May 9, 2002
UWRA invites employees to join
Current UW employees are invited to join the UW Retirement Association (UWRA) in time for the annual membership meeting May 23. The meeting features an exhibit of art by UWRA members and a rare piano performance by Béla Síki, professor emeritus of music, internationally renowned concert pianist and UWRA board member.
Exhibition and reception begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Meany Studio Theatre lobby. The meeting starts at 2:30 p.m. in the studio theatre, with a welcome from UW President Richard L. McCormick and recognition of UWRA board members, followed by the piano program.
Why should a current employee join the retirement association? Benefits include programs that offer assistance with retirement transition and planning, as well as estate planning, according to UWRA director Pat Dougherty. “Active employees also gain from informal friendships and role modeling among their senior peers,” she said.
Maybe the biggest advantage of membership, however, is getting admission priority at UWRA-affiliated retirement communities — not just for the member but for his or her parents, stepparents, parents-in-law and stepparents-in-law. Members pay no entrance fee at these communities, while their eligible relatives pay half. UWRA currently has two retirement communities — both called University House — one in Wallingford and one in Issaquah.
“Because we recognize that active employees may not have as much time to attend UWRA programs as retirees, we charge them $20 a year for membership, compared to $30 for retirees,” Dougherty says.
At the annual meeting, Síki is offering his performance in support of UWRA. Because seating is limited, attendance is reserved for UWRA members and their guests. Guests are asked to pay $10.
Síki will perform Beethoven’s Sonata in D major, op. 28, “Pastoral,” two mazurkas by Chopin (Mazurka in C sharp minor, op. 30, No. 4 and Mazurka in C sharp minor, op. 50, No. 3), and Liszt’s Sonetto del Petrarca No. 123, Legend, St. Francis walking over the waves.
For more information call the UWRA office at 206-543-8600, or go to the UWRA Web page, http://depts.washington.edu/retiremt/uwra, and click on membership.
