Membership

The TVA Retirees Association (TVARA) is the official organization of all TVA retirees. With more than 11,400 active members, TVARA can speak with strength on matters that affect you.

All retired TVA employees, Civil Service Retirees, active employees whose combined age and years of service total 80, and spouses of eligible retirees and employees can become TVARA members.

The Valley-wide TVARA has been in place since 1967. Currently there are more than 11,400 members associated with 20 chapters.  The TVARA is governed by its bylaws that outline how it was organized and how it functions.  The group is managed by its Board of Directors.  The Board is made up of the valley-wide officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and immediate past President) and Presidents from each of the chapters.

TVA RETIREES ASSOCIATION

Click here to view the TVARA Valleywide and Local Chapter Officers

The TVA Retirement System, established in 1939, is a separate legal entity from TVA and is administered by a seven-member Board of Directors (TVARS Board). The TVA Retirement System is a defined benefit plan covering employees.  They are also responsible for the administration of the TVA Savings and Deferral Retirement Plan (401K Plan).  They manage the pension trust.  The Retirement System manages the day to day functions and carries out the directions issued by the TVARS Board.  TVARA is governed by its own independent board of directors and maintains a close working relationship with the Retirement System Board and TVA management. It is a dues paying organization.

There are many, many good reasons to join the TVARA!  Here are just a few of the specific reasons why being a member of TVARA is important to you.

• To protect your interest.   TVARA represents your interest to TVA on matters that concern you most – health insurance and pension benefits. TVARA maintains a close working relationship with the Retirement System Board and TVA management. Together we find solutions to problems identified by retirees.
• To keep you informed.  TVARA works closely with TVA to identify the best ways to keep retirees informed of changes in health insurance and pension benefits.  TVARA also informs retirees through its quarterly publication, the TVARA News.
• To stay in touch. The TVARA consists of 20 chapters. The chapters meet quarterly to inform you and provide an opportunity to network with fellow retirees. The chapters can flourish only if new retirees such as you join and infuse your ideas and energy into the organization. There are many volunteer opportunities in each chapter as well.

TVARA provides a strong voice to support retiree interests in the operation of the TVA Retirement System, which manages more than $6.5 billion in assets held in trust for all participants in the system.  TVARA works closely with TVA and others on matters involving the design and operation of retiree medical and drug insurance programs and services.  We also provide information to help retirees take charge of their health and make informed decisions about health care needs. TVARA speaks out on medical and retirement issues and on issues facing TVA that would affect retirees and the people of the Valley.

There is also strength in numbers.  There are more than 23,600 retirees or beneficiaries on the current Retirement System payroll.  We are proud to have a membership of more than 11,400.  Even though our percentage of dues paying members is higher than almost any company or organization we know of, there is still work to be done to get the other 12,200 eligible individuals active and involved.  Increased active membership can strengthen our effectiveness, as we speak out in local, regional, national and TVA forums on your behalf.

The annual dues are $15.00 which covers a member’s dues January-December. Upon departure from TVA, each retiree is automatically awarded membership in TVARA through a prepaid dues arrangement between TVARA and TVA.  Depending on when in the year you retire, your dues are paid for at least the remainder of the year.  If you retired from TVA during the current calendar year between January 1 and June 30, your dues are paid for by TVA for the remainder of the calendar year in which you retired.  If you retired between July 1 and December 31, your dues are paid by TVA for up to 18 months.

For example, if your retirement date is January 9, 2016, TVA pays your dues through December 31, 2016.  You will be asked to renew your membership effective January 1, 2017.  If your retirement date is November 12, 2016, TVA pays your dues through December 31, 2017.  You will be asked to renew your membership effective January 1, 2018.

Otherwise, if eligible, you can mail a $15.00 check or money order made payable to:

TVA Retirees Association

400 West Summit Hill Drive, SPT 5A

Knoxville, Tennessee 37902

You may also join by attending a local chapter meeting and paying your dues at the chapter meeting.

The annual dues are payable each January.

Simply send an email to tvara@tva.gov with your name, address, and email address.  Or, you can call (865) 632-3318 and leave a message with your name address and phone number.

There are 20 chapters located in the valley and one for the entire state of Florida. Based on your zip code, you will be initially assigned to a chapter near your home address.  If you would like to belong to another chapter, simply send an email to tvara@tva.gov with your name, address and email address.  Or you can call (865) 632-3318 and leave a message again with your name, address AND phone number.  Either way, your requested change will be made.

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No.  Each chapter plans and carries out its own activities based on the needs and resources of the chapter, its constituents and the community.  However, there may be periods of time that the only planned activity is the quarterly meeting.  The chapter is always looking for volunteer opportunities for special projects in your community.

The best way to find out about local chapter activities is contact one of the officers from the chapter that you are interested.  See the organization link for chapter officers.  Or you can visit our calendar link and look for events for the particular chapter.  And lastly, you can send an email to us at tvara@tva.gov.

You may email us at tvara@tva.gov  or call our office at (865) 632-3318.  We will attempt to answer your question or help put you in contact with the right person or get the requested information to you.

TVARA relies on members who give their time to carry out the organization’s mission.  We always need interested participants at the valley-wide, chapter and local community level.  Please email us your contact information and we will follow-up with you.  Also, be sure to let your local chapter know about your interest, if one is nearby.

Yes.  Each chapter has its own committees based on their specific interests and needs.  There are also several “standing” committees at the valley-wide level that welcome individuals willing to share their ideas and work on the team.  If you are interested in finding out more about these committees, either contact one of your local chapter officers or send us an email at tvara@tva.gov, outlining your interest.

The best way to learn about TVARA sponsored volunteer activities is to frequent this website.  Other ways include attending chapter meetings or just simply asking your fellow chapter members.

The TVARA does not necessarily know about TVA sponsored volunteer activities.  Visiting the TVA website, www.tva.gov  or the BVI website, www.mybvi.org, would be good places to start.

The best place to turn in a suggestion for a new sponsored activity is your local chapter officer.  Or you can email us at the valley-wide email address of tvara@tva.gov.

TVARA and BVI are two different retiree organizations that work closely together, but with different missions.  TVARA, established in 1967, is focused on being an advocate for the interest of all retirees, their beneficiaries.  This includes speaking with one voice and providing information to our constituents on issues such as health care, social security and other issues affecting retirees.  We also advocate and inform the public on the many great programs offered by TVA.

BVI was established in 1975 to tap the collective energies and talents of TVA’s huge retiree population. That mission continues today.   Over the years, BVI has grown and expanded to include 3 major areas of activity:

Volunteer work – providing service to TVA and other institutions

TVA contract work – providing TVA with short-term staff augmentation

FEMA work – providing trained emergency assistance to the Federal Emergency Management Agency