CRTAF History
The Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund donors listed here contributed over $8,500 in 2013. The Fund also received three legacy bequests listed here in 2013 totaling more than $9,000.  These contributions enabled CRTAF to provide 20+ grantees with varying amounts of grants-in-aid to retired Chicago public school educators with modest pensions.  (See a couple of examples below.)  As of June 2012, data from the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund shows that there are over 3,500 pensioners whose pensions are less than $1,500 per month before taxes and health insurance deductions.  A substantial number of these retirees dedicated themselves to the education of Chicago’s youth for 30 or more years. Currently, the average life expectancy is age 85½. These individuals retired 20 or more years ago and have considerably lower pensions than our more recent retirees. Some are facing serious health challenges which consume a greater portion of their income. Others have experienced other difficult circumstances which have impaired their ability to meet their daily needs without assistance.

The Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund appreciates all donations – large and small.  We are especially grateful to the estates of Eva Archer, Janet Koziol, and Ronald Pastryk whose final bequests helped CRTAF make it possible to provide modest amounts of supplementary assistance to some of our former colleagues.

You can help continue the initiative started by our RTAC predecessors who established the Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund, Inc. in 1986 by:
1)    encouraging anyone who might qualify for some modest assistance, to complete a CRTAF Grant-in-Aid Application (the form is located here.);
2)    make a gift to the Chicago Retired Teachers Aid Fund, Inc. when the spirit moves you (the contribution form is here); and
3)    include a legacy bequest to CRTAF as you consider how you wish to disseminate your estate following your transition.
CRTAF Inc. is a 501 (c3) tax exempt charitable organization. All gifts to CRTAF, Inc. are tax deductible.  The by-laws governing the Aid Fund are here.

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Examples of the type of grant requests that have been approved.
(Or examples of how the Aid Fund used the 2013 bequests and donations totaling over $17,000.)
NOTE: Details such as names, amounts and circumstances have been altered and any resemblance to an actual grant recipient is coincidental.
In both of the cases below, all of the required forms and information were provided to the Aid Fund in a timely manner.
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A former teacher who retired 30 years ago after many years of teaching for CPS just turned 93.  Even with the 3% AAI, her total pension puts her income near the poverty level.  She is still active and often travels through some of our parks, meets friends, and, on nice days, has a picnic lunch with them.  The Aid Fund granted a small monthly stipend to add to her pension income to help cover additional medical costs.  She is so thankful for the thoughtful teachers who set up this fund years ago and to others who contribute regularly.  Our amount plus her regular pension brings her a total of about $1,500 per month.
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Another retired teacher is 88 years old and her pension doesn't quite cover her living expenses.  Once in a while a family member sends her a contribution and her church sends her a small amount each month.  She recently suffered from a serious medical condition and had to make numerous doctor visits.  She still owes on some bills for medical expenses not covered by insurance.  After a careful examination of her finances, we granted $2,000 as a one time payment toward her medical expenses. 
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If you feel that you are in need and qualify for a grant, the form(s) are here.

Return to the CTRAF Home page.