August 2014 NARFE Magazine

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choose your own advocacy adventure

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the ‘federal family’: how to use the numbers

COVER STORY

BUYOUTS & EARLY OUTS

Know the financial facts before you rush out the door

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Volume 90 • Number 8

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WashingTon Watch

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NARFE Seeks Extension of Agency Authority to Rehire Annuitants

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Appropriations Update

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Chart Your Course to Advocacy Success

3.3 Percent Pay Raise Bill Introduced in Senate

10 NARFE Bill Tracker 13 Congress Considers

Five-Day Mail Delivery

Columns

20

4 From the President 30 Managing Money

Cover Story buyouts and early outs. A cash offer to separate or retire from federal service can be just the incentive you need to begin your next chapter, but make sure you know all the financial facts.

32 The Informed Citizen DEPARTMENTS

14 Questions & Answers 34 For the Record: TSP

Investments, COLA Chart

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36 NARFE News connect with the convention. NARFE’s 33rd Biennial National Convention begins August 24.

Follow it online and on Twitter.

64 The Way We Worked special section

38 National Convention Update

On the Web

42 Candidates for NARFE

visit us online at:

National, Regional Office

www.narfe.org like us on facebook:

NARFE National Headquarters follow us on twitter:

@narfehq

ON THE COVER

Illustration by Bill Pragluski, Critical Stages, LLC

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AUGUST 2014 | Volume 90 | Number 08

Editor Margaret M. Carter Assistant Editor Ken Fanelli Editorial Administrator Toni Vallario Graphic Design Charlene Gridley Editorial Board Joseph A. Beaudoin, Paul H. Carew Elaine C. Hughes, Richard G. Thissen Editorial Office: narfe magazine 606 North Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314-1914 Phone: 703-838-7760 Fax: 703-838-7781 Email: communications@narfe.org Advertising Sales: Warren Berger Media People Inc. 122 East 42nd St., Suite 725 New York, NY 10168 Phone: 212-779-7172, ext. 223 Email: wberger@mediapeople.com NARFE for the Visually Impaired On the Telephone: This publication can be heard on the telephone by persons who have trouble seeing or reading the print edition. For more information, contact the National Federation of the Blind NFB-NEWSLINE® service at 866-5047300 or go to www.nfbnewsline.org.

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

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

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association NATIONAL OFFICERS JOSEPH A. BEAUDOIN, President; natpres@narfe.org PAUL H. CAREW, Vice President; natvp@narfe.org ELAINE C. HUGHES, Secretary; natsec@narfe.org RICHARD G. THISSEN, Treasurer; nattreas@narfe.org

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

REGION I Arthur Pike (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) Tel: 207-764-4468 Email: artpike1937@aol.com REGION II Evelyn Kirby (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) Tel: 410-604-1141 Email: ekirby@atlanticbb.net REGION III Donald Stewart (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Virgin Islands) Tel: 305-442-6388 Email: dejs33149@aol.com REGION IV Paul E. Johnson (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) Tel: 812-306-5137 Email: pejohnson@tds.net REGION V Carol R. Ek (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) Tel: 620-241-1131 Email: ek617@att.net

Here’s How to Contact Us… If you want to:

Join NARFE Call (toll-free): 800-627-3394 or go to: www.narfe.org Change your address, phone number or email Call (toll-free): 800-456-8410 Email: memberrecords@narfe.org

REGION VI Jerome S. Smith (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Republic of Panama and Texas) Tel: 903-534-5849 Email: retiredjer@aol.com REGION VII Frank Impinna (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) Tel: 303-482-1747 Email: impinna@gmail.com REGION VIII Helen L. Zajac (California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada and Republic of Philippines) Tel: 707-644-7565 Email: hlz17@aol.com REGION IX Lanny G. Ross (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington) Tel: 360-692-9741 Email: lannyjean@comcast.net REGION X William F. Martin (Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) Tel: 540-872-3345 Email: billmartin@narferx.org

For any other NARFE matter:

Call NARFE Headquarters: 703-838-7760 Email: hq@narfe.org Fax: 703-838-7785 Write: NARFE 606 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314

www.narfe.org

narfe (ISSN 1948-4453) is published monthly by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA, and additional mailing offices. Members: Annual dues includes subscription. Nonmember subscription rate $45. Postmaster: Send address change to: NARFE Attn: Member Records, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. To ensure prompt delivery, members should also forward changes of address without delay. Because of the volume involved, NARFE cannot acknowledge nor be responsible for unsolicited pictures and manuscripts, although every reasonable precaution is taken. All submissions become the property of NARFE. Copyright © 2014, NARFE. Advertisements in the magazine are not endorsements of products and/or services by NARFE, unless officially stated in the ad. We shall accept advertising on the same basis as other reputable publications: that is, we shall not knowingly permit a dishonest advertisement to appear in narfe, but at the same time we will not undertake to guarantee the reliability of our advertisers.

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From the President

Feds Helping Feds

O

ne of the most gratifying aspects of my tenure as NARFE president has been to see our members

helping one another and other feds who are in need. Since the horrific bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April 1995, NARFE has partnered with the Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA) to raise and distribute emergency and scholarship aid.

In the past two years alone, FEEA has provided nearly $200,000 in disaster-relief grants to 776 active and retired federal employees, including $20,725 from the NARFE-FEEA fund to help 42 NARFE members.

NARFE disaster funds come in the form of

cash grants and are available to all NARFE members in good standing who have suffered injury or incurred property damage during or after a declared natural disaster. The grant maximum is $500 per member household. Right now, we are in the midst of tornado and hurricane season, so it is very likely that at some point this summer and early fall, NARFE-FEEA funds will be drawn on to provide relief for those who have suffered loss due to the ravages of Mother Nature. Have you made a contribution to the NARFE-FEEA Disaster Fund this year? NARFE members may make donations using the coupon that appears each month in this magazine (p. 35) or give by credit card by calling 800-338-0755.

Be sure to stop by FEEA’s table at our Biennial National Convention in Orlando later this month, where donors will be eligible for prize drawings!

As we prepare for the National Convention, you should be aware of recent action by the National Executive Board (NEB) that affects the election of regional vice presidents (RVPs). In June, the NEB voted to delay, until 2016, the reduction of regions and corresponding RVPs from 10 to five.

Therefore, we reissued the call for candidates. We include in this issue (p. 42) statements from all who had announced for NARFE national or regional office as of press time. See you in Florida!

Joseph A. Beaudoin NARFE national President natpres@narfe.org

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Washington Watch

The ability of agencies to rehire annuitants without a salary offset will expire in October unless Congress grants an extension. A bill with an extension of the authority attached has

NARFE Seeks to extend Agency authority to rehire annuitants

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ARFE is working to get an amendment added to a defense bill in the Senate that would extend, for another five years, the authority of federal agency heads to rehire federal

annuitants without a salary offset (formally known as a dual compensation waiver).

The House of Representatives passed the extension in May as an amendment, offered by Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, D-VA, to the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Without an extension, the authority will expire in October. Adding the extension to the Senate version of the NDAA will increase its chances of inclusion in the conference bill that becomes law.

Provisions of the authority.

Prior to enactment of the authority in 2009 as part of the Fiscal Year 2010 NDAA, an agency rehiring an annuitant had to request a waiver from the Office of Personnel Management to ensure the employee’s pay was not offset by his or her annuity. Those caseby-case waivers often were not approved in a timely manner and

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were reserved only for emergencies or unusual circumstances.

This prevented agencies from rehiring annuitants with particular knowledge and skills to meet agencies’ immediate needs.

Under the authority enacted in 2009, rehired annuitants are restricted to working an average of 20 hours a week and cannot make up more than 2.5 percent of an agency’s entire workforce. These limitations were included in an effort to ensure agencies supplement − and not supplant − the current workforce, while having the ability to hire annuitants with specific skills to meet particular challenges and short-term needs.

House action. The Connolly amendment passed by voice vote as part of a set of amendments considered en bloc. The House

passed the House, and NARFE is working to get an extension added to a bill in the Senate. passed the NDAA by a vote of 325-98 on May 22. “Over the past five years, agencies have demonstrated the value of this flexibility in addressing limited or parttime workforce needs that have arisen in the wake of rising retirements among our most skilled and experienced civil servants,” Connolly said.

NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin thanked Connolly for his leadership on the issue and applauded passage of the amendment in the House. “This authority is important for the successful recruitment, retention and mentorship of our federal civil servants,” Beaudoin said.

“It helps mitigate the loss of federal employees in the current retirement tsunami and ensures that the government can function effectively, while also filling critical gaps and helping train the next generation of federal managers. In its five years of use, the waiver authority has proven to be a valuable tool for agency leaders.”

—By jason freeman, legislative staff assistant

APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE: SIGNS POINT TO CONGRESS MEETING DEADLINE

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ill the work of the House and Senate on appropriations bills be completed before the new fiscal year begins on October 1? If the congressional leadership has its way, the answer is yes.

By late June, the House had passed five of the 12 annual appropriations bills that fund government administration operations, grants and contracts.

The Senate Appropriations Committee had considered its largest domestic spending bill, funding the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related agencies.

With the Murray/Ryan Budget Agreement of earlier this year guiding their work, House and Senate appropriators were tasked with deciding on the

details for annual spending on scores of line items financing defense and nondefense discretionary programs.

Reminiscent of the way things used to be on Capitol Hill, Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski, D-MD, and House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers, R-KY, are managing a methodical and tightly scheduled march through the legislative process to get the fiscal year 2015 funding measures through their respective committees and to the House and Senate floors.

Despite the continuing legislative gridlock on Capitol Hill, members of Congress and staff are optimistic about the chances of passing all 12 measures in both the House and Senate before the August recess, so that

3.3% PAY HIKE IN SENATE BILL

A

bill to authorize a 3.3 percent raise for federal employees in 2015 has been introduced in the Senate. The FAIR (Federal Adjustment of Income Rates) Act was sponsored by Sens. Brian Schatz, D-HI, and Benjamin L. Cardin, D-MD. The Senate bill, S. 2397, mirrors H.R. 4306, which previously was introduced in the House by Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, D-VA, with 25 cosponsors.

While the 3.3 percent figure exceeds the 1 percent pay raise for federal employees included in

President Obama’s budget proposal and the 1.8 percent raise for the military that recently passed the House, bill supporters say it would help make up for losses federal workers incurred from the three-year pay freeze and sequestration-related furloughs. S. 2397 was referred to the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

ACTION REQUEST: Please ask your legislators to cosponsor the bills. Go to www.narfe.org, log in and click on “Legislative Action Center” to send a letter.

the two sides can meet to negotiate conference agreements on the bills when Congress reconvenes after Labor Day. In the event that the House and Senate are not able to agree on all 12 bills before midnight on September 30, do not expect another government shutdown.

In this election year, pollsters for both parties have warned lawmakers that “shutdown politics” does not play well back home. As a consequence, leaders on both sides have made it clear that their goal is to wrap up work so that members can get back home to campaign.

—By Alan Lopatin, Legislative Counsel

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

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

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Washington Watch

You are Here: Chart your course to advocacy success in August

E

very August, NARFE urges members to participate in “Grass-Roots Advocacy Month.” NARFE’s Legislative Department recommends meeting with members

of the House and Senate – and with candidates for those offices. “We remind you how important it is to have face-toface contact with legislators,” says Sarah Weissmann, grassroots program manager. “We suggest ways in which you can

annuitants and survivors at public events can make an impact.

• Once you’ve chosen your advocacy adventure, you have one last step. Tell the NARFE Legislative Department about it! You can email us at advocacyinaction@ narfe.org with all of the exciting details.

get involved. Now, we are going to help you get started and prioritize all of the options out there.”

Weissmann created the “Choose Your Own Advocacy Adventure” chart, on the facing page, to guide members to advocacy success this advocacy month, August 4-September 5, which coincides with the congressional summer recess.

Weissmann explains the steps: • The most effective communication with a legislator or candidate is a face-to-face meeting.

So, if you have not met with your representative, senator or candidates yet this year, contact their offices to schedule appointments during the August recess.

• Once your meeting is scheduled, get talking points to take with you in the NARFE “Issue Briefs and Talking Points Toolkit” at www.narfe.org/heartbeat/ resources.cfm. Then read the “Congressional Meetings” section of the “Legislative Activities at the Leadership Level Toolkit” for tips on conducting the meeting.

• Can’t get a meeting? Drop off the latest narfe magazine at the office with your contact information. Introduce yourself to staff members and remind them that you remain interested in scheduling a meeting for the fall.

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• But don’t stop there! You can continue to reach out. After dropping off the magazine, determine whether or not there are any town hall meetings or candidate forums scheduled that you can attend.

You can find sample questions in the “Legislative Activities at the Individual Level Toolkit.”

• Can’t find any public forums that you can attend? Your chapter can organize a candidate forum for individuals running in races for the U.S. House or Senate. You can learn how by reading the “Campaign Activities Toolkit.”

If you can’t organize a candidate forum for August, you can invite incumbents and candidates to an upcoming chapter picnic or meeting. They can mingle with voters, and you can tell them about NARFE issues.

• If your chapter does not have any activities until after the August recess, but you still want to participate in Grass-Roots Advocacy Month, you can talk to members of Congress at public events.

Whether it’s the county fair or a Labor Day parade, taking a few minutes to speak with elected officials about federal employees,

MYTH vs.

REALITY Myth: Senior Executive Service (SES) employees receive pay and retirement benefits that are not available to General Schedule (GS) employees.

Reality: Retirement benefits for SES employees are calculated in the same manner as non-SES employees. Their annuities are based on their highest three years of salary and subject to the 80 percent rule, as are those of other federal employees. The only difference in benefits is the lump-sum payment for unused annual leave, as SES employees may carry over 720 hours, compared with 240 for other employees.

Of note: SES employees do not receive locality pay, received years of smaller increases than GS employees and had their pay frozen for several years in the 1990s. On average, nearly a quarter of the SES earn the same as or less than GS employees.

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Washington Watch

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

ISSUE

Bill Number / Name / Sponsor H.R. 26: Deferred Benefits Adjustment Act of 2013 / Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez, D-NY Cosponsors: 1 (D)

DEFERRED ANNUITIES

supporting federal employees

H.Res. 388: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting federal employees / Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, D-OH

What Bill Would Do

Latest Action(s)

Provides for indexing of deferred annuities, including survivor annuities, and for individuals becoming subject to the Federal Employees Retirement System by election. Terminates the entitlement of a survivor who remarries before age 55 to an annuity based on the service of a deferred annuitant who dies before establishing a valid claim for a Civil Service Retirement System annuity.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Recognizes that the work that federal employees perform should be honored and respected. Outlines several ways Congress should not target federal employees.

Referred to House Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Ways and Means

narfe, April 2013, p. 9

narfe, January 2014, p. 10

Cosponsors: 42 (D) H.R. 4306: FAIR (Federal Provides federal employees Adjustment of Income with a 3.3 percent pay raise Rates) Act / Rep. Gerald in 2015.

E. Connolly, D-VA Federal Compensation

Paid Parental Leave

Pension scam protection

Cosponsors: 27 (D)

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narfe, June 2014, p. 9

S. 2397: FAIR (Federal Adjustment of Income Rates) Act / Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI

Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Cosponsors: 1 (D)

See p. 7

H.R. 517: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2013 / Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, D-NY Cosponsors: 21 (D)

H.R. 3310: Annuity Safety and Security Under Reasonable Enforcement Act of 2013 / Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-PA Cosponsors: 52 (D)

Allows federal employees to substitute, for four weeks, any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the birth of a child or placement of a child for either adoption or foster care.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Requires appropriate disReferred to four House closures regarding “pension committees advance” schemes and caps the interest rates on these narfe, January 2014, p. 11 advances. Also creates a private right of action to allow individuals to enforce these laws in court.

NARFE’s Position: 10

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Support

Oppose

No position

ISSUE

Bill Number / Name / Sponsor H.R. 1367: FEHBP Prescription Drug Integrity, Transparency, and Cost Savings Act / Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, D-MA Cosponsors: 3 (D)

Health Care

H.R. 1780: To provide that the only health plans that the federal government may make available to the president, vice president, members of Congress and federal employees are those created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or offered through a health insurance exchange / Rep. Dave Camp, R-MI

What Bill Would Do

Latest Action(s)

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

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Removes federal employees from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and places them in the health exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act.

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

narfe, June 2013, p. 9

narfe, July 2013, p. 15

Cosponsors: 30 (R) H.R. 3319: Equal Healthcare Access Act / Rep. Darrell Issa, R-CA Cosponsors: 1 (D), 8 (R)

Requires the Office of Personnel Management to administer a health insurance plan for nonfederal employees under the existing Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

Referred to House Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means narfe, January 2014, p. 9

H.R. 1795: Social Security Fairness Act of 2013 / Rep. Rodney Davis, R-IL GPO/WEP

combat zone tax parity

FEDERAL PENSIONS

Cosponsors: 86 (D), 36 (R)

Repeals both the Government Referred to the Pension Offset (GPO) and the House Committee on Windfall Elimination Provision Ways and Means (WEP).

S. 896: Social Security Fairness Act of 2013 / Sen. Mark Begich, D-AK

Referred to the Senate Finance Committee

Cosponsors: 14 (D), 3 (R), 1 (I)

narfe, July 2013, p. 16

H.R. 4621: Federal Employee Combat Zone Tax Parity Act / Rep. Rob Wittman, R-VA Cosponsors: 1 (D), 1 (R) S. 1678: Public-Private Employee Retirement Parity Act / Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC Cosponsors: 2 (R)

Extends the tax credit availReferred to the able to military personnel who House Committee on serve in combat zones to civil- Ways and Means ian employees. narfe, July 2014, p. 6 Eliminates the defined-benefit portion of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), leaving only Social Security and the Thrift Savings Plan for FERS employees in retirement.

Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs narfe, February 2014, p. 8

(Continued on p. 12) w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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Washington Watch

narfe bill tracker (Continued from p. 11) ISSUE

Bill Number / Name / Sponsor H.R. 630: The Postal Service Protection Act / Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR Cosponsors: 176 (D), 8 (R)

What Bill Would Do Eliminates the future retiree health benefit prefunding requirement, protects six-day mail delivery and prevents the closure of rural post offices.

S. 316: The Postal Service Protection Act / Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT

Cosponsors: 2 (R)

S. 1486: Postal Reform Act / Sen. Thomas R. Carper, D-DE Cosponsors: 1 (R)

Thrift Savings Plan

Federal Employee Back Pay

H.R. 4193: Smart Savings Act / Rep. Darrell Issa, R-CA Cosponsors: 4 (D), 2 (R)

H.R. 3744: Federal Employee Pay Restoration Act / Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-WA

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Moves the U.S. Postal Service to five-day mail delivery, removes protections for injured workers and eliminates tothe-door delivery in favor of cluster boxes.

Approved by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on 7/24/13

Threatens integrity of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program by removing postal workers and retirees, cuts workers’ compensation benefits and eliminates Federal Employees Retirement System pension for new hires.

Amended and approved by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on 2/6/14

New federal employees automatically enrolled in the Thrift Savings Plan would have their funds deposited in the L (Lifecycle) Fund instead of the G Fund.

Approved by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on 3/12/14

Provides back pay to federal employees who were furloughed as a result of sequestration.

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services

narfe, April 2014, p. 6

narfe, May 2014, p. 8

Cosponsors: 2 (D), 1 (R)

H.R. 4202: CPI-E Act of 2014 / Rep. Mike Honda, D-CA ANNUITY COLA

Referred to House Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Judiciary Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Cosponsors: 31 (D) H.R. 2748: Postal Reform Act / Rep. Darrell Issa, postal reform R-CA

Latest action(s)

Requires the use of the Referred to three Consumer Price Index for the House committees Elderly (CPI-E) instead of the current CPI-W to determine narfe, May 2014, p. 8 cost-of-living adjustments for federal civilian annuities, military retirement and certain veterans’ benefits.

Congress considers ways to allow five-day mail delivery

A

t press time, Congress excise tax on gasoline and diesel was debating two avsales, no longer generates sufenues to allow the U.S. ficient funds, due to a decrease in Postal Service (USPS) to move to fuel consumption and an increase five-day mail delivery, most likely in spending on road construction. eliminating Saturday delivery.

NARFE argues that there is NARFE’s Legislative Program op- no legal authority to direct any poses five-day mail delivery. savings accrued from moving to five-day mail delivery to the HighThe House Republican leadway Trust Fund. “In addition to ership floated a plan to use the “savings” from five-day delivery to concerns regarding the legislative vehicle, eliminating six-day definance the Highway Trust Fund livery is bad policy,” said NARFE temporarily. The Highway Trust President Joseph A. Beaudoin.

Fund is estimated to run out of “Though it may reduce costs in money in August. Its traditional 2013-14_PAC_Coupon_2013 Coupon 4/1/14 9:47 AM Page the short term,1 it would threaten source of funding, the federal

USPS’ competitive advantage, and lead to a reduction in mail volume, which could ultimately cost USPS more money than it saves.”

The other avenue to five-day delivery is being considered by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government. Since 1983, the panel has included language in its appropriations bill requiring six-day delivery. This year, the committee has introduced a bill that does not include the longstanding, six-day language.

—By Jessica Klement, Legislative Director

NARFE-PAC CONTRIBUTION FORM Name: _____________________________________ NARFE Member Number: ______________________ I would like to make a one-time contribution of: q $100 Gold (qualifies for Gold 2013-14 NARFE-PAC lapel pin and a blue NARFE-PAC LEADER hat)

q $50 Silver (qualifies for Silver 2013-2014 NARFE-PAC lapel pin) q $20 Basic (qualifies for Basic 2013-2014 NARFE-PAC lapel pin) q Other: ______ -orI would like to be a Sustainer and make a monthly credit card contribution to NARFE-PAC of: q $25/month q $10/month

q Please find my check or money order enclosed payable to NARFE-PAC q Please charge to my credit card (required for monthly contribution) Credit Card Information Type: q MasterCard q VISA q Discover q AMEX Card #: ________________________________ Expiration Date: ____ / ____ Name on Card:__________________________ Signature: ______________________________ Date: __________________________________

q Other: ______/month (minimum of $10) Monthly contributions qualify you to receive a NARFE-PAC Sustainer lapel pin along with a blue NARFE-PAC LEADER hat.

q I do not want to receive any gifts for my contribution marked above.

Mail to: National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Attn: NARFE-PAC 606 North Washington St. | Alexandria, VA 22314

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

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Questions & Answers

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

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

employees Getting help to determine annuity

Q

I’m going to retire at the end of this year and would like to know approximately how much my annuity will be. Does NARFE have any resources it can recommend?

A

Every federal agency should have a retirement benefits officer ready to counsel employees planning for retirement. You can find the name and contact information of the officer for your agency by going to the website of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM): http://apps.opm.gov/abo/.

Your agency has your official personnel folder and can advise you best on the number of years of creditable service you have now, identify periods of service where you may need to pay a deposit or redeposit in order to get credit, and your eligibility to continue your Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance

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coverage into retirement.

After you have received information specific to your service, you can then use one of the online calculators that are available to approximate the amount of annuity you can expect to receive.

OPM has an online calculator. As a member of NARFE, you also can sign up for a six-month subscription to “eSeminar Plus” from ESystems Inc. Use its online preretirement and financial planning courses at a very reasonable price.

To access this resource, go to the NARFE website, www.narfe.org, log in, then choose Federal Benefits under Departments at the top of the page.

Keep in mind, what your agency or an online calculator estimates

is only as good as the information entered into the calculator. OPM has the final say on the amount of your earned retirement benefits.

CHANGing COVERAGE

Q

I’m a few years from retiring, legally separated and in the process of getting a divorce. I have no eligible children for coverage under my Blue Cross federal health plan and want to change to a self-only enrollment.

Can I change to a self-only enrollment now?

A

Your spouse is still an eligible dependent under your enrollment. As an employee, you cannot change to a self-only enrollment outside of the annual Federal Benefits Open Season unless there is a life event that allows you to make an enrollment change. Divorce is one of those life events. Unless another

qualifying event occurs, you will have to wait until your divorce is final or until the next Open Season to change to self-only coverage.

APPLYing for Annuity after separation

Q

I am almost age 62 and currently working. I separated from federal service with a little less than 20 years of service under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and before I reached my minimum retirement age (MRA). I didn’t withdraw my FERS retirement contributions, and I was told my annuity would be reduced if I applied for it prior to age 62. Also, I got a lump-sum payment for my annual leave when I separated but not for my sick leave. I read that FERS employees may use sick leave to extend their length of service. Will I then be entitled to credit for my sick leave?

A

Since you did not withdraw FERS retirement contributions, you may apply for your annuity, payable for the rest of your life. You can obtain the application, Form RI 92-19, by writing the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Retirement Operations Center, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017.

Or you can download it from the OPM website, www.opm.gov, by selecting “Forms.”

If you had 20 or more years of creditable FERS service, you could apply for your unreduced annuity at age 60. However, since you appear to have fewer than 20

years of service, you would have to wait until you are age 62 to receive an unreduced annuity. You separated prior to reaching your MRA, so you are not entitled to health or life insurance. You do not receive credit for your unused sick leave because you separated prior to the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act in 2009, which enabled sick leave to be creditable for FERS retirement.

Qualifying for FEHBP in Retirement

Q

I had several years of service under the Federal Employees Retirement System and separated from the government. I was covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) for the entire period that I worked. I will be returning to work for the federal government but will probably only work about three years so that I will qualify for an immediate retirement. Will I be able to continue my FEHBP into retirement?

A

Yes, you probably will be able to carry health insurance into retirement. The Office of Personnel Management says: “Breaks in service are not counted as interruptions when the five-years-of-service requirement is determined, as long as you reenroll within 60 days after your return to federal service.”

“Example: Joan elected FEHB coverage on February 11, 2007, and had a break in service from January 1, 2011, through January 1, 2013. Upon her return to service,

she again elected to enroll. She retires on December 31, 2014. She is eligible to continue her health benefits coverage into retirement, since she has been continuously enrolled for the five years of service prior to retirement.”

retirees WAITING for EX’s ANNUITY PAYMENTS

Q

My wife and I were both federal employees when we divorced. It was not amicable. I have since retired.

The divorce decree provides for both of us to receive a portion of each other’s annuities. My retirement has been reduced to pay my ex-wife her portion, but despite the fact that she is way beyond the age when she could retire, I have not received anything from her annuity. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has not responded to my inquiries. How can I find out if she has retired?

A

The obvious answer is simply to ask your former spouse. If that is not an option, you may have to wait until you are contacted by OPM, which has a copy of your divorce decree and should have its tracking system flagged to alert them when your former spouse retires.

After OPM completes your former spouse’s annuity computation and then calculates the division of her annuity and the amount you will receive, they should send both your former spouse and you a letter letting you both know how w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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Questions & Answers

the annuity will be divided and paid. Technically, a federal annuity is only payable upon proper application. If your ex-spouse leaves federal service but does not apply for retirement, you will not receive the portion of her annuity awarded you in the divorce.

MEDICARE ENROLLMENT

Q A

I am nearing my 65th birthday. What form do I use to enroll in Medicare?

We posed your question to the Social Security Administration. Here is what we were told: “The most convenient way to apply for Medicare

is by using our online application, which is available at the following Internet address: http://www. socialsecurity.gov/applyfor benefits/. You may complete the application from the comfort of your home on your time schedule. If you prefer, you can apply by calling 1-800-772-1213. Our representatives can send you the appropriate enrollment forms and make an appointment for you at any Social Security office convenient to you. You may choose a face-to-face interview or telephone appointment. However, there are certain types of claims that must be initiated in a face-toface interview.

“You can obtain the location

and other information about your local Social Security office by calling our toll-free number or by accessing the following Internet address: http://www.social security.gov/locator.”

You also may find the address and phone number in the blue pages of your phone book under “U.S. Government.”

EXCESSIVE CHARGES

Q

I retired in 1993 from the Health Care Finance Administration. I was proud to have served in the Medicare program from its inception in 1965. Recently, I received an Explanation of Benefits on a

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New Digital Hearing Aid Outperforms Expensive Competitors This sleek, lightweight, fully programmed hearing aid is the outgrowth of the digital revolution that is changing our world.

While demand for “all things digital” caused most prices to plunge (consider DVD players and computers, which originally sold for thousands of dollars and today can be purchased for less then $100), yet the cost of a digital medical hearing aid remained out of reach.

Dr. Cherukuri knew that many of his patients would benefit but couldn’t afford the expense of these new digital hearing aids. Generally they are not covered by Medicare and most private health insurance.

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Questions & Answers

NARFE at Your Service hospital bill for my wife, who fell, was taken to an emergency room and subsequently had a sevenday hospital stay. I was outraged by the charges submitted to my health plan and to Medicare. The hospital submitted charges for procedures that could not have been performed or appear to be excessive. Extreme billing practices have been reported in the past, but it is time someone takes action to correct the problems.

Fraud Hotline 1-877-499-7295 or go to www.opm.gov/oig. You also can write to: U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Office of the Inspector General Fraud Hotline, 1900 E Street NW Room 6400, Washington, DC 20415-1100.”

Medicare also has a page dedicated to reporting fraud on its website at: www.stopmedicare fraud.gov/.

A

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

Every health plan brochure under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program has a page dedicated to reporting suspected fraud. Here is what it says: “Call the Health Care

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NARFE service officers are available to answer questions and to assist in helping with a variety of benefit matters. Check your chapter newsletter for the name and phone number of your service officer. For the nearest service officer, call NARFE (toll-free) at:

800-456-8410.

NARFE Service Centers also are available in some areas. Use the Service Center listings on the NARFE website,

www. narfe.org.

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Cover Story

Make sure you before you

understand all the financial facts rush to the door

To some longtime federal employees, it sounds too good to be true – the federal government offering a bonus to separate from federal service or to retire with an annuity that begins years before it would otherwise be available, or both.

Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIPs), also known as buyout authorities, offer employees a lump-sum incentive payment of up to $25,000 to voluntarily leave government service. Voluntary Early Retirement Authorities (VERAs), also known as early outs, offer eligible employees the opportunity to begin receiving retirement annuity payments earlier than they would otherwise be eligible. VSIPs and VERAs are often offered together.

For those with a second career lined up or significant retirement assets, it can be just the inducement they need to head for the door and transition to the next chapter in their lives.

“The decision to take the VERA was a complete no-brainer for me,” says Katherine Dunshie, a former senior post office operations manager at the U.S. Postal Service, who accepted a VERA in 2009 and answered a narfe magazine reader survey on VERAs and VSIPs. “My intent was to retire without having to supplement my income with TSP withdrawals or part-time employment. I have been successful with both goals since retire-

By David Tobenkin Illustration by Bill Pragluski, Critical Stages, LLC

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buyouts & early outs

ment. On a personal level, my finances were completely in control. I had zero debt when offered this VERA.” At the time, says Dunshie, she was a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) employee, age 53 with 35 years of service and was contributing the maximum amount allowed by the Internal Revenue Service to her Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account, plus a catch-up contribution. “Based on these factors, the variance in my actual annuity from my take-home pay would only be an annual difference of $2,600,” she says.

Cases like Dunshie’s are the exception, rather than the rule, however. For many who would retire early with little besides their annuity or with poor second career prospects, early separation from federal government service could mean a far less comfortable retirement.

“I took the offer and figured that I would use my skills to teach or to work for one of the many consultant groups that I had worked with over my career,” says Jerry Hemstock, who in 2004 at the age of 54 and with nearly 30 years of federal service, took a $25,000 VSIP and associated VERA from his senior environmental planner position at the U.S. Department of the Navy’s Naval Facilities Engineering Command in San Bruno, CA. “Unfortunately, it was a period of time when jobs tanked, and I focused on family and did not maintain my ‘skill set.’”

“I found that I hated being retired and wanted badly to return to work in my field,” says Hemstock. “As the years passed, I found that too much had changed in my field of expertise, and I was faced with the choice of doing volunteer work or looking for minimum wage employment. I chose the former.

If I had to do it over again, I would have done everything possible to stay employed with the Navy or another federal agency. My annuity

is reduced by the VSIP/VERA and I feel lost without the challenges that I had from a great job.”

Often, employees are given a window of only weeks to accept a VERA or VSIP offer and months to agree to depart from federal service, despite the momentous impact that choice will have on their lives.

“Early retirement looks and sounds great, but you have to do the numbers,” says Edward Zurndorfer, a Silver Spring, MD-based certified financial planner who is a CSRS annuitant with 32 years of federal service. “Life does not necessarily get better just from retiring early.

Personal expenses have to be paid, and most retiring employees will have less income from which to pay them.”

The Benefits − Who Is Eligible and Why Offer Them

In 2014, at least 13 agencies or agency subunits have or are expected to offer VERAs or VSIPs. Under both VERAs and VSIPs, employees are given a time frame within which they must agree to separate and a deadline by which separation must occur. Significantly, a VSIP can be offered without any right to begin receiving a retirement annuity, and a VERA can be offered without any right to a separation payment.

For VERAs, employees must meet the minimum age and service requirements (at least age 50 with at least 20 years creditable federal service, or any age with at least 25 years creditable federal service). (See www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/ voluntary-early-retirement-authority/.) CSRS plan participants must be covered under that

Under both VERAs and which they must agree to separate 22

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plan for at least one of the two years prior to retirement, be in the job subject to the VERA for a specific time (usually 30 days) and comply with other criteria.

For VSIPs, the employee must be in an appointment without a time limit, be continuously employed by the executive branch for at least three years and meet other requirements. (See www.opm.gov/policydata-oversight/workforce-restructuring/ voluntary-separation-incentive-payments/.)

Certain employees are not eligible for a VSIP, including re-employed annuitants, those with a disability that would make them eligible for disability retirement, anyone who has received a decision notice of involuntary separation for misconduct or poor performance, previous recipients of a VSIP from the federal government, and certain other classes of employees.

From the agency perspective, VERAs and VSIPs serve a variety of purposes. Voluntary separations originally were used to avert involuntary reductions in force (RIFs). In the Department of Defense, use of authorities remains standard procedure before resorting to RIFs affecting civilian employees, says survey respondent Yvonne Williams, a human resources director with the U.S. Department of the Navy until retiring in 2009.

Permissible use of authorities − which must be approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) – has been expanded in many agencies to altering the composition of the workforce, smoothing out retirement patterns, and reducing the workforce in areas where demand had decreased and positions were outmoded.

By federal law, RIFs must separate the more junior employees before laying off the more senior ones. Generally, VERAs and VSIPs work the opposite way, by targeting more senior employees first. In targeting the “big fish” first, agencies often see quicker results on the bottom line if enough employees take advantage of them, and can open advancement potential for younger employees at the same time.

But VERAs and VSIPs also can accelerate the departure of more seasoned employees, particularly those with good second career prospects. At many agencies, unless subsequent hiring occurs, a smaller workforce may be left to perform the same amount of work as before.

Some who responded to the narfe magazine survey who are still employed or who took buyouts or early outs but have kept in touch with their former co-workers say that that is exactly what has happened.

The pluses and minuses

So, are VERAs and VSIPs worthwhile for the separating employee? There is no substitute for doing the financial math. And retirement experts say that there are more considerations than one might think.

First, there is the federal annuity. For CSRS employees, the annuity is calculated based on the average highest three years of salary and years and months of creditable service. Unused sick leave is used for additional service credit for CSRS annuity computation purposes. But after adding that and arriving at the total, the annuity will be permanently frozen at a lower amount than if the employee had continued to work to a “full” retirement under the regular retirement rules. And if the employee is under

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buyouts & early outs

age 55, this annuity is reduced by one-sixth of 1 percent for each full month that he or she is under age 55 (that is, 2 percent per year). This represents a permanent penalty that will not be restored when the VERA recipient reaches age 55.

For Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employees, the FERS Basic Annuity is calculated based on the average high-three salary and years and months of creditable service, with adjustments for unused sick leave. Just as for CSRS employees taking an early out, the annuity computation for FERS workers would be computed at a lower amount because of fewer years of service and presumably a lower high-three average salary. Unlike the CSRS annuity, there is no annuity reduction in FERS for employees who retire on an early voluntary retirement under minimum retirement age.

Thus, while VERAs allow one to start receiving annuity payments earlier, the payments likely would be much smaller than would otherwise be the case, and the reduction is permanent.

TSP Considerations

Importantly, once FERS employees depart, they will lose any agency match to their TSP contributions, an automatic 1 percent up to (depending on employee contributions) 5 percent. And save for a few exceptions, employees under either plan will not be able to contribute additional money to the TSP − a very efficient, wellmanaged and low-cost defined contribution savings plan. However, annuitants can transfer their money to different funds within the TSP after retirement. They also can roll over money from another retirement plan or IRA into the TSP account.

Generally, withdrawals from the TSP cannot

be made before age 59-1/2 without a 10 percent early withdrawal tax penalty. But if you are age 55 or older in the year you separate or retire, the penalty tax does not apply. If the employee retires under a VERA/VSIP before the year he or she becomes age 55, the annuitant will have to wait until age 59-1/2 to make penalty-free TSP withdrawals. FERS employees who retire under the FERS MRA + 10 early retirement option may withdraw from the TSP without penalty, though this retirement option subjects them to a hefty reduction in annuity benefits of 5 percent per year for every year under the age of 62.

More importantly, an employee drawing down his or her pot of savings will have to stretch that sum over a much longer retirement. For many FERS employees, how much they have already accumulated in their TSP will prove the make-or-break factor as to whether they can accept a VERA or VSIP offer, says Zurndorfer. He advises FERS employees to have a minimum of $500,000 in TSP savings by the time they retire.

With married employees, there will be a further permanent reduction in the employee’s CSRS or FERS annuity – as much as 10 percent – to give a survivor annuity to a spouse.

Impact on Social Security

Social Security benefits can be taken as early as age 62, but holding off would mean receiving a higher amount. Benefits not taken grow at a rate of 8 percent a year, until age 70. In addition, until you reach your “full retirement age,” which ranges from age 65 to age 67 and is dependent on your date of birth, your Social Security benefits would be reduced $1 for every $2 you earn

While VERAs allow the payments likely would 24

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above an earnings threshold ($15,480 in 2014).

For FERS employees, a FERS Annuity Supplement − essentially a surrogate for Social Security payments − is payable to an employee who has completed at least one calendar year of FERS service when he or she reaches Minimum Retirement Age, which is 55 to 57, depending on date of birth, until eligibility for Social Security begins at age 62. As with Social Security benefits, FERS Annuity Supplement payments are subject to an earnings test, with reductions of $1 for every $2 of earnings above a threshold.

Something else to think about with regard to Social Security benefits, Zurndorfer points out, is the very damaging effect early departure from federal service can have on the amount of benefits. Social Security income is based on earnings history, with a computation based on the highest 35 years of income. Since an employee’s highest earnings years are likely those before retirement, fewer years of federal employment can mean a lower 35-year average.

Even more harmful, if there are fewer than 35 years of employment, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will fill in zeros for the remaining years. Thus, an employee retiring at age 50 after 25 years of total SSA work history would have 10 years of zeros averaged in, which would cause average monthly payouts to be far less than had the employee worked an additional 10 years.

An employee retiring at age 50 under a VERA will have to wait five to seven years to receive the FERS Annuity Supplement. And those who retire under the MRA + 10 option do not receive any supplement at all, even when they reach the age at which they otherwise would retire.

CSRS employees will not be eligible for Social Security benefits unless they have 40 credits of Social Security earnings, which are not accumulated in the CSRS system. CSRS employees will also face reductions from the Windfall Elimination Provision, counted against subsequent Social Security benefits, if they pursue a subsequent second career.

The Bottom Line

“What does it come down to for an individual retiring at age 50 with 20 years of service considering a VERA? What will they receive in retirement?” asks Zurndorfer. “Just their annuity, since they can’t tap their TSP or get to Social Security.” For a FERS employee earning a $100,000 high-three average salary, his or her annuity would be $20,000 per year, he says. A CSRS employee would not be much better off, he adds, with $26,250 per year.

The bottom line for most employees is that they will have to get a new job. “How many people in their 50s can do that? It’s tough out there,” he says. “By the end of the day, when employees come to me after a (preretirement) seminar and say, ‘I can’t afford to retire early,’ I say, ‘Great, I’ve done my job.’ ” Then there is the matter of the VSIP. The maximum is $25,000 and many agencies offer less. In addition, that money is taxable at both the federal and state levels, which will likely result in net earnings of only $14,000 to $18,000. Many of the survey respondents who accepted a buyout noted the amount they received was smaller than expected.

The effect of VERAs and VSIPs on other benefits also matter, particularly health benefits. Employees retiring in conjunction with a VERA or VSIP authority must have

one to start receiving annuity payments earlier, be much smaller than would otherwise be the case. w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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been covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program for the last five years of their federal civilian service in order to continue such coverage in retirement, or if less than five years, for all service since the employee was eligible for these benefits, unless these requirements are waived. This is a large consideration because under the program, the government pays between 73 and 75 percent of premiums, with the insured paying the rest; and the premiums for health insurance obtained later in life from another source will be far higher.

when it makes sense

In addition to having second careers lined up or adequate annuity and savings, NARFE members responding to the survey said there are some other scenarios in which accepting VERA and VSIP offers made sense: • When reductions in force were anticipated; • When faced with the possibility of forced relocation to an undesirable or inconvenient location; • If time were needed to take care of loved ones; • Before mandatory retirement was imposed in some occupations; • If the overall work climate at some agencies was diminishing; and • If they already had a military pension.

Employees who take voluntary early retirement are not subject to any restrictions regarding their annuity should they subsequently accept nonfederal employment − with the exception of the reduction to the FERS Annuity Supplement described above.

However, those who wish to return to federal service could face stiff penalties. If an annuitant is hired under a federal appointment, he or

CORRECTION

she is then considered a “re-employed annuitant.” This means the annuity will continue, and the new federal salary will be offset by the annuity amount, unless the employing agency grants a waiver. (See story, p. 6.)

An employee who receives a VSIP and later accepts employment for compensation with the federal government within five years of the date of the separation on which the VSIP is based (including work under a personal services contract or other direct contract) must repay the entire amount of the VSIP to the agency that paid it before the individual’s first day of re-employment. This is a particularly cruel hit because the employee might need to pay back $25,000, even if he or she only netted $14,000 of a $25,000 payout after taxes.

Whether agency human resources officials are doing enough to educate employees about all of the financial implications of accepting VERAs and VSIPs is an open question. Some survey respondents claimed that their agency provided only written information with the specifics of the offer, not the consequences of payouts on their benefits. Extensive information is available on OPM’s website or through other Internet sites, but many employees may assume there is no need to look beyond what their agency provides.

“OPM provides a significant amount of information about these authorities and how they work,” says Joseph Morrin, a certified financial planner and senior vice president at First Command Financial Planning. “The two things they don’t prepare employees for are whether taking these authorities is a good idea for them and what comes next for them in retirement.”

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

Due to an editing error, the replacement salary rate under the Civil Service Retirement System was incorrect in the story “How Much Money Do You Need to Retire” in the April issue (p. 32). The correct statement is: “Under the older Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), federal workers who are at least age 55 and have worked for the government at least 30 years can retire with annuity payments worth about 56 percent of the average of their highest three years of pay.” NARFE regrets the error.

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All appointments must be scheduled through TruHearing. vendors, which may be different from items covered under your 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 benefits first. To find out what is covered under your policy, contact the Service Benefit Plan. The products and services described herein are neither offered nor guaranteed under any local Blue company’s contract with the Medicare program. In addition, these items are not subject to the Medicare appeal process. Any disputes regarding these products and services are not subject to the Service Benefit Plan’s Disputed Claims process. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) may receive payments from Blue365 vendors. Neither the Service Benefit Plan, BCBSA, 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.

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Managing Money

Investor behavior drives poor results

E

very year for the past 20 years, DALBAR, a Boston-based research firm, has published a study comparing the results of the average

investor to the results of a relevant market index. For example, DALBAR’s research compares stock fund investors to the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index and bond fund investors to the Barclay’s Aggregate Bond Index. Unfortunately, the results don’t bode well for the average investor.

According to DALBAR, the S&P 500 Index earned an 11.11 percent average annual return over the past 30 years, 9.22 percent over the past 20 years and 7.4 percent over the past 10 years. Conversely, the average stock fund investor earned only 3.69 percent annually over 30 years, 5.02 percent over 20 years and 5.88 percent over the past 10 years.

To put this into perspective, let’s look at the difference in dollar terms. We’ll assume you make two $50,000 investments with one earning the 30-year S&P 500 Index return and the other the 30-year average investor return. After 30 years, the investment earning the S&P 500 return would have grown to $1,179,137, while the investment earning the average investor return would have only grown to $148,278. No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you – that is a difference of 30

| a u g

2 0 14

more than $1 million!

Of course, these are the past returns of the S&P 500 Index, and they are not a guarantee of future returns; but it’s not necessarily the return of the S&P 500 Index with which we are concerned. It’s the difference between the average investor’s return and the S&P 500’s return that’s worrisome.

Unfortunately, this gap has remained throughout good and bad markets.

It would be easy to blame the gap on flash crashes, highfrequency trading or other market events. While those issues are contributing factors, they are not the problem.

After all, the S&P 500 Index still managed strong returns that were there for the taking.

Instead, responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of investors who seem to make so many mistakes that they never fully realize the

By Mark A. Keen,

CFP®

earning potential of their money.

Perhaps the biggest mistake lies in behavioral trading driven by fear and greed. Without a doubt, these emotions instill the uncanny ability to pull the trigger at precisely the wrong time. We can catch a glimpse of this by reviewing mutual fund flows − a measurement of money flowing into and out of mutual funds.

Take, for example, last year’s net flows into stock mutual funds, which outpaced net inflows to bond funds for the first time since 2008. Finally.

It only took a near tripling in value and setting all-time highs to get people back in the market. What does this mean for the near-term direction of the stock market? I have no idea, nor does anyone else for that matter; but that’s not the point.

Ask any investor what’s the secret to successful investing, and he or she will shout out, “Buy low, sell high.” Or, if they’re really trying to show off their savviness, they may quote Warren Buffet and say, “Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.” So, the point is, despite knowing what to do, uncontrolled emotions lead the average investor astray. And what’s clear from mutual fund

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

flow data is that the average investor fails miserably at taming emotions.

Other mistakes stem from our desire to beat the market – as if market returns aren’t good enough (read with sarcasm). Unfortunately, Wall Street’s propaganda machine feeds this disease by touting the latest and greatest investment fads. A recent example is the fad of investing in dividend stocks. Jason Zweig published a great article in The Wall Street Journal

on dividend stock investing and pointed out how investors were duped, yet again, into thinking they had found the Holy Grail of investing.

I’m not saying investing in dividend stocks doesn’t work, but most investors arrive late to the game, go all-in and bounce from one strategy to another chasing returns – ultimately failing to realize the full potential of any strategy.

Rather than chasing the hot investment or trying to beat the market, accept the fact that the markets work and focus instead on sound investment principles, such as diversification, rebalancing and not taking more risk than you can handle. Do this and you’ll narrow the gap.

Mark A. Keen, CFP®, is partner, Keen & Pocock, 10300 Eaton place, Fairfax, VA, and an investment adviser representative and registered principal of The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA). Securities and advisory services are offered through SFA. Email: mkeen@keenpocock.com.

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31

The Informed Citizen

Big numbers, High expectations

T

he facing page shows the constituent elements of the more than five million members of the Federal Family by state.

The columns marked with a single asterisk are annuitants from the latest Statistical Abstract from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The first column, “Total Annuitants,” is broken down into “Employee Annuitants” (column two) and “Survivor Annuitants” (column three). Column four shows the monthly gross annuity for the state. Column five (marked **) shows March 2014 counts of federal employees, based on place of employment (posted quarterly at www.fedscope.opm.gov). Column six (marked ***), “USPS (U.S. Postal Service) Employees,” counts are from the Postal Regulatory Commission.

While these are large and hopefully impressive numbers, they create high expectations among lawmakers. Senators know how many members of the Federal Family are in their states and how relatively few they hear from on crucial issues such as Chained CPI, changing the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and federal pay freezes.

Some elected officials hold to the maxim that “silence betokens consent.” NARFE and allies in the Federal-Postal Coalition must be heard and seen during the balance of the primary election season, during “Grass-Roots Advocacy Month” and especially on November 4, Election Day. Use These Counts Without claiming everyone eligible to join NARFE does so, use the numbers provided here when advocating on behalf of current

32

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2 0 14

federal employees and retirees.

Speak on behalf of the entire Federal Family. Quote the total and/or provide the individual breakdown for your state.

County Counts For several years, Federally Employed Women (FEW), a NARFE coalition partner, has obtained and posted on its website employee and retiree counts by county. Counties are then grouped by congressional district. However, many counties are split, so numbers are not totally accurate among districts.

To view this data, start at a map posted at: http://eyeonwashing ton.com/few_map_2012/index. html.

Postal Service The Postal Service, even as it continues to downsize, provides state and congressional district

By Christopher Farrell, Legislative Representative

breakouts of its employee counts and economic impact. The National Association of Postal Supervisors posts this information on its website. Use www.naps. org/images/uploads/Economic_ Impact_Data_2013.zip.

ZIP Code Counts While not as recent as the information in the accompanying chart, OPM has provided NARFE with 2012 annuitant counts by ZIP code. These counts can be used for recruitment as well as advocacy. For a copy, email leg@narfe.org.

Federal employee estimates by ZIP code had been available, but the 2010 census discontinued the long form previously sent to one in every six households.

Online Resources The updated and modular Protect America’s Heartbeat Toolkit is a terrific source of information and powerful tool for advocates.

In addition to a summary of the Federal Family, you can find a one-page summary for your state. Go to www.narfe.org/ heartbeat/states.cfm. For counts of Legislative Action Center activists and email messages by state, NARFE members can view a chart in each edition of the NARFE Insider, Quarterly News for NARFE Leaders. For the April issue, see www.narfe.org/ pdf/narfe_insider_0414.pdf.

the federal family Civilian annuitants, Employees and Postal Employees The chart is a snapshot in time that updates counts that appeared in the August 2013 issue of narfe magazine. Please note, federal and U.S Postal Service (USPS) employee categories are based on place of employment, not residence. Use these numbers in communications with elected officials.

Total

State/area Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas US Virgin Islands Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Foreign Countries

TOTAL

Total

Annuitants Employee Survivor on Roll* Annuitants* Annuitants* 59,081 45,345 13,736 8,058 6,762 1,296 67 34 33 55,268 44,085 11,183 25,173 19,273 5,900 215,424 165,179 50,245 49,975 40,278 9,697 14,906 11,221 3,685 9,800 7,915 1,885 43,660 35,843 7,817 170,183 132,544 37,639 85,614 66,979 18,635 2,592 1,752 840 25,363 18,643 6,720 14,927 12,194 2,733 69,844 55,272 14,572 37,445 29,405 8,040 21,206 16,459 4,747 24,789 19,549 5,240 33,748 26,322 7,426 27,416 21,493 5,923 14,045 10,817 3,228 159,930 129,453 30,477 42,964 31,737 11,227 45,145 36,425 8,720 29,497 23,222 6,275 25,622 19,755 5,867 54,840 43,603 11,237 13,135 10,858 2,277 13,522 10,436 3,086 23,155 18,922 4,233 12,601 9,768 2,833 54,758 40,578 14,180 28,420 22,903 5,517 96,268 73,376 22,892 75,217 59,443 15,774 6,549 5,168 1,381 22 11 11 75,792 58,850 16,942 48,317 36,941 11,376 33,686 26,939 6,747 109,609 84,091 25,518 11,643 8,942 2,701 8,151 5,747 2,404 44,275 34,316 9,959 10,532 8,532 2,000 46,922 36,834 10,088 171,191 132,782 38,409 656 507 149 34,868 27,514 7,354 4,518 3,582 936 143,302 113,890 29,412 66,981 52,944 14,037 18,173 14,776 3,397 27,533 21,897 5,636 5,823 4,806 1,017 25,721 15,265 10,456

2,577,922

2,012,177

565,745

Monthly Annuities ($000s)* $144,180 $20,360 - $129,685 $51,445 $517,883 $127,116 $34,280 $27,476 $144,177 $418,219 $203,848 $4,540 $65,670 $35,067 $167,723 $82,459 $45,117 $55,956 $70,491 $60,786 $30,369 $545,119 $99,679 $104,618 $66,037 $56,045 $125,435 $31,316 $28,911 $56,451 $30,496 $141,614 $67,993 $211,565 $182,125 $13,464 - $183,521 $105,660 $81,908 $254,489 $21,321 $18,200 $101,053 $22,687 $107,726 $394,265 $1,072 $82,615 $10,230 $456,074 $165,675 $42,943 $59,016 $13,249 $37,736

Annuitants Federal USPS and Employees** Employees*** Employees 39,865 8,672 107,618 11,758 1,464 21,280 106 9 182 40,688 9,218 105,174 14,085 5,339 44,597 163,016 64,188 442,628 38,979 10,653 99,607 8,845 8,135 31,886 3,184 1,981 14,965 158,664 5,179 207,503 89,534 33,029 292,746 76,381 17,016 179,011 2,801 104 5,497 24,268 2,279 51,910 8,469 2,532 25,928 47,331 29,588 146,763 23,555 11,866 72,866 9,068 7,669 37,943 16,925 6,336 48,050 25,385 7,671 66,804 20,345 7,888 55,649 10,694 3,322 28,061 132,667 12,570 305,167 28,235 16,186 87,385 29,433 20,647 95,225 18,097 12,452 60,046 18,609 4,817 49,048 37,551 15,119 107,510 9,902 2,111 25,148 10,994 4,562 29,078 12,190 4,122 39,467 4,648 3,064 20,313 25,440 21,887 102,085 24,298 3,105 55,823 66,065 43,949 206,282 44,644 17,984 137,845 6,130 1,815 14,494 186 10 218 51,059 23,180 150,031 37,450 6,687 92,454 19,686 6,706 60,078 65,141 28,585 203,335 10,788 2,468 24,899 7,196 2,648 17,995 22,058 7,303 73,636 8,342 2,103 20,977 28,418 11,862 87,202 139,777 40,742 351,710 665 164 1,485 28,496 5,051 68,415 4,909 1,631 11,058 143,554 15,808 302,664 55,639 11,727 134,347 16,335 3,847 38,355 16,069 11,791 55,393 5,738 1,093 12,654 33,325 0 59,046 $6,357,155 1,997,680 611,934 5,187,536

*Office of Personnel Management, March 2014 (American Samoa and Northern Mariana Islands: Combine for total annuitant count; breakouts not precise) **Office of Personnel Management, March 2014 (excludes Intelligence Community and certain other positions) ***Postal Regulatory Commission, May 2014 w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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33

2014

2013

For the Record

Thrift Savings Plan Monthly Returns G FUND

F FUND

C FUND

S FUND

I FUND

JULY

0.18%

0.13%

5.10%

6.88%

5.29%

AUGUST

0.18%

(0.48%)

(2.89%)

(2.76%)

(1.31%)

SEPTEMBER

0.19%

0.99%

3.14%

5.89%

7.41%

OCTOBER

0.19%

0.89%

4.60%

2.94%

3.38%

NOVEMBER

0.18%

(0.35%)

3.05%

2.49%

0.75%

DECEMBER

0.19%

(0.56%)

2.54%

2.94%

1.51%

JANUARY

0.21%

1.58%

(3.45%)

(1.91%)

(4.03%)

FEBRUARY

0.18%

0.62%

4.58%

5.43%

5.58%

March

0.19%

(0.15%)

0.85%

(0.69%)

(0.57%)

APRIL

0.20%

0.90%

0.75%

(2.47%)

1.51%

MAY

0.20%

1.21%

2.35%

1.52%

1.72%

June

0.19%

0.14%

2.07%

4.45%

0.99%

YTD

1.17%

4.37%

7.18%

6.21%

5.06%

LAST 12 MO

2.30%

5.00%

24.71%

26.95%

23.97%

10 yr

3.61%

5.25%

7.12%

10.79%

8.39%

L 2020

L 2030

L INCOME JULY

2013

L 2050

1.21%

2.95%

3.72%

4.29%

4.83%

(0.39%)

(1.22%)

(1.60%)

(1.87%)

(2.11%)

SEPTEMBER

1.12%

2.71%

3.40%

3.90%

4.42%

OCTOBER

1.01%

2.23%

2.75%

3.11%

3.47%

NOVEMBER

0.58%

1.24%

1.54%

1.74%

1.93%

DECEMBER

0.58%

1.25%

1.56%

1.77%

1.98%

JANUARY

(0.42%)

(1.57%)

(2.04%)

(2.35%)

(2.71%)

FEBRUARY

1.15%

2.73%

3.44%

3.94%

4.44%

MARCH

0.19%

0.17%

0.14%

0.12%

0.09%

APRIL

0.31%

0.39%

0.37%

0.32%

0.32%

MAY

0.64%

1.20%

1.46%

1.63%

1.78%

JUNE

0.58%

1.19%

1.52%

1.77%

1.96%

YTD

2.46%

4.14%

4.91%

5.43%

5.89%

LAST 12 MO

6.74%

13.99%

17.30%

19.70%

22.03%

AUGUST

2014

L 2040

THIS CHART is provided as a service to NARFE members who enrolled in the Thrift Savings Plan while employed by the federal government. Retirees are not eligible for enrollment. These returns are net of the effect of accrued administrative expenses and investment expenses/costs. Percentages in () are negative. Source: TSP 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: 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.)

34

| a u g

2 0 14

June results are positive for funds The global markets generated positive returns across the board in June despite lingering concerns over Ukraine, increasing tensions in the Middle East and rising oil prices. The S&P 500 (C Fund) struck another all-time high during the month. Investors regained interest in growth-oriented stocks, as small cap stocks (S Fund) generated strong returns. Investors also were undeterred with international equities (I Fund), as those markets hit a seven-year high.

The fixed-income markets (F Fund) produced positive returns in spite of concerns over higher interest rates in the future.

—BY Benjamin Gong, Financial analyst, Thrift Savings Plan

Countdown to COLA

T

he Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 0.33 percent in May. To calculate the 2015 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the indices of July, August and September 2014 will be averaged and compared with the 2013 third-quarter average of 230.327. The percentage increase, if any, determines the COLA. May’s index, 234.216, is up 1.69 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. May’s index is 2.20 percent higher than the December 2013 base index of 229.174.

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

Month

CPI-W

October 2013

229.735

November December

Monthly % Change

% Change from 230.327

-0.3

-0.26

229.133

-0.26

-0.52

229.174

+0.02

-0.50

January 2014

230.040

+0.38

-0.12

February

230.871

+0.36

+0.24

March

232.560

+0.73

+0.97

April

233.443

+0.38

+1.35

May

234.216

+0.33

+1.69

June July August September

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NARFE members contributed for Alzheimer’s research: $11 Million Fund

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*Total as of May 31, 2014 100% of all contributed funds go to Alzheimer’s research.

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

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

Please circle: Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms. Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: Chapter Number: Credit Card Information:

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Join the Silver CIrcle Clip this contribution form and mail to: NARFE Silver Circle, 606 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314

•For a contribution of $25 or more, you will receive a Silver Circle pin, and your name will be listed in narfe magazine with other contributors.

•For a contribution of $1,000 or more, your name will be placed on the “Wall of Fame” at NARFE Headquarters.

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Please mail coupon and check to: FEEA 3333 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 300 Lakewood, CO 80227

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

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NARFE News

alaska

Survey Thanks

philippines guam/okinawa

Hawaii

NArfe’s regions

NEB delays region revamp panama

puerto rico/virgin islands

T

he National Executive Board (NEB) has decided to delay the effective date of the reduction of the number of NARFE regions from 10 to five.

The reduction, approved by the NEB in February, was to have taken place November 1, 2014, following regional elections at the NARFE Biennial National Convention August 24-28, 2014. In June, after reviewing feedback from NARFE leaders and members in the field and upon further consideration, the NEB voted to delay implementation until November 1, 2016.

With 10 regions continuing for another two years, candidates for the 10 regional vice presidential positions were invited to submit statements for publication in narfe magazine. Statements for all NARFE national and regional candidates appear in this issue, beginning on p. 42.

The Board also voted to withdraw

Federation Presidents New presidents were elected in 12 of NARFE’s federations during the spring and early summer as the organizations held their conventions. These state federations and their new presidents are: Florida, Jane C. Lemley of Lakeland, Chapter 1224; Maine, Louis H. Haskell of Portland,

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Since 2013, narfe magazine has distributed 19 electronic surveys to NARFE members to help in the development of feature stories.

Survey topics have included living abroad, working beyond retirement age and second careers. The magazine’s staff extend a sincere “Thank you!” to the thousands of members who have participated.

its proposed bylaw amendment to make chapter membership optional, rather than mandatory. The proposal was to have been considered at the National Convention. It is bylaw amendment No. 14-03 in the Bylaws, Standing Rules & General Resolutions book that was mailed to all NARFE chapters in June.

Both the reduction in number of regions and elimination of mandatory chapter membership had been recommended by the Future of NARFE Committee, a 12-member committee that studied the Association’s structure and governance and made recommendations for change.

“The National Executive Board wholeheartedly continues to support developing the vision for Future NARFE,” the Board said.

“Since our last Board meeting in February, we heard from many NARFE members, and after consid-

eration of their comments and careful deliberation at our June meeting at NARFE National Headquarters, we concluded that the membership believes that the Board is moving too quickly. Therefore, we have opted to take a more paced, deliberative approach in the way changes will be made.”

The Board also voted to recommend that the general resolution it proposes to “continue developing the model for Future NARFE using the Future of NARFE Committee report as the foundation” (No. 1401) be voted on by electronic ballot at the National Convention. The resolution requires a majority vote in favor to pass.

Also at the June Board meeting, the 2013 Bylaws Comparison Committee reported that it is withdrawing from consideration at the National Convention its proposed bylaw/standing rule amendment (No. 14-21).

Chapter 1796; Massachusetts, William L. Wayne of Marshfield, Chapter 430; Missouri, Joseph F. Manno of Cowgill, Chapter 1915; Montana, Frank E. Votapka of Libby, Chapter 2159; Nebraska, Richard J. Caruso of Omaha, Chapter 1370; North Carolina, Ronald E. Buffaloe of Salisbury, Chapter 720; North Dakota, Richard D. Hansen of

Mandan, Chapter 195; Panama, Michael A. King of Colon, Chapter 1762; Pennsylvania, George Shal of Blue Bell, Chapter 372; Virginia, Richard J. Giangerelli of Herndon, Chapter 1241; Wyoming, E. Karen Dockter of Laramie, Chapter 833.

In all, 40 NARFE federations held conventions in 2014; 14 others, on biennial schedules, will have theirs in 2015.

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NARFE National Convention August 24-28

rlando Convention Deadlines

preregistration: August 1 (on-site registration ends August 25) Proxy Forms: August 9 Find more information at www.narfe.org/convention2014.

Florida, Here We Come! Convention Opens August 24

N

ARFE is putting the finishing touches on planning for its 33rd Biennial National Convention, August 24-28 in Orlando, FL. Two additional speakers were announced as this issue went to press: U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-FL, who represents Florida’s 9th congressional district, which encompasses the Orlando area, will address a General Session.

Aubrey Jewett, an Grayson associate professor

Follow the convention online and on twitter

NARFE will post daily reports from the National Convention on the NARFE website, www.narfe.org, beginning Monday, August 25.

You also can follow the convention on Twitter. Go to www.narfe.org and click on the Twitter logo, or follow us at @narfehq. NARFE’s Twitter feed also appears on its Facebook page (NARFE National Headquarters). Recent activity on the NARFE Facebook page also may be found on the NARFE website. Log in, select NARFE Publications from the Departments menu and scroll down to the Facebook window.

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and associate chair of the Political Science Department at the University of Central Florida, will talk about the current political

Jewett

landscape at the August 27 NARFEPAC Breakfast. The event is for NARFE-PAC donors who meet criteria. For details and to reserve a spot, email leg@narfe.org with the subject line “NARFE-PAC Breakfast.”

Travel Arrangements Hotel Registration Rosen Centre Hotel 9840 International Dr. Orlando, FL 32819 800-204-7234 www.RosenCentre.com NARFE Rate: $95 + 13.63% tax = $107.94 single/double occupancy per night. Additional person: $20.

For NARFE group rate, please use Group Code 50485.

Reservation Cutoff Date: Monday, July 21

Airline Discounts Delta Airlines, www.delta.com. When booking online, select Meeting Events Code and enter the meeting ID: NMGND in the box provided on the Search Flight page. A direct ticket charge of $25 will apply if booking by phone (800-328-1111).

United Airlines, www.united.com. When booking online, enter the Z Code: ZSAV, then the Agreement Code: 444067. A $25 service fee will be collected per ticket for all tickets issued by phone through United Meetings reservations, 800-426-1122.

special needs www.NARFEfl.US. Click on “Orlando Area Information” for companies supplying scooters, oxygen and other medical equipment.

NARFE 2014 National Convention Orlando, Florida August 24-28

PREREGISTRATION FORM NARFE ID #:_ _________________________________ Name:______________________________________ Address:_____________________________________ ___________________________________________ Name for badge:_______________________________ Chapter #:___________________________________ Location:_ ___________________________________

Please check: o (Guest) Member o (Guest) Nonmember

o Delegate* o Delegate-at-Large* o Alternate*

*NOTE: This is NOT a voter registration form. Voter registration is confirmed by your chapter on Form C/14-2. n

n n n

A nonrefundable fee of $75 (payable to NARFE) must accompany this form.

Onsite registration fee will be $90.

Each attendee must complete a separate registration form.

Form must be postmarked by August 1, 2014.

Notify in case of emergency: Name:______________________________________ Phone Number:_ ______________________________ Form C/14-4

o Charge to my credit card: o MasterCard o VISA o Discover o AMEX Card#:_ ____________________________________ Expiration Date:_________ /_ ______

Make check payable to NARFE and send to: NARFE, Treasurer’s Office 606 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314-1914

BANQUET REGISTRATION FORM

August 28, 2014 NARFE ID #:_ _________________________________ Name:______________________________________ Address:_____________________________________ ___________________________________________ Chapter #:___________________________________ Nonmember Guest:_____________________________

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NARFE 2014 National Convention Orlando, Florida August 24-28

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Tables will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tables seat 10 people.

RESERVATIONS LIMITED TO 2,000 PEOPLE. Groups wishing to sit together should submit only one request specifying number of seats desired. Please attach name list.

A receipt will be mailed to you by August 1 acknowledging payment and showing your table assignment.

All banquet tickets will be held for pickup at the convention registration area at Junior Ballroom F, 1st Floor.

BANQUET REFUNDS AVAILABLE ONLY IF RESERVATIONS ARE CANCELLED 72 HOURS PRIOR TO THE BANQUET.

Please reserve _ _____ tickets at $65 each, total $_______ Form C/14-16

Make check payable to NARFE and send to: NARFE, Treasurer’s Office 606 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314-1914

o Charge to my credit card: o MasterCard o VISA o Discover o AMEX Card#:_ ____________________________________ Expiration Date:_________ /_ ______ (mm)

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Name on card (print):___________________________ Signature:_ _________________________________

Preconvention Tour of USF’s Alzheimer’s Institute

T

he Convention Host Committee has arranged a preconvention tour of the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute at the University of South Florida on Saturday, August 23. The tour features an Alzheimer’s research presentation and tour of the facility, transportation and lunch. Fundraising for Alzheimer’s research is a key NARFE program.

Attendees will visit the Discovery Labs and see researchers at work in the pursuit of a cure for Alzheimer’s.

They also will tour the Center for

Memory C.A.R.E. (Clinical Assessment, Research & Education) and learn about the clinical trials, services and care provided to patients and families.

The cornerstone of the clinic is the Eric Pfeiffer Imaging Center, housing a sophisticated PET scan machine. New research has enabled the use of PET imaging to visualize the nerve-killing amyloid proteins in the brain years before symptoms, such as memory loss, begin to appear. Early treatment will be vital in

preventing the onset of the disease.

Attendees also will learn about “Prevent Alzheimer’s Now,” a plan to detect those at risk for Alzheimer’s disease prior to the onset of symptoms and to test agents designed to delay or prevent the disease.

Buses will leave the Rosen Centre Hotel at 9 a.m. and return by 3 p.m.

Cost is $20. Reservations must be made by August 8 by contacting Pat Staley, NARFE Florida Alzheimer’s coordinator: phone, (813) 689-7449; email, phs61@msn.com.

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Departs December 29, 2014. Fly into the “City of Angels” that includes a full city tour of Los Angeles, Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Attend YMT’s own VIP presentation on the history and traditions of the Rose Parade, plus an exclusive, pre-parade, after public hours, float building and viewing at the Rosemont Pavilion with included dinner. Then on Thursday, January 1, 2015, observe the 126th Rose Parade from your reserved YMT grand stand seats! On Saturday, January 3rd, depart for Central California. Visit the beach community of Santa Barbara and its Camino Real Mission; the Danish Village of Solvang; tour the world renowned Hearst Castle, with its considerable collection of art and antiques and travel the scenic Big Sur and famous Highway One, to Monterey. Your last stop is San Francisco with a city tour where you will cross the Golden Gate Bridge, see famed Lombard Street and visit to Alcatraz island.

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candidate statements NARFE National elections

At its June meeting, the national executive Board voted to delay, until 2016, implementation of the reduction of NARFE’s regions from 10 to five. The Reduction was to have taken effect on November 1, 2014, following elections at the NARFE National Convention, August 24-28 in Orlando, FL. With the decision to retain 10 regions for another two years, it became necessary to issue a new invitation for candidates for regional vice president positions. At the same time, a third candidate for National President re-entered that race. To provide members the entire announced slate of candidates for national and regional NARFE office, narfe magazine is publishing new and revised candidate statements. The following are statements by candidates who had announced their candidacy as of the deadline for this issue. As required by the magazine’s long-standing policy, the statements must be no more than 400 words in length and may not be edited by magazine staff. The statements also are available on the NARFE website, www.narfe.org (click on NARFE National Convention).

National President

ELAINE C. HUGHES I am National Secretary Elaine Hughes and I am announcing my re-entry into the race for NARFE’s National President. Given the mixed reactions of our membership in recent weeks to the proposed Future of NARFE recommendations, the unfortunate confusion and the lack of faith expressed by many, I am compelled to resume my bid to become NARFE’s next national president. I believe that I am the best choice to lead NARFE through the unprecedented opportunities that are before us. The crisis we face cannot be underestimated and must be met with bold decision-making, with honest and productive consensus and trust building. My commitment to you is to stay the course.

Meeting the challenges of Future NARFE head on will take focused determination. I believe my experience and understanding of NARFE’s dynamics at every level of the organization uniquely position me to lead our Association to a successful future – one in which we don’t simply survive or function, but thrive; one in which NARFE will be a strong and powerful voice for the federal community.

It is only with an honest and productive exchange of ideas and a willingness to embrace a new generation that Future NARFE will become a reality. We must become Continued on p. 44

Richard G. Thissen I am Richard Thissen – candidate for National President.

As National Treasurer since April, 2011, we have taken NARFE from losing money each year to having a surplus each of the last two years and added to our net assets each year also. Outside auditors were impressed that we had reduced costs from 2011 to 2013 (by $837,000); this led to the surpluses.

These gains were done while we upgraded all of the HQs computers and servers, purchased the source codes to our database system, conducted an outside contractor salary survey and instituted other efficiencies in our operations. We must continue this business/management model.

This will require compromise and coalition building; I believe I have the experience and capability to do just that. I have served in positions at the Chapter, Federation, Regional VP and National levels and have succeeded at every level. I believe my NARFE experience and management expertise provide me the unique qualities to lead NARFE through the next years of change that will be required to save and enhance our great organization.

We must make changes; but these changes must be done very carefully so we do not alienate either the new/ younger members we need or our Continued on p. 44

Ken Thomas The release of thirty-five recommended changes by the Future of NARFE Committee and endorsement of these changes by the National Executive Board, signals the most dramatic organizational change in NARFE’s ninety-three year history.

Like you, I have concerns about the FON Committee report. I have read the report and listened to the comments, questions, and explanations provided by association officers and members concerning the recommended changes contained in the report. Some changes I agree with and some I do not.

I believe drastic changes are needed if NARFE is to survive and continue to be a viable entity.

NARFE is on a course of decline that cannot continue. NARFE faces challenges of: structurally remaining unchanged since 1947; unprecedented membership collapse (loss of 250,000 members since the late 80s, over 60,000 just in the last three years); insufficient revenue to maintain the association by overreliance on dues revenue; and lack of focus on the core legislative mission.

Solving NARFE’s issues will require a massive structural change, a rebranding to revitalize it, and a message that aggressively and effectively markets our organization.

I am now a candidate for NARFE National President. I couldn’t spend Continued on p. 44

Note: The office of National President is the only position that is term limited. President Joseph A. Beaudoin is in the second of two terms and is ineligible for re-election. w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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ELAINE C. HUGHES Continued from p. 43 relevant and welcoming to ALL federal employees and retirees. As an organization, NARFE has often been resistant to change. We can no longer afford to conduct “business as usual.” Time is of the essence.

I support the development of an intelligently conceived and highly informed strategic plan that will reflect both prudence as well as a sense of urgency. As President, I will be guided by the wisdom within our ranks and lessons learned by other organizations that have successfully navigated similar challenges not unlike those that we are facing in our own organization.

My top priorities as President will be to:

Build NARFE as a relevant and well-recognized brand; Champion strong and effective advocacy on Capitol Hill, in the White House and in state houses across the country; Continue our policy of aggressive membership marketing; and Implement modern IT and business practices to help reach our goals.

It has been my privilege and honor to serve as your National Secretary. My promise to you is that, as National President, my every action will be guided by the NARFE mission and dedicated to its long-term success.

Richard G. Thissen Continued from p. 43 longtime members who have supported NARFE over the years.

My civilian background has also prepared me for this position; as the Army level Career Program Manager, through intensive management, I took the QASAS program through the downsizing of the Army in the early 1990s ensuring that no one was adversely affected, while supporting defense combat operations.

While we have had success turning the financial situation around despite falling membership numbers, all of our funding mechanisms are in jeopardy due to our membership situation (membership numbers affect dues, advertising

and affinity partner receipts and our fundraising programs). We have had a continuing decline in membership; we must find ways to stop the decline.

At the 2014 National Convention I urge you to approve the resolution to continue building the model for the future with input from all levels of NARFE. I fully support the reduction in national resident officers from 4 to 2; it saves approximately half a million dollars every two years, which will allow us to invest in professional management and marketing personnel.

In closing, I ask for your support of my record of proven leadership and commitment.

Ken Thomas Continued from p. 43 another two years sitting on my hands waiting for something to happen or someone to do something.

NARFE simply cannot afford another two years of weak promises and unattainable goals.

My government experience included three years working on Capitol Hill and thirty-five years in departmental management and executive level service. My NARFE experience included chapter president, district vice president, federation executive vice president and federation president.

This election is a true turning point for NARFE and the next generation of our members. NARFE needs a strong leader, a practical leader who can provide strategic direction. I understand how to build the business of NARFE, create efficiencies, make tough deals and carefully consider divergent viewpoints. The time has come for real-world 44

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solutions to the array of problems NARFE faces.

I am . . .

Committed to listening to your comments and suggestions.

Committed to setting strategic direction, identifying priorities and initiating projects focusing on membership recruiting and retention.

Committed to association restructuring to address the priorities of NARFE’s legislative mission.

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. dcrsa1@hotmail.com www.kennethjthomas.com 352.666.5216

statements

National treasurer Jon Dowie

As a current Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), I would like to serve the NARFE membership as Treasurer. My goal is to support the move to the “Future NARFE” that was recently endorsed by the Board. My credentials should enhance the ability of the organization to attract the effective Executive Director that NARFE is seeking.

Over the last eight years, in particular, NARFE has done an excellent job in becoming a more efficient organization. Cultural and technological differences dictate a necessary change. I pledge to support and enhance changes recommended for our organization to reverse the downward trend in membership and increase the organization’s ability to positively influence the recognition of our membership’s earned benefits. Benefits should not be abridged by the “shared” sacrifices of a nation, unequally distributed. We must act now!

My background includes positions at Arthur Andersen & Company and The National CPA Group (Technical Director), both in New York City. Later in Washington, I was the Chief Financial Officer of Federal Information Technologies,

Inc. (subsidiary of Cincinnati Bell) and Eurotech, Ltd. which was listed and traded on the American Stock Exchange, as well as other firms. My three (3) US Navy recalls resulted in a twenty-one (21) year career, of which almost thirteen (13) years were on active duty. I now am retired from Navy Special Operations. My academic career includes being an Assistant Professor on the faculty of Clemson University as well as other institutions. My degrees include a Bachelor of Science, Master of Business Administration, and I am All But Dissertation (ABD) on a Doctor of Business Administration Degree in Finance, Marketing, and Accounting Information Systems.

For a previous employer, my efforts increased profitability by two hundred percent (200%) in my first year and for another, I reduced costs for a major system by thirty percent (30%).

My wife, Donzleigh Dowie, served proudly as a civil servant for more than thirty-three (33) years.

Her service included the US Navy HQ, the US Coast Guard HQ, and Immigration and Naturalization HQ (now ICE) and she was in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 (her only day of Combat Pay).

While still employed, she attended school parttime and earned a Bachelor’s Degree (Magna Cum Laude), and three certifications while raising a son.

I feel I have the capabilities and knowledge to carry NARFE into the future.

Region I James Crawford

NARFE is at a crossroads.

Beginning with the national convention and extending over the next two years, we – all of us, together – will be making decisions that will determine its future. I’d like to help in leading that decision-making process, to make it as all-inclusive and successful as possible.

My B.S. in Engineering from Northeastern University made me appreciate the importance of producing information and solutions others could always rely on. My Master’s in Public Adminis-

tration from Harvard University gave me invaluable insights into leading organizations.

In 34 years in the Federal government I directed staffs of up to several hundred and budgets of several hundred million.

My writing experience, expanded in retirement to that of a columnist, refined connecticut, maine, my skills in the area that massachusetts, new hampshire, organizations have struggled New York, rhode island, vermont with seemingly forever: communication. I have held virtually all positions at w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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the NARFE field level in New Hampshire, including chapter and federation president.

I realize that some of the Future of NARFE (FON) recommendations have spawned concerns, but I commend President Beaudoin and the National Executive Board for acknowledging and addressing our serious problems.

Recruitment and retention are chief among those problems. I developed and guided a campaign that sent letters to all federal employees in NH, making NARFE well known to them. I addressed retention by instituting incentives that led to our local chapter having the highest dues withholding rate in the state.

NARFE Headquarters gives us outstanding legislative and recruitment tools. The challenge is to get more of us to use those tools, more often.

Whether through the FON recommendations or

otherwise, we all need to be more accountable for the extent to which we advocate for NARFE to Congress and potential members.

The status quo isn’t working. We need change.

The FON report offers steps in that direction, and I hope everyone will keep an open mind as we consider it further, together. Equally important, if you have better ideas, I for one will listen and will encourage others to as well.

I will use every means to keep Region I members fully informed, including written and phone communication, as well as ready availability to attend Federation and Chapter meetings.

The next two years will require mediated compromises on changes to make NARFE stronger.

I’m willing and, I believe, able to play a key role in that as Region I RVP. I hope you’ll give me the honor to do so.

Region Ii Evelyn Kirby

It bears repeating that serving as Region II VP is a privilege. Re-election would be an honor.

Together we will rebuild membership, focus on legislative challenges, remain a respected force with Congress and others, and become a more efficient organization. I pledge to assure swift member assistance, help equip officers to lead, and to explore and use best practices.

My vision is simple: NARFE continues for decades as THE VOICE of the Federal community. We must appeal to long-time members and new generations. We must use updated, user-friendly communications, technology and business processes for all current members, and for prospective ones, while we move forward.

We need new revenues to advocate effectively, to market who we are and how we strengthen and protect America, to upgrade systems and, without a doubt, to increase membership. This will reinforce our clout and recognition and bolster legislative victories.

I will continue to listen to all, give honest answers, provide timely guidance and offer strong

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policy leadership. I take my responsibility seriously to stay attuned to members’ concerns and to keep NARFE’s big picture in front of us. My style is delaware, District of to act as soon as possible, using Columbia, maryland, facts and trends, and considnew jersey, ering other important factors pennsylvania impacting our well-being and future. My performance as RVP demonstrated transparent, solid results, e.g., equalizing initial dues of new members, sharing information quickly with/from Federations and Chapters, leading a region-wide training event for 200 attendees, being vocal about member services, mission priorities and advocacy, and serving on the National Audit and Future of NARFE Committees (and earlier on National Legislative Committees). A Life Member (in NARFE 15 years and with 40+ years in non-defense agencies), I also held multiple Chapter and Federation top positions.

The world changed. NARFE must evolve too.

With open minds we must assess what is best for today and tomorrow. I will work for quality strategic planning and careful, well-thought-out

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transition and implementation steps as we modernize for the long haul – building on our 93-year record. In my career I led large strategic and transition planning efforts, developed and implemented major policies, evaluated and improved complex national and regional human resource

programs, managed a large, diverse staff and multi-million dollar budget, and helped unleash others’ strengths. I am qualified to lead change and people, am results driven and can build coalitions. Thank you for all you do so well. Please vote for me.

Region IIi Marc Harris

When voting for candidates at this year’s National Convention, your concern must be to assure the members you elect are open-minded, thoughtful, independent, logical and clear thinkers with the vision, background and experience to implement the changes NARFE needs to stay open to protect our benefits. Think NARFE First!

I volunteered for and was appointed to the Future of NARFE Committee. It appears the NEB’s main focus over the next two years will be developing a plan for the future of NARFE using the Future of NARE Committee report as the foundation.

I am a proven listener, communicator and strategic planner (see my website). Working with a diverse group of individuals, I streamlined a federal agency much larger than NARFE, keeping it open, increasing its efficiency, and saving the taxpayers tens of millions of dollars a year.

If elected, I will be available by email, text, phone, and whatever other cost-effective tools might be available. However, if you need me to travel to you, I will.

I am committed to: • Maintaining National Dues at current levels.

• Continuing to provide award winning, expert advocacy on Capitol Hill.

• Providing frequent, uniform HQ training and support for legislative advocates at the local and state level ... including videos and coordinated action between HQ and the field.

• Developing and implementing a Strategic Plan

that will keep NARFE open and advocating.

• Developing and instituting minimum qualification standards for all management and leadership positions. alabama, florida, • Instituting Standmississippi, Puerto ing Committees to Rico, South Carolina, assist the Board, and Virgin Islands improving internal communications by establishing internal Networks (details on my website).

• Providing internal controls at all levels, to assure our dues money is spent on the mission.

• Working with the Federal/Postal Coalition to enhance the public’s perception of the contributions of federal employees and retirees.

• Expanding our excellent federal benefits program.

• Establishing and achieving increased membership and income goals within specific time frames (details on my website).

• While everyone says there is no silver bullet to increase membership and income and keep NARFE open, I believe creating a non-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) Public Service Educational Foundation may be it. While I am aware the idea of a 501(c)(3) was rejected years ago, it has the support of many members, and should be reevaluated.

Please go to http://marcaharris.wix.com/ NARFEfirst for further details, suggestions and proposals. Contact me (407-584-7423 or marcaharris@gmail.com) if you have any questions or ideas. w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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Jerry Janci What goes around comes around – and the old Region III is now the new and current Region III. It would have been my honor to represent the NARFE members of North Carolina and Tennessee along with the current Region III State NARFE members. Both are now back in Region X. The NARFE “National Executive Board” (NEB) reported several new decisions. They include dropping the attempt to “Eliminate mandatory chapter membership.” Also decided was the return to ten (10) NARFE Regions. As has been said during this year’s TV election cycle – “I agree with this message.”

I would have liked to see the proposal to eliminate two of our resident National Officers also dropped. At the very least, the effective date of this proposed elimination should be November 1, 2016. Many difficult and complicated decisions have to be made by every NEB. The new NEB may have the hardest job any board has had, and fourteen (14) members working together will make decisions that are much more representative of all National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) members.

I have represented fellow employees and members of my organization for most of my active and retired NARFE career. Members must always have a say in the workings of any organization and cannot be ignored. Members’ concerns and ideas must always have a way to get to the National Office.

The Future of NARFE (FON) committee recommendations were the end result of hard work by many members. We all must review these recommendations and decide what is best for our NARFE. Quick decisions, without the input from the membership, are very seldom the correct decisions.

As your NARFE Region III Vice President and your representative on the NARFE National Executive Board (NEB), I will voice your wishes and your thoughts on any and all items that come before the NEB. 48

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I would hope that every delegate would discuss all proposals that will be considered at the Orlando National Convention with your chapter members. With that information and with all that will be learned at the Convention, the correct decisions for the Best of NARFE can be made.

I will always be available to meet with you and listen to you.

Contact me at lettermanj@aol.com with any questions or concerns.

I ask for your vote for NARFE Region III Vice President.

Mary Pierson

My goals as Region III Vice President will be to: • To improve NARFE overall.

• As a member of the NEB take a second look at the FON Report. I do not agree with all recommendations, but we know we are in trouble as an Association.

• Establish better communications between Federations and other organizations to get the name of NARFE recognized on television and in newspapers by publicizing special speakers, forums, walking groups, 5 & 10K runs, and volunteering to help other volunteer organizations.

• Work on communication between NARFE members and their legislative representatives, Local, State and National, to make sure our representatives know who NARFE is and that we have a voice to be heard and listened to.

My federal career started in 1961 at Keesler AFB; in 1974 transferred to the U.S. Navy Base in Gulfport, MS; in 1979 transferred to the Naval Oceanographic Office, Stennis Space Center, MS. Throughout my 36-year career as a federal employee, I wore many hats, from Personnel Specialist, Logistics Specialist, Contracting Officer, Ammunitions Officer and Command Inspector. I retired after 36 years of service to our country in December 1997.

I attended college at the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State University for continuing education and have earned 32 certificates of completion from the Air Force and the Navy.

My career with NARFE started in 1998,

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serving my Chapter as President. Attending the 1999 Mississippi Federation Convention, I was appointed as the Federation Membership Chairman. In 2004, I was elected as 2nd Vice President of the Mississippi Federation, and in 2005 I was elected as the Federation President.

As Federation President I had the pleasure of establishing the first NARFE all active federal employee chapter at Stennis Space Center. During this same time, I served NARFE National as the Region III Pre-Retirement Seminar Coordinator and assisted Director Ken Glass. When Ken

retired I was asked to accept the office of Director of Pre-Retirement Seminars. When the PreRetirement Seminar Program was discontinued I returned to my Chapter as Treasurer and Federation as 2nd Vice President/Membership Chair.

My in-depth knowledge and understanding of NARFE’s goals and operation, my formal education along with my federal employee experiences qualify me as a candidate for the office of NARFE Region III Vice President. I would appreciate your vote for Region III V.P. You may email me at piersonm@cableone.net.

Region IV Paul e. Johnson

It has been a great honor to serve as the Region IV Vice President the past six years.

I am announcing my candidacy for re-election.

My main goal these next two years is to continue to work on Recruiting & Retention. I ask all members in Region IV to help me in this endeavor.

NARFE is a grass-roots organization and its elected officers must represent the will of those who elect them. This organization pursues legislative issues in the best interest of its members and provides guidance concerning member benefits.

My NARFE experience and background consist of: • Became a NARFE member in 1995.

• Joined Chapter #0578 in Bedford, Indiana.

• Attended my first Indiana Federation Convention in 1997 and was elected Indiana Federation President and served five years.

• Served on the Region IV FEEA Scholarship Committee.

• Chaired Indiana Federation Legislative and Public Relations Committee.

• Attended all Indiana Federation conventions, all NARFE National Conventions and National Legislative Conferences since becoming a NARFE member.

• Elected Region IV National Vice President at the National Conventions in 2008, 2010 and 2012.

• National Audit Committee (2008-2012) Served 2012 as Chairman.

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• Served on the National Site Selection Committee for the 2016 National Convention.

• Currently serving on the Investment Committee.

I served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1966 with a tour of duty in Vietnam. In 1966, I was employed at the Naval Weapons illinois, indiana, michigan, Support Center in Crane, Indiana. I retired as super- ohio, wisconsin visory program manager for the Department of the Navy in 1995.

I believe my experience qualifies me to continue as your Region IV Vice President. I will continue to work closely with all chapters and federations to energize and motivate all members to awaken them to the real threat that Congress plans to impose on all federal employees and retirees. I will bring your concerns and views to the National Board and will work for and with you to make our Association grow and better represent legislative issues that will affect NARFE members now and in the future. We will, we must with new resolve work together to strengthen our organization.

Please join me at the NARFE National Convention. I would appreciate your vote and support so I may continue serving you as Region IV Vice President.

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Edward J. Konys

NARFE is at the crossroads of its existence. This year’s election of regional vice presidents will be the most crucial election in NARFE’s history. Depending on how NARFE chooses to transform itself, will determine its long-term survivability. This requires extraordinary leadership.

Reorganizations require a detailed, deliberate process; if not done correctly, it will do irreparable harm. I have over twenty years of doing reorganization planning in both federal government jobs and as a professional consultant. If you elect me, I will advocate new and innovative management approaches. Based on my formal business education (BSBA, MBA, and Harvard’s Advanced Management Program) and work experience, my platform consists of instituting well-proven business management practices along with national staff accountability. Foremost, we must stop the precipitous loss of members. NARFE has little or no name recognition outside of Washington, DC, which seriously handicaps recruiting. Advertising must be moved to regional designated market areas. Simply put, we can get a bigger bang for the buck than in DC. If federal and postal workers and retirees do not know we exist and what

we stand for, how do we expect to get them to join? Secondly, to ensure increases in recruitment and retention the NEB must establish performance goals for the national staff. Performance goals clearly define what is important and what is expected from national staff. The NEB needs to start thinking like entrepreneurs. Non-profit does not mean no profit. Opportunities exist, for example, making a profit from conducting health fairs.

If elected Region IV Vice President, the first thing I will do is personally meet with each federation’s NARFE leadership to discuss how to proceed. This input is essential for a smooth transition. We must step back and rethink what is the best course of action … a fresh start. Finally, we need to bring the Association into the 21st century social media world. Five years ago, the federation presidents requested that the website be upgraded. It is still sub-standard. Our site today is simply a bulletin board, which hinders our recruiting. Experience has shown that an organization in crisis, given a choice of changing or extinction, will invariably choose extinction. This must not happen to NARFE. I respectfully ask for your vote, afford me the opportunity to use my seasoned management skills to make NARFE the driving force protecting federal and postal workers and retirees’ hardearned benefits.

Region V carol r. ek

At this time I am announcing my intention to seek election to the position of Region V Vice President at the 2014 National Convention in Orlando.

I began my duties as Region V Vice President with the move of Richard Thissen to National Headquarters Treasurer in 2011. Since that move, I have learned through the association of the many members of NARFE, both those I have had the privilege to meet and those who stay behind the scenes but work so diligently to maintain the purpose and Mission of NARFE in their local communities.

We will have many challenges ahead of us during the next years. “Federal employees cannot continue to be pawns in the political games in Congress.”

At the same time, our association is seeing many proposed new challenges ahead in what needs to be accomplished to continue our commitments and growth devoted to serving and protecting the earned entitlements, rights and benefits of all active and retired federal employees and their survivors.

As you are well aware we have several issues of the highest importance to take forward during this year’s convention. We must all work together to address the

iowa, kAnsas, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, north dakota, south dakota w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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challenges and proposed “Future of NARFE” changes; I ask that you have the trust that we have the knowledge and experience to carry out the mission and polices of NARFE world-wide. I

hope with the experience I have gained since first elected you will have the confidence to ask me to represent you through these hurdles to keep NARFE your organization.

Region VI Marshall L. richards I am announcing my candidacy for the position of Region VI Vice President. I am currently serving my second two-year term as president of the Texas Federation.

I retired from the USPS in 1992 after 27 years of service. My last position in the Postal Service was that of Postmaster, Marshall, TX. Shortly after retiring, I joined NARFE and immediately became active in my local chapter. I am a Life Member of NARFE and have served in various appointed and elected positions in the chapter. In 2007 I was appointed as the Editor of the Texas Federation, a position I still serve in today. I was elected as the federation executive vice president in 2009 and elected as federation president in 2011 and reelected in 2013.

I have served on the National Legislative Committee, as a member and/or vice-chair, at the last 3 National conventions and have attended the last 5 NARFE National Legislative Conferences. I believe that we, as an organization and individuals, must be involved in the political process. As the ancient Greek Philosopher Pericles said, “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.” As a member of the National Executive Board (NEB) I will support and assist the legislative department in protecting our earned benefits. NARFE must continue to have the loudest voice carrying this message from active and retired federal employees to Capitol Hill.

“For the times they are a-changin’.” So said Bob Dylan in 1964. Times do change and they are a changing fast. The current actives and recent retirees are not joiners. They are “connected” and they conduct their personal and professional associations online. Thanks to the NEB for their foresight in starting the National eChapter. These thousands and thousands of members of the National 52

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eChapter, are members that our association would not have had if it were not for the option of the National eChapter. I am arkansas, louisiana, committed to oklahoma, growing our membership in republic of panama, texas all ways possible.

What we did yesterday is not working today.

Our association faces many challenges and changes today and in the future. I believe that I am the right person at this time to represent the members of Region VI and address these issues with the NEB. I respectfully ask for your vote and support in this election. Thank you.

charles stanphill

Due to recent changes by the National Executive Board (NEB), I am now a candidate for Region VI Vice President. Change is never easy. The NEB has heard from its members and has decided to honor its wishes for a slower transition. Moving slowly on these matters appears to be the preferred course of action.

Since announcing my candidacy for Regional VP, I have had the opportunity to meet with NARFE members across the region and discuss some of their concerns raised by the Future of NARFE report. While some of the recommendations of the FON committee are not popular with everyone, what I am finding is the majority of our members agree that change must be made. The general discussion revolves around which of the

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FON recommendations need to be implemented and in what order. I will do my best to help the board formulate plans to improve NARFE, taking the wishes of the membership into consideration.

I have been involved in the operations of NARFE since 2000. In this period of time I have served in leadership positions in chapters and the Oklahoma Federation. In 2010 I was the chairperson of the Resolutions Committee at the National Convention. From 2009 until 2013 I was the President of the Oklahoma Federation. Currently I am the Immediate Past President of the Oklahoma Federation and President of Chapter 2351.

The leaders you elect at this convention will guide the course of NARFE for the future. These

leaders must be prepared to face some hard issues and be creative in their guidance. I am eager to work with you and the National Executive Board to find solutions to stop the decline of our membership. My accounting background and 35 year career with the Internal Revenue Service in management positions give me the background to be an effective member of the board to help strengthen this organization. I am open to new ideas, new techniques, and new approaches to solve our problems. “But this is how we’ve always done it,” is not good enough for NARFE! Please attend the convention in Orlando and together let’s build NARFE for the Future!

Charles Stanphill, retiredmsg@cox.net

Region VII RODNEY ADELMAN

My name is Rodney Adelman, and I am a candidate for Region VII Vice President.

My article in the June narfe magazine (for the “new” Region IV) and my previous GEMS message highlight my career and NARFE background, education, and other pertinent information. Briefly, I am the current Arizona Federation President, completing my second two-year term. I have held several other Federation and Chapter leadership positions, as well as Government management positions. My 36-year Federal career focused on financial management, Congressional relations, and administration.

Why do I feel I am the best candidate for the next Region VII Vice President? As a member of the Future of NARFE (FON) Committee, I understand the troubling issues facing NARFE and the “vision” and recommendations made by the FON Committee to brighten NARFE’s future. Our continuing decline in membership must be reversed, and our legislative advocacy efforts must be strengthened. I have served on other national committees to support and strengthen NARFE, including the National Legislative Committee (2012) and the National Bylaws Committee (2010, and Vice

Chair in 2014). And I have served on Boards of Directors of other nonprofit organizations, including a local fire department, several homeowners’ associations, and a regional trade organization. I understand effective legislative advocacy, having worked on both sides of Capitol Hill and having testified several times before Conarizona, colorado, new mexico, gressional Committees. utah, wyoming I fully support the General Resolution directing the new NEB to take actions and to begin strategic planning (i.e., proposed Bylaws amendments, time lines, transition activities, etc.) toward implementation of the FON Committee “vision” and recommendations, or something similar. I also support the Bylaws amendment to eliminate the positions of National Secretary and National Vice President (saving NARFE up to $300,000 per year). And I also supported the NEB action in February (since reversed) w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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to reduce the number of regions from ten to five (saving NARFE an additional $200,000). These savings should have been enough to hire a professional, experienced Executive Director and additional legislative and membership marketing staff.

Finally, my commitment to you is to work for a

better NARFE. I hope you will seriously consider my qualifications and experience as you decide on your vote for the next Region VII Vice President. I ask for your support and your vote at the National Convention in Orlando. Thank you.

Rodney L. Adelman, narfeaz@cox.net

Region Viii Helen Zajac My name is Helen Zajac and I previously announced my candidacy for the office of Region V Vice President. With the vote of the National Executive Board to delay implementation of Five Regions until 2016, I am now a candidate for Region VIII Vice President.

Having served as a member of the National Executive Board for nearly six years, I understand the many challenges that NARFE faces. I understand the need for change to a more effective, focused organization and look forward to the opportunity to work on the Future of NARFE. Our future depends on our members working together as a cohesive unit to motivate and encourage our members to recruit new members, engage member participation and develop new leaders. I have found that personal contact is the best way to motivate our membership to the challenges ahead and to mentor new members, by educating them about our proud NARFE history, built through our legislative advocacy. By knowing where we have been, what battles we have fought and won, they can learn how working together will make us

ELECTIONS, AUGUST 26, 27 Regional vice presidents will be elected August 26 at regional caucuses. National Officers will be chosen by ballot August 27. For results, go to www.narfe.org and click on National Convention.

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stronger and more determined to win any attack from Congress. california, I support guam, hawaii, our Protect nevada, America’s Heartbeat republic of THE efforts and see philippines the recognition we have gained in the media through those efforts. It has been a great foundation, but we need to build on that foundation by educating our members that we truly can make a difference just by making that one call, sending an email or writing a letter. With all the demands of modern living our members need to realize that their one call, email or letter will make a difference when added to others.

It’s not just about one member, it’s about many members coming together to speak with one loud voice that will resonate in Congress. By sharing our message with our Coalition partners, who have similar concerns, our voice will make even more of a difference in Congress.

I want to work with you to make this great association even better. If I am re-elected as your Region VIII Vice President I will continue to be responsive to your concerns and represent your interests on the National Executive Board. I ask that you give me the opportunity to work with you to make our association stronger and more viable.

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candidate statements

Region iX Lanny G. Ross I am announcing my intention to seek re-election to the position of Region IX Vice President at the 2014 National Convention in Orlando, Florida.

I was first elected to this office at the National Convention in San Diego, California in 2000. Over the past fourteen years I have gained experience which I believe makes me an effective and knowledgeable Region IX Vice Presidential candidate.

Our great association is seeing many changes and new challenges coming our way. The threats to our benefits are of real concern to all of us. As your Region IX Vice President I have been working very

hard to help ensure alaska, that we receive fair idaho, and equal treatment montana, concerning our oregon, benefits. washington As a member of the National Executive Board I will continue to support developing the “vision� for Future NARFE and tackle the many changes that will face NARFE in the future. I heard from many NARFE officers and members concerning the

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rapid changes taking place in our organization.

After considering your comments, I felt that the board was moving too quickly. Therefore, I support a more paced, deliberate approach in the way changes will be made.

I have been very active in giving NARFE presentations at many pre-retirement seminars over the years. I am encouraged that we are making some good progress in recruiting active federal employees. Of course, much more needs to be done in this area and we need to develop additional strategies for getting our name out to all federal workers and retirees so they know that

NARFE is the only association devoted exclusively to serving and protecting the earned entitlements, rights, and benefits of all federal retirees, survivor annuitants and active federal employees. In addition to recruiting, my efforts will be to work on retaining our current members. I pledge to work with Chapters and Federations to find ways to better address how to keep the members we have.

Thank you for your support and confidence in me during my fourteen years on the NARFE National Executive Board. I hope you will vote to give me the opportunity to continue to represent you as your Region IX Vice President for the next two years.

Region X william shackelford

My decision to run for office is because NARFE needs to change its course of direction. NARFE is at a crossroads and change is inevitable if not imperative. The question we must all answer is “What do we want NARFE to look like in 2014

and beyond?”

What We Are Facing • Lack of a 21st century organizational strategy for revitalization.

• Continuing loss of membership with local chapters closing and fewer new chapters to replace them.

• Membership recruitment is a major problem.

• Decreased participation at all levels.

• Decreased awareness of the value-added benefits of belonging to chapters and participating in a NARFE community.

The Future of NARFE Committee recently examined current and projected membership, financial resources, trends, and other significant areas that could affect future growth and viability. Implementation of the new vision will require an increased emphasis on legislative advocacy, strategic planning, and a “branding” study to increase awareness of NARFE and its mission. In all phases, strategic and transitional planning, to move from the present into the future, will need to be developed with cross-NARFE input in order to secure successful implementation and continued service to members and our mission.

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It is almost impossible to lead and serve if you are not willing to listen. Region X members require someone who will listen and address their concerns. kentucky, north carolina, Tennessee, We face many chalVirginia, West Virginia lenges and I will be assertive in bringing your concerns to the attention of Headquarters and the National Executive Board.

I am proud of NARFE and believe that Region X members have the potential to make a difference in the overall growth and success of NARFE. The task will not be easy, but we must set new parameters in order to create a stronger NARFE that will carry the mission forward for many years to come.

We owe all members our best efforts.

My Commitment to You • To continue to protect NARFE and its mission by using my skills and experience to build a stronger organization.

• To continue to work aggressively to protect our earned retirement benefits which are continually threatened by current economic conditions.

• To bring new ideas, programs and services to NARFE. • To increase membership through new and innovative strategies.

We must look to the future and what NARFE can become in the 21st Century. I respectfully ask for your support by electing me your next Region X Vice President.

Attention NARFE Retirees

Sign up for dues Withholding NOW and save BIG! What is dues withholding?

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

Advantages of dues withholding • Save 15% off your annual membership dues!

• Sign up your spouse and double your savings!

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

• Your monthly payment is affordable and convenient!

• You may cancel your dues at any time!

How does it work?

One-twelfth of your total dues is automatically deducted from your monthly annuity.

Your monthly deduction is determined by the following formula: (National dues ÷ 12) + (Chapter dues ÷ 12) = Total Monthly Deduction Application process

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

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

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

Life members, active federal employees and honorary members do not qualify.

Never Send in Another Dues Payment Again!

TO SIGN UP, FILL OUT THE APPLICATION ON PAGE 61.

Active and Retired Federal Employees ...

JOIN NARFE TODAY!

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

Who Should Join?

Three Easy Ways To Join 1.

2.

3.

N A R F E M E M B E R S H I P A P P L I C AT I O N n YES. I want to join NARFE. n Mr. n Mrs. n Miss n Ms. Full Name ________________________________________ Street Address ____________________________________ Apt./Unit ________________________________________

I am a (check all that apply) n n n n n

Active Federal Employee Active Federal Employee Spouse Annuitant Annuitant Spouse Survivor Annuitant

n Please enroll my spouse

City _______________________ State _____ zIp ________

Spouse’s Full Name ________________________________

phone (__________) _______________________________

Spouse’s Email ____________________________________

Email____________________________________________

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

Choose Your Membership Type o eNARFE Chapter Online Membership – $40 NARFE’s electronic chapter. Receive narfe magazine by mail each month, and all other communications by email and on eNARFE.org. Get important updates and legislative action alerts, and have access to the eNARFE blog.

OR

o Local Chapter Close-to-Home Membership – $40*

PAYMENT OPTIONS n Check, Money Order or Bill pay (payable to NARFE) n Bill me (NARFE membership will start when payment is received.) n Charge my: n MasterCard n VISA n Discover n American Express Card No. _____________________________________ Expiration Date _________ /_________

Affiliation with the NARFE chapter closest to your home.

Receive narfe magazine each month; attend meetings, often with invited speakers; network; and get involved in grass-roots lobbying efforts.

Name on Card _________________________________

Chapter Affiliation: Chapter # __ __ __ __(if known, otherwise enroll me in the chapter closest to my zIp code).

Date _________________________________________

*First-year dues. Subsequent years, $40 plus local chapter dues.

Total Dues $40 First-Year Dues X __________ = __________ per person # Enrolling Total Dues

mm

yyyy

Signature _____________________________________

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

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

NARFE’s Dues Withholding Program What is dues withholding?

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

How does it work?

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

Advantages • Save 15% off your annual membership dues!

• Sign up your spouse and double your savings!

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

• Your monthly payment is affordable and convenient!

• You may cancel your dues withholding at any time!

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

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

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

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

Social Security Number (9-digit number)

–

Civil Service Annuity Number

–

C S

–

–

–

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

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

NARFE MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Street Address ___________________________________

NARFE Membership ID ____________________________________

Apt./Unit________________________________________

NARFE Chapter Number____________________________________

City _________________________ State _____ ZIP _____

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

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

mm

yyyy

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

If YES, enter spouse’s information below.

Spouse’s Name ___________________________________________ Spouse’s Membership ID ___________________________________

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

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

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

Signature of Annuitant or Survivor-Annuitant

Date

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

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

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Member Perks

NARFE Member Perks

are designed to provide NARFE members with a quality option in their search for commonly used products and services.

NARFE makes no guarantee on any products and services listed, and encourages its members to shop and compare before making a decision on any financial matter.

Credit Union

NARFE Premier Federal Credit Union 800-328-1500 www.NARFEpremierfcu.org As a member of NARFE, you have the privilege of joining NARFE Premier Federal Credit Union, which has been serving members since 1935. We offer extensive services at competitive rates to members nationwide. Your savings are federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. For more information, call the number above, email jparish@narfepremierfcu.org or visit the website.

insurance

NARFE Insurance Services 800-233-5764 www.narfeinsurance.com Designed and administered by Mercer Health & Benefits Insurance Services, LLC, exclusively for NARFE members: Senior Whole Life, Term Life, Medicare Supplements, Hospital Income Plan, Short Term Recovery Insurance, Pet Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Cancer Care, Enhanced Dental Insurance and Long Term Care. Go to the website for more information on these programs.

GEICO 800-368-2734 NARFE members with good driving records may be eligible for quality automobile insurance from GEICO. Ask about the NARFE discount available to members in many states. Call to62

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day for your free, no-obligation rate quote. Be sure to mention that you’re a NARFE member!

• Discount amount varies in some states • Discount not available in all states or in all GEICO companies • One group discount applicable per policy.

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

Vacation rentals

Government Employees Travel Opportunities® 877-867-3639 www.getravelop.com/narfe Offers government employees, retirees and their families 7-night stays for only $349 on accommodations at popular destinations worldwide.

Book online and save on your next vacation stay.

hotels

Choice Hotels International 800-258-2847 www.choicehotels.com With 6,000 hotels in the United States and throughout the world, Choice Hotels® offers something for everyone. Join the Choice Privileges® rewards program and earn points with every qualifying stay toward free nights, Airline Rewards, gift cards and more. As a NARFE member, receive 20% off your next stay at participating hotels when you use Special Rate ID 00801967. This offer is subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offer. Advance reservations required.

Wyndham Hotel Group 877-670-7088 As a member of NARFE, you will receive up to 20% off the “Best Available Rate” at participating locations.

Call and give the agent your special discount ID number, 8000002694, at time of booking to receive discount.

Whether you are looking for an upscale hotel, an all-inclusive resort or something more cost-effective, we have the right hotel for you... and at the right price. So start saving now.

Call our special member-benefits hotline 877-670-7088 and reserve your room today at one of these fine hotels: Wyndham Hotels and Resorts®, Days Inn®, Ramada Worldwide®, Super 8®, Wingate By Wyndham®, Baymont Inns and Suites®, Hawthorn Suites® By Wyndham, Microtel Inns and Suites®, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge® and Knights Inn®.

car rentals

National You Drive A Hard Bargain. Receive up to 20% off rentals at National Car Rental. To make a reservation call National Car Rental at 1-800-CAR-

RENT® and reference Contract ID 5282909.

experience. Call Angela and mention you are a NARFE member to start the moving process.

Alamo Drive Happy® with Alamo® where NARFE members receive year-round discounts. Call 1-800-462-5266 and reference Contract ID 262544.

Avis The employees/owners of Avis offer guaranteed low rates and quality services to members of NARFE. Call 800-331-1441 and mention ID# A991900.

emergency services

MASA 800-423-3226 Medical Air Services Association has been the industry leader in prepaid emergency assistance services for more than 30 years. NARFE members have experienced MASA’s “peace of mind” services since 2001. Now NARFE members are entitled to even more: air ambulance transportation, helicopter transportation, ground ambulance, vehicle return, mortal remains transport, and much more!

Call MASA Today. It Could Save Your Life!

Moving services

Bekins Van Lines 800-248-4810 www.narfe@bekins.com All NARFE members will receive contracted pricing for all interstate shipments. This will apply to packing, transportation and full-value coverage against damages. In addition, Bekins Van Lines can assist with instate shipments, local moves and international moves with competitive pricing and quality service. Please mention you are a NARFE member and ask for Todd.

Wheaton World Wide Moving 800-248-7960 www.narfe@wvlcorp.com At Wheaton, we know interstate relocating is much more than trucks and boxes. Moving is not simply an address change. It’s a life change.

With a network of top-quality agents throughout the United States, Wheaton provides peace of mind with every relocation. We offer you, as a NARFE member, benefits to help you have a positive interstate relocation

health screening

Life Line Screening 800-324-9906 www.lifelinescreening.com/ NARFE Life Line Screening, America’s leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will conduct the following screenings using state-of-the-art ultrasound technology in your neighborhood.

1. Stroke/Carotid Artery 2. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 3. Atrial Fibrillation 4. Peripheral Arterial Disease.

You will receive a confidential written report within 21 days. Life Line Screening and NARFE encourage you to share these test results with your doctor. All four screenings cost just $135. To schedule an appointment, please call the number above and give the operator code number BKHN075 or visit the website. Coverage may vary and may not be available in all states.

education

Ivy Bridge College 877-615-9246 http://ivybridge.tiffin.edu/ narfe Want to earn your associate’s degree before you transfer to a four-year school? Ivy Bridge College offers a variety of degree programs that will help put you on the right track. No matter which program you choose, an education with Ivy Bridge will provide you with a solid foundation for a rewarding future. NARFE members and their families can enjoy an exclusive 5 percent savings on tuition at Ivy Bridge, a unique online institution that provides a highly supported pathway to a bachelor’s degree. To learn more, call or visit the website.

narfe merchandise

NARFE General Store 855-99NARFE (855-996-2733) www.narfegeneralstore.com As the official provider of NARFE merchandise, the NARFE General Store offers NARFE-approved name badges, business cards, customizable logo products and plaques. Check out our online catalog.

NOT A MEMBER? GO ONLINE: It’s easy to join online at www.narfe.org. Click “Join NARFE.” TURN TO PAGE 60: Fill out the Membership Application and mail it to NARFE to receive all the perks of being a NARFE member.

Call (Toll-Free) 800-627-3394.

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The Way We Worked

setting out to save forests

Did you know?

In this 1908 photo, two U.S. Forest Service guards and a Forest Service ranger leave for their day’s work at Idyllwild Ranger Station in Arapaho National Forest in Colorado. The guards are going off to survey a recent fire, and the ranger is about to scale logs cut for a timber sale. Today, U.S. Forest Service staff continue to use the Idyllwild Ranger Station to provide information on nearby recreational activities. Visitors can hike, camp, fish, mountain bike, ride horses and go rock climbing.

Photo courtesy of Maureen MacDonald, Office of the Archivist, National Archives; photo credit: Records of the Forest Service, National Archives, 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. Website: http://shfg.org/shfg/.

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Smokey Bear turns 70 on August 9. Since 1944, Smokey has been advising visitors to the nation’s forests that, “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires.”

The U.S. Forest Service is responsible for overseeing the use of Smokey Bear, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council. Smokey is one of the most well-known icons in advertising history.

Technology Simplified – Bigger and BeTTer

Wow! A Simple to Use Computer Designed Especially for Seniors!

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Have you ever said to yourself “I’d love to get a computer, if only I could figure out how to use it.” Well, you’re not alone. Computers were supposed to make our lives simpler, but they’ve gotten so complicated that they are not worth the trouble. With all of the “pointing and clicking” and “dragging and dropping” you’re lucky if you can figure out where you are. Plus, you are constantly worrying about viruses and freeze-ups. If this sounds familiar, we have great news for you.

There is finally a computer that’s designed for simplicity and ease of use. It’s the WOW Computer, and it was designed with you in mind. This computer is easy-to-use, worry-free and literally puts the world at your

fingertips. From the moment you open the box, you’ll realize how different the WOW Computer is.

The components are all connected; all you do is plug it into an outlet and your high-speed Internet connection.

Then you’ll see the screen – it’s now 22 inches. This is a completely new touch screen system, without the cluttered look of the normal computer screen. The “buttons” on the screen are easy to see and easy to understand.

All you do is touch one of them, from the Web, Email, Calendar to Games– you name it… and a new screen opens up. It’s so easy to use you won’t have to ask your children or grandchildren for help. Until now the very people who could benefit most from E-mail and the Internet are the ones that have had the hardest time accessing it.

Now, thanks to the WOW Computer, countless older Americans are discovering the wonderful world of the Internet every day. Isn’t it time you

took part? Call now, and a patient, knowledgeable product expert will tell you how you can try it in your home for 30 days. If you are not totally satisfied, simply return it within 30 days for a refund of the product purchase price. Call today.

• Send & Receive Emails • Have video chats with family and friends • Surf the Internet: Get current weather and news • Play games on line: Hundreds to choose from!

Call now toll free and find out how you can get the new WOW! Computer.

Mention promotional code 48190 for special introductory pricing.

1-877-649-2775 © 2014 by first STREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

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– Janet F.

Our Most Innovative Fit-Forever Waistband yet — STEALTH! ®

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