Carmela Gallucci

"I wake up at peace every morning knowing my future is secure because I have a UFT pension and benefits..."

By #UnionProud Stories

March 3^rd, 2016

BY CARMELA GALLUCCI

I wake up at peace every morning knowing my future is secure because I have a UFT pension and benefits. I know I can enjoy my retirement years without ever having to worry.

I’m enjoying a wonderful life and have been ever since I retired 13 years ago after 33 years as a foreign language/health teacher at IS 61 in Staten Island.

My starting salary in 1970 was $9,800. I worked hard, served as a chapter leader for 27 years and took the union’s advice to save as much as possible through the Teachers’ Retirement System’s Tax-Deferred Annuity program. Now I can enjoy the fruits of my labor and all the benefits the UFT has won for us.

Not everyone is as lucky. My husband worked for Morgan Stanley for 30 years, but all he has in retirement is his 401(k) savings and Social Security. Thank goodness we’re covered by my benefits. I am so grateful that every month I can count on my pension, my TDA, Social Security and health benefits.

I grew up in a simple immigrant family home and was frugal during my teaching years when I was raising three children. So it’s a real pleasure now in my retirement years to be able to do anything I want, thanks to the UFT.

Carmela Gallucci is a retired teacher.

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Photo by Cara Metz

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Carmela Gallucci

"I wake up at peace every morning knowing my future is secure because I have a UFT pension and benefits..."

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