to accommodate diminishment in movement, strength, eyesight and hearing.

• If you are caring for someone who lives a distance away, contact local agencies for help.

Returning to Work

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in January 2004 there were 4.8 million people over the age of 65 working, including 309,000 over the age of 80.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that between 2002 and 2012, the proportion of the labor force that is 55 and over will increase to 19.1%. Over that same period, the number of older workers will grow by 49.3%, 4 times the 12% growth for all workers.

Why will so many older workers still be in the work force? Much of it is based on a need for additional income to supplement pensions and investments. Helping offset increases in health insurance and other costs, and satisfying the need to be productive are other reasons to keep working.

An AARP Public Policy Institute paper published in April 2002 concludes:  "The first wave of boomers is only just beginning to enter the ranks of the 55-plus workforce. As more of them do so, the 'older' workforce will swell. ...If projected labor shortages materialize during the next decade, boomers could find themselves in far greater demand—and with many more options—than the typical older worker of today."

NYSTRS retirees are involved in a wide range of work experiences. Some have returned to teaching in another state or in a private school. Others are running their own businesses, consulting, writing or entertaining. Still others are going back to school to prepare for new careers.

If you're considering joining them, you'll find that the skills you developed during your teaching career are in great demand today. A number of groups offer services and publications to help you match those skills with available opportunities. Check your local libraries, employment agencies and the Internet. (See Sources of Information.)

Earnings Considerations

Before you make a commitment, you should find out if there are earnings limitations for the type of work you are considering. You'll find updated information in the pamphlet Working in Retirement and in the Retired Members' Handbook. We also encourage you to call us at (800) 356-3128, Ext. 6150 whenever you have a question about your employment.

The following earnings information refers to service retirees only. Rules governing earnings limitations if you are receiving a disability retirement benefit differ significantly. You should contact NYSTRS if you are receiving a disability benefit and plan to work.

Employment Without Limits

You may be employed with unlimited earnings in:

• Private or federal employment;
• Public employment outside New York State;
• Any employment (including NYS public employment) if you're age 65 or older; or,
• New York State as an elected official, inspector of elections, poll or ballot clerk, commissioner of deeds, juror or notary public.

NYS Public Employment Limits

Section 212 of the Retirement and Social Security Laws allows you to work for a New York State public employer in retirement and earn a limited amount in a calendar year without prior approval. Historically, the State Legislature has increased this limit at regular intervals. You can always find the most-current earnings after retirement limit on the Retirees page of the NYSTRS Web site. Changes to the limit are also published in the retiree newsletter, Resource.

Exceeding the Limit

If you anticipate earning more than the Section 212 limit, you may be employed under Section 211 or have your retirement benefit suspended.

Under Section 211, employment must be approved in advance by the authority having jurisdiction over your employment. For example, the State Education Department is the approving authority for school district employment. Your prospective employer must request the approval. The Commissioner of Education generally will not approve your returning to work for your former school district until one year from your date of retirement. This restriction does not exist under Section 212.

Generally, there are no limits on your earnings under Section 211. However, if your employer during retirement paid you salary before you retired, and it was included in your final average salary computation, your earnings under Section 211 are limited. The limit is the difference between your maximum retirement benefit and your final average salary (or, if greater, the salary you would now be receiving if you had continued in service).

Suspending Your Benefit

Another option available to you if you plan to work full time for a public employer for several years is to suspend your retirement benefit. If you work for a participating employer, you can rejoin the System. You will maintain the membership tier you had prior to retirement (but not necessarily your original membership date) and may qualify for an additional benefit by working a minimum number of years. 

Under Tiers 1, 2 and 4 (including Tier 3 members who retire under Tier 4), you need two years of service for an additional benefit and five years for a full recalculation. (If you retired under Tier 3, you need five years for either to occur.)

Members who qualify for an additional benefit or recalculation will lose any retirement incentive service previously credited. A benefit recalculation may also require a payback to the System.

If you retire again without earning the necessary additional service, your benefit will resume at the original amount.

Working as a Consultant

If you are considering working in a New York State public school as a consultant, you must have the agreement reviewed and approved by NYSTRS. As a consultant, you cannot be an employee of the district or perform a function that normally would be performed by an administrator or teacher.

You can exceed the limit for New York State public employment if (a) you receive approval, (b) it is determined you are a consultant and not an employee of the district, and (c) your date of membership in NYSTRS is before May 31, 1973. If you joined the System on or after May 31, 1973, your consultant earnings are subject to the earnings limitations discussed earlier.

If you are contemplating any type of employment in retirement and have questions, please call NYSTRS at (800) 356-3128, Ext. 6150.

Reporting Your Earnings

If you are working for a participating employer in this System, including New York State public school districts, the State Education Department, SUNY or State community colleges, your annual earnings will automatically be reported to us.

However, if you are employed by any other New York State public employer, including New York City, you must report your earnings to NYSTRS on an annual basis. A form to report your earnings for the previous calendar year is provided with the winter edition of Resource.

Please Note:

Employment rules and earnings limitations often change. Also, Social Security regulations and New York State law may not always be the same.

It is in your best interest to stay abreast of the latest changes. Visit our Web site at www.nystrs.org or call the System at (800) 782-0289 for updates on these and other topics.

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