From the President

To support legislation and regulations beneficial to federal civilian employees and annuitants and potential annuitants under any federal civilian retirement system and to oppose those detrimental to their interests.

To promote the general welfare of federal civilian employees and annuitants and potential annuitants, to advise and assist them with respect to their rights under retirement, health and other employee and retiree benefits laws and regulations, and to represent their interests before appropriate authorities.

To cooperate with other organizations and associations in furtherance of these general objectives.

Every day, half a million postal workers deliver mail to every address in America, providing crucial services and keeping us physically connected in an increasingly virtual world. NARFE has long advocated for postal reform, specifically the repeal of the burdensome mandate to prefund future USPS retiree health benefits, as well as the preservation of postal retirees’ choice regarding Medicare coverage.

Now, thanks to NARFE’s unflagging advocacy efforts at both the grasstops and grassroots levels, the House in February passed a reform bill that ensures postal retirees are protected and federal health benefits are preserved, while also providing substantial financial relief to USPS.

Over the past several years, my predecessors and I have delivered our message to Congress to amplify NARFE’s stance on postal reform. NARFE has been ever cognizant of the need to protect the benefits promised to postal retirees. Too many times, reform proposals were advanced that would have required postal retirees to pay additional premiums for mostly duplicative health insurance coverage through Medicare or risk their earned health benefits, setting a dangerous precedent. Bills that would have altered the bargain regarding health benefits for postal retirees after they retired, adding costs for those on a fixed income, were a nonstarter.

This legislation is different.

First, no one will see decreased benefits. The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 creates a new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program for all USPS employees and retirees; benefits will mirror those offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. Costs for coverage for postal employees and retirees are expected to stay the same or even drop because of savings from integration with Medicare. With a different, generally younger, cohort remaining in FEHB, average costs of coverage for federal employees and retirees are also expected to decrease, all else being equal. When an earlier version of the bill threatened adverse premium impacts for the remaining FEHB program, NARFE advocacy highlighted the threat and secured amendments to protect the program.

Second, the legislation upholds promises to retirees. While postal employees will need to enroll in Medicare Part B after retirement, current retirees will not be required to do so. But they will have a new opportunity to enroll without any late penalty, should they choose to do so.

In addition, the Postal Service Reform Act ensures mail delivery will continue six days per week, a service fundamental to USPS’ core mission.

At press time, the bill was awaiting a Senate vote. Check NARFE Newsline and www.narfe.org for the latest on the legislation’s status.

This advocacy achievement was only possible with the help of those who stand with us.

Thank you for supporting NARFE in our tireless efforts to protect your earned pay and benefits.

Stay safe.

natpres@narfe.org

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