March 2020 NARFE Magazine by NARFE

M AR

’20

MARCH IS

NARFE-PAC MONTH

COVER STORY

BENEFITS ON THE BALLOT ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

WINNING AT FEDERAL AGENCY CULTURE NARFE OFFICER CANDIDATE STATEMENTS Volume 96 • Number 3

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SPECIAL SECTIONS

42 NARFE Officer

Candidate Statements

WASHINGTON WATCH

NARFE Mobilized to Achieve 2019 Legislative Victories

Oh, It’s You Again

Federal Pay Cap Affecting an Increasing Number of Feds

Senators Oppose Expansion of TSP I Fund Investments

Bill Tracker

COVER STORY BENEFITS ON THE BALLOT: March is NARFE-PAC Month. Find out about the PAC and learn how it helps protect your pay and benefits.

COLUMNS

From the President

34 Managing Money 36 Alzheimer’s Update DEPARTMENTS

FEDERAL AGENCY CULTURE: Who’s winning at federal employee engagement? We look at the results of recent surveys and reports from OPM and the Partnership for Public Service.

38 For the Record 40 NARFE News 54 Member Perks

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On the Web

Questions & Answers

MARCH IS

NARFE-PAC MONTH

56 The Way We Worked

VISIT US ONLINE AT:

www.narfe.org

COVER STORY

BENEFITS ON THE BALLOT ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

WINNING AT FEDERAL AGENCY CULTURE

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:

NARFE National Headquarters

NARFE OFFICER CANDIDATE STATEMENTS Volume 96 • Number 3

ON THE C OVER Illustration by GRAPHEK

@narfehq

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

MARCH 2020 | Volume 96 | Number 3

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Helen Mosher SENIOR EDITOR Mabel Yu COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT Precious Dorch-Robinson GRAPHIC DESIGN GRAPHEK Beth Bedard EDITORIAL BOARD Kenneth J. Thomas, Kathryn E. Hensley, Barbara Sido CONTACT US NARFE Magazine 606 North Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314-1914 Phone: 703-838-7760 Fax: 703-838-7781 Editorial: communications@narfe.org Advertising Sales: Anita Nelson advertising@narfe.org

NARFE FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED ON THE TELEPHONE: This publication can be heard on the telephone by persons who have trouble seeing or reading the print edition. For more information, contact the National Federation of the Blind NFB-NEWSLINE® service at 866-504-7300 or go to www.nfbnewsline.org. ON DIGITAL AUDIO: Issues of NARFE Magazine are also available in audio format through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). For availability, call 202-727-2142 or your local NLS service provider. The Association, since July 1970, has been classified by the IRS as a tax-exempt labor organization [not a union]; however, dues and gifts or contributions to the Association are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.

NATIONAL OFFICERS KENNETH J. THOMAS President; natpres@narfe.org KATHRYN E. HENSLEY Secretary/Treasurer; natsectreas@narfe.org EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BARBARA SIDO, execdir@narfe.org

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

REGION I James C. Risner (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) TEL: 207-540-6233 EMAIL: rvp1@narfe.org REGION II Kathy Adams (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) TEL: 302-697-6650. CELL: 302-561-5660 EMAIL: adamskhawaii@aol.com REGION III Clarence Robinson (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands) CELL: 404-312-8028 EMAIL: crobin8145@att.net

REGION VI Marshall L. Richards (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Republic of Panama and Texas) TEL: 903-660-2784 EMAIL: pappysdad@cobridge.tv REGION VII Rodney L. Adelman (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) TEL: 623-505-4719 EMAIL: narfe7vp@cox.net REGION VIII Helen L. Zajac (California, Hawaii, Nevada and Republic of Philippines) TEL: 707-644-7565 EMAIL: hlzajac125@gmail.com

REGION IV Robert L. Helfrich (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) TEL: 317-501-1700 EMAIL: rvp4@narfe.org

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

REGION V Cindy Reneé Blythe (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) TEL: 785-256-1450 EMAIL: mrsdocbusyb@yahoo.com

REGION X William Shackelford (Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) TEL: 703-830-6590, CELL: 703-201-6304 EMAIL: rvp10@narfe.org

HERE’S HOW TO CONTACT US… TO JOIN NARFE, RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP OR FIND A LOCAL CHAPTER:

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

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

TO REACH A FEDERAL BENEFITS SPECIALIST:

EMAIL fedbenefits@narfe.org NARFE HEADQUARTERS

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

NARFE.org

narfe (ISSN 1948-4453) is published monthly by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA, and additional mailing offices. Members: Annual dues includes subscription. Nonmember subscription rate $40. Postmaster: Send address change to: NARFE Attn: Member Records, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. To ensure prompt delivery, members should also forward changes of address without delay. Because of the volume involved, NARFE cannot acknowledge nor be responsible for unsolicited pictures and manuscripts, although every reasonable precaution is taken. All submissions become the property of NARFE. Copyright © 2019, 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 Magazine, but at the same time we will not undertake to guarantee the reliability of our advertisers.

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LAUNDRY LIST LOOMING

egislators began the new year with a laundry list of upcoming policy battles on a packed 2020 agenda that includes

elections, legislation and funding.

With more than seven months of campaigning left before the November elections, few Americans, if any, are confident about the outcome. More than two dozen members of Congress decided to retire, and March is the time for Super Tuesday primaries. First up are Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. The next Super Tuesday primaries take place in Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and the state of Washington. Finally, the third Super Tuesday primaries occur in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio. As you head to the polls, consider which candidates in key battleground states are the most electable and who are the most trustworthy on the domestic and foreign stage. Couple the run-up to the elections with several key legislative deadlines, and it should make for an interesting balancing act.

There are a couple additional points of interest as we make our 2020 choices: • This year, after running into a partisan roadblock in 2019, Congress will attempt to pass legislation that lowers drug prices. Everyone agrees that prescription drugs cost too much but not about how to fix the issue. Senate leadership recently declared the House bill dead on arrival and pledged that they will not take it up. An additional bipartisan bill included a provision that would limit Medicare drug price hikes to the rate of inflation. Much to my shock, the ever-increasing cost of medical care has not generated sweeping solutions or reform from our lawmakers. • In December, the House and Senate passed and the president signed a funding package that keeps the federal government running through September 30, 2020. To avoid continuing resolutions or the threat of another government shutdown, House and Senate appropriators must turn their focus to fiscal year 2021 (FY21) and passage of all twelve of the FY21 funding bills before October 1, 2020. This process must begin without delay. If past behavior is any indication of future behavior, we’ll be heading into the October recess—and the November elections—under a continuing resolution. Stay tuned.

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

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KENNETH J. THOMAS NARFE NATIONAL PRESIDENT natpres@narfe.org

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Washington Watch

NARFE MOBILIZED TO ACHIEVE 2019 LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES

ARFE celebrates its legislative accomplishments in

leading role in advancing the compromise language after it became apparent that language from the House-passed bill that simply blocked the reorganization was unlikely to pass the Senate or be signed into law.

2019, the first half of the 116th Congress. Successes included new federal benefits and the defeat of threats

to cut over $177 billion from the federal community. These

victories were possible due to NARFE’s aggressive lobbying efforts and NARFE members’ hard work in support of our goals. NARFE Blocked the Misguided OPM Reorganization Plan • The President’s fiscal year 2020 (FY20) budget proposal included plans to reorganize the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Critics of the plan, including NARFE, argued that it had the potential to subject the federal workforce to political influence and undermine OPM’s ability to carry out vital programs such as those for retirement services, health care and insurance. • Among NARFE’s advocacy efforts was testimony by National President Ken Thomas before a House Oversight and Reform subcommittee in May. Thomas voiced concern over the consequences of the reorganization plan, laying the 6

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groundwork for congressional action in opposition to the proposal. • In December, the president signed into law a bill that stopped the OPM reorganization plan from advancing at least until 180 days after a yearlong study by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) detailing the challenges facing OPM and recommending solutions. NARFE played the ACTION ALERT!

NARFE’s Advocacy Prevented Cuts to Earned Pay and Benefits • NARFE defeated proposals in the president’s FY20 budget to eliminate cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) or reduce COLAs for all current and future retirees, among other proposals totaling over $177 billion in cuts to benefits. • Thanks to the hard work of NARFE and its members over the years, these proposals

MARCH

The president released his FY21 budget proposal in February, and it included billions of dollars in cuts to earned federal benefits. Attacks on the earned pay and benefits of the people who dedicated their careers to civil service are unacceptable. Visit NARFE’s Legislative Action Center at www.narfe.org/legislation to voice your opposition to the proposed budget cuts.

never received serious consideration during budget negotiations. In July 2019, a two-year budget deal was signed into law. It raised sequestration-level spending caps on agency budgets and contained no cuts to federal pay or benefits. NARFE Secured Pay Raises for Federal Employees in 2019 and 2020 • Congress passed and the president signed into law a 3.1 percent average federal pay raise for 2020—a 2.6 percent across-the-board increase and a 0.5 percent average increase in locality rates. It is the largest raise in a decade, keeps pace with average private-sector increases, and achieves parity with military salary increases. • NARFE worked tirelessly over the course of 2019 to return federal pay raises to the statutory policy of tracking with private-sector increases and matching increases for the military—a common practice in the decades prior to 2011. • In February 2019, NARFE supported the FY19 funding bill that included a 1.9 percent average federal pay raise—a 1.4 percent raise across-theboard and an average 0.5 percent locality pay increase— retroactive to January 1, 2019. NARFE Ensured Paid Parental Leave for Federal Employees • NARFE supported reintroduction of the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act (FEPLA) of 2019, with

NARFE National President Ken Thomas joining the press conference announcing the reintroduction. • NARFE worked with a coalition of stakeholders and congressional allies to include the language of FEPLA in the House-passed version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY20. • As part of the FY20 NDAA, Congress passed and the president signed into law a paid parental leave provision giving most federal employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave for the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child. NARFE Acted During the Longest Government Shutdown • NARFE joined with congressional allies to pass and get signed into law the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which not only guaranteed back pay for those furloughed during the 35-day shutdown that began in December 2018, but also for all future government shutdowns. • NARFE continuously urged Congress and the president to end the government shutdown, cataloging and highlighting its damage. • Nearly a dozen NARFE member letters to the editor were published, including one in The Washington Post. • NARFE developed a “Shutdown Central” webpage providing resources for federal employees on health care, unemployment, TSP withdrawals, retirement

claims and more. Several members of Congress shared this NARFE resource on social media and in newsletters. NARFE’s Work Extended the Rehired Federal Retirees Waiver Authority • NARFE worked to extend agency authority, through 2024, to rehire federal retirees on a part-time basis without an offset to their annuities and without obtaining a waiver from OPM. This authorization allows agencies (Continued on p.8)

MYTH vs. REALITY Myth: Membership dues, general NARFE funds and money raised through notecard, calendar and greeting card solicitations fund NARFE-PAC and the association’s political work. Reality: Federal campaign laws prohibit dues money and other general funds (including funds from the solicitations mentioned above) from being directed to NARFE-PAC. NARFE-PAC is a separate, segregated fund of the association. All NARFE-PAC funds come from members’ voluntary contributions made explicitly for political purposes.

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

Washington Watch

OH, IT’S YOU AGAIN

o, you visited your legislator’s office only to be greeted with, “Oh, it’s you again.” Some advocates may feel offended by the statement, while others may be so intimidated that the visit could be their last. However, viewed from a different lens, it is exactly what advocates should want to hear from the people representing them in Congress. Congratulations, you have facial recognition! You’ve also begun the process of developing relationships with your legislator and his or her staff— one of the most important steps in your long-term grassroots advocacy strategy. By now you’ve figured out that issue advocacy isn’t a onetime event; it takes a host of other strategies, which require your persistence, perseverance and patience—the “Three Big Ps” a grassroots advocate should never lack. Your efforts didn’t go to waste because the federal community didn’t achieve all of its advocacy goals in the last congressional session. In fact, you’ve continued the fight by disseminating valuable information on NARFE’s longterm legislative goals. Each Congress offers a twoyear opportunity to influence legislation, and as we move into 2020, there is still time to continue the fight. Although our country’s involved, and at times inefficient, lawmaking process can cause some of the best advocates to give up, recognizing that it is part of the checks and balances on government is important. The founding fathers wanted to ensure the concerns of the people are considered before

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the government takes action. So advocates should be prepared for the long haul if they want to succeed at influencing legislation. One example of a successful NARFE long-term advocacy strategy is the recent enactment of a 12-week paid parental leave policy for federal workers. After many years of lobbying and campaigning to get the commonsense policy in place, victory came in December 2019 when the President signed into law the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This happened largely because of NARFE advocates’ steadfast dedication to success. Another long-term legislative goal of NARFE, which we will continue work on in 2020, is advancing the Fair COLA for Seniors Act, H.R. 1553. For the calculation of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), this bill would replace the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ use of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPIW) with the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E). The CPI-W does not accurately reflect the purchasing patterns of seniors, who spend larger portions of their budgets on medicine, health care, shelter, and other goods and services specific to their needs. NARFE invites you to be part of this critical effort to defend the earned benefits of federal employees and retirees. Visit NARFE’s Legislative Action Center at www.narfe. org/legislation to access a sample letter that you can use as a guide to write your own

NARFE GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY Learn more about how you can take action to protect your earned pay and benefits by reviewing NARFE Grassroots materials at www.bitly.com/ NARFE-grassroots.

compelling story and send it directly to your legislators. — BY MARSHA PADILLA-GOAD, GRASSROOTS PROGRAM MANAGER

(Continued from p.7) to fill critical needs and creates opportunities to train the next generation of public servants. NARFE Helped Repeal the Cadillac Tax • The president signed into law a repeal of the “Cadillac Tax”—a 40 percent excise tax that would have affected some Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program plans, leading to higher premiums or benefit cuts and increased cost-sharing (co-pays, coinsurance and deductibles) to avoid the tax. • Prior to the passage of a yearend spending bill, NARFE joined with coalition partners in support of the repeal. — BY SETH ICKES, GRASSROOTS ASSISTANT

FEDERAL PAY CAP AFFECTING INCREASING NUMBER OF FEDS

nalysis from Federal News Network finds that more federal employees at the highest steps of the general schedule (GS) pay scale will hit the federal pay ceiling in 2020. The ceiling for GS pay is set at the Executive Schedule Level IV pay rate, according to federal law. While that pay rate increased by 2.6 percent in 2020, many localities received higher increases—for instance, 3.4 percent in the San Francisco Bay area and 3.52 percent in the Washington, DC area. Due to the ceiling, however, those locality pay increases did not apply to top-level GS pay rates.

The continued application of the pay cap adds up and includes more employees over time. It has expanded to affect employees in 25 different locality pay areas. For a GS-15, Step 10 in the Washington, DC area, the loss now amounts to as much as $15,000 per year. The capped pay also limits retiring employees’ high-three years of salary, lowering annuities for long-serving employees. Many might see this as a good problem to have—salary so high that it’s capped at Executive Schedule levels. But from a policy perspective, it’s less about the impact on any one individual than it is

about providing competitive pay in high-cost, high-pay areas. When a senior attorney at the Department of Justice makes significantly less than an unseasoned, first-year lawyer at a private firm, you’re really counting on a strong commitment to public service to keep the employee in the civil service. At the end of the day, without competitive pay across the entire federal pay scale, the best and most experienced employees may take their talents to the private-sector instead—or, at least, sooner than agencies would like. —BY SETH ICKES, GRASSROOTS ASSISTANT

NARFE-PAC:

MEETING OUR GOALS

NARFE-PAC, the political arm of NARFE, works to defend your earned pay and benefits by building strong relationships between NARFE and members of Congress. Support NARFE-PAC today and help fight for the federal community.

Raise $1.75 million

$1,043,182

Disburse $1.25 million in political contributions

$616,000 Figures as of 12/31/2019

Send NARFE members to 110 local fundraisers

Grow monthly giving program (sustainer program) by 20%

17%

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

Washington Watch

SENATORS OPPOSE EXPANSION OF TSP I FUND INVESTMENTS

n an unprecedented move, Senators Marco Rubio, R-FL, and Rick Scott, R-FL, sent a letter to President Trump in November 2019, requesting that he replace members of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) over its decision to expand the Thrift Savings Plan’s (TSP) International (I) Fund investments into emerging markets. At issue is FRTIB’s decision to shift I Fund investments from the MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index to the MSCI All Country World ex USA Investable Market Index (ACWI ex USA IMI). The new index would further diversify the I Fund by adding exposure to equities from emerging markets and Canada as well as international small cap equities. Rubio opposes the addition because emerging markets equities include stock in Chinese companies. In an August 2019 letter to FRTIB, Rubio and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, urged FRTIB to reverse its decision, arguing that it “constitutes a decision to invest in China-based companies, including many firms that are involved in the Chinese government’s military, espionage, human rights abuses and ‘Made in China 2025’ industrial policy.” However, FRTIB reaffirmed its decision. Soon after, Rubio and Shaheen introduced S. 2791, the Taxpayers and Savers Protection Act, along with Senators Romney, R-UT, Gillibrand, D-NY, Scott, R-FL, Hawley, R-MO, and Braun, R-IN. The bill would, in

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effect, prevent any TSP holdings from being invested in Chinese equities. In a reply, FRTIB explained that its decision was made pursuant to statutory mandates to select “prudent investments” and an I Fund index that “is a reasonably complete representation of the international equity markets excluding the United States equity markets.” FRTIB argued that the new index has a higher return/lower risk profile than the current one and is consistent with standard investment practices. All ten of the retirement plans of the largest publicly traded U.S. companies and the top 10 federal contractors, as well as six of the largest target date funds, provide access to investments in emerging markets. NARFE supports FRTIB’s decision and joined its coalition partners on the Employee Thrift Advisory Council (ETAC) in endorsing it. In a letter to sponsors of S. 2791, ETAC explained that “removing the option of investing in emerging markets from federal employees’ retirement portfolios would put them at a distinct disadvantage compared to private-sector workers.” Further, the policy is “an improper route to limiting investments in Chinese companies. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is the federal office responsible for deciding what international securities are available for American investors.” Instead of

using that option, the bill would single out the retirement savings of public servants, military personnel and veterans. With FRTIB staying its course, Rubio and Scott have now asked President Trump to intervene by replacing FRTIB board members. In so doing, they seek reprisals against Board members who faithfully carry out their statutory mandate—risking political influence on Board decision-making. At press time, NARFE was working with ETAC partners to push back against the request. — BY JOHN HATTON, DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS

LEGISLATIVE RESOURCES • NARFE NewsLine: A weekly newsletter that goes out to NARFE members on Tuesdays and includes weekly recaps of legislative news, compiled by NARFE’s advocacy and communications teams. • Legislative Action Center: A one-stop site to send a letter to Congress, and more, at www.narfe.org.

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

FEDERAL COMPENSATION

BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR H.R. 1534/S. 1174: Federal Employee Paid Leave Act of 2019 / Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-NY / Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI

WHAT BILL WOULD DO Provides federal employees with 12 weeks of paid leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child and other medical conditions.

Paid parental leave for Feds became law on December 20, 2019, P.L. 116-92.

Expresses the sense of the House that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of door delivery for all business and residential customers.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

Expresses the sense of the House that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the United States Cosponsors: Postal Service remains an H.Res. 33: 225 (D) 42 (R) independent establishment of S.Res. 99: 43 (D) 8 (R) 2 (I) the federal government and is not subject to privatization.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.Res. 33)

H.Res. 54: Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-VA

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

Cosponsors: H.R. 1534: 45 (D) 2 (R) S. 1174: 5 (D) 0 (R)

H.Res. 23: Rep. Susan Davis, D-CA Cosponsors: 206 (D) 52 (R)

H.Res. 33/S.Res. 99 Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-MA / Sen. Gary Peters, D-MI

POSTAL REFORM

LATEST ACTION(S)

Cosponsors: 217 (D) 74 (R)

Expresses the sense of the House that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of its six-day mail delivery service.

Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S.Res. 99)

H.Res. 60: Rep. David McKinley, R-WV

Expresses the sense of the Referred to the House House that the United States Committee on OverPostal Service should take all sight and Reform Cosponsors: 179 (D) 26 (R) appropriate measures to restore service standards in effect as of July 1, 2012. H.R. 2382: USPS Fairness Act / Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR

Repeals the USPS’ prefunding requirement.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

Cosponsors: 232 (D) 69 (R)

NARFE’s Position:

Support

Oppose

No position W W W. N A R F E . O R G

Washington Watch

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

ISSUE

BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR H.R. 141/S. 521 Social Security Fairness Act of 2019 / Rep. Rodney Davis, R-IL / Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH

WHAT BILL WOULD DO Repeals both the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).

Cosponsors: H.R. 141: 179 (D) 56 (R) S. 521: 31 (D) 4 (R) 2 (I)

GPO/WEP

H.R. 3934 The Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2019 / Rep. Kevin Brady, R-TX Cosponsors: 3 (D) 41 (R) H.R. 4540 Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act / Rep. Richard Neal, D-MA Cosponsors: 90 (D) 2 (R)

FEDERAL ANNUITIES

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means (H.R. 141) Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance (S. 521)

Reforms the Windfall EliminaReferred to the House tion Provision (WEP), to provide Committee on Ways WEP-affected individuals who and Means are eligible for benefits before 2022 a $100 monthly rebate and $50 for an affected spouse. Changes the WEP calculation moving forward. Referred to the House Reforms the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), to provide Committee on Ways WEP-affected individuals who and Means are eligible for benefits before 2022 a $150 monthly rebate. Changes the WEP calculation moving forward.

H.R. 1254: The Equal COLA Provides Federal Employees Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, Retirement System (FERS) D-VA retirees with the same annual cost-of-living adjustment Cosponsors: 15 (D) 3 (R) (COLA) as Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

H.R. 1553: Fair COLA for Seniors Act of 2019 / Rep. John Garamendi, D-CA

Requires Social Security and federal retirement programs to use the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPIE) to calculate cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to retirement benefits.

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

Allows federal employees who started their careers in temporary positions before transitioning into permanent roles to retroactively contribute toward their retirement for the years they held a temporary position.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

Provides for the admission of the State of Washington, D.C. into the Union.

Referred to the House Committees on Oversight and Reform, and Rules

NARFE’s Position:

Oppose

Cosponsors: 32 (D) 3 (R)

H.R. 2478: The Federal Retirement Fairness Act / Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-WA Cosponsors: 39 (D) 13 (R)

DC STATEHOOD

LATEST ACTION(S)

H.R. 51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act / Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC Cosponsors: 223 (D) 1 (R)

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* The Service Benefit Plan will pay a hearing aid benefit for Standard and Basic options up to $2,500 total every 3 calendar years for adults age 22 and over, and up to $2,500 total per calendar year for members up to age 22. FEP Blue Focus does not have a hearing aid benefit. Do not rely on this communication piece alone for complete benefit information. All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit 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 the Service Benefit Plan or any other applicable federal healthcare program. For hearing aids, acupuncture, chiropractic and vision services, you must exhaust your Service Benefit Plan benefit first before accessing the savings of the Blue365® Discount Program. To find out what is covered under your policy, contact the customer service number on the back of your member ID card. The products and services described herein are neither offered nor guaranteed under any local Blue company’s contract with the Medicare program. These items are not subject to the Medicare appeal process. Any disputes regarding these products and services are not subject to the Disputed Claims process. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) may receive payments from Blue365 vendors. Neither the Service Benefit Plan, nor any local Blue company recommends, endorses, warrants or guarantees any specific Blue365 vendor or item. The Service Benefit Plan reserves the right to change, modify, or terminate any item and vendors made available through Blue365, at any time. † Price shown does not include cost of comprehensive hearing exam. Examination and testing for prescribing of hearing aids is covered under the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan. The member should confirm that the provider rendering the hearing exam is a Preferred provider. If the provider is Non-preferred, the member may be

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Questions & Answers

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

EMPLOYEES FEDERAL RETIREMENT AND DIVORCE

I recently divorced my spouse, and I plan on retiring from federal service in just a couple of months. Can my retirement be garnished in any way due to a legal judgement made against me?

Title 5 United States Code, Sec. 8345, limits garnishment payments from annuities to those expressly provided for in the terms of a court order related to a divorce, separation or annulment and for any court order to enforce a judgement against the retiree for child abuse. If your divorce decree is already finalized and is silent about federal benefits, your former spouse won’t be entitled to your pension unless the divorce decree is amended. However, if your divorce decree dictates that your former spouse is entitled to a portion of your annuity and/or a former spouse survivor benefit, then a 16

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copy of that decree should be filed with the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Court Ordered Benefits division at the time of the divorce and also later be included with the retirement application package that you submit to your agency. For more details, log in to the NARFE website and watch the prerecorded webinar titled “Divorce, Remarriage and Federal Benefits.”

CSRS, SOCIAL SECURITY AND GPO/WEP

I am a federal employee with CSRS (Civil Service Retirement System) retirement coverage. My spouse

works in the private sector. Is there any limitation on my pension or on her Social Security benefits after we both retire? That is, would she collect a reduced amount because of my CSRS pension, or vice versa?

Your wife is not a government employee. The Social Security benefit she earned for herself will be unaffected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), and any Social Security benefit you may have earned for her will not be subject to the Government Pension Offset (GPO), even if she eventually collects a spousal survivor benefit under CSRS upon your death. Whether she outlives you or not, she will be able to collect her regular Social Security benefits based on her own work. Any Social Security widow benefit that you earned for her would not be subject to the WEP,

even if she is simultaneously collecting a full CSRS spousal survivor annuity from OPM. However, once you retire under CSRS, your Social Security benefit options would be subject to both the WEP and the GPO. Your CSRS pension is not affected unless you are CSRS Offset and/or have unpaid military deposit service, but any Social Security benefits to which you might be entitled could be affected by your CSRS pension. This is true for many people who receive government pensions based on work that did not require them to pay Social Security taxes. Any Social Security benefit you earned under your own work record could be affected by the WEP, and any Social Security spousal or survivor benefit you would be entitled to based on your spouse’s work record would be subject to the GPO, which typically reduces the amount payable by two-thirds of your CSRS pension. Although the WEP can never reduce your own earned Social Security benefit to $0, the GPO usually wipes out the spousal or survivor Social Security benefit that your spouse earned for you, leaving only the Social Security benefit that you earned for yourself. For more details, refer to the following links on the Windfall Elimination Provision, www.ssa. gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf, and the Government Pension Offset, www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-0510007.pdf.

FEGLI BASIC & OPTION A COVERAGE

Before retiring, I would like to know if the amount of everyone’s Federal Employees’ Group

Life Insurance (FEGLI) Option A coverage decreases by 75 percent to $2,500? That assumes that all employees had the same amount of insurance when they retire. I presently have $60,000 of FEGLI coverage.

Don’t confuse your Basic coverage with the Option A coverage you might have previously added to your FEGLI. The amount of your Basic life insurance in retirement, formerly known as Regular insurance, is the annual rate of basic pay in effect when you retire, then rounded up to the nearest thousand plus an additional $2,000. For example, if your final salary was $57,600, rounding up to the nearest thousand and adding $2,000, the total Basic Insurance Amount (BIA) would be $60,000. At retirement, if you want to continue this coverage, you will choose either the 75 percent reduction, 50 percent reduction, or no reduction option in your retirement application. The reduction option you choose determines the BIA after you reach age 65. If you choose the 75 percent reduction option for Basic, at 65 (when you no longer have to pay the premium), the $60,000 Basic coverage would reduce 2 percent per month until it reaches the full 75 percent reduction, leaving $15,000 payable even if you pass away more than 20 years later. Option A, sometimes called Standard insurance, came out in the late 1960s when the average federal salary was around $10,000. Even though that is well below today’s average federal salary, Option A coverage

is still only valued at $10,000. This is an optional coverage that you may have added to your Basic coverage. If you keep Option A with your Basic into retirement, you only pay the premiums for this until you reach age 65. After that, the cost of keeping Option A is premium free; however, this coverage reduces 2 percent per month until it reaches the $2,500 amount. For both Basic and Option A coverage, it takes just over three years for this 75 percent reduction to be reached, which means you will be slightly over age 68 when these coverages reduce to 25 percent payable. Since you haven’t retired yet, try using OPM’s online FEGLI calculator, www.opm.gov/ retirement-services/calculators/ fegli-calculator/, to evaluate the face value and costs associated with maintaining FEGLI coverage, both while employed and into retirement. Readers should also be aware of Options B and C under FEGLI. You can also refer to Form SF 2818, www.opm.gov/forms/ pdf_fill/sf2818.pdf, which employees use to make decisions about FEGLI when applying for retirement.

OUTSTANDING TSP LOAN

I currently have an outstanding Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) loan. If I leave federal service, may I continue to repay my loan?

When you leave federal service, your agency payroll office will notify the TSP who will then send you a letter that gives you a short period of time to repay your loan W W W. N A R F E . O R G

Questions & Answers

(usually within 90 days from the date that your separation is reported to the TSP). Your repayment must include any accrued interest on the outstanding principal balance. If you do not repay your outstanding loan balance in full, a taxable distribution of the remaining balance of your loan will be declared as taxable income. You can roll the amount of the distribution into a traditional IRA or eligible employer plan within 60 days of it being declared in order to avoid taxes and penalties in accordance with Internal Revenue Code regulations. You will not be able to make any other withdrawals or transfers from your TSP account until your loan is closed by

either payment in full or taxable distribution.

UNPAID MILITARY SERVICE DEPOSIT

I haven’t finished paying the deposit for my military service. If I retire from federal service, will OPM allow me to pay this deposit while they are adjudicating my retirement?

If you want to obtain service credit in the computation of your federal annuity for military service, you typically have to pay your military deposit through your agency payroll office before you separate from federal service. There are very

few exceptions in which OPM will allow a military deposit to be paid after you separate. Here is a link to a Benefits Administration Letter (BAL) from OPM for more details: www.opm.gov/retirementservices/publications-forms/ benefits-administrationletters/2017/17-101.pdf.

RETIREES MEDICARE PART B

I did not sign up for Medicare Part B during my Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), but I am covered under my wife’s group health plan. Will I be subject to a penalty for not enrolling during my IEP?

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It depends upon whether her group health plan is under her employment or not. If it’s under her employment, you would have an eight-month period from the date her employment coverage ends (or transitions to retirement coverage) to contact Social Security and sign up for Medicare Part B without any penalty. Medicare calls this a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). We highly recommend that you visit the webinar section of the NARFE website, www.narfe.org, and view the most recent Medicare webinar as it addresses this topic and a lot more in regard to Medicare and federal health benefits.

FERS RETIREMENT ANNUITY SUPPLEMENT

Does the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirement annuity supplement (RAS) receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)?

No. The FERS RAS that is payable to some FERS retirees does not receive a COLA. However, the FERS spousal supplement, which is payable to the surviving spouse of a deceased annuitant, does receive a COLA.

FERS SPOUSAL SUPPLEMENT

Q A

What is the FERS spousal supplement?

If a married FERS annuitant who previously elected a spousal survivor benefit dies, and the surviving spouse is not yet eligible for his or her widow/widower benefit from the deceased’s Social 20

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Security work record, the FERS spousal supplement is additional money payable from OPM to help bridge the gap until the surviving spouse becomes eligible for the widow/widower benefit from Social Security (which typically occurs at age 60). Although the regular survivor benefit elected may continue for the life of the surviving spouse, the FERS spousal supplement is only payable until age 60, regardless of whether or not the surviving spouse claims the widow/widower benefit from Social Security.

FEHB CANCELLATION

I’m retired from federal service, and I want to cancel my Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plan so I can be covered by my spouse’s FEHB plan while she continues her federal employment. I’m filling out OPM Form 2809, but I don’t know what event code to use.

As an annuitant, you do not use an event code when canceling FEHB to be under your spouse’s FEHB plan. The only time you enter an event code on this form as an annuitant is when you • go from not enrolled to enrolled. • add a family member. • switch from one plan or option to another. Therefore, when you submit OPM Form 2809, you can leave the event code blank. Just be sure that the effective date for when you are cancelling your FEHB coverage is the same effective date that your spouse is adding you to her FEHB plan—this will ensure you don’t have any break in coverage. This date is usually dictated by her agency, depending on whether she’s using an open

NARFE at Your Service At NARFE headquarters, experts are available to answer questions and to assist in helping with a variety of benefit matters. Call NARFE at:

800-456-8410, Option 2 season or qualifying life event to add you to her plan.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTIFICATION

Q A

How do I change my mailing address with TSP?

On the TSP website, www.tsp.gov/tsp/ login.html, you can change your address in the “My Account” section, under “Profile Settings.” You may also change your address by calling the ThriftLine at 1-877-968-3778 and choosing option 3 to speak with a participant service representative. To obtain an answer to a federal benefits question, NARFE members should call 800-456-8410 and select option 2 for the Federal Benefits Institute; send the question by postal mail to NARFE headquarters, ATTN: Federal Benefits; or submit it by email to fedbenefits@narfe.org.

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Special offer for federal employees and retirees available only at Your Hearing Network locations. Call 877-696-5335 today to schedule an appointment. 1 Your out-of-pocket costs may vary depending on plan benefits, eligibility, deductible, co-insurance, and model of device chosen. This is not a guarantee of coverage or payment. Benefit is not available through all insurance plans. Please consult your plan for coverage details. 2 For people with typical hearing loss and well-fitted hearing aids, in noisy situations. 3 Juul Jensen 2018, Oticon Whitepaper. 4 Lithium-ion battery performance varies depending on hearing loss, lifestyle and streaming behavior.

BENEFITS ON THE BALLOT BY ROSS APTER

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With the 2020 congressional elections drawing near, voters will have another opportunity to make their voices heard. Will their interests be represented by the candidates running for office? NARFE members, and the entire federal community, will be able to choose candidates who recognize the value of public service and honor commitments to federal workers. With administration budget proposals in the last few years that eliminate or reduce cost-ofliving adjustments (COLAs), cut the rate of return in the Thrift Savings Plan, and freeze federal pay, make no mistake—your earned pay and benefits are on the ballot. Will voters elect candidates who stand with the federal community or turn their backs on it? Every federal employee and retiree holds the power of his or her individual vote, but together, NARFE members can do more to prevent reckless attacks on their retirement security. That’s because NARFE members have NARFE-PAC, an important tool that helps ensure that the federal community is a powerful political force. “NARFE-PAC is a leader in the fight to protect our retirement security and will amplify NARFE’s collective voice in 2020,” says NARFE National President Ken Thomas. Contributing to NARFE-PAC is a quick and easy way to defend what you have earned. “Each contribution to NARFE-PAC shows candidates running for Congress that NARFE members are watching and willing to take a stand. NARFE-PAC is another way to join the fight.”

WHAT IS NARFE-PAC?

NARFE-PAC is NARFE’s political action committee, and it raises money to elect members of Congress who support the federal community. The PAC is funded through NARFE members’ voluntary contributions and is pooled together to maximize the organization’s nation-wide impact. Funds are disbursed in congressional races across the country, increasing NARFE-PAC’s presence and helping Fed-friendly campaigns get their message out to voters. Together, NARFE members support candidates who stand with the government workforce and help them get to Capitol Hill.

THREATS TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNITY • Reducing cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees by 0.5 percent each year. • Eliminating COLAs for current and future Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirees. • Reducing the rate of return on the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) G Fund. • Eliminating the FERS annuity supplement for new retirees. • Basing federal annuities on the highest five years of salary instead of the highest three years of salary for new retirees. • Increasing federal employee payroll contributions toward retirement by as much as 6 percent of pay without any added benefit.

ELECTING NARFE SUPPORTERS TO CONGRESS

Congress has the power to change your retirement benefits, even if you’re already retired. Thomas notes, “Those 535 individuals make the rules. That’s why it’s important that NARFE supporters are elected to Congress. What better way is there to protect your retirement security then having those in charge be your champions? NARFE-PAC helps elect Fed-friendly candidates, protecting your benefits at the start of each new Congress.” Running an effective campaign for Congress is expensive. Since the election cycle began at the start of 2019, NARFE-PAC has disbursed hundreds of thousands of dollars to supportive congressional candidates. This adds to the funding candidates need to make it to Congress and rise through the ranks of leadership. NARFE-PAC provides support to those who address the concerns of the federal community.

FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CANDIDATES

NARFE-PAC’s work doesn’t end with simply making disbursements to supporters. Fostering relationships with elected candidates is equally W W W. N A R F E . O R G

NARFE-PAC DISBURSEMENTS

the country, and it allows NARFE to strengthen relationships with our strongest supporters. Each NARFE-PAC disbursement connects NARFE officers, members or staff to candidates through fundraising events. These events allow NARFE to build connections with the candidate and his or her senior staff. Attendees are able to speak about NARFE’s top issues and share our positions and concerns. This helps solidify NARFE and our priorities in the minds of the candidates, and these encounters educate them on the impact policies will have on federal employees. By sending local NARFE members to in-district fundraisers, NARFE-PAC forges bonds between candidates and constituents, connecting human faces and stories to our issues. This cycle, sending local NARFE member to fundraisers is a NARFE-PAC priority. States Thomas, “NARFE members fund NARFE-PAC, so they play a crucial role in this important political work.”

NARFE-PAC uses a consultative process to determine which candidates receive NARFE-PAC funds. Several factors are considered, including the candidate’s support on NARFE issues as indicated primarily through their NARFE voting record. The recommendation by NARFE leaders is also crucial in decision making. Other considerations include the influence a legislator can exert in support of NARFE’s goals by virtue of committee assignments and leadership positions, the competitiveness of the race, and the overall NARFE-PAC budget. Party affiliation is not a factor used in the decisionmaking process. All NARFE-PAC disbursement decisions are made by the NARFE-PAC Board, which is composed of NARFE’s two elected national officers and the organization’s staff vice president of policy and programs. Local input is delivered by the federation NARFE-PAC coordinator, who is responsible for providing a consensus recommendation from NARFE members in the state. That recommendation takes into account the amount and quality of communication with the candidate, along with how accessible the candidate has been to NARFE members.

2020 IN FOCUS

important. Building these relationships are key to winning legislative battles. In the last election cycle (2017-2018), NARFE-PAC provided funds to 213 candidates who were elected to Congress. “That’s 213 current lawmakers who know our issues,” says Thomas. Contributions to NARFE-PAC enable the PAC to open dialogue with candidates of all backgrounds, including those who may be skeptical of the federal community and the role it plays throughout the nation. NARFE-PAC creates opportunities to inform candidates about the service that NARFE members provide to

A lot of attention is currently being given to the presidential election, but members of Congress will arguably have a larger impact on the general welfare of NARFE members in 2020 and beyond because changes to Feds’ benefits cannot be made unilaterally. NARFEPAC stays focused on the congressional races to keep NARFE priorities front and center with those who have the power to alter your benefits. Here’s what could be in store for the 2020 congressional elections. There are 435 voting members of the House of Representatives, and it’s projected that 91 races could be competitive. That’s 91 seats in the House that could potentially be filled with a NARFE ally. Examining those races more closely, expert political handicappers currently

BECOME A NARFE-PAC SUSTAINER Become a NARFE-PAC Sustainer today! NARFE-PAC Sustainers form the backbone of NARFE-PAC and are crucial component to electing NARFE allies to Congress. By providing a steady stream of funds, these monthly contributions enable NARFE-PAC

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to plan ahead and budget. Boost your support for NARFE-PAC by becoming a NARFE-PAC Sustainer and receive a NARFEPAC Sustainer pin and a thermal water bottle. Sign up using the contribution form on page 25. Thank you for your support!

MARCH

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NARFE-PAC Contribution Form I want to make a monthly sustainer credit card contribution:

q $25/month

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

q $10/month q Other: ______/month ($10 minimum) Sustainers receive a sustainer lapel pin and NARFE-PAC 17oz stainless steel thermal bottle that keeps liquids hot for 12 hours or cold for 24 hours.

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

q Please do not send any gifts for my contribution

q Charge my credit card (required for monthly contribution)

NARFE Member #: ________________________________________________

Card #: ________________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________________

Exp. Date: _____ /_________

Address: _______________________________________________________

Name on Card: _________________________________________________

City: ________________________________________________________

Signature: _____________________________________________________

(This saves NARFE-PAC money!)

State: ___________

ZIP: ___________________

Occupation: ____________________________________________________ Employer: ______________________________________________________

q MasterCard

q VISA

q Discover

q AMEX

yyyy

Date: _________________________

Or mail check payable to NARFE-PAC to: NARFE Attn. Budget & Finance 606 North Washington St. | Alexandria, VA 22314

To comply with federal law, we must use our best efforts to obtain, maintain and submit the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 each calendar year. NARFE-PAC is for the benefit of political candidates and activities on a national level. NARFE members have the right to refuse to contribute without reprisal, and NARFE will neither favor nor disadvantage anyone based on the amount of a contribution or failure to make a voluntary contribution. The suggested amounts are only suggestions and not enforceable. NARFE-PAC contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

GOALS UPDATE Raising $1.75 million in member contributions: $1.043 million Disbursing $1.25 million for political purposes: $616,000 Sending NARFE members to 110 local events: 64 events Increasing monthly contributors (sustainers) by 20 percent: 17 percent

project that a total of 26 are true toss-ups. NARFE-PAC gets involved in many races, but it can be most influential in toss-up races; each dollar has considerable impact, and that’s why NARFE members need to be involved. The Senate has 100 voting members, but only a third of the seats are up each election cycle. In 2020, there are 35 Senate races because of additional special elections in Arizona and Georgia. Of the 35 races, 14 are considered competitive, with four of those considered toss-ups. Needless to say, the 2020 congressional elections are going to be competitive and the results at the ballot box will affect NARFE members. We need NARFE allies in Congress, and this year’s election is how they are going to get there. That’s why the PAC needs your support.

NARFE-PAC GOALS

NARFE-PAC set ambitious goals for the 2019-2020 election cycle because the current landscape calls for it. Threats to the federal community’s earned pay and benefits need to be challenged with even greater pushback. A strong NARFE-PAC shows candidates running for Congress that NARFE members are engaged and won’t stand for any cuts to the benefits they have acquired through their service to this nation. 26

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In order to fight for you, NARFE-PAC set the following goals for the 2019-20 cycle: • Raise $1.75 million in member contributions. • Disburse $1.25 million for political purposes. • Send NARFE members to 110 local events. • Increase monthly contributors (sustainers) by 20 percent. Hitting these goals will give NARFEPAC the strength to meet the 2020 elections head on. “NARFE members have risen to the challenge in past election cycles, and I ask that they again contribute to NARFE-PAC during March, NARFE-PAC month,” says Thomas. Easily contribute to the PAC by mailing in the contribution form on page 25 to NARFE headquarters. Any amount is appreciated and can go a long way. NARFE-PAC has already done considerable work during this election cycle, but it needs NARFE members’ support during NARFE-PAC month to get the PAC across the finish line. Your earned pay and benefits are on the ballot, so help NARFE-PAC send NARFE allies to Congress who will honor the commitments the government made to you. To learn more about NARFE-PAC, check out the NARFE-PAC-specific page at www.narfe.org. You can also make an online contribution via the website.

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2020

—By Helen Mosher

Let’s get one thing out of the way: Employee engagement is not rocket science. But there is a methodology behind the Partnership for Public Service’s “Best Places to Work in the Federal Government” (www. bestplacestowork.org) report from the field of data science. Each year, the report is generated from analysis of engagement surveys conducted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and various separate agencies. From it, we get a picture of who is winning at employee engagement and building a healthy agency culture. Results from these surveys, OPM’s Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) being the largest in scope among them, help tell the story of the federal workforce. They show the considerable difference between federal agencies and the private sector, which compete for talent. For 2019, the FEVS made a point of asking about the partial government shutdown that ushered in the year— which may have contributed to a slight decrease in overall engagement. In the spotlight this year is the alarming trend that the federal workforce isn’t terribly

optimistic that the very data they are contributing won’t be used to better the agencies they work for. And lastly, the report cites “political crosscurrents,” including not only the shutdown but also unfilled roles in key positions across the government. But there are reasons to be optimistic. Many agencies continue to be strong performers, engagement trends are ticking upward, and the shutdown doesn’t seem to have had a lingering effect on federal workforce morale.

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

the winners are...

Speaking of rocket science, NASA emerged at the top of large agencies (greater than 15,000 employees) on the Best Places to Work list for the eighth consecutive year. “NASA’s selection as the Best Place to Work in Government for the eighth year in a row is a testament to the excellence of our workforce and their determination to maintain America’s leadership in space exploration,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “Throughout this year, as I have visited each of our centers, I have personally witnessed their unparalleled commitment to accomplishing our mission. The daily devotion of our employees makes them well deserving of this award.” Rounding out the top three in large agencies are the Department of Health and Human Services and the Intelligence Community. All three experienced an overall increase in engagement score since 2018, and the Intelligence Community was further recognized by the Partnership for having the largest improvement in its engagement score across all large agencies. Among midsize agencies (1,000 to 14,999 employees), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission took top honors, followed closely by the Federal Trade Commission and the Government Accountability Office. And among small agencies (100 to 1,000 employees), the highest scorers were the International Trade Commission, the Farm Credit Administration and the Peace Corps.

the leadership factor

In the 17 years that the Partnership for Public Service has been analyzing survey results to produce the Best Places to Work rankings, one thing has been very clear: Effective leadership remains strongly correlated to high engagement scores. That said, the overall leadership score average reflects considerable room for improvement across all agencies. This metric is scored with several subcategories: 30

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• Empowerment, or the level of involvement employees have in creating work processes and in making decisions about their work. • Fairness, which includes such measures as how disputes are resolved, whether favoritism or arbitrariness is tolerated, and whether illegal or unethical activity can be reported without fear of reprisals. • Senior leadership, which covers respect and satisfaction with senior management, including their perceived honesty, integrity and ability to inspire or motivate. • Supervisors, which includes respect and satisfaction with one’s immediate supervisor with regard to such factors as support of employee career development and effective, actionable feedback. Leadership metrics lag considerably behind those of the private sector. The Best Places to Work report includes data about the private sector from Mercer | Sirota as comparison points on selected FEVS questions. The widest difference is in “employee voice”—the belief that leadership will use data from an engagement survey to improve their agencies culture. Only 37 percent of federal workers believe this is true about their leaders, while 67 percent of privatesector employees do. The federal workforce also lags in other leadership metrics, such as trust and confidence in supervisors, recognition from management, training and development, and creating a culture of innovation. Despite these criticisms, there are two areas where the government is keeping up. Nearly 60 percent of federal employees are satisfied with their pay, compared to 54 percent of private-sector employees. This may reflect other factors that contribute to pay satisfaction, such as being mission-focused or finding value in other benefits. In addition, 66.8 percent of federal employees said they have professional development opportunities that will help them improve their skills and advance their careers, compared with 67 percent of privatesector employees. The 2019 data reveals that federal agencies need to invest in improving their employees’ work experience through training, leadership

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development, reinforcing positive work cultures and ensuring that they have the resources they need for their roles. “Having a highly motivated and engaged workforce is critical to a wellfunctioning government and the success of our country,” the report concludes.

the opm fevs and shutdown effects

Information on the shutdown was included in the OPM FEVS questions but not in the Best Places to Work analysis. The 2019 FEVS included five new questions intended to assess how the shutdown affected the employee experience. The first two of these questions determined what effect the shutdown had on employees’ working/pay status and on the impact on everyday work during or after the shutdown. Around half the employees reported some degree of negative impact, most of which were delays in work being completed and decreased customer service. Approximately 10 percent of employees mentioned they had been looking for work at least in part because of the shutdown, but, significantly, more than half of respondents felt that their agencies had provided needed support during the shutdown. The inclusion of these questions and several other new questions for 2019 represents a commitment to an engagement survey that is flexible and modern. These improvements are aimed at creating “a useful tool that provides timely, responsive, actionable data to support continuous workplace improvements in support of workforce performance,” according to the report. In her statement introducing the FEVS, OPM Director Dale Cabaniss noted the importance of using the results of the survey to improve federal work environments. “I believe that the agencies that are most successful are those who use the data as starting points for analysis and action. It’s not about seeing percentages move but creating a more conducive environment for employment,” she wrote. “I also think it is important to understand the broader picture; such as, how are an 32

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on the web

Best Places to Work www.bestplacestowork.org The Partnership for Public Service’s “Best Places to Work in Federal Government” is available here with complete analysis and scoring breakdowns for employee engagement and comparisons to private-sector employers. The OPM FEVS website www.opm.gov/FEVS This site contains the complete governmentwide data reports from the FEVS, as well as special topic reports and infographics produced from the OPM FEVS and historical data going back to 2004. UnlockTalent www.unlocktalent.gov This comprehensive data visualization dashboard from OPM provides agencyspecific case studies, best practices, videos, trainings, and other helpful resources for government leaders and human resource officers. Data Public Release Data File (PRDF) A public release data file is available for the OPM FEVS and can be downloaded at www.opm.gov/fevs/public-data-file.

agency’s scores on these items linked to other work-related outcomes such as productivity and performance-related metrics? By focusing on these areas for improvement, our goal is to show the federal workforce that their responses will be used to make their agency a better place to work,” Cabaniss concluded.

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Managing Money

THE SECURE ACT: A GAME CHANGER

he Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said that, “Change is the only constant in life,” and once again, Congress has done its part to prove him right.

With the passing of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act in December, the

rules by which we must play have changed. The SECURE Act is a massive piece of legislation, and while it’s not possible to cover every change in a single column, I want to point out a few key shifts that can affect retirement savers. Let’s begin with opportunities. For starters, the SECURE Act eliminates the maximum age restriction for making traditional IRA contributions. Previously, once an individual reached the year in which they turned 70½, traditional IRA contributions were no longer allowed—the traditional IRA had been the only retirement plan subject to a maximum age restriction. Now, as long as an individual has eligible compensation (typically, employment or self-employment income) he or she can make traditional IRA contributions at any age. Another positive update is the increase to the starting age for taking required minimum distributions (RMDs). Formerly, RMDs needed to be taken the year a retirement plan owner turns 70½; now, it’s 34

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the year the plan owner turns 72. The new rule applies only to those turning 70½ in 2020 or later, however, so if you turned 70½ before January 1, 2020, you’re still required to take an RMD in 2020. Like before, the SECURE Act keeps the required beginning date as April 1 following the year in which the first RMD is required, which means it’s still possible to delay the first RMD up until April 1 of the following year. Be aware, however, that if you do delay, you’ll be required to take two RMDs in one year—the RMD from the delayed year and the current year’s RMD—by December 31 of that year. The SECURE Act didn’t alter the fact that Roth IRAs are not subject to RMDs, but bear in mind that Roth accounts within employer-based retirement plans, such as the TSP, are still subject to RMDs. The SECURE Act doesn’t change the ability to make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) after reaching age 70½. Of course,

BY MARK A. KEEN,

CFP®

if you’re not subject to RMDs until age 72, any QCD won’t count towards an RMD (until you are subject to them), but it still allows you to use pretax IRA money for charitable contributions on a pretax basis. One change may force you to rethink your estate plan—the SECURE Act’s abolition of the stretch IRA. Previously, when a nonspouse designated beneficiary (that is a live human being) inherited a retirement plan, he or she could transfer it to an inherited IRA and take RMDs based on his or her own life expectancy. Under the new rules, designated beneficiaries will no longer be able to utilize the stretch IRA strategy. Instead, a designated beneficiary will have to liquidate the inherited IRA by the end of the tenth year after the death of the original plan owner. There are no RMDs during the 10-year period, so beneficiaries will still have some limited flexibility to time their withdrawals to minimize taxes. Not all designated beneficiaries are subject to the 10-year rule. Four groups of eligible designated beneficiaries are excluded from the new 10-year rule and may continue to utilize the stretch IRA strategy: spousal; disabled (as defined by IRC Section 72(m)(7)); chronically ill (as

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defined by IRC Section 7702B(c)(2), with limited exception); and individuals not more than 10 years younger than the decedent. Additionally, certain minor children of the original retirement account owner are excluded from the 10-year rule, but only until they reach the age of majority. While the SECURE Act introduces a new 10-year rule for beneficiaries inheriting a retirement plan, it doesn’t alter the five-year rule applying to nondesignated beneficiaries, such as an estate, in certain circumstances.

It’s also possible the SECURE Act’s 10-year rule will have some major implications for those who have designated a trust as beneficiary to a retirement plan. While a properly drafted see-through trust allows beneficiaries to stretch RMDs over the oldest trust beneficiary’s life expectancy, the 10-year rule has no RMD requirements. Depending on the trust language, situations could arise where no distributions are taken from the inherited IRA until the 10th year, when it must be liquidated. As you can imagine, a full distribution in one year could create a whopper of a tax bill. The SECURE Act is a major game-changer with far-reaching implications. You can be certain I’ll be writing future articles on strategies for the new rules of the game. MARK A. KEEN, CFP®, IS PARTNER, KEEN & POCOCK, AND AN INVESTMENT ADVISER REPRESENTATIVE AND REGISTERED PRINCIPAL OF THE STRATEGIC FINANCIAL ALLIANCE, INC. (SFA). SECURITIES AND ADVISORY SERVICES ARE OFFERED THROUGH SFA.

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1/13/20 3:03 PM W W W. N A R F E . O R G 35

Alzheimer’s Update

OVERCOMING THE STIGMA OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

ccording to the National Institute on Aging, more than 50 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Yet, despite the prevalence of the condition, there remains a stigma associated with the condition due in large part to a lack of public awareness and understanding. In a 2012 survey by Alzheimer’s Disease International, with more than 2500 respondents from 54 countries, 75 percent felt that there were negative associations about people with dementia in the country they inhabited, and 28 percent believed that the most common negative association was feeling discounted or marginalized by others. Stigma associated with Alzheimer’s or related dementias can result in many negative consequences, including individuals refraining from discussing symptoms with healthcare providers, delaying diagnosis and treatment of the disease, becoming isolated rather than building a support system, eschewing financial and future care planning (e.g., medical care, long-term care, end-of-life care), and not participating in clinical trials. Once someone receives an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, misconceptions and myths about the disease may cause 36

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2020

close ones to act differently. Friends and family may be in denial about the diagnosis, refrain from speaking directly with the person about the disease, or cease interacting altogether. These behaviors further isolate an individual with dementia and may prevent him or her from accessing the necessary care and support. Be a part of the solution to ending the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by acting on the following suggestions. These tips come from the Alzheimer’s Association National EarlyStage Advisory Group, which is composed of individuals in the early stages of the disease who aim to raise awareness about the condition. • Reach out. Engage with others in person and online to discuss Alzheimer’s disease, including prevention, improved treatments and an eventual cure. • Relay facts. To combat misconceptions about the

BY OLIVIA A. WILLIAMS

NARFE-ALZHEIMER’S CHAIR

disease, it’s vital to disseminate accurate information. Find resources from reputable Alzheimer’s, medical and/or news organizations (e.g., pamphlets, links to informative webpages, articles) and share them with others. • Stay in touch. Make sure that you keep up with relationships and activities that are meaningful to you. Having a strong network composed of family, friends, and/or a support group is critical when grappling with this disease. • Keep your chin up. It can be difficult to soldier on when you receive negative reactions, like denial or the insistence that dementia is a normal symptom of aging. View these situations as opportunities to educate people and increase understanding. • Lead the way. Consider taking further action in the battle against Alzheimer’s by joining the Early-Stage Advisory Group, advocating for policy that can positively affect those connected to the disease, participating in clinical trials to advance progress toward a cure, or raise funds for care and research. OLIVIA A. WILLIAMS IS CHAIR OF THE NARFEALZHEIMER’S NATIONAL COMMITTEE. EMAIL: OEASHF3@GMAIL.COM. THIS COLUMN APPEARS QUARTERLY.

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2019

G FUND

F FUND

C FUND

S FUND

I FUND

DECEMBER

0.17%

1.91%

-0.04%

-0.62%

-2.73%

NOVEMBER

0.14%

-0.05%

3.63%

4.54%

1.15%

OCTOBER

0.14%

0.28%

2.16%

1.93%

3.60%

YTD

0.17%

1.19%

-0.04%

-0.62%

-2.73%

1 YEAR

2.17%

9.59%

21.65%

13.92%

11.76%

3 YEAR*

2.48%

4.74%

14.51%

10.12%

7.93%

5 YEAR*

2.26%

3.21%

12.38%

9.44%

5.36%

10 YEAR*

2.21%

4.03%

14.00%

13.29%

6.12%

2019

*ANNUALIZED

L INCOME

L 2020

L 2030

L 2040

L 2050

DECEMBER

0.01%

-0.02%

-0.45%

-0.59%

-0.71%

NOVEMBER

0.71%

0.83%

1.77%

2.10%

2.38%

OCTOBER

0.70%

0.79%

1.67%

1.95%

2.20%

YTD

0.01%

-0.02%

-0.45%

-0.59%

-0.71%

1 YEAR

5.67%

6.66%

11.58%

13.34%

14.79%

3 YEAR*

4.58%

5.81%

8.41%

9.42%

10.29%

5 YEAR*

3.97%

5.18%

7.12%

7.91%

8.59%

10 YEAR*

4.37%

6.92%

8.69%

9.67%

N.A.

*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

Claims Received

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

’18

DECEMBER 5,782 18,019 60 61 JANUARY 13,264 23,121 58 60 FEBRUARY 10,792 23,370 58 57 MARCH 10,048 20,201 50 55 APRIL 6,993 17,802 56 55 MAY 7,877 17,228 62 56 JUNE 8,201 18,501 60 56 JULY 8,000 18,413 55 56 AUGUST 8.878 17,576 50 56 SEPTEMBER 7,456 17,376 57 56 OCTOBER 7,044 17,882 59 59 NOVEMBER 7,822 18,390 62 61 DECEMBER 5,205 16,908 66 62 FOR THE NUMBER of new retirement cases the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) receives each month by agency and the percent with errors that it returns to those agencies, go to www.opm.gov/retirement-services/. l Source: OPM

2019

For the Record

CORONAVIRUS HURTS MARKETS, MIXED TSP RESULTS

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN FUND RETURNS

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Continued strength in the labor market and the signing of a “phase one” trade agreement inspired optimism in the first weeks of the new year. Late in the month, however, fears that the outbreak of a new virus would stifle economic activity helped erase gains in the equity markets. The C and S Funds posted losses. A stronger dollar contributed to the I Fund’s decrease. Lower longer-term interest rates carried the F Fund to a gain. The L Income Fund climbed very slightly but the other L Funds finished lower. —BY MICHAEL JERUE, FINANCIAL ANALYST, THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN

COUNTDOWN TO COLA

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) decreased by 0.08 percent in December 2019. To calculate the 2021 costof-living adjustment (COLA), the 2020 third-quarter indices will be averaged and compared with the 2019 third-quarter average of 250.199. The percentage increase determines the COLA. December’s index, 250.452, is up 0.10 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. December’s index was 2.3 percent higher than the 2018 base of 244.786, so FECA recipients will receive a 2.3 percent COLA effective March 1. The CPI represents purchases of food and beverages, housing, apparel, transportation, medical care, recreation, education and communication, and other goods and services. Included are various government fees, such as water charges, auto registration fees, and sales and excise taxes. MONTH

CPI-W

Monthly % Change

% Change from 250.199 239.668

OCTOBER 2019 2017

240.573 250.894

-0.15 0.26

0.28 0.38

NOVEMBER

250.644 240.666

-0.10 0.04

0.18 0.42

DECEMBER

250.452 240.526

-0.08 -0.06

0.10 0.36

JANUARY 2020 2018

241.919

0.58

0.94

FEBRUARY

242.988

0.44

1.39

MARCH

243.463

0.20

1.58

APRIL

244.607

0.47

2.06

MAY

245.770

0.48

2.55

JUNE

246.196

0.17

2.72

JULY

246.155

-0.02

2.71

AUGUST

246.336

0.07

2.78

SEPTEMBER

246.565

0.09

2.88

Donate to NARFE Programs Support Alzheimer’s Research NARFE members contributed for Alzheimer’s research: $14 Million Fund

$13,151,593.74*

*Total as of May 31, 2019 100 percent of all contributed funds go to Alzheimer’s research. If you have any questions, write to: NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIR Olivia Williams 22 Garden Springs Road Columbia, SC 29209

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

q Mr. q Mrs. q Miss q Ms. Name:____________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________ City:______________________________________________________ State:_____________________________________________________ ZIP:______________________________________________________

EMAIL: oeashf3@gmail.com

Chapter Number:___________________________________________

WRITE YOUR CHAPTER NUMBER ON CHECK; MAKE IT PAYABLE TO:

Credit Card Information:

q MasterCard

q VISA

AND MAIL TO:

q Discover

q AMEX

Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., 17th Floor Chicago, IL 60601-7633

Card Number:______________________________________________

NARFE-Alzheimer’s Research

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

Expiration Date:_____(mm)/____ (yy) 3-Digit Security Code:______ Signature:_______________________________ Date:___ /___ /____ Name: (please print)________________________________________

Give to the NARFE-FEEA Fund MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: NARFE-FEEA Fund PLEASE MAIL COUPON AND CHECK TO:

FEEA 1641 Prince St. Alexandria, VA 22314

q YES!

I would like to help with my contribution.

The NARFE-FEEA Fund supports NARFE members during disasters; provides scholarships to their children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren; and funds other programs to support NARFE members at the direction of NARFE and FEEA. Enclosed is my NARFE-FEEA Fund Contribution: $______________

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

Name:____________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________ City:______________________________________________________ State:_____________________________________________________ ZIP:______________________________________________________ Email:____________________________________________________ To make credit card or e-check contributions, visit www.feea.org/ givenarfe.

NARFE News

NARFE PHOTO CONTEST DEADLINE IS APRIL 7

2020 NARFE ELECTIONS

he 2020 election cycle for NARFE officers kicks off this month. In the pages that follow this section, you’ll meet the candidates for national president and secretary/treasurer, as well as for regional vice presidents. Information on bylaws amendments and resolutions will follow in the June/July 2020 issue of NARFE Magazine, and the ballot will be included in the August 2020 issue. For complete details on the 2020 NARFE election timeline, visit www.narfe.org/2020balloting.

PROPOSED DUES INCREASE One item that is planned to appear on the bylaws section of the ballot bears mentioning now. The following information was submitted by the NARFE membership committee. In 2021, NARFE will mark its centennial anniversary. As we reach that milestone, we celebrate the progress we have made in becoming a modern, effective, wellgoverned association that provides valuable benefits and resources to the people who make us one of the greatest organizations – NARFE members. In the past decade, NARFE has created opportunities that add substantial value for individual members, worked to reshape the perception of the importance 40

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of federal workers, and had a significant positive impact on legislation that affects the federal community. In that time, NARFE has worked hard to create value without increasing member dues. But we have reached the point where we will need to ask our members to pay a little more to fulfill our mission and continue to serve all of our members. With a dues increase of eight dollars per year, NARFE will continue to provide answers and protect your benefits in the following ways, and more. • NARFE webinars: Starting in 2015 with our first two presentations, NARFE’s nowmonthly webinars provide valuable information that helps you save money, time and worry. More than 50,000 people have viewed the live presentations. Views of the recorded presentations top that number. • Federal Benefits Institute: By raising the association’s profile and investing in our on-staff federal benefits experts, NARFE has solidly branded itself as the “Federal Benefits Experts.” The knowledge that an answer is just an email or phone call away is priceless. • NARFE Magazine: This publication continues to be a valuable resource for members. Refocusing the content to offer articles that address the federal

The 2020 NARFE Photo Contest continues to accept submissions through April 7, 2020. This year’s theme is “Home Sweet Home.” Winners will be featured in the 2021 NARFE Calendar. The contest is open to all NARFE members in good standing, except for professional photographers. For complete information about how to enter, visit www.narfe.org/photocontest.

community’s concerns and provide it with actionable information has expanded NARFE’s reputation as the go-to resource. • Advocacy: NARFE continues to be a most respected voice on Capitol Hill. NARFE’s advocacy team provides Congress with the tactical information that they need to make the best decisions on legislation that affects the federal community. NARFE’s significant impact has kept recent budgets from taking funds out of Feds’ pockets, created a paid federal leave program, pushed for movement on stalled bills affecting the WEP, and more. • Publicity and branding: NARFE is in the spotlight more often thanks to having a staff member dedicated to distributing NARFE’s successes and information to the media, resulting in national coverage of NARFE’s effectiveness in protecting the federal community. NARFE’s new logo and branding materials provide a modern look and increased relevance with all stakeholders. NARFE members and the federal community are the sole reason for NARFE. We must be able to meet your needs and expectations and be at the top of our game when it comes to fighting for your earned pay and benefits.

NARFE MEMBER BENEFITS • Access the NARFE Federal Benefits Institute for powerful resources to help you fully understand and manage your benefits.

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

Who Should Join NARFE?

If your future security is tied to federal retirement benefits—federal retirees, current employees, spouses and individual survivors—you should join NARFE.

• Visit the Legislative Action Center to contact your representatives about bills affecting federal benefits. • Get monthly issues of NARFE Magazine with news and insights for the federal community. • Visit the Member Perks page for a full listing of the many time-, money- and hassle-saving benefits available only to NARFE members. • The opportunity to get involved at the local level by joining a chapter in your area. 1Q6

NARFE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION YES. I want to join NARFE for the low annual dues of $40.

q Mr. q Mrs. q Miss q Ms.

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

______________________________________________

Full Name

______________________________________________

Street Address Apt./Unit

______________________________________________

City

State

ZIP

______________________________________________

Phone

q Discover

q AMEX

___________________________________________ Card No. Expiration Date _____ /________ mm

______________________________________________

q VISA

yyyy

___________________________________________ Name on Card ___________________________________________ Signature ___________________________________________ Date

TOTAL DUES

______________________________________________

$40 Annual Dues X ___________ = ___________ Per Person # Enrolling Total Dues

I am a (check all that apply)

Dues payments are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

q Active Federal Employee q Annuitant

q Active Federal Employee Spouse

q Annuitant Spouse

q Survivor Annuitant

q Please enroll my spouse _________________________________________

Spouse’s Full Name

LOOKING TO MEET OTHERS in the federal community and participate in NARFE at a local level? Call 800-456-8410 to learn about a NARFE chapter in your area.

_________________________________________

Would you like to receive a FREE one-year chapter membership? Choose one: q Chapter closest to home OR q Chapter #____________

THREE EASY WAYS TO JOIN

MAY WE THANK SOMEONE? Did someone introduce you to NARFE? Please provide their Name and Member ID.

Spouse’s Email

1. Complete this application and mail with your payment to NARFE Member Services / 606 N Washington St / Alexandria, VA 22314-1914.

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

___________________________________________ Recruiter’s Name ___________________________________________ Recruiter’s Membership ID 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. (08/19)

CANDIDATE NARFE MEMBERS WILL ELECT NATIONAL OFFICERS AND REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS FOR TWO-YEAR TERMS. NATIONAL PRESIDENT KEN THOMAS I’m Ken Thomas, a retired civil servant having worked for the government for more than 35 years. I get what it means to be a civil servant – that sense of pride in doing something for the greater good. I’ve walked in your shoes. For more than a year as NARFE’s National President, I’ve worked tirelessly on your behalf to defend and advance the earned pay and benefits of the federal family. Just as each of you served the American people with honor and integrity, headquarters must provide NARFE members with exceptional benefits and outstanding support services. Where we have fallen short, we must improve. In my short time at headquarters, I see that sense of duty, respect and responsibility is felt and believed in every department. It’s what drives us to do better every day and ensures your investment in NARFE is met with actionable results. During the unnecessary 35-day government shutdown, NARFE stepped up for federal employees. NARFE developed the Shutdown Central webpage that contained news developments, FAQs, media statements, links to federal agencies, personal shutdown stories and applications to NARFE’s financial grant program. Shutdown Central played a role in NARFE being the go-to resource for the media. Our media outreach efforts during the shutdown reached 366 million people. 42

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In the past 18 months, NARFE produced two training conferences. The first-ever FEDcon18 brought together more than 700 federal employees and retirees from across the United States for training, education and networking. And LEGcon19, NARFE’s Legislative Training Conference, welcomed hundreds to our nation’s capital to strengthen their advocacy skills. NARFE’s image – as demonstrated through logos, icons and descriptive language – was no longer resonating with our members and the public. So, a rebranding effort was initiated. NARFE will enter the next century of service in 2021 strong and relevant as the go-to resource for ALL of our stakeholders. In order to attract new members, NARFE will aggressively market itself to current federal employees with a brand that meets their needs and expectations. I am . . . Committed to listening to your comments and suggestions. Committed to setting strategic direction, and initiating projects focusing on membership recruiting and retention. Committed to association restructuring. Committed to using technology to enhance association growth. Committed to marketing and advertising NARFE. I respectfully ask for your vote and support by electing me your next NARFE National President. Ken Thomas dcrsa1@hotmail.com 352.666.5216 or 352.238.5008

STATEMENTS NARFE members who announced their candidacy by the deadline have submitted the following statements for publication in NARFE Magazine. They have not been edited in any way. The statements are also available on www.narfe.org/2020Balloting. NARFE will offer members the opportunity to vote online or by mail via a ballot which will be included in the August issue of the magazine, with instructions for print and online voting. Please note that we received no candidate submissions for regions I and V.

NATIONAL SECRETARY/TREASURER CINDY RENEÉ BLYTHE Over the years, I’ve held several leadership positions in NARFE; as chapter and federation president then Region V Vice-President. All of that experience has led me to seek the position of National Secretary/Treasurer for the 2020-2022 term. During the National Convention of 2014, we voted to reduce the number of National Officers from four to two; National President and National Treasurer. The bylaw amendment was two-fold; to reduce the number of officers and to remove the “resident” requirement. The article in the July 2014 NARFE magazine reads “Both the National President and the National Treasurer would remain ‘resident’ until a successful Executive Director search is complete and adequate transition time has transpired”. The Executive Director was hired April 2017, yet the National Secretary/Treasurer is still a full-time resident officer. I believe “adequate transition time has transpired” and if elected for the 2020-2022 term I will remain in Kansas with a corresponding reduction in salary conducting business from home with travel to Headquarters when necessary. Utilizing today’s technology, the duties of the secretary/treasurer can easily be accomplished from Kansas. Go-to-meeting conferences will

be conducted weekly or on an as-needed basis. Working from home will ease the expenses of the National Office while still accomplishing the duties of the position. NARFE turns 100 in 2020 and we must do everything possible to sustain our organization. As we continue to seek younger members, the application of new technologies will demonstrate that our organization is evolving. I pledge to continue to explore new avenues to regenerate interest in NARFE, while continuing to provide benefits to existing members. It is through our existing members that we gain insight into what potential members need from our organization. Juggling priorities is not new to me; I attained my Bachelors and Masters in Business Administration while working full time and picking up extra courses at the local community college. I hope that members of NARFE allow me the opportunity to continue to utilize the experience I have gained serving in leadership roles and continue my service to NARFE and its members. Thank you for supporting me these past two years as a member of the National Executive Board and I look forward to continuing my service towards a better NARFE. (National Secretary/Treasurer candidates continue on page 44.)

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

CANDIDATE

NATIONAL SECRETARY/TREASURER (CONTINUED) KATHRYN HENSLEY Since I was elected in 2018 as your Secretary/Treasurer, my time has been spent in the governance and financial matters of NARFE. There have been a number of organizational challenges as we continue the implementation of One Member One Vote (OMOV) and Optional Chapter Membership (OCM). On the governance side, the following actions have occurred: • Continuing review of the 2018 National Bylaws covering eleven amendments adopted by the membership and update for compliance with our governing requirements • Updating guidelines publications • Revised chapter and federation bylaws templates and approval of chapter and federation bylaws • Development of NARFE Policy Manual to replace outdated policy document from 2014 • Updated membership renewal and membership forms to clarify members’ option to chapter membership. Financially, the Consolidated Financial Statement for the Year Ended December 31, 2018 was audited and reported in the June 2019 narfe magazine as required. Now, it’s time to review ways to enhance and add new tools to protect assets and lower operating costs. Projections were on target at the midyear point to meet budget projections

with increased monitoring and reporting. NARFE’s investment portfolio had gains averaging between 7% and 9% through November. Net membership income is lower than budgeted, as was the case in 2018, and special efforts have been made to tap into non-dues revenue resources and shift staffing for this important area. A new corporate credit card agreement that tightened potential risk was signed and enhances the headquarters purchase order process to monitor day-to-day expenditures more closely. NARFE-PAC has been successful in maintaining its plans of increasing available funds for support of NARFE’s advocacy program. While good things have happened at headquarters, one that brings daily complaints is the inherited Association Management System (AMS) initiated and contract signed with design and deliverable requirements committed before current officers were even elected. It is now the most critical activity in headquarters. Everything we do is affected by the AMS and we are working hard to fix it. Overall, we still have a number of actions we want to add to best management practices of NARFE. With help from all our members as well as the federations and chapters, we will continue our standards of excellence in advocating for federal workers’ pay and benefits that NARFE members expect. I respectfully ask for your vote for another term as NARFE Secretary/Treasurer to maintain continuity on these initiatives.

REGION II GARY ROUNDTREE SR.

I have served you and our country in the United States Marine Corps, United States Army Reserves, and the DOD, and have held several management positions at the U.S. Postal Service. I continue serving at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. I am NARFE Maryland Federation’s President. All my life I have led 44

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by example. I continue to dedicate my life to inspire all I meet to use our energy and ability to serve those we represent. All NARFE Federation Presidents DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF (FPs) selected me to serve COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, as their Chairman during NEW JERSEY, the FPs’ and NEB Annual PENNSYLVANIA Meeting, to develop the current and future blueprint for the FPs.

STATEMENTS As your Region II RVP, I plan to gather bold and visionary ideas from Region II Federation Presidents, Officers and Members; establish and manage a regional communications strategy and open platforms and digital tools; work with leadership within Region II Chapters and National members to collaborate on appropriate information gathering tools, which can inform Lawmakers and decision makers of the priorities and concerns of the Region II federal community; create public outreach messages in a mixture of media; and rapidly create a Regional Advisory Committee across Federations to track and

share best practices and help shape the action in Region II. Together, we will make HQ resources easily and readily available to all members. We shall endeavor, as a Region, to be more accountable and more efficient. During the first year, as feasible, I plan to visit every Chapter in Region II, together with each Federation President, during one of your Chapter meetings. My aim is to report, in person to you, our defined vision, mission and goals, and receive members’ ideas, recommendations and level of satisfaction with our leadership. We will develop your ideas and recommendations and take actions

to bring them to fruition. We shall translate them into initiatives and prioritize them; they will serve as guiding principles for our efforts, especially for training current and future Region II Federations’ Chapter leaders and members. We shall oversee implementation and send you quarterly progress reviews and reports. We shall spur Grassroots Advocacy momentum and continue the process of linking and sharing with greater collaboration among each other, across Chapters and Federations. For all the reasons listed above, I humbly offer you my service, and request your vote as your Region II RVP.

REGION III CLARENCE ROBINSON It is my honor and privilege to serve as your Region III Vice President representing NARFE members residing in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. I am announcing my intention to seek reelection to the Region III Vice President position for 2021 - 2022. Critical issues are still facing our great organization. My experience as your second term Vice President is an asset to make sure that we have continuity in this position as we continue to deal with the issues at hand. The areas I feel we need to continue to concentrate on and resolve are: 1. Membership is still declining and is affecting the operational funds available to the organization. We must continue to explore the various options available to stop the membership loss and increase revenue for the organization to fulfill its obligations to the NARFE membership. 2. We must operate the organization with a balanced budget. We can no longer afford to prepare a ‘deficit based’ budget year in and year out. We must operate and adjust the functional

areas of NARFE to live and spend within our means. 3. I will continue to work in the best interests of NARFE and Region 3. We must work together as a ‘TEAM’ to be successful. We must seek out and ALABAMA, FLORIDA, put in place ‘the best GEORGIA, MISSISSIPPI, practices’ of organizations PUERTO RICO, SOUTH like ours. We must CAROLINA, VIRGIN also keep the lines of ISLANDS communication open between the functional areas of NARFE. 4. We have numerous challenges facing us in NARFE. It is a fine organization that will continue to provide support for and protect the rights and benefits of our members. We will be successful and much work is still needed to get us where we need to be. 5. We must continue to fix the AMS problems and synchronize all data bases so the field and Headquarters can retrieve and use valid data for operations. I am respectfully asking for your vote and support to reelect me as your Region III Vice President for 2020-2022. W W W. N A R F E . O R G

CANDIDATE

REGION IV ROBERT L. HELFRICH It has been a privilege to serve all the members of Region IV as your Regional Vice President since being elected in the summer of 2018. I am announcing my candidacy for reelection as your Region IV Vice President. Representing the wonderful members of Region IV, many of which I meet and spent time with at the Federation Conferences in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. As a member of the board of directors for NARFE, I have worked to move the organization forward. Naturally, the organization will need new members as well as increased advertising and sponsorships to succeed. The organization is less than half the size it was in mid-1980’s, although in the past ten years we have seen the biggest reduction in membership in the organizations history, most of which have come from deaths and non-renewals in the very elderly ranks. Younger retirees do not appear to be joiners of organizations, so we need to make the organization more attractive. Most people today use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Spotify, Sirius, Netflix, Pandora, etc., these are the places to advertise NARFE. Below are the NARFE positions of experience that I have held: Region IV Vice President (1 ½ Years), Indiana Federation President (1 Year), Indiana Federation Treasurer (6 years), Chapter President (7 years), Chapter Vice-President

DONALD F. WIESE My name is Donald F. Wiese and I’m respectfully declaring my candidacy for the position of Regional Vice President for Region IV. I will give you a brief “bio” of my Federal Service as well as my “career” within NARFE.

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(1 year), Chapter Treasurer (4 years), Chapter Secretary (3 years). As a member of the board, I supported selling the NARFE headquarters building, which is much larger than we need today, and downsize to a new modern location in the DC Metro Area, allowing NARFE to save money. ILLINOIS, INDIANA, During my thirty-three (32) MICHIGAN, OHIO, year Postal career I held the WISCONSIN following leadership positions: Indiana District Manager of Finance (6 years), Indiana District Manager of Budget and Financial Analysis (17 years). As a high energy and involved individual I was awarded more than twenty (20) exceptional performance awards. Private Sector experience: Have a successful accounting business of over forty (40) years, including payroll services, incorporation services and tax preparation for corporations, partnerships, non-profit organizations and individuals. Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, QuickBooks and ATX. In addition, I am the treasurer for three (3) non-profit organizations including my church and maintain these accounting records via QuickBooks. I would appreciate your support and vote as my goal is to continuing leading NARFE to reach a new generation.

My entire time with the Federal Government was spent as a Firefighter for the Space Agency NASA. I served for 23 years with NASA, retiring as a Captain in 1997, with a total of 27 ½ years of government service. My “career” with NARFE covered 23 years (to the present), with being a Life member since 2002. I have served nearly every position at the chapter level, which included 11 consecutive

STATEMENTS years as President of Chapter 470 Cleveland/ West (Ohio). On the State level, I have been a VP for State Legislation and currently serving in my 5th consecutive year as the Ohio Federation President. I have also served the membership as the Chief Sargent-at-Arms for the previous 7 conventions. My extensive knowledge, service assignments, and long term history with NARFE will serve me well in the position of Region IV VP. If elected to this position I will commit to the following: • To fairly and equitably represent ALL NARFE members in Region IV as well as ALL NARFE members Nationwide as a member of the National Executive Board (NEB). • To serve the needs of both our Chapter Members and our National Only Members. • I will diligently work to maintain our Earned Benefits through a constant relationship with our Members of Congress.

Working with the Five (5) Region IV Federations to institute reasonable plans to Grow our Membership, Sell our Brand, Build our Name Recognition, and Maintain NARFE as the “GO TO” organization for Federal Retires & Federal Employees. In the year 2021, NARFE will celebrate it’s Centennial, which is quite an accomplishment. For any organization to be around for 100 years, is a very PROUD Event. As we approach that magic year, let’s put forth OUR best efforts to see that NARFE will be around for a 2nd 100 years. Membership in NARFE comes with rewards, however it also requires responsibilities as well. It’s my “goal” to take on those responsibilities by becoming the Region IV VP. To that end, I respectfully ask for your support/vote in the upcoming election.

REGION VI MARSHALL L. RICHARDS

It is an honor and a privilege to serve you, the members of Region VI as your Regional Vice President. I am taking this opportunity to announce that I am a candidate for reelection as your Region VI Vice President. My 25 plus years of NARFE experience includes Chapter Officer, National Legislative Committee Member, Federation President of the Texas Federation and a member of the National Executive Board. The experience that I have gained while serving as a member of the National Executive Board will be extremely valuable when the new board begins their term on November 1, 2020. Experience matters as NARFE moves forward and I have that experience. Our association will continue to undergo changes in the near and distant future to ensure that NARFE continues to be the voice of the Federal Community and the respected advocate for Federal Employees and Retirees on

Capitol Hill. My experience on the board will be important as decisions are made for the successful implementation of changes that will be ARKANSAS, beneficial to LOUISIANA, NARFE and its OKLAHOMA, members, REPUBLIC OF PANAMA, TEXAS As your Region VI Vice President, I will continue to work with all members of the Region and will continue to be your voice on the National Executive Board. I will continue to be open while serving you, the members of Region VI. I humbly ask that you give me the opportunity to continue to serve NARFE and the members of Region VI as your Vice President for the term beginning November 1, 2020. Your vote and support are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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

CANDIDATE

REGION VII RODNEY L. ADELMAN

Rodney L. Adelman was elected as NARFE’s Region VII Vice President at the National Convention in 2014 and re-elected in 2016 and 2018. He is seeking a fourth and final term in 2020. Rodney has been a member of NARFE since 2001, both as an active Federal employee and as a retiree. Currently a national life member, he previously served as a Federation President (Arizona Federation) and a Chapter President (1789 - Sun City West, AZ), among many other Federation and Chapter officers. Rodney has served on the National Bylaws Committee (2010 and Vice Chair in 2014), National Legislative Committee (2012), and the Future of NARFE (FON) Committee (2013-14). He currently serves as Chair of the Audit Committee of the National Executive Board (NEB) and as NARFE’s Compliance Officer. Rodney retired (CSRS) in 2005 from the Antitrust Division, US Dept. of Justice, after nearly 36 years of Federal service. Along the way, he held positions at the Postal Service, the US Senate, and the Departments of Labor, Interior, Defense, Energy, and State. Rodney’s Federal career initially focused on budget and financial management, then Congressional liaison, and finally administration and management. He graduated from the University of Maryland (College Park), majoring in Finance, and continued Public Administration graduate

studies at George Washington University in Washington, DC. Rodney and his wife, Gina, enjoy pickleball, fantasy football, lacrosse, and genealogy. Rodney remains an active participant during NEB meetings. He strives to represent the interests of both national and chapter members while pushing for the continued evolution of NARFE into the future. Commenting recently on NARFE’s mission ARIZONA, COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, as the premier organization UTAH, WYOMING representing Federal employees and annuitants: “I remain a supporter of many of the recommendations of the Future of NARFE (FON) Committee. We must be willing to change and adapt NARFE to the evolving needs and desires of future Federal employees and annuitants. We must strive for an agile and vibrant organization to face the challenges of the future. I look forward to serving Region VII NARFE members for one final term. Thank you for your continued support and vote.” If elected to a final two-year term, Rodney hopes to be able to work with potential future candidates to prepare them to “hit the ground running” as your Region VII VP in 2022, if not before.

REGION VIII ROBERT RUSKAMP

I would herewith like to announce my interest in candidacy for the Regional Vice President (RVP) for NARFE Region VIII. I have served as the Federation President for the State of Nevada since May 2017 after having previously served as a chapter secretary. Over the last several years, I have participated in a variety of NARFE events such as national and state conventions and conferences, working group committees (e.g. Communications Committee), and legislative conferences. I have frequently participated in working groups and committees during my active federal career and enjoy working as a team member to accomplish objectives.

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I possess a firm technical background, primarily in Electronics Engineering, with over 35 years of federal service, which included CALIFORNIA, substantial overseas HAWAII, employment and travel. NEVADA, I have substantial REPUBLIC OF experience in technical projects and management THE PHILIPPINES and am therefore facile in the use of electronic aids and such aspects as spreadsheets, database analysis, and project management techniques. Of particular concern to me is the decline in national membership and lack of active participation

STATEMENTS in the activities of federations and chapters. I am concerned about the status of chapters in the NARFE setup and feel that we need greater accountability and discretion in allocation of funds for chapters. In view of the overall decline of activity, the role of chapters in the overall concept of NARFE should be relooked with greater emphasis on chapter utility and accountability. I also have concerns about the overall operation of NARFE as it pertains to the availability and distribution of information. We need further transparency of operation throughout NARFE and I

feel that there is also a need to periodically review the existing processes and procedures. The Re-branding effort has been a significant step forward for NARFE, and we should capitalize on the success of this, but other efforts are needed too. I recognize the importance that support for such programs as Alzheimer’s research, NARFE-PAC, and the Federal Employee Education and Assistance (FEEA) Fund have for the majority of NARFE members. I therefore look forward to providing my talents to the service of NARFE as an active national board member during the coming two years. Have bag, will travel!

REGION IX LINDA SILVERIO

I am announcing my candidacy for Region IX Vice President. Prior to retirement, I was a midLevel Postmaster for 16 years. I was the “go between” between Upper Management and my staff, so I have had experience at being “in the middle” and explaining both sides. I joined NARFE December 2009. For Salem Chapter 136, I have served as Sunshine Person, Editor, and Secretary. I am currently co-editor for the chapter. In 2012, I was elected as Oregon Federation Treasurer. I initiated some changes in the finance area, creating more accountability and transparency in the financial status of the Federation. In 2016, I was elected as Oregon Federation President, and appointed as the Service Officer. My term of president ends in May 2020. As President, I have worked with my executive board and made necessary changes to Federation Bylaws and have communicated with ALL members of the Oregon Federation through newsletters and emails. I have communicated items to the members concerning tax Issues and health insurance, which both saved members money. I shared the TSP information with AARP, as many people use them for tax preparation. For the last three years, I have held a “Go To Webinar” for the Fall Federation Executive Board meeting. It has saved the federation thousands of dollars in travel pay and has been very productive. I was also a member of the NARFE National Strategic Planning Committee and hosted the

Region IX Training Conference in ALASKA, Portland. IDAHO, I have been a MONTANA, leader in other OREGON, organization WASHINGTON including National Association of Postmasters of the United States, , KIWANIS, Business and Professional Women to name a few. I have done volunteer work for various organizations. I am very proficient in Word, Excel (some say top notch), and Adobe Pro. As RVP, I would have open communications with the states in the Region. I would be proactive in representing the needs of the organization at the local, federation and National level, with input from the chapters and federations. I am well-qualified to serve you as your Region IX Vice President. I am a knowledgeable, energetic, and concerned with the well-being of NARFE, both at the local level and the National level. I am not afraid of change or asking questions for clarification. I ask you to vote for me as the next Region IX Vice President, representing Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. (Region IX Vice President candidates continue on page 44.)

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

CANDIDATE

REGION IX (CONTINUED) RICHARD WILSON It is my intention to seek reelection to the position of Region IX Vice President when the vote is taken next year. I joined NARFE in December 2004. In April 2005, I became 2nd Vice President of Chapter 1404. In September 2006, I became President of Chapter 1404. In March 2007, I was elected to the Washington Federation District II Vice President position. In May 2010, I was elected to Washington Federation Vice President. In July 2013, upon the death of the then Washington Federation President, I became Federation President. I was elected as Region IX Vice President at the 2016 National Convention in Reno, Nevada. In 2011, I served on the National Recruitment and Retention Task Force. I have served NARFE in leadership roles since 2005. During my time as your Region IX Vice President, I hosted 2019 Region IX Training Conference, in June at Kennewick, Washington. In 2017, I served on the National Strategic Planning Team and with the Strategic Planning Committee to develop a plan of action NARFE will take in the next few years. Currently, I serve on the Budget

and Finance Committee. In 2018, I participated in Federation Conferences in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. I attend Washington Federation Executive Board meetings, and the latest Oregon Federation Executive Board meeting via GoTo Meeting. Lastly, I attended and participated in the National Federation President’s Conference in July 2019 in Scottsdale Arizona. I’ve worked closely with the five Region IX Federation Presidents, keeping them current on NARFE issues as they have me about their Federations. I assist all Federation members who contact me getting answers to their questions. We need to do a lot more work on recruiting and retaining active federal employees (AFE) not to mention retirees. We must develop more strategies for getting our name out to all federal workers and retirees, so they know NARFE is the only association devoted exclusively to serving and protecting the earned rights and benefits of all federal retirees, survivor annuitants and AFE’s. In addition to recruiting, my efforts will continue to work on retaining members. I pledge to work with Chapters and Federations to find ways to keep the members we have. I hope you will vote to give me the opportunity to continue to serve you as your Region IX Vice President for the next two years. Thank you for your support these past four years.

REGION X WILLIAM “BILL” SHACKELFORD

Since 2014, I have been privileged to hold the position of Region X Vice President (RVP). Serving members in our Region has been a real honor. Region X has many members and an equal number of diverse opinions. We are all in agreement with NARFE’s vision to be the 100 year old go-to association advocating for and protecting the earned benefits of active employees, annuitants, families and surviving spouses/partners. My decision to run for re-election is to insure continuity in Region X representation. NARFE needs to change its course 50

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of direction with emphasis on including ALL members, Chapter & National-only, in recruitment and legislative events. It is impossible to serve if you are not wanting to listen. Members from Region X require someone who will listen and address their concerns. I will continue to place a major emphasis on recruitment, retention and leadership development. I will continue to be assertive in bringing your concerns to the attention of NARFE Headquarters and the National Executive Board. We must meet challenges on all levels of NARFE. Working as a unified team to address these challenges is imperative in order to strengthen and continue as a viable organization. The NEB has made tough decisions that had to

STATEMENTS

be made to insure the future of our Association. Optional Chapter Membership and One Member/ One Vote initiatives are in effect and the NEB has put into motion plans that will begin changes towards a new NARFE. I will continue to listen to all members within the Region, provide honest answers, solid information, and timely guidance, and offer strong leadership. Communication with ALL members is essential to our success and only through effective communication will NARFE move forward in a positive direction. I’ve made a concerted effort to keep Region X members informed through the five Federation Presidents and Executive Boards. I am proud of NARFE and believe that our members have the potential to make a difference in our overall growth and success. I appreciate

all members of Region X and all that they have done over the years. Thank you for your continued membership and support of NARFE. We must all work together to address the challenges that OUR organization faces. I respectfully ask for your vote and support by re-electing me to continue to serve NARFE and the Region X as your RVP for the next two years. REMEMBER – – “Together We Can Move NARFE Forward”

ROBERT ALLEN

the NARFE Board of Directors to carry out our legal, fiduciary, and governance duties, while advancing our mission. I’ll help get us on the right track looking at those and other responsibilities across the board. Serving on the national bylaws committee gives me unique insight in this regard and I’ll put that and my other experience to good use. I will ensure our policies are sound. The NEB is taking a second look at the policy manual because its initial review never got off the ground. It should never have come to this. I’ll ensure we get our policies right this time. I will hold NARFE’s feet to the fire financially. The NEB has adopted a plan to get us solvent by 2023. However, without constant oversight of our operations, getting back in the black will not happen. We must stay focused. Finally, as Region X Vice President I’ll keep the lines of communication open. A quarterly report to Federation Boards on NEB activity is insufficient. RVPs must stay plugged into what our Federations and members are doing and I’ll make sure that happens. I’m Robert Allen and I’m running for Region X Vice President. For more info go to robert4rvp.org. Credentials: Federation President, Executive Vice President, Area Vice President; Chapter President; Twice Chair, National Bylaws and Resolutions Committee

I’m Robert Allen and I’m the candidate to lead Region X into NARFE’s second century as Regional Vice President. We’re about legislative advocacy and service to the federal employee community, but a new century requires new leadership in tune with the changing times. Continuity can be important, but continuity for continuity’s sake doesn’t mean we’re focused on what’s important. As your Regional Vice President, I’ll make sure we stay focused on the right things. NARFE is at a crossroads. Will we continue the status quo of constant membership losses, financial difficulties, and little action at the top to remedy these problems? Or will we have an NEB (National Executive Board) of forward-thinking members who can build on our solid reputation of legislative advocacy and federal benefits expertise? What’s needed is indisputable, strong leadership to carry on this fine work by securing our financial future, increasing our membership, and producing reasonable policy and procedures fundamental to how we operate. How do we get on the right track? The NEB functions more as another layer of bureaucracy when it should be operating as

KENTUCKY, NORTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA

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

FEDERATION ELECTIONS 2020 FEDERATION

DATE(S)

CONTACT

Idaho

March-April

Ken Barr, idnarfe@q.com, 208-604-0291

Michigan

May 28

Sallye McGill, mcgill-s@sbcglobal.net, 248-561-4385 www.narfe.org/site/mi

Oregon

March 1-April 15

Colleen Hewes, hewcol@gmail.com, 541-379-6858

Washington

Due by April 1

West Virginia

March 25-April 15

Kathy Brooks, kmbrooks06@msn.com, 509-624-9465 www.narfewa.org Ruth Sosson, rasosson@comcast.net narfe.org/wv

FEDERATION CONFERENCES 2020 Thirty states will hold conferences or annual meetings this year. Dates and locations are: Alaska, April 18-19, Fairbanks

New Hampshire, May 20-21, West Lebanon

Arkansas, TBD

New York, May 7, Latham

Connecticut, September 30, Cromwell

North Carolina, May 5-7, Hickory

Idaho, May 12-14, Boise

North Dakota, April 30-May 1, Bismarck

Illinois, May 4-6, Effingham

Ohio, May 2, Bellville

Indiana, April 29, Indianapolis

Oregon, May 3-5, Newport

Iowa, May 18-19, Tama

Panama, March 14, Panama City

Kansas, April 26-28, Salina

Pennsylvania, June 1, York

Maine, April 21-22, Freeport

Rhode Island, May 18, Middletown

Massachusetts, May 7-8, Devens

South Carolina, April 27-29, Summerville

Michigan, May 27-29, East Tawas

South Dakota, May 14-15, Pierre

Mississippi, April 2-4, Louisville

Vermont, May 20-21, West Lebanon

Missouri, April 22-23, Springfield

Virginia, April 5-8, Richmond

Montana, April 21-23, Kalispell

Washington, May 19-21, Lynnwood

Nebraska, May 13-15, Lincoln

West Virginia, May 12-13, Martinsburg

Federations not listed here, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands, will hold conferences in 2021.

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INSURANCE: NARFE Insurance Services 1-800-233-5764 www.narfeinsurance.com

Plans administered by Mercer Health offering life, short term recovery, pet, travel, vision and hospital insurance policies.

Nationwide

1-855-550-9216

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TRAVEL: Choice Hotels International 1-800-258-2847 www.choicehotels.com

Receive 20% off of your next stay when you use the special rate id 00801967.

Alamo 1-800-331-1441

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Drive Happy with Alamo, where NARFE members receive year-round discounts using contract id A991900.

Avis 1-800-633-3469 www.avis.com

Avis has 5,500 locations worldwide. Get discounted rate using the AWD number A701900.

MemberDeals

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WELLNESS: Brookdale Senior Living 877-713-2762 www.brookdale.com/narfe

Discounts on memory care, independent and assisted living communities, and more throughout the U.S. Offer good on new move-ins only.

HearUSA

1-855-845-2706 www.hearusa.co/narfe

The Nation’s Most Trusted Name in Hearing Care. Choose from 250+ models from 11 manufacturers, including Bluetooth, Wireless, Nearly Invisible and more!

PERSONAL SERVICES: Allied Van Lines – Coleman Worldwide 800-239-4099, ext. 99445 nicole.wood@colemanallied.com Discounted moving services across the United States.

Office Depot/Office Max

1-855-337-6811, ext. 2897 www.officediscounts.org/narfe

Save up to 80% on more than 93,000 products. Shop online or in any Office Depot or Office Max Store.

Verizon Fios

Verizon Fios offers NARFE members that are new customers to Verizon Fios a discount on the double and triple play packages IF the new account is opened online using the link found at www.narfe.org/memberperks. W W W. N A R F E . O R G

The Way We Worked

PERFORATING STAMPS This early 20th century photo shows an employee of the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) working on a perforating machine for stamps. The Post Office Department issued its first postage stamps in 1847; they were printed on sheets that required the use of scissors to separate each stamp. A more effective approach arrived in 1857 with perforationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the process of removing small circular pieces of paper between stampsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;which allowed clerks to separate the stamps more easily. The bureau made stamps with perforation until the 1990s, when self-adhesive stamps became commonplace. PHOTO from the Records of the Public Buildings Administration, National Archives, courtesy of 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 www.shfg.org.

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DID YOU KNOW? Congress authorized U.S. postal stamps on March 3, 1847, and the first general postage stamp went on sale on July 1, 1847 ,in New York City. The fivecent stamp pictured Benjamin Franklin and the ten-cent stamp pictured George Washington. They were the only figures depicted on stamps until 1856. No one has appeared on U.S. postage stamps more often than George Washington. Visit www.moneyfactory.gov

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