Free Memberships

Dear Retiree;
As a retired state employee and president of the Minnesota Retired State Employees Association, I invite you to join with us and become a member of our association. We are an organization concerned solely with the retired state employees and their benefits. We are managed by a 15 member board of directors. We respond to members’ needs and concerns with newsletters, by testifying at legislative hearings and by informing legislators and other elected officials of our concerns. We have statewide informative chapter meetings each Spring and Fall.

I believe that after you receive our newsletters and if you attend any of our meetings, you will have a better appreciation of our efforts for state retirees. Therefore, we are offering you without obligation a free year membership in the association. You will receive quarterly newsletters and updated information about the organization.

After your free year of membership you can decide if you wish to continue to be a part of our efforts at next year’s renewal time. Our current dues are $15.00 a year.

Our over 8,000 members are not only from the group normally thought of as state employees, but we also come from such diverse groups as retired legislators, judges, highway patrol and retired employees from the University of Minnesota, metropolitan agencies and others. We will mail you a free membership form or please feel free to contact us if you have not received the invitation for a trial membership.

Sub Chapters:
Sub Chapter meetings are held in Brainerd, Duluth, Fergus Falls, Mankato, Marshall, Rochester, Sauk Centre, and Walker. If you live in one of the Sub Chapter areas you will be invited to Sub Chapter meetings.

Some of our accomplishments:

  • Working with state agencies and the legislature, we have helped develop our current method of increasing our pensions after retirement, based on a combination of increases in the cost of living and on the increased value of our retirement fund investments. These changes have resulted in substantial lifetime increases in pensions of retirees. Minnesota’s program is among the best in the nation.
  • Our hard work has gained for retiree’s access to the long term care insurance program administered by the State.
  • We have successfully opposed all attempts to adversely modify the formula for determining future increases in pensions of retirees, and supported improvements that have been made.
  • Sponsored legislation providing for retiree representation on the Investment Advisory Council of the State Investment Board and on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota State Retirement System.
  • Advocated and supported for the “Bounce Back” provision for retirees to select at time of retirement.
  • Maintain a good relationship with the legislature.
  • Provide members with a method for making voluntary contributions to a retired people’s political action fund which is used to make small contributions to state political campaigns of candidates for state offices, regardless of party affiliation.
  • We are attempting to obtain better benefits for retirees in the area of health care. The State of Minnesota, unlike a majority of states, does not participate in paying any of the costs of health care insurance for retirees. We continue to work toward solutions that will provide some assistance with our health care costs.

We hope you enjoy your free year membership and encourage your participation in your local Sub Chapter meetings.

If you have any questions, contact us at our toll free number: 1-877-487-0402.

Sincerely,

Ruth M. Husom
President


OUR MISSION STATEMENT
United to Advocate for the Well–Being of State Retirees By:

  • Monitoring the deliberations of the Legislature and the Minnesota State Retirement System Board of Directors; and responding as appropriate to promote, protect and enhance retiree interests.
  • Providing educational information on state and national issues affecting retirees.
  • Maintaining working relationships with other retiree organizations.
  • Promoting social activities through sub chapters and statewide meetings.
  • Advocating for the affordability of state retiree health and long term care benefits.

    Note: We are a private nonprofit association. Please do not confuse us with the Minnesota State Retirement System-the state agency which sends us our monthly pension checks.