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Connect with us on Facebook
Take advantage of CTPF's social media presence to stay informed and up-to-date on important fund information.
Click here to go directly to CTPF's online registration page where you can register for e-mail updates.
CTPF online
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Snowbird Alert
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If you are lucky enough to head south for winter, remember that CTPF does not forward benefit checks. File a temporary address change with CTPF and consider registering for direct deposit before you leave.
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E-Mail Archive
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Click here for a complete listing of past E-Mail Updates and E-Lerts
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CTPF Executive Director Interviewed
on Chicago Tonight
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Kevin B. Huber,
CTPF executive director
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Kevin B. Huber, CTPF executive director, appeared on WTTW's Chicago Tonight Tuesday, January 29, 2013, in a live interview with host Phil Ponce.
The conversation discussed how the employer's "pension holidays" and a lack of state funding for Chicago's teachers have caused our funded ratio to fall from 100% in 2002 to
57% in 2012.
Huber called for revenue reform and a guaranteed source of funding for CTPF as the foundation for any discussion of "Pension Reform."
Click here to view the interview
Crain's Chicago Business Editorial
The interview on Chicago Tonight was prompted by Huber's Op Ed: Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund: Learn from the past, which appeared January 24, 2013, in Crain's Chicago Business online edition.
Click here to read Huber's editorial.
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Retirement Sem inar Registration Open
If you're planning to retire in 2013, call today to register for a 2013 Retirement Seminar. CTPF retirement seminars offer valuable information designed to ease your transition to retirement.
Seminars feature presentations by CTPF and CPS staff, followed by a question-and-answer session. Representatives from the Social Security Administration and financial services firms will also be available to answer questions. Members may also receive assistance completing retirement applications, and access no-cost notary and copying services.
2013 Retirement Seminars
Tuesday, February 12
9:00 - 12:00 p.m. or
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (attend one)
Hilton Oak Lawn
9333 South Cicero Avenue, Oak Lawn
Saturday, March 9
9:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites Hotel
8500 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago
Call CTPF at 312.641.4464 to register for a retirement seminar.
Ready to Plunge into Retirement?
Here are some steps you can take to get started with the retirement process.
- Call and request a pension estimate from Member Services, 312.641.4464.
- Consider scheduling a personal benefits consultation with a pension resource specialist. Specialists meet with members in 45 minute, pre-scheduled retirement consultations, available Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. These meetings offer the opportunity to discuss your retirement situation in depth. You should plan to bring a list of questions and relevant career information. Call Member Services, 312.641.4464 to schedule your appointment.
- Make sure you "like" us on Facebook and are signed up for e-mail updates. Stay in touch!
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Daydreaming about Retirement?
Here's a M.A.P. to Guide You....
 Winter is the time to get your finances in order and maybe even do some planning for the future. If you're wondering what your pension might look like when you retire, click here and check out the M.A.P., CTPF's Monthly Annuity Planner.
Enter your basic retirement information: age at retirement, an estimate of your final average salary at retirement, your years of service, and the date you first contributed to CTPF or a qualified reciprocal system (before 1/1/2011 or after). The M.A.P. can give you an idea of what your monthly retirement income might look like, based on the data you enter.
The M.A.P. won't replace an actual pension estimate, but it can give you some ideas and help you jump start that financial plan.
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Returning to Work
August 8, 2012, Governor Pat Quinn signed Public Act 097-0912,
which revised the CTPF return-to-work law, and required the fund to develop rules for its implementation. CTPF developed a set of rules and notified members in September 2012.
Implementation Delayed to July 1, 2013
CTPF became aware of several return to work issues that needed further clarification. At their January meeting, the CTPF Board of Trustees decided to delay the implementation of CTPF's 2012 Return to Work rules until these issues are resolved.
CTPF is currently revising the rules and will issue new guidelines before July 1, 2013. CTPF will notify retirees of the new rules as soon as they become available.
2011 Rules Until new rules are issued, members who return to work must comply with the 2011 Rules Governing Re-Employment of Retired teachers. Members who return to work must also complete CTPF Form 770.
If you are considering re-employment and need additional information, please contact Member Services at 312.641.4464.
CTPF Trustees Vote to Divest from Assault Weapons
January 22: The Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund Board of Trustees voted unanimously on January 17 to begin withdrawing all investments in retail assault weapon manufacturers.
"We are fiduciaries guided by the recognition that we act with the obligation to protect fund assets and minimize investment losses," said Jay C. Rehak, president of the CTPF Board of Trustees. "We are sensitive to the significant reputational, regulatory and statutory risks that may impact the shareholder value of assault weapon manufacturers and want to minimize those risks to our investments.
"We are also teachers, in classrooms and schools every day, and many of us unfortunately understand all too well the tragedy of gun violence," said Rehak. "In the last academic year, 319 Chicago Public School students were wounded by guns, and 24 died from gun violence. These aren't just tragic statistics - these are our students."
CTPF has approximately $9.5 billion in assets, which includes three investments in gun manufacturers. The total market value in companies which manufacture weapons is approximately $260,000, or .003 percent of the fund's portfolio.
New Titles for Member Services Counselors and Field Service Reps
The Member Services department has announced a change of name for Member Services Counselors and Field Service Representatives. As of December 15, 2012, these employees will be called pension resource specialists. Job descriptions for these employees have not changed. The new titles more accurately reflect the work done by these employees. The titles will also help differentiate between CTPF Field Service staff and the Chicago Teachers Union Field Representatives.
Federal Benefit Payments Go Direct The U.S. Department of the Treasury now requires all federal benefit and nontax payments to be paid electronically. If you currently receive a paper check for a federal benefit payment (social security or veterans benefits), you must switch to an electronic option by March 1, 2013.
If you do not switch to an electronic deposit, your payment will be made to a Direct Express Debit MasterCard.® If you already receive benefit payments electronically, you do not need to take action. Your payment will continue as usual. If you have not yet switched to an electronic payment for federal payments, contact Go Direct at 1-800-333-1795. |
New Legislative Session in Springfield... Means a New Opportunity to Share our Message
98th General Assembly Illinois 98th General Assembly has convened in Springfield and over the coming weeks, lawmakers will consider many issues including pension reform. Now is the time to introduce yourself to your lawmakers, and share some basic facts and information about our fund. You may have new representatives in Springfield who are unfamiliar with the facts about CTPF, so now is a great time to reach out and send an e-mail. You can do this quickly and easily through our Legislative Action Center.
Do you know who represents you in Springfield?
Find out by visiting our Legislative Action Center to look up your elected representatives by typing in your zip code, send an e-mail directly to your legislators, and find out more about CTPF legislative efforts. If you register at the Legislative Action Center, you will be enrolled in our new CTPF Pension Fund Ambassador program. Read more about the ambassador program, below.
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Your Pension Matters
- become a CTPF Ambassador and share the message
 A lack of State and Employer funding has drained resources from our fund. We're asking our members to speak up and reach out to help Illinois legislators understand that pension funding is vital, not optional.
We've developed the Pension Fund Ambassador program to encourage our members to educate lawmakers and decision makers about the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund, our members, and the fund's legislative priorities. We want legislators to understand the people behind the pensions, and to hear the facts about the fund straight from our members. Ambassadors are already having an impact, sharing our message with legislators through our legislative action center and in person.
Join Today
We hope you will join the Ambassador program. More than 500 CTPF members have already signed up for the program and we're hoping to welcome many more members. There are two easy ways to join:
Tell a Friend
We encourage you to tell a friend about our programs and to encourage them to participate.
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Planning to Visit? Plan ahead...
If you are planning a visit to CTPF to meet with a Member Services Counselor, it's always a good idea to schedule an appointment. Scheduled appointments with Pension Resource Specialists are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., but wait times will vary and may be lengthy during busy periods. Walk-in visitors cannot be accommodated after 3:00 p.m.
Call 312.641.4464 to schedule an appointment. CTPF is located at 203 North LaSalle Street, suite 2600, Chicago, Illinois 60601-1231
Parking and Transit Information
The 203 North LaSalle building has a self-park garage. Garage entries are located on Lake Street between LaSalle Street and Clark Street and on Clark Street between Wacker Drive and Lake Street (look for self-park signs at entrances). Reduced parking vouchers, available from the CTPF office, can be bought for $15, (check only, no cash).
The 203 North LaSalle building has direct access to the CTA. The CTA's blue, green, brown, pink, purple, and orange lines all stop at Clark and Lake. Follow the signs to the 203 North LaSalle building when you exit the train.
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CALENDAR
February
12
Lincoln's Birthday, office closed
12
CTPF Retirement Seminar
9:00 - 12:00 p.m. or
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (attend one)
Hilton Oak Lawn
9333 South Cicero Avenue, Oak Lawn
Call 312.641.4464 to register
18
Presidents' Day, office closed
21
9:30 a.m. CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting
March
4
Casimir Pulaski Day, office closed
9
CTPF Retirement Seminar
9:00-12:00 p.m.
Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites Hotel
8500 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago
Call 312.641.4464 to register
21
9:30 a.m. CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting
April
16
9:30 a.m. CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting
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CTPF MISSION STATEMENT
To provide, protect, and enhance the present and future economic well being of members, pensioners and beneficiaries through efficient and effective management of benefit programs, investment practices and customer service, and to commit to earning and keeping the respect and trust of the participants through quality service and by protecting retirement benefits, in compliance with applicable laws and standards.
CTPF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Jay C. Rehak, president Lois W. Ashford, vice president Tina Padilla, financial secretaryRaymond Wohl, recording secretaryJeffery Blackwell Jeanne Marie Freed Walter E. Pilditch Mary Sharon Reilly Rodrigo A. Sierra Jerry Travlos James F. Ward Andrea L. Zopp Kevin B. Huber, executive director
Office/Mailing Information
Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund
203 North LaSalle Street, suite 2600
Chicago, Illinois 60601-1231
312.641.4464 p.
312.641.7185 f.
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