CalRTA Mission Statement

CalRTA’s mission is to protect and advocate for retired and active educators’ pensions and other retirement benefits and to support public education in our communities.

How It All Began…

In 1929 a small group of teachers banded together to fight for better pensions for colleagues who were living in poverty after a lifetime of teaching. In 1929, a retired teacher received a maximum of just $500 a year in pension benefits.

Laura E. Settle, CalRTA’s founder and president until 1945, drove the dusty highways of the state to help organize teachers in a common cause. All were welcome to join for the annual dues of $1. 

Taking Charge of Their Own Destiny…

Retired teachers realized that united they could accomplish much more than they could acting alone or in separate, competing organizations, though CalRTA leaders went on to form other organizations. Ethel Percy Andrus, founder of AARP, got her start as a leader in CalRTA in the 1940s.

A Tireless Watchdog…

While very active on issues affecting teachers, retirement and public education, CalRTA is a nonpartisan organization. Our State Board of Directors takes positions on ballot issues but does not endorse candidates for political office.

Over the years, CalRTA has earned a reputation as a tireless watchdog over the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS). We help ensure that the state honors its commitment to teachers and develops and supports fiscally prudent measures to improve the financial security of retired educators.

Priceless Volunteer Service…

CalRTA members provide a backbone of volunteer service that keeps local communities strong. In our most recent reporting period, members tallied nearly 2 million hours of volunteer service, valued at $65 million! Members of the Association also funded more than $750,000 in grants and scholarships to schools as well as current and future teachers.