Letter: Retired teachers spur economy, donate time

What do retired teachers mean to San Benito County? A lot! 

After years, sometimes decades, in the classroom giving back to their students, retired teachers continue to give back to local communities through their pocketbooks and their passion for volunteerism. 

The week of Nov. 3-9, 2024, is California’s 26th annual Retired Teachers Week.

According to figures from the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA), retired teachers statewide donated more than one million hours of volunteer service in the past year valued at more than $40 million. 

In addition to their donated time, retired teachers are part of the swell of economic benefits California receives from public pensioners as they spend their pension benefit checks. In California, expenditures stemming from state and local pensions supported 381,038 jobs and

$11.9 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues. 

In fact, each dollar paid out in pension benefits supported $4.59 in total economic activity in California!

This special week, during CalRTA’s 95th anniversary year, is dedicated to honoring the commitment, dedication, and lasting impact of retired teachers, whose influence extends far beyond the classroom.

Joyce Medeiros

Division 26 CalRTA President