What is RPEA?
The Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) is a powerful advocate for current and future public service retirees. Founded in 1969, RPEA represents the interests of nearly 500,000 retirees, and their spouses and beneficiaries, from New York state and local governments, school districts and public authorities. We are a not-for-profit entity.
As New York’s only public retirement advocacy organization, we work exclusively on behalf of public service retirees and deal entirely with the protection and enhancement of your retirement benefits. We do not represent those who are still employed nor do we have affiliations with political parties or candidates financially or otherwise. We work for you.
As a former public employee, you contributed to a system that you trust will provide both financial and medical benefits in retirement. However, you should not take your benefits for granted. The benefits of public retirees are continuously under scrutiny, as all levels of government face serious budgetary issues. Your health insurance, Social Security and Medicare benefits are increasingly at risk.
RPEA does not endorse candidates for public office or contribute to any campaigns.
We work vigorously to protect your current and future Social Security, Medicare, health insurance and other retirement benefits.

- RPEA has worked exclusively for public service retirees for 50 years.
- RPEA is a government watchdog and protects the benefits you have earned.
- Headquartered near the State Capitol, RPEA is a visible and outspoken presence there.
- Our staff, mostly government retirees, share the same concerns as you.
- Chapters in New York and Florida.
Why Do Public Retirees Need RPEA?
Many who retire from government move on to other jobs, start new careers, relocate, or are able to pursue their hobbies or other interests. Whatever your situation, the retirement income and benefits you earned are absolutely essential to your economic security. You earned your retirement benefits—we protect them. We are the only association that exists solely to protect retiree benefits.
It is important to remember that while your pension is constitutionally protected, health insurance in retirement is not.
Mission
The mission of the Retired Public Employees Association is to protect, promote, develop and improve the pensions and related income, health benefits and quality of life for all present and future public retirees and their beneficiaries through the following means:
For help with retiree benefits and rights.
A reliable and accessible resource to address retirees’ questions and concerns.
To provide retirees with the knowledge they need to navigate retirement.
Close monitoring of news, legislation and trends that impact retirees.