Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why should I pay $15.00 to renew or join MRSEA?
A. One can come up with many other uses for the money. One answer relates to the times we live in. Inflation is increasing, taxes seem headed in the same direction, and we see our standard of living erode little by little. In addition to these factors, the recent downturn in the market and its effect on our earnings on pension monies is sure to bring renewed calls for an end to the defined benefit plans, even though MSRS’ plan is one of the healthiest in the country. Your membership doesn’t have a direct one on one impact, but it serves to make our legislators listen more carefully to our input. Numbers equal strength, and our organization is one way to be heard. By uniting in an organization, our voices will be clearly heard by policy makers. Retirees are respected because we learn, we vote in high percentages, and we care for our futures. United with 8,000 other retirees your voice will be much stronger. We care about our future.
The Board of Directors strives to inform and educate through our quarterly newsletter, by having a staffed business office, and by our board members having personal contact with members throughout the state, and by adding a social aspect through our annual metro and outstate meetings, as well as the eight sub chapters that meet regularly in greater Minnesota.
Q. A member questions renewing due to opposing political endorsements and contributions to candidates by AFSCME.
A. First, MRSEA makes no political contributions nor do we endorse political candidates. We are not allowed to under our constitution. However, a Retired Peoples Political Action Committee (PAC) was formed in 1979 by some members of the Retiree Association who wished to carry on a political and legislative action program designed to help the needs of Minnesota state retirees. The PAC was created as a separate and distinct entity. However, some of the members of PAC have always been members of the MRSEA Board. The PAC is composed of eight members who serve without compensation. The PAC is funded by voluntary contributions. Each year when you renew your membership in THE MRSEA, you have the opportunity to make an additional voluntary contribution to the PAC. Many retirees choose to make a small donation to the PAC.
Second, with the voluntary funds, contributions are made to the House and Senate Caucuses of the Democratic and Republican legislative caucuses. Contributions are financially equal to both parties. The PAC does not contribute to an individual candidate. PAC does not, and in fact as constituted cannot contribute to campaign funds for Federal Offices. The PAC Committee works to keep the legislative members informed of the concerns of our retired state employees and their survivors.
Q. Why IS MRSEA affiliated with The AFSCME Retiree Program?
A. MRSEA is part of a nationwide network of public retiree chapters that are affiliated with AFSCME-the leading public employee organization in the United States. AFSCME’s 1.6 million members, working and retired, speak with a strong and united voice on important national issues, such as Social Security, Medicare and long term care. AFSCME’s Retiree Program is our watch dog on theses issues and provides support and assistance to retiree chapters like MRSEA in our efforts to protect and improve our retirement benefits.
MRSEA members enjoy other AFSCME benefits as well. These include subscriptions to the Public Employee Magazine and PRIMETIME retiree newsletter, as well as the “AFSCME ADVANTAGE” program, which offers discounts on various consumer and financial services. Through AFSCME, MRSEA is also affiliated with the Minnesota AFL-CIO Retirees Council and the Minnesota Senior Federation. As with all other AFSCME retiree chapters, MRSEA is an autonomous affiliate, we elect officers, adopt by-laws, set policies and control our own budget.