Frequently asked questions

RTOERO is pleased to provide many programs and services for our members.

• District social network: RTOERO districts are very active communities and social gatherings, events and activities – formal and informal – are routinely organized for members.
• Project – Service to Others is one way RTOERO gives back to the community through projects of interest to our districts.
• Renaissance is our quarterly magazine published for our members.
• We run a scholarship program that provides funds to relatives of members.
• Travel discounts: we partner with Merit Travel, which offers discount travel packages to members.
• Venngo MemberPerks® is included as part of our Extended Health Care Plan and includes savings on health and wellness, entertainment, restaurants and more.

It’s easy! Fill out our member form and submit online or mail it in. We’ll process your application as soon as possible, send your welcome package, and you can begin enjoying the benefits of membership.

Yes, you can! Visit the membership page.

Anyone who works in or retired from the education community in Canada is eligible. This includes staff of public and Catholic schools and school boards, early years, private schools, post-secondary education, trustees, bus drivers.

Join now! Your membership is free until you retire. If you join our health plans while you are still working, the membership fee will apply.

RTOERO membership is divided into districts based on geography. This allows members to participate in social, travel and leisure opportunities, become involved in political advocacy and assume leadership roles on district executives in their local area and with local members. Find which district you live in.

Each member is only able to join one district, but there are often opportunities, organized by us or the districts, that allow you to socialize with members from other districts!

RTOERO has many members who have moved away from the area where they worked to a different area. Members may choose which district they wish to join but can only be a member of one district.

A staff member would be happy to answer your questions. You can either email [email protected] or call 416-962-9463 or 1-800-361-9888.

Membership is free until you retire or join our health plans. If you are already retired, membership is free for the calendar year in which you join. After retirement, the membership cost is $70 per year. Visit our membership section for more information about the value of membership.

The membership fee is annual.

If you receive a pension from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, you can opt to have your membership fee deducted directly from your pension. The fee is deducted from your January pension payment.

Yes! Please contact our accounting department for more details – [email protected] or 416-962-9463 or 1-800-361-9888.

Please speak directly with your pension provider or Service Canada. RTOERO does not have the ability to change tax deductions on retirement income sources.

Please speak directly with your pension provider for current information.

We offer a range of group insurance plans designed to suit our members’ needs. Please see the Insurance section for more information.

Most members of RTOERO are eligible.

Most spouses/partners are eligible. See our Eligibility page for full details.

Yes! Please see our Claims page for more information or contact our insurance Service Administrator at 416-920-7248 or 1-877-406-9007, or by email at [email protected] for help with this.

Some of our members are contract or casual employees in education and don’t have insurance coverage through work. Or, their employment may be ending before their retirement date because of layoffs. If you’re dealing with either of these situations and are 50 or older, we may be able to help. Learn more here.

We provide competitive rates on the best group insurance plans available to retired teachers and other education workers. Visit our insurance plans section for plan information and rates.

Yes you can. Please contact our membership team to receive a Continuation of Benefits form. They can be reached by email at [email protected], or by phone at 1-800-361-9888 or 416-962-9463.

A staff member would be happy to answer your questions. You can either email [email protected] or call 416-962-9463 or 1-800-361-9888.

Yes. You can stay on your spouse’s group insurance plan if they have one. About 1-2 months before they retire, you can apply for insurance through RTOERO. Make sure the insurance application is in the RTOERO member’s name. 

It’s best to apply before your retirement or termination date of your group insurance; 1-2 months before the deadline is good. You can apply up to 60 days after the termination of previous coverage and be automatically approved for your coverage.

Our retirement planning workshops provide more information about retirement. We cover financial, pension and practical aspects of retiring. Check the schedule to see when the next workshop is taking place near you.

Yes! You can book us to speak at your event for free. Learn more about what we offer.

We have two meetings annually of our corporate members. Each district elects two corporate members to attend these events, and districts can choose to send up to two observers as well. In late May, we hold our Annual Meeting and Spring Forum. Fall Forum happens in late October. Exact meeting dates are posted in our calendar.

You can send the new information directly to the Membership Department at [email protected].

Post your opportunity on our classifieds page.

You can learn more about travel coverage on our travel insurance page. You can also speak to our insurance Service Administrator – 416-920-7248 or 1-877-406-9007, or by email at [email protected].

Please contact our office at 416-962-9463 or 1-800-361-9888 and a staff member will be happy to help you.

Please see our advertising page for more information. Send your questions to [email protected].

Yes, you’ll find the option to increase the font size in the top left corner of the site.

We are always pleased to receive feedback from our members and the general public. Please email [email protected].