June 12, 2026 — As the Statewide President of PEF Retirees, I sit on the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Retirees Public Policy Committee. In this issue, I share with you an example of some of the work we do at AFT. Last month I wrote about the importance of staying informed and engaged in the political process: This month I’m sharing the AFT Retirees 2025-2026 Action Plan Draft designed to grow retiree engagement. This is an evolving plan developed over the last two years by the AFT Retirees PPC. Read the excerpt and share with members and retirees!
AFT Retirees PPC 2025-2026 DRAFT Action Plan Outline
Objective
This plan is intended to guide the AFT Retirees PPC in executing their charge of growing retiree engagement across the nation and utilizing the leadership of local retiree activists to help locals and state affiliates meet the needs of their members – both in-service and retired.
Goal 1 – Increase retiree engagement and activism in coordination with in-service locals and state federations.
How will we achieve this goal?
- AFT Retirees PPC Members will hold planning meetings with in-service leadership of locals and/or state federation by the end of May 2025.
- AFT Retirees PPC Members will contact retiree leaders from locals across the state on an ongoing basis to facilitate retiree member engagement and to better understand member priorities wherever possible.
- In collaboration with in-service leadership, AFT Retirees PPC Members will identify the best time to conduct an annual retiree membership drive, if this practice is not already in place, at their local and/or state affiliate.
- AFT Retirees PPC Members will encourage retiree locals to utilize creative methods to engage and develop individual retiree activists, including:
- Utilize more virtual options for participation
- Celebrate union history and milestones of locals and state federations
- Recognition of individual retirees for years of service and activism, etc.
Goal 2 – Improve Retiree Data and Communication
How will we achieve this goal?
- Working with staff from the AFT Retirees and AFT Membership, Data and Analytics Departments, the PPC will develop best-practices to improve retiree data and track activist engagement, including collaboration with in-service data leads to ensure proper handling of retiree data.
- AFT Retirees program staff will offer virtual and in-person training for retiree membership chairs/secretaries on data collection and list maintenance.
- PPC Members will broaden the reach of their communication with retirees and pre-retirees through one-on-one phone calls and pre-retirement workshops.
- AFT Retirees program staff will hold regular virtual trainings on a range of topics that are of interest to retired members.
Goal 3 – Fight back on attacks from the Federal Government through AFT National Actions. Oppose spending cuts that hurt our members including cuts to Medicaid, Social Security, Medicare, Department of Education, as well as attempts to expand vouchers, eliminate collective bargaining rights, etc.
How will we achieve this goal?
- The AFT Retirees PPC and program staff will collaborate with AFT National leadership to launch a new contribution fund that will be used to develop retiree programing and enable our retirees to have a voice in the public forum.
- PPC members will collaborate with in-service leadership and partner organizations (list below) to host and amplify rallies, demonstrations and events that oppose policies and actions that are detrimental to AFT members.
- PPC members will recruit more retiree members to join the AFTerburners and to opt into communications from AFT National.
Goal 4 – Political activism – Facilitate AFT retiree activism in 2025 and 2026 primary and general elections and position our program to continue increasing AFT retiree activism in the 2026 general elections.
How will we achieve this goal?
- PPC members and program staff will work with in-service leadership and the AFT Political Department to identify and engage member activists in key race districts as locals and state federations begin making endorsements.
- PPC Members will survey local retiree leaders regarding the interests and engagement of their members.
- PPC Members will recruit more retiree members to join the AFTerburners and to opt into communications from AFT National.
Partner Organizations:
- AFL-CIO and other unions
- ARA
- Progressive groups i.e., Public Citizen, ACLU, etc.
- Social Security Works
- Jobs With Justice
- Local Democratic Clubs and politically aligned groups
- Coalitional Campaigns i.e. “Hands Off”
- Faith-based groups
- NAACP
- LCLAA
- CBTU