MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: April 30, 2020
Subject: Retirement Informtion
Please be advised that for those teachers who plan to retire in June, there are a few changes to the procedure that we normally suggest. The booklet entitled “Retirement and Your BTF Master Contract” is on our website, www.btfny.org, under Member Information, Preparing for Retirement. As per our recent e-mail, you can obtain a hard copy by sending a request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
While the sample letters suggest a retirement date “…with the close of business on June 26, 2020”, you may want to add the words “or the last paid service day if that occurs before June 26”. However, the District has not advised us that school will be ending earlier than scheduled. To claim the $500 bonus for early notification of retirement, your letter of separation of service must be received by April 28, assuming a retirement date effective June 27th. Please see Article XIV, M on p.33 of the Contract.
You will not be able to hand deliver letters of retirement to City Hall this year. Instead, please email your retirement letter to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Sample letters can be found starting on p16 of our retirement booklet. They include letters for those are eligible for the Early Retirement Incentive, those who are not eligible, and those who are nearing their 58th birthday and wish to preserve their right to claim the incentive by stating an intention to retire. Click here for those pages.
The New York State Teachers’ Retirement System is not doing in-person or video consultations for the foreseeable future. Instead, you may phone them at (800) 348-7298, ext 6100 and set up a telephone consultation. If you have a MyNYSTRS account, you can run pension calculations based on information you input. Their PREP seminar modules on NYSTRS benefits are available online at www.nystrs.org. Also, time-sensitive transactions such as disability retirements, death benefits, and loans are being prioritized. For additional NYSTRS information, click here.
In addition, the BTF staff is available to answer your questions. You may email any of the staff members for assistance. Click here for a listing.
The supplemental benefits (optical, dental, prescription) that you receive through the BTF will end as of August 31, 2020 for those retiring in June. In August, if your name appears in the Board minutes as being retired, you will receive a letter from the SBF Office. This letter will explain your options in detail including the possibility of purchasing COBRA insurance coverage for a period of up to three (3) years. You are encouraged to call the SBF Office (881-5462) after you retire if you have further questions.
Lastly, our annual BTF retirement dinner at Salvatore’s has been cancelled for this year. Please be assured that everyone who retires this year will be invited to the next retirement dinner we have.
Be well. Stay safe. Take no chances.