WHY JOIN RTO ??
Take a couple of minutes to read this page.
It may affect your retirement circumstances!!
RTO/ERO is a bilingual and voluntary organization, The Retired
Teachers of Ontario offers numerous benefits to
members. These include: pension protection;
health care coverage; a Long Term Care Plan; advocacy on
social, political and economic issues; group travel
programs; community involvement; and regular
communication from both Provincial and District levels.
RTO/ERO provides a strong and active voice for a
membership of over 54,000. Members range in age from
51 to 100 plus and include 4,000 associate members,
most of whom receive spousal pension as widows or
widowers of retired Ontario teachers.
Most RTO/ERO members live in Ontario and are
affiliated with one of over 40 Districts into which the
organization is divided. There is also a District in British
Columbia with approximately 500 members. RTO/ERO
is the only organization with representation from
Elementary, Secondary, Public, Catholic, French, English
and private schools.
Many members are actively involved at both the District
and Provincial levels. Within each District, members
participate in social, travel and leisure opportunities,
become involved in political activities and some assume
leadership roles on District Executives. At the Provincial
level, members are actively involved through the work of
the Senate, the governing body of RTO/ERO. Two
representatives from each District serve as Senators,
deciding upon financial and policy issues and electing a
Provincial Executive. This Executive meets monthly and
has several standing committees including Audit,
Communications, Health Services & Insurance,Member
Services, Pension & Retirement Concerns, Political
Action, and Project-Service to Others.
RTO/ERO's strength is in its numbers. As a member you
have influence. Our size enables us to advocate on your
behalf on a wide variety of issues of interest to retirees
and seniors.
Your RTO/ERO membership fee is only $1.10 per $1,000
of gross pension, and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan
will conveniently deduct it each January from your
annual pension.
PENSION PROTECTION
RTO/ERO monitors pension legislation, comments on
proposed changes and recommends improvements for
retired teachers
Senior staff members participate in regular discussions
with OTF - the Ontario Teachers' Federation
RTO/ERO is a voting member on the OTF Pension and
Pension Negotiations Committees, representing members
in pension negotiations with the Provincial Government
POLITICAL ADVOCACY
RTO/ERO lobbies at all levels of government
of concern to educators and retirees, including
care, support for active teachers and publicly-
education, seniors' issues, and the environment
As appropriate, members organize petitions and
meetings and lobby local M.P.s and M.P.P.s
HEALTH INSURANCE
RTO/ERO provides health insurance that is
comprehensive, competitive and affordable, operating
the largest Canadian retired educator health plan
with 35,000 members covering 55,000 people
The Plan is owned and managed by RTO/ERO
members and available only to members
Health Plan members choose from Extended Health,
Semi-Private Hospital and Dental Plans, all offered
independently, with single, couple or family coverage
Highlights of the Plan include: direct drug payment
to pharmacies; electronic submission of dental claims;
direct deposit of claim payments; paramedical
practitioner services; vision care; home care; and
travel coverage while outside of province and country
COMMUNICATION
RTO/ERO publishes a national award-winning
quarterly magazine, Renaissance, for all members and
monthly newsletters for Provincial and District leaders
Over 45 Fact Sheets on social, health, legal and financial
matters of interest to retirees are available to members
Tax Tips and Pocket Calendars are produced annually
RTO/ERO maintains a professionally-designed website,
and provides technical assistance to District webmasters
SERVICE TO OTHERS
RTO/ERO operates "Project-Service to Others", a
fully-funded grant program of $100,000 for Districts
to participate in worthwhile community projects
Districts can apply annually for up to $4,000 to
support local projects such as help for the homeless,
school day care for children of single teenage
mothers, programs for disadvantaged students, and
social programs for those less fortunate
CONNECTIONS
RTO/ERO shares resources and expertise with several
provincial and national organizations to improve the
quality of life for retirees
These include: the Canadian Association of Retired
Teachers (CART), the Ontario Community Support
Association (OCSA), the Ontario Network for the
Prevention of Elder Abuse (ONPEA), the Ontario
Residential Counselling Association (ORCA);
provincial teacher affiliates, and trustee, supervisory
officer and principals' organizations
ASSISTANCE and SUPPORT
RTO/ERO provides assistance and support to
members in need, through Provincial and District
Goodwill Committees
This includes: help with banking; rides to medical
appointments; travel to RTO/ERO social events,
financial assistance; and compassionate support
TRAVEL
RTO/ERO members can travel the world with air
flights, cruises and tours on five continents
RTO/ERO works with professionals who design
exclusive travel packages for our members
RTO/ERO members serve as tour leaders