California State University Emeritus and Retired Faculty Association

The California State University Emeritus and Retired Faculty Association, also known as CSU-ERFA, is a statewide, nonprofit organization of emeritus and retired faculty members from all 23 campuses of the California State University system. The primary mission of CSU-ERFA is the protection of pension and health care benefits for both active and retired California State University faculty and staff members. CSU-ERFA represents the interests of its members before the California State Legislature, various state and federal agencies, CalPERS, and the California State University Chancellor's Office. CSU-ERFA also provides assistance to members, who may be experiencing difficulties with their individual pension or health care benefits.

History

The association was formed in 1985 in response to threats and attempts to reduce or eliminate CSU retirees rights, privileges and benefits and to support the activities of retired faculty as continuing members of the academic community. Currently, it has approximately 3,000 members, 300 of whom live outside California. In addition to its efforts to protect retiree benefits, the association provides support to emeritus and retired faculty associations at the individual state university campuses. At present retired faculty associations at 18 of the 23 campuses maintain a formal affiliation with CSU-ERFA. However, membership in an affiliate is not a condition for membership in the statewide organization.

Activities

The large majority of CSU-ERFA members receive retirement and health care benefits from the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). A small number of older retirees receive their retirement benefits from the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS).

CSU-ERFA also makes available a retirement planning program for active California State University faculty members. This program allows faculty members who are contemplating retirement to estimate their future retirement income from CalPERS, Social Security, and the Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP). Faculty members who use this program can make side-by-side comparisons of their estimated future benefits for all CalPERS retirement options for a range of target retirement ages.

CSU-ERFA maintains liaison with the CSU Academic Senate, the California Faculty Association (CFA), the California State Employees Association (CSEA), the California State Coalition of Retired Employees (SCORE), and the Retired Public Employees Association of California (RPEA).

CSU-ERFA publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Reporter, for its members, which also is available to the public through the CSU-ERFA website.

See also

External links

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