KNEA Retired

Utilize Your Expertise for the Benefit of Education.

NEA-Retired and KNEA-Retired utilize the energies and enthusiasm of retired members for the benefit of public education and the education profession. The associations’ years of experience in political action, collective bargaining, communications, public relations, and professional development make retired members highly effective allies for active members.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • NEA-R membership is open to any person who is at least 45 years of age, eligible to receive a pension from a retirement system and who was employed for at least five years in a position that qualified him or her for Active membership but is no longer employed. (*Retired membership is the category of membership that those persons who are disabled should use.)

    KNEA-R membership is open to any KNEA member who has retired and is eligible to receive benefits under a school employee retirement system and

    A. has held Active or Educational Support membership in KNEA or in another state affiliate for at least one year immediately prior to retirement; or

    B. was an Active or Educational Support member for at least five years before leaving public education employment.

  • Contact your UniServ office to make them aware you would like to join KNEA-Retired. For your UniServ office’s contact information, CLICK HERE then scroll down to UNISERV FIELD STAFF & MAP and click on the + to the right; then scroll down to see your UniServ office’s contact information. Members must join the KNEA-Retired program at the state level and at the national level. CLICK HERE for an informational brochure. CLICK HERE to download a membership application.

  • There are two types of NEA-Retired memberships: Retired-Annual and Retired-Lifetime. KNEA-R also has annual and lifetime dues.

    NEA-R Annual Dues – $35.00

    NEA-R Lifetime Dues – $300.00

    KNEA-R Annual Dues – $20.00

    KNEA-R Lifetime Dues – $150.00

    Please note that active Life members do not automatically become members of KNEA-R. Only those individuals who were KNEA members the year immediately prior to their retirement are eligible for membership in KNEA-R.

  • Many retired members have decided to return to teaching as substitutes. NEA-R and KNEA-R members, who return to educational employment on a daily basis are covered by the same liability insurance as they were when they were active members. This coverage is in effect ONLY if the retired person substitutes on a day-to-day basis. If the education employment is on a part-time or full-time basis, he/she must become an active member. In addition, KNEA-Retired members are eligible to take advantage of a wide variety of special programs and discounts through our NEA Member Benefits Program.

Helpful Links

KNEA-R Executive Committee (2023-24)


Bob Thesman

Judy Johnson

KNEA Board Member
jjohnson6869@gmail.com

Sherry Turnbull

Vice President
sturnbull100@gmail.com

Tammy Baltzell

KNEA Staff Liaison
913-268-4005
tammy.baltzell@knea.org

Robert Hubbard

Secretary/Treasurer
rlh496785@gmail.com

Tammy Wagoner

KNEA-R Administrative Assistant
785-227-3510
tammy.wagoner@knea.org

KNEA Retired Local Chapter Contacts


Sunflower West (KC)

Elaine Engle
913-593-1474
engleelaine@yahoo.com

Heartland (Wichita)

John Hope
316-210-6269
johnhope67002@hotmail.com

Prairie Grass (Hutchison)

Debi Ellis
620-727-1605
dellis48@cox.net

C.A.R.E. (Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Osage counties):

Jenny Prichard
785-633-4590
jprichard@cox.net

Sunflower East (KC)

Jane Mallonee
913-669-8605
mallomiller@gmail.com

Santa Fe Trail (Great Bend)

Susan Young
620-786-4640
susanmyoung1967@gmail.com

Flint Hills (Junction City/Manhattan)

Robert Hubbard (contact person only)
785-341-8693
rlh496875@gmail.com

NW Prairie Winds (Hays)

Mona Coupal
785-675-9180
mcoupal.15@gmail.com

SE Pioneers (Pittsburg)

Sherry Turnbull
620-249-7788
sturnbull100@gmail.com