About

The Southern Arizona Retired Teachers Association began in Tucson, Arizona, in November, 1950; originally called SARTA.

One year later, the second retired teachers association to be formed in Arizona took shape. The Retired Teachers of Maricopa County began with their first meeting on November 21, 1951.

Due to gradual expansion and inclusion in the following years, The Arizona Retired Teachers Association (ARTA) was later organized on January 9, 1957.

Finally, in 1988, the name was changed to All Arizona School Retirees Association (AASRA), as it remains today. All retired school employees are eligible to become members of the organization.

Mission

Our mission as the All Arizona School Retiree Association, is to advance the interest and welfare of all retired persons; however, our approach is multifaceted. We seek to promote the economic, social, and professional development of the association and its members as well as aid in the advancement of education and encourage continued identity with the teaching profession. We aim, also, to maintain interest and participation in educational and community affairs and support smaller unit programs. Finally, as advocates for the future teachers of America, we sponsor a Scholarship Foundation meant to assist graduating students' paths toward the classroom.

AASRA Encourages Involvement In...

Volunteering services to schools.
Volunteering services for local, state, and national civic, social, religious, and political organizations.
Cooperating with other organizations with senior interests and programs.
Taking part in political action at the State Legislature and US Congress.
Improving the quality of health care benefits at state and national levels.
Protecting and improving benefits for AASRA retirees.
Collaborating actions of NRTA and AARP.

Opportunities for Members

There are numerous oppurtuntities provided to AASRA members. Research through the AARP Foundation allows for accurate and recent information in various fields of interest. Additionally, members receive legislative updates, volunteer opportunities, fellowship, meetings among individualized units, larger state conventions, member-only benefits, and newsletters to keep you informed.

AASRA, NRTA, and AARP

Your decision to be a member of the All Arizona School Retirees Association helps make it clear to legislators, neighbors and businesses alike, that educator retirees are important and vibrant members of our community. Collectively, you are making your presence known through volunteer efforts in the areas in which you live as well as through legislative advocacy in the statehouse. It was in this same spirit that, sixty years ago, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus founded the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA), now known as NRTA: AARP’s Educator Community.

As a teacher and the first female high school principal in California, Dr. Andrus knew the life-long impact and benefits of a solid education; as the volunteer director of welfare for the California Retired Teachers Association, she also knew the importance of honoring commitments to, and channeling the energy and wisdom of, education professionals and others as they aged. Dr. Andrus helped make it possible for teachers, administrators, college and university professors, librarians and other school personnel to have a non-partisan, national presence. She was a tireless advocate on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for improving health care and pensions; meanwhile, she encouraged business leaders to create meaningful products and services (such as insurance and travel opportunities) that would be of interest to mature Americans. Dr. Andrus created a national network of retired educator associations who chose to voluntarily affiliate with NRTA to share ideas, garner strength from one another and fulfill her motto: To serve, not to be served

2022-2023 Goals

Work to protect and strengthen the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS); increase its funded status and improve current and future retiree benefits.
Oppose legislative or other efforts to weaken the ASRS or other public pension systems. Support the efforts of the Arizona Retirement Security Coalition (ARSC) and other organizations to protect our defined benefit pension plan.
Work to increase sustainable funding for public education, support efforts to improve the salaries of all public school employees and work for issues that will improve the integrity and image of public education, including K-12, community colleges and public universities.

Legislative Goals