NEA Member Benefits plays an important role in addressing the economic issues facing NEA's membership. With its commitment to improving the lives of members and its substantial group buying power, NEA Member Benefits provides quality products and services that help with many of the financial needs of the Association's members.

The NEA Member Benefits Corporation is a subsidiary of the NEA, established to develop, implement and administer NEA Member Benefits programs and services. Its governing body includes a Board of Directors which oversees the corporation to ensure the quality and consistency of the programs.

Of all the products NEA Member Benefits reviews, only a few are accepted. The great majority of programs simply cannot meet NEA Member Benefits standards.

NEA Member Benefits also follows strict guidelines for its own organization as well as the companies that work with it.

The NEA does not profit from NEA Member Benefits programs. The goal of NEA Member Benefits programs is to break even--no program is supported by dues dollars.

NEA Member Benefits also demands strict criteria from prospective corporate providers. All providers must have the ability to serve NEA members on a nationwide basis, be financially stable, demonstrate a commitment to quality and a proven track record of success, comply with all federal regulations, be willing to collaborate closely with NEA Member Benefits in marketing efforts, and provide a competitively priced product backed by excellent service, exclusively for NEA members and their families.

By following these strict guidelines, NEA Member Benefits helps ensure substantial, long-lasting relationships with program providers to serve NEA members better.

Visit the NEA Member Benefits Web site to find complete details about the insurance programs, financial services, investment opportunities, discounts, and consumer information.

These days, liability protection alone just isn't enough. In adition to being threatened with the loss or your job or a violation of your hard-earned rights, educators today are vulnerable to any one of a number of charges that can can be leveled by angry students or disgruntled parents.

When you belong to the Association, you have peace of mind that your side will be heard and that your rights will be protected. We stand ready and willing to go the extra mile to make sure you get a fair shake . . . and you don't have to pay a penny in legal fees!

In addition to our army of UniServ directors in the field, we also have three in-house attorneys who are experts in school and labor law and they can provide representation for any job-related problem you might encounter including student abuse charges, contract dismissals, and Board of Educational Examiners complaints.

If you have a job-related problem or feel your rights have been violated, contact your UniServ director. He or she is your first line of defense.

With your Association membership comes a $1 million Educators Employment Liability (EEL) insurance policy which protects you against civil proceedings brought against you in job-related matters. What's more, you'll be reimbursed for up to $35,000 to cover attorney fees and other legal costs if you are exonerated of criminal charges; and up to $5,000 regardless of the outcome. On top of that, you're entitled to receive payment of up to $500 for damage to your personal property if you're assaulted in the course of your work.

Over the years, hundreds of Association members right here in Iowa have benefited from this invaluable insurance coverage. Of course, you can buy liability coverage anywhere, but be sure to read the fine print. Some may offer more coverage, but it may be cumulative. That means if someone files a claim before you do, there may not be any funding left for you.

Our ELL coverage combined with our staff experience and legal support means that no member ever has to go it alone.

Click on the card to log in

ISEA Educator Access

ISEA Access to Savings

As an ISEA member, you can receive money-saving discounts on everything from hotel rooms to restaurants and from vacation packages to retail purchases. Just click on the sample ISEA Access membership card on this page to log in and begin saving!

Use your ISEA membership card and save big!

The ISEA has teamed up with Educator Access to provide you with significant discounts. Here's how to make the most of this exclusive membership benefit. 

What is the Access to Savings card?

It's your Association membership card and more! It not only entitles you to all the benefits of being an ISEA/NEA member, but it also gives you the ability to save money at thousands of locations worldwide.

Did someone say discounts?

Your card saves you up to 50 percent on purchases you make everyday--at restaurants, hotels, retail stores, golf courses, ski resorts, theme parks, and everywhere else in between. With discounts at 150,000 locations worldwide, you'll save wherever you are--or wherever you plan to be! Members who use the card frequently report that they recoup many times their Association dues investment. To find out how much you can save, use our handy online calculator.

Access Travel Service

New this year, you can book your dream vacation conveniently online! Through the Access Travel Service Center, you'll discover a host of competitive rates on airfare, cruises, travel packages, and over 75,000 hotels worldwide. Simply click Access Travel Services from the Access site and you're on your way to savings at exciting destinations around the world.

How do I activate my card?

Simply follow these three easy steps: 1) Click on the picture of your membership card at the top of this page. 2) Once you're there, look for another picture of your card and enter your member ID number (printed on the front of your card above your name) in the box provided (note that you probably won't need to type in our group number 8961). 3) Create your personal account by following the registration instructions. Be sure to sign up to receive e-mail updates of special deals and benefits. Be aware, though, that some school districts will filter out these messages so sign up using your personal e-mail address to make sure you're informed.

How do I get my discounts?

Most merchants require that you present your membership card at the time of purchase. Occasionally, some merchants also require a printed coupon that you print from the Web site, so be sure to check the individual merchant page for specific instructions.

How do I search for savings?

To find participating merchants, enter the city or zip code where you live--or the city to which you will be traveling--in the box marked "find discounts" near the top of your screen. To refine your search, use the pull down "select your category" menu and click on "Find."

What if I lose my card?

Don't worry. Contact your UniServ Unit office to request that a new card be made and mailed to you. Please note that it may take a few weeks to receive your new card.

What if a merchant I visit doesn't honor the discount?

Unfortunately, this happens from time to time due to a change in managers or new employees who have not been made aware of the program. If this happens, please call our member services team immediately. The toll-free number--866-204-8462--is printed on the back of your card.

I don't have Internet access. Can I get a printed directory?

Absolutely! Simply contact our member services team (866-204-8462) and for a nominal shipping fee, we'll have a printed copy sent to you. Members can also download a copy from the Members-Only area of our Web site so you may want to ask an Association colleague who does have Internet access to print a copy for you. All they need to do is log in to our Web site (see instructions above) and click on the "Statewide Directory" link that appears along the left-hand side of the screen.

I'd like to see more local merchants. What can I do?

We get some of our best leads from members. Use the "Refer-a-Merchant" link on the Web site (along the left-hand side of the screen) to identify local businesses that would like to be included. Our merchant recruitment team will then go into action--contacting those businesses and encouraging them to join with us.

My card expires at the end of 2009. How will I get a new one?

ISEA members will receive their new, personalized cards in the mail in late November of 2009. Once you receive your new card, you will need to re-activate it following the instructions above.

updated 9/3/08

ISEA members know they can count on their Association for help in employment-related matters, but did you know we can also provide help with your personal legal problems?

Through the NEA Attorney Referral Program, eligible members are entitled to two, 30-minute consultation sessions free during each membership year. And if you need additional legal help, the program lets you get that help at rates below participating attorneys’ usual fees.

Attorney Referral Program is open to all Unified members and their spouses and dependent children. During any membership year (from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31), eligible members can take advantage of two, free, 30-minute consultation sessions with Association-approved attorneys. During those sessions, you may discuss any legal matter except income tax preparation.

In addition to the free consultations, members may have specific legal work performed in five “core” areas at a 30 percent reduction of the participating attorney’s normal fees.

The NEA is committed to making sure that only qualified and competent attorneys participate in the NEA Attorney Referral Program. Before any attorneys can participate in Iowa, they must first be approved by both the NEA and the ISEA. Also, they must agree to provide service to members at times that are convenient to members—times outside the normal working day.

In addition, participating attorneys must agree to discuss fees before they render services and they must be willing to accept payment by installment payment plans or by credit card.

What is covered?

The NEA has identified five “core” areas of personal legal service for coverage under the NEA Attorney Referral Program:

Wills and estates. At a 30 percent discount rate, you can have a participating attorney prepare your will, assist with estate planning, provide legal assistance if you are named the executor or administrator of an estate, or offer legal counsel in guardianship proceedings.

Real estate. Participating attorneys will provide discounted assistance with the purchase or sale of residential property, disputes with landlords, property line controversies, and problems with zoning laws or land-use regulations.

Domestic relations. Participating attorneys will provide representation to members in proceedings for annulment, divorce, separation, alimony, custody, child support, guardianship, adoption, paternity, or name changes.

Consumer protection. Participating attorneys will provide assistance at the discounted fee for disputes with creditors or finance agencies and proceedings with retailers concerning defective merchandise.

Traffic violations. You can receive legal representation, at a 30 percent discount, to handle charges of operating under the influence, reckless driving, or other offenses involving the potential loss of license, a jail sentence, or financial liability in excess of $50.

What isn’t covered?

There are a few areas where participating attorneys are not required to give members the 30 percent discount. Problems such as business dealings, bankruptcies, and preparation of a defense in Internal Revenue Service income tax matters are not covered under the 30 percent discount.

The 30 percent discount also does not apply to the defense of criminal violations other than the traffic violations covered by the Program.

Participating attorneys are not permitted to represent a member in any matter in which the adverse party is the NEA, an NEA affiliate, or another NEA member—except in separation or divorce proceedings.

Of course, court costs, filing and service fees, and attorney out-of-pocket expenses are not ordinarily discounted.

It's also important to note that if you obtain your own attorney, you won’t receive the discount rate, even if that attorney later becomes a participant in the NEA Attorney Referral Program.

What you need to do

You may contact the attorney directly—identifying yourself as an NEA member participating in the NEA Attorney Referral Program—for your free consultation and to investigate your need for additional legal services.

Remember, although each participating attorney has agreed to provide two, free, 30-minute consultation sessions, you should discuss with the attorney the fees you will be charged before any consultation session begins. That will help you avoid any misunderstandings.

For a list of participating attorneys, contact your UniServ Unit office or send an e-mail to Robin Burkhalter at ISEA headquarters.