Financial Literacy and Education Summit
The fourth annual Financial Literacy and Education Summit webcast will be on April 19 from 9-11 a.m. CT.  Register in advance at www.PracticalMoneySkills.com. The topic is "Advancing Financial Stability and Responsibility." The free webcast features an introduction by Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke, and a guest appearance by Michelle Green who heads President Obama's financial literacy effort at the Treasury Department. (see below)

Financial Literacy and Education Summit
The fourth annual Financial Literacy and Education Summit webcast will be on Monday, April 19, 9-11 a.m. CT. A joint project of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and Visa., you can register in advance for the free webcast at www.PracticalMoneySkills.com.  The topic is "Advancing Financial Stability and Responsibility" and it targets financial literacy educators, their students, math teachers and anyone who wants to know more about how to best navigate personal finances. The webcast features an introduction by Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke, and a guest appearance by Michelle Green who heads President Obama's financial literacy effort at the Treasury Department.

Note that the Practical Money Skills website is a year-round free classroom resource. Click on "For Educators" on the top banner and there is a wealth of financial literacy curriculum for students of all ages.  The home page's "Innovative Educator" column recognizes a financial literacy champion.  You can nominate a colleague for recognition at www.PracticalMoneySkills.com.

Staples Teacher Rewards Boosts Rewards
Staples Teacher Rewards is changing and boosting from 5% to 10% its rewards for teaching & art supplies, ink & toner, case & ream paper and for copy & print services. 

Teacher Rewards members will also get monthly (instead of quarterly) checks whenever their accrued value exceeds $10 in rewards. Plus, members will receive $3 back in rewards for recycling any brand ink or toner cartridge (limit of 10 per month). www.tsta.org/includes/TRW_Relaunch.pdf

You're Invited: Long-Term Care Online Seminar in March
NEA Member Benefits invites you to attend a Long-Term Care Online Seminar. Most people think they'll never need long-term care but the truth is more than 70% of us who live to retirement age will need long-term care or home health care at some time.

Why attend? A long-term care specialist will provide information about the benefits of long-term care for you and/or a loved one. Topics discussed include:

• What is long-term care/home health care?

• The facts behind common long-term care misconceptions

• Advice about choosing the right long-term care insurance plan for you

• Answers to your questions about long-term care

Because long-term care can impact entire families, NEA Member Benefits extends this invitation to you, your family and friends. Please join us March 2 or March 4 at 7:00 p.m. for this 45-minute online seminar. 

Space is limited! RSVP today at http://ltcfp.us/neaseminar. 

See What's New at NEA Member Benefits!
NEA Member Benefits will be offering two new programs in the New Year that help members save money as well as support their personal goals. 

NEA Auto Purchase Advantage Program
This new program provides members low, no-haggle prices on new and used cars through a network of over 2,400 select Certified Dealers across the country.  Members will be able to comparatively shop and select a vehicle and obtain all information online, including the selling price in writing, before even setting foot in a showroom.  Members can access the NEA Auto Purchase Advantage Program by registering on the NEA Member Benefits website at neamb.com. The program will be available in early January 2010. While online, members may also obtain a quote for auto insurance through the NEA Members Auto & Home Insurance Program! 

Snap Fitness
Just in time for the New Year, NEA MB is offering its first health club discount to members.  Snap Fitness, which operates more than 1,000 state-of-the-art, 24-hour-access fitness clubs, will waive joining (administrative) fees and give a 10 percent discount on monthly dues to NEA members.  First year savings are estimated at approximately $100. In early January 2010, members may obtain information about Snap Fitness locations and enroll online at the NEA Member Benefits website (neamb.com). 

Click & Save Everyone knows the post-holiday shopping season is the best time to save – and for NEA members, the savings are even bigger with the Click & Save program. Get up to 70% off brand-name merchandise from hundreds of retailers like JC Penny, Target, and more! 

Whirlpool Ring in the New Year with a brand new refrigerator! Or a washer/dryer set, or a state-of-the-art oven! NEA members receive substantial savings on kitchen and home appliances from popular brands including Maytag ^®, Amana ^® and KitchenAid ^®.                                      

New York & Company Try a new look for 2010! When you bring your NEA membership card into any New York & Company retailer, or purchase online, you’ll save 15% on fashionable apparel and accessories.  

NEA Credit Card Start the New Year off with a $50 statement credit when you use your new NEA Credit Card to make qualifying  transactions totaling at least $75 within 45 days of opening your account.  For information about rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of this credit card and more details of this offer, or to apply,  visit the “Happy YOU Year” section on neamb.com.  The credit  card program is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A.  This offer begins December 17, 2009.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance As you set new financial goals for yourself this year, take advantage of this free subscription, and receive guidance from the experts. Kiplinger’s magazine is a great resource for personal finance advice, budgeting tips, investment planning, and more.  

Giveaways The new giveaways we’ve planned for you throughout the year are fun, entertaining and valuable additions to the savings and support you can always expect at NEAMB.com. Pack it, stack it, rack it! Enter to win 1 of 10 $100 gift cards from The Container Store! Getting everything into proper order for the New Year will be a snap with one of ten $100 gift cards from The Container Store. Enter to win from December 17, 2009 to January 21, 2010. No purchase necessary.

And be sure to check the website frequently for other great giveaways! 

Please contact Liz Picone, CAE, NEA Member Benefits; call her at (512) 261-7792,  fax her at (800)609-6580 or email her at Lpicone@neamb.com.

403(b) Toolkit on New IRS Regulations
NEA Member Benefits has announced the availability of a New IRS 403(b) Regulations Information Toolkit, an online resource developed jointly by NEA and NEA Member Benefits general counsels and key departmental staff, including NEA Collective Bargaining and Member Advocacy.

The toolkit is designed to assist Local and State Affiliate leaders and staff in educating members and school districts about the impact of the new 403(b) regulations which took effect January 1, 2009. It is very important that leaders, staff and members understand the regulations because they may affect members’ future retirement savings options.

The main components of the Toolkit are:

• Important Information for Everyone—explanatory materials about the new regulations
• Resources for Local Leaders, UniServ Managers and Staff—guidance on local advocacy strategies and courses of action
• Resources Local Leaders Can Provide to School Business Officials—useful tools and information to pass on to your school district’s business office

Materials cover a wide range of topics geared to the various audiences:

• Decoding the New 403(b) Regulations: a Primer for NEA Affiliates
• What Does It Mean to Be an “Orphan” 403(b) Account
• New 403(b) Regulations Power Point Presentation and FAQs highlighting key points in the regulations

The Toolkit outlines steps that local associations can take in response to the IRS regulations and includes a sample letter that local leaders can send to their school district business official.

To download an individual piece or a copy of the entire Toolkit, go to www.neamb.com/toolkit  or click on Toolkit.

Try Our Pet Care Program
MWe offer two pet care programs. One can be found at www.neamb.com; the other allows TSTA members to save 25% off veterinary medical services and 10% to 30% on pet-related products and services such as pet food, pet grooming, and boarding from thousands of local and national merchants.

• More information

• Sign up

FREE! Discount Prescription Drug Plan
TSTA's Discount Prescription Drug Card Program for members is absolutely free. Go to our members only area and login with your TSTA member ID#, then click on the free Discount Prescription Drug card link and print out your free card.

Check Out Our Attorney Referral Program
In the TSTA Attorney Referral Program, members may receive two, free 30-minute consultation sessions with a TSTA referral attorney during any membership year (from Sept.1- Aug. 31). more

Your TSTA/NEA Membership Saves You Money!
Our member benefits are designed specifically to help stretch the buying power of every dollar you earn. Our unique products and services are offered as an economic benefit to thank you for joining TSTA/NEA and to assist you in achieving your financial goals. There's a drawing each month. You will be entered automatically if you:

• Click the link at left that says "Educator Access."

• Enter your member number (from the front of your Access/TSTA card) into the login box in the top left corner of the page.

• You'll discover over 150,000 places to save up to 50%. Plus, you'll be entered to win a 3-day, 2-night hotel getaway! Good luck -- and enjoy the savings!

See the column at right for a complete list of discounts; use the drop-down menu above to check out our insurance, health care, and financial services. For more information, email Joyce Call or give her a call at 877-ASK-TSTA (877-275-8782).

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