February 2016 NARFE Magazine

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COVER STORY

Post-Nup Federal Couples’ Difficult Decisions

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love Notes As narfe Turns 95

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We’ve got Webinars!

Volume 92 • Number 2

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefi t Plan will pay a hearing aid benefi t up to $2,500 every 3 calendar years for adults age 22 and over, and up to a $2,500 total per calendar year for members up to age 22. Do not rely on this communication piece alone for complete benefi t information. All benefi ts are subject to the defi nitions, limitations, and exclusions in your Service Benefi t Plan brochure. The Blue365® Discount Program offers access to savings on items that you may purchase directly from independent vendors, which may be different from items covered under your Service Benefi t Plan or any other applicable federal healthcare program. For hearing aids, acupuncture, chiropractic and vision services, you must exhaust your Service Benefi t Plan benefi ts fi rst. To fi nd out what is covered under your policy, contact the Service Benefi t Plan. The products and services described herein are neither offered not guaranteed under any local Blue company’s contract with the Medicare program. In addition, these items are not subject to the Medicare appeals process. Any disputes regarding these products and services are not subject to the Service Benefi t Plan’s Disputed Claims process. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) may receive payments from Blue365 vendors. Neither the Service Benefi t Plan, BCBSA, nor any local Blue company recommends, endorses, warrants or guarantees any specifi c Blue365 vendor or item. The Service Benefi t Plan reserves the right to change, modify, or terminate any item and vendors made available through Blue365, at any time. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is an association of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies. State and local taxes and/or fees may apply. Available at participating locations until December 31, 2016.

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WashingTon Watch

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2015: A Year Marked by Vigorous Advocacy and Legislative Successes

114th Congress: Second Session Outlook

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Congress Passes FY 2016 Funding Bill, Preventing a Shutdown

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An Opening for WEP Reform?

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Highway Bill Avoids Targeting Federal Community for Cuts

10 Do Your Pre-Election

Grass-Roots Homework

12 NARFE Bill Tracker

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Columns

Cover Story federal couples. Couples with both members employed in the federal workforce have challenges that differ in significant ways from those of couples with one partner in the private sector.

4 From the President 36 Managing Money 40 The Informed Citizen DEPARTMENTS

16 Questions & Answers 42 For the Record: TSP narfe at 95. As NARFE marks its 95th birthday, we share some of the “love notes” sent to the Association by members for a job well done.

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Returns, Retirement Claims Status, Countdown to COLA

44 NARFE News, 2016

Scholarship Application

52 The Way We Worked On the Web

special section

visit us online at:

46 National Convention

www.narfe.org

Mini-Sessions

like us on facebook:

NARFE National Headquarters follow us on twitter:

@narfehq

ON THE COVER

Illustration by Bill Pragluski, Critical Stages, LLC

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february 2016 | Volume 92 | Number 2

Editor Margaret M. Carter Assistant Editor Ken Fanelli Editorial Administrator Toni Vallario

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

Graphic Design Charlene Gridley Editorial Board Richard G. Thissen, Jon Dowie

Editorial Office: narfe magazine 606 North Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314-1914 Phone: 703-838-7760 Fax: 703-838-7781 Email: communications@narfe.org Advertising Sales: Warren Berger Media People Inc. 122 East 42nd St., Suite 1622 New York, NY 10168 Phone: 212-779-7172, ext. 223 Email: wberger@mediapeople.com NARFE for the Visually Impaired On the Telephone: This publication can be heard on the telephone by persons who have trouble seeing or reading the print edition. For more information, contact the National Federation of the Blind NFB-NEWSLINE® service at 866-5047300 or go to www.nfbnewsline.org.

On digital audio: Issues of narfe magazine are also available in audio format through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). For availability, call 202-727-2142 or your local NLS service provider.

The Association, since July 1970, has been classified by the IRS as a tax-exempt labor organization [not a union]; however, dues and gifts or contributions to the Association are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

REGION I James P. Crawford (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) Tel: 603-630-5191 Email: crawfordjim62@gmail.com REGION II Evelyn Kirby (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) Tel: 410-604-1141 Email: ekirby@atlanticbb.net REGION III Jerry Janci (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Virgin Islands) Tel: 662-412-2029 Email: lettermanj@aol.com REGION IV Edward J. Konys (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) Tel: 937-470-0566 Email: region4vp@gmail.com REGION V Carol R. Ek (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) Tel: 620-241-1131, CELL: 620-504-2202 Email: ek617@att.net

Here’s How to Contact Us… to join NARFE:

Call (toll-free) 800-627-3394 OR GO TO www.narfe.org To change your mailing address, phone number or email address:

CALL (TOLL-FREE) 800-456-8410, EMAIL memberrecords@narfe.org OR LOG ON TO www.narfe.org and go to “My Account”

REGION VI Marshall L. Richards (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Republic of Panama and Texas) Tel: 903-660-2784 Email: pappysdad@cobridge.tv REGION VII Rodney L. Adelman (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) Tel: 623-505-4719 Email: narfe7vp@cox.net REGION VIII Helen L. Zajac (California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada and Republic of Philippines) Tel: 707-644-7565 Email: hlz17@aol.com REGION IX Lanny G. Ross (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington) Tel: 360-692-9741 Email: lannyjean@comcast.net REGION X William Shackelford (Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) Tel: 703-830-6590, CELL: 703-201-6304 Email: wshack1951@aol.com

TO REACH A FEDERAL BENEFITS Specialist:

Email fedbenefits@narfe.org NARFE HEADQUARTERS

606 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314 703-838-7760

www.narfe.org

narfe (ISSN 1948-4453) is published monthly by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA, and additional mailing offices. Members: Annual dues includes subscription. Nonmember subscription rate $45. Postmaster: Send address change to: NARFE Attn: Member Records, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. To ensure prompt delivery, members should also forward changes of address without delay. Because of the volume involved, NARFE cannot acknowledge nor be responsible for unsolicited pictures and manuscripts, although every reasonable precaution is taken. All submissions become the property of NARFE. Copyright © 2016, NARFE. Advertisements in the magazine are not endorsements of products and/or services by NARFE, unless officially stated in the ad. We shall accept advertising on the same basis as other reputable publications: that is, we shall not knowingly permit a dishonest advertisement to appear in narfe, but at the same time we will not undertake to guarantee the reliability of our advertisers.

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geico.com/fed/narfe 1-800-368-2734 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Discount amount varies in some states. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual. In New York a premium reduction may be available. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2014. © 2014 GEICO

From the President

the challenges of change

I

n Northern Virginia, where NARFE Headquarters is located, colder temperatures are in the forecast, so

we know that winter finally will be here.

Though nature has the ability to change seasons, we humans have trouble accepting change once a decade, once a generation or even once in a lifetime.

The NARFE National Executive Board (NEB) met in November, reviewed the recommendations of the Strategic Planning Committee and approved a comprehensive document to secure the future of this organization. In December, the Strategic Plan was posted on the NARFE website for member viewing. As you review the plan, and I hope all of you will, I urge you to look beyond local and regional self-interests and view it from the big-picture perspective of what is best for the

future of NARFE. At the National Convention in late August, delegates will vote on Strategic Plan-related resolutions and ready it for implementation.

As we note in this issue, NARFE turns 95 years old this month. The Association’s present structure doesn’t go back quite as far as NARFE’s founding in 1921; however, it was conceived in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It is now showing stress due to an aging leadership base and the changing demographics and preferences of younger generations of federal workers and retirees. Now is the time to review our practices and put in place a more agile structure that can adapt to a rapidly changing world of electronic communications, tailored to consumers of the Internet, smartphones and social media.

We must ask ourselves: “Are we inviting to the next generations of prospective members, and are we offering a product they desire?” We don’t want our Association to go the way of the buggy whip makers, who made an increasingly superior product but still went out of business once automobiles became the rage!

It is incumbent upon us to embrace the challenges of change or risk becoming irrelevant or – at best – a marginal influence in the lives of the Association’s new and prospective members.

Richard G. Thissen NARFE national President natpres@narfe.org

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How a Chicago Doctor Shook Up the Hearing Aid Industry with his Newest Invention New nearly invisible digital hearing aid breaks price barrier in affordability

The doctor evaluated the high-priced digital hearing aids on the market, broke them down to their base components, and then created his own affordable version — called the MDHearingAid AIR for its virtually invisible, lightweight appearance.

Reported by J. Page

Chicago: Board-certified Ear, Nose, and Throat physician Dr. S. Cherukuri has done it once again with his newest invention of a medical-grade, ALL-DIGITAL, affordable hearing aid.

This new digital hearing aid is packed with all the features of $3,500 competitors at a mere fraction of the cost. Now, most people with hearing loss are able to enjoy crystal clear, natural sound—in a crowd, on the phone, in the wind—without suffering through “whistling” and annoying background noise.

 Mini Behind-the-Ear hearing

Digital Hearing Aid Outperforms Expensive Competitors

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Nearly Invisible!

SAME FEATURES AS EXPENSIVE HEARING AID COMPETITORS aid with thin tubing for a nearly invisible profile to make speech clearer

This sleek, fully programmed, light-weight, hearing aid is the outgrowth of the digital revolution that is changing our world. While demand for “all things digital” caused most prices to plunge (consider DVD players and computers, which originally sold for thousands of dollars and today can be purchased for less), the cost of a digital medical-grade hearing aid remains out of reach.



Dr. Cherukuri knew that many of his patients would benefit but couldn’t afford the expense for these new digital hearing aids.

Generally they are not covered by Medicare and most private health insurance plans.

 3 Programs and Volume

Feedback Cancellation eliminates whistling

 Wide Dynamic Range

Compression makes soft sounds audible and loud sounds comfortable

 Telecoil setting for use with compatible phones, and looped environments like churches

Dial accommodate most common types of hearing loss even in challenging listening environments

Can a hearing aid delay or prevent dementia?

A study by Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging suggests older individuals with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing. They suggest that an intervention—such as a hearing aid—could delay or prevent dementia by improving hearing!

“Satisfied Buyers Agree, AIR is the Best Digital Value!”

“II am hearing things I didn’t know I was missing. Really amazing.

I’m wearing them all the time” —Linda I., Indiana “Almost work too well. I am a teacher and hearing much better now” —Lillian B., California “I have used many expensive hearing aids, some over $5,000.

The AIRs have greatly improved my enjoyment of life” —Som Y., Michigan

Affordable Digital Technology Using advanced digital technology, the MDHearingAid AIR automatically adjusts to your listening environment — prioritizing speech and de-emphasizing background noise. Experience all of the sounds you’ve been missing at a price you can afford. This doctor designed and approved hearing aid comes with a full year’s supply of long-life batteries. It delivers crisp, clear sound all day long and the soft flexible ear domes are so comfortable you won’t realize you’re wearing them.

Try it Yourself at Home 45-Day Risk-Free Trial Of course, hearing is believing and we invite you to try it for yourself with our RISK-FREE 45-Day home trial. If you are not completely satisfied, simply return it within that time period for a full refund of your purchase price.

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“I would definitely recommend them to my patients with hearing loss” —Amy S., Audiologist, Indiana ©2016

Washington Watch

2015: A Year Marked By VIGOROUS advocacy AND Legislative successes

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n a year that began with the challenge of a House budget resolution that called for more than $300 billion in cuts to the pay and benefits of federal employees and retirees (and a

10 percent reduction in the number of employees), NARFE ended 2015 with a long list of legislative accomplishments. The list includes major victories, not only in stopping the cuts laid out in the budget, but also in securing positive legislative changes worth thousands of dollars to NARFE members and their families.

The battle began in March, when House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price, R-GA, unveiled his plan to balance the budget – in no small part on the backs of federal employees and retirees. The House budget resolution included $318 billion in specific reductions in compensation and benefits, ranging from old standards – raising current employee contributions to their retirement and capping the government contribution to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program – to some new bad ideas – most notably a plan to cut the rate of return on the G Fund in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

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Plus, the House plan included an important mechanism to make the cuts stick – budget reconciliation, which instructs committees overseeing federal employment to recommend changes in law to achieve the savings.

NARFE members rose to the challenge. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Michael B. Enzi, R-WY, opted not to go along with the House specifics, and the Senate Budget Committee abandoned reconciliation as the tool to enforce even the undefined cuts in its version of the budget resolution. The conference report on the budget resolution (the first budget conference agreement between

Restoration of the U.S. Capitol Dome has entered its final painting phase as paint is applied first to the base of the Statue of Freedom and then down the Dome.

Architect of the Capitol

the House and Senate since fiscal year 2010) included a vague mention of federal employee and retiree cuts, but contained neither specifics nor the legislative process to enforce compensation and benefit reductions.

Unfortunately, the budget resolution was only the beginning of the challenges for NARFE and its colleagues in the Federal-Postal Coalition. Another “vehicle” for a threatened hit on the federal family was the extension of the Highway Trust Fund, in which the extension’s authors sought to get some mileage out of using the House budget resolution’s proposed raid on the TSP G Fund as a “pay for” to pave the way for roads and bridge repairs. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch, R-UT, called the G Fund raid “ingenious” – overlooking the fact that the estimated $32 billion in savings from the proposal would come out of the retirement accounts of civilian and uniformed military personnel. In December, Congress agreed to a five-year highway bill

with no cuts in civil service pay or benefits (see story, p. 9).

NARFE’s legislative victories were measured not only in staving off elements of the budget blueprint, but also included securing relief from a 52 percent hike in scheduled Medicare Part B premiums that, as a result of the absence of a Social Security costof-living adjustment, would have been shouldered by annuitants not receiving Social Security benefits, including retirees under the Civil Service Retirement System.

NARFE was first out of the gate,

and brought the anomaly to the attention of congressional leaders in July. NARFE continued its education campaign and push for a solution through the summer and into the fall. The White House and congressional leaders struck a deal in late October to prevent the disproportionate increase.

The compromise was included as part of a larger budget deal that lifted sequestration caps for the next two fiscal years and raised the national debt limit, all without using the federal community as a “pay for.”

114TH CONGRESS: SECOND SESSION OUTLOOK

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s we take a look at the environment on Capitol Hill in 2016, a lot remains the same. But much also is different, most notably the fact that 2016 is a presidential election year, and all 435 House seats and 34 Senate seats are also up for grabs. This means members of Congress will spend more time at home campaigning and less time in Washington legislating.

In early February, we’ll see President Obama’s final budget, followed by House and Senate budgets in March. Even though Congress passed a two-year budget deal in November, all three budgets are still expected to be produced, as this is typically where policy priorities are put forth.

Once budgets are passed, appro-

priators get to work, aiming to meet the September 30 deadline to enact spending bills for fiscal year 2017.

As in years past, at least one continuing resolution is likely, probably a longer-term one, as Republicans, who are in charge of both the House and Senate, will hope to see a Republican in the White House next January and thus be able to allocate appropriations that are more in line with their priorities.

In other areas, expect to see both chambers legislate based on political activity on the presidential campaign trail. In a presidential election year, we may see more legislation aimed at messaging and forcing tough votes, as opposed to those that have a greater likelihood of passage.

Media Coverage. In addition to these legislative accomplishments, NARFE enjoyed media coverage in 2015 that far surpassed any other year in recent memory.

As of press time, NARFE had secured more than 750 mentions in local, national and trade publications. Of note are NARFE staffs’ two interviews on national television, as well as two others on localarea stations. In addition, two Associated Press stories mentioning NARFE were carried in hundreds of newspapers across the country.

—By Alan Lopatin, legislative Counsel

Legislative Resources • Legislative Hotline: A weekly update of legislative news, compiled by the NARFE Legislative Department staff, distributed via email and available by phone (toll-free) at 877-217-8234 and online at www.narfe.org.

• Legislative Action Center: A one-stop site to send a letter to Congress, and more, at www.narfe.org.

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Washington Watch

CONGRESS PASSES FY 2016 FUNDING BILL, PREVENTING A SHUTDOWN

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fter twice pushing back its self-imposed deadline, Congress reached a deal on federal government spending for fiscal year (FY) 2016 before recessing in mid-December for the year. The agreement prevented a government shutdown, extending funding through October 1, 2016.

While overall spending levels for fiscal years 2016 and 2017 were set by the budget deal that was passed by Congress and signed by the president in early November, that deal did not specify exactly how that money would be allocated. December’s “omnibus” spending bill did so by packaging all of the 12 FY 2016 appropriations

bills in one larger compromise.

Negotiators also had to resolve differences on controversial policy “riders.” These provisions, which change government policy, “ride along” with appropriations bills, which primarily allocate funds.

One rider delays implementation of the “Cadillac tax,” a 40 percent tax on high-priced health insurance policies offered through employers, which was enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act and was to take effect in 2018.

NARFE opposed proposed riders to defund or delay finalization of the Department of Labor’s rule to require all retirement investment advice, such as whether to

roll over a Thrift Savings Plan balance into an individual retirement account, be held to a “best interest” standard, rather than the current “suitability” standard.

NARFE is pleased that none of those proposed riders were included in the final bill.

In another win for NARFE, the spending bill also required the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to offer identity theft protection for 10 years and identity theft insurance of up to $5 million in liability to those affected by the OPM data breaches. While not the lifetime coverage sought by NARFE, it is an improvement.

—By John Hatton, Deputy Legislative Director

An opening for WEP reform?

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bill that would reform the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) may have a chance at consideration by Congress in 2016. H.R. 711 was introduced by Rep. Kevin Brady, R-TX, the new chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over any WEP reforms. Brady succeeded Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-WI, who became speaker of the House in October.

This comes after many years in which members of Congress have introduced bills to reform or repeal the WEP, which reduces an individual’s Social Security benefit based on his or her federal, state or local government employment and earnings. In the past, these bills have languished in committee. But 8

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2016 may be different, not only because Brady chairs the Ways and Means Committee, but also because H.R. 711 proposes to reform the WEP without increasing federal deficits, a new feature in the reform discussion. WEP repeal is still considered a non-starter.

H.R. 711, the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act, would: • Direct the Social Security Administration to use available data to identify state and local government retirees who are subject to WEP but who have under-reported their state or local government earnings, improving enforcement of WEP. Because the Office of Personnel Management already reports federal employee earnings data to Social Security, the increased enforcement would

not affect federal retirees. The increased enforcement would cover the cost of the bill.

• Reduce the WEP penalty in future Social Security payments for individuals who turn age 62 before 2017 by a percentage (not more than 50 percent) as determined by the Social Security actuary, based on the savings generated from the increased enforcement.

• Provide a new formula for calculating Social Security benefits for those who turn 62 after 2017 that essentially repeals and replaces the WEP with a new, fairer formula.

This would not eliminate the reduction in benefits, but reduce it.

NARFE supports and will work to advance H.R. 711 in 2016.

—By John Hatton, Deputy Legislative Director

HIGHWAY BILL AVOIDS TARGETING FEDERAL COMMUNITY FOR CUTS

I

n early December, Congress approved a $305 billion bill that funds highway and transportation projects for the next five years. Thanks to NARFE’s all-out advocacy effort, the bill did not contain any cuts to the federal community as a “pay for.”

“I am grateful to all the NARFE members who sent letters to their members of Congress on this issue,” NARFE President Richard G. Thissen said. “Your continued efforts have helped prevent another attack on the earned pay and benefits of America’s federal

employees and retirees.”

President Obama signed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act on December 4, making this the first multiyear transportation funding law to be enacted in a decade.

In July, when the Senate was preparing to pass its version of the highway bill, some senators considered changing the rate of return on the Thrift Savings Plan Government Securities (G) Fund and using the $32 billion in savings to help pay for the bill.

One senator even called the plan

“ingenious.” (See story, p. 6.)

NARFE initiated an advocacy full-court press over the summer and into the fall, urging members to tell their legislators that “enough is enough,” and that the federal community should not be used to pay for unrelated highway funding.

The effort was successful. To fund the legislation, more than $70 million in offsets was found elsewhere, along with revenue from the gas tax and other funding sources.

—By Jessica Klement, Legislative Director

NARFE-PAC CONTRIBUTION FORM I would like to be a SUSTAINER and make a monthly credit card contribution to NARFE-PAC of: q $25/month q $10/month

Monthly contributors of $10 or more will receive the NARFE-PAC Sustainer lapel pin and a NARFE duffle bag.

q Other: ______/month (minimum of $10) OR

q Please charge to my credit card (required for monthly contribution) Credit Card Information Type:

q MasterCard q VISA q Discover q American Express

Card No.: _____________________________________ Expiration Date: _____ /_________ mm

yyyy

I would like to make a one-time contribution of:

Name on Card: ________________________________

q $250 GOLD – Gold lapel pin and duffle bag

Signature: ____________________________________

q $100 SILVER – Silver lapel pin

Date: ________________________________________

q $50 BRONZE – Bronze lapel pin q $25 BASIC – Basic lapel pin q Other: _______________

q Please do not send any gifts for my contribution.

Or make check payable to NARFE-PAC. Mail to: National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Attn: Budget & Finance 606 North Washington St. | Alexandria, VA 22314

NARFE Member #: __________________________________________ Name: ___________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City: __________________________________________________________________

State: ________

ZIP: ___________________

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

w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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Washington Watch

Do your pre-election grass-roots homework

T

here are many ways for NARFE members to get involved in grass-roots advocacy during an election year. (See the article in the January 2016 issue of narfe magazine, p. 7, for ideas.) Some of the suggested activities, such as hosting a congressional candidate forum, require a little more research and planning than others. Here are some resources to help you find the necessary information.

First, you need to know the basic facts about the election – when it is and who is running. The best resource is your state board of elections website. There, you can verify the date of the primary election. Some states might have one primary election for the presidential election but another date for other races. And some states might have party conventions to determine a party’s nominee for office. You will want to verify exactly when and how the parties in your state select their congressional nominees.

Similarly, you should know the filing deadline; this is the last day for candidates to file required signatures and/or pay required fees with the state to qualify to appear on the ballot. Some candidates may announce that they are running and never formally file to be on the ballot. If you are hosting candidates at a forum or at your meeting, you should know who has announced and who has officially filed for the office.

You also can update your voter registration information or re-

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quest an absentee ballot on board of elections websites.

If you are hosting an event prior to the filing deadline and want to double-check that you have an accurate list of announced candidates, you can do a simple Internet search.

But you also can look to your state and local political parties. Many state parties will list all of the announced candidates on their websites. If the state party does not list the candidates, you might want to consult the websites for local parties. Similarly, you may want to check the websites for local or statewide nonpartisan organizations, such as the League of Women Voters. Organizations that publish voter guides may include that information on their websites early in the campaign cycle.

As election day draws near, your local media outlets may include pages on their websites dedicated to the campaigns. If they have thorough local political coverage or if the race is garnering national attention, searching their websites might help you make sure you have all of the candidates listed.

Another key resource is NARFE’s Protect America’s

MYTH vs.

REALITY Myth: Most federal employees work in and around Washington, DC. Reality: About 85 percent of federal employees work outside of the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.

To find out the number of federal employees and retirees in your state, go to www.narfe.org, log in, click on Departments and select Legislation in the dropdown menu. Then click on “State Specific Resources” on the left side of the Legislation home page.

Heartbeat (PAH) Campaign Toolkit, which has informative how-to guides and resources on getting involved during an election year. The Campaign Toolkit was recently updated to reflect the 2016 election. You can find this information at www.narfe.org/ heartbeat.

The Legislative Department is always available to assist in any way it can. Please contact the Legislative Department directly at leg@narfe.org or by calling 703838-7760, ext. 201.

—By Sarah Weissmann, grass-roots program manager

when news breaks, Be Informed!

NARFE employs a variety of methods to get critical legislative information quickly to members. To get Action Alerts and breaking news via the NARFE Email System, make sure your email address is included in your member record. Not sure? Call NARFE at 703-838-7760 and ask for Member Records. Or you can go to the NARFE website, www.narfe.org, and create your own NARFE account. NARFE also posts breaking news on its Facebook page (NARFE National Headquarters) and on Twitter (@narfehq).

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Washington Watch

narfe bill tracker The NARFE bill TRACKER is your monthly guide to the congressional legislation that NARFE is following. Check back each issue for updates.

ISSUE

HEALTH CARE

Bill Number / Name / Sponsor H.R. 2175: FEHBP Prescription Drug Oversight and Cost Savings Act / Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, D-MA Cosponsors: 2 (D)

H.R. 313: Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act / Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, D-MA SICK LEAVE FOR WOUNDED VETERANS

Cosponsors: 27 (D), 6 (R) S. 242: Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act / Sen. Jon Tester, D-MT Cosponsors: 2 (R)

H.R. 3351: CPI-E Act of 2015 / Rep. Mike Honda, D-CA Cosponsors: 29 (D)

What Bill Would Do

Latest Action(s)

Provides the Office of Personnel Management greater oversight authority over the prescription drug contracting and pricing methods of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Entitles any federal employee who is a veteran with a serviceconnected disability rated at 30 percent or more, during the 12-month period beginning on the first day of employment, up to 104 hours of leave, without loss or reduction in pay, for purposes of undergoing medical treatment for the disability for which sick leave could regularly be used. Leave does not carry over into the second year.

Passed the House on 9/28/15 (taken up by the Senate and passed 10/27/15)

Requires Social Security and many federal retirement programs to use the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) to calculate cost-ofliving adjustments in retirement benefits.

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

Passed the Senate on 7/28/15 Signed into law 11/5/15 narfe, December 2015

narfe, October 2015

COLA

S. 2251: Seniors and Veterans Emergency (SAVE) Benefits Act / Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA Cosponsors: 19 (D), 1 (I) H.R. 4012: Seniors and Veterans Emergency (SAVE) Benefits Act / Rep. Alan Grayson, D-FL

Provides a $581 “emergency” payment to those receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, railroad retirement benefits or veterans benefits; grants a refundable tax credit of the same amount to federal and state government retirees.

Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance

Gives the president the authority to provide Wage Grade, or hourly, employees a pay raise.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Cosponsors: 3 (D)

Federal Compensation

H.R. 485: Wage Grade Employee Parity Act / Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-PA Cosponsors: 9 (D), 3 (R)

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Referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Veterans’ Affairs

narfe, April 2015 NARFE’s Position:

12

narfe, January 2016

Support

Oppose

No position

Editor’s Note: Several items have been removed from the NARFE Bill Tracker. Those bills are all listed online at cqrcengage.com/narfe/home.

ISSUE

Bill Number / Name / Sponsor H.Res. 12: Expresses the sense of the House that the Postal Service should take measures to ensure continuation of six-day delivery / Rep. Sam Graves, R-MO Cosponsors: 175 (D), 52 (R)

Postal Reform

What Bill Would Do

Latest action(s)

Expresses the sense of the House that the U.S. Postal Service should maintain six-day mail delivery. As a resolution, it will not be sent to the president and, therefore, cannot become law.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

H.R. 784: Protect Overnight Repeals the service standards Delivery Act / Rep. Rosa implemented by the Postal DeLauro, D-CT Service on 1/5/15 and directs the Postal Service to reinstate Cosponsors: 99 (D), 3 (R) 12/31/2011 service standards.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

S. 1742: Rural Postal Act of Returns to service standards of 2015 / Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, July 2012, preserves six-day deD-ND livery and puts two-year moratorium on plant closures.

Cosponsors: 7 (D)

Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

S. 2051: The Improving Postal Operations, Service and Transparency Act (iPost) of 2015 / Sen. Thomas R. Carper, D-DE

Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Cosponsors: 1 (D), 2 (R)

Requires postal employees and retirees to enroll in Medicare in order to continue receiving their current federal health insurance coverage and cuts workers’ compensation benefits for injured federal employees.

H.Res. 54: Expresses the sense of the House that the Postal Service should take all measures to restore service standards in effect on July 1, 2012 / Rep. Dave McKinley, R-WI

Expresses the sense of the House that the U.S. Postal Service should restore service standards as of July 1, 2012. As a resolution, it will not be sent to the president and, therefore, cannot become law.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

narfe, November 2015

Cosponsors: 182 (D), 44 (R)

Campaign finance

H.R. 20: The Government By the People Act / Rep. John Sarbanes, D-MD Cosponsors: 156 (D), 1 (R) H.R. 973: Social Security Fairness Act of 2015 / Rep. Rodney Davis, R-IL Cosponsors: 101 (D), 31 (R)

GPO/wEP

Reforms campaign finance laws Referred to three to put small donors on par with House committees wealthier donors. Provides a tax credit for contributions and government matching contributions.

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

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

S. 1651: Social Security Fairness Act of 2015 / Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH

Referred to the Senate Finance Committee

Cosponsors: 14 (D), 5 (R)

narfe, September 2015

(Continued on p. 14) w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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Washington Watch

narfe bill tracker

(Continued from p. 13) ISSUE

Bill Number / Name / Sponsor

H.R. 3029: RECOVER Act / Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC Cosponsors: 24 (D), 1 (R) OPM Security breach

S. 1746: RECOVER Act / Sen.

What Bill Would Do

Latest Action(s)

Expands lifetime coverage of credit monitoring and identity theft protection of no less than $5 million to all individuals affected by the security breaches at the Office of Personnel Management.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Benjamin J. Cardin, D-MD

Cosponsors: 5 (D), 1 (I) H.R. 2827: Competitive Service Act / Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, D-VA Cosponsors: 1 (R) federal hiring

Allows federal agencies to review and select job candidates from other federal agencies’ “best qualified list” of applicants.

S. 1580: Competitive Service Act / Sen. Jon Tester, D-MT

narfe, November 2015

H.R. 532: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act / Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-NY

Allows federal employees six weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

Cosponsors: 57 (D), 1 (R)

Pension Scam Protection

14

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Referred to the House Committees on Administration, and Oversight and Government Reform narfe, May 2015

S. 2033: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act / Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI

Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Govern. Affairs

Cosponsors: 1 (D)

DC Statehood

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Passed the Senate on 9/17/15

Cosponsors: 2 (D), 4 (R)

Paid parental leave

Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

narfe, November 2015

Sets forth procedures that H.R. 317: New Columbia Admission Act / Del. Eleanor would allow the District of Columbia to become a Holmes Norton, D-DC state known as New Columbia.

Cosponsors: 128 (D)

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

H.R. 3850: Annuity Safety and Security Under Reasonable Enforcement (ASSURE) Act / Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-PA

Referred to four House committees

Cosponsors: 24 (D), 1 (R)

Requires appropriate disclosures regarding “pension advance” schemes and caps the interest rates on these advances. Also creates a private right-ofaction to allow individuals to enforce these laws in court.

NARFE’s Position:

Support

narfe, January 2016

Oppose

No position

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Questions & Answers

The following Questions & Answers were compiled by NARFE’s Federal Benefits Service Department staff.

NARFE does not provide advice or assistance on legal, financial planning or tax matters.

employees CSRS OFFSET Annuity Reduction

Q

I’m planning to retire in the next year or so. When I made some inquiries with my personnel office, I was told I would retire under the CSRS Offset provisions and, while my retirement would be computed like a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirement, my annuity would be reduced when I became eligible for Social Security. When I asked how much the reduction would be, they didn’t know. Can you help?

A

We can’t tell you an amount, but we can provide you with the formula that will be used.

The amount of the offset is the lesser of: 1. The amount of the Social Security benefit attributable to the employee’s service after December 31, 1983, covered under the interim CSRS provisions or the CSRS Offset provisions; or 2. The amount obtained by multiplying the following fraction by the Social Security benefit to 16

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which the individual is entitled (or would be entitled upon proper application) at the time the individual’s CSRS annuity begins: Total Years of Offset Service divided by 40. (Partial years of offset service are rounded to the nearest whole number, with one half being rounded to the next higher number.)

For example: An employee retires at age 55 with six years of CSRS Offset service included in the 30 years of service upon which the retirement is based. At age 62,

the individual becomes eligible for Social Security benefits in the amount of $500 per month. The reduction is the lesser of: 1. The $100 that the Social Security Administration computes is attributable to the Offset Service; or 2. (6 years of Offset Service divided by 40) x $500 = $75.

Thus, in this example, the CSRS annuity would be offset by $75 per month beginning at age 62.

You also should know that if you elect a survivor annuity for your spouse at retirement, that benefit also could be reduced.

Spousal survivor annuities and the reduction are based upon the annuity prior to application of the offset. However, spousal survivor annuities themselves are subject to their own offset based upon the Social Security survivor benefits attributable to the CSRS Offset Service. The spousal survivor offset applies at all times when the survivor is eligible for both

CSRS survivor benefits and Social Security survivor benefits.

Spouse must consent to no survivor benefit

Q

I’m under the Federal Employees Retirement System. What are the rules regarding electing a survivor benefit for my spouse when I retire? We’re not getting along and, frankly, I don’t feel like having my pension reduced to give her a benefit if I pre-decease her.

A

You can elect not to provide a survivor benefit to your spouse at retirement if she agrees. Here’s what the rules say: If a retiree who is married at the time of retirement does not wish to provide the maximum current spouse survivor annuity, he or she must obtain the spouse’s consent. Spousal consent must be given on SF 2801-2, Spouse’s Consent to Survivor Election. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations require that spousal consent be given by completing the OPM consent form before a notary public or other official authorized to take oaths.

retirees When retirees can opt for lower coverage

Q

I’m retired and I missed out on changing my health benefits during Open Season from Self and Family to the new Self Plus One because I could never get through to

speak with anyone on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) toll-free telephone number. I am annoyed and frustrated because now I will have to wait another year to make my change and will be paying higher premiums than I otherwise would be.

A

We’ve heard similar complaints from other retired members who could not get through on the OPM Open Season Express phone line and did not have a computer to request their change online. But you do not have to wait until next year’s Open Season to make your change. The regulations allow federal retirees to make a change to a lower type of coverage at any time.

So retirees who want to change from Self and Family to Self Plus One or even to Self Only can do so at any time during the year – it is not necessary to do so only during the annual Open Season.

Regulations on Self Plus One and Survivor

Q

In the January 2016 issue, you said that if federal retirees change their health insurance enrollment to Self Plus One in Open Season, their spouses will be able to keep that insurance if the annuitant dies first. Can you provide me with a citation to the regulations on that?

A

For a surviving spouse to be eligible for continued coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, two requirements must

be met at the time of the retired enrollee’s death. First, the retiree must have elected a survivor benefit for the surviving spouse.

And second, the retired enrollee must have been enrolled in either Self and Family or Self Plus One coverage. Under Self Plus One, the spouse must be the dependent covered by the retiree’s enrollment. Regulations under 5 CFR Part 890.303 were changed by the Office of Personnel Management to address continuation of health insurance coverage by a surviving spouse on the death of a retired enrollee under the Self Plus One enrollment type.

FEHBP Consumer satisfaction info

Q

I am a federal retiree with Medicare Parts A and B. I am considering changing my Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) plan to Aetna Direct because of the savings in the monthly premium for Medicare enrollees. Where would I find customer satisfaction comments on this plan?

A

You can find consumer information on FEHBP plans at www.opm. gov/healthcare-insurance/ healthcare/plan-information/ quality-healthcare-scores/.

Medicare Eligibility and changing FEHBP

Q

In the January 2016 issue, you answered a question about changing Federal

w w w. n a r fe . o r g

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17

Questions & Answers

Repeat Suspending FEHBP for TRICARE?

Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) enrollment when you become eligible for Medicare.

What is the triggering event, turning 65 or enrolling in Medicare?

Q

Last year, I suspended my health insurance coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to go to TRICARE, for which I qualify as a military retiree. Must I do it every year, or does the suspension stay in effect until I reactivate FEHBP?

A

If a retiree is age 65 or older, he or she can make a one-time change in FEHBP coverage at any time.

There is no requirement that the retiree be enrolled in Medicare – only that he or she has reached the Medicare-eligible age – 65 or older. For example, if the retiree is age 75 and has not used the eligible-for-Medicare qualifying event, he or she can request a change in coverage.

A

Once you suspend your FEHBP enrollment, it will remain suspended until you contact the Office of Personnel Management to re-enroll. You do not need to take any action to keep your suspension active.

Considering Medicare Advantage Plan

Q

When retirees are on Medicare, is it advisable to suspend Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) coverage and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan?

A

The answer is: It could be. If the Advantage plan is fairly inexpensive and also offers prescription drug coverage, it may be a good choice.

It may not hurt to try it for a year, and if you don’t like it, you could change Advantage plans, or you could cancel Medicare Advantage and again be covered by FEHBP and Medicare Parts A and B. The

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Questions & Answers

period for changing or canceling a Medicare Advantage plan is between October 15 and December 7 each year.

Federal retirees can suspend FEHBP if enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, thus saving more costs. The key word is “suspend.”

Do not cancel your FEHBP coverage because you cannot get it back.

addressing tricare for life as an option

Q

The article “Medicare and the FEHBP: Making the Right Choice” (narfe magazine, October 2015, p. 34) was one of the most informative articles that I have read on this

subject. However, it left out one part that would be helpful to many federal employees and retirees.

That would be the pickup of TRICARE For Life. I am currently 61, and I have a Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) plan as my primary insurer and TRICARE as my secondary. I can find little information on what my situation/options would be at age 65 with FEHBP and TRICARE.

A

Our understanding is that at age 65 you will be placed under TRICARE For Life, which requires you to be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. That being the case, if you are retired from civilian service,

you may want to suspend your FEHBP enrollment and just use your Medicare and TRICARE For Life for health insurance coverage to save on out-of-pocket premiums. You can download the form needed to request suspension of your FEHBP, form RI 79-9, on the Office of Personnel Management website, www.opm.gov, under Retirement.

Information please on IRS Form 1095-B

Q

How will federal employees and retirees obtain the new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1095-B for tax year 2015?

?

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A

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires insurance carriers to file an information return with the IRS on each enrollee and furnish a statement to these individuals. This is to verify that individuals have the “minimum essential” health care coverage as required under the ACA’s Individual Shared Responsibility provision. If an individual does not have the minimum coverage, or the individual’s dependent as claimed under his or her federal income tax return does not have it, the taxpayer is subject to paying an additional amount to the IRS. The Office of Personnel Management says federal employees,

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To obtain an answer to a federal benefits question, NARFE members should call 703-838-7760 and ask for the Federal Benefits Service Department; send your question by postal mail to NARFE Headquarters, ATTN: Federal Benefits; or submit it by email to fedbenefits@narfe.org.

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NARFE was born February 19, 1921, in Washington, DC, by 14 federal retirees, wh

Many things have changed in 95 years, but the Association’s commitment to imp

remains constant. Equally strong is the gratitude of NARFE members for the wor

(and Valentine’s Day), we compiled 95 recent comments by members about thei b Thank you for all the work that ees to maintain the same health you do on behalf of your member- coverage we have available now. b Thanks so much for researchship/federal employees.Love your ing this issue (Medicare and FEHBP b The NARFE magazine has been magazine. options). invaluable to us. b I followed advice read in b Appreciate NARFE activities NARFE magazine. Appreciate and accomplishments for retirees NARFE. Thank you! and the magazine for informative b I appreciate the work NARFE and useful information. does toaprotect federal b Continue publishing the articleI’ve been member for employees and retirees. regarding the different tax rates for 20 years, and it’s one bvery It’s afew tough decision to make the states and the difference in tax of the things one approaching Medicare treatment for government pensions. when in this lifeisworth I thinkinphased age, but the article in narfe magaIt is not only useful considering every penny. retirement the perfect,your zine helped me think through the relocation, but alsoisin lobbying decision ahead of time. state forseamless changes.way to assist in the and mentoring b Join NARFE, which will help b Keeptraining up the good work!! of the next generation’s everyone keep the benefits the b I very much enjoy reading workforce.

Glad I saw NARFE magazine and have learned federal employee and retiree has this here through earned. a lot from it. b I really appreciate receiving b I believe inNARFE! NARFE and the work the organization does to help information about Medicare and the options. I have been all federal employees and retirees. FEHBP wondering which path to take. b I depend on narfe magazine, b To all federal employees, which I believe should keep any federal retiree/current worker well retired and active: Join NARFE! Protect your earned retirement informed. benefits. b Recommend NARFE info re: b NARFE is great way to keep in relative tax benefits of each state. costApril of NARFE b Read the The NARFE maga- touch with federal news. membership is a pittance b NARFE is a very important zine on sales and state taxes and compared source of information and advice for the effect on your annuity.to the benefits could b I didn’t realize my you pension was both active and retired employees. lose without b NARFE is a great organization, New York state income tax exempt.

NARFE’s and I have been a Life member since Finding out from narfe magazine support.

1979. was a big bonus. b I really enjoy the “Questions” b It has helped to make friends section in your magazine. to have joined and become active b I appreciate the work that in the local National Association of NARFE does for us.

Active and Retired Employees. b Everyonewithin federal b I would like to commend NARFE for the outstanding job they service should join NARFE before they retire. do in supporting and informing both I’m aworkers. proud member b Love your magazine. active and retired federal NARFE. I get great b Keep up the good work in the b It’s good to seeof that NARFE information without the magazine of educating and monthly is actively pursuing this retirement politics and am able to informing members. option. wise decisions b I must adhere to a strict budb Many years ago Imake recognized on that get; however, our Congress & Senthe benefits provided bybased NARFE information. ate spend w/disregard to the needs and became a life member. I have of the populace. Very sad state of not regretted that decision. b Please continue your work to affairs, indeed. Thank you, NARFE, support us retired federal employ- for standing steadfast in the face of Goliath.

b Keep up the good work I look forward to my narfe magazine every month and so does my husband. Best retiree magazine I’ve seen.

NARFE! I am a member for life. b I appreciate all that NARFE does for active and retired federal employees. b NARFE, please continue doing what you do well. I know that you care about all federal employees, and wish more were members and involved. b Keep up the good work and remain true to the NARFE mission! b Thanks for all you do. b Keep up your excellent work. b NARFE magazine, especially the Qs&As column, is veru informative. b I have been a NARFE member for over 20 years and very happy to be one. Wish I could give more to this great Association. b Because of the NARFE magazine I feel so much more educated about the federal government after retirement than before. b NARFE plays an important role in keeping retired feds informed.

Keep up the good work! b Great magazine, great organization. b Thanks for being there. b Thanks for taking the time to research this. The TSP is very important to us. b NARFE is good organization; hope NARFE can stop the windfall issues on federal employees’ retirement benefits. b I love NARFE magazine. Every issue has some article that is relevant to my needs. read an avid been I have b NARFE has done a great job. magazine narfe of b I read the national NARFE for With the 15 years. overthe magazine and find articles fro gleaned I information interesting. my issues, those all b Cheers for the article on retireretirement held ment and health benefits! no b I do appreciate virtually the information surprises. provided in the NARFE magazine and read it cover to cover.

NA

Still feeling

ho dedicated the new organization to improving the status of federal retirees.

proving and protecting the benefits of active and retired federal employees

rk done by the Association on their behalf. Below, in honor of this milestone

ir Association.

b Thank you for the Q&A section in the magazine! b Your magazine is very informative. b I wish there had been better information and briefings about spousal benefits when I retired. I learned all of this from NARFE. b Many of us will benefit from your exploration of this complex issue. This is an example of the kind of thing that attracted me to NARFE in the first place. b I enjoy reading the magazine, visiting the website and other online aspects of NARFE. We are so grateful that NARFE is working to keep our members informed. b NARFE, keep up the good work. I am encouraging other federal workers I know to join. The bigger your voice, the better for us. b Thank you so much for all of the work you do advocating on our behalf. b Keep up the great work. Retirees do appreciate and value your magazine. b Narfe magazine is very informative. It has kept me informed as I transitioned from active employee to retiree. b I am a regular reader of the section in NARFE magazine that addresses readers’ questions pertaining to federal retirement and health care benefits and am extremely grateful and appreciative of the information conveyed in the answers to the questions. b Thanks for all you do to help federal employees and retirees. You are a great organization. b Thank you for everything you are doing for both active and retired der members. r b I wish I had joined NARFE earelier. Materials and suggestions are om excellent. b I appreciate what you do.

Thank you! b I appreciate the efforts by NARFE to lobby the administration and Congress. Federal employees

ARFE!

the love after

are frequently a targetGreat for cuts, so it tant employment documents and magazine, the workings of survivorship appliis important what you do. great b Reading the NARFE magazine cations. Please keep up the good organization. has kept me informed. Thanks! work! b Thanks for all your good work b Thanks so much for the outfor us. standing job that I am extremely proud of NARFE does b I joined NARFE several years to support and inform federal being a dues-paying before retirement and read the member employees and retirees. of NARFE. magazine each month, which was a up the b Iexcellent am proud to be a member!

Keep big help. b NARFE, work in all areas of keep up the good work.

I am encouraging other b Your recent magazine did a federal/postal federal workers I know to join. The good job explaining the life insur- employee bigger ance reduction options. issues.your voice, the better for us. b I had started my paperwork for b Thank you so much for all of retiring right after receiving my RIF the work you do advocating on our notice back in November 2011. From behalf. the beginning, I was never told by b Keep the great Iwork.

As up a NARFE member, OPM that I could retire. I had to find Retireessincerely do appreciate and value appreciate your out this information from your your magazine. efforts to maximize website at NARFE. b Narfethe security magazine of ouris very b Thanks for your good work! informative. Itgovernment has kept me informed b As always, NARFE is an excel- as I transitionedbenefits. from active lent source for information and employee to retiree.

I always try advice. btoI am a regular reader of the poke b I found that asking for helpmy forcongressiosection in NARFE magazine that delegation when reader’s questions NARFE was very helpful in nal dealing addresses NARFE suggests it. to federal retirement with OPM After I asked for assispertaining My congressman tance from NARFE, I got a very and health care benefits and am knowsextremely me good response from OPM grateful and appreciative now. b I really appreciate all your hard of the information conveyed in the work protecting our benefits and answers to the questions. keeping us informed. b Thanks for all you do to help b The magazine is an invaluable federal employees and retirees. You resource. are a great organization. b First, I compliment NARFE bI love NARFE on the excellence of the NARFE magazine. Every issue has some Thank you for your assistance in magazine. Good reporting. Articles article that is relevant to my needs. getting my annuity issues resolved. do inform the reader on legislab NARFE has done a great job.

If it wasn’t for NARFE, I would probtive issues affecting us. It does help bI read the national NARFE ably still be fighting with OPM. You the membership to make informed magazine and find the articles can be sure that I will continue my decisions. interesting.I enjoyed the NARFE NARFE membership as long b I enjoyed the NARFE article article (on survivor annuities). Am as I am able, and I will (on survivor annuities). Am givgiving copies to and saving it for my recommend it to ing copies to and saving it for my spouse and children. Wish I had had my federal Beyond doubt, spouse and children.

Wish Iahad had such info on retirement. friends. one of the best webinars I had such info on retirement. started my paperwork I have ever attended. for retiring right after receiving my b Love your timely NARFE Extremely informative magazine articles and cover pages! RIF notice back in November 2011. and well done.

Keep up the great work!

From the beginning, I was never Thank you very b Excellent magazine. told by OPM that I could retire. I had b Love the magazinemuch. (and to find out this information from NARFE)! your website at NARFE. b Your publication has stressed b Thank you so much for all of so often the preservation of impor the work you do advocating on our

Years!

Cover Story

FEDERAL Difficult Decisions, Times Two Couples with both members employed in the federal civil service can be a formidable combination for stability, financial success and even dinnertime conversation. But such relationships can also pose challenges that differ in significant ways from those of couples with one partner in the private sector.

THORNY TWO-ANNUITY ISSUES

Perhaps most notably, a two-fed family may be good news as it likely means two separate federal annuities at a time when private-sector, defined-benefit offerings are rapidly disappearing. A combined $100,000 in annual federal annuity income equals a $2 million lump sum in a 401(k)-type defined-contribution plan such as the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), says Charles Strano, a financial adviser based in Woodbury, NJ, and a registered representative with FSC Securities Corp. Yet two federal annuities may also mean having to make important choices about survivorship benefits.

By David Tobenkin

28

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COUPLES

Illustration by Bill Pragluski, Critical Stages, LLC

Federal Couples Difficult Decisions, Times Two

30

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A key decision is whether one or both members of the couple should elect survivor benefits for the other partner. A caveat is that the annuity of a married retiring employee must be reduced to provide a maximum survivor benefit, unless the retiree and the spouse jointly waive each other’s right to a survivor annuity in writing.

“That is something that needs to be carefully examined, and we think the general rule is that survivorship benefits make sense for both members of the couple,” says Shawn Steel, a financial planner and attorney at Reston, VA-based financial advising firm ClearLogic Financial, Inc., which has a large number of federal employee clients. “Just because a spouse’s pension is larger doesn’t mean that they have adequate resources to carry them through retirement. This, in part, reflects a misconception that couples sometimes work under − assuming that they will pass away at the same time. But what if one passes early, at 65, and the other lives to be 85? If one pension goes away, that can be a big blow to the income stream, which can be compounded by an accompanying reduction in Social Security benefits. Basically, you will need a lot of other assets to replace the value of the survivor benefit, which is a good deal for couples, in part because the federal employee is not paying all of the benefit – the federal government is paying part of the benefit. If you were to buy life insurance to replace the survivor benefit, it would cost a great deal more than the 10 percent cost of the survivor benefit. If you are interested in going without it, you should do careful modeling to see what the effect would be.”

However, much may depend on the amount of other assets saved, the difference in age between the couple, whether the annuities are similar in size and the risk preference of each member.

Some NARFE members responding to a narfe magazine survey say they declined

to take a survivor benefit for one or both partners. Common reasons given were that both members expect to be longlived; both are similar-aged and, therefore, they did not think one would survive the other by enough years to warrant the reduction in the annuity that the survivor benefit would require; or that each felt adequately covered by his or her federal annuity alone.

Thomas Koontz retired in June 2015 at age 55 from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with 32 years under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) as a manager. His wife, Tammy, worked for the same agency as a program analyst and retired in January 2016 at age 57 with 15 years under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). They decided against paying for survivor benefits.

“In our case, my pension is 10 times hers; and I have longevity in my family, so I probably will live a long life,” Koontz says. “We compared the 10 percent reduction of annuity we’d take for the survivor benefit versus how much more we would have in savings by not withdrawing that 10 percent and decided to save the money.

But we are fortunate that even if I were to die and she didn’t have the survivor benefit, she would live a comfortable life. We have a lot of TSP funds; she has a 401(k) from a previous private-sector job. She’ll be eligible for Social Security, and we have no children we need to provide for. It’s a bit of a gamble, but we both plan to live to be in our 90s. We are also about the same age. If I were much older, the decision might have been different.”

One danger, however, is assuming that the CSRS and FERS systems have identical survivorship provisions. While many aspects are similar, the two plans differ in some ways, such as in the type of payouts that occur if a federal employee dies before retiring. A January 2015 narfe magazine story, “Survivor Benefits,” described the different provisions of the FERS and CSRS

systems in depth. Federal couples who want to accurately compare and analyze benefits will have to be aware of those differences. (The “Survivor Benefits” story is available on the NARFE website in the narfe magazine archives.)

There also are retirement planning implications of those annuities. One is that they tend to encourage lengthy federal service by imposing minimum tenures and age limits for the commencement of the annuities. Payouts also increase with years of service. Those couples longing for retirement often face difficult choices regarding who stays in federal service and for how long.

“I could retire four years before my wife was eligible, as she started government work at a later age; so I retired when eligible in 2004, and she retired in 2008,” says Michael Ahl, a former computer systems analyst at the Department of Health and Human Services. “My wife never had a real issue with me retiring early, but we talked it over and reached a mutual decision on it. I made sure I got up when she did in the morning and made her breakfast and packed a lunch for her; and she told me I wasn’t going to sleep until noon, and I agreed.”

Koontz says that another difficult question he faced was whether his wife’s FERS annuity should be postponed until age 62 to maximize annuity benefits and avoid a 5 percent-per-year age reduction for retiring early. They ultimately decided against it: “I calculated the cost to add her to my health insurance until age 62 and the additional TSP assets required to replace her FERS annuity,” says Koontz. “We determined that it is better to take an immediate FERS annuity.”

HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS NOT CLEAR-CUT

Another set of issues involves health insurance.

A longstanding question is whether two Self Only Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) plans or one Self and Family plan makes more sense. A new “wrinkle” is the addition of the Self Plus One option in the 2015 Open Season.

Counterintuitively, some survey respondents and experts say it still may make sense to enroll separately in the FEHBP rather than Self Plus One.

A key decision is whether members of the couple should elect survivor benefits for each other.

There are a variety of considerations involved in making that determination, Steel says. In the past, he explained, paying a family plan premium for a family of two was expensive compared to plans for each individual person. “The Self Plus One option may be advantageous for federal couples and is worth taking a look at, especially if they are in family plans. You would compare two individual and a Self Plus One, paying particular attention to the deductibles for each and the catastrophic limits. If one spouse had significant costs one year and the other didn’t, you might need to see if Self Plus One would avoid exceeding the catastrophic limit.

You also would need to compare how often you are likely to go to particular doctors. What I am seeing most often is two federal employees retaining two individual plans, because premiums are a little less than Self Plus One. Self Plus One seems to make the most sense when the other spouse is not a federal employee.”

Another advantage of having separate policies is that sometimes spouses will have two different key medical coverage needs for a particular medical condition, so each would benefit from superior coverage under his or her respective plan. The FEHBP offers federal employees a greater array of options than what is offered by most privatesector employers.

So that the survivor can carry federal health benefits into retirement, it is critical that the policyholder has continuous coverage in the FEHBP for five years prior to retirement. A lapse or interruption in the coverage period could deprive a spouse of this. w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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31

Federal Couples Difficult Decisions, Times Two

Strano says that one strategy where Self Plus One makes sense is if one spouse is still an active federal employee and the other is retired. Because employee premiums are usually paid on a pre-tax basis, it might be less expensive to use the Self Plus One option until the working spouse retires, then convert to two Self Only policies, he says.

Steel says another consideration, given the FEHBP’s strong health programs, is that carrying this coverage into retirement reduces the need for Medicare Part B, the benefits of which can be redundant.

“Rather than signing up for Medicare Part B, it might make sense to put that money toward long-term care,” he says.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER BENEFITS

A basic challenge for many two-federalemployee families is just understanding the interplay of all their benefits and options.

Therefore, it is important to know the limitations on Social Security benefits that result from the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) under the CSRS plan, which can reduce Social Security benefits by up to 60 percent, and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which can cause a CSRS annuitant to lose all of his or her survivor benefits under Social Security. While the basic issues will remain the same for each partner, having such limitations in both plans means such issues may be doubly important to track.

LIFE INSURANCE A “BUTTRESS”

The need for life insurance is another issue that may involve “wrinkles,” given the relatively strong general benefits of federal employees. Sometimes looking outside of the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program for term life insurance beyond basic coverage can make sense if individuals are relatively healthy, given the relatively high cost of group term insurance, says Steel. However, if individuals 32

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have medical conditions, often FEGLI will be a relatively stronger option.

Federal employees should ask themselves if paying for life insurance would provide a superior benefit to a survivor, compared to paying for the survivor benefit through a reduction of a retiree’s annuity, says Carol Schmidlin, president of Sewell, NJ-based Franklin Planning.

“The survivor benefit is taxed and ends at the death of the beneficiary,” says Schmidlin. “Life insurance benefits are income tax free and can result in a payout to multiple beneficiaries. Sometimes the payout of permanent life insurance can be better when you look at the payout for the average life expectancy.”

Some have felt the need to buttress the generally lower FERS annuity with possible life insurance benefits. “My husband’s FERS retirement package is not as good, so I, who am under CSRS, purchased more life insurance to better provide for him and left him a survivor’s annuity,” says Kathleen Loftin, who retired from the Department of Defense under CSRS in 2013. “He did not leave a survivor annuity for me. I want him to be able to enjoy as much of his retirement income as is possible.”

TAX IMPLICATIONS

The dual-federal-employee couple’s taxation profile and its calculation is important in retirement. Figuring out the correct amount of tax withholding for retirement benefits is critical because different income sources, such as Social Security, annuities and the TSP, have different taxation rules.

Self Plus One adds a new wrinkle to FEHBP enrollment choices.

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Federal Couples Difficult Decisions, Times Two

There are some special tax implications that also present themselves. Provisions allowing compensation for unpaid annual leave balances at retirement can be one. “If both federal employees had large annual leave payouts, you might want to stagger payouts for tax reasons, so as to not have a big tax bill in one year,” notes Steel.

DIFFICULT CAREER CONSIDERATIONS

More generally, having both partners in the federal government − particularly in the same agency − creates some diversification risk. While the federal government is a more stable employer than most private-sector businesses, furloughs due to sequestration or a government shutdown may cause both to suffer equally. In addition, legislation that could negatively affect federal salaries, benefits and civil service protections may make a twofederal-employee household a less secure and lucrative power combination than in the past.

For many couples working at the same agency, special challenges present themselves. One includes federal government and agency rules that govern nepotism, some of which are codified at 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b). Prohibited personnel practice No. 7 says employees may not “appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement, in or to a civilian position any individual who is a relative … of such employee if such position is in the agency in which such employee is serving as a public official … or over which such employee exercises jurisdiction or control as such an official.” Often agencies and even offices within agencies may supplement those general rules with their own rules or informal policies.

Such issues can have implications for the career advancement of each spouse.

“Our biggest issue [as a two-federalemployee family] was a dual-career 34

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transfer with the U.S. Forest Service in 1988,” says Raymond Johns II. “While working in Kentucky, my wife accepted a job [at the U.S. Forest Service] in North Carolina; at the time, I was also on the top of the list for a lateral transfer at the same duty station. The director had stated openly that he did not want a married couple working at the same duty station and was not in favor of hiring me for the position. In short, this was discrimination based on marital status. We had to elevate the discrimination issue to the Atlanta Regional Office, where they stepped in and resolved the issue. I was later offered and accepted the position.” Johns retired from the Forest Service in 2010, and his wife retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2013.

A different set of issues is posed by the career needs of both partners, including the necessity in some positions to relocate for advancement. For many federal partners in the survey, opportunity in the new location was more limited, resulting in negative impacts to both careers. A minor aggravation − noted several survey respondents who worked in the same location as their spouses − was the challenge of managing schedules that were different.

HEADING FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Another complication presents itself when one member of the couple considers leaving federal service for the private sector. “That is a complicated question,” Steel says. “If they stay in government, they will have a larger pension that will be worth more over a lifetime. If they leave federal government, they will have to replace the difference between the larger pension they would have gotten and the smaller pension they will receive. You also have differences for the different retirement systems, as FERS has Social Security and CSRS does not.”

—David Tobenkin is a freelance writer based in the greater Washington, DC, area.

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Managing Money

Be sure you know the beneficiary rules

Y

ou likely have read, or been told, that you should periodically review your beneficiary designations, especially after life events such as marriage,

divorce or a new child, to ensure they still reflect your current wishes. But have you ever taken the time to read and understand the rules that the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), individual retirement account (IRA) custodians or other financial institutions impose on beneficiary designations? There’s no uniform standards regarding beneficiary designations, which can make keeping your designations up-to-date all the more daunting.

Most financial institutions, the TSP included, permit you to designate primary and contingent beneficiaries. The idea is that if your primary beneficiary dies before you do, the account will pass to your contingent beneficiary. It’s important to know when the financial institution holding your account distributes money to a contingent beneficiary because many will do so only after all primary beneficiaries have died. (The TSP, however, is different in this regard, which I will explain later.)

For example, let’s assume Jim has three children (Ben, Jen and Sue) and two grandchildren (Jacob and Anna), who are the children of Sue. We will further assume that Jim names his three offspring as primary beneficiaries, with each receiving equal shares, and his

36

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two grandkids as contingent beneficiaries. Suppose Sue dies before Jim. In this case, her share would be split and distributed equally between Ben and Jen, and not to Jim’s grandkids (through Sue). Many of the grandparents I speak with would want that money to pass directly to their grandkids.

Upon Sue’s death, Jim could update his beneficiary designations to include his grandchildren as primary beneficiaries.

But as we know, life doesn’t always go according to plan.

Perhaps Jim neglects to update his beneficiary designations, or he and Sue perish in a car accident together, and he never has the opportunity to ensure that his grandchildren become beneficiaries.

So how can this be handled pre-emptively? You may have heard of “per stirpes,” a Latin

By Mark A. Keen,

CFP®

term meaning “by right of representation,” which is used to describe how property is to be distributed to beneficiaries.

In the context of a beneficiary designation, it means that if one of your beneficiaries predeceases you, his or her share will be distributed equally among his or her children.

Some financial institutions allow you to add a per stirpes stipulation to a beneficiary designation. In this case, Jim could add the per stirpes stipulation to his beneficiary designation for Sue, so that her son and daughter receive her share should she die before him.

The TSP handles primary and contingent beneficiaries a bit differently. Like many financial institutions, if there are multiple primary beneficiaries, the TSP will distribute a deceased primary beneficiary’s share equally to the remaining primary beneficiaries. What the TSP does differently than most, however, is allow you to name and link one or more contingent beneficiaries to each primary beneficiary you name. If a primary beneficiary dies, the TSP will distribute the deceased beneficiary’s share to one or more linked contingent beneficiaries rather than pay out his or her share to the remaining primary beneficiaries.

Ever wonder what happens if you don’t name a beneficiary

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Managing Money

or your named beneficiaries die before you do?

Most financial institutions, including the TSP, have an order of precedence that dictates who gets the money. While the order of precedence is helpful and can prevent adverse outcomes, you should name individuals to ensure your money ends up where you intend it to go.

Be aware that some financial institutions have quirky rules. For example, Vanguard does not allow different beneficiary designations for the same type of retirement account. That is, if you have multiple traditional IRAs with Vanguard, they all have to have the same beneficiary designation.

Fortunately, some financial institutions allow you to submit customized beneficiary designations, seemingly not allowable based on their standardized forms. If the standardized forms from your financial institutions don’t fit your needs, call them and find out if they accept customized designations.

It’s always a good idea to make copies of benefi-

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38

|

FINANCIAL TOOLS NARFE offers an online retirement calculator and other financial planning tools. Find out more at www.narfe.org/ federalbenefits.

ciary designation forms for your records. I have seen, on multiple occasions, where an IRA custodian failed to update its records with the correct information. Plus, it’s always nice to have that information readily available so you can periodically review the designations and make any necessary changes.

Mark A. Keen, CFP®, is partner, Keen & Pocock, 10300 Eaton place, 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. Email: mkeen@keenpocock.com.

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The Informed Citizen

goals and tools of state advocacy

M

ark Twain popularized Gideon Tucker’s words, “No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.” If Twain had it right, hold on to your billfold – most of our state legislatures are in session (dates shown on facing page). However, engagement, not fear or complacency, is the proper attitude toward state government. Proactive outreach to governors and state legislators can assist our mission in three ways: recruitment, coalitions and branding.

Striving for fair treatment of federal retirement income in state tax codes is a powerful tool for recruiters, especially when it is successful, as occurred in Indiana in 2015. As with Congress, state engagement for offense or defense is much more likely to succeed when NARFE is part of coalitions. Coalition involvement proves to partner organizations and the wider public that federal retirees are not like the toofrequent negative portrayal in the media. Stamping NARFE’s name on outreach to state legislators and governors will pay dividends in the future because these officeholders often run for and win election to Congress. The National Conference of State Legislatures confirms that former state legislators and governors make up a majority of the current Congress.

Where to Begin When your governor delivers his or her State of the State address, plan ahead to hear it live!

These annual speeches outline 40

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the governor’s legislative agenda.

Public television and C-SPAN allow anyone to see and hear the event. Streaming video on the governor’s website is another viewing option. NARFE chapters in state capitals might attend as a group wearing NARFE gear. Archived editions (available in the C-SPAN Video Library or on your governor’s website) are another way to learn what the governor seeks to accomplish.

Finding Your Elected Officials NARFE’s Legislative Action Center (www.cqrcengage.com/ narfe/) is the quickest path to finding both federal and state officeholders in the executive and legislative branches. Merely inserting one’s ZIP+4 produces a photo gallery rich with links to useful biographical and contact information, including the official’s website. Some of our chapter newsletters, surviving phone directories and local Leagues of Women Voters have listings of local legislators. The

By Christopher Farrell, senior analyst

National Conference of State Legislatures is the best gateway to maps of state legislative districts. The Census Bureau has maps of individual congressional and state legislative districts in all 50 states.

Leveraging Collective Action Of NARFE’s 1,217 chapters, 407 have a point person for state advocacy. Especially in these chapters, state legislators should be invited to speak and take NARFE questions. Even more importantly, federation conventions are the ideal forum for engaging governors and their official surrogates. A dozen states will hold gubernatorial elections this year. Engage with the incumbents and their challengers when they are most disposed to pledging fair tax treatment of federal retirees. Harness the primary election; waiting until the general is to miss an opportunity to obtain a favorable hearing on our issues.

Resources A growing number of federations are using their websites for state advocacy. NARFE’s Virginia Federation’s website prominently displays its November state advocacy newsletter, additional Virginia information and other generic resources for state advocates at the top left of the Virginia Federation home page (www.vanarfe.org).

State

convenes

Al Ak Az Ar Ca Co Ct De Fl Ga Hi Id Il In Ia Ks Ky La Me Md Ma Mi Mn Ms Mo Mt Ne Nv NH NJ NM NY NC ND Oh Ok Or Pa RI SC SD Tn Tx Ut Vt Va Wa WV Wi Wy

2/2/16 1/20/166 1/11/16 4/13/16 1/4/16 1/13/16 2/3/16 1/12/16 1/12/16 1/11/16 1/20/16 1/11/16 1/13/16 1/12/16 1/11/16 1/11/16 1/5/16 3/14/16 1/5/16 1/13/16 1/6/16 1/13/16 3/8/16 1/5/16 1/6/16 No session 1/16/16 no session 1/6/16 1/1/16 1/19/16 1/6/16 4/25/16 no session 1/4/16 2/1/16 2/1/16 1/5/16 1/5/16 1/12/16 1/12/16 1/12/16 NO session 1/25/16 1/5/16 1/13/16 1/11/166 1/13/16 1/12/16 2/8/16

(L) = Term limited

2016 State Legislative Sessions

Adjourns

Legislature’s Majority Party

3/11/16 4/17/16 4/22/16 5/12/16 9/2/16 5/11/16 5/4/16 6/30/16 3/11/16 3/26/16 5/1/16 3/25/16 5/30/16 4/14/16 4/20/16 4/9/16 4/15/16 6/6/16 5/1/16 4/11/16 12/29/16 12/30/16 5/23/16 4/4/16 5/30/16

6/3/16

6/30/16 1/10/17 2/18/16 1/3/17 6/30/16

1/4/16 5/27/16 3/7/16 11/30/16 6/30/16 6/4/16 3/29/16 4/20/16

3/10/16 5/13/16 3/12/16 3/11/16 3/12/16 12/30/16 3/4/16

Republican Republican Republican Republican Democrat Split Democrat Democrat Republican Republican Democrat Republican Democrat Republican Split Republican Split Republican Split Democrat Democrat Republican Split Republican Republican Republican Non Partisan Republican Republican Democrat Split Split Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Democrat Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Democrat Republican Split Republican Republican Republican

Governor

Robert Bentley, R Bill Walker, Ind Doug Ducey, R Asa Hutchinson, R Jerry Brown, D John Hickenlooper, D Dan Malloy, D Jack Markell, D Rick Scott, R Nathan Deal, R David Ige, D Butch Otter, R Bruce Rauner, R Mike Pence, R Terry Branstad, R Sam Brownback, R Matt Bevin, R John Bel Edwards, D Paul LePage, R Larry Hogan, R Charlie Baker, R Rick Snyder, R Mark Dayton, D Phil Bryant, R Jay Nixon, D Steve Bullock, D Pete Ricketts, R Brian Sandoval, R Maggie Hassan, D Chris Christie, R Susana Martinez, R Andrew Cuomo, D Pat McCrory, R Jack Dalrymple, R John Kasich, R Mary Fallin, R Kate Brown, D Tom Wolf, D Gina Raimondo, D Nikki Haley, R Dennis Daugaard, R Bill Haslam, R Greg Abbott, R Gary Herbert, R Peter Shumlin, D Terry McAuliffe, D Jay Inslee, D Earl Ray Tomblin, D Scott Walker, R Matt Mead, R

Split = Chambers split between major parties

Next Gov Election

Est. Bill Volume (Includes resolutions)

2018 (L) 2018 2018 2018 2018 (L) 2018 (L) 2018 2016 (L) 2018 (L) 2018 (L) 2018 2018 2018 2016 2018 2018 (L) 2019 2019 2018 (L) 2018 2018 2018 (L) 2018 2019(L) 2016 (L) 2016 2018 2018 (L) 2016 2017 (L) 2018 (L) 2018 2016 2016 2018 (L) 2018 (L) 2016 2018 2018 2018 (L) 2018 (L) 2018 (L) 2016 2016 2016 2017 (L) 2016 2016 (L) 2018 2018 (L)

2,000 423 1,258 2,220 2,764 761 3,449 506 2,496 2,549 3,647 596 8,678 1,550 1,850 854 1,339 1,974 1,547 2,248 5,858 1,983 4,883 3,066 2,130 1,100 893 7,269 1,734 14,584 1,666 1,136 2,289 2,799 3,423 2,399 2,284 519 3,858 837 933 2,902 2,533 1,944 1,013 410

IND = Independent w w w. n a r fe . o r g

|

41

2015

G FUND

F FUND

C FUND

S FUND

I FUND

December

0.18%

-0.30%

-1.57%

-3.91%

-2.03%

November

0.17%

-0.24%

0.31%

1.75%

-0.86%

October

0.17%

0.02%

8.45%

5.61%

7.07%

YTD

2.04%

0.91%

1.46%

-2.92%

-0.51%

1 year

2.04%

0.91%

1.46%

-2.92%

-0.51%

3 year*

2.08%

1.93%

15.21%

13.13%

4.80%

5 year*

2.03%

3.57%

12.63%

10.65%

3.79%

10 year*

2.94%

4.74%

7.36%

8.03%

3.20%

L INCOME

L 2020

L 2030

L 2040

L 2050

DecEMber

-0.28%

-0.92%

-1.32%

-1.61%

-1.85%

November

0.17%

0.17%

0.20%

0.24%

0.24%

October

1.64%

3.72%

4.88%

5.58%

6.31%

YTD

1.85%

1.35%

1.04%

0.73%

0.45%

1 Year

1.85%

1.35%

1.04%

0.73%

0.45%

3 year*

4.18%

7.30%

8.68%

9.65%

10.48%

5 year*

3.90%

6.50%

7.58%

8.33%

N/A

10 year*

4.13%

5.41%

5.90%

6.19%

N/A

2015

*Annualized

*Annualized

RETURNS are net of the effect of accrued administrative expenses and investment expenses/costs. Source: TSP (For additional monthly returns, go to www.tsp.gov.)

G Fund: Government securities (specially issued to the TSP) F Fund: Government, corporate and mortgage-backed bonds C Fund: Stocks of large- and medium-size U.S. companies S Fund: Stocks of small- to medium-size U.S. companies (not included in the C Fund) I Fund: International stocks of 21 developed countries L Fund: (Lifecycle) Invested in the G, F, C, S and I Funds (The proportion of L Fund balance invested in each of the individual TSP funds depends on the L Fund chosen.)

OPM Retirement Claims Processing status

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates in December, which caused a small loss in the F Fund. Of more concern was continued evidence of sluggish global growth in the form of depressed materials and energy prices. These two sectors had an impact on stock prices across the board, and the C, S and I Funds all fell in December.

The story of slowing growth in China played out all year, resulting in returns either slightly positive or negative for 2015. The L Funds performed as expected.

—BY Ravindra Deo, Chief Investment Officer, Thrift Savings Plan

Countdown to COLA

T

he Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) decreased 0.28 percent in November 2015.

To calculate the 2017 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the indices of July, August and September 2016 will be averaged and compared with the 2014 third-quarter average of 234.242. The percentage increase, if any, determines the COLA. November’s index, 231.721, is down 1.08 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. November’s index is 0.79 percent higher than the December 2014 base index of 229.909.

The CPI represents purchases of food and beverages, housing, apparel, transportation, medical care, recreation, education and communication, and other goods and services. Included are various government fees, such as water charges, auto registration fees, and sales and excise taxes.

Month

2015

For the Record

TSP funds decline in december on slow global growth

Thrift savings Plan fund returns

% Processed in 60 days or less (Monthly)

Avg. # of Days to Process Case in 60 days or less

Avg. # of Days to Process Case in more than 60 days

Claims Received

Claims Processed

Inventory

% Processed in 60 days or less (YTD)

Jun

6,920

7,783

14,511

69%

75%

44

99

January 2016

Jul

9,862

7,918

16,455

69%

72%

45

97

February

aug

7,341

7,446

16,350

70%

76%

45

98

March

sep

6,300

7,944

14,706

70%

76%

43

94

April

oct

8,374

10,438

12,642

74%

74%

38

86

May

nov

6,019

6,099

12,562

76%

82%

37

98

June

THIS CHART tracks progress by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in reducing its backlog of retirement claims. For data going back to October 2013, and for the number of new retirement cases OPM receives each month by agency and percent with errors that it returns to those agencies, go to www.opm.gov/retirement-services/.

42

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CPI-W

Monthly % Change

% Change from 234.242

October 2015

232.373

-0.12

-0.80

November

231.721

-0.28

-1.08

December

July August September

Donate to NARFE Programs Support Alzheimer’s Research

Your charitable contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Write your chapter number on check; make it payable to: NARFE-Alzheimer’s Research

Enclosed is my NARFE-Alzheimer’s contribution: $ Every cent that is contributed is used for research.

Please circle: Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms. and mail to: Name: Alzheimer’s Association Address: 225 N. Michigan Ave., 17th Floor City: State: ZIP: Chicago, IL 60601-7633 Chapter Number: Credit Card Information:

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Please check appropriate box(es). To make credit card contributions, call 800-338-0755. Scholarships are available to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of federal civilian retirees and current federal employees who are NARFE members.

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NARFE News

Scholarships!

Strategic plan: Final Phase begins

O

n December 9, 2015, the Strategic Plan approved by the National Executive Board (NEB) was made available to the NARFE membership. This completed Phase 5 of the strategic planning process that was mandated by the NEB and begun in April 2015. Phase 6 has now begun and will culminate at the National Convention, where bylaw changes recommended by the NEB

and needed to effect certain actions called for in the plan will be put forth for a vote. “I think that this strategic plan is exactly the plan that NARFE needs,” noted President Richard G. Thissen. “Change is never easy, but, for us, it is necessary. The process we undertook to create this plan and the fact that the NEB has approved it tell me that we have been successful in achieving the goal of

The application and guidelines for NARFE’s 2016 College Scholarship Program appear on p. 47 of this issue. The application also is available at www.narfe.org as of February 1 by clicking on the Scholarship Program graphic in the rotating display on the Home Page. Deadline is April 29.

Sixty $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. Applicants must be high school seniors planning to attend an accredited college full-time in a degree program in the fall/winter of 2016.

moving forward in a world that has changed dramatically in recent years and continues to change.”

The current (final) phase of the plan recognizes the importance of all members understanding what has led to this plan. To that end, an

NARFE Strategic Plan Communications 2015 Period Actions Facilitate strategic plan discussion at National Executive Board fall meeting Present plan to Strategic Planning Committee via GoToMeeting, November 20, 11 a.m.

Electronic presentation — from Headquarters — for federation board meetings, regional training meetings, etc.

Post the same electronic presentation online Officers travel to meetings around the country Prepare one-hour live webinar and then repeat broadcast for five months Sessions (devoted to specific topics) at National Convention Articles in narfe magazine

44

| f e b

2 016

nov

dec

2016 jan

feb

mar

apr

may

jun

jul

aug

extensive communication program is being undertaken. First, the plan is available on the NARFE website (www.narfe.org) to read, or you can download and print the pdf. Starting in February, there will be electronic video presentations from Headquarters to federation board meetings and regional training meetings.

These same presentations will be posted online, as well. As they travel to federation meetings around the country, Thissen and National Secretary/Treasurer Jon Dowie will meet with federation officers and members to discuss the plan.

A one-hour webinar about the plan also will be available online. The plan and subjects related to it will be the subject of future articles in narfe magazine. Finally, at the National Convention, there will be sessions convened to discuss the plan and the action steps that will be needed to fully implement it.

Dowie, who was the chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee and the Strategic Planning Team, said: “We took great care throughout the process to move in a disciplined, inclusive and transparent fashion.

We are continuing to do that with the communication program.”

The plan was written by the Strategic Planning Team based on the recommendations of the Strategic Planning Committee. The Committee met several times starting in

Silver circle Donors Update As of December 15, 2015, NARFE’s Silver Circle donation program stood at $137,490. The program gives members a vehicle to donate to the Association beyond the norm.

Donors of $25 or more are listed in narfe magazine and receive a Silver Circle pin. Donors of $1,000 or more have their names engraved on the Wall

April, approved a plan outline and made its final recommendations to the Team in August. Following the Committee’s recommendations, the Team wrote the strategic plan and presented it to the NEB prior to its November 17-19, 2015, meeting.

“Whenever anyone asks me about the plan,” said Dowie, “I tell them the same thing: This is not any one person’s or group of members’ plan.

It was created through an open and transparent process. All members of the Committee were given ample opportunity to discuss all of the issues.

We had free and open discussions.

The Team took great care to ensure that the plan embodies what the Committee intended. We also read and considered the input from members that came to us through the

stratplan@narfe.org email address.

Finally, the NEB had full discussions of the plan and then approved it.”

As Thissen told the NEB at the opening of the November meeting: “The plan sets achievable objectives that were arrived at with the intention of enabling NARFE to continue its mission into the future. The plan is the result of hard work done in good faith by responsible members of NARFE who put the interests of the Association first. The changes that will result from adopting and following through on the plan will not change the basic character of NARFE. What they will do is ensure that NARFE can successfully fulfill its mission and enable its future leadership to continue growing the organization.”

FEDERAL BENEFITS INSTITUTE OFFERS ADDITIONAL WEBINARS

T

he NARFE Federal Benefits Institute has announced the topics for its upcoming webinars: • “What’s Your Best Retirement Date?” will be offered Wednesday, February 17, at 2 p.m.; • “Survivor Benefits” will be offered Thursday, March 10, at 2 p.m.

To register for the webinars, go to www.narfe.org and click on the Federal Benefits Institute graphic on the left of the home page.

Videos of the Institute’s three prior webinars also are available for viewing by members. Topics are: “From Federal Employee to Annuitant: Master the Process”; “FEHBP and Medicare; Make the Best Choice”; and “Will You Be Ready for Retirement?”

of Fame at NARFE Headquarters.

The late Donald A. Binder of Kennewick, WA, has attained Wall of Fame status. At his death on May 31, 2015, Binder was serving as president of TriCities Chapter 1192, vice president and NARFE-PAC chairman for the Washington Federation, and the NARFE-PAC regional coordinator for five western states.

Donors from August 16-December 15 are listed here with their chapter

numbers: Florida: Philip B. Stiness, 1107; Norman Collin, 2194. Idaho: David A. Nash, 419. International: Joseph Schleigh, 4044. Kansas: Reva Grater, 1998. Maryland: Joseph A. Ryan, 1892. Michigan: Anne M. Fritch, 1593.

New Hampshire: James P. Crawford, 1694. New York: Dennis R. Perham, 2340. North Carolina: Carolyn S. Hunsucker, 692. Virginia: Thomas Spence, 489; Kenneth I. Hunt, 1270; Margaret M. Seigle, 2343.

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Convention Mini-Sessions

A

ttendees will have the opportunity to participate in a number of mini-sessions and training events at the 2016 NARFE National Convention, August 28September 1 in Reno, NV. The NARFE Strategic Plan will be the subject of three sessions.

The first will be before the Opening Ceremonies on Sunday, August 28.

Two group discussions will be held on Monday, August 29, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

The popular Service Officer Training will be held Tuesday, August 30, prior to the opening of the General Session.

Training for the Online Activities Module (OAM), a Web tool used by chapter and federation officers, will be conducted Tuesday morning and repeated Wednesday morning.

On Wednesday, August 31, NARFE’s Legislative staff will lead a training session on grass-roots advocacy best practices relating to the Association’s top legislative priorities.

NARFE-PAC Breakfast On Thursday, September 1,

Convention Website NARE’s 2016 National Convention Website is www.narfe.org/ convention2016. It features responsive design, which enables it to be viewed easily using a computer, tablet or smartphone.

On the website, NARFE members can request to be on a convention committee, as well as view important convention information.

Chapter officers can visit the website to designate a delegate or proxy starting March 1.

Registration for the Convention and banquet will be available for everyone starting March 1.

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NARFE-PAC, the Association’s political action committee, will host a special breakfast to thank top NARFE-PAC contributors.

Current NARFE-PAC Sustainers (individuals who make monthly credit card contributions of $10 or more) and 2015-2016 Gold-level supporters (individuals who have contributed at least $250 during the 2015-2016 election cycle) are invited to attend as a thank you for their generous support.

NARFE members who don’t meet this criteria can attend by making a one-time contribution specifically in connection with the breakfast.

Host Committee Events The Convention Host Committee

has planned additional events. On Friday, August 26, attendees can take a five-hour bus tour of historic Virginia City. Tickets are $59 and will be available through the convention registration form on the NARFE website, beginning March 1.

The Host Committee’s “California/ Nevada Night” will offer two options: A country-western band will keep everyone entertained with music and line dancing. Complimentary snacks will be provided along with a cash bar. Alternatively, there will be a casino event, where attendees will learn the strategies of gambling.

Limited to 120 people; the $5/person fee includes two drink tickets.

DEADLINES • Candidate Statements: March 1 for publication in the May issue of narfe magazine • Committee Assignment Requests: March 4 • Resolutions: No later than May 13 • Delegate Forms: June 1 • Registration: August 1 • Proxy Forms: August 1

HOTEL Arrangements Grand Sierra Resort and Casino 2500 E. Second St., Reno, NV 89595 800-648-5080 NARFE Rate: Single/Double Tier 1: $79 + tax; Luxury Summit Single/Double: $129 + tax. Additional person, more than two per room: $20 each For the NARFE Rate when calling, use Group Code: NRF16 Visit convention website for link to book hotel online. Cutoff date: July 24

AIRLINE DISCOUNTS Delta Airlines: www.delta.com/meetings. When booking online, select “Book Your Flight” and enter meeting ID NMMM5. A $25 charge will apply if booking by phone (800-328-1111).

United Airlines: www.united.com. When booking online, select “All Search Options” and enter Offer code ZVVB272256. A $25 per ticket charge will apply if booking by phone through United Meeting Reservations, 800-426-1122.

NARFE 2016 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Applicants: • Must be high school seniors planning to attend an accredited college full-time in a degree program in the fall/winter of 2016.

• Must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on an unweighted 4.0 scale.

• Must be sponsored by a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent who is a current NARFE member. (Step-parents, step-grandparents, etc., can also sponsor.) Sponsor must be living at the time application is submitted.

• Must provide your email address on the application. Your application receipt will be sent to this email address; please add “confirmation@feea.org” to your address book.

• Must provide the following materials in your packet: r Official 2016 NARFE scholarship application (below).

Photocopies are acceptable. r Full transcript, including fall/winter 2015 grades. Report cards and photocopies are acceptable. If mailed separately by the school, must arrive by program deadline. r Copies of American College Testing (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Testing (SAT), or other entrance examination scores. (Homeschooled students must provide equivalent of transcript and test scores as applicable.) r List and brief description of any awards or volunteer/ community service activities (not to exceed two pages). Indicate amount of time spent for each activity. r Written recommendation from a teacher or counselor, on school or other official letterhead. r One stamped, self-addressed #10 envelope (used to notify you in the event you do not win). r Essay

ESSAY TOPIC INFORMATION The essay must be typed, double-spaced, not more than two pages on the following topic: How is the agency in which your sponsor works/worked important in the daily life of an average citizen?

All of the materials (except transcript, if necessary) must be mailed in the same 9”x12” (or larger) envelope, postmarked no later than April 29, 2016, to: NARFE Scholarship Awards, c/o FEEA, 3333 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80227. DO NOT FOLD MATERIALS. DO NOT USE STAPLES OR PAPER CLIPS. Please note: All materials submitted with the application will become the property of FEEA and will not be returned under any circumstances. If needed, make a copy of the information for yourself before mailing.

The NARFE Scholarship Program is administered by the Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA) and is made possible by your tax-deductible contributions to the NARFE-FEEA Scholarship Fund, 3333 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80227.

For more information, obtain the Guide to NARFE’S Annual Scholarship Awards Program (F-105). To get your copy, send an email to scholarship@narfe.org; download it from the NARFE website, www.narfe.org; or call Headquarters and request scholarship information.

Acknowledgement receipts are emailed to eligible applicants who submit a complete application packet by the April 29 deadline.

Emailing of receipts may take 8-12 weeks after the deadline, due to the volume of applications received. Applicants desiring earlier confirmation of delivery should use a mailing service that provides delivery confirmation. Please add confirmation@feea.org to your address book to ensure receipt of your confirmation email.

APPLICATION

Please complete the following. Incomplete applications and applications sent to NARFE Headquarters will not be considered.

Student’s Name:______________________________________

I am taking college courses in high school: o Yes

Complete Home Address:

NARFE Member’s Name: ______________________________

____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

Relationship to Applicant: o Father o Mother o Grandfather o Grandmother

Home Telephone: _____________________________________

NARFE Member No.: __________________________________

Email Address: _______________________________________

Chapter No.: ________________________________________

Applicant’s Grade Point Average (GPA): __________________ (Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on an unweighted 4.0 scale)

Member’s Complete Home Address:

College or University (planning to attend): ________________ ____________________________________________________ (Must be a college freshman by fall/winter 2016)

o No

____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Member’s Telephone: _________________________________ Member’s Email Address: ______________________________

Active and Retired Federal Employees ...

JOIN NARFE TODAY!

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

Who Should Join?

Three Easy Ways To Join

If your future security is tied to federal retirement benefits — 1. Complete this application and return by mail with your payment. federal retirees, current employees, spouses, and individual 2. Join online at www.narfe.org. survivors — you should join NARFE. 3. Call 800-627-3394, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

NARFE MEMBERSHIP APPLIC ATION

1Q5

q YES. I want to join NARFE.

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

Street Address _____________________________________

Apt./Unit __________________________________________

q Please enroll my spouse

City _______________________ State _____ ZIP __________

Spouse’s Full Name ________________________________

Phone (__________) _________________________________

Spouse’s Email

Email _____________________________________________

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

q Mr. q Mrs. q Miss q Ms.

Full Name _________________________________________

Choose Your Membership Type

All NARFE members receive narfe magazine, access to federal benefits specialists, NARFE’s News Watch, legislative Hotline, and exclusive member discounts, along with professional lobbyists advocating on your behalf. Members choose one of two chapter options.

q Local Chapter

Under the direction of local leadership, chapters offer regular meetings often with invited speakers, as well as networking, volunteer and grass-roots lobbying opportunities. Annual chapter dues, determined by the locality, are charged in subsequent years.

Chapter Affiliation: Chapter # __ __ __ __

OR

_____________________________

PAYMENT OPTIONS q Check, Money Order or Bill Pay (Payable to NARFE) q Bill me (NARFE membership will start when payment is received.) q Charge my: q MasterCard q VISA q Discover q American Express Card No. ____________________________________ Expiration Date _____ /_________ mm yyyy Name on Card ________________________________

q eNARFE

The eNARFE Chapter provides a place for members to keep active in and informed about the federal community without the formality of a local chapter. Advocacy is encouraged within the e-community, and members may join with local groups for grass-roots participation. There are no additional dues for the eNARFE Chapter.

TOTAL DUES $40 First-Year Dues X __________ = __________ Per Person # Enrolling Total Dues

Signature ____________________________________ Date ________________________________________ MAY WE THANK SOMEONE? If applicable, please provide the name, membership and chapter number of the member who introduced you to NARFE: Recruiter’s Name_________________________________ Recruiter’s Membership ID _________________________ Recruiter’s Chapter Number ________________________

MAIL THIS APPLICATION TO NARFE Member Records 606 N. Washington St. / Alexandria, VA 22314-1914

NARFE’s Dues Withholding Program What is dues withholding?

It is a dues-payment method that gives NARFE members (retirees) the option of having their annual NARFE membership dues deducted from their annuities on a monthly basis.

How does it work?

One-twelfth of your total dues is automatically deducted from your monthly annuity. Your monthly deduction is determined by the following formula: (National dues ÷ 12) + (Chapter dues ÷ 12) = Total Monthly Deduction

Advantages • Save 15% off your annual membership dues!

• Sign up your spouse and double your savings!

• You’ll never get another dues reminder from us!

• Your monthly payment is affordable and convenient!

• You may cancel your dues withholding at any time!

Application process It takes 60-90 days to process your application. Once the process is complete, you will receive a special membership card distinguishing you as a NARFE dues-withholding member.

To learn more about dues withholding, call 800-627-3394.

Retirees, spouses of retirees and annuitant survivors are eligible for dues withholding.

NARFE Dues Withholding Application for Retirees n YES. I want to enroll in NARFE’s Dues Withholding Program (Annual dues of $34 plus Chapter dues of record to be withheld annually.)

Social Security Number (9-digit number)

–

Civil Service Annuity Number

–

C S

–

–

–

(Include prefix, CSA or CSF) (Include any applicable suffix)

n Mr. n Mrs. n Miss n Ms. Full Name _______________________________________

NARFE MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Street Address ___________________________________

NARFE Membership ID ____________________________________

Apt./Unit________________________________________

NARFE Chapter Number____________________________________

City _________________________ State _____ ZIP _____

n YES. I Also Authorize My (NARFE Member) Spouse’s Dues To Be

Phone (__________) ______________________________ Email ___________________________________________ Date of Birth _________ /_________ / ____________________ dd

mm

yyyy

Withheld From My Annuity. (Additional annual dues of $34 plus Chapter dues of record to be withheld annually.)

If YES, enter spouse’s information below.

Spouse’s Name ___________________________________________ Spouse’s Membership ID ___________________________________

AUTHORIZATION (Withholding will begin in 60-90 days). No payment should be forwarded with application.

I authorize the United States Office of Personnel Management to make appropriate deductions from my annuity payments, not to exceed the amount certified by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association as the amount of dues for which I am annually obligated, in accordance with elections I make below, and to pay the deducted sum to the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE). This authorization shall also apply to any and all dues changes certified by NARFE membership in accordance with elections I make below: Please allow 60-90 days for processing.

I understand that this authorization shall be valid until NARFE receives and processes my written notice of cancellation in accordance with its agreement with the Office of Personnel Management and that any disputes regarding this authorization shall be a matter between NARFE and myself. I hold the Office of Personnel Management harmless for any erroneous allotment deduction made pursuant to this authorization. ___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________

Signature of Annuitant or Survivor-Annuitant

Date

Dues payments and gifts or contributions to NARFE are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

MAIL THIS FORM TO: NARFE, ATTN: Member Records, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1914 www.narfe.org 800-627-3394 rr@narfe.org Do not send money with this form

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Member Perks

SAVE MONEY WITH NARFE Perks NARFE appreciates your service, and so do businesses across the country.

Whether you are planning your next vacation or planning for retirement, members can save money on everyday purchases, thanks to our Affinity Partners.

It’s just one more way we’re able to say “thank you” for being a NARFE member. union puts members first by offering low-rate loans and a high-interest checking account. Members have access to 5,000+ shared branches and 56,000 surcharge-free ATMs.

finance and Legal

new

ID Shield 571-830-5489 www.legalshield.com/info/narfe LegalShield along with Kroll will monitor your identity from every angle, not just your Social Security number, credit cards and bank accounts. This takes the work required to restore your identity off your shoulders, placing it in the hands of a licensed fraud investigator.

NARFE members receive the discounted monthly rate of $8.95 for individuals or $17.95 for families when you sign up through the website above.

w

ne LegalShield 571-830-5489 www.legalshield.com/info/narfe Whether it’s big, small or somewhere in between, you have affordable legal help when you need it. With your legal plan, you or your family members can contact your law firm anytime you need legal advice or assistance.

NARFE members receive the discounted rate of $16.95 for individuals or $18.95 for families of 10 (two adults and up to 8 children) when you sign up through the website above.

InFirst Federal Credit Union 800-328-1500 www.infirstfcu.org As a member of NARFE, you are eligible to join InFirst Federal Credit Union, formerly NARFE Premier FCU, serving active and retired federal employees and their families since 1935. The credit 50

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insurance

Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program 800-LTC FEDS www.LTCFEDS.com Make long-term care insurance part of your retirement plan. With benefits designed specifically for the federal family, the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program offers a smart way to help protect savings and assets, and remain independent should you need long-term care services someday. Start planning for the future. Visit www.

LTCFEDS.com today.

GEICO 800-368-2734 www.geico.com/fed/narfe GEICO offers a special discount opportunity for NARFE members. To find out how much you could save, visit our website or call today and mention that you are a NARFE member. Have your current coverage information available in order to secure a comparable quote. Your completed quote will help benefit NARFE! For complete terms and conditions, visit www.narfe.org/memberperks.

NARFE Insurance Services 800-233-5764 www.narfeinsurance.com Designed and administered by Mercer Consumer, exclusively for NARFE members: senior age whole life, term

life, Medicare supplements, hospital income plan, short-term recovery insurance, pet insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, cancer care, enhanced dental insurance and long-term care.

Moving services

Bekins Van Lines 800-248-4810 narfe@bekins.com All NARFE members will receive contracted pricing for all interstate shipments. This will apply to packing, transportation and full-value coverage against damages. Please mention you are a NARFE member.

Wheaton World Wide Moving 800-248-7960 narfe@wvlcorp.com At Wheaton, we know interstate relocating is much more than trucks and boxes. Moving is not simply an address change. It’s a life change. With a network of top-quality agents throughout the United States, Wheaton provides peace of mind with every relocation.

We offer you, as a NARFE member, benefits to help you have a positive interstate relocation experience. Call today and mention you are a NARFE member to start the moving process.

narfe merchandise

NARFE General Store 855-99NARFE (855-996-2733) www.narfegeneralstore.com As the official provider of NARFE merchandise, the NARFE General Store

offers NARFE-approved name badges, business cards, clothing, accessories, cups and mugs, plaques and clocks, and much, much more. Check out our online catalog for our customizable product line.

Telecommunications

new

Sprint 877-746-8249 www.sprint.com/fed NARFE members receive a 15% discount with Sprint! Access www.sprint. com/fed, call 877-746-8249 or visit the Sprint store nearest you to take advantage of this offer. Please bring your member ID card with you to our stores to sign up for the discount, and provide code GNARF_ZMB.

new

Verizon FiOS www.narfe.org/memberperks NARFE members can save up to $10 a month on a new qualifying Triple Play bundle with Verizon FiOS Internet, TV and home phone service – savings of up to $120 per year. The FiOS 100% fiberoptic network delivers award-winning broadband and entertainment to your home. Only FiOS Internet customers get upload speeds as fast as their download speeds. With FiOS TV, 625+ channels are available, including 185+ in HD, and over 130,000 On Demand titles, thousands free. This exclusive online-only savings is only available to new Verizon customers or those upgrading to the Triple Play Package.

travel

Alamo 800-462-5266 www.alamo.com Drive Happy® with Alamo® where NARFE members receive year-round discounts. Call or visit our website today and reference Contract ID 262544.

Choice Hotels International 800-258-2847 www.choicehotels.com With 6,200 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, charitable donations 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 through phone number or website above; cannot be redeemed at individual hotels.

ticipating locations. Call and give the agent your special discount ID number, 8000002694, at time of booking to receive discount. Whether you are looking for an upscale hotel, an all-inclusive resort or something more costeffective, we have the right hotel for you ... and at the right price. Call to reserve your room today at one of these fine hotels: Wyndham Hotels and Resorts®, Days Inn®, Ramada Worldwide®, Baymont Inns and Suites®, Hawthorn Suites® By Wyndham, Microtel Inns and Suites®, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge® and Knights Inn®. Advance reservations required through phone number above; cannot be redeemed at individual hotels.

Wellness

Beltone Hearing Care 888-418-6763

Local Hospitality www.narfe.org/travel

new

NARFE is pleased to offer its members an exclusive travel discount service.

Savings may exceed 50% and average 10-20% below market on all hotels and car rental suppliers around the world.

Any hotel, any car, anywhere, anytime!

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

Wyndham Hotel Group 877-670-7088 NARFE members receive up to 20% off the “Best Available Rate” at par-

Beltone has been helping the world hear better for 75 years. NARFE members receive 25% off, and those with Blue Cross Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan insurance coverage may be eligible for two Beltone True 3™ hearing aids for ZERO out-of-pocket.

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

NARFE Member Perks are designed to provide NARFE members with a quality option in their search for commonly used products and services. NARFE makes no guarantee on any products and services listed and encourages its members to shop and compare before making a decision on any financial matter. w w w. n a r fe . o r g

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The Way We Worked

Hail to the chefs!

This 1963 photograph shows a White House cook preparing a dinner to honor the vice president, the speaker of the House and the chief justice of the United States. During the Kennedy administration, First Lady Jackie Kennedy took over the White House staff and elevated the quality of White House dining. Today, these cooks are members of the executive residence staff – the federal employees who keep the White House running.

Photo from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, National Archives; courtesy of the National Archives History Office; in collaboration with the Society for History in the Federal Government (SHFG), bringing together government professionals, academics, consultants, students and citizens interested in understanding federal history work and the historical development of the federal government. To join, visit http://shfg.org.

Did you know?

When John and Abigail Adams moved into the White House in 1800 as its first occupants, they brought with them four household employees, whom the president paid out of his own pocket, according to the White House Historical Association.

Today, the White House’s executive residence staff consists of 96 full-time employees with a budget of $12.7 million in fiscal year 2015.

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ife et e G bl r L K. ou fo TAL D es ut E in W M ith w

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Other charges and restrictions may apply. Screen images simulated.There are no additional fees to call GreatCall’s 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 minutes carry over and are available for 60 days. If you exceed the minute balance on your account, you will be billed at 35¢ for each minute used over the balance. Monthly rate plans do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges. Prices and fees subject to change. We will refund the full price of the GreatCall phone and the activation fee (or set-up fee) 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 be deducted from your refund for each minute over 30 minutes. You will be charged a $10 restocking fee. The shipping charges are not refundable. Jitterbug and GreatCall are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. ©2015 Samsung Electronics America, LLC. ©2015 GreatCall, Inc. ©2015 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

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