July 2018 NARFE Magazine by NARFE

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MAXIMIZING GRASSROOTS IMPACT THROUGH STRATEGIC STORYTELLING

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THE NEW ONLINE PORTAL TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HISTORY

Volume 94 • Number 7

COVER STORY

FINDING A

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

IN THE FEDERAL WORLD

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Federal Employee Program

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WASHINGTON WATCH

Inspector General Takes a Look at FLTCIP

Federal Retirement Fairness Act Shines Focus on Temporary Feds

NARFE President, Staff Meet with OPM Director Jeff Pon

Preparing for Grassroots Advocacy Month in August

NARFE Bill Tracker

COLUMNS

COVER STORY WORK-LIFE BALANCE IN THE FEDERAL WORLD. How does the federal employee balance work with life? See the results of the OPM report, urging federal agencies to include programs that help them come close to achieving this balance.

From the President

44 Managing Money

DEPARTMENTS

17 Questions & Answers,

32 38

MAXIMIZING GRASSROOTS IMPACT THROUGH STORYTELLING. Learn how to tell a compelling story using the five-part dramatic storytelling structure.

Federal Benefits In-Depth

46 For the Record 48 NARFE News

HISTORY@FEDGOV. Learn about this new website that includes more than 260 histories of federal departments and agencies.

52 FEDcon18 56 The Way We Worked

On the Web VISIT US ONLINE AT:

www.narfe.org LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:

NARFE National Headquarters FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:

@narfehq

ON THE COVER

Illustration by GRAPHEK W W W. N A R F E . O R G

JULY 2018 | Volume 94 | Number 7

EDITOR Helen Mosher ASSISTANT EDITOR Christopher Johnson COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT Precious Dorch-Robinson GRAPHIC DESIGN GRAPHEK EDITORIAL BOARD Richard G. Thissen, Jon Dowie, Barbara Sido EDITORIAL OFFICE: narfe magazine 606 North Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314-1914 Phone: 703-838-7760 Fax: 703-838-7781 Email: communications@narfe.org ADVERTISING SALES: Warren Berger Media People Inc. 122 East 42nd St., Suite 1622 New York, NY 10168 Phone: 212-779-7172, ext. 223 Email: wberger@mediapeople.com

NARFE FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED ON THE TELEPHONE: This publication can be heard on the telephone by persons who have trouble seeing or reading the print edition. For more information, contact the National Federation of the Blind NFB-NEWSLINE® service at 866-5047300 or go to www.nfbnewsline.org. ON DIGITAL AUDIO: Issues of narfe magazine are also available in audio format through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). For availability, call 202-727-2142 or your local NLS service provider. The Association, since July 1970, has been classified by the IRS as a tax-exempt labor organization [not a union]; however, dues and gifts or contributions to the Association are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association NATIONAL OFFICERS RICHARD G. THISSEN, President; natpres@narfe.org JON DOWIE, Secretary/Treasurer; natsectreas@narfe.org EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BARBARA SIDO, execdir@narfe.org

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

REGION I James P. Crawford (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) TEL: 603-630-5191 EMAIL: crawfordjim62@gmail.com REGION II Evelyn Kirby (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) TEL: 410-604-1141 EMAIL: ekirby@atlanticbb.net REGION III Clarence Robinson (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands) CELL: 404-312-8028 EMAIL: crobin8145@att.net

REGION VI Marshall L. Richards (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Republic of Panama and Texas) TEL: 903-660-2784 EMAIL: pappysdad@cobridge.tv REGION VII Rodney L. Adelman (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) TEL: 623-505-4719 EMAIL: narfe7vp@cox.net REGION VIII Helen L. Zajac (California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada and Republic of Philippines) TEL: 707-644-7565 EMAIL: HLZajac125@gmail.com

REGION IV Edward J. Konys (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) TEL: 937-470-0566 EMAIL: region4vp@gmail.com

REGION IX Richard Wilson (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington) TEL: 253-210-5609, CELL: 425-736-6899 EMAIL: narfe1404@comcast.net

REGION V Carol R. Ek (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) TEL: 620-241-1131, CELL: 620-504-2202 EMAIL: ek617@att.net

REGION X William Shackelford (Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) TEL: 703-830-6590, CELL: 703-201-6304 EMAIL: wshack1951@aol.com

HERE’S HOW TO CONTACT US…

TO JOIN NARFE, RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP OR FIND A LOCAL CHAPTER:

CALL (TOLL-FREE) 800-456-8410 OR GO TO www.narfe.org TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL LISTING:

CALL (TOLL-FREE) 800-456-8410 then dial 803 EMAIL memberrecords@narfe.org OR GO TO www.narfe.org, log in and click on “Update My Record”

TO REACH A FEDERAL BENEFITS SPECIALIST:

EMAIL fedbenefits@narfe.org NARFE HEADQUARTERS

606 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314 703-838-7760 Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET

www.narfe.org

narfe (ISSN 1948-4453) is published monthly by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA, and additional mailing offices. Members: Annual dues includes subscription. Nonmember subscription rate $40. Postmaster: Send address change to: NARFE Attn: Member Records, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. To ensure prompt delivery, members should also forward changes of address without delay. Because of the volume involved, NARFE cannot acknowledge nor be responsible for unsolicited pictures and manuscripts, although every reasonable precaution is taken. All submissions become the property of NARFE. Copyright © 2018, NARFE. Advertisements in the magazine are not endorsements of products and/or services by NARFE, unless officially stated in the ad. We shall accept advertising on the same basis as other reputable publications: that is, we shall not knowingly permit a dishonest advertisement to appear in narfe, but at the same time we will not undertake to guarantee the reliability of our advertisers.

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“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.” — J. Fitzgerald, VA

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From the President

NARFE GENERAL ELECTION

want to take this opportunity to thank each of you who have taken the time to vote on the NARFE issues and for our

elected officers. Voting is a right, but it is also a responsibility. The results of the election will be available on our website the week of July 9, 2018.

The voting process at NARFE allows you to directly participate in choosing its leaders, an important part of the association’s governance. NARFE is unique in that it represents and works to protect all federal civilian employees in all branches and agencies of the government, including semi-autonomous activities such as the U.S. Postal Service and the Federal Reserve. It is NARFE’s mission to support legislation and regulations beneficial to federal

NARFE’s Mission Statement To support legislation and regulations beneficial to federal civilian employees and annuitants and potential annuitants under any federal civilian retirement system and to oppose those detrimental to their interests. To promote the general welfare of federal civilian employees and annuitants and potential annuitants, to advise and assist them with respect to their rights under retirement, health and other employee and retiree benefits laws and regulations, and to represent their interests before appropriate authorities. To cooperate with other organizations and associations in furtherance of these general objectives.

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employees and annuitants and oppose those detrimental to our annuities, benefits and interests, a mission I have been proud to carry out as your president. As you’ll read on page 10, now is the time to start preparing for August – NARFE’s Grassroots Advocacy Month. If we are going to continue fighting the constant attacks on your earned benefits, all NARFE members must take action. Through our advocacy efforts we are continuing to position NARFE as THE information resource for the federal community. But advocacy is only a piece of the information we provide. The NARFE Federal Benefits Institute, which produces webinars, white papers and magazine articles, provides Feds and retirees alike with answers to their most complex benefits questions. And, as always, our federal benefits experts are available to provide advice and assistance via phone and email, and don’t forget to check out their question-and-answer section in each issue of NARFE Magazine. There’s something for everyone at NARFE. I ask each of you to recommend NARFE to your friends and family who are in the federal community. New members bring fresh perspectives and help us continue to grow and remain on top of the constantly changing federal employment environment. Thank you all for your membership and dedication to NARFE.

RICHARD G. THISSEN NARFE NATIONAL PRESIDENT natpres@narfe.org

Washington Watch

INSPECTOR GENERAL TAKES A LOOK AT FLTCIP

ARFE members participating in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) received a rude awakening back in July 2016 when they received notice

that their insurance premiums were significantly increasing. The outcry from participants spread quickly among the more than 274,000 enrollees who faced an average increase of 83 percent.

NARFE quickly called for congressional hearings on the significant premium increases, and one was soon granted, with NARFE President Richard G. Thissen testifying before the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations. However, the drastic rise in premiums also caught the attention of the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Office of the Inspector General (OIG). What followed was an audit of the Office of Personnel Management’s oversight of FLTCIP, with specific attention given to the procurement and rate monitoring processes by OPM. A final report of the audit was released by the OIG in April of this year. 6

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The findings of the audit open a window into the inner workings of how the latest FLTCIP contract was awarded to John Hancock Life and Health Insurance Company. It breaks down the conditions of the long-term care marketplace and the internal protocols of John Hancock and OPM. The report also includes a suggestion by the OIG and a response from OPM, but more on that later. ACTION ALERT!

Right off the bat, the OIG found that OPM followed federal regulations regarding the procurement of the 2009 and 2016 contracts awarded to John Hancock. The OIG also found that OPM “effectively monitored the FLTCIP premiums rates during program years 2009 through 2016.” Tucked into the OIG’s report was an explanation of how John Hancock and OPM monitor the rates of the program. According to the audit report, John Hancock provides OPM with semiannual status reports that include information on the Experience Fund, the fund where FLTCIP premiums are kept, and information about premium rates. A semiannual report issued

J U LY

Instituting a pay freeze is a direct attack on federal employees at a time of economic prosperity and rising private-sector wage growth. Visit NARFE’s Legislative Action Center now to write, tweet or call your legislators and urge them to reject this pay freeze and authorize a modest pay raise via the appropriations process.

in late September 2013 reported a fully funded Experience Fund. But John Hancock notified OPM less than a year later in June 2014 of a potential funding shortfall, creating havoc for future potential claims. As it does every three years, John Hancock conducted a thorough analysis of the FLTCIP in 2015 and found the need for premium increases in 2016. This information was shared with OPM and it was subsequently decided that the current contract with John Hancock would not be extended. In September 2015, OPM put out a Request for Proposal to receive bids from companies offering long-term care insurance. However, as it turned out, John Hancock was the sole bidder and was awarded the new seven-year contract. Many readers likely know what happened from there. Letters were sent to current enrollees in July 2016 including information about the premium increases. Those letters contained various coverage change options to ease some of the rise in premiums. The new premiums went into effect in November 2016. It may surprise you that the marketplace for long-term care insurance has shrunk dramatically over a short period of time. Per the OIG, in 2000, 125 companies were offering long-term care insurance. Fast-forward to 2014, and you’re left with 12 insurers issuing at least 2,500 individual policies and just five insurers selling group policies. What followed next in the OIG’s final report was a section on pro-

gram improvement. Specifically, the OIG found a lack of competition during the bidding process and briefly mentioned that there were almost no other group plans like the FLTCIP. That being said, per the OIG, John Hancock stated that they intended to continue to bid on and service the current FLTCIP contract. With all this in mind, the OIG recommended that OPM develop a contingency plan well before it comes time for the next FLTCIP contract in 2023, a suggestion NARFE supports. The OIG recommended that “the plan should take into consideration the risks in the long-term care insurance market that adversely affect the continuance and feasibility of the program.” OPM disagreed with the recommendation, mentioning that the agency is in monthly contact with John Hancock, including the continued review of semiannual reports, and that it is discussing “new product and plan design ideas to assess an array of options to address rate stabilization concerns and to ensure that FLTCIP will meet the needs of its enrollees.” On an interesting note, in the event that John Hancock does not make a future bid, there is a provision in the current contract which allows OPM to extend the current FLTCIP contract past its listed expiration. This would ensure that enrollees continue to be served. While the OIG found and agreed with OPM that it was effectively monitoring the current FLTCIP program, it countered OPM’s disagreement with a con-

tingency plan that said it would like to see formal plans put in place for future product changes. Future action on the FLTCIP is likely to need congressional action, which could take considerable time, and the OIG argued that OPM should road-map potential future changes to the program to ensure its continuity. NARFE will continue to work with OPM and its new director to ensure a viable federal long-term care insurance program into the future, and to weigh in on possible new products. —BY ROSS APTER, POLITICAL ASSOCIATE

MYTH vs. REALITY MYTH: Congressional budget deals, like the two-year budget agreement passed in February, determine agency budget authorities and spending levels. REALITY: Congressional budget deals set top-line spending numbers for discretionary spending, which are hard caps that must be taken into account when Congress moves through the budget resolution and appropriations processes. They do not set specific agency budgets. Rather, agency budget authorities and spending levels are set through appropriation bills, which is when money is finally distributed.

W W W. N A R F E . O R G

Washington Watch

FEDERAL RETIREMENT FAIRNESS ACT SHINES FOCUS ON TEMPORARY FEDS

emporary service with the federal government, also termed casual or nondeduction service, is time spent in a nonpermanent position. During this time, no deductions are made towards an employee’s annuity. Prior to January 1, 1989, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) allowed employees who began their careers in temporary positions to “buy back” that time so that it would be counted in their retirement annuity calculation. But due to a 1989 rule change in the federal system, temporary workers were no longer given the option to make catch-up payments to the retirement fund for years spent in a temporary role to count those years of service toward their Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pensions. Often, employees who are affected by this do not know their temporary time doesn’t count towards their time in service until it is too late. Upon reaching what should have been their retirement, these workers learn they need to work years longer in order to attain full benefits or incur penalties to their annuities for the years they were classified as temporary employees. Employees hired in the years following

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the 1989 rule change are readying for retirement only to find out they do not have the required years of service.

Upon reaching what should have been their retirement, these workers learn they need to work years longer in order to attain full benefits or incur penalties to their annuities for the years they were classified as temporary employees. To address this issue, Reps. Derek Kilmer, D-WA, and Walter Jones, R-NC, introduced the bipartisan H.R. 5389, Federal Retirement Fairness Act, on March 22, 2018. This legislation would allow federal employees who started their careers in temporary positions, before transitioning into permanent roles, to “buy back” such time and include it in their

retirement annuity calculations. As a result, affected federal employees would be able to retroactively participate in FERS by paying both the employee and employer contributions to their retirement, plus interest, for the years in a temporary role. Though there would be substantial upfront costs, this bill would allow affected employees to retire on time and receive full benefits for the years they worked in service to our nation. Since the employee would be paying both the employee and government share, it’s unlikely this bill will have a negative impact on the federal budget. Kilmer and Jones pursued this legislation in response to concerns from their constituents, as they both represent districts where federal employees comprise sizeable portions of the populations. The Fleet Readiness Center East in North Carolina lies within Jones’ district. Likewise, the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard is the largest employer in Bremerton, WA, which resides in Kilmer’s district. Shipyard workers who discovered they were impacted by the 1989 rule change came to Kilmer for assistance in resolving the unfairness they faced in our current civil service system. NARFE supports this commonsense legislation, as it would account more accurately for the years that federal employees serve the public in the calculation of earned retirement annuities. You can ask your member of Congress to cosponsor this legislation easily in the NARFE Legislative Action Center. —BY SAMUEL BARTELS, ADVOCACY ASSISTANT

NARFE PRESIDENT, STAFF MEET WITH OPM DIRECTOR JEFF PON

n April, NARFE National President Richard G. Thissen sat down with the new Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Jeff Pon, Ph.D, to introduce the director to NARFE and discuss NARFE’s priorities. Thissen was joined by Staff Vice President of Advocacy Jessica Klement and Federal Benefits Institute Deputy Director James Marshall. In the meeting, Thissen stressed that our government made promises to current federal employees and retirees when they were hired, and that we should not be going back on our promises by changing benefits now. Thissen was particularly clear that NARFE will not sit idly by as

changes to current retiree benefits, such as a reduction or elimination in cost-of-living adjustments, are promoted by the Administration. Both Thissen and Director Pon expressed their pride in having worked for the federal government. Pon discussed at length his desire to do a better job highlighting and celebrating what federal employees do for our country. He plainly stated that the civil service deserves more respect than it currently receives. In turn, Thissen offered to help Pon tell these stories of federal workers, and identify NARFE members who could participate in this campaign. Pon also expressed his frustra-

tion with the lack of technological advancement in the federal government, and within OPM’s own systems. With a modern, more mobile workforce, the government must rise to meet their needs, instead of continuing to rely on paper-based processes. This includes apps that allow employees to manage everything from their paycheck deductions to their health insurance benefits. Overall, Thissen and Pon, along with their staff, had a productive first meeting of many, and NARFE looks forward to working with the new OPM Director to promote the good work federal employees do for our country. —BY JESSICA KLEMENT, STAFF VICE PRESIDENT, ADVOCACY

Contribute To NARFE-PAC I want to make a monthly sustainer credit card contribution:

q $25/month

I want to make a one-time contribution: q $250 – Gold lapel pin and blanket q $100 – Silver lapel pin

q $10/month q Other: ______/month ($10 minimum) Sustainers receive a Sustainer lapel pin and cozy fleece NARFE blanket.

q $50 – Bronze lapel pin q $25 – Basic lapel pin q Other: _________

q Please do not send any gifts for my contribution (This saves NARFE-PAC money!) NARFE Member #: _________________________________________ Name: __________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________ City: _________________________________________________ State: ___________

ZIP: _______________

Only members of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association may contribute to NARFE-PAC. NARFE will neither favor nor disadvantage anyone based on the amount of a contribution or the failure to make a voluntary contribution to this political action fund. NARFE-PAC contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

q Charge my credit card (required for monthly contribution) q MasterCard

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Or mail check payable to NARFE-PAC to: NARFE Attn. Budget & Finance 606 North Washington St. | Alexandria, VA 22314 W W W. N A R F E . O R G

Washington Watch

PREPARING FOR GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY MONTH IN AUGUST

ARFE’s Grassroots Advocacy Month – August – is just a few weeks away. If you haven’t already, now is the time to map out how you plan to connect with your legislators next month. While successful advocacy requires year-round activity, legislators will be spending more time in the district/state during August, which provides a perfect opportunity for NARFE members to reconnect at home in the way they feel most comfortable. Not every NARFE member will attend a congressional meeting this August, and that’s okay. Some prefer to contact congressional offices via phone or send a letter using NARFE’s Legislative Action Center. Others prefer to

Legislative Resources • Legislative Hotline: A weekly update of legislative news, compiled by the NARFE Advocacy Department staff, distributed via email and available by phone (toll-free) at 800-456-8410, option 4 and online at www. narfe.org. • Legislative Action Center: A one-stop site to send a letter to Congress, and more, at www.narfe.org.

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attend town halls or community events to speak directly to the legislator. No matter which advocacy platform you choose on behalf of the federal community, NARFE appreciates your efforts. PREPARE FOR MEETINGS NARFE leaders are highly encouraged to schedule August congressional meetings now. Setting up these meetings is the responsibility of the NARFE Congressional District Leaders/ Senatorial Leaders (CDL/SL) in your federation. In federations where this model is not used, the Federation National Legislative Chair should take the lead. Not sure about the structure in your federation? Contact the Advocacy Department (advocacy@narfe. org) and we can point you in the right direction. These leaders should contact their legislator’s scheduler using the sample meeting request form on the grassroots section of the NARFE website to ensure a meeting with NARFE gets on their calendar. Keep in mind that many other constituents are also planning meetings in August, so the earlier you connect with the scheduler, the better. Once a meeting is scheduled, reach out to other NARFE members in the district/ state to join you. Next month’s issue of narfe magazine will detail the current NARFE legislative priorities you should be discussing in August. These are the issues all NARFE members should bring to their legislators’ attention this August. No matter how you choose to partake in Grassroots Advocacy Month, every communication between NARFE members and

legislators or staff should relate to these topics. If NARFE members across the nation echo the same talking points in all communications, our message will be heard. If you attend a congressional meeting, please email the staffer you will be meeting with a copy of the materials to be discussed a day or so before your meeting so he or she can brush up on the issues beforehand. You’ll also want to bring a copy of the issue briefs or fact sheets about those issues as a “leave behind.” All materials will be on the NARFE website, but don’t hesitate to contact us if you need further guidance. BEYOND MEETINGS This Grassroots Advocacy Month is unique in that the midterm elections are right around the corner. If your federation or chapter plans to invite a candidate to attend your August picnic or NARFE meeting, please invite all candidates vying for that seat. They may not all show up, but they should all be invited as NARFE is nonpartisan. Grassroots Advocacy Month is a great time to reconnect and urge legislators to protect the earned pay and benefits of the federal community and thank those who have been champions on our issues. NARFE asks all members to participate in Grassroots Advocacy Month to ensure that legislators and staff are reminded of the sacrifices the federal community has already made, as well as what makes Feds the bedrock of this nation. —BY MOLLY CHECKSFIELD, GRASSROOTS PROGRAM MANAGER

Urgent: Special Summer Driving Notice

To some, sunglasses are a fashion accessory…

But When Driving, These Sunglasses May Save Your Life!

Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that most (74%) of the crashes occurred on clear, sunny days

Drivers’ Alert: Driving can expose you to more dangerous glare than any sunny day at the beach can…do you know how to protect yourself?

he sun rises and sets at peak travel periods, during the early morning and afternoon rush hours and many drivers find themselves temporarily blinded while driving directly into the glare of the sun. Deadly accidents are regularly caused by such blinding glare with danger arising from reflected light off another vehicle, the pavement, or even from waxed and oily windshields that can make matters worse. Early morning dew can exacerbate this situation. Yet, motorists struggle on despite being blinded by the sun’s glare that can cause countless accidents every year. Not all sunglasses are created equal. Protecting your eyes is serious business. With all the fancy fashion frames out there it can be easy to overlook what really matters––the lenses. So we did our research and looked to the very best in optic innovation and technology. Sometimes it does take a rocket scientist. A NASA rocket scientist. Some ordinary sunglasses can obscure your vision by exposing your eyes to harmful UV rays, blue light, and reflective glare. They can also darken useful vision-enhancing light. But now, independent research conducted by scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion

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Washington Watch

narfe bill tracker THE NARFE BILL TRACKER IS YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO THE CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION THAT NARFE IS FOLLOWING. CHECK BACK EACH ISSUE FOR UPDATES. ISSUE

BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR

WHAT BILL WOULD DO

LATEST ACTION(S)

Requires postal retirees to enroll in Medicare in order to continue receiving their current federal health insurance coverage. Enrollment would be automatic.

Approved by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; pending in two other committees Approved to bypass committee process. NARFE, June 2018

Expresses the sense of the House that the U.S. Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of six-day delivery.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

H.Res. 31: As a resolution, it will not be sent to the president and, therefore, cannot become law / Rep. Dave McKinley, R-WV Cosponsors: 169 (D), 47 (R)

Expresses the sense of the House that the U.S. Postal Service should take all measures to restore service standards in effect on July 1, 2012.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

H.Res. 28: As a resolution, it will not be sent to the president and, therefore, cannot become law / Rep. Susan Davis, D-CA

Expresses the sense of the House that the U.S. Postal Service should take all measures to ensure the continuation of door-to-door delivery for all businesses and residential customers.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

H.R. 4775 / S. 2295: The Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act / Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, D-VA Cosponsors (H.R. 4775): 50 (D), 1 (R) Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI Cosponsors (S. 2295): 10 (D), 0 (R)

Provides for a 3 percent pay raise for federal employees in 2019.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (H.R. 4775) and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

H.R. 3269: Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2017 / Rep. Anthony G. Brown, D-MD Cosponsors: 28 (D), 0 (R)

Repeals laws passed in 2012 and 2013 that increased the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) contributions for newly hired federal employees.

Referred to the House Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Foreign Affairs NARFE, October 2017

H.R. 1022: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2017 / Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-NY Cosponsors: 78 (D), 1 (R)

Provides federal employees with 6 weeks of paid leave in connection with the birth or adoption of a child.

Referred to the House Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Administration

H.R. 756: Postal Service Reform Act of 2017 / Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-UT Cosponsors: 10 (D), 10 (R) S. 2629: Postal Service Reform Act of 2018, Sen. Tom Carper, D-DE Cosponsors 1 (R), 2 (D) H.Res. 15: As a resolution, it will not be sent to the president and, therefore, cannot become law / Rep. Sam Graves, R-MO POSTAL REFORM Cosponsors: 181 (D), 70 (R)

Cosponsors: 185 (D), 58 (R)

FEDERAL COMPENSATION

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NARFEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Position:

Support

Oppose

No position

EDITOR’S NOTE: These bills are all listed online at www.narfe.org/legislation/votervoice.cfm.

ISSUE

DC STATEHOOD

TAXES

COLA

GPO/WEP

BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR

WHAT BILL WOULD DO

LATEST ACTION(S)

H.R. 1291 / S. 1278: Washington, DC Admission Act / Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC Cosponsors (H.R. 1291): 159 (D), 0 (R) Sen. Thomas Carper, D-DE Cosponsors (S. 1278): 23 (D), 1 (I)

Sets forth procedures that would allow the District of Columbia to become a state known as the State of Washington, DC.

H.R. 2929: Federal Employee Combat Zone Tax Parity Act / Rep. Rob Wittman, R-VA Cosponsors: 7 (D), 2 (R)

Extends the tax credit available Referred to the to military personnel who serve House Committee on in combat zones to civilian Ways and Means federal employees. NARFE, September 2017 The legislation would allow for public disclosure of federal pen- Referred to the House sion data, including: name of an- Committee on Oversight and Government nuitant, last agency of employReform ment, grade, monthly annuity and total annuity contributions. NARFE, October 2017

H.R. 3200: The TaxpayerFunded Pension Disclosure Act / Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-FL Cosponsors: 0 (D), 7 (R)

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Committee on Rules

H.R. 1251: CPI-E Act of 2017/ Requires Social Security and Rep. John Garamendi, D-CA many federal retirement programs to use the Consumer Price Index for the elderly Cosponsors: 49 (D), 1 (R) (CPI-E) to calculate cost-ofliving adjustments (COLAs) to retirement benefits.

Referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means, Veterans’ Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services NARFE, May 2017

H.R. 1205 / S. 915: Social Security Fairness Act of 2017 / Rep. Rodney Davis, R-IL Cosponsors (H.R. 1205): 127 (D), 54 (R) Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH Cosponsors (S. 915): 20 (D), 4 (R), 1 (I)

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means (H.R. 1205), and the Senate Committee on Finance (S. 915) NARFE, May 2017

Repeals both the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).

(Bill Tracker continued on p. 16) W W W. N A R F E . O R G

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narfe bill tracker BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR

ISSUE

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

FEDERAL COMPENSATION

DATA BREACH

WHAT BILL WOULD DO

H.R. 20: The Government By the People Act of 2017 / Rep. John Sarbanes, D-MD Cosponsors: 159 (D), 1 (R) H.R. 5389: Federal Retirement Fairness Act / Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-WA [Support] Cosponsors: 4 (D) 2 (R)

H.R. 5765: the Reducing the Effects of the Cyberattack on OPM Victims Emergency Response (RECOVER) Act / Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC Cosponsors: 5 (D) 0 (R)

LATEST ACTION(S)

Reforms campaign finance laws to put small donors on par with wealthier donors. Provides a tax credit or contributions and government matching contributions.

Referred to three House committees

This legislation would allow federal employees who started their careers in temporary positions, before transitioning into permanent roles, to “buy back” such time and include it in their retirement annuity calculations.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

This legislation would extend the availability of identity protection for individuals whose personal information was compromised during recent data breaches at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

What Every Fed Should Know About Their Benefits Registration FREE for Members in the NARFE Federal Benefits Institute

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NARFE Federal Benefits Institute www.NARFE.org/Institute 16

July18-issue_Webinar-half-page.indd 1 J U L 2 018

5/21/18 2:19 PM

Questions & Answers

The following Questions & Answers were compiled by NARFE’s Federal Benefits Institute staff. NARFE does not provide legal, financial planning or tax advice or assistance.

EMPLOYEES PHYSICIANS COMPARABILITY ALLOWANCE

As a physician at my agency, I receive a Physicians Comparability Allowance (PCA), which is part of my basic salary as it relates to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). If I don’t complete 15 years of federal service as a physician, will any portion of my PCA be used in the computation of my annuity?

No. The first requirement to qualify any of your PCA as basic pay for the computation of your annuity is that you MUST have at least 15 years of service as a government physician. If you think it’s possible that you might complete the minimum 15 years as a government physician, you should refer to OPM’s Benefits Administration Letter 04-102, dated February 13, 2004, for additional details regarding any PCA received on or after December 28, 2000 https://bit.ly/2q8YiQO).

NEWLYWED EMPLOYEE

I got married last month and added my spouse to the FEHB (Federal Employees Health Benefits) plan that I’ve maintained my entire federal career. I also increased my FEGLI (Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance) from Basic Only to Basic plus Option B (one times my salary). If I retire in a couple of years, will I be allowed to keep my spouse under my FEHB plan and will I be allowed to keep my increased FEGLI coverage?

You will be allowed to keep your spouse under your FEHB plan as long as you have been continuously covered under FEHB for the last five years of federal service leading up to your separation AND qualify for an immediate retirement under Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) upon separation. There is no rule that requires that your spouse be under your plan for five years. Unfortunately, if you don’t plan to continue federal service at least five years beyond the effective date of your FEGLI increase, the only FEGLI that you would be allowed to carry with your immediate retirement would be the level of coverage that you have maintained for the past five years, in your case, Basic Only.

W W W. N A R F E . O R G

Questions & Answers

VOLUNTARY EARLY RETIREMENT

Q A

Where can I get more information about Voluntary Early Retirement?

If your agency undergoes a major reorganization, reduction in force or transfer of function, and a significant percentage of the employees will be separated, or reduced in pay, the head of your agency can ask the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to permit early optional retirement for eligible employees. If your agency gets approval to permit early optional retirements, eligible employees will be notified of the opportunity to retire voluntarily. Ask your agency human resources offices for specific details regarding any Voluntary Early Retirement options they may be offering. Information about Early Optional Retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) is available at https://bit. ly/2IR2y1N. Information about Early Optional Retirement under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) is available at https://bit.ly/2KB1lZH.

FURLOUGH INQUIRY

Q A

Where can I find the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance on furloughs?

OPM guidance on furloughs is available at http://www.opm. gov/policy-data-oversight/payleave/furlough-guidance. If you are a federal employee with a specific question as it relates

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to your personal circumstance, please contact your agency human resources office for additional information. Your agency is your best resource for answers to your specific questions regarding a furlough.

PAY ADJUSTMENTS

Q A

What is a quality step increase (QSI) and how does it affect a withingrade increase (WGI)?

A QSI is a faster-thannormal WGI used to reward employees at any General Schedule (GS) grade level who display high quality performance. To be eligible for a QSI, employees must: be below step 10 of their grade level; have received the highest rating available under their performance appraisal system; have demonstrated sustained performance of high quality; and have not received a QSI within the preceding 52 consecutive calendar weeks. A QSI does not affect the timing of an employee’s next regular WGI unless the QSI places the employee in step 4 or step 7 of his or her grade. In these cases, the employee becomes subject to the full waiting period for the new step—i.e., 104 weeks or 156 weeks, respectively—and the time an employee has already waited counts towards the next increase. The employee receives the full benefit of receiving a WGI at an earlier date and has not lost any time creditable towards his or her next WGI. For more details, refer to: https://bit.ly/2KNVkcz

RETIREES MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT

What is a Medicare Reimbursement Account (MRA) for Feds who have Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Basic Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program coverage? Can I get $600 each year from BCBS if I enroll in Medicare Parts A and B?

Announced during last year’s Open Season, effective January 2018, BCBS introduced their MRA program for participants who are enrolled in the BCBS Basic FEHB plan. These accounts are available only to participants who are simultaneously enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. Eligible participants can receive up to $600 each year, or up to $1,200 each year if married and both the sponsor and his/her spouse has Medicare Parts A and B. The MRA helps the participant offset the cost of Medicare Part B. Because you are potentially saving BCBS some money by signing up and paying for Medicare Part B as your primary insurance provider for most doctors services, it’s their way of saying “thank you” and helping you save money while they can better control the cost of the plan’s premiums for everyone. It should be noted that these accounts are currently not available to those with the BCBS Standard plans. Refer to the BCBS plan brochure and the website for more details at https://bit. ly/2uZnleb It’s interesting to note that Aetna Direct (www.aetnafeds. com) also has a consumer-

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Questions & Answers

controlled Medical Fund of $900/year (for Self Only) and $1,800/year (for Self Plus One or Self & Family) that can be used to help pay for Medicare Part B. But unlike the BCBS MRA, the Aetna Medical Fund can also be used to pay for other eligible expenses such as copayments for prescription drugs, and they also give you the opportunity to rollover unused Medical Funds for use in future years. Although most folks who have Medicare as their primary provider seem to shy away from high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), the following FEHB plans also have Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) that allow for reimbursement for Medicare premiums (partially or fully): Aetna Health Fund HDHP, Aetna Health of Utah HDHP, CareFirst HDHP, GEHA HDHP, Independent Health HDHP, Kaiser Northern California-High Option, Kaiser Northwest-High Option, Kaiser Health Plan of Washington HDHP, MHBP Consumer Option, TakeCare HDHP, and United Healthcare Insurance ChoicePlus HDHP. Refer to the individual plan’s website and/or brochure for more details.

BEST ADDRESS FOR OPM

As an annuitant, I occasionally need to communicate with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) via postal mail. If I want to send a letter or form to OPM, what is the best mailing address to use?

OPM has multiple addresses that are used for various purposes. If you receive a letter from OPM with instructions to respond via

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postal mail, please use the address provided. If you are downloading a form from OPM’s website, please use the address included in the form’s instructions. However, there may be times when OPM doesn’t provide a return address to use. In these situations, we recommend using the following address: U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Retirement Operations Center P.O. Box 45 Boyers, PA 16017 As always, keep copies of everything and remember to use certified mail when sending something to OPM via United States Postal Service. This helps you track the delivery and may prove useful if you ever need the information later.

NEWLYWED ANNUITANT

I’ve been retired for several years and I’m currently planning to get married later this year. Upon marriage, do I use the SF 2808, CSRS Beneficiary Form, or an SF 3102, FERS Beneficiary Form, to elect a monthly spousal survivor benefit with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)?

Neither. The SF 2808, CSRS Beneficiary Form and the SF 3102, FERS Beneficiary Form, are not used to elect monthly spousal survivor benefits. Those forms are used by Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employees/retirees to tell OPM who receives the lump sum payment of their final retirement payment as well as any money that may still be remaining in

the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (CSRDF) if no monthly survivor benefits are payable to a surviving spouse and/ or dependent child. As a retiree, within two years of your marriage, you can make the election for a spousal survivor benefit by sending OPM a letter with your election in writing. Include a copy of your marriage certificate along with your CSA number. The spousal survivor benefit and the reduction in your annuity is effective no earlier than the first of the month beginning nine months after the date of marriage. If you die as an annuitant before nine months of marriage has passed, your widow/ widower would not be eligible for the spousal survivor benefit. Refer to the following weblink for details regarding the reduction to your annuity associated with making this election as an annuitant: https://bit.ly/2KJCyCP The reductions can be difficult to understand, so it’s recommended that you ask OPM to provide you with the details and/or ask to speak with a representative at NARFE’s Federal Benefits Institute for a verbal explanation.

RECENTLY RETIRED

I just retired a few days ago and it’s my understanding that I might be in interim pay status with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) anywhere from two to six months. What is withheld from my interim pay?

OPM only withholds federal income tax from your interim payments. You may find that the federal income taxes withheld from your first interim payment will be higher than the federal

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tax withholdings from your subsequent interim payments and regular annuity. OPM will make any necessary tax withholding adjustment when they finish processing your application. You can also make adjustments to both federal and state tax withholding using OPM’s Retirement Services Online once you receive your Civil Service Annuitant (CSA) claim number and password. Your health and life insurance coverage will continue while you are receiving interim pay. OPM will begin withholding health and life insurance premiums retroactive to the commencing date of your annuity, when

they finish processing your application. Once your annuity is finalized, OPM will provide you with a booklet that will include explanations of your retirement benefits, as well as any retroactive benefits if applicable. Refer to the following web link for details regarding this retirement benefit booklet - https://bit.ly/2s0tP7R To obtain an answer to a federal benefits question, NARFE members should call 800-456-8410 and select option 2 for the Federal Benefits Institute; send the question by postal mail to NARFE Headquarters, ATTN: Federal Benefits; or submit it by email to fedbenefits@narfe.org.

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LIFE BALANCE

IN THE FEDERAL WORLD By David Tobenkin

According to a recent landmark Office of Personnel Management (OPM) report, work-life balance programs such as telework, flexible work schedules and employee assistance programs attract candidates to federal service and make employees better and more satisfied federal workers. Based on a survey of federal employees, the report urged agencies to include such programs in their human resources strategies and to remove unnecessary barriers to employees’ use of them, such as lack of employee information and lack of organizational support. “OPM’s analysis of the data provides strong evidence that shows a significant relationship between participation in work-life programs and desired organizational outcomes,” noted OPM Acting Director Kathleen McGettigan in her introduction to The Federal Work-Life Survey Governmentwide Report, released in March 2018. “At the same time, there are opportunities for improvement by expanding supports and reducing barriers to utilizing them.”

When employees were asked about program-specific outcomes, 72 percent or more of respondents indicated their participation in telework and use of work-schedule flexibilities improved their performance, morale and increased their desire to stay at their current agency.

THE SURVEY

Work-life programs are designed in part to help employees deal with work-life conflicts. The report found that many employees (83 percent) face worklife conflicts in which their job or personal and/or 26

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family life interfere with each other to some extent. Perhaps reflecting an aging federal workforce, the survey found that a rising area of work-life conflict is the care needs of adult dependents, such as aging parents. The report noted that the number of employees with adult-dependent-care responsibilities is expected to double over the next five years (from 14 percent to 31 percent), while the number of employees with child-care responsibilities is expected to remain virtually the same (falling slightly from 36 percent to 33 percent). The report analyzed employee usage and satisfaction with federal work-life programs in five broad categories: • Telework • Nontelework work schedule flexibility, such as alternative work schedule (AWS), flexible hours, part-time schedules and job sharing • Employee assistance programs, which provide free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals and follow-up services to employees with personal or work-related problems or challenges • Family and dependent care programs, which support federal employees with caregiver responsibilities such as child-care centers, child care subsidies for lower income employees, and flexible-spending accounts to pay for eligible dependent-care expenses using pretax dollars • Worksite health and wellness programs, which are programs, policies and other services designed to help encourage optimal health, including health education, health screenings, and agency support for onsite exercise facilities The report was based on data gathered from 64,474 federal employees responding to a survey between January 2017 and March 2017. OPM used a random-sampling method to ensure that the results of the sample could be generalized to fairly represent all federal employees by demographic characteristics such as gender, age and ethnicity.

QUANTITATIVE SUPPORT FOR THE BENEFITS OF WORK-LIFE PROGRAMS

Perhaps most significantly, the survey results provide quantitative support for the benefits of work-life programs for both federal employees and agencies. Employees who telework or participate in agency wellness programs, for example, were significantly more likely to receive a rating of “exceeds fully successful” or higher on their last performance appraisal than non-participants, with 76 percent of teleworkers receiving such high ratings, versus 72 percent of non-teleworkers, and 74 percent of agency wellness program participants receiving high ratings, compared to 71 percent of non-participants. The report also found that those who engage in telework, work schedule flexibilities, or health and wellness programs were more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and expressed greater intentions to remain at their agencies. When employees were asked about programspecific outcomes, 72 percent or more of respondents indicated their participation in telework and use of work schedule flexibilities improved their performance, morale and increased their intent to stay at their current agency.

Satisfaction with the different programs varied, from 80 percent of respondents expressing satisfaction with their use of work schedule flexibilities, 76 percent with telework, and 60 percent with EAPs. Less satisfaction was expressed by employees with health and wellness programs (38 percent) and family and dependent care programs (30 percent). The survey’s results show that work-life programs are a logical fit with some of the priorities of the new President’s Management Agenda, released in March 2018, says Mika Cross, a worklife program expert instrumental in the design and rollout of such programs at several federal agencies, including some in the U.S. Intelligence community. “The President’s Management Agenda notes the importance of investing in people and increasing engagement, which work-life programs are designed to do by helping to avoid or reduce distractions that occur when there are conflicts

W W W. N A R F E . O R G

between work and personal obligations,” Cross says. “This survey strengthens the strategic imperative of why these programs exist in the first place by helping to describe their tangible and strategic value to agencies looking to maximize performance and accountability.”

“The hallmark of successful worklife programs is senior management buy-in. They have to champion these programs and persuade middle management, who have the most concerns because they are the ones who have to implement them.” —Kate Lister, President of Global Workplace Analytics

BARRIERS TO PROGRAM USE

The report said barriers to the use of existing worklife programs remain. While respondents report that their supervisors are generally supportive of employee needs, 82 percent of respondents indicated that their immediate supervisor was responsive to and understanding of employees’ personal needs to take care of personal or family issues, such support does not necessarily extend to work-life programs. Only about half of employees (46 percent) indicated that they perceived support for the use of work-life programs from their immediate supervisor and only 35 percent perceived support from senior leadership. Limited support was particularly pronounced for telework. The report said supervisors have doubts about the value of telework, with only 53 percent agreeing that telework supports their 28

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employees’ ability to perform work, which the report appeared to suggest reflects the fact that only 48 percent of supervisors reported having adequate training to be able to manage and assess the performance of teleworkers. However, twothirds of managers (67 percent) indicated that they were comfortable assessing employees’ work-life needs, and over half (59 percent) indicated they were comfortable developing a work-life arrangement or policy. It is difficult to overemphasize the importance of organizational executive and managerial personal participation in and support for employee participation in work-life programs in ensuring their success, says Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics, noting management buy-in is often a challenge in federal government. “The hallmark of successful work-life programs is senior management buy-in-they have to champion these programs and persuade middle management, who have the most concerns because they are the ones who have to implement them,” says Lister. “Compared to the private sector, federal agencies tend to have a command-and-control type of management style that values bodies in offices and chairs rather than

trusting employees to use these programs responsibly and measuring ultimate work product results.” For a significant number of employees, the report found that work-life conflicts are exacerbated by scheduling inflexibility at work, with approximately one-third of employees reporting little or no flexibility to manage their work schedules, take time off or use alternative work schedules. The report also cited lack of work-life program awareness among employees as a significant barrier to use of the programs.

BY PROGRAM: TELEWORK

The survey found that 35 percent of employees currently telework on a routine and/or situational basis and 58 percent of employees report a desire to telework or telework more often. Employees report they telework an average of 19 hours or approximately 2 1/2 workdays in a typical two-week pay period. Satisfaction is high: 76 percent of employees who telework are satisfied with their agency’s telework programs. Strong majorities of participants reported five sets of telework benefits, including increased desire to stay at their current agency, improved performance, improved morale, improved health and better stress management. The report may serve as further ballast to oppose efforts to scale back telework, or other work-life programs, generally or at individual

agencies. “In recent weeks, the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] has floated a rollback of its current telework policies, and we are working with Capitol Hill to demonstrate the ever-increasing integral role telework plays for a modern workplace,” says National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) President Tony Reardon. “This new survey, as well as the recent OPM report on telework, should dissuade those who seek to roll back telework.”

WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITIES

Approximately 27 percent of respondents reported they use flexible work schedules, 22 percent use compressed work schedules, 2 percent use a parttime work schedule; and less than one percent use job sharing and phased retirement schedules. When employees were asked what workplace flexibilities they desired to use, 35 percent said they desired a flexible work schedule, 28 percent a compressed work schedule, 10 percent phased retirement, 8 percent a part-time schedule, and 4 percent a job-sharing situation. Employee satisfaction with work-schedule flexibilities was 80 percent, the highest of all work-life programs assessed. The report noted that many agencies report the use of flexible and compressed work schedules as a best practice in their recruitment, retention and performance efforts.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

The report noted that Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) are the most underutilized worklife program and the one with the greatest gap between actual use and desired use. The report found that while only 13 percent of employees had used an EAP-related service over the previous 12 months, more than half (55 percent) of employees indicated their desire to use one or more services provided by EAP. The gap in EAP usage reflects stigmas associated with EAP reputation and usage, lack of program awareness and lack of agency support, the W W W. N A R F E . O R G

report noted. The report stated that only 25 percent of employees agreed that “the EAP at my workplace has a good reputation.” “I am not surprised by those results,” says Todd Donalson, director of training and consultation services at Chestnut Global Partners. “There is a constant challenge to overcome a stigma that you need to have a severe illness to use them or that these programs are only for those about to be terminated and need one last chance to salvage their careers, when in fact these programs are intended to enhance general employee wellness by providing early intervention resources.” The report encouraged agencies to promote the full scope of EAP-related services to encourage participation.

“There is a constant challenge to overcome a stigma that you need to have a severe illness to use them or that these programs are only for those about to be terminated and need one last chance to salvage their careers, when in fact these programs are intended to enhance general employee wellness by providing early intervention resources.” —Todd Donalson, director of training and consultation services at Chestnut Global Partners

FAMILY AND DEPENDENT CARE The report found that 36 percent of federal employees have child-care responsibilities and 14 percent have adult-care responsibilities. The survey found low satisfaction with the cost of services to address those needs. 30

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The report painted a picture of employees strapped with the burden of care. It reported that over half the respondents reported using annual leave (66 percent) and sick leave (70 percent) to manage family and dependent-care responsibilities but only about one half (53 percent) agreed that they had enough paid leave to manage their family and dependent-care needs. The report called for agencies to expand the availability and increase awareness of child-care subsidy programs to help employees pay for care.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

The survey found that worksite health and wellness programs were the most used work-life programs, with 66 percent employee participation. The report noted that a healthier workforce can improve productivity; increase employee engagement; reduce costs associated with health care, disability, and workers’ compensation and make agencies an employer of choice for top talent. However, the report found only a minority of all government employees (35 percent) expressed that their workplace demonstrates a commitment to improving employees’ physical, mental and emotional well-being.

NEXT STEPS

The report outlined next steps by OPM and recommended next steps for other federal agencies to more fully and properly integrate work-life programs into agency HR strategies. Many OPM planned steps relate to providing training, toolkit, and marketing resources for agencies to be able to better implement the programs. Recommended steps for other federal agencies include reviewing and evaluating workplace flexibilities, improving agency culture and organizational support for work-life programs, identifying leadership advocates for such programs, better information dissemination regarding such programs to employees, and collection and evaluation of data on work-life programs. —DAVID TOBENKIN IS A FREELANCE WRITER BASED IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA.

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WHAT’S YOUR

STORY Maximizing Grassroots Impact Through Strategic Storytelling BY GINA KIM

There’s a story in popular culture that you’ve likely come across quite a few times. It’s the story of a farmer—no, a boy—orphaned by the passing of his mother in childbirth and the treachery of his father, destined for a life greater than the one he knew. After studying under the tutelage of some extraordinary teachers, he leaves his simple life behind and slowly uncovers both the power and the horror of his lineage as he comes of age. Now a man, he must face the unsavory truth of his ancestry head-on, by redeeming his dishonored father and stopping a great evil. By now, you may know that the orphaned boy is none other than Luke Skywalker, son of the man who was “supposed to destroy the Sith, not join them.” The reason you knew which story I was referring to was not because I did a good job of telling it, but because George Lucas made the story quite easy for me to tell, and for you to remember. W W W. N A R F E . O R G

WHAT’S YOUR STORY Maximizing Grassroots Impact Through Strategic Storytelling

Why Stories are Compelling

In today’s information-driven environment, grassroots advocates must cut through an overcrowded space to reach the decision-makers holding the reins on their policy priorities. At National Journal, we’ve learned that the most effective advocates use stories to persuade and secure support from their lawmakers. Legislators are often extremely pressed for time, making it even more crucial that each interaction with them counts. While our inclination might be to focus on the facts, with painstakingly drafted white papers and well-curated bulleted lists, these formats are ill-suited to gain and keep the attention of any human mind, particularly that of a tremendously busy lawmaker. Moreover, when we lead with logic, argumentation and dispute often follow. Just think about it: How many times have you made an argument that someone then tried to turn around and use to argue against your position? On the other hand, cleverly crafted stories allow advocates to have memorable interactions and rapidly establish rapport with legislators, all while adding a human element to policies which might otherwise seem like strictly economic issues. Stories are compelling vehicles for a number of reasons. A fully developed story structure causes us to focus our attention, retain more information, connect emotionally and drop our guard, consequently allowing us to better empathize and making us more willing to act [1]. While data, statistics, and bullet points have their place, a well-crafted story can be a powerful (and more memorable) tool for grassroots advocates hoping to bring attention to and rally support for a particular policy stance. Research around advertising and marketing underscores the power of storytelling and its effect on audiences’ decisionmaking: A consumer’s emotional response to an ad can double—or triple—their intent to buy that product. Likewise, Psychology Today [2] says a study of Super Bowl commercials found those following a five-act dramatic form were more 34

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memorable and rated more favorably than ads that opted for fewer acts. This is not to say that statistics cannot inspire action. Quesenberry and Coolsen’s “What Makes a Super Bowl Ad Super?” [3] believes that seamlessly integrating data points into a structured story can help ground the narrative while retaining its emotional value.

Key Elements of a Story

We sometimes confuse stories with testimonials or other forms of narrative discourse. While the content of these forms often does overlap, a story differs in that it focuses on one individual and how they navigated one particular challenge. Formats like testimonials, recaps and profiles often describe a series of events or characters, bringing attention to an individual or organization, rather than to a central conflict. A grassroots advocate’s story, however, uses this conflict to tie policy back to its real-life impact on individual constituents. According to Jack Hart’s “Story Craft: The Complete Guide to Narrative Nonfiction” [4], a story is composed of five key components: our character (a person or community), their goal, the conflict they face in achieving it, the plot that details their efforts and, lastly, a resolution, which in Washington often translates into a call to action. A good story raises the quality of these five components, using a relatable character in a situation with meaningful stakes and emotion, presented in a well-articulated and well-paced manner. Classic story structures follow a familiar pattern. In the exposition, we meet our character and become familiar with their experience, and action rises as he or she confronts obstacles in setting out to reach their goal. The plot builds to a climax, after which action falls, the conflict comes to a resolution, and the tale is connected to a broader moral message or call to action. Stories from that of Luke Skywalker to your favorite Super Bowl LII ad follow this tried and true structure, and the results speak for themselves.

Telling Stories in Washington

While there is indeed a formula for successful storytelling, not all stories are created equal. In Washington, it takes much more than a narrative arc to make a difference. A good story in Washington goes beyond the basic components of both a story and a good story, and is tailored for the particular purpose of influencing an audience inundated with messages. Because we’re often focused on connecting with a single lawmaker, our stories do not need to be relatable for everyone, but they must speak to an individual policymaker’s values, experiences and beliefs. That’s where the power of grassroots advocate stories can come into play. As grassroots advocates, sharing stories of your personal experiences in your own districts can deepen rapport with your audience and invoke a level of authenticity that telling someone else’s story often cannot. These stories guide decision-makers to a policy stance by reflecting the human aspects of policy proposals, describ-

“The most effective messages are ones that go beyond economic impact and talk about the impact that they are having on people’s everyday lives. I’m not discounting the economics but the human element is more memorable.” —Chief of Staff, House of Representatives

ing its impact on everyday life and evoking the appropriate emotions. Descriptive language and a structured narrative form allow policymakers to get involved in the story by activating and engaging the senses, channeling all of the relevant emotions to a policy position before closing with a call to action [1].

Conventional Five–Part Dramatic Structure Still Most Effective Model For Storytelling Climax

Rising Action

Falling Action Resolution

Exposition

Beginning

Midpoint

End TIME W W W. N A R F E . O R G

WHAT’S YOUR STORY Maximizing Grassroots Impact Through Strategic Storytelling

Linking Stories to Policy Decisions

A call to action explicitly places the policy front and center. It says, “The story of Luke Skywalker from District 2 matters for this reason, and enacting policy Z will help Luke bring balance to the force,” the implication being that policymakers from District 2 should support policy Z, and consequently their constituent Luke. The audience laughs, cries and votes to pass policy Z, thereby bringing balance to the force and invigorating District 2. And while all issues aren’t as high profile and clear-cut as the struggle between the Jedi and the Sith, a well-delivered story will simplify what might seem like a complex battle of institutions and economics, to a conversation about the wellbeing of a given policymaker’s constituents. By meeting Luke, a working-class young man from a rural town in District 2, and traversing with him as he sets out on an noble journey and faces seemingly insurmountable odds, policymakers in District 2 who grew up in the same town or attended the same place of worship empathize with Luke and his all too familiar story, and are charged to take action. Similarly, an organization’s grassroots advocates are well positioned to present diverse yet representative narratives affirming the value of their community to their lawmakers, who will subsequently factor in those experiences when evaluating the pros and cons of a policy decision. While it may seem a daunting mission, crafting a compelling story is a relatively simple task. Start by establishing your five major components. Ask yourself, “Who are you relative to your audience?” “What aspects of your experience connect you to that single listener, the lawmaker or congressional staffer you’re trying to engage?” Next, establish your goal and the implications associated with achieving it. Discuss the conflict keeping you from reaching that goal and how you are attempting to reach it in spite of the conflict. Lastly, discuss your resolution: how have you changed? What have you learned? If you’re looking to spur activity, what’s your call to action? 36

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“Having an effective storyteller is really important. It adds a lot of value to a discussion and can compel a member of Congress to support something… or not support something.” —Legislative Director, House of Representatives

How can your audience make a difference for the countless other constituents with stories similar to yours? Now that you’ve got your story, practice it! Know exactly what you’re going to say, and test your story with a trusted audience—one that will ask questions and provide feedback that will help you fine-tune your structure, language and delivery. But don’t over-practice either—nothing can quash a great, thoughtful story like a robotic delivery. Your story is a powerful tool with the potential to leave a lasting impression on your audience. And remember, at the center of any good policy story is an individual: you. —GINA KIM IS CHIEF ANALYTICS OFFICER AT NATIONAL JOURNAL CITATIONS [1] ZAK, PAUL J. “HOW STORIES CHANGE THE BRAIN.” GREATER GOOD MAGAZINE. HTTP://GREATERGOOD.BERKELEY.EDU; SAPOLSKY, ROBERT. “THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON METAPHORS,” THE NEW YORK TIMES 14 NOVEMBER, 2010: OPINIONATOR BLOG; PAUL, ANNIE MURPHY. “THE NEUROSCIENCE OF YOUR BRAIN ON FICTION,” THE NEW YORK TIMES 17 MARCH, 2012: SUNDAY REVIEW - OPINION. [2] MURRAY, PETER NOEL. “HOW EMOTIONS INFLUENCE WHAT WE BUY,” PSYCHOLOGY TODAY. 26 FEBRUARY, 2013. HTTPS://BIT.LY/2RJDALB [3] QUESENBERRY, KEITH AND COOLSEN, MICHAEL “WHAT MAKES A SUPER BOWL AD SUPER? FIVE-ACT DRAMATIC FORM AFFECTS CONSUMER SUPER BOWL ADVERTISING RATINGS,” JOURNAL OF MARKETING THEORY AND PRACTICE, 22:4, 437-454, DOI, 2014. [4] HART, JACK. STORY CRAFT: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO NARRATIVE NONFICTION. UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESS, 2011.

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—the New Online Portal to Federal Government History BY JUDSON MACLAURY

This past March, the Society for History in the Federal Government (SHFG) unveiled its new website, “History at the Federal Government.” Known as History@fedgov for short, the new site is a portal to more than 260 histories of the departments and agencies of the federal government, covering all three branches. It includes every known federal history page, with more to be added as they are discovered.

W W W. N A R F E . O R G

—the New Online Portal to Federal Government History

History@fedgov is a hub linking more than 60 webpages of rich historical resources, ranging from the Library of Congress and the National Archives to numerous specialized collections housed online by individual government agencies. These collections include government records, manuscript collections, historical publications, photographs and other images, sound recordings and information about historical and cultural sites. This list of specialized collections is just the beginning. It is expected that many more will be added in the near future, making History@fedgov a comprehensive source, not just about the history of the federal government but for the historical resources provided. The new website provides an easy-to-use format for navigating the complex federal government. Nowhere else on the web are the histories of hundreds of federal agencies linked in one convenient portal. It covers most of the wellknown agencies that serve the American people, including many for which NARFE members have worked. Yet many agencies are not included because they have not yet provided their own histories online. SHFG hopes that History@

Nowhere else on the web are the histories of hundreds of federal agencies linked in one convenient portal. 40

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fedgov will encourage them to develop their own history pages. Another major goal of the project is to develop teaching and learning resources for use in K-12 schools, with specially produced historical pamphlets and material from federal historical webpages. The website was developed jointly by this author and an able group of hard-working volunteers. It consists of a landing page that allows users to scroll through historical resources and many of the history links. Due to the sheer bulk of the executive branch, its 250 history pages are listed separately on a subpage, just a click away from the main page. In addition, there is a page with suggestions for study and research for students or adults investigating the history of their government.

Recent elections have highlighted a long-term trend of public ignorance about the government and of negative propaganda denigrating government programs and agencies. Discussion of government had been ceded to nonexperts and to those with opinions, but not many facts. This resulted in the distortion of federal policy making in increasingly negative ways. Concern about the shortage of informed public discourse was reflected in remarks Sen. Ben Sasse, R-NE, made at Senate hearings back in January 2017. Sen. Sasse lamented the lack of basic civics education in the nation’s schools, including even the names of the branches of government. He deplored the lack of civic engagement among adults and declared “we have a crisis in this country of civic ignorance.” One way to address this crisis would be to make a special outreach effort to get information and historical facts out to the public. One defini-

tion of outreach is “the extending of services or assistance beyond current or usual limits.” How could SHFG reach out to assist federal historians and promote their work to the public? The author proposed that SHFG assist in a systematic way of organizing and distributing knowledge about the federal government [to the public], and particularly to the K-12 education system. The SHFG leadership agreed to the general idea and went beyond it. Dispensing with

the one-year planning period, they authorized establishment of an outreach task group and appointed the author chair of the group. They requested that it prepare an action plan to send out as soon as possible to the SHFG membership for advice and approval, followed by an expedited implementation. The following able and experienced group of historical practitioners were assembled: Carl Ashley (State Department), Christine Blackerby (National Archives), Elizabeth Charles (State Department), Lee Ann Potter

Go to shfg.org/history-at-fedgov then click the “About” page (link is just below the main image). To assure that you get the most out of your experience, be sure to read all the introductory texts. Keep in mind that many agency history pages also contain historical materials. Be sure to visit the “Educational Resources” page for ideas on points to look for and think about in the histories.

W W W. N A R F E . O R G

—the New Online Portal to Federal Government History

(Library of Congress), Michael Reis (History Associates, Inc.), Don Ritchie (former Senate Historian), and Marc Rothenberg (Smithsonian Institution.) After assembling the task group, the author began combing through the Government Manual and compiled a list of 150 agency histories. This became the core of a members-only beta website that was unveiled in October 2017. It also included a listing of federal historical research resources.

During development of the beta version, it was decided that outreach needed to develop partnerships with organizations who shared SHFG’s goals. The first organization was the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE). SHFG shares with NARFE a commitment to the federal government and a desire to better inform the public about its employees and its history. NARFE is listed as an official partner. It was then time to upgrade the beta version and create the finished public website. SHFG members raised questions about calling the site an outreach page and weren’t clear on what that meant. They agreed that it needed something more specific to history and came up with the name “History at the Federal Government.” This conveyed well the two kinds of federal history pages linked: agency history pages and historical resources for research and investigation. Digging further in USA.gov and other sources turned up another 100-plus agency history pages. They were then filed under existing categories (Cabinet Departments, Independent Agencies, Legislative Branch, etc.) Members called for fewer clicks to reach the history links and more attention to design. In response, a more simplified structure was developed. 42

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SHFG feels the future is bright for this project. It will provide benefits in better informing young and old alike about their

federal government.

The website was launched March 23, 2018, at the beginning of the 2018 SHFG annual conference in Shepherdstown, WV. On the second day of the conference, the author and task force members Michael Reis, Elizabeth Charles, and Daniel Holt unveiled the website before a packed room of enthusiastic federal historians. Several came forward to become involved and have contributed to the ongoing effort. SHFG feels the future is bright for this project. It will provide benefits in better informing young and old alike about their federal government. Perhaps citizens and newcomers alike will be inspired to trust their government and even consider a career working for Uncle Sam. —JUDSON MACLAURY IS THE RETIRED HISTORIAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND A LONG-TIME MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY FOR HISTORY IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE SOCIETY PARTNERS WITH NARFE MAGAZINE TO CREATE THE MONTHLY FEATURE “THE WAY WE WORKED.”

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Managing Money

TAX IMPLICATIONS OF TSP WITHDRAWALS

hen you take a withdrawal from your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), it must withhold a minimum percentage for federal income tax

from the taxable portion of certain types of payments. Unfortunately, many TSP participants mistakenly believe the amount the TSP withholds is equal to the actual tax liability on their TSP payment. The result is often an unpleasant surprise come tax time. The amount of mandatory withholding depends on the type of payment you receive from your TSP: eligible rollover distributions, periodic payments, or nonperiodic payments. In most cases, the withholding rate for eligible rollover distributions, which include age-based in-service withdrawals, a single payment full withdrawal, and partial withdrawals, is 20 percent. Periodic payments, which are monthly payments, have a withholding rate based on married with three dependents. Nonperiodic payments, which include hardship withdrawals and required minimum distributions (except when taken as monthly payments based on life expectancy, or monthly payments expected to last 10 or more years, in which case, are treated as periodic payments), have a mandatory 10 percent withholding. When electing a withdrawal from your TSP, you may increase the mandatory with-

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holding from most types of payments, but it’s only with periodic payments that you have the option to decrease the federal tax withholding. Take note, the mandatory withholding only applies to payments paid directly to a TSP participant. If you’re electing to have the payment transferred to another retirement plan, such as an IRA, there is no mandatory withholding. Unless you like heart-attackinducing surprises, it’s important to understand the mandatory federal withholding is not equal to the actual amount of federal tax you will owe on your withdrawal. While it’s possible the real tax rate owed on the withdrawal will be less, it’s more likely it will be higher. Most tax-related surprises present themselves when TSP participants take an eligible rollover withdrawal, such as an in-service withdrawal or a partial withdrawal. Problems lurk here, because in many cases,

BY MARK A. KEEN,

CFP®

TSP participants are taking large withdrawals, which if taxable, can push TSP participants into higher tax brackets. Let’s take a look at an example to see how a large TSP withdrawal will ultimately be taxed. We’ll assume Jim, age 62 and a single tax filer, wants to take a $200,000 age-based in-service withdrawal from his TSP (consisting of only traditional money) to buy and renovate a home he plans to retire to the following year. Jim was told there would be a 20 percent federal withholding, so he increased the withdrawal to $250,000 to provide him with the $200,000 he needs after the tax withholding. Jim assumed the $50,000 withholding would cover his federal tax liability, but to his dismay, he discovered he owed an additional $30,000 in Federal taxes when he filed his tax return the following April. What happened? To answer this, we have to understand the U.S. tax system is a progressive tax system – meaning, tax rates rise as income increases. For example, the tax brackets for single filers are:

BENEFITS RESOURCES NARFE offers members a wide range of information on federal benefits. Visit www. narfe.org/federalbenefits and www.narfe.org/ FederalBenefitsInstitute.

As we can see from the tax brackets for single filers, taxable income up to $9,525 is taxed at 10 percent; taxable income between $9,525 and $38,700 is taxed at 12 percent; taxable income between $38,700 and $82,500 is taxed at 22 percent; and so on. Although the mandatory withholding on Jim’s in-service withdrawal is 20 percent, there is no 20 percent tax rate. The actual tax rate owed on a TSP withdrawal ultimately depends on the total of all tax-

able income recognized in the year of the withdrawal. In Jim’s case, not only did his existing $100,000 of taxable income mean he would owe a minimum of 24 percent on any TSP withdrawal, but the size of the withdrawal pushed him two tax brackets higher. As a result, the first $57,500 of Jim’s TSP withdrawal was taxed at 24 percent; the next $42,500 was taxed at 32 percent; and the remaining $150,000 was taxed at 35 percent. Applying these tax rates, the total tax liability on Jim’s TSP withdrawal was $79,900, which is equal to an average tax rate of 32 percent – 12 percent more than the mandatory withholding. If you plan on taking a large TSP withdrawal, seek guidance first, or you may get heart-stopping news come tax time. MARK A. KEEN, CFP®, IS PARTNER, KEEN & POCOCK, AND AN INVESTMENT ADVISER REPRESENTATIVE AND REGISTERED PRINCIPAL OF THE STRATEGIC FINANCIAL ALLIANCE, INC. (SFA). SECURITIES AND ADVISORY SERVICES ARE OFFERED THROUGH SFA.

W W W. N A R F E . O R G

2018

G FUND

F FUND

C FUND

S FUND

I FUND

MAY

0.24%

0.73%

2.41%

4.85%

-2.13%

APRIL

0.23%

-0.73%

0.38%

0.28%

2.01%

MARCH

0.24%

0.65%

-2.55%

0.69%

-0.76%

YTD

1.13%

-1.46%

2.00%

5.26%

-1.25%

1 YEAR

2.48%

-0.26%

14.35%

18.55%

8.36%

3 YEAR*

2.18%

1.66%

11.00%

9.96%

4.71%

5 YEAR*

2.18%

2.36%

13.03%

12.39%

6.46%

10 YEAR*

2.35%

3.97%

9.19%

9.94%

2.39%

L 2020

L 2030

L 2040

L 2050

*ANNUALIZED

2018

L INCOME MAY

0.50%

0.66%

0.98%

1.13%

1.26%

APRIL

0.30%

0.36%

0.55%

0.62%

0.69%

-0.08%

-0.33%

-0.78%

-0.96%

-1.11%

YTD

1.13%

1.16%

1.32%

1.36%

1.42%

1 YEAR

4.46%

6.26%

8.94%

10.14%

11.27%

3 YEAR*

3.66%

4.79%

6.49%

7.20%

7.81%

5 YEAR*

4.08%

6.24%

7.96%

8.87%

9.67%

10 YEAR*

3.83%

5.13%

6.13%

6.60%

N/A

MARCH

*ANNUALIZED

RETURNS are net of the effect of accrued administrative expenses and investment expenses/costs. Source: TSP (For additional monthly returns, go to www.tsp.gov.) G Fund: Government securities (specially issued to the TSP) F Fund: Government, corporate and mortgage-backed bonds C Fund: Stocks of large- and medium-size U.S. companies S Fund: Stocks of small- to medium-size U.S. companies (not included in the C Fund) I Fund: International stocks of 21 developed countries L Fund: (Lifecycle) Invested in the G, F, C, S and I Funds (The proportion of L Fund balance invested in each of the individual TSP funds depends on the L Fund chosen.)

OPM RETIREMENT CLAIMS PROCESSING STATUS

2017

’18

For the Record

STOCK PRICES RISE, REFLECTED BY STRONG ECONOMY

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN FUND RETURNS

Claims Received

Inventory Monthly FYTD (Steady State Average Processing Average Processing is 13,000) Time in Days Time in Days

APRIL 6,581 18,932 MAY 5,548 16,140 JUNE 6,141 14,530 JULY 10,070 17,091 AUGUST 7,136 17,125 SEPTEMBER 8,810 16,828 OCTOBER 8,850 18,860 NOVEMBER 5,572 19,294 DECEMBER 5,568 14,515 JANUARY 14,590 20,467 FEBRUARY 13,290 24,225 MARCH 7,767 18,730 APRIL 8,390 17,489

72 71 68 67 65 62 64 68 60 63 46 49 58

67 67 67 67 67 67 64 66 63 63 59 57 57

PLEASE NOTE that this report is new, with the addition of monthly/FYTD processing time in days, to be more in line with the OPM 60-day processing goal. l Source: OPM 46

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The U.S. stock market’s solid gains likely reflected the continued strong economy and corporate earnings growth and a hope that interest rates would not rise quickly, even as a backdrop of geopolitical and trade issues intermittently raised concerns. Both the C Fund and the S Fund moved higher. International markets did not perform as well and were further hindered by the dollar’s rise. The I Fund’s results were negative. Interest rates moved lower, contributing to the F fund’s gains. All of the L Funds’ returns were positive.

—BY SEAN MCCAFFREY, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN

COUNTDOWN TO COLA

he Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 0.47 percent in April 2018. To calculate the 2019 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the indices of July, August and September 2018 will be averaged and compared with the 2017 thirdquarter average of 239.668. The percentage increase determines the COLA. April’s index, 244.607, is up 2.06 percent from the base. Benefits awarded under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) to individuals suffering work-related injuries or illnesses are adjusted according to each calendar year’s percentage change in the CPI-W. April’s index is 1.7 percent higher than the December 2017 base index of 240.526. The CPI represents purchases of food and beverages, housing, apparel, transportation, medical care, recreation, education and communication, and other goods and services. Included are various government fees, such as water charges, auto registration fees, and sales and excise taxes.

MONTH

CPI-W

OCTOBER 2017

240.573

NOVEMBER DECEMBER

Monthly % Change

% Change from 239.668

-0.15

0.38

240.666

0.04

0.42

240.526

-0.06

0.36

JANUARY 2018

241.919

0.58

0.94

FEBRUARY

242.988

0.44

1.39

MARCH

243.463

0.20

1.58

APRIL

244.607

0.47

2.06

MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER

Donate to NARFE Programs Support Alzheimer’s Research

YOUR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION IS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.

WRITE YOUR CHAPTER NUMBER ON CHECK; MAKE IT PAYABLE TO: NARFE-Alzheimer’s Research

Enclosed is my NARFE-Alzheimer’s contribution: $ Every cent that is contributed is used for research. Please circle: Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms. AND MAIL TO: Name: Alzheimer’s Association Address: 225 N. Michigan Ave., 17th Floor City: State: ZIP: Chicago, IL 60601-7633 Chapter Number: Credit Card Information: MasterCard VISA NARFE MEMBERS CONTRIBUTED FOR If you have any questions, write to: Discover AMEX ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH: $13 Million Fund NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIR Card Number: Olivia Williams, 22 Garden Springs Road Expiration Date: (mm)/ (yy) Columbia, SC 29209 *Total as of May 31, 2018 3-Digit Security Code: 100% of all contributed funds go to Name: (please print) EMAIL: oeashf3@bellsouth.net

$12,704,188.98* Alzheimer’s research.

Signature

Join the Silver CIrcle CLIP THIS CONTRIBUTION FORM AND MAIL TO: NARFE Silver Circle 606 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314

•For a contribution of $25 or more, you will receive a Silver Circle pin, and your name will be listed in narfe magazine with other contributors. •For a contribution of $1,000 or more, your name will be placed on the “Wall of Fame” at NARFE Headquarters.

YOUR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION IS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.

Enclosed is my Silver Circle contribution: $ ID # (ID # may be found on your narfe magazine label or your NARFE membership card)

Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: Silver Circle contributions are NOT deductible for federal income tax purposes.

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PLEASE MAIL COUPON AND CHECK TO: FEEA 1641 Prince St. Alexandria, VA 22314

All donations go to the NARFE General Fund to support NARFE programs and operations.

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(Please make check payable to NARFE Silver Circle.)

Please charge my credit card Card type MasterCard VISA Discover AMEX Card Number: Expiration Date: (mm)/ (yy) Name: (please print)

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MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: NARFE-FEEA Disaster Fund or NARFE-FEEA Scholarship Fund.

Date

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Date

I would like to help with my contribution.

Scholarships are available to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of federal civilian retirees and current federal employees who are NARFE members. NARFE-FEEA Disaster Fund NARFE-FEEA Scholarship Fund

Amount: $ Amount: $

Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: To make credit card contributions, visit NARFE Scholarships at www.feea.org/givenarfeschol or NARFE Disaster Relief at www.feea.org/givenarferelief.

NARFE News

DID YOU KNOW THAT...

NARFE ACROSS THE COUNTRY

ver the past three months, NARFE Headquarters staff had the pleasure of meeting with members across the country while speaking at more than 30 federation conferences and leading presentations electronically as well. “I was very impressed by NARFE members’ enthusiasm to become more interested in the variety of ways to reach new members and grow chapters,” said Monica Williams, deputy director of marketing and member resources. Williams presented at the Alaska Federation conference April 13-15 in Juneau and conducted an online update for the Washington Federation conference on May 17.

Alaska Federation President Malin Babcock conducts an informal tour of the DIPAC hatchery

NARFE’s Staff Vice President of Advocacy Jessica Klement attended federation meetings in Virginia, New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, Maine, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, providing updates on legislative accomplishments and current proposals making the rounds through Congress, the White House and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). As retirement benefits continue to be threatened, Klement advised attendees not to sit idly by 48

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NARFE’s popular webinars are available online within 48 hours of the original broadcast. Access the recordings now at www.narfe. org/member/federalbenefitsinstitute (login required). You can also download transcripts of the Q&A sessions and view the slides from the programs. NARFE’s Federal Benefits Institute helps you take charge of your benefits!

as our leaders debate changes to the earned pay and benefits of the federal community. She reiterated that taking action is easy through the NARFE Legislative Action Center. Barb Sido, front left, attends the NC Federation Convention in Hickory, NC

Molly Checksfield and Oregon Federation President Linda Silverio

In addition to touching on legislation, staff also addressed the importance of grassroots involvement at the local level in the larger political process. “Our members are why we do what we do,” said Molly Checksfield, grassroots program manager. “It’s rewarding to get out there and hear directly from the people who are the driving force behind NARFE.” Checksfield led presentations at the North Dakota, Oregon and Vermont Federation meetings throughout May, and several additional electronic presentations. NARFE’s Deputy Director of the Federal Benefits Institute James Marshall engaged with diverse audiences at the New York and Massachusetts Federations meetings on the full spectrum of earned benefits. “From seasoned professionals who are leading members in the field to active nonmember Feds who are considering NARFE membership, there was something new for everyone to learn about re-

tirement benefits, and no questions went unanswered,” he said. Members also expressed excitement about FEDcon18 and were eager to discuss the NARFE Next initiative and how NARFE will position itself more relevant and strong entering into and extending beyond the centennial in 2021. Seeking input from members on prototypes of new programs, products and services, NARFE’s Executive Director Barb Sido noted the enthusiasm from members on NARFE’s future. “It’s one thing to see NARFE staff full of energy as we put on FEDcon18 and develop new ways of adding value to the federal community; it’s another to see excitement on the faces of members who are eager to learn about topics within federal benefits, advocacy, leadership, and professional and lifestyle development.” Sido spoke at the South Carolina, Virginia, Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina, Washington and Michigan Federations conferences in April and May. “Feds work hard to serve and protect the American people, and we’re thrilled to provide them with dynamic new learning and advancement opportunities.”

Active and Retired Federal Employees ...

Join NARFE Today!

The only organization dedicated solely to protecting and preserving the benefits of all federal workers and retirees, NARFE informs you of any developments and proposals that affect your compensation, retirement and health benefits, AND provides clear answers to your questions.

Who Should Join the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association? If your future security is tied to federal retirement benefits – federal retirees, current employees, spouses and individual survivors – you should join NARFE.

NARFE MEMBER BENEFITS

• • • • •

Get monthly issues of narfe magazine with news and insights for the federal community. Access the NARFE Federal Benefits Institute for powerful resources to help you fully understand and manage your benefits. Visit the Legislative Action Center to contact your representatives about bills affecting federal benefits. Visit the Member Perks page for a full listing of the many time-, money- and hassle-saving benefits available only to NARFE members. The opportunity to get involved at the local level by joining a chapter in your area. 1Q6

N A RFE M EM B E R SH I P A PPL I C AT I O N q YES. I want to join NARFE for the low annual dues of $40. q Mr. q Mrs. q Miss q Ms.

____________________________________________________

Full Name

____________________________________________________

Street Address

____________________________________________________

Apt./Unit

____________________________________________________

City

State

ZIP

____________________________________________________

Phone

____________________________________________________

I am a (check all that apply) q Active Federal Employee q Active Federal Employee Spouse q Annuitant

q Annuitant Spouse q Survivor Annuitant

q Please enroll my spouse _______________________________________________

Spouse’s Full Name

_______________________________________________ Spouse’s Email

THREE EASY WAYS TO JOIN 1. Complete this application and mail with your payment to NARFE / Member Records / 606 N. Washington St. / Alexandria, VA 22314-1914

2. Join online at www.narfe.org. 3. Call 800-456-8410, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

PAYMENT OPTIONS q Check, Money Order or Bill Pay (Payable to NARFE) q Bill me (NARFE membership will start when payment is received.) q Charge my: q MasterCard

q VISA q Discover

q AMEX

_________________________________________________ Card No. Expiration Date _____ /________ mm

yyyy

_________________________________________________ Name on Card _________________________________________________ Signature _________________________________________________ Date

TOTAL DUES $40 Annual Dues X ___________ = ___________ Per Person # Enrolling Total Dues Dues payments are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Looking to meet others in the federal community and participate in NARFE at a local level? Call 800-456-8410 to learn about a NARFE chapter in your area. Or, if known, add Chapter # to join now ________________

MAY WE THANK SOMEONE? If applicable, please provide the name, membership and chapter number of the member who introduced you to NARFE: _________________________________________________ Recruiter’s Name _________________________________________________ Recruiter’s Membership ID _________________________________________________ Recruiter’s Chapter Number

NARFE respects the privacy of our members. Personal information is used to provide content and relevant communications to our members, and will not be sold or rented to third parties without your express permission.

NARFE News

NARFE New Staff and Promotions

ARFE announces the addition of a key staff member in Communications, and a promotion in the Advocacy department. Please join us in welcoming them to their new positioms.

HELEN MOSHER has been named NARFE staff vice president of communications. She will be responsible for NARFE Magazine as well as the communications department. She is an award-winning association magazine editor and digital media strategist, having led the charge into social media and digital communications with AFCEA International. Prior to that, she

was an accomplished writer at the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and at Temple University’s Office of University Relations. Over the course of her career, in addition to magazine editing and publishing as well as other traditional media, she has been supervising web redesigns for nearly 20 years, and much of her experience is steeped in feature writing and content development for membership organizations.

ROSS APTER has been named NARFE’s political associate. Previously, Apter was advocacy associate.

In this role, he will serve as a go-to resource for questions and concerns relating to NARFE-PAC. In his time with NARFE, he has demonstrated a great understanding of NARFE’s legislative priorities and has been able to simplify complex issues for NARFE members to earn their trust and appreciation. Always willing to take on new challenges, Ross continually puts forth new ideas and collaborates with those both within and outside of the Advocacy department. From the Hotline and Voter Voice to the website and social media, Ross has greatly aided in advancing the cause of the NARFE mission.

NARFE NATIONAL LIFE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION National Life Membership offers a hedge against future dues increases and affirms a member’s ongoing support of NARFE’s mission to serve federal employees and retirees. National dues are paid for life; applicable chapter dues are billed annually.

CONTACT INFORMATION o Mr. o Mrs. o Miss o Ms. Full Name _____________________________________________ Street Address _________________________________________ Apt./Unit ______________________________________________ City _______________________ State _____ ZIP _____________ Phone (__________) ____________________________________ Email ________________________________________________ Date of Birth _____ /_____ /_________ dd

yyyy

Recruiter ID # (if applicable) _______________________________ Chapter Number (if applicable) ____________________________ (call 800-456-8410 for chapter information) MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION Member Number: _______________________________________ (New members) Membership is open to civilians in any agency of the federal or D.C. (before Oct. 1, 1987) governments eligible for a federal annuity.

Thank you for becoming a National Member for Life. You will receive a membership card, certificate and special lapel pin. Please allow six weeks for processing. Dues payments & gift contributions to NARFE are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.

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I am a (check all that apply)

o Active Federal Employee o Active Federal Employee Spouse

o Annuitant o Annuitant Spouse o Survivor Annuitant

Life Membership Fee Schedule Ages 30-39 40-50 51-55 56-60 61-65 66-70 71-75 76-80 81-90 91-100+

Single or Quarterly Payment Installments $1,796 $450.25 1,408 353.25 1,127 283.00 960 241.25 801 201.50 653 164.50 514 129.75 392 99.25 251 64.00 127 33.00

PAYMENT INFORMATION o Single Payment or o Quarterly Installments (4 payments) Life Membership fee amount: $ _____________________ PAYMENT OPTIONS o Check or Money Order (Payable to NARFE) o Charge my: o MasterCard o VISA o Discover o American Express Card No. _________________________________________ Expiration Date _____ /_______ mm

yyyy

Name on Card _____________________________________ Signature ________________________ Date ___________ MAIL THIS APPLICATION TO NARFE Member Records 606 N. Washington St. / Alexandria, VA 22314-1914

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NARFE Insurance Services 800-233-5764 www.narfeinsurance.com Designed exclusively for NARFE members, plans administered by Mercer Health & Benefits Administration LLC: Group Term Life Insurance, Senior Age Whole Life Insurance, Senior Term Life Insurance, Group Hospital Income Insurance, Hospital Income and ShortTerm Recovery Insurance, and Pet Insurance.

FEDERAL EMPLOYEE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR

Starr Wright 800-424-9801 StarrWrightUSA.fepla.com/ NARFE PROTECT YOURSELF and YOUR CAREER ... Introducing Special Federal EMPLOYEES and CONTRACTORS Professional Liability Insurance with a NARFE DISCOUNT. Starr Wright USA is offering up to $2,000,000 of coverage including LEOSA coverage. Congress has legislated up to 50% reimbursement from Agencies for qualified EMPLOYEES and we even offer CONTRACTORS coverage too! Visit https:// secure.fepla.com for more information.

transportation and full-value coverage against damages. Please mention you are a NARFE member.

MiniMoves 800-300-6683 MiniMoves is America’s only national mover exclusively focused on small shipments; a piece, a room or a full condo. There’s no minimum weight charge. Our binding quote helps you plan your move with confidence. Member discount - $25 off 500 pounds; $50 off larger moves. Use code 1292.

Wheaton World Wide Moving 800-248-7960 narfe@wvlcorp.com At Wheaton, we know interstate relocating is much more than trucks and boxes. Moving is not simply an address change. It’s a life change. With a network of top-quality agents throughout the United States, Wheaton provides peace of mind with every relocation. We offer you, as a NARFE member, benefits to help you have a positive interstate relocation experience. Call today and mention you are a NARFE member to start the moving process.

PRODUCTS

MOVING SERVICES

fice needs. Shop online or in any Office Depot or OfficeMax store. Enjoy FREE next-day delivery on online orders over $50! Visit www.officediscounts. org/narfe to shop online or print off a FREE Store Purchasing Card or call 855.337.6811 x 2897 to place your order over the phone.

Purchasing Power 866-670-3479 purchasingpower.com/NARFE With Purchasing Power, thousands of brand-name products are within reach. As members of NARFE, you can buy today and pay over time through payroll or annuity allotment. Choose from the latest computers, appliances, vacation packages and more. Never worry about hidden fees, credit checks or interest. Pay over 6 or 12 months, and you’re done. Save 5% with code NARFEVIP.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Verizon FiOS www.narfe.org/memberperks NARFE members can save up to $10 a month on a new qualifying Triple Play bundle with Verizon Fios Internet, TV and home phone service – savings of up to $120 per year. This exclusive onlineonly savings is only available to new Verizon customers or those upgrading to the Triple Play Package.

TRAVEL

Bekins Van Lines 800-456-6832 narfe@bekins.com All NARFE members will receive contracted pricing for all interstate shipments. This will apply to packing, 54

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Office Depot and OfficeMax 855-337-6811, extension 2897 www.officediscounts.org/ narfe Office Depot and OfficeMax are one company! NARFE Members can save up to 80% on over 93,000 products. Great for your printing, cleaning and of-

Alamo 800-462-5266 www.alamo.com Drive Happy® with Alamo® where

NARFE members receive year-round discounts. Call or visit our website today and reference Contract ID 262544.

Avis Car Rental 800-633-3469 www.avis.com Avis Car Rental is one of the world’s best-known car rental brands with approximately 5,500 locations in more than 165 countries. Avis has a long history of innovation in the car rental industry and is one of the world’s top brands for customer loyalty. Call or book your reservation now at Avis.com using the NARFE AWD number A701900.

Budget Car Rental 800-218-7992 www.budget.com Budget Car rental was founded in 1958 for the “budget-minded” renter. Today, with approximately 3,500 locations around the world, Budget is a leading rental car supplier now offering discounts to members of NARFE. Call or book your reservation now at Budget. com using the NARFE BCD number D871500.

Choice Hotels International 800-258-2847 www.choicehotels.com With 6,400 hotels in the United States and throughout the world, Choice Hotels® offers something for everyone. As a NARFE member, receive 20% off your next stay at participating hotels when you use Special Rate ID 00801967. This offer is subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offer. Advance reservations required through phone number or website above; cannot be redeemed at individual hotels. Choice Hotels brands are: Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites and more.

WELLNESS

National 800-CAR-RENT www.nationalcarrental.com You Drive A Hard Bargain. Receive up to 20% off rentals at National Car Rental. To make a reservation, call National Car Rental at 1-800-CARRENT® and reference Contract ID 5282909. For complete terms and conditions, visit www.narfe.org/ memberperks.

Wyndham Hotel Group 877-670-7088 NARFE members receive up to 20% off the “Best Available Rate” at participating locations. Call and give the agent your special discount ID number, 8000002694, at time of booking to receive discount. Call to reserve your room today at one of these fine hotels: Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Days Inn, Ramada Inn, Microtel Inns and Suites and more. Advance reservations required through phone number above; cannot be redeemed at individual hotels.

Wyndham Extra Holidays 800-428-1932 www.extraholidays.com Excellent service and the finest comforts are standards you can always rely on with Wyndham Extra Holidays. With more spacious floor plans than a regular hotel, you can enjoy a One-, Two- or Three-Bedroom suite with separate living areas and partial or fully equipped kitchens. Please use promo code 8000002694 when calling or booking online.

HearUSA www.hearusa.com/narfe HearUSA: The Nation’s Most Trusted Name in Hearing Care. Choose from 250+ hearing aids with $0 Co-Pay for Many Plans. Wireless. Bluetooth. Smartphone Compatible. Nearly Invisible. Risk-Free 60-Day Trial. Free Follow-Up Care. Free 3-Year Warranty. Call 1-855845-2706 to see if you qualify for 2 FREE hearing aids.

Life Line Screening 800-324-9906 www.lifelinescreening.com/ NARFE Life Line Screening, America’s leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will conduct health screenings using state-ofthe-art ultrasound technology in your neighborhood. To schedule an appointment, please call the number above and give the operator code number BKHN075 or visit the website.

Sunrise Senior Living www.SunriseSeniorLiving.com Sunrise Senior Living, a leading provider of high-quality, individualized, senior living services, offers NARFE members a special, discounted rate. Mention code: NARFE-discount during your visit and receive a one-time 5% off of suite/room rates at any of Sunrise’s U.S. communities for one year. For a complete list of Sunrise locations, visit www.SunriseSeniorLiving.com. For a complete list of any restrictions, visit www.narfe.org/ memberperks. For new move-ins only.

NARFE Member Perks are designed to provide NARFE members with a quality option in their search for commonly used products and services. NARFE makes no guarantee on any products and services listed and encourages its members to shop and compare before making a decision on any financial matter. Check out these additional Member Perks on the NARFE website for more details!

W W W. N A R F E . O R G

The Way We Worked

PRESERVING FOR THE FUTURE This photo from 1952 shows National Archives staff Ralley Bracey of the Document Preservation Branch and J. Fred Winkler of the Cartographic Records Branch laminating the “Plan of West Point, 1818.” In the agency’s early years, records arriving were sent to the Document Conservation Lab for fumigating, cleaning, and repair. Part of the repair process sometimes involved flattening and laminating (applying a thin plastic coating to a document to give it additional strength and protect it). Conservators have since learned lamination can be detrimental to the documents so this practice is no longer used. There are now alternative methods, such as digitizing photos and documents so as to not cause harm to them. PHOTO from the Records of the Public Health Service, National Archives, courtesy of the National Archives History Office; in collaboration with the Society for History in the Federal Government (SHFG), bringing together government professionals, academics, consultants, students and citizens interested in understanding federal history work and the historical development of the federal government. To join, visit http://shfg.org. 56

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DID YOU KNOW? The National Archives building houses the original copies of the three main formative documents that created the United States: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. All three are encased and on display in the main chamber. This building also houses the Articles of Confederation, the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, the Emancipation Proclamation and many more historical artifacts and photography. Visit www.archives.gov.

It’s not a Wheelchair... It’s not a Power Chair... It’s Better... It’s a Zinger! Meet the future of personal transportation. More and more Americans are reaching the age where mobility is an everyday issue. Whether from an injury or from the everyday aches and pains that come from getting older– getting around isn’t as easy as it used to be. You may have tried a power chair or a scooter. The Zinger is NOT a power chair or a scooter! The Zinger is quick and nimble, yet it is not prone to tipping like many scooters. Best of all, it weighs only 42 pounds and folds and unfolds with ease so you can take it almost anywhere, providing you with independence and freedom. Years of work by innovative engineers have resulted in a mobility device that’s truly unique. They created a battery that provides powerful energy at a fraction of the weight of most batteries. The Zinger features two steering levers, one on either side of the seat. The user pushes both levers down to go forward, pulls them both up to brake, and pushes one while pulling the other to turn to either side. This enables great mobility, the ability to turn on a dime and to pull right up to tables or desks. The controls are right on the steering arm so it’s simple to operate, and its exclusive footrest swings out of the way when you stand up or sit down. With its rugged yet lightweight aluminum frame, the Zinger is sturdy and durable yet lightweight and comfortable! What’s more, it easily folds up for storage in a car seat or trunk– you can even gate-check it at the airport like a stroller. Think about it, you can take your Zinger almost anywhere, so you don’t

Call Now for FREE Shipping

One-touch Folding Comfortable Seating

Sturdy yet Lightweight Frame

Easy-Steer Throttle Inflatable Tires

Powerful Battery/Motor Available in Black (shown) and Green

Swivel Footrest

Just think of the places you can go:

• Shopping • Air Travel • Bus Tours • Restaurants– ride right up to the table! • Around town or just around your house have to let mobility issues rule your life. It folds in seconds without tools and is safe and reliable. It holds up to 250 pounds, and it can go up to 6 mph and operates for up to 8 hours on a single charge. Why spend another day letting mobility issues hamper your independence or quality of life?

Zinger Chair Call now toll free

The Zinger folds to a mere 10 Inches.

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10”

Reg. 39.99 Dr. Scholl’s® is a registered trademark of Bayer. Distributed by Caleres, Inc. Under license from Bayer & its affiliates. MagicCling™ is a trademark of Haband Company.

Breathable perforated sock & insole

Shock-absorbing foam

Stitched-in arch support Soft padded microsuede insole

Heel cushion Layers of fabric for excellent flexibility Steel arch support

Cooling air tunnels

EVA heel insert absorbs shock Lightweight flexible TPR outsole

Driftwood (2G)

†

Plus these Best Features at the Best Price:

Leather Uppers! Our most * Genuine buttery soft long-wearing leather with

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supple, durable man-made trim! Comfort-Flo Design Outsole! Custom designed for us, this outsole passes air through the shoe with each and every step you take! One-Strap MagicCling™! No bothersome laces, just a quick & easy MagicCling™ strap that never comes undone! AVAILABLE IN SIZES UP TO 14EEE!

*FREE SHIPPING! Order Today!

2 pairs 59.98 • 3 pairs 89.97 • 4 pairs 119.96

Haband® PO Box 8, Warren, PA 16366-0008 Visa

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Card # _________________________________________Exp.: _____/____ Mr. Mrs. Ms. ____________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________Apt. # ______ City & State ________________________________________Zip ________ P Phone/Email_____________________________________________________

Black (1C)

Brown (04)

Khaki (2E)

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I enclose $________ purchase price, and only $5.99 shipping & handling for my entire order. Please add applicable state & local sales tax for the following states: CA, CO, FL, GA, LA, MA, MN, NJ, PA, RI, VT, WA, WI, & WV.

Search this code at On-Line Quick Order haband.com to get this WHAT price & FREE SHIPPING! 72H–478J2 SIZE?

†Valid on standard shipping for areas served by the US Postal Service.

Grey (06)

D Widths: 7 7 1⁄2 8 8 1⁄2 9 9 1⁄2 1 10 10 ⁄2 11 12 13 14 *EEE Widths ($5 more per pair): 71⁄2 8 8 1⁄2 9 9 1⁄2 10 10 1⁄2 11 12 13 14

2G 1C Ø4 2E Ø6 D6

DRIFTWOOD BLACK BROWN KHAKI GREY COPPER

Imported WHAT HOW WIDTH? MANY?

Satisfaction Guaranteed or Full Refund of merchandise purchase price up to 90 days after receipt. When you pay by check, you authorize us to use information from your check to clear it electronically. Funds may be withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day we receive your payment, and you will not receive your check back from your financial institution.

For Faster Service Call: 1-800-543-4810 or visit www.Haband.com