We know that the privatization movement is a growing threat to public education, Social Security and Medicare.

Now they're targeting future retirees. It has come to our attention that some commercial entities are attempting to privatize retirement workshops for New York State Teachers' Retirement System members. Don't be fooled!

Private companies conducting workshops run them as an introduction to sell either insurance or investments.

Some of their privately produced manuals contain glaring errors and could destroy your well-earned retirement allowance.

We urge you to be wary of any program operated by a person or group other than the New York State Teachers' Retirement System or your teacher-members of the TRS Board of Directors.

Throughout the year we conduct pre-retirement planning seminars arranged through your local union and school district. The workshops presented by the teacher-members of the TRS Board are not conducted to sell you anything, nor to compute your retirement.

The goal of the seminars is to explain options, supply information about TRS policies and procedures and urge members to arrange individual consultations with TRS staff.

We do not address individual situations or provide calculations for your future retirement benefits.

We also welcome your questions about retirement anytime. Call us at the phone numbers listed or e-mail ssalenge@nysutmail.org.

You can make an appointment with a TRS representative by calling (800) 348-7298, ext. 6100.

The TRS Web site, www.nystrs.org, is a treasure trove of information. You'll find frequently asked questions and answers and a benefit calculator to project your future benefits.

You'll also find the system's annual consultation schedule for your area.

The day-long TRS pre-retirement seminars are conducted throughout the state for members age 45 and older and their spouses. We recommend you attend a seminar five to 10 years before you plan to retire. Seminars fill quickly, so call early to make your reservation.

A 'phish' tale

The same cautionary note applies to retirement benefit solicitations via the Internet.

We've recently heard that some third-party firms not affiliated with TRS have been "phishing" for information about your employment history and retirement plans, with the promise of providing you with projections of your retirement benefit. (Phishing is the latest incarnation of unwanted spam e-mail that directs people to imposter Web sites.)

These solicitations are neither coming from, nor are they sanctioned by, TRS. Therefore, we strongly urge you to refrain from providing personal retirement-related information via the Internet. Providing such information in this fashion could lead to identity theft.

TRS neither asks for nor sends personal information by way of the Internet or e-mail. However, TRS does offer eligible, registered members the ability to view their personal retirement information in the secure area of its Web site.