On July 11, 1960, DRCEA  was incorporated as a Michigan Corporation and received permanent status as a nonprofit corporation in 1989.

In 1971, DRCEA importance in City government was recognized when the Mayor appointed a retiree to the Board of Trustees of the General Retirement System·

By 1973 DRCEA had grown to almost 5,000 members; about 60% of all civilian retirees or beneficiaries at that time.  Today, almost 9,000 dues-paying members – about 80% of all retirees – support the DRCEA.

The 1974 City Charter required that the retiree representative on the General Retirement System Board of Trustees be elected by retirees and DRCEA became the acknowledged organization representing civilian retiree interest in legislative and budget matters.

In the early 1990’s, DRCEA created DRCEA-PAC. Our political action committee’s goal is to help elect candidates for city offices who are supportive of the needs of city civilian retirees.  Members are encouraged to voluntarily contribute money to “DRCEA-PAC” when renewing their annual dues.