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For Active and Retired Federal Employees
RETIREMENT LIFE
SEPTEMBER 2011, Volume 87, Number 9
LEGISLATIVE REPORT 8 14 14 18 19
Debt Deal Spares Feds’ Pay, Benefits for Now; Second Round of Cuts Expected This Year NARFE Supports FECA Improvements Keep TSP Competitive, NARFE Urges Events Put NARFE Issues at Forefront Civics 101: Partnership in Advocacy
32 40 46 50
COLUMNS 6 Message From the National President
26 Managing Money 28 Live Well
COVER STORY 20
Cover design by Jim Richards
‘Test-Drive’ Your Retirement Community. A chance to try a retirement community before making a permanent move can be a smart idea. Increasingly, senior housing providers are seeing the benefit in formalizing and promoting shortterm stays.
30 Alzheimer’s Update 38 Report From the Regions
NARFE Resources NARFE-PAC Coupon . . . . . . . .12 Protect America’s Heartbeat Coupon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Silver Circle Coupon . . . . . . . . .42
DEPARTMENTS
Alzheimer’s Coupon . . . . . . . . .46
Questions & Answers
Membership Application . . . . . .47
NARFE News
NARFE Member Perks . . . . . . .48
Out & About For the Record: TSP Investments, COLA Chart
visit us online at www.narfe.org
‘Like’ us on Facebook (NARFE National Headquarters)
NATIONAL OFFICERS
Here’s How to Contact NARFE ...
JOSEPH A. BEAUDOIN, President; natpres@narfe.org PAUL H. CAREW, Vice President; natvp@narfe.org ELAINE HUGHES, Secretary; natsec@narfe.org RICHARD G. THISSEN, Treasurer; nattreas@narfe.org
If you want to: • Join NARFE Call (toll-free):
800-627-3394 or 800-456-8410 Or go to: www.narfe.org
If you want to: • Change your address • Check your membership status • Find out dues owed • Provide a death notification Call (toll-free):
800-456-8410 E-mail:
memberrecords@narfe.org If you want to: • Add your e-mail address to your record (to receive GEMS e-mail messages, the Legislative Hotline and NARFE NewsWatch): Call (toll-free):
800-456-8410 E-mail:
memberrecords@narfe.org
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS REGION I Gilbert W. Blaisdell (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) Tel: 978-388-1830 E-mail: narf1568@comcast.net REGION II Ronald P. Bowers (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) Tel: 410-308-0420 E-mail: narferbowers@msn.com REGION III Donald Stewart (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Virgin Islands) Tel: 305-442-6388 E-mail: dejs33149@aol.com REGION IV Paul E. Johnson (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) Tel: 812-306-5137 E-mail: pejohnson@tds.net REGION V Carol R. Ek (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) Tel: 620-241-1131 E-mail: ek617@att.net
REGION VI Jerome S. Smith (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Republic of Panama and Texas) Tel: 903-534-5849 E-mail: retiredjer@aol.com REGION VII Betty Lucero-Turner (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) Tel: 719-583-0910 E-mail: blturner2311@aol.com REGION VIII Helen L. Zajac (California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada and Republic of Philippines) Tel: 707-644-7565 E-mail: hlz17@aol.com REGION IX Lanny G. Ross (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington) Tel: 360-692-9741 E-mail: lannyjean@comcast.net REGION X William F. Martin (Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) Tel: 540-872-3345 E-mail: narfe2065@hughes.net
E-mail: memberrecords@narfeorg
If you want to:
• Hear the Legislative Hotline Call (toll-free):
877-217-8234 If you want to: • Get materials to recruit members: Call (toll-free):
800-627-3394 E-mail:
rr@narfe.org
For any other NARFE matter: Call NARFE Headquarters
703-838-7760 E-mail: hq@narfe.org Fax:703-838-7785 Write: NARFE 606 N. Washington St. Alexandria,VA 22314
NARFE MAGAZINE Volume 87,Number 9 Editor, Margaret M. Carter Assistant Editor, Donna J. St. John Editorial Administrator, Toni Vallario Graphic Designer, Beth Bedard Contributing Designers, Charlene Gridley, Jim Richards Editorial Board: Joseph A. Beaudoin, Paul H. Carew, Elaine Hughes, Richard G. Thissen Editorial Office: NARFE, Attn: NARFE magazine, 606 North Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1914; Phone: 703-838-7760; Fax: 703-838-7781; E-mail: rl@narfe.org Advertising Sales: Warren Berger, Media People Inc., 122 East 42nd Street, Suite 725, New York, NY 10168; 212-779-7172, ext. 223; E-mail: 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 866-504-7300 or go to www.nfbnewsline.org. On Tape: Issues of NARFE magazine are also available on cassette through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. To find out about availability in your area, call 800-424-8567 and ask for the Reference Section. 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.
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. Non-member subscription rate $45. Postmaster: Send address change to: NARFE Attn:Member Records,NARFE 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. Contents of this magazine are copyrighted © 2011.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.
4
SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
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Watchmaker’s Beautiful Mistake Coin accident goes horribly right and creates the Morgan Silver Dollar Watch!
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Every Morgan Silver Dollar Watch features a genuine Morgan silver dollar as its face, set inside a goldfused, coin-edged case. Master engraver George Morgan’s radiant profile of Lady Liberty provides a striking backdrop for the blued, Breguet-style hands. Etched Roman numerals along the bezel and a sapphire crown add the final elegant touches. Your watch fastens with a brown, crocodile-grain leather strap and gold-fused buckle.
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A Message From the National President
Déjà Vu
T
he August 2 deadline to lift the nation’s debt limit has come and gone, and, at the last minute, Congress and the president came to an agreement to raise the limit. At press time, analysis of the impact of the legislation continues. (See Legislative Director Dan Adcock’s report on p. 8 for some insight.) But it is certain that the federal community is facing additional proposals to reduce our benefits. And I can assure you that it’s only the first step toward further reductions, including in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. In reviewing articles that were written by my predecessors, I came across one that sounds as though it had been written last month. In his March 1981 column for Retirement Life magazine, NARFE National President Michael Nave wrote about President Reagan’s proposal to change the semiannual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to an annual one. He said, “If Mr. Reagan succeeds in convincing Congress to reduce our COLA, it will mean that no American can ever again count on the U. S. government to make good on retirement commitments to its people.” He also stated, “Public confidence in all of these (entitlement) programs -- particularly Social Security and federal retirement -- rests entirely on the willingness of the federal government to maintain its commitments.” Sound familiar? President Nave continued: “Undoubtedly, many in the news media and public office will continue to assail us as greedy, selfish and unwilling to do our part to fight inflation. However, I see nothing greedy in asking our employer to live up to commitments promised us as a condition of our employment. There is nothing
selfish in defending the retirement income of older persons who are struggling to meet skyrocketing rents and exorbitant food and fuel prices.” Are we not experiencing the same problem in protecting our earned benefits some 30 years after President Nave wrote those words? He concluded by stating, “For the past 60 years, federal retirees have fought hard to make it possible for you and me to enjoy the benefits of one of the finest retirement systems in the world. It is now our turn to fight for those who will follow us. It is frustrating, but we must not be distracted.” For the last 90 years, NARFE has fought many battles. Our members have rallied in the fight to preserve our hard-earned benefits – the benefits that we were promised by the federal government when we were hired. Today, NARFE members need to keep reminding legislators and the president that we are only seeking fair treatment. Some NARFE members are currently federal employees, and many others had lengthy civil service careers -- all contributing toward their retirement – the same retirement we were promised when we first began government service. I would like to close with an especially relevant quote from President Nave’s column from 30 years ago: “Our job is nothing short of defending the integrity of one of the finest retirement systems in the world.” Well said, Mr. Nave!
MEMBERS NEED to keep reminding legislators and the president that we are only seeking fair treatment.
6
Joseph A. Beaudoin natpres@narfe.org
SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
5 3 '/6 4 '/,$ U.S. Gold Coins Authorized for Immediate Release The U.S. Money Reserve Vault Facility today anQRXQFHV WKH ÀQDO UHOHDVH RI 8 6 *RY·W ,VVXHG *ROG &RLQV SUHYLRXVO\ KHOG LQ 7KH :HVW 3RLQW 'HSRVLWRU\ 8 6 0LQW )RU D OLPLWHG WLPH 8 6 FLWL ]HQV ZLOO KDYH WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR SXUFKDVH WKHVH *RY·W ,VVXHG *ROG &RLQV IRU WKH LQFUHGLEOH ´DW FRVWµ SULFH RI RQO\ SHU FRLQ $Q DPD]LQJ SULFH EHFDXVH WKHVH 8 6 *RY·W ,VVXHG *ROG &RLQV DUH FRPSOHWHO\ IUHH RI GHDOHU PDUNXS 7KDW·V FRUUHFW RXU FRVW 7KLV PD\ EH \RXU ÀQDO RSSRUWXQLW\ WR EX\ 8 6 *RY·W ,VVXHG *ROG &RLQV ´DW FRVW µ 7KH *ROG PDUNHW ZKLFK UHFHQWO\ VN\URFNHWHG SDVW R] LV SUHGLFWHG E\ H[SHUWV WR KDYH WKH H[SORVLYH XSVLGH SRWHQWLDO RI UHDFKLQJ XS WR R] LQ WKH IXWXUH Please be advised: our U.S. Gov’t Gold inventory will be priced at $169.65 per coin for 30 days only. These coins may sell-out. Call Today! The 8 6 0RQH\ 5HVHUYH ZLOO UHOHDVH WKHVH 8 6 *RY·W ,VVXHG *ROG &RLQV ´DW FRVWµ RQ D ÀUVW FRPH ÀUVW VHUYH EDVLV 2UGHUV WKDW DUH QRW LPPHGLDWHO\ UH FHLYHG RU UHVHUYHG ZLWK WKH RUGHU FHQWHU FRXOG EH VXEMHFW WR FDQFHOODWLRQ DQG \RXU FKHFNV UHWXUQHG XQFDVKHG *RRG OXFN :H KRSH WKDW HYHU\RQH ZLOO KDYH D FKDQFH WR SXUFKDVH WKLV VSHFLDO 8 6 *RY·W ,V VXHG *ROG ´DW FRVW µ 2UGHU LPPHGLDWHO\ EHIRUH RXU YDXOW VHOOV RXW FRPSOHWHO\ 6SHFLDO DUUDQJHPHQWV FDQ EH PDGH IRU *ROG SXUFKDVHV RYHU
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Debt Deal Spares Feds’Pay, Round of Benefits for Now 2nd Cuts Expected
T
he debt-limit compromise approved by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in August does not make any reductions in the retirement, pay or health benefits of federal employees and annuitants.
But spending caps in the law could affect federal employee job security.
Moreover, federal civilian retirement and health benefits continue to be vulnerable because the new law creates a “Super Committee” with a mandate to cut spending by an additional $1.5 trillion before the end of the year. “Federal employees and annuitants have been given a reprieve in the debtlimit deal. This, in large part, is due to the success of NARFE’s advocacy and communications campaign, ‘Protect America’s Heartbeat,’ ” says NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin. “NARFE members made more than 25,000 phone calls and sent over 215,000 email messages to their legislators. These contacts, along with the face-to-face meetings they conducted with lawmakers and the letters to the editor they submitted to their local newspapers, were key to this victory. “Unfortunately, this fight is far from over,” Beaudoin adds. “We believe that many of the recent federal civilian retirement, pay and health benefit reduction proposals will be on the table for the next round of cuts, which will be considered sooner than we would like.
8
NARFE members must continue to urge their lawmakers not to single out federal workers and annuitants for reductions in our earned compensation.” While federal retirement, pay and benefits were spared for now, the new law – the Budget Control Act of 2011 – would cut and limit discretionary spending by $917 billion over 10 years. Discretionary spending makes up 12 percent of the federal budget and is approved through annual funding measures (appropriations bills) that pay for the day-to-day operations of government. As a result, some federal agencies may be forced to make hard choices about the size of their workforce, travel, training and other expenses. “Regrettably, the nearly $1 trillion in spending reductions across federal agencies will be a challenge to absorb, and once again federal workers will
This Year ■ Labor Day honors the social
and economic achievements of American workers. The Central Labor Union in New York made the original proposal to hold the holiday. ■ The first Labor Day
celebration was onTuesday, September 5,1882,in New York City. The second Labor Day was celebrated on September 5,1883.But in 1884,the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday,as originally proposed. ■ The first state to recognize
Labor Day through legislation was Oregon in 1887.By 1894, 31 states had adopted the holiday.In 1894,Congress made it a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and territories.
LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE Toll-free! (24 Hours): 877-217-8234 Legislative Action Center: www.narfe.org SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
Rose Parade Tour 5 Days
from $848*
Join other NARFE members departing December 30, 2011
Get away from the colder weather during the first week in January, avoid the post-holiday blahs, and enjoy the best New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day you have had in years! Start in Los Angeles (4 nights) with a city tour of L.A., Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and an exclusive, pre-parade, after public hours, float building and viewing at the Floats and Flowers Expo. Watch the artists put the finishing touches on the floats unencumbered by public crowds! On Monday, January 2, 2012, enjoy your reserved grandstand seats at the Rose Parade! On Tuesday, January 3, depart for home.
Hawaii Cruise & Tour 12 Days
from $2098*
Travel with other NARFE members departing February 17, 2012
Start in Honolulu, Hawaii and exciting Waikiki Beach for one night. The following day board NCL’s Pride of America for the start of your Hawaii Cruise Experience. Sail upon the big, blue, Pacific to ports in Kahului, Maui (2-days), offering beautiful sea vistas; Hilo, the flower capital of Hawaii; Kona, Hawaii and take a walking tour through one of the many island coffee plantations. Continue to Nawiliwili, Kauai, nicknamed the ‘Garden Island’ with glorious stretches of palm-fringed beaches and cruise the Na Pali Coast. Disembark in Honolulu and enjoy a city tour including, the Punch Bowl Crater, Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Spend a final three days and nights in Waikiki with an included city tour of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor.
Elegant Danube River Cruise 12 Days
Join other NARFE members departing April 24, 2012
from $2298*
Enjoy the YMT chartered, 4-star ship, the “TUI Melodia”! Round trip cruise from Passau … PLUS tour Germany! Start in Munich, Germany for one-night. Then travel to Schwangau and a guided tour of the famous Neuschwanstein (Disneyland) Castle and Rothenburg o.d. Tauber for an overnight stay. The following day you will leave for the Czech Republic stopping in Plzen, where Pilsner beer was created with an included brewery tour; followed by Bohemia and Prague. Spend the next day sightseeing before you embark. Your cruise includes the Danube’s highlights including Melk and Vienna, Austria (the classical city of music); Esztergom and Budapest Hungary; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Linz, Austria; before returning to Passau. Travel back to Munich with additional sightseeing, before flying home. Your “brand new” ship the TUI Melodia, constructed in 2011, offers a state-of-the-art, experience!
Tour Classic Greece, then Cruise the Aegean Islands & Turkey 14 Days
Travel with other NARFE members departing April 29, 2012
from $2198*
Start in Athens, Greece for a 5-day land tour. Explore Athens and visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon, and see the treasures in the New Acropolis Museum. Discover Temple of Apollo at Delphi, and at Olympia see the original stadium, home to the Olympic Games for over 1000 years! Next enjoy a 7-night Aegean Islands & Turkey cruise aboard the stylish yacht-design ship the MV Cristal. Visit magical Istanbul, Turkey – a city build on two continents; plus “port” at Izmir, Turkey; Patmos, Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini; Greece. Spend a final day and night in Athens before returning home. Price includes outside cabin on cruise portion.
Best of Italy + Salzburg & Vienna, Austria Rome – Pompeii – Amalfi Coast – Florence – Pisa – Verona – Venice
15 Days
Join other NARFE members departing May 2, 2012
from $2398*
Enjoy three days in Rome with an included city tour of Ancient Rome and tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Two nights in Sorrento allows included sightseeing of the excavations of famous Pompeii and a tour of the beautiful coastal drive of Amalfi and the cliffs. Your next two nights are in the Tuscany region with included sightseeing in Florence, Pisa and Verona followed by two nights in Venice with sightseeing. Next, Austria with two nights in Mozart’s birthplace Salzburg with a Sound of Music excursion and two nights in Vienna, Austria with a city tour and Danube River Cruise. Includes 12 breakfasts, 9 dinners & English-speaking escort throughout.
*Price per person, based on double occupancy. Airfare is extra.
Call for details & itinerary 7 days a week:
1-800-736-7300
Legislative Report long-term care benefits), SNAP (food stamps) and Supplemental Security Income. Medicare would be partially exempt from sequestration; program cuts would be limited to 2 percent; and, of that amount, reductions could only be made to the payments reimbursed to health providers and private insurance carriers.
be forced to demonstrate their skill at doing more with less,” Beaudoin says.
SUPER COMMITTEE TO CUT $1.5 TRILLION The Budget Control Act creates a “Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction” (now being referred to as the Super Committee), whose members will be appointed by the congressional leadership and be divided equally between Republican and Democratic legislators. At press time, committee members had not yet been appointed, but the law requires that the leadership name the members by August 16. NARFE’s Protect America’s Heartbeat advocacy and communications campaign is likely to refocus its efforts on the six representatives and six senators selected to serve on the committee. The panel will be required to report legislation by November 23 that would reduce the deficit by at least $1.5 trillion over 10 years through spending cuts or revenue increases. The House and Senate would be compelled to consider the Super Committee’s bill by December 23. Given that no amendments would be allowed, federal-friendly lawmakers could not remove objectionable provisions from the bill and would have no other recourse than to vote against it. But even if Congress approves it, the president retains veto power.
AUTOMATIC CUTS
BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT VOTE
MANY of the recent federal civilian retirement, pay and health benefit reduction proposals will be on the table for the next round of cuts, which will be considered sooner than we would like.
Regardless of the reason, if the committee’s legislation does not become law by January 15, 2012, the debt-compromise law would trigger automatic across-the-board spending cuts (also known as “sequestration”) in discretionary and some entitlement programs, starting in 2013. The operation of this part of the law would be similar to the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings deficit-reduction law, which led to the loss of the federal civilian retirement cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 1985. This time, however, federal civilian retirement, including COLAs, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and federal worker pay would be exempt from the automatic cuts. So would Social Security; most unemployment benefits; veterans’ benefits; interest on the debt; military retirement; and the low-income entitlements, such as Medicaid (including
10
The Budget Control Act also requires that, before December 31, the House and Senate vote on whether a balanced budget amendment should be added to the U.S. Constitution. The law further provides that Congress could avoid the automatic cuts – which would be required if the Super Committee’s legislation does not become law by January 15, 2012 – by approving a balanced budget amendment. In June, the House Committee on the Judiciary approved a balanced budget amendment (H.J. Res. 1), which would cap federal spending at 18 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The GDP is the total market value of goods and services produced by workers and capital within the United States’ borders during a given period (usually one year). Federal spending is currently 24 percent of GDP. Under current policies, that figure will fall as the economy recovers, but then start rising again as baby boomers age and as interest rates return to normal. Spending caps, based on a percentage of GDP, could result in deeper across-the-board cuts in the event of an economic downturn because tax revenue would decrease, while the demand for unemployment insurance, food stamps and Medicaid would increase. No programs would be exempt from H.J. Res. 1, but Congress could waive its spending caps when a declaration of war is in effect or under certain other circumstances involving military conflict. A three-fifths supermajority of the House and Senate would be required to increase the debt limit, and a two-thirds vote would be mandated for any tax increase. A constitutional amendment requires the support of a two-thirds majority in each chamber of Congress. In the event that Congress approves a balanced budget amendSEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
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Just plug it in and hear what you’ve been missing. With the Bose Wave® music system, there are no stacks of components. No tangle of wires. No dials to adjust. Advanced Bose technologies inside this small system work together to fill the room with the acclaimed performance that has made Bose the most respected name in sound. When it was first introduced, Wayne Thompson of the Oregonian called it “my choice for product of the year.” You enjoy clear, realistic sound that you may have only thought possible from a much larger, more complicated stereo. In fact, Forbes FYI reports that “you’ll think you’re listening to a…sound system that costs five times more.” A roomful of premium sound…not wires. You buy a sound system to listen to music. Not to spend hours setting up equipment and connecting wires. With the Wave® music system, you’ll experience the pleasures of Bose quality sound moments after you open the box. Rich Warren of the NewsGazette says this easy-to-use system “will flat out seduce you.”
Enjoy the acclaimed performance in so many ways. Listen to the Wave® music system in your living room, kitchen, bedroom, wherever you want better sound. Everything you need is built in: CD/MP3 CD player, FM/AM tuner, clock and alarm. You control them all with a convenient remote. Connect your iPod® or TV, if you like. An optional Multi-CD Changer makes it easy to listen to your favorite music for hours. As Mathieu Yuill of Driven reports, “It can be difficult to marry engineering and style but Bose pulls it off with their compact Wave.” Try it for 30 days, risk free. Experience the Wave® music system in your own home risk free for 30 days. Choose your favorite color: Platinum White, Graphite Gray or Titanium Silver. And when you call, ask about making 12 easy payments, with no interest charges from Bose.* Order your Wave® music system with the Multi-CD Changer by September 30, 2011, and save $100. You’ll soon discover how delightfully simple it is to enjoy Bose sound.
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*Bose payment plan available on orders of $299-$1500 paid by major credit card. Separate financing offers may be available for select products. See website for details. Down payment is 1/12 the product price plus applicable tax and shipping charges, charged when your order is shipped. Then, your credit card will be billed for 11 equal monthly installments beginning approximately one month from the date your order is shipped, with 0% APR and no interest charges from Bose. Credit card rules and interest may apply. U.S. residents only. Limit one active financing program per customer. ©2011 Bose Corporation. The Wave® music system’s distinctive design is also a registered trademark of Bose Corporation. Financing and savings offers not to be combined with other offers or applied to previous purchases, and subject to change without notice. If the Wave® music system is returned, the Multi-CD Changer must be returned for a full refund. Offers are limited to purchases made from Bose and participating authorized dealers. Offer valid 9/1/11-9/30/11. Risk free refers to 30-day trial only, requires product purchase and does not include return shipping. Delivery is subject to product availability. iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. Quotes reprinted with permission: Thomas Jackson, Forbes FYI, Winter/04.
Legislative Report ment, some policy experts believe that 26 states would promptly ratify it, and more would likely follow. NARFE supports efforts to balance the budget and reduce the national debt, and, over the years, federal workers and annuitants have given considerably toward this effort. Nonetheless, NARFE believes that a balanced budget amendment is unnecessary since Congress already has the authority to control spending. Further, NARFE is convinced that the balanced budget amendment is an ill-conceived proposal because it would require Congress to reduce spending indiscriminately for good and bad programs alike.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN LOOMS Beyond the second round of cuts required by the new law, budget hawks in Congress will have another opportunity to extract more spending reductions in the fiscal year 2012 appropriations legislation process. Indeed, the spending bills must be enacted by the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, or the government could shut down. This could be a replay of an impasse over fiscal year 2011 funding that nearly led to a shutdown in April. The battle over the fiscal year 2012 budget could play out three ways. First, appropriations legislation could be approved by October 1, which seems unlikely given recent budget skirmishes. Second, a temporary “continuing resolution” could be passed to extend spending authority to keep the government running and give Congress more time to compromise on funding for the rest of the fiscal year. Third, lawmakers could fail to pass a full-year or temporary spending bill, and a government shutdown would occur until a deal was made.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS ■ The debt-limit deal does not make any reductions
in the retirement,pay or health benefits of federal employees and annuitants. ■ But a new“Super Committee” will recommend more cuts by the end of the year,and NARFE believes that recent benefit-reduction proposals targeting feds will be on the table. ■ If Congress does not pass the Super Committee’s recommendations,automatic across-the-board budget cuts will take effect.But federal retirement, pay and the FEHBP will be exempt,along with Social Security,veterans’ and other benefit programs.Medicare cuts would be triggered,but only to health providers and insurance carriers. ■ The debt deal also calls for a congressional vote on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.NARFE believes the amendment is unnecessary and would require Congress to reduce spending for good and bad programs alike. At press time, the partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration, due to Congress’ deadlock on the agency’s authorization bill prior to recessing for the August/Labor Day District Work Period, made many observers anxious about the much larger-scale appropriations battle anticipated in September, which could result in more budget cuts and/or a governmentwide shutdown.
By Dan Adcock,Legislative Director Legislative Counsel Alan Lopatin contributed to this article.
I support NARFE•PAC, the Retirees’ Fund for the Future Enclosed is my NARFE-PAC contribution: $ Federal law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year.
Please circle:
Mr.
Mrs.
Miss
Ms.
Please send check, money order or credit card information to: Attn: Budget & Finance NARFE 606 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314-1914 Card Type:
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❍ Mastercard ❍ Discover
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❍ For my contribution of $20 or more, please send a NARFE-PAC pin.
Signature Date 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 non-partisan political action fund. NARFE-PAC contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.
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Legislative Report
NARFE Supports FECA Improvements
N
ARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin urged a Senate subcommittee to “pursue commonsense reforms” and improvements to the federal government’s workers’ compensation program – the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). “When a federal worker is injured, reimbursed medical expenses and monetary compensation will never be able to reverse the permanent damage of a debilitating injury or illness,” said Beaudoin in testimony July 26 before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia. “But we must fulfill our obligation to ensure that benefits provide employees at least the same level of monetary compensation as they would have received without their injury or illness. “Although some proposals to modernize the system are welcome, such as the Federal Workers’ Compensation Modernization and Improvement Act (H.R. 2465), others would disadvantage these federal workers,” Beaudoin said. H.R. 2465, unanimously approved July 13 by the House
NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin testifies before a Senate subcommittee, asking the panel to pursue “common-sense reforms” to FECA.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS ■ NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin testified
before a Senate subcommittee, opposing proposals that would reduce benefits for Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) beneficiaries at retirement age. ■ He said NARFE supports a House bill,H.R.2465, that would make improvements in the program without cutting FECA benefits. Committee on Education and the Workforce, “combines much-needed adjustments to compensation for the worstcase injuries and illnesses, and common-sense measures that should improve the processing of claims, reduce improper payments and save money,” Beaudoin said. S. 261, introduced by Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-ME, would place FECA beneficiaries into the federal retirement system at retirement age. This likely would reduce recipients’ retirement incomes far below what they would have been without their job-related injuries or illnesses, Beaudoin said. Collins has demonstrated a willingness to work with NARFE and has maintained an open dialogue regarding FECA reforms. A Department of Labor proposal to reduce benefits to 50 percent of gross salary “does not fully account for disadvantages faced by FECA recipients, notably for many of the same reasons S. 261 does not – foregone raises and promotions, lost matching contributions and reduced Social Security benefits,” Beaudoin added. Subcommittee Chair Daniel K. Akaka, D-HI, appeared to agree with NARFE. “Any proposal that significantly reduced benefits at retirement will need substantial work,” he said.
By John Hatton,Legislative Specialist
KeepTSPCompetitive, NARFE Urges
N
ARFE worked with legislators 25 years ago to create the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for federal workers to contribute to their financial security in retirement. Now, the TSP is the largest 401(k)-type plan in the country, and NARFE is once more working to advance the program. NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin testified July 27 before the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy, saying: “To remain com-
14
STORY HIGHLIGHTS ■ NARFE President JosephA.Beaudoin told a House
subcommittee that federal employees should be able to put annual or vacation leave and bonuses into their Thrift Savings Plan accounts. ■ As other components of federal retirement are threatened,it’s important to help feds make the most out of this benefit,he said.
SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
Legislative Report petitive with the private sector, and attract and retain the best federal workers to protect our country, we need to be open to new ways to strengthen the TSP.” Subcommittee Chairman Dennis A. Ross, R-FL, said he was hoping to learn whether “change is needed to ensure the plan continues to meet participant needs.” NARFE’s president said the Association supports proposals to allow federal workers to: • Contribute accumulated and accrued annual or vacation leave to their TSP accounts in the same manner as private-sector employees; and • Contribute bonuses into their tax-deferred accounts. Beaudoin applauded implementation of the Thrift Savings Plan Enhancement Act of 2009, which brought improvements such as automatic enrollment of newly hired federal workers, a new “Roth” option for participants to make after-tax contributions to the TSP and extension of ownership of inherited plans to surviving spouses. “Empowering our nation’s 4.6 million active and retired federal workers to contribute to their own retirement is an important piece of the retirement security pie,” he said. “As other
16
House Subcommittee Chairman Dennis A. Ross, left, chats with NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin following Beaudoin’s testimony.
components of a federal employee’s retirement are challenged, it’s important to help our federal workforce make the most out of this benefit.” Also testifying were Gregory Long, executive director of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, and Clifford Dailing, an officer of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association and chairman of the Employee Thrift Advisory Council (ETAC), a federal advisory committee made up of 15 association and management groups representing TSP participants. NARFE National Treasurer Richard G. Thissen represents NARFE on the ETAC.
By JulieTagen, Assistant Legislative Director
SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
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This set made history To celebrate the bicentennial of America, the U.S. Mint struck this special three-piece proof set honoring these three American presidents—and our 200th birthday. To capture the bicentennial spirit, the coins in the set are dual–dated 1776–1976. This set was so popular over 4 million were sold for $50 each. Unlike the regular circulating coins of the day, the coins in this set are struck in precious silver. It’s the first commemorative U.S. Mint Proof Set ever. It’s the first dual-dated proof set ever. And it’s the first Proof Set to include a Silver Dollar.
And you know you’ve got a real piece of American history when you hold this set—the red white and blue holder is spectacular!
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Legislative Report
Events Put NARFE Issues at Forefront
T
hroughout the country, NARFE members have engaged in all aspects of the grass-roots campaign to “Protect America’s Heartbeat” and have kept federal employee and retiree concerns at the forefront of debates in Washington. Three recent events are particularly worth noting. In Virginia, two high-visibility events took place within one week. On June 30, three Protect America’s Heartbeat campaign activists partnered with members of the American Federation of Government Employees for a rally on the steps of the office of Rep. Eric Cantor, R, in Richmond. The second event in Virginia occurred in conjunction with the Commonwealth’s largest Fourth of July parade in Dale
Get Your Button!
P
rotect America’s Heartbeat campaign buttons (2-1/4-inch diameter) are available for 50 cents apiece. Minimum order is 20 buttons for $10. To order, send a check made out to NARFE to NARFE Public Relations Department, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314.
Members of Chapter 1270 in Woodbridge, VA, carried a banner promoting NARFE’s “Protect America’s Heartbeat” campaign in the Dale City Fourth of July parade.
City. More than 10,000 people watched along the parade route as participants, including Sen. Mark Warner, D, and Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, D, passed by. Marching alongside were members of Chapter 1270 in Woodbridge, proudly displaying a large Protect America’s Heartbeat campaign banner. In Florida’s 12th District, 71 NARFE members turned out for a special joint chapter meeting in June at which the district director for Rep. Dennis A. Ross, R, spoke. Ross is chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, which has jurisdiction over all civil service law. Florida members have built an excellent relationship with Ross’ office and have met several times with his district director. The campaign to Protect America’s Heartbeat is going strong and continues to increase the pressure on our decision makers as more and more NARFE activists tell Congress to protect their earned benefits and annuities. ■
I support Protect America’s Heartbeat. Enclosed is my contribution of:
■ $100 ■ $50 ■ $25 ■ Other $________ This contribution is not tax-deductible. Name ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________________
■ Please find my check enclosed. Please make checks payable to NARFE. ■ Please charge to my credit card. Please send check, money order or credit card information to: NARFE, Attn: Budget & Finance, NARFE-PAH, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314
18
State _________
ZIP ____________________
CREDIT CARD INFORMATION: Card Type: ■ MasterCard ■ Visa ■ Discover ■ AMEX Card # ________________________________ Valid thru _____/_____ MO
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Name on card (print) ________________________________________ Signature ________________________________ Date _____________
SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
CIVICS 101:
THE INFORMED CITIZEN
Partnership in Advocacy
C
oalition-building is an important strategy in any advocacy environment where several groups have mutual goals. In the mid-1980s, when the federal civil service faced a similar threat to our earned compensation, NARFE helped lead the establishment of a formal coalition. Our acronym was FAIR. The Fund for Assuring an Independent Retirement united some 30 federal and postal organizations representing workers, managers and supervisors, and retirees. Joined in opposition to mandatory Social Security coverage, NARFE took the lead in a coalition effort to create a new model for a retirement system. NARFE, present at the creation of the Federal Employees Retirement System, continues its collaboration within a less formal, but still united and effective, federal-postal coalition.
LEVERAGING POLITICAL FUNDS In addition to its advocacy function, the federal-postal coalition works together to maximize our political clout. The political action committees, or PACs, of federal-postal coalition members participate in exclusive campaign fundraisers for candidates from both major parties with excellent records on our common concerns. Federal-postal fundraisers provide valuable opportunities to meet supportive lawmakers in a small group setting.
GRASS-ROOTS ORIENTATION From its inception, the federal-postal coalition coordinated advocacy on Capitol Hill. However, our well-intentioned efforts to encourage grass-roots coalition-building in states and congressional districts have had limited success, until now. An example of the recent resurgence is chronicled in the August issue of NARFE magazine (p. 13). In June, NARFE federation and chapter leaders in Illinois, especially Leo Cunningham and John Buffer, worked the Illinois convention of the National Association of Letter Carriers in Peoria. Convention participants wrote more than 800 letters to Sen. Mark S. Kirk, R, and Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D.
MOTHER OF INVENTION The clear and present danger to our earned compensation has been the catalyst for a rebirth in the effort – led by NARFE – for coordination and collaboration with coalition partners. NARFE | SEPTEMBER 2011
STORY HIGHLIGHTS ■ NARFE is working with the federal-postal
coalition to protect our earned benefits. ■ Reviving the federal-postal coalition’s grass-roots
legacy is a top priority. ■ Dual members are often a key to coalition
formation and cooperation. NARFE’s current campaign, “Protect America’s Heartbeat,” is benefiting from coalition cooperation. NARFE is working closely with the two largest federal employee unions, the American Federation of Government Employees and the National Treasury Employees Union, and NARFE has been consulting with managers’ and professional organizations, as well as postal unions and associations. Obviously, coalitionbuilding needs to continue in the weeks and months ahead because the stakes remain so high.
HOW YOU CAN HELP NARFE members serve in every agency and department of the federal government. Since many NARFE members belong to (and some lead) other federal-postal groups, these activists should lead the efforts to have reciprocal state convention privileges, hold joint meetings with lawmakers, and organize joint letter-writing and call-in days. In every case, retaining dual membership is important because both organizations benefit. Nationwide, the largest overlap with NARFE is with former Postal Service employees. Former clerks, carriers, supervisors and postmasters provide leadership to both postal organizations and NARFE. For example, our California State Federation is a leading member of the California Postal Legislative Coalition.
PARTNERS ALL There is a tendency by some to see just the part of NARFE advocacy that, like an iceberg, is above the waterline and miss the much larger part hidden from view. Not everything done by some of the partners can be seen even by most of the partners. All NARFE members (and potential members) are vital to our long-run success. Just as in Ben Franklin’s time, we must hang together or, surely, we will each hang separately.
By Christopher Farrell, Legislative Representative
19
By Andrew Carle
‘Test-Drive’Your
F
The Villages
For most of us, real estate has always been a “buy” then “try” proposition. You toured a
home with an agent, put in your offer, signed a mountain of paperwork and hoped everything turned out well. Wouldn’t it have been nice to have been able to move in for a few
days to “test-drive” the place you would be calling home? If there’s an advantage to shopping for a retirement home, it’s that you aren’t relocating for a job or in a rush to get the kids in place for the start of the next school year. Your plans aren’t contingent on having to buy when the previous owners are looking to sell.
20
Whether it’s an active adult, continuing care retirement or assisted living community, there is usually at least some time for you to determine the future date, conditions and place of your move. What’s even better? The fact that retirement housing providers
know this, and are willing to compete with programs and perks designed to keep their community in your decision-making process. Having such an option is important for a couple of reasons. First, it’s not easy leaving what was likely your SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
emotional barriers standing in the way of an otherwise good decision. Second, and more pragmatically, you will likely spend more actual time each day in your retirement home than you did in any home during your working years. And it’s not only the physical home that matters, but also the amenities, activities and, yes, neighbors, with whom you also will have more day-to-day contact. For the reasons above and more, a chance to try a community before making a permanent move can be a smart idea.
Retirement housing providers are opening their doors — and their hospitality — to let you give them a try. “family home” – the one where you raised your kids, celebrated holidays, experienced history and, well…life. We are all human, and memories, along with at least some fear of change, are powerful emotions that can influence your decisions. Even if your potential new home is bristling with opportunities, services and a better quality of life, it can still be hard to make the commitment to move. If you can try out your new environment – let alone make a personal connection with it – it can help bridge the NARFE | SEPTEMBER 2011
IT’S ALWAYS BEEN AN OPTION Finding a community willing to allow a short-term stay has always been at least a negotiable option. At their peak in 2008, occupancy rates for all types of senior housing communities ran in the 88- to 92-percent range. Pretty good, but anything less than 100-percent occupancy still meant vacant units. And a vacant unit is an expense for providers – no different than an empty room in a hotel, seat on an airplane or table at a restaurant. To address this, many communities offered “guest stays.” Often, these were informal programs reserved for someone with cold feet or caught deciding between two locations. In such cases, a community administrator or sales rep might step up to offer the use of an available model or “show” unit for a day, or maybe two or three. Rates would range from “free” to something that would at least cover the cost to the community – usually depending on overall vacancy and how close staff felt they were to making a sale. In the case of assisted living, “respite stays” were established. Using the month-tomonth provisions common to such communities, individuals requiring both housing and assistance with daily
needs could sign a standard contract, then “cancel” after a pre-negotiated two- to four-week stay. Such arrangements were a nod to 80-plus-year-olds hesitant to make a permanent move and of value to family caregivers seeking to take a vacation while knowing mom or dad would be in capable hands.
GOING FOR A ‘DRIVE’ Beyond informal programs, some retirement housing providers also have offered formal, even branded, short-term stay programs. However, with the economic downturn resulting in lower current occupancy levels (85 to 89 percent), many more providers have now also seen the benefit in formalizing and promoting short-term stays. The bottom line is: Whether the community you’re considering offers a formal program or not, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask and/or negotiate a short-term stay in advance of making a final purchase decision. As a frame of reference, below are examples from leading senior housing providers for an active adult, a continuing care retirement and an assisted living community.
ACTIVE ADULT It doesn’t get more “active” than The Villages, the nation’s largest and among the most well-known active adult retirement communities. Located an hour north of Orlando, FL, The Villages boasts more than 80,000 residents, nine championship golf courses, more than three dozen recreation centers, shopping, dining, movies, a regional medical center and more than 1,000 organized activities. With so much to see and do, more than 500 couples a month take advantage of the community’s short-stay program, called the “Lifestyle Preview Plan.”
21
ButWhat If I’m Not Ready For a Retirement Community? According to Gerry Andrews, executive sales manager for The Villages, a couple can spend four to seven nights in a fully furnished unit of up to two bedrooms/two baths, with access to all community activities and groups. The program also includes one to two rounds of golf, access to tennis and other recreational facilities, and movie tickets. While the living unit includes a fully equipped kitchen, guests also are provided a coupon book with discounts of 10 percent off community restaurants. “We want them to be able to fully participate in every aspect of the community,” says Andrews. Cost: $150-175/night per couple (winter); $100/night per couple (summer). Details: http://thevillages.com/ comevisit/lpp.asp.
22
I
If you are reading this and thinking you are a few (or more) years away from looking for residence in a retirement community, this information may still have relevance for you. According to the National Alliance for Family Caregiving, more than 43 millionAmericans (at an average age of 55) are caring for older family members. To make matters more complicated,15 percent of those live an average of more than 300 miles away. Knowing options for test-driving a retirement community can help family members work as a team to find the best location and resources for all involved – including opportunities for grandparents to live a little closer to grandchildren,while enjoying their personal retirement home. As referenced in the article, family members caring for a parent requiring health or personal care services also can take advantage of respite care programs in assisted living communities to enjoy a vacation free from worry – while allowing mom or dad to see the benefits such a community may offer. Then again, given the features of many test-drive programs, your biggest frustration may be in being too young to qualify for them yourself.
CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Greenspring, a 2,000-plus resident continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located in Springfield, VA, is
one of 16 such communities operated by Erickson Living – one of the nation’s largest CCRC providers. Like all CCRCs, the vast majority of Greenspring’s residents live independently, enjoying a full
SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
YOUR HOME, just the way you want it.
O n c e u p o n a t i m e , if you moved to a retirement community, you had to squeeze your entire lifestyle into a cookie-cutter space. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find a different experience waiting for you at ACTS. Whether you move into a one- or two-bedroom carriage house, villa, or apartment home, ACTS encourages you to remodel as you see fit. Create a library, enlarge the master bath, build a computer nook. Your only limits are the outer walls and your own imagination. Your unique apartment design is waiting for you, not far from where you now live. Come plan it today.
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Southeastern Pennsylvania Delaware Maryland North Carolina South Carolina Georgia Alabama Florida
ACTS is a not-for-profit organization pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. All eligible communities are CCAC accredited. Š 2011 ACTS
ACTSretirement.org
Greenspring’s campus
range of housing, activities, transportation and dining services. Assisted living, Alzheimer’s and skilled nursing care are additionally available on-site, whether for short- or long-term needs. Through its “Live the Life” program, Greenspring offers an individual or
couple the opportunity to spend 24 to 48 hours in a fully furnished guest unit (typically a studio or one-bedroom), including access to all activities, facilities and meals in any of the community’s multiple dining rooms and casual eateries. “We work to create an experi-
ence that allows guests to learn what Greenspring is all about,” says Jarad Smith, Greenspring’s director of sales. To accomplish this, the staff put together a schedule of activities based on interests expressed by program guests, available through more than 200 resident groups and additional community-sponsored programs. Greenspring staff also attempt to match guests with current residents who share similar interests and backgrounds, as an additional resource and introduction to the community. Cost: Free; however, a deposit of $1,000 is required, which places guests on Greenspring’s “Priority List” for residency. The deposit is then either fully refunded or applied toward the entrance fee for permanent residence, following the “Live the Life” stay. Details: www.ericksonliving.com/ ourcommunities/gsv.
ASSISTED LIVING At Emeritus of Loma Linda, a 138unit assisted living community in Loma Linda, CA, individuals or a couple may take advantage of the community’s “Short Stay-Respite” program. Part of Emeritus Senior Living, the nation’s largest senior housing provider, the program allows individuals to experience the full range of the community’s housing and hospitality services, while also receiving assistance with personal or health care needs. The program includes a fully furnished studio or one-bedroom apartment; cable TV; three meals a day; and access to all community events, activities and services. The program also includes a Life Alert (emergency call) system; 24/7 staff; and assistance with predetermined needs, such as dressing or medications management. According to Kenny Wilber, director of commu-
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SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
Entrance and respite room at Emeritus of Loma Linda
nity relations, “Every assisted living resident has different needs, so we customize our respite accommodations for each and every individual.” Because of information and resources required by the community’s license for residency, there is a minimum
one-week stay required for the program. However, a week to 10 days is typically needed, in any case, for assisted living residents to assess fully the services and assistance available to them. At Emeritus, stays can then last up to four to six weeks, more than enough time to know if the community can provide the housing and assistance you need. Cost: $125/day (individual); $175/ day (couple). Minimum one-week stay. Details: www.emeritus.com/californ ia/loma-linda/emeritus-loma-linda.
IT’S UP TO YOU If you can’t take advantage of the short-term stay programs, you should still be able to get enough information to allow for a happy conclusion to your search for a new home. Most providers will go out of their way to answer any
Anita Taylor Resident since 2005
and all questions. In addition, you’ll be able to tour the facilities, speak with current residents, check licensing records and review total costs. But if you want that extra measure of assurance, many retirement housing providers are not only offering the opportunity for you to try before you buy, but they also are making it worth your while.
Andrew Carle is an internationally recognized expert on senior housing, technology and care. A former senior housing executive, he is currently founding director of the Program in Senior Housing Administration at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. The program offers the only academic curricula in the nation dedicated exclusively to the senior housing field. E-mail: acarle@gmu.edu.
Making life better from the inside out. In the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland, there’s a place where the future is full of possibilities for people who live with passion. We call it Living with Heart. See for yourself what it’s like to live free from the burdens of homeownership, with plenty of choices for what comes next.
To learn how Anita is Living with Heart, go to www.AsburyMethodistVillage.org. 201 Russell Avenue Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877 NARFE | SEPTEMBER 2011
To learn more, call 1-800-836-9077. Ask about opportunities for savings that make life even better.
25
Managing Money
Changes to the Estate Tax Law By Mark A. Keen, CFP®
M
y column in the August issue of NARFE magazine focused on the changes and temporary nature of our nation’s income tax code as a result of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act (the 2010 Tax Act), passed last December. In addition to the changes to the income tax code, this legislation also made sweeping changes to the federal estate tax. However, before we dive into the new federal estate tax rules, let’s take a brief look at the recent evolution of the estate tax code to better understand the impact of those recent changes. In 1997, Congress passed legislation that gradually increased the applicable exclusion amount (the amount that can be sheltered from the federal estate tax) to $1 million by 2006. However, in 2001, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) was passed, increasing the applicable exclusion from $675,000 in 2001 to $3.5 million in 2009. The provisions of EGTRRA also gradually reduced the maximum estate tax rate from 55 percent in 2001 to 45 percent in 2009, before disappearing altogether in 2010 (the maximum rate for gift tax purposes remained in place but dropped to 35 percent in 2010). Then, in 2011, the sunset provisions of EGTRRA were scheduled to take effect, reinstating the estate tax with a top rate of 55 percent (compared to 45 percent in 2009) and an applicable exclusion of $1 million (compared to $3.5 million in 2009). But in the eleventh hour, Congress passed the 2010 Tax Act, creating
26
sweeping, although temporary, changes to the federal estate tax code. For starters, the 2010 Tax Act set the top estate tax rate at 35 percent and increased the applicable exclusion amount to $5 million. In addition, the amount a person could “gift” during his or her lifetime without incurring gift taxes was “reunified” with the applicable exclusion amount, thus making both the gift exclusion amount and the applicable exclusion amount $5 million. In 2009, the applicable exclusion amount was $3.5 million, while the gift exclusion amount was only $1 million. Perhaps one of the most interesting provisions of the 2010 Tax Act – and new to estate tax law – is the “portability” of the applicable exclusion amount between spouses. Generally, the portability provision allows any unused gift and estate tax exemptions of a deceased spouse to be transferred to the surviving spouse. Portability effectively gives married couples the ability to exempt up to $10 million of assets from gift and estate taxes without having to set up trusts to ensure both exemptions are used. For example, let’s assume Harry and Jane have an estate valued at $10 million, with each spouse having $5 million. If Harry passes away in 2011 and leaves his entire $5 million estate to his wife, Jane, his estate would pass tax-free
to Jane under the unlimited marital deduction. Jane’s estate would then be valued at $10 million. If Jane were to pass away shortly thereafter, her applicable exclusion amount would be her $5 million, plus Harry’s unused $5 million, for a total of $10 million. Prior to the portability provision, the applicable exclusion amount was a “use it or lose it” feature and often required the use of trusts to ensure that each spouse’s exemption amount was used to the fullest extent possible. In the previous example, Harry’s $5 million exemption would have gone unused and would have been lost. In other words, when Jane passed away, she would have been able to pass along only $5 million of the $10 million estate tax-free. You may be thinking that, given the recent increase to the applicable exclusion amount and the introduction of the portability provision, you don’t have to worry about estate taxes. Unfortunately, think again. Just as with the income tax code, the current estate tax rules are only temporary. Unless Congress acts, the estate tax exemption will fall back to $1 million, and the portability provision will be repealed, beginning January 1, 2013. Furthermore, even if you and your spouse happen to pass away in 2011 or 2012 and avoid any federal estate taxes, your estate may still fall victim to
GENERALLY,the portability provision allows any unused gift and estate tax exemptions to be transferred to the surviving spouse.
SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
Mark A. Keen, CFP®, is president and owner of Bennett Financial Advisors, 3600 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax,VA, and an investment adviser representative and registered principal of The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA). Securities and advisory services are offered through SFA. E-mail: mkeen@tributaryadvisors.com. NARFE | SEPTEMBER 2011
“Well, I finally did it. I finally decided to enter the digital age and get a cell phone. My kids have been bugging me, my book group made fun of me, and the last straw was when my car broke down, and I was stuck by the highway for an hour before someone stopped to help. But when I went to the cell phone store, I almost changed my mind. The phones are so small I can’t see the numbers, much less push the right one. They all have cameras, computers and a “global-positioning” something or other that’s supposed to spot me from space. Goodness, all I want to do is to be able to talk to my grandkids! The people at the store weren’t much help. They couldn’t understand why someone wouldn’t want a phone the size of a postage stamp. And the rate plans! They were complicated, confusing, and expensive… and the contract lasted for two years! I’d almost given up when a friend told me about her new Jitterbug phone. Now, I have the convenience and safety of being able to stay in touch… with a phone I can actually use.” The cell phone that’s right for me. Sometimes I think the people who designed this phone and the rate plans had me in mind. The phone fits easily in my pocket, and it flips open to reach from my mouth to my ear. The display is large and backlit, so I can actually see who is calling. With a push of a button I can amplify the volume, and if I don’t know a number, I can simply push “0” for a friendly, helpful operator that will look it up and even dial it for me. The Jitterbug also reduces background noise, making the sound loud and clear. There’s even a dial tone, so I know the phone is ready to use.
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state estate taxes if you live in a state that has either an estate tax or inheritance tax. Despite the fact that it’s the federal estate tax that gets all of the attention, most states’ exemption amounts are far lower than the $5 million federal exemption, casting a wider net and potentially exposing more of the estates of the deceased to their state’s death tax. For example, Ohio begins levying a 6-percent tax on the assets of estates valued at more than $338,333 and then 7 percent on the assets exceeding $500,000. Fortunately for those living in Ohio, recently passed legislation kills the death tax, beginning January 1, 2013. However, there are more than 20 other states that impose an estate tax or inheritance tax that can pack a punch. For example, Maryland exempts the first $1 million of an estate but generally levies a hefty 16-percent estate tax on anything above that amount. Your plans should take into consideration estate taxes at both the federal and state levels. It’s always a good idea to review your estate plans periodically with your financial adviser and estate planning attorney to ensure that your wishes will still be carried out. This is especially true now in light of the recent changes. Having said that, the temporary nature of the estate tax code certainly complicates long-term planning and may require more frequent reviews until Congress decides to institute a more permanent estate tax regime.
Finally, a cell phone that’s… a phone!
ice ed Pr uc 8 d 4 Re y $ b
o t N rac nt Co
IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc. Your invoices will come from GreatCall. All rate plans and services require the purchase of a Jitterbug phone and a one-time set up fee of $35. Coverage and service is not available everywhere. Other charges and restrictions may apply. Screen images simulated. There are no additional fees to call Jitterbug’s 24-hour U.S. Based Customer Service. However, for calls to an Operator in which a service is completed, minutes will be deducted from your monthly balance equal to the length of the call and any call connected by the Operator, plus an additional 5 minutes. Monthly rate plans do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges. Prices and fees subject to change. 1We will refund the full price of the Jitterbug phone if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition. We will also refund your first monthly service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage. If you have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will apply for each minute over 30 minutes. The activation fee and shipping charges are not refundable. Jitterbug is a registered trademark of GreatCall, Inc. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and/or its related entities. Copyright © 2011 GreatCall, Inc. Copyright © 2011 by firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. All rights reserved.
27
LiveWell
Help for Chronic Pain By Marilyn S. Radke, M.D.
T
he number one complaint of older adults is pain, and one in five older adults takes a painkiller regularly. Pain is an unpleasant sensation triggered in the nervous system as a result of disease, inflammation or injury, and it is not a normal part of aging. Pain or discomfort that lasts for a long time, or that comes and goes over the course of months or years, is chronic pain. Age-related illnesses, such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes and shingles, can cause chronic pain. Left untreated, chronic pain can interfere with daily activities, walking, eating and sleeping. It can lead to disability, and cause depression and anxiety. You can help your doctor to diagnose the cause of your pain by describing: • Where you hurt; • When the pain started, and if it is constant or comes and goes; • What it feels like – sharp, dull, burning, aching or shooting; • When you feel it – morning, evening, after eating or other activity; • What makes it feel better – taking medication or other treatments, using heat or ice, changing position from lying down to sitting up or standing; and • Other symptoms you may have. Your doctor may ask you to describe your pain as mild, moderate or severe, or to rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10,
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with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain you can imagine. Your doctor may have pictures of faces that show different expressions of pain and ask you to point to the face that shows how you feel. Older adults with dementia may suffer from chronic pain but may be unable to describe it. According to the American Geriatric Society (AGS) Foundation for Health in Aging, signs of pain in older adults with dementia include: • Frowning, looking frightened, grimacing, keeping eyes tightly closed, rapid blinking; • Moaning, groaning, sighing, grunting, chanting, calling out or calling for help, breathing noisily, being verbally abusive; • Rigid or tense body posture, fidgeting, pacing, rocking, or altered walking and movement; • Changes in usual routine, eating or sleeping; and • Increased confusion, irritability, distress or wandering. Your doctor may examine your nervous system by testing your movement, reflexes, sensation, balance and coordination. Nerve conduction studies, electromyography and evoked potential studies may be used to assess nerve and muscle function. X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging may be used to assess damage to bones, joints and other tissues. These medications are most commonly used to treat chronic pain in older adults: • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) — the
first choice for mild to moderate pain, including arthritis. It is not habitforming. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage and allergic reactions. Heavy drinkers and people with liver disease should avoid it. • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS: aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) — may cause nausea, vom-
LEFT UNTREATED, chronic pain can lead to disability,and cause depression and anxiety. iting, diarrhea, rash, dizziness, headache or allergic reactions. They can cause kidney or liver failure and ulcers, and prolonged bleeding after an injury or surgery. They should be used only briefly and in limited doses, and should be avoided if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, history of stroke or risk of stomach bleeding. • Narcotics (opioids: Vicodin, Percocet, Ultracet, Lortab, morphine, codeine) — are used for severe pain and cause fewer serious side effects than
To Learn More
F
or more information,write to the NationalInstituteon Aging Information Center, P.O. Box 8057, Gaithersburg,MD 20898-8057;or call 800-222-2225 (TTY:800-222-4225);or visit the website at www.nia.nih. gov. You also can write to the AGS Foundation for Health in Aging, 350 Fifth Ave., Suite 801, New York, NY 10118;call 800-563-4916;or visit the website at www.healthinaging.org.
SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
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It’s reliable. From the Are you waterproof pendant to the concerned “Good morning. This is sophisticated base unit to the about being Nancy with Medical Alarm. state-of-the-art 24/7 call helpless in an Do you need assistance center, the entire system is emergency? Mrs. Smith?” designed to give you the Are you and peace of mind in your loved ones knowing you are anxious about what never alone in would happen if you an emergency. were unable to get You get two-way to a phone? Have communication you considered with a live person moving out of in our Emergency the home you Response Center, and love and into some there’s a battery backup kind of assisted living in case of a power failure. because of these worries? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are not alone. Millions Best of all, it’s affordable. You of seniors are concerned about their get the complete system for only safety. There are products out there that pennies per day. No equipment claim to help, but they are difficult to charge, no activation fee, no long use and even more difficult to afford. term contract. Call now and within Why mess with complicated installaa week you or someone you love tions and long term contracts when will have the peace of mind and there’s a product that’s simple, reliable independence that comes with this and affordable? The product is the remarkable system. Designed For Seniors® Medical Alarm, read on and we’ll explain why every Be one of the first 100 to order senior in America should have one. What will you do in case of an emergency? If you have Designed For Seniors® Medical Alarm, all you do is push a button, and you’ll immediately get the help you need, quickly and reliably. That’s because it has been “designed for seniors” by the industry leader in providing helpful and affordable solutions for millions of aging Americans. First of all, it’s simple to install and use. Unlike other products that require professional installation, this product is “plug and play.” The unit is designed for easy use in an emergency, with large, easy-to-identify buttons.
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NSAIDS. They can cause constipation, sleepiness and nausea, which may fade over time or can be managed. They can be habit-forming but can be stopped safely. • Other medications — local anesthetics (lydocaine), antidepressants, anticonvulsants (Neurontin, Lyrica) and celecoxib (Celebrex) may bring relief. Additional therapies include: • Acupuncture – hair-thin needles; • Biofeedback – stress relief; • Cognitive behavior therapy – counseling; • Distraction – coping skills; • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – a TENS unit stimulates nerves for therapeutic purposes; • Guided Imagery – relaxing thoughts; • Hypnosis – focused attention; • Massage therapy; and • Physical therapy. To feel better, try to maintain normal weight, exercise gently, get enough sleep, join a support group, and avoid tobacco, caffeine and alcohol. If your doctor cannot help you or your loved one with chronic pain, then ask for a referral to a pain medicine specialist (a physician trained in pain management). There is help for chronic pain.
“New medical alarm can save you money
Copyright © 2011 by firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. All rights reserved.
29
Alzheimer’s Update
More Funding Needed for Research By Barb L. Pretzer
I
n the 1960s, doctors did not tell their patients that they had cancer. It wasn’t until the 1970s that cancer was mentioned in obituaries. By comparison, Alzheimer’s disease was not even a topic of conversation in the 1970s. There were no Alzheimer’s disease research centers; no biomarkers; no data on Alzheimer’s disease. The first set of diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease was established in the late 1980s, with the understanding that an individual had to actually display signs of dementia in order to be diagnosed. Since then, drugs to treat Alzheimer’s have been developed, but they only relieve symptoms for some. Scientists have not yet been able to prove any theories surrounding the cause of the disease. In fact, Alzheimer’s disease is the only cause of death among the top 10 causes of death in America without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression. Now, in 2011, we still have a great need for more dependable biomarkers, disease-modifying medications and proven methods of prevention. It is abundantly clear that Alzheimer’s research has come a long way in a relatively short time – but there is still much to be done. To achieve a breakthrough, Alzheimer’s research needs an increase
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in funding from the National Institutes of Health. Every year, cancer research receives more than $6 billion; heart disease, more than $4 billion; and HIV-AIDS, more than $3 billion. But Alzheimer’s research receives only $450 million. We’ve seen a return on investment with the progress made in the fight against these other diseases. (Heart dis-
agnosis can change that. NARFE members can give additional support by volunteering for a clinical trial to help develop the tools needed to fight this disease. Tell your friends and family how they can help. We can certainly assist the Alzheimer’s Association in the effort to change public perception of this disease and get more people involved in the fight. I want to mention again that 100 percent of the funds that NARFE members contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association goes strictly to research. To date, NARFE has funded a total of 49 scientists. If you would like to obtain a report on NARFE’s recently funded grants and their findings, contact your regional Alzheimer’s coordinator or me. The NARFE-Alzheimer’s National Committee will meet in September, and one of our primary responsibilities during that meeting is to select the grants to fund with the money we have raised during the past fiscal year (ended June 30, 2011). What an incredible privilege it is for committee members to represent their regions in selecting our next set of scientists. With no lack of science or new ideas, who knows – this may be the year! Remember: November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month!
TO ACHIEVE a breakthrough, Alzheimer’s research needs an increase in funding.In order to mobilize the federal government to take action,the public must demand a change. ease treatment alone saves about one million lives a year – a great target for Alzheimer’s disease.) Now, it’s time to make the same meaningful commitment to the fight against Alzheimer’s. “We’re behind,” says Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association. “There is a backlog of drugs that are ready for clinical trials, but we can’t move forward because we don’t have the funding or the participants to do so.” In order to mobilize the federal government to take action, the public must demand a change. Here’s one reason why. For every $28,000 the government currently spends caring for people with dementia, they invest only $100 in research – research that could one day save our country millions of lives and billions of dollars. There are no Alzheimer’s survivors. It is hoped that research and early di-
Barb L. Pretzer is chairman of the NARFE-Alzheimer’s National Committee. E-mail: bpretzer@ksu.edu. SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
Introducing the coin that never was.
Imagine that you were examining artifacts in the Smithsonian Institution and you found a never-seen-before sketch for the largest and highest denomination American coin ever proposed. That’s precisely what happened when a coin expert was exploring the collection at this celebrated public institution not long ago. To his own surprise, the numismatist found the original-design concept for a one hundred dollar denomination created by George T. Morgan, arguably the greatest American coin designer. These sketches, hidden within an original sketchbook for nearly a century, represent perhaps the grandest American coin ever proposed—the $100 Union™. George T. Morgan will always be remembered for his most famous coin, the Morgan silver dollar. Until recently, the world knew nothing of Morgan’s larger and higher denomination $100 Union concept design. The secret’s out!
This is not a reproduction… this is the first-time ever Morgan $100 Union™ design struck as a silver proof.
For a limited time, you can secure the world’s first and only $100 Union™ Proof struck in pure .999 silver at our special price of only $99 (plus S&H). Call today!
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A portion of the sales proceeds from your purchase of this licensed product supports the chartered educational purposes of the National Numismatic Collection, housed in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. ©2011 New York Mint, Ltd. New York Mint is a private company and is not affiliated with the United States Mint. This Silver Proof is not legal tender and the U.S. Mint has not endorsed it nor the New York Mint.
Questions & Answers NOTE: The following Questions & Answers were compiled by Retirement Benefits Service Department staff. These are real questions received by the Department and real answers, based on the members’ personal circumstances. The answers are not universal and may include information that is relevant to the correspondent’s particular situation. NARFE does not provide legal advice or assistance, does not provide financial planning advice or assistance, and does not provide tax advice or assistance. For legal, financial planning or tax advice/assistance, NARFE recommends members contact an attorney, financial planner or certified public accountant/tax adviser.
RETIREES REMARRIAGE QUESTION: I lost my wife of 67 years, but have found a new mate and anticipate marriage in the near future. What must I do to cover my new spouse under the monthly survivor’s benefit program and health insurance? Response: You should write to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) within two years of the date of your remarriage with your election. We do not have any system to compute the amounts that you would have to pay for survivor’s benefits. Therefore, we are only able to provide general information about the method that OPM uses to compute the cost. You would owe retroactive payments for the survivor’s benefit. Your annuity also would be reduced by a permanent actuarial reduction equal to the difference between the new annuity rate with the survivor’s benefit and the old
32
one without the survivor’s benefit since your retirement, plus 6-percent interest. In most cases, the actuarial reduction amount is less than 5 percent of your annuity. The actuarial reduction continues even if the marriage ends. When you contact OPM, OPM will send you a statement describing the cost of the election and ask you to confirm your election. You can request that your new wife be covered under your Federal Employees Health Benefits Program plan by telephone from 31 days before to 60 days after the remarriage. If you do not do it within that time frame, you must wait until the next Open Season.
tired under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). We had decided not to include me as a survivor because the annuity was so small, we would need it for our cash flow, and I have other resources. We have begun to rethink this decision.I know that my husband needs to write a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to request a change.How long does he have to request this change? Response: You have 18 months to contact OPM and make this election. It would be expensive because you must pay retroactive to the date of retirement for those benefits. You also would pay a 24.5-percent penalty and 6-percent interest.
SS BENEFITS QUESTION:I retired under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).I have only a few years of work under which I paid Social Security taxes on my wages. My wife, based on her work record, is eligible for a Social Security benefit. If I die before her,would the survivor’s benefit she will receive be reduced because she is receiving Social Security?
SS DISABILITY QUESTION: I retired several years ago on disability under the Civil Service Retirement System.I recently applied and was approved for Social Security disability retirement. The Social Security Administration (SSA) says that it will offset my Social Security benefit because I am receiving disability from the Office of Personnel Management. Is this correct?
QA &
Response: Your spouse would receive her full Social Security benefit and her full survivor’s benefit from the Office of Personnel Management. The only spouse who would have his or her survivor’s benefit offset would be someone who was married to a CSRS Offset employee (someone who separated from federal service, returned to work after 1983 and was placed in CSRS Offset). That spouse would receive a Social Security benefit based on the retiree’s work record.
BENEFIT ELECTION QUESTION:My husband recently re-
Response: According to the information we have, public disability payments that may affect your Social Security benefit are those paid by a federal, state or local government and are for disabling medical conditions that are not job-related. Examples are civil service disability benefits, state temporary disability benefits, and state or local government retirement benefits that are based on disability. If you receive Workers’ Compensation or other public disability benefits, the total amount of these benefits cannot exceed 80 percent of your average current earnSEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
NARFE SERVICE OFFICERS are available to answer questions and to ings before you became disabled. Our interpretation is that the information you have received is correct. But you may want to contact the SSA and see if you can appeal its decision.
assist in helping with a variety of benefit matters. Check your chapter newsletter for the name and phone number of your service officer. Call NARFE toll-free at
800-456-8410 for the nearest service officer. NARFE Service Centers are also available in some areas. Use the Service Center listings on the NARFE Web site, www.narfe.org.
NEW SPOUSE BENEFITS QUESTION:I have been retired for 10 years with 36 years of federal service. I am about to be divorced from my current wife, who is signing off on all rights to my retirement benefits (including survivor’s benefits). If I remarry, how long will I have to be remarried in order for my new spouse to be able to collect survivor’s benefits?
gram. You can contact the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) immediately after your remarriage and explain that you wish to elect a survivor’s benefit for your new spouse. OPM will not begin deducting for the survivor’s election until you have been married for 10 months.
Response: You must be married for nine months unless you and your spouse have a child together, or you are killed in an accident as defined by the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance pro-
SPOUSE SS BENEFITS QUESTION: My spouse and I both worked under Social Security. He is currently receiving benefits, but I want
NARFE | SEPTEMBER 2011
to wait until age 70 so the delayed retirement credits will make my benefits higher.Someone told me that,when I reach my full retirement age of 66 later this year,I can apply for benefits as a spouse.Is this correct? Response: Yes. If you are between your full retirement age and age 70, and your spouse is receiving Social Security benefits, you can choose to file and receive benefits on just your spouse’s Social Security record. If you only collect benefits as a spouse, you can continue to earn
33
Questions & Answers delayed retirement credits until age 70. Then, you can apply for the higher benefit based on your own work record.
ACTIVE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT PLANNING QUESTION: When should I start planning for retirement? Response: It is never too early to start planning for retirement. The five-year period before retirement is important because you must have insurance coverage for five years immediately before retirement in order to keep it after retirement. You also may need some preliminary information to make decisions about when you can afford to retire and whether to make any necessary payments to receive credit for military or noncontributory service or repay any retirement contribution refunds. You also should consider attending a pre-retirement seminar as soon as possible. NARFE has a pre-retirement seminar program. For information, visit www.narfe.org and click on Pre-Retirement Seminars in the left panel. NARFE also offers an online retirement calculator and other financial planning tools exclusively for members at a reduced price. Click on the ad in the left panel below the Pre-Retirement Seminars link.
INSURANCE PREMIUMS QUESTION: I will be retiring at the end of the year. I have had health insurance since I started working for the government and know that I meet the requirement to carry the insurance into retirement. Will the government continue to pay the same portion of my premiums or will my premiums increase? Response: You will be charged at the same rate as an active federal employee, and the government will continue to
34
NARFE now offers an online retirement calculator and other financial planning tools for members only.Find out more about this new membership benefit at www.narfe.org. pay about 70 percent of your premium. You need to be aware that they will be deducted on a monthly basis instead of biweekly. Recognize that health insurance premiums normally increase for everyone in January, following Open Season, and your coverage may change.
JOB SEARCH QUESTION:I am currently a federal employee but would like to change to an agency where there is more promotion potential.How do I do this? Response: We can give you some general information that may be helpful in your job search. There must be a job opportunity announcement in order to apply for a federal job. A federal application consists of submitting a résumé and usually completing an assessment and providing additional information, as requested, such as transcripts, SF-50s and/or a DD-214 (military discharge paper). The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has an excellent online tool (USAJOBS) to help you to locate jobs. There is a section called “Special Hiring Events.” Go to www.usajobs.gov. It is very important that you carefully review the “Qualifications and Evaluations” section of the job opportunity announcement to see if you qualify for the job. Also review the “How to Apply” section of the job opportunity announcement. When applicants do not follow the instructions provided in the “How to Apply” section, the application may be considered incomplete, and applicants will not be considered for the job. When you apply for a position, we
recommend that you print out the job opportunity announcement so that you will have the information to refer to when checking on your status after the job announcement’s closing date. OPM removes job opportunity announcements from its system when the jobs close.
BENEFIT CALCULATION QUESTION: What is the maximum retirement benefit I can receive as a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) employee? Response: The basic CSRS annuity cannot exceed 80 percent of your highthree average salary. Generally, you reach the 80-percent limitation when you have 41 years and 11 months of service, not including accumulated sick leave. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), therefore, will use your sick leave to extend your service and pay you more than 80 percent. Fewer years of service may result in a computation that produces the maximum benefit under special computation formulas, such as for law enforcement personnel. Your service beyond the years that provide the maximum benefit will not be used to compute your annuity. Instead, OPM will automatically refund the retirement contributions you made during those years. Interest is paid on this refund payment at the rate of 3 percent per year, compounded annually. You can use the refund to purchase additional annuity amounts, as though the contributions and interest were voluntary contributions. If you have federal civilian employSEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
Aging in the Home™ Technology
COURT ORDERS QUESTION:Is there a publication on the rules that apply to court orders affecting benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS),the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program? Response: Yes: A Handbook for Attorneys on Court-Ordered Retirement, Health Benefits, and Life Insurance Under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), and Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI). You can order this publication from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 152507954. The order processing code is 7612, and the document number is S/N 006-000-01408-9. You also can order by calling 202-512-1800. The regulations covering both the CSRS and FERS benefits are included in Part 838 of Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations. The regulations contain extensive model language that the Office of Personnel Management encourages attorneys to use in preparing court orders.
MILITARY RETIREMENT QUESTION: I am receiving military retired pay. Will I be able to use any of my military service in the computation of my civil service annuity? Response: You cannot receive credit for military service in your Civil Service ReNARFE | SEPTEMBER 2011
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ment periods during which you did not contribute to either the CSRS or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), OPM would automatically apply excess contributions toward any deposit due for these employment periods.
Are you in love with your home, but afraid of your staircase?
35
Pioneering audiologist invents “reading glasses” for your ears.
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circus peanut jammed in your ear. Thanks to a state-of-the-art manufacturing process and superior design, we can make Neutronic Ear affordable and pass the savings on to you.
It works… but don’t take our word for it. Why For thousands of folks like Georgia, Neutronic pay thousands to make everything sound Ear is an easy and affordable way to rejoin louder when what you really need is a Personal conversations and get the most out of life. First Sound Amplification Product? We’re so sure of all, Neutronic Ear is not a hearing aid; it is you’ll be absolutely thrilled with the quality and effectiveness of this a PSAP, or Personal Sound Just think of the product that we are Amplification Product. Until places you’ll enjoy offering it to the public at PSAPs, everyone was required a low introductory price to see the doctor, have hearing Neutronic Ear tests, have fitting appointments Parties • Restaurants with our exclusive trial offer. If, for any reason, (numerous visits) and then pay Church • Lectures you are not completely for the instruments without Book Groups amazed by how this any insurance coverage. These product improves your devices can cost up to $5000 Bird-watching life, simply return it for a each! The high cost and Movies refund of the product inconvenience drove an And almost purchase price within 30 innovative scientist to develop any daily activity days. Call now. the Neutronic Ear PSAP.
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tirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirement computation if you are receiving military retired pay, unless you were awarded the retired pay: • Due to a service-connected disability either incurred in combat with an enemy of the United States or caused by an instrumentality of war and incurred in the line of duty during a period of war; or • Under the provisions of Chapter 67, Title 10, U.S.C. (pertaining to retirement from a reserve component of the Armed Forces). However, you can elect to waive the retired pay and have the military service added to your civilian service in computing your CSRS or FERS annuity. You should have your human resources office provide you with an annuity estimate both with and without your military service so that you can determine if it would benefit you to combine your service.
EX-SPOUSE COVERAGE QUESTION:I am a federal employee and am divorcing my spouse, who is not a federal employee.Can I continue to cover my ex-spouse under my federal health insurance plan? Response: Your spouse is eligible for coverage while you are in the process of getting divorced and even while you are legally separated. Your spouse loses eligibility for coverage as a family member when your divorce is final. Your spouse can apply for coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) under the Spouse Equity or Temporary Continuation of Coverage provisions of the FEHBP law. Your spouse should contact your human resources office to apply.
TSP WITHDRAWALS 80232
Neutronic Ear has been designed with the finest micro-digital electronic components available to offer superb performance and years of use. Many years of engineering and development have created a product that’s ready to use right out of the box. The patented case design and unique clear tube make it practical and easy to use. The entire unit weighs only 1/10th of an ounce, and it hides comfortably behind either ear. The tube is designed to deliver clear crisp sound while leaving the ear canal open. The electronic components are safe from moisture and wax buildup, and you won’t feel like you have a
Questions & Answers
QUESTION: I am still working and SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
Technology Simplified
Response: You can take only one agebased withdrawal during the time you are actively employed in federal service or as a member of the uniformed services. If you have two separate TSP accounts – a civilian TSP account and a uniformed services account – you can only make an age-based withdrawal from the account associated with your active employment at the time of your withdrawal. However, if both of your accounts are associated with your active employment, you can make an age-based withdrawal from each account. It will impact your future withdrawal options. You are not eligible to receive a partial withdrawal from the same account after you separate from service. Your age-based withdrawal is subject to federal income tax and, in some cases, state income tax. Age-based withdrawal payments are considered eligible rollover distributions for federal income tax purposes and are subject to a mandatory 20-percent tax if you make an age-based withdrawal. The TSP will withhold 20 percent for taxes. You can avoid withholding on all or any portion of an age-based withdrawal payment by transferring the payment directly to a traditional individual retirement account or eligible employer plan.
To obtain an answer to a retirement benefits question, call 703-838-7760 and ask for the Retirement Benefits Service Department; send your question by postal mail to NARFE Headquarters, ATTN: Retirement Benefits; or submit it by e-mail to retbenefits@narfe.org. NARFE | SEPTEMBER 2011
It’s even easier to understand and use!.
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“I love this computer! It is easy to read and to use! I get photo updates from my children and grandchildren all the time.”
understand. All you do is touch one of them, from the Web, Email, Calendar to Games– you name it… and a new screen opens up. It’s so easy to use you won’t have to ask your children or grandchildren for help. Until now the very people who could benefit most from Email, and the Internet are the ones that have had the hardest time accessing it. Now, thanks to the WOW Computer, countless older Americans are discovering the wonderful world of the Internet every day. Isn’t it time you took part? Call now, and a patient, knowledgeable product expert will tell you how you can try the WOW computer for $999.00 in your own home. If you are not completely satisfied return it within 30 days for a refund of the product purchase price.
–From Janet F. This computer is easy-to-use, worry-free and literally puts the world at your fingertips. From the moment you open the box, you’ll realize how different the WOW computer is. The components are all connected; all you do is plug it into an outlet and your high-speed Internet connection. Then you’ll see the screen. This is a completely new operating system, without the cluttered look of the normal computer screen. The “buttons” on the screen are easy to see and easy to …send and receive emails Keep up with family and friends.
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80195 Copyright © 2011 by firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. All rights reserved.
over age 59-1/2.I am thinking of taking an age-based withdrawal from my Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account. What can you tell me about this type of withdrawal?
WOW…A Computer Designed For YOU, Not Your Grandchildren! W …It’s easy to read. It’s easy to see. Just plug NE
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37
Report From the Regions Calling All Members By William F. Martin Region X Regional Vice President narfe2065@hughes.net
A
lthough August was ”Grass-Roots Advocacy Month,” we need to continue those activities throughout the year. As NARFE members, we are all part of NARFE’s grass-roots network, and it is often at the grass-roots level that change originates. With our country facing dire financial problems, Congress is looking for ways to cut spending. We need to watch for ef-
forts to try to do so by placing an unfair burden on federal workers and retirees. This is where grass-roots advocacy comes into play. NARFE Legislative Director Dan Adcock recently said, “It is vital that NARFE members get involved in defending the earned retirement, pay and health benefits of federal workers and annuitants.” I am challenging you to become committed to this effort, not only in August but also throughout the year. A marvelous resource is the “Protect America’s Heartbeat” campaign toolkit, which includes timely information, as well as sample letters and suggestions for setting up and conducting meetings with your senators and representative. (The toolkit is available at www.ProtectAmericasHeartbeat.org,
under “Resources.”) While a face-to-face meeting is best, a personal, handwritten letter also can be effective. If you need help identifying where to send a letter, contact your chapter or federation legislative officer, or even your regional vice president. Finally, send an e-mail using NARFE’s Legislative Action Center at www.capwiz.com/narfe; or call the Capitol Switchboard at 866-220-0044. What is most important is that you let your senators and representative know that you are concerned about your benefits. Remember: You and I represent NARFE at the grass-roots level. NARFE has an outstanding Legislative Department working on our behalf, but it is also up to us to do what we can to protect our hard-earned benefits. ■
B
last into a summer of savings! 4.59% APR1 on a personal loan 1.25% APY or 2.40% APY Share Certificates
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SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
Of Lim fe ite r– d Ac Ti t N me ow ! “…classic! The [Stauer] tanzanite are a beautiful shade of violet blue… full of color!” — PRAISE FOR STAUER TANZANITE FROM C. OF MISSOURI
Endangered Gem Disappearing Tanzanite is found in only one remote spot on Earth, and it’s 1,000 times rarer than diamonds. Experts say the mines will soon run dry forever, but today you can own more than 1 carat for less than $50!
T
ime is running out. Geological experts predict the world’s supply of tantalizing tanzanite will disappear in a matter of just a few years. Maybe sooner. High-end retailers are raising prices on this rare stone. And gem dealers are in a mad scramble to secure their claim before it’s too late. Let them scramble. Our buyer recently secured a huge cache of beautiful rare tanzanite, the precious stone loved for its vivid violet-blue color. Today you can own over 1 carat of this rare stone (1,000 times rarer than diamonds) in our spectacular 1 1/5 ctw Tanzanite Cluster Ring with a suggested retail of $795 for only $49.50.
USING THE RING SIZE CHART Place one of her rings on top of one of the circle diagrams. Her ring size is the circle that matches the inside diameter of the ring diagram. If her ring falls between sizes, order the next larger size.
the largest retailers selling tanzanite rings for well over $2,000 each. Ridiculous. Instead, you can secure your own piece of limited-edition tanzanite history at the right price. Our promise of absolute satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Our offers are so consumer friendly that we have earned an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. But, why less than $50 for a genuine 1 1/5 tanzanite ring? It’s simple. We want you to come back to Stauer for all of your jewelry and watch purchases. If you are not 100% delighted with your ring, send it back within 30 days for a full refund of the purchase price. Just remember that the odds of finding this stone at this price ever again is like waiting for lightning to strike the same place twice.
It started with a lightning bolt. One strike set the African plains on fire and uncovered a secret that was buried for more than 585 million years. Tanzanite naturally occurs in only one place on Earth: Tanzania’s remote Merelani Hills, in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro.
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NARFE News 2012Calendar Features Members’Photos
O
nce again, fall is upon us, and that means the 2012 NARFE Photo Contest Calendar will soon be showing up at your residence. The 2012 Calendar features photos by these talented NARFE amateur photographers: Shirley M. Sebright, Chapter 187, Springfield, OH; Thomas Williams, Chapter 190, Camarillo, CA; Marie Caviness, Chapter 441, Round Lake, IL; Jordan Tuller, Chapter 1372, Stevensville, MD; Robert Peterson, Chapter 973, Saint George, UT; Carol L. Moyer, Chapter 251, Riva, MD; David H. Loescher, Chapter 1175, Parksley, VA; Robert Kozar, Chapter 150, Eden Prairie, MN; Gloria Cruice, Chapter 1482, Mandeville, LA; Norman Collin, Chapter 2194, Port Charlotte, FL; Joda C. Taylor, Chapter 1547, Bella Vista, AR; Erik Anderson, Chapter 1690, Lewes,
DE; Thomas Hodgson, Chapter 351, Glade Park, CO; and Margaret Foley, Chapter 34, Boston, MA. Please watch for the calendar
coming to your mailbox and consider sending a voluntary contribution to help NARFE work for you. If you send a donation, please use only the envelope that comes in the package. Using any other NARFE-addressed envelopes
will result in a delay, or the envelope may not reach Headquarters at all. And please, do not use these envelopes for sending any other material – such as a dues payment – to NARFE. Again, your mailing may be delayed or lost. If you want to see one of your photos in the 2013 NARFE Calendar, consider sending in a submission. Photos must be 8” x 10” or 8” x 11” horizontal format, and each entry must have the following information on a piece of paper stuck or taped to the back of each photo: Name, address, chapter number, and phone number or e-mail address. Neither e-mailed nor Polaroid pictures will be accepted. Send your entries to NARFE Photo Contest, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1914. Deadline for entries is February 10, 2012. ■
Second Quarter 2011 Recruitment Results In the past six months,8,297 new members have joined NARFE. – Jacqueline Johnson-Bryant, Recruitment and Retention Assistant REGION I
REGION V Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . .117 Kansas . . . . . . . . . . .94 Minnesota . . . . . . .148 Missouri . . . . . . . . .153 Nebraska . . . . . . . . .44 North Dakota . . . . .32 South Dakota . . . . . .52 Total . . . . . . . . .640
REGION IX Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Montana . . . . . . . . . .33 Oregon . . . . . . . . . . .81 Washington . . . . . .203 Total . . . . . . . . .390
Dist. of Columbia . .100 Delaware . . . . . . . . .36 Maryland . . . . . . . .644 New Jersey . . . . . .122 Pennsylvania . . . . . .356 Total . . . . . . . .1,258
California . . . . . . . .524 Guam . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . .68 Nevada . . . . . . . . . . .64 Philippines . . . . . . . . .0 Total . . . . . . . . .666
REGION X Kentucky . . . . . . . . . 97 North Carolina . . . 190 Tennessee . . . . . . . . 117 Virginia . . . . . . . . 1,632 West Virginia . . . . . . 58 Total . . . . . . . . 2,094
REGION VII
40
Illinois . . . . . . . . . . .194 Indiana . . . . . . . . . .114 Michigan . . . . . . . . .135 Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . .217 Wisconsin . . . . . . .122 Total . . . . . . . . .782
REGION II
REGION VIII
Arizona . . . . . . . . .116 Colorado . . . . . . . .175 New Mexico . . . . . .84 Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Wyoming . . . . . . . . .11 Total . . . . . . . . .423
REGION IV
Connecticut . . . . . . .54 Massachusetts . . . .101 Maine . . . . . . . . . . . .35 New Hampshire . . .34 New York . . . . . . ..259 Rhode Island . . . . . . .23 Vermont . . . . . . . . . .20 Total . . . . . . . . .526
REGION III
REGION VI Arkansas . . . . . . . . . .73 Louisiana . . . . . . . . .53 Oklahoma . . . . . . .111 Panama . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Texas . . . . . . . . . . .333 Total . . . . . . . . .574
FOREIGN 16
Alabama . . . . . . . . .141 Florida . . . . . . . . . .377 Georgia . . . . . . . . .235 Mississippi . . . . . . . .70 Puerto Rico . . . . . . .20 South Carolina . . . . .85 Total . . . . . . . . . . .928
SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
Passages
HistoryBookIsaWinner!
N
ARFE has won an APEX 2011 Award of Excellence for its 90th anniversary publication NARFE – Celebrating 90 Years of Service. APEX Awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. The APEX Awards of Excellence are given in recognition of exceptional entries in various subcategories. The NARFE award was for a one-of-a-kind publication. The book was written by Donna St. John, assistant editor of NARFE maga-
Remaining supply discounted 40%
$10 $6
JOSEPHINE M. MURPHY FORMER CALIFORNIA FEDERATION PRESIDENT Josephine“Jo” M.Murphy,past president of the California Federation, died May 26 in Oceanside,CA,at the age of 91. After working 27 years at Camp Pendleton and six years at the Marine Corps Exchange, she joined NARFE in 1979.She served as president of Oceanside Chapter 706 for 12 years and held many other local and state offices. She started the Oceanside Service Center in 1988 and ultimately coordinated all NARFE service centers in California. She is survived by a daughter and a grandson.
Presenting NARFE’s
NEW LOW PRICE!
Only
zine, and designed by Beth Bedard, NARFE graphic artist. Copies of the book are available for purchase. See below for the order form; or go to www.narfe.org, sign in as a member, click on Leadership and then on the image of the book on the Leadership Home Page. The book blends the history of NARFE with the history of the U.S. civil service. It chronicles the Association’s continuous fight over its 90-year history to protect federal employees’ and retirees’ earned benefits. ■
Limited Edition 90th Anniversary Book
Order your copy of NARFE’s 90th Anniversary Book today! Clip and mail to: NARFE 90th Book, 606 N. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1914 Name __________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________________State ______ZIP ___________
Number of Books
____ x $6 = ___________ (includes shipping & handling)
Member ID# (As it appears on NARFE magazine label) ________________________
Tax (if applicable) = _______
❏ Charge to my credit card
Virginia residents must add 5% tax ($0.30 per book)
❏ MasterCard
❏ Visa
❏ Discover
❏ AMEX
Card # _________________________________________________________________ Exp. Date
Total cost = ______________
________ / _______ (mm)
(yy)
MAIL ORDER ONLY NO PHONE ORDERS Signature ____________________________________________ Date _____________ Make checks payable to NARFE
Name on card (print) ____________________________________________________
NARFE | SEPTEMBER 2011
41
NARFE News
Finding Us on Facebook and the Internet
I
f you are looking for NARFE on Facebook, enter NARFE National Headquarters in the search function on facebook.com. Or you can link to the NARFE National Headquarters Facebook page by clicking on the Face-
book button on the NARFE website’s Main Home Page. NARFE’s comprehensive website can be found at www.narfe.org. Sign in as a member, then explore all that the site has to offer. For example, you can read
Silver Circle Nears $110,000
S
ilver Circle donations totaled $109,364 as of July 15. Donors from April 16-July 15 are listed below with their chapter numbers. The program offers a way for members to give to NARFE beyond the norm.
Donors of $25 or more are listed in the magazine and receive a silver circle pin. Donors of $1,000 or more have their names engraved on the Wall of Fame at NARFE Headquarters. Members who donated to the pro-
the current and back issues of NARFE magazine online by clicking on Departments, then NARFE magazine. Past issues are available under “Archives.” To page through the latest issue, click on “Click Here to Read Full Version.” ■
WALL OF FAME ($1,000 OR MORE) WILLIAM F. MARTIN, CHAPTER 2065,VA
gram in memory of the late National Treasurer Charles W. Saylor also are listed with their chapter numbers.
SILVER CIRCLE ($25 OR MORE) ARKANSAS OUIDA N. WOLFE 0093 WALTER SHELDON 1547 CALIFORNIA LOUIS J. JURUS 0004
SAYLOR MEMORIAL DONATIONS NANCY GROSS 2166 BETTY LUCERO-TURNER 0118 WILLIAM F. MARTIN 2065
JEFFREY W. KINCAID 0074 ERVIN W. CURTIS 0455 COLORADO ALAN MALONE 0241 FLORIDA ALFRED M. RODGERS 1140 FREDERICK LEY 2023 MASSACHUSETTS SYLVAN J. GREENSTEIN 0221 MARYLAND LLOYD F. JANSSEN 1972 NEBRASKA GENEVIEVE R. CONWAY 0362
NEW JERSEY NICHOLAS PANSINI 0203 JOHN J. KUPER 0411 NEW YORK JOSEPH GODFREY 1758 OHIO HARRY J. ART 0265 JAMES D. HONE 0341 PENNSYLVANIA FRANCIS W. HOEBER 0031 PAUL E. LONG 0301 JEAN V. ALEXANDER 1778
SOUTH CAROLINA JOHN ZITNICK 0087 EDITH M. STAALMAN 0934 SOUTH DAKOTA HARLAN L. NIEDERMYER 0810 VERMONT TOMMASO RENDINO 0208 VIRGINIA KENNETH C. GIMBERT 1827 WASHINGTON PATRICIA Y. BREWER 0181
Silver Circle Contribution Form
Yes!
I want to be a member of the NARFE Silver Circle. Enclosed is my Silver Circle contribution of $ _____
• 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.
ID # ____________________________________________________________________ (ID # may be found on your NARFE magazine label or your NARFE membership card)
Name ____________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________ City ____________________________________ State ___________ ZIP _____________ J My check is enclosed (please make check payable to NARFE Silver Circle) Silver Circle contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. J Please charge my credit card Card type J Mastercard J Visa J Discover J AMEX J Installment Plan Card # _________________________________________________ Wall of Fame 12-month installment plan Expiration Date_____________________________________________ Name __________________________________________________ Signature ___________________________________________ Date ___________________
Clip this contribution form and mail to: NARFE Silver Circle, NARFE, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314
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SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
FEDERATION PRESIDENTS 2011-2012
ALABAMA Willa Dean Morgan 1427 N. Houston St. Athens, AL 35611-1669 256-233-0248 dmorgan1427@bellsouth.net www.narfeal.com
DISTRICT of COLUMBIA Linwood N. Watson 1733 38th St. SE Washington, DC 20020-2329 202-581-8767 bepbear@aol.com
ALASKA Hollis D. Hall 3511 Kreb Dr. Fairbanks, AK 99709-2817 907-479-0617 hdhall@alaska.net
FLORIDA Kenneth A. Carter 11866 Northtrail Ave. Temple Terrace, FL 33617 813-983-9101 kcarjax@aol.com www.narfefl.net
ARIZONA Rodney Adelman 16068 W. Edgemont Ave. Goodyear, AZ 85395-8113 623-505-4719 narfeaz@cox.net www.narfeaz.com
GEORGIA Virgil Halte 1908 Forest Glen Dr. Albany, GA 31707-3345 229-883-1353 v.halte@mchsi.com www.ganarfe.com
ARKANSAS Winston Wolfe 9 Doscientos Cir. Hot Springs Village, AR 719096042 501-922-1724 wowolfe@suddenlink.net www.narfeark.org
HAWAII Henry J. Magee 3075 Ala Poha Pl. #2012 Honolulu, HI 96818-1690 808-834-7719 hjmagee@msn.com www.narfehsfc.multiply.com
CALIFORNIA Jeanette L. Schmidt 11961 Tree Top Cir. Nevada City, CA 95959-3511 530-273-7324 jlschmidt37@comcast.net www.csfcnarfe.org COLORADO Frank C. Impinna Jr. 3604 Seramonte Dr. Highlands Ranch, CO 80129-4621 303-482-1747 impinna@gmail.com www.narfe-colorado.com CONNECTICUT Catherine B. Nasin PO Box 33 Willimantic, CT 06226-0033 860-742-3053 catherine.nasin@gte.net www.ctnarfe.org DELAWARE Erik D. Anderson 36003 Chester Ct. Lewes, DE 19958-5277 302-542-8610 eda014@aol.com www.narfede.org
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IDAHO Arnold F. Hartigan 11209 Camas St. Boise, ID 83709-1210 208-377-3265 anjhartigan@cableone.net www.idnarfe.org ILLINOIS R. Leo Cunningham 1108 W. MacQueen Ave. Peoria, IL 61604-3310 309-688-4657 cunningham8866@sbcglobal.net www.narfe.org/il INDIANA Andy F. Whitt III 1800 S. 18th St. Terre Haute, IN 47802-2513 812-249-0984 (mobile) 812-232-6361 (home) awhittIII@aol.com www.narfe.org/in IOWA Larry E. Moore 10339 Hwy. F-24 W Mingo, IA 50168-8600 641-363-4561 larrymingo@aol.com
KANSAS Cindy Renee Blythe 10262 Fairview Rd. Burlingame, KS 66413-8554 785-589-2266 cindy.r.blythe@uscg.mil www.ksnarfe.org
MISSISSIPPI Gerald M. Janci 187 Hwy. 9 N Pittsboro, MS 38951-9759 662-412-2029 lettermanj@aol.com www.narfe-mississippi.org
KENTUCKY Noreene Morgan 9205 Royal Oak Ln. Union, KY 66413-8554 859-283-9688 firstships@aol.com www.narfeky.org
MISSOURI Grant Peters 11947 Harrison Dr. Kansas City, MO 64146-1102 816-589-5461 grpeters54@att.net www.narfe.org/mo
LOUISIANA Teddy R. Holmes 4100 Forsythe Ave. Monroe, LA 71201-2207 318-651-8397 lanarfe@comcast.net www.narfe.org/la
MONTANA Janice J. Erfle 12 Willow Bend Dr. Billings, MT 59102-7319 406-534-2870 erfle46@bresnan.net www.narfe.org/mt
MAINE Lorraine R. Noel 11 Cedar St. Augusta, ME 04330-5711 207-622-6538 memererain@myfairpoint.net www.narfe.org/me
NEBRASKA Kendal F. Oerter 2020 W. Philip North Platte, NE 69101-5963 308-532-8395 kenoer20@charter.net
MARYLAND Ted Jensen 11057 Bennie Duncan Rd. Frederick, MD 21701-2211 301-845-2088 tjensen.narfe@gmail.com www.mdnarfe.org MASSACHUSETTS Robert J. Conrad 141 Amesbury Rd. Haverhill, MA 01830-2801 978-521-9984 rjcconrad@aol.com MICHIGAN David Adams 55179 Breton Woods Dr. Macomb Twp., MI 48042-1649 586-232-4594 adamsadamsjr@comcast.net MINNESOTA John A. Schmidt 1206 Oakwood View Fergus Falls, MN 56537-4405 218-736-7123 schmidt1@prtel.com www.mn-narfe.org
NEVADA Thomas R. Prettyman 17 Windtree Cir. Carson City, NV 89701-6086 775-884-3538 trpreq81@charter.net www.narfe.org/nv NEW HAMPSHIRE Peter M. Mantos 596 Portland Ave. Rollinsford, NH 03869-5906 603-742-5249 user458233@aol.com www.narfe.org/nh NEW JERSEY Rae C. Novak 326 Thompson Ave. Middletown, NJ 07748-5907 732-495-0322 rcn19422002@yahoo.com http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeon7 y1/njfederationnarfe/index.html NEW MEXICO Leon E. Garcia, Ph.D. 702 Pine Tree Rd. SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124-2131 505-891-1108 arubolino@aol.com www.narfe-nm.net
SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
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Federation Presidents Gather. Federation presidents (or their designees) met in Sparks, NV, July 19-22 in conjunction with a meeting of the National Executive Board.
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Pictured are (see numbers): 1. Winston Wolfe, 2. Peter Mantos, 3. Larry Cunningham, 4. Willa Dean Morgan, 5. Bernard Christner, 6. Isabel Sullivan, 7. Noreene Morgan, 8. Barry Rock, 9. Gerald Janci, 10. Maria Ritzman, 11. Henry McGee, 12. Reva Rock, 13. Lorraine Noel, 14. Rae Novak, 15. Luis Arroyo-Medina, 16. Larry Moore, 17. Andy Whitt, 18. Ken Carter, 19. Cindy Renee Blythe, 20. J. Dobbin McNatt, 21. Dottie Schmidt, 22. Sandy Cagle, 23. R. Leo Cunningham, 24.Virgil Halte, 25. Linwood Watson, 26. Janice Erfle, 27. Ed Konys, 28. Bill Nicol, 29. Ed Kessler, 30. Robert Conrad, 31. James Olden, 32. Rebecca Rotondo, 33. Tom Prettyman, 34. Zane Suverly, 35. Rodney Adelman, 36. Eva Heller, 37. Bob Hardesty, 38. Paul Sams, 39. Ron Peters, 40. Arnold Hartigan, 41. Catherine Nasin, 42. Arden Mathison, 43. Frank Impinna, 44. John Schmidt, 45. Bill Shackelford, 46. Ted Holmes, 47. Mike Cornelison, 48. Marshall Richards, 49. Ted Jensen, 50. Erik Anderson and 51. Ed Chase.
NEWYORK Barry L. Rock 81-15 156 Ave. Howard Beach, NY 11414-2321 718-835-3689 rrock2@nyc.rr.com www.narfeny.org
OREGON Zane Suverly PO Box 904 Lafayette, OR 97127-0904 503-864-8672 zsuver@comcast.net www.narfe.org/or
SOUTH CAROLINA William R. Nicol 4 Margarita Ct. Hilton Head, SC 29926 843-671-4721 pennst63@aol.com www.scnarfe.org
VIRGINIA William Shackelford 14429 Round Lick Ln. Centreville, VA 20120-1680 703-830-6590 wshack1951@aol.com www.vanarfe.org
NORTH CAROLINA Paul E. Sams 86 Pine Lake Dr. Whispering Pines, NC 283279373 910-949-3357 paulsams@mindspring.com www.ncnarfe.info
PENNSYLVANIA Maria I. Ritzman 441 Mill Bridge Dr. Lebanon, PA 17042-9413 717-270-1119 maria745@comcast.net www.narfepafederation.org
SOUTH DAKOTA Bernard W. Christner 23905 Sun Country Ln. Rapid City, SD 57702-7427 605-348-8853 chrisnpeg4@msn.com www.narfe.org/sd
WASHINGTON Sandra S. Cagle 6011 Winnwood Dr. SE Olympia, WA 98513-5380 360-456-8509 asgwa@aol.com www.narfewa.net
PANAMA Lorenzo I. Quarless Box 5447, Zona 3 Santos Spirith, Rep. of Panama 507-220-0640 lorenzoquarless@cableonda.net
TENNESSEE Larry Cunningham 10117 Arnold Ln. Mascot, TN 37806-1525 865-933-0229 larrycunningham@narfetn.org www.narfetn.org
WISCONSIN J. Dobbin McNatt 7012 Park Shores Ct. Middleton, WI 53562-3702 608-831-5759 mydomcnatt@tds.net http://narfewi.tripod.com
TEXAS Marshall L. Richards 106 E. Cedar St. Hallsville,TX 75650-6134 903-660-2784 pappysdad@cobridge.tv www.txnarfe.org
WESTVIRGINIA Robert Hardesty 1517 Mt.Vernon Rd. Charleston, WV 25314-253 304-346-5250 rharde1946@aol.com www.wvnarfe.com
UTAH Isabel A. Sullivan 1361 Portside Way Salt Lake City, UT 84123 801-685-8822 isull@comcast.net www.narfeutah.org
WYOMING Edward E. Chase 6702 Terrace Dr. Casper, WY 82604-9266 307-472-6420 eschase@earthlink.net http://home.bresnan.net/~wyna rfe/wyfed
NORTH DAKOTA Arden Mathison 1815 Harmon Ave. Bismarck, ND 58501-2878 701-255-4235 aemathison@bis.midco.net www.narfe.org/nd OHIO Edward J. Konys 1070 Meadow Lark Dr. Enon, OH 45323-9701 937-864-1023 president.ohnarfe@gmail.com OKLAHOMA Charles Stanphill 6818 E. 65th Pl. Tulsa, OK 74133-4009 918-493-2486 retiredmsg@cox.net www.narfeok.org
NARFE | SEPTEMBER 2011
PHILIPPINES Fidel T. Dayrit 608 Rose St., Pineda Subdivision Dau, Mabalacat, 2010 Pampanga, Philippines 345-331-2514 PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS Luis Arroyo-Medina PO Box 360787 San Juan, PR 00936-0787 787-529-6039 hpabon@coqui.net RHODE ISLAND Earl Blamires 274 Morgan Ave. Johnston, RI 02919-631 401-944-6531 erbprov@msn.com
VERMONT Marie Brouillette 3982 Route 105 Sheldon,VT 05483-9765 802-933-4676 rmbroui@localnet.com
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Out & AW bout ith the Chapters
Visit our online gallery at www.narfe.org. Click on NARFE magazine.
Congressional Caucus. Members of Chapter 1405 in Miami, FL, attended an open house hosted by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (wearing tie).
Fundraising Franks. Members of Chapter 2218 in Wooster, OH, sell sandwiches at a local grocery store every year to raise funds. Pictured, from left: Brenda Ajtaji,Vickie Menges, Larry Harris and Bob Ajtaji.
Every Penny Counts. Chapter 1839 in Valley City captured the North Dakota Federation’s 2011 Pennies Against Alzheimer’s Disease traveling plaque. The state’s eight chapters donated 240 pounds of pennies. From left: Darlene Danielson, federation Alzheimer’s chair; Vern Hedland, Chapter 1839 president; Barb Pretzer, national Alzheimer’s chair; and Carol Ek, Region V vice president.
Members Helping Members. Jackie Dehart, left, president of Chapter 1061 in Green Valley, AZ, joins Jane Pall, District II vp, in loading household items to be delivered to NARFE families in Sierra Vista, AZ, who lost their homes in the Monument Fire.
To submit a photo: E-mail it to rl@narfe.org or send it by postal mail to NARFE Headquarters, ATTN: Out & About. NARFE members contributed for Alzheimer’s research:
SUPPORT ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH
$10 Million Fund
$9,293,510* *Total as of June 30, 2011 100% of all contributed funds go to Alzheimer’s research. If you have any questions, write to: National Committee Chairman Barb L. Pretzer, 4817 Rockridge Ct. Manhattan, KS 66503 E-mail: bpretzer@ksu.edu
Enclosed is my NARFE-Alzheimer’s contribution: $ ___________. Every cent that is contributed is used for research. Please circle:
Mr.
Mrs.
NARFE-Alzheimer’s Research and mail to: Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., 17th Floor Chicago, IL 60601-7633
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Ms.
Address _____________________________________________________________ City _______________________________ State _________ ZIP ______________ Chapter number _______________________ Credit Card Information: ❑ Visa
Your charitable contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Write your chapter number on check; make it payable to:
Miss
Name _______________________________________________________________
❑ MasterCard
❑ Discover
❑ AMEX
Card Number: __________________________________________________________ Expiration Date:________(mm)/_________(yy) 3-Digit Security Code: _________ Name on Card: (print) ___________________________________________________ Signature:_________________________________________ Date: _______________ SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
Join
NARFE
Who can join?
Today!
To apply:
Membership is open to civilians in any agency of the federal or D.C.* governments including: • Retirees • Active federal employees • Spouses and former spouses of active and retired federal employees • Former employees eligible for deferred annuity • Survivors of those eligible to join NARFE
Check out eNAR FE, our new electronic m embership option, at www.NAR FE .org
• Complete the application below. • Enclose payment information, bill pay, check or money order payable to NARFE, or request to be billed. • Or go to our Web site at www.narfe.org. • Or call us at 800-627-3394 and join today! *Prior to October 1, 1987
Enrollment includes membership in a local chapter and the national association, plus a subscription to NARFE’s monthly publication, NARFE magazine.
NARFE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION For Active and Retired Federal Employees 1. Choose all that apply: Retiree Spouse Survivor
Active employee Former spouse Former employee
2. Also enroll my spouse __________________________
www.narfe.org
Contact Information:
Full Name: Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms.
full name
3. Please enroll me in NARFE chapter ______________
Street Address
4. __________ $45 x __________ Membership Fee # of People Per Person Enrolling
City/State/ZIP
= __________ Total Payment
Total payment (check, bill pay or money order payable to NARFE) Bill me (Membership starts when payment is received) Charge to my credit card The first year membership fee includes national and chapter dues.
Credit Card Information: MasterCard Card type: Discover
VISA AMEX
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(YY)
Name on Card (Print) ________________________________ Signature ____________________________ Date __________ NARFE | SEPTEMBER 2011
Apt./Unit
Phone Number E-mail Address Date of Birth Spouse’s Date of Birth (if applicable) Recruiter’s Membership and Chapter Number
MAIL TO:
NARFE Member Records 606 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314-1914 Fax: 703-838-7783
1Q 47
NARFE Perks NARFE 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 below and encourages its members to shop and compare before making a decision on any financial matter.
MOVING SERVICES
NARFE MEMBER HOMEBENEFITS 1-800-666-9203 http://narfe.myhomebenefits.com • Earn thousands in cash-back rewards when you buy or sell a home* • Shop competitive mortgage rates, receive discounts on closing costs, plus take advantage of your VA Loan Benefits • Receive preferred pricing on interesete moving services with the nation’s most trusted moving company – Allied Van Lines! *State restrictions apply. Call or visit website for details.
BEKINSVAN LINES 1-800-456-6832 (M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT) narfe@bekins.com All NARFE members will receive discounted pricing for all interstate shipments. Discount will apply to packing and moving services and valuation protection. All intrastate shipments, locals and international moves will be competitive in cost based on your geographical location. Mention you are a NARFE member and transportation agreement #00930.
VACATION RENTALS
Endless Vacation Rentals® As a member of NARFE, you will receive 10% off the “Best Available Rate” at vacation rental properties booked at www.evrentals.com/narfe or by calling 1877-670-7088, prompt 3, and providing promotion code 20672 at time of booking.
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INSURANCE
TRAVEL
NARFE INSURANCE SERVICES
MORE SAVINGS!
1-800-233-5764 Insurance plans designed and administered exclusively for NARFE members. Call for information on Whole and Term Life, Hospital Indemnity, Accidental Injury and Death Plan, Dental Plan and Cancer Care Plan. For information on Long Term Care call the Long Term Care Unit at 1800-358-3795.
Check out the new and improved NARFE Travel website for even more savings! www.NARFEtravel.com • Exclusive Offers • Hot Cruise Deals • Hot Tour Deals • Escorted Group Departures
GEICO: 1-800-368-2734
There has never been a better time to book Your Next Cruise Vacation!
NARFE members with good driving records may be eligible for quality automobile insurance from GEICO. Ask about the NARFE discount now available to members in many states. Call today for your free, no-obligation rate quote. Be sure to mention that you’re a NARFE member! • Discount amount varies in some states • Discount not available in all states or in all GEICO companies • One group discount applicable per policy.
EMERGENCY SERVICES SINCE 1974 1-800-423-3226 Medical Air Services Association has been the industry leader in prepaid emergency assistance services for more than 30 years. NARFE members have experienced MASA’s “peace of mind” services since 2001. Now NARFE members are entitled to even more: air ambulance transportation, helicopter transportation, ground ambulance, vehicle return, mortal remains transport, and much more! Call MASA Today. It Could Save Your Life!
Plus Airfare, Hotels, Car Rentals, Shore Excursions, Trip Insurance and More!
1-800-607-4538
HEARING BENEFITS TRUHEARING The TruHearing program can save you hundreds of dollars: • Free hearing screening • 45-day, money-back guarantee • 3-year warranty • Free one-year supply of batteries • 1,400 hearing professionals nationwide • 12-months, no interest financing (available upon approved credit)
Call to schedule your appointment
877-360-2442 Operators available Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (East Coast time)
SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
HOTELS
CAR RENTALS
CREDIT UNION
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL With 6,000 hotels in the United States and throughout the world, Choice Hotels® offers something for everyone. Join the Choice Privileges® rewards program and earn points with every qualifying stay toward free nights, Airline Rewards, gift cards and more. 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. To book, visit choicehotels.com or call 800-258-2847.
ALAMO Drive Happy® with Alamo® where NARFE members receive year-round discounts. Call 1-800-462-5266 and reference Contract ID 262544.
NATIONAL 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-CAR-RENT® and reference Contract ID 5282909.
NARFE’S OFFICIAL CREDIT UNION As a member of NARFE, you have the privilege of joining NARFE Premier Federal Credit Union, which has been serving members since 1935. We offer extensive services at competitive rates to members nationwide. Your savings are federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. For more information, call 800-3281500, e-mail jparish@narfepremierfcu. org or visit us at NARFEpremierfcu.org.
CREDIT CARD AVIS:1-800-331-1441
WYNDHAM HOTEL GROUP As a member of NARFE, you will receive up to 20% off the “Best Available Rate” at participating locations when you travel. Call and give agent your special discount ID number, #20672, at time of booking to receive discount. Whether you are looking for an upscale hotel, an all-inclusive resort or something more cost-effective, we have the right hotel for you... and at the right price. So start saving now. Call our special memberbenefits hotline 1-877-670-7088 and reserve your room today at one of these fine hotels: Wyndham Hotels and Resorts®, Days Inn®, Ramada Worldwide®, Super 8®, Wingate By Wyndham®, Baymont Inns and Suites®, Hawthorn Suites® By Wyndham, Microtel Inns and Suites®, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge® and Knights Inn®.
NARFE | SEPTEMBER 2011
The employees/owners of Avis offer guaranteed low rates and quality services to members of NARFE. Mention ID# A991900.
HEALTH SCREENING
LIFE LINE SCREENING Life Line Screening, America’s leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will conduct the following screenings using state-of-the-art ultrasound technology in your neighborhood: 1. Stroke/Carotid Artery 2. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 3. Atrial Fibrillation 4. Peripheral Arterial Disease. You will receive a confidential written report within 21 days. Life Line Screening and NARFE encourage you to share these test results with your doctor. All four screenings cost just $135. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-324-9906 and give the operator code number: BKHN075 or visit www.lifelinescreening. com/NARFE. Coverage may vary and may not be available in all states.
Bank of America now offers the officially approved credit card program for NARFE, featuring the Platinum Plus® MasterCard® with WorldPoints. This is the only credit card that helps support NARFE every time you use it to make a purchase–at no additional cost to you. Call toll-free 1-866-438-6262 Use NARFE’s full name, not NARFE. Use priority code: UABEWD.
NARFE MERCHANDISE NARFE GENERAL STORE
Order Official NARFE Name Badges. Coming soon, customizable NARFE logo products and plaques. See MEMBER PERKS on the NARFE Web site, or go to: www.narfegeneralstore.com. Toll-Free Phone: 877-866-0102 Fax: 301-371-6824
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For the Record The chart below tracks the CPI-W, the monthly inflation change, and the cumulative percentage gain for the next CSRS and Social Security COLA. CPI-W October 2010 November December January 2011 February March April May June July August September
214.623 214.750 215.262 216.400 217.535 220.024 221.743 222.954 222.522
MONTHLY % CHANGE % CHANGE FROM 215.5 +0.1 +0.1 +0.2 +0.5 +0.5 +1.1 +0.8 +0.5 -0.2
July Ends With Sharp Sell-Off ByTracey Ray
I
n July, all of the Thrift Savings Plan stock funds were down for the third month in a row. Surprisingly, the I Fund was the best performing equity fund despite the uncertain situation in Europe. Markets had advanced smartly in the end of June, and that trend continued in July with the announcement of an aid package for Greece, while many U.S. corporations reported stronger than expected profits. But uncertainty over whether Congress would vote to raise the U.S. debt ceiling led to a sharp sell-off. In the last six days of July, the C Fund fell almost 4 percent, while the S Fund fared even worse, falling 4.9 percent.
Tracey Ray is chief investment officer of the Thrift Savings Plan.
Track the TSP every month in NARFE magazine 50
-0.4 -0.4 -0.1 +0.42 +0.95 +2.10 +2.90 +3.46 +3.26
Inflation Dips in June
T
he Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) decreased 0.2 percent in June. To calculate the 2012 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the indices of July, August and September 2011 will be averaged for a thirdquarter determinant, which will be compared with the 2008 thirdquarter base of 215.495 (because of price deflation in the past two measurement years, the 2008 third-quarter average is still the point of comparison). The June index of 222.522 is up 3.26 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. June’s index is 3.37 percent higher than the December 2010 base index of 215.262. ■
Thrift Savings Plan Investments* Month G Fund August 0.22% 2010 September 0.17% October 0.18% November 0.17% December 0.20% 0.24% 2011 January February 0.22% March 0.26% April 0.25% May 0.25% June 0.21% July 0.22% Last 12 Months 2.63%
F Fund 1.28% 0.17% 0.36% (0.57%) (1.05%) 0.13% 0.26% 0.06% 1.28% 1.31% (0.30%) 1.59% 4.57%
C Fund (4.51%) 8.92% 3.80% 0.01% 6.68% 2.37% 3.42% 0.04% 2.96% (1.13%) (1.67%) (2.04%) 19.62%
S Fund (5.59%) 11.47% 4.48% 3.00% 7.38% 1.23% 4.52% 2.06% 2.94% (1.27%) (2.35%) (3.14%) 26.22%
Month 2010 August September October November December 2011 January February March April May June July Last 12 Months
L 2020 (2.29%) 5.54% 2.29% (0.49%) 4.08% 1.35% 2.15% (0.03%) 2.37% (0.74%) (0.84%) (0.94%) 12.87%
L 2030 (2.88%) 6.77% 2.78% (0.56%) 4.96% 1.57% 2.60% (0.05%) 2.83% (0.97%) (1.10%) (1.25%) 15.25%
L 2040 (3.33%) 7.76% 3.16% (0.64%) 5.67% 1.75% 2.95% (0.08%) 3.20% (1.15%) (1.30%) (1.49%) 17.14%
L Income (0.63%) 2.00% 0.92% (0.05%) 1.49% 0.63% 0.90% 0.17% 1.01% (0.05%) (0.18%) (0.14%) 6.23%
I Fund (3.14%) 9.81% 3.63% (4.84%) 8.12% 2.41% 3.33% (2.23%) 6.03% (2.90%) (1.16%) (1.60%) 17.47% L 2050
3.28% (0.15%) 3.57 (1.39%) (1.48%) (1.75%)
*This chart is provided as a service to NARFE members who enrolled in the Thrift Savings Plan while employed by the federal government. Retirees are not eligible for enrollment. These returns are net of the effect of accrued administrative expenses and investment expenses/costs. Percentages in ( ) are negative. Source: tsp.gov.
SEPTEMBER 2011 | NARFE
24
Hand-Stitched
99 per
LEATHER
pair
(Reg. 34.99)
Loafers
Brown Indigo
Red
Camel
Duke Habernickel #1 Bargain Place, Jessup, PA 18434-1834
Fashionable! Functional! FUN! These sassy Leather T-Straps feature soft, Genuine Leather uppers with woven design and whipstitching. MagicCling™ closure with hidden elastic ensures a perfect fit and slip-on ease every time! Plush foam backed nylon tricot lining and Double Air-Pillo® Insoles will have your feet feeling fine! 5 Colors to choose from! Save $10 (Reg. $34.99) and Free Shipping - Order Now and Save!
LEATHER Loafers
24
99*
per pair 2 pairs 46.97 3 pairs 67.95
Haband #1 Bargain Place, Jessup, PA 18434-1834 On-Line Quick Order I enclose $________ purchase price, and only $7.99 WHAT WHAT HOW shipping & handling 7FR–E1P38 SIZE? WIDTH? MANY? for my entire order.
BROWN Ø4 RED KV INDIGO 15 CAMEL 2X Ø1 BLACK (Not shown)
In GA add tax.
FREE!
MEDIUM: 51⁄ 2 6 61⁄ 2 7 71⁄ 2 8 81⁄ 2 9 10 11 *WIDE $4 more per pair: 61⁄ 2 7 71⁄ 2 8 81⁄ 2 9 10 11
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© 2011 Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc. Manufactured for Brown Shoe Company, Inc., under license from Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc. 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.
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