Member Benefits

There are many benefits and discounts to being a member of UMRA! First and foremost, UMRA offers opportunities: 

UMRA members at a banquet

Learning Opportunities. UMRA’s premiere learning opportunities are its monthly luncheon Forums and Living Well Workshops. The Forums feature speakers from within and outside the University, talking about current issues, history and University research. Six of the Forums are in-person, accompanied by lunch. The other two, in January and February, are virtual via Zoom.

The Living Well workshops feature speakers talking about issues of personal health and development, and the eight programs are all Zoom virtual programs.

Besides our regular programs, UMRA sometimes has special offerings with public figures like the Governor of Minnesota and the University President.

See our current program lineup

Service Opportunities We also know that many retirees want to do volunteer service after they retire, and we can help you to do that. You can find a variety of individual service opportunities at our University Retirees Volunteer Center. You can also enjoy the camaraderie of volunteering with others as a member of our Silver Gopher Service Corps, helping out with things like admissions events, and food packing 

UMRA has representatives or liaisons on several University committees. Serving in one of these roles allows you to look out for retiree interests. 

Social Opportunities Perhaps the most compelling reason for joining a group like UMRA is to connect, not only with old friends, but also with new ones. To help you make these connections, we have a variety of special interest group like photography, hiking, and family history, where we have fun together in small groups

We offer a number of larger social events, including things like a summer social, boat rides, a winter party, and “Cabinet of Curiosity tours of interesting places on campus. Those who want to travel can join one of our travel tours to places like Greece or Portugal

Other Benefits. Additionally, there are some very tangible perks of UMRA membership:

  • Discounts on parking, University services and events (detailed below). If you go to campus a lot, the parking discount alone could make up the cost of membership
  • Professional development grants for you to continue to continue your scholarship or pursue interesting new projects
  • A newsletter and website that keep you up to date on association activities and University news of particular interest to retirees
  • The online Journal of Opinions, Ideas, and Essays where you can share your knowledge and thoughts on a wide variety of topics

And don’t forget, your initial membership is free!

Use of these discount programs is limited to UMRA members. These discount programs are valid through June 30, 2025. Revised: September 23, 2024

Member Discounts

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Parking

UMRA members will receive a reduced parking rate at all University public ramps/garages and surface lots on the Twin Cities campus using automated pay machines. Your UMRA membership card includes the parking discount QR code on the reverse side. To obtain your parking discount, scan the QR code at checkout (after you have inserted your parking ticket). NOTE that the UMRA rate will not be available when “event” charges apply. If you have trouble obtaining the discount using your Membership card, push the HELP button for assistance.

University of Minnesota Alumni Association

UMRA members may join the University of Minnesota Alumni Association at the same low rate available to current U of M employees. Membership unlocks access to a variety of benefits/savings plus a subscription to the award-winning quarterly magazine Minnesota Alumni. Join at UMNAlumni.org/join, selecting the U of M EMPLOYEES membership option. 

Campus Club

The cost of the basic membership is $104.00 for all categories, including UMRA members and University retirees. (612-624-6626, www.campusclubumn.org)

Center for Spirituality and Healing

UMRA members receive a 10% discount on the suggested registration fee for Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing's programming by selecting the appropriate fee at checkout. (612-626-9459, www.csh.umn.edu)

Intercollegiate Athletics

UMRA Members are eligible for a 20% discount on 2 season tickets for UMN-TC Gopher Athletics. To purchase, call 1-800-U-GOPHER and ask to speak to a dedicated account executive. 

Each year, Gopher Athletics Hosts UMRA night at select events throughout the season. Enjoy discounted tickets and attend with your fellow UMRA Members! 

For 2024-25, these events are as follows: 

  • Football Vs. Penn State | Saturday, November 23, 2024 
  • Women's Hockey Vs. Brown | Friday, January 3, 2025 
  • Men's Hockey Vs. Ohio State | Saturday, February 22, 2025 

Tickets may be purchased by visiting gophersports.com/promotions and entering the promo code UMRA. Stay tuned for future updates and UMRA nights at Gopher Athletics

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

The Arboretum will provide a 10% discount on the annual membership fee, along with free admission on University Employee Day (when held). In addition, the Arboretum provides discounts for groups of 10 or more. (952-443-1400, www.arboretum.umn.edu)

Northrop Auditorium

Northrop offers several discount options. See the full listing of those discounts here on Northrop's website. Please call the Northrop box office for more information and clarification at 612-624-2345.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute will provide a $20 discount to UMRA members for the initial year of membership. Over 300 courses (all included in cost of membership) are offered each year. To receive your UMRA discount and for course schedules call OLLI at 612-624-7847 or go to the OLLI website (www.olli.umn.edu).

School of Music

A $20 reduced ticket price for preview dates of November 21 and 22 for the Fall 2024 opera, Dream of the Red Chamber, is available to University retirees aged 65 and older. Reduced senior ticket pricing for the Spring 2025 opera season will be announced in early 2025. (612-624-2345, www.music.umn.edu)

Theater Arts and Dance

UMRA members will pay $15 per ticket to all mainstage performances at the Rarig Center. When ordering tickets by phone, call 612-624-2345 or purchase online at www.theatre.umn.edu and identify yourself as an UMRA member.

University Bookstores

UMRA members receive a 20% discount at all Twin Cities Bookstore locations on apparel, gifts, general books, and supplies. This discount excludes textbooks, Yeti, Hydro Flask, Rocketbook, computer hardware, technology repairs and software, consumer technology products, graduation items, college jewelry medical supplies sale and clearance items, and gift cards. UMRA members, with proof of membership, are eligible to purchase Apple products and other technology at the same special educational pricing available to the University of Minnesota campus community. Discount may not be combined with any other discount, promotion, or offer. (612-625-6000, www.bookstores.umn.edu)

Weisman Art Museum

Join Weisman -- it's free! The web address is z.umn.edu/WAMMember. (612-625-9494, www.weisman.umn.edu)