About UWRA
You can see UWRA’s most recent annual report here.
UWRA members
UWRA members are retired UW faculty, staff, and librarians; active, salaried UW employees; and their current or former spouses and partners. Retirees of other accredited higher education institutions may also apply for membership. Learn about UWRA membership.
UWRA’s mission
The University of Washington Retirement Association serves the diverse community of UW retirees and pre-retirees. We encourage continued engagement with the UW, foster a purposeful retirement through educational and social programs, and advocate for the interests of our members and constituents. We are committed to promoting the multifaceted aspects of racial, gender, and social justice, a commitment we seek to express in all arenas of the UWRA’s operations, activities, and collaborations. We seek to create an environment in which all members feel valued and respected, an environment in which members are drawn to participate fully.
UWRA’s non-profit status
The UWRA is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose independent funding comes from annual membership dues. The UWRA is governed by a Board of Directors, nominated from among the membership by the Nominating Committee and elected by the members at large. Learn about the UWRA board and committees.
UWRA’s relationship with the UW
The UWRA partners with University Advancement to maintain links to retired faculty and staff members who have devoted their careers to the UW and its programs. Since its inception the work of the UWRA has been greatly enhanced by the support of the University of Washington. Office space and infrastructure support allow UWRA to more efficiently and effectively serve the UW, its retirees and “pre-retirees” (current employees). The two UWRA staff members are employees of the UW. Read a brief history of the UWRA and UW relationship.
Read about UW retirees and their ongoing commitment to the UW.
UWRA’s community relationships
The UWRA is affiliated with two retirement communities, University House at Wallingford and University House at Issaquah, which are owned and managed by private, for-profit Era Living. These communities developed out of UWRA’s interest in offering university retirees a peer community with strong ties to UW programs and services. All University House residents receive the benefit of the character of these retirement communities, which offer academically- and culturally-oriented programs that serve the interests of residents. All residents, UWRA members or not, may participate in any activities and events offered by the UWRA. UWRA members receive priority on depositor waiting lists for either community. They also receive a partial waiver of community fees at the time they move in. To maintain this priority and waiver, members who are depositors or residents must keep their UWRA memberships current. Get information on UWRA membership.
UWRA scholarships and fellowships in aging-related fields
Each year the UWRA awards scholarships to undergraduate, graduate and professional students who are engaged in aging-related fields. The UWRA also has endowments that fund fellowships through the Graduate School. Read more about UWRA Scholarships and Fellowships.
UWRA’s history
UWRA was created in 1975 out of retirees’ desire for continued affiliation and engagement following an extended effort to improve and stabilize retirement benefits. Read a brief history, or see Neal O. Hines’s The Retirement Association at the University of Washington: A History (UW Press, 1990) for a fuller examination of the organization’s first 25 years.
