Retirees' Newsletter

Faculty and Librarian Retirees' Association, University of Windsor

Sept/Oct 1994 Issue 9

QUERY FROM RETIREE RESIDENT IN FLORIDA: BANK GRABS 2% ON PENSION TRANSFERS

Blake Gertz, whose retirement home is at Port St. Lucie, Florida, wrote earlier (see the last Newsletter) concerning a question which may be of interest to other members. He expressed it as follows:

"In March Jim Skinner wrote that all pension payments would be by direct deposit, and no more checks would be issued. Two weeks later, I received a call from Canada Trust saying this could not be done for residents of foreign countries...

"What are the possibilities for persuading Canada Trust to convert to (in my case) U.S. funds, then mailing the check? My Florida bank charges 2%; perhaps collectively those of us living in the U.S. could get a better rate...Direct deposit in U.S. funds is available to CPP and OAS pensioners resident in the U.S. If the Govt can do it, why can't Canada Trust?"

We believe the point is well taken but unfortunately, our attempts so far (through discussions with Jim Skinner) to have Canada Trust do this have been fruitless. The position seems to be that the Government can economically do so only because it deals with much larger numbers of people.

However, one suggestion would be to start a U.S. dollar account at Canada Trust in Windsor; then ask Canada Trust to deposit the converted amount of each check to the U.S. dollar account. One could then deposit one's own check on his or her own U.S. dollar account at the Florida (or other outside) bank and avoid any penalty.

Blake also asks whether a retiree can subscribe to any Faculty Association publications/newsletters. The answer is definitely yes. However, individual arrangements would have to be made directly with the Faculty Assn.

The Retirees Newlsetter is published by the Faculty and Librarian Retirees' Association of the University of Windsor five times per year (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Sep/Oct, and Nov/Dec). Editor/Compositor/Typist and general factotum is Bill Phillips, one of the founding members of the Association. Correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, The Retirees' Newsletter, Faculty and Librarian Reitrees' Association, The University of Windsor, Windsor, Ont. N9B 3P4.

The Retirees' Association was founded in 1990. The Executive Committee consists of Norm Shklov, Association President; Bill Phillips, Secretary-Treasurer; Pat Galasso and Peter Sonnenfeld. Correspondence should be addressed to the Association (as above).

ART CURATOR TELLS RETIREES' ASSOCIATION

"THANKS FOR THE FRAMING"

Carolyne Rourke, Art Curator of the University's art.among.us, wrote to thank Association members for their donation which made possible the framing of one of the University's Christmas card paintings.

Members will recall that this donation was approved at the March 24th meeting this year, and was reported in THE NEWSLETTER No. 7.

"May I extend to your association our thanks and deep appreciation for assisting us in bringing more art to the campus of the University...The framing of the 1993 University of Windsor Christmas card adds to this new art scene and we are grateful for your interest and your generosity", Ms. Rourke said.

CONTINUATION OF REPORT FROM CALGARY ON POSSIBLE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

In the last issue, we reported Walt Romanow's attendance at the Calgary meetings on behalf of our Association. Here is part of his final report.

The discussion on the possible formation of a national society was in three parts.

(a) Retirees' associations exist in a variety of formats: most take the form of what we have in Windsor - an organized structure according to an agreed constitution with clear benefits to be obtained for members (examples: pension matters; social gatherings). In other instances, more formal structures exist for specified purposes (continuation of research; pension matters; teaching involvement after retirement; support of the campus alumni association; and other identified purposes.

(b) A detailed list of possible (with emphasis on possible) benefits to retirees and the Canadian community, of a national association, resulted from the discussion. Among possible benefits, the following were cited: overtures may be made to national bodies concerning retirees - examples: Revenue Canada, supporting overtures for research facilities for retirees, or for research funding; a national speakers' bureau, of benefit to universities, might result; local affiliates might benefit from information exchanges; a national office might be a useful clearing-house of ideas, and other related matters.

(c) It was agreed that a small action committee of 5 persons would be formed to explore (no more than that) whether a national association of university retirees is an idea whose time and place had (CONTINUED ON PAGE 5)

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