August 2020 NARFE Magazine

AUG

’20

COVER STORY

WELLNESS IN THE AGE OF COVID-19

Volume 96 • Number 7

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY MONTH

BALLOT ENCLOSED FOR ELIGIBLE VOTERS

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AUG

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SPECIAL SECTIONS

6

NARFE 2020 Election

WASHINGTON WATCH

10 MSPB Research

Highlights Federal Human Resources Problems

11

Political Campaigns Respond to Coronavirus

12

NARFE Advocacy During and After the 2020 Elections

14 Bill Tracker COLUMNS

28

COVER STORY WELLNESS IN THE AGE OF COVID-19 Staying healthy is no easy task—especially during a pandemic.

Read about the different aspects of wellness and advice for achieving them.

4

From the President

26 Benefits Brief 44

Managing Money

DEPARTMENTS

20 Questions & Answers 46 For the Record

36

NARFE GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY MONTH There are many ways to get involved in advocacy this August. Find out how you can influence legislators and push NARFE issues to the forefront.

48 NARFE News 50 NARFE Perks 52 The Way We Worked

AUG

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On the Web

COVER STORY

WELLNESS IN THE AGE OF COVID-19

VISIT US ONLINE AT:

www.narfe.org LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:

NARFE National Headquarters

Volume 96 • Number 5

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY MONTH

BALLOT ENCLOSED FOR ELIGIBLE VOTERS

ON THE C OVER Illustration by GRAPHEK

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:

@narfehq

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

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AUGUST 2020 | Volume 96 | Number 7

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Helen Mosher SENIOR EDITOR Mabel Yu CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER Beth Bedard COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT Precious Dorch-Robinson ADDITIONAL GRAPHIC DESIGN GRAPHEK EDITORIAL BOARD Kenneth J. Thomas, Kathryn E. Hensley, Barbara Sido CONTACT US NARFE Magazine 606 North Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314-1914 Phone: 703-838-7760 Fax: 703-838-7781 Editorial: communications@narfe.org Advertising Sales: Anita Nelson advertising@narfe.org NARFE FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED ON THE TELEPHONE: This publication can be heard on the telephone by persons who have trouble seeing or reading the print edition. For more information, contact the National Federation of the Blind NFB-NEWSLINE® service at 866-504-7300 or go to www.nfbnewsline.org.

ON DIGITAL AUDIO: Issues of NARFE Magazine are also available in audio format through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS).

For availability, call 202-727-2142 or your local NLS service provider.

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

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

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

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

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

REGION IV Robert L. Helfrich (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) TEL: 317-501-1700 EMAIL: rlhelfrich@yahoo.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

TO REACH A FEDERAL BENEFITS SPECIALIST:

EMAIL fedbenefits@narfe.org NARFE HEADQUARTERS

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

NARFE.org

narfe (ISSN 1948-4453) is published monthly by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA, and additional mailing offices. Members: Annual dues includes subscription. Nonmember subscription rate $40. Postmaster: Send address change to: NARFE Attn: Member Records, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. To ensure prompt delivery, members should also forward changes of address without delay. Because of the volume involved, NARFE cannot acknowledge nor be responsible for unsolicited pictures and manuscripts, although every reasonable precaution is taken. All submissions become the property of NARFE. Copyright © 2020, NARFE. Advertisements in the magazine are not endorsements of products and/or services by NARFE, unless officially stated in the ad. We shall accept advertising on the same basis as other reputable publications: that is, we shall not knowingly permit a dishonest advertisement to appear in NARFE Magazine, but at the same time we will not undertake to guarantee the reliability of our advertisers.

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From the President

THE NEW NORMAL

A

s we all continue to adjust to a new normal, my thoughts are with you and your family, and I hope you are

staying safe and healthy. Life is unpredictable in lots of ways, so take the necessary steps to do what is best for you and your loved ones.

I was looking forward to welcoming everyone who would be attending NARFE’s FEDcon20 this month, but the safety of our members, the association’s staff, the conference speakers and our vendors is our top priority—because of that, we made the critical decision to cancel the conference. While social distancing, face masks and constant cleaning procedures have become a way of life for all of us, lets choose not to dwell on what we are not able to do and instead welcome the chance to move in other positive directions.

As the summer heat rises in our nation’s capital, members of Congress will use the August recess to return to their home states, many to campaign for reelection. As such, NARFE designates August as Grassroots Advocacy Month. This is your opportunity to

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

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

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

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move the advocacy needle, to make sure that elected officials and candidates know about and understand NARFE’s concerns. The most important thing is to tell them how the issues affect you specifically.

Under the old normal, face-to-face meetings with members of Congress and candidates during the August recess were commonplace. You could meet them at state and county fairs, town halls and one-on-one meetings. The new normal, however, places restrictions on in-person events and large gatherings. Check out the feature article for advocacy ideas that are appropriate for the current moment. It’s time to think creatively.

Regardless of the meeting method, the same general principles apply: have a concise, effective message; keep it simple; tell your story; and have a clear “ask.” Don’t forget to keep it local with state-specific information. After the meeting, send a thank you note and include any follow-up information.

I hope you and your family continue to be well.

This pandemic has revealed a great deal about who we are and gives me the confidence to believe that we will emerge from the crisis better than ever before.

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

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VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

P

lease carefully review all of the instructions prior to completing your ballot. You are eligible to vote in the election if you are a NARFE member in good standing as of June 15, 2020. You may cast your vote either online OR by mail. Once your member

ID and PIN number are used on any ballot, they will not be valid for additional ballots. Please take time to vote today. Thank you for participating in NARFE’s election process.

REVIEW THE BALLOT CAREFULLY • Candidates for national or regional office: Vote for one candidate for each national office. Vote for the regional vice president (RVP) candidate in your region only. Please note your region number at the top of the ballot. Do not vote for an RVP if your region is not listed on the ballot and has an uncontested election. For information about the candidates, refer to the March issue of NARFE Magazine (p. 42) or visit www.narfe. org/2020Balloting.

• Bylaws proposals and resolutions: For information on the bylaws and resolutions for voting, please see pp. 7-9 of this issue. For additional details, visit www.narfe.org/2020Balloting to download a PDF booklet that contains this report as well as proposals to amend NARFE bylaws (ballot items as well as all submissions), content of proposals acted on by the committee, and 2020 Bylaws and Resolutions Committee rationale.

• For the proposals recommended by the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee for adoption, vote individually on items to adopt or reject each item. Ballots that are not correctly completed will be invalidated.

• For the proposals recommended by the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee for rejection, vote individually on items to adopt or reject each item. Ballots that are not correctly completed will be invalidated.

NEED ASSISTANCE? For voting assistance, please call 1-866-720-4357 on Monday – Friday between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET, or email narfehelp@electionservicescorp.com

VOTE BY MAIL • Place a Q or R or darken the box to indicate your choices. Use dark blue or black ink.

• Do not write your name or otherwise identify yourself on the ballot.

• Tear or cut this ballot along the perforated line to detach. Place a First Class stamp on the reverse side of this card to mail.

• Ballots must be received at Election Services Co. by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 31, 2020. Please mail your ballot at least 10 days before the deadline to allow sufficient time for delivery. Ballots received after the deadline will be discarded.

• Do NOT mail ballots to NARFE National Headquarters. Ballots received by NARFE will be disqualified.

VOTE ONLINE

• Please go to www.esc-vote.com/narfe2020 to log in and vote.

• You must have your member ID number and your unique PIN number to log in. These numbers can be found at the top of the printed ballot. These numbers will serve as your unique identifier for voting. Please do not share them with others.

• For ease of voting online, Election Services Co. will email members who have an email on file with NARFE. Members can click on the link in the email to go to the voting website and cast a vote using the member ID number and unique PIN number included in the email to log in.

• Once you are logged in, follow the online voting instructions.

• On the online ballot, members will see only those candidates for whom they may cast a vote.

• Online voting begins July 20, 2020, and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on August 31, 2020.

Ballots must be received at Election Services Co. by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 31, 2020

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BYLAWS & RESOLUTIONS The Bylaws and Resolutions Committee (BRC) report is below. For additional details, visit www.narfe. org/2020Balloting to download a PDF book that contains this report as well as complete proposals to amend NARFE bylaws (ballot items and all submissions), the content of proposals acted on by the committee, and the BRC rationale.

NARFE will offer members the opportunity to vote on bylaws and resolutions online or by mail via the enclosed ballot.

If you believe you are eligible to vote and did not receive a ballot, please call 1-866-720-4357, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

PROPOSED ACTION: NEB-01

REFERENDUM ITEMS

TITLE PROPOSED BY

NEB SALARIES

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

In accordance with Article VI, Section 2, which requires the NEB to “perform such other duties as directed by membership ballot” and Article III, Section 4.B., which requires a two-thirds vote to approve “any resolution or report that recommends changes in dues or compensation of the national officers or of the RVPs, the NEB has adopted the following motion for ratification by the membership.

• To cut RVP salaries by 50%; no COLA for the entire NEB, effective November 1, 2022.

BYLAWS AMENDMENTS AND STANDING RULES RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION NUMBER

SUBJECT

EFFECT/BRC RECOMMENDATION

B-2004

National Executive Board Authority

Clarifies that NEB governance authorities will be in accordance with public law and the Association’s bylaws and standing rules. BRC recommends adoption.

B-2005

National Officers’ Vacancies

Adds how a vacancy in the Office of Secretary/Treasurer will be filled. BRC recommends adoption.

B-2006

Bylaws Revision

Eliminate reference to revisions at conferences since all amendments to bylaws and standing rules are by ballot vote. BRC recommends adoption.

B-2007

Voting

Eliminate references to resolutions. Under One Member One Vote, national conventions are no longer held; thus, motions in the form of written resolutions are no longer relevant. BRC recommends adoption.

B-2009

Federation Mergers

Due to declining membership, this amendment would allow merger of two or more federations into one federation with approval of the NEB. BRC recommends adoption.

B-2010

Secretary/Treasurer Term Limits

Add term limits for National Secretary/Treasurer to not more than three (3) consecutive terms in that office. BRC recommends adoption.

B-2011

National Officer/RVP Office Terms

Changes the term start date of National President, National Secretary/ Treasurer, and RVPs from November 1 to January 1. BRC recommends adoption.

B-2015

Executive Director Duties

Streamlines executive director duties description in bylaws. Detailed duties should be contained in the director’s contract and in NARFE policy/ program documentation. BRC recommends adoption.

Dues Increase

Based on an analysis by the NARFE Membership Committee, an increase in annual dues from $40.00 to $48.00 has been proposed to generate additional operating revenue for NARFE. BRC recommends adoption. (See text on next page.)

B-2020

B–Bylaw S–Standing Rule

R–Resolution BRC–Bylaws and Resolutions Committee W W W. N A R F E . O R G

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BYLAWS AMENDMENTS AND STANDING RULES RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION NUMBER S-2003

S-2005

BRC-2001

SUBJECT

EFFECT/BRC RECOMMENDATION

NARFE Audit Publication Deadline

Eliminates the requirement for publication of the annual audit in the June magazine. This will allow more time by staff and auditors for a quality audit.

BRC recommends adoption.

Chapter Payments

For new members that join a chapter when they join NARFE, the rebate to the chapters would be reduced from the current 1/3 to 1/6 of the membership fee. Currently, 1/3 of the new membership fee is returned to the chapters in lieu of their established chapter dues. Presently, that rebate is $13.33; whereas, most chapter dues are much lower. This means that many chapters are receiving more than their chapter dues, while others are under-compensated. The reduced rebate rate will be more in sync with most chapter dues amounts. BRC recommends adoption.

Member Categories (combines B-2003, B-2012 and B-2019)

This proposal combines B-2003, B-2012, and B-2019. It removes Supporting Membership Category based on legal counsel advice to preclude possible loss of the tax exempt status of the Association. The NEB voted in November 2019 to strike the supporting category of members. This proposal also places national-only members first in membership categories.

BRC recommends adoption.

DUES INCREASE (B-2020) As we reach our centennial milestone, we celebrate the progress we have made in becoming a modern, effective, well-governed association that provides valuable benefits and resources to the people who make us one of the greatest organizations— NARFE members.

In the past decade, NARFE has created opportunities that add substantial value for individual members, worked to reshape the perception of the importance of federal workers, and had a significant positive impact on legislation that affects the federal community. In that time, NARFE has worked hard to create value without increasing member dues. But we have reached the point where we will need to ask our members to pay a little more to fulfill our mission and continue to serve all of our members.

With a dues increase of eight dollars per year, NARFE will continue to provide answers and protect your

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benefits in the following ways, and more.

• Webinars: NARFE webinars provide valuable information that helps you save money, time and worry. More than 50,000 people have viewed the live presentations. Views of the recorded presentations top that number.

• Federal Benefits Institute: By raising the association’s profile and investing in federal benefits experts, NARFE has solidly branded itself as the “Federal Benefits Experts.” The knowledge that an answer is just an email or phone call away is priceless.

• NARFE Magazine: This publication continues to be a valuable resource for members. Refocusing the content to offer articles that address the federal community’s concerns and provide it with actionable information has expanded NARFE’s reputation as the go-to resource.

• Advocacy: NARFE continues to be a most respected voice on Capitol

Hill. NARFE’s advocacy team provides Congress with the tactical information that they need to make the best decisions on legislation that affects the federal community.

NARFE’s significant influence has kept recent budgets from taking funds out of Feds’ pockets, created a paid federal leave program, pushed for movement on stalled bills affecting the WEP, and more.

•P ublicity and branding: NARFE is in the spotlight more often thanks to our recent emphasis on public relations. NARFE’s new logo and branding materials provide a modern look and increased relevance with all stakeholders.

NARFE members and the federal community are the sole reason for NARFE. We must be able to meet your needs and expectations and be at the top of our game when it comes to fighting for your earned pay and benefits.

— NARFE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

BYLAWS AMENDMENTS AND STANDING RULES RECOMMENDED FOR REJECTION NUMBER

SUBJECT

EFFECT/BRC RECOMMENDATION

B-2002

Ballot Design Standards

A special provision for ballot design standards is not needed in the Bylaws. NARFE’s Ballot Oversight Committee has responsibility to approve the ballot format to ensure the ballot is easily understandable by the voters, presents all candidates and questions in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner, and protects the secrecy of each voter’s choice. BRC recommends rejection.

B-2008

Equality in Proposing Amendments

This amendment proposes to base the number of members required to submit an amendment be determined by the size of the smallest NARFE chapter. This is not practical since the membership in a chapter changes on any given day; thus, the smallest size is unobtainable. BRC recommends rejection.

Simplify Voting Process

Proposes voting for national officers and RVPs would take place by ballot vote prior to the national conference; while voting on bylaws and standing rule amendments would take place at the national conference. This would take away the privilege to vote on bylaws/standing rule amendments to those not attending the conference. This process would cause the Association to incur additional costs, such as electronic balloting machines at the conference, the attendance of the BRC at the conference to present and review proposed changes during the business sessions and etc. BRC recommends rejection.

Voting Member Privileges

This amendment proposes to restore discussion/debate on bylaws and standing rule amendments during the national conference and candidates could address the attendees during the business session. This was the practice prior to One Member One Vote. Voting on proposed amendments and on National Officers and RVPs would occur after the national conference. This would require some changes to NARFE’s policies and procedures. BRC recommends rejection.

Add Spousal Members

This amendment proposes to add spousal membership category with no dues. A duespaying member can vote and/or hold office; these individuals would not be dues-paying members. NARFE could stand to lose dollars if current spouses who are dues-paying members opted to being non-dues paying spousal members. NARFE legal counsel has already advised the NEB that admitting supporting members (spousal members would fall into this category) to NARFE membership could jeopardize the IRS section C.5.a. tax exempt status for the Association. BRC recommends rejection.

Federation Payments

The NARFE Membership Committee has recommended reduction of national dues paid monthly to federations from 10% to 5%. As an offset, HQ would pay expenses for Federation Presidents to attend NARFE meetings. 10% funds are the source of operating funds for federations, many of which are already struggling due to loss of members. This will severely limit federations’ abilities to serve chapter and nationalonly members in their federations. BRC recommends rejection.

S-2002

Ensure Committee Diversity

This proposal seeks to further define the composition of NARFE Committees to include at least one national-only member and one chapter member. Committees are formed from volunteers that submit their names to NARFE HQ for consideration to serve on a committee. There is no guarantee an equal number of qualified members would submit their names. BRC recommends rejection.

R-2001

Eliminate WEP

NARFE already supports legislation to end the WEP Social Security penalty.

R-2002

Increase Social Security

NARFE already supports legislation to increase Social Security.

B-2014

B-2017

B-2018

B-2021

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Washington Watch

MSPB RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS FEDERAL HUMAN RESOURCES PROBLEMS

I

n a May 2020 publication, “State of the Federal HR Workforce: Changes and Challenges,” the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) outlined its ongoing

research into federal human resources. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has identified federal human capital management as a high-risk area for nearly two decades. To collect relevant data, the MSPB studied workforce data, surveys and information from chief human capital officers (CHCOs); it also conducted group interviews with federal human resources (HR) employees and agency managers. Preliminary findings of the research continue critical discussions on how the role of HR has changed over the last 25 years, examine the expectations customers have of federal HR staff, and describe barriers to making federal HR more consultative.

A National Performance Review (NPR) that took place between 1993 and 1998 found that federal HR was inefficient and in need of reform. In response, the administration shed thousands of jobs, cutting HR staffing levels by 24 percent.

Automated processes that would cut down time spent on administrative activities were supposed to make up for

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the large cuts, mostly to HR assistant positions. However, the advancements have been slow to catch up and are not widely implemented, leaving HR specialists performing transactional tasks. The extra work takes a toll on staff, who are overwhelmed by administrative work like data entry. MSPB identified a lack of substantive training at all levels

as a major obstacle to improving HR across agencies. According to the CHCOs, many agencies don’t have a comprehensive HR training program due to a lack of resources. In agencies where training was available, many HR employees noted that their heavy day-to-day workload prevented them from taking part.

Another main goal of the review was a push to delegate HR decision-making to agencies and decentralize it from a central human capital hub like the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which lost more than half of its workforce in related cuts. The rationale was to have HR staff better understand their individual agency’s mission in order to secure the most qualified candidates. According to a 2016 survey, however, over twothirds of agencies have since disconnected HR staff from the managers they serve and placed them on a separate job site. The survey generally found that managers had a more positive view of and were more satisfied

with HR staff performance when the staff were on site.

MSPB also noted that the vision for federal HR staff to serve as “consultants and advisers instead of enforcers” still has not been realized.

Only 62 percent of managers viewed their HR specialist as an effective consultant. HR staff, on the other hand, said

that they did not have the “time nor resources to consult with managers” regularly.

HR employees noted that job performance was generally graded on the onboarding process for a new hire rather than the quality of the hire, meaning agencies are not looking for consultation as much as processing ability, despite

POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS REACT TO CORONAVIRUS

I

t’s no longer politics as usual.

The coronavirus outbreak has changed how we all do things, and politics is no exception.

Beginning in March, the world of campaigning, fundraising, political action committees (PACs) and advocacy has had to make quick adjustments amidst a public health crisis that necessitates limiting face-to-face interactions and suspending large gatherings.

This sudden change threw traditional campaigning (and everything that goes with it) out the window. Door knocking, packed campaign offices and in-person fundraisers were no more. The outbreak forced fundraisers and candidates to switch to digital-only communication.

As the coronavirus first started to spread in the country, a transformation took place in congressional races. Many campaigns opted to suspend

action and halt traditional fundraising methods. Some used their team of grassroots advocates to care for their communities. Numerous campaigns set up food drives and wellness checks, putting their already established infrastructure to use. However, this campaigning pause has created a ripple effect that will be felt all the way to the general election in November.

The first several months of an election year are considered vital for congressional campaigns in terms of fundraising. For new candidates, fundraising numbers can make or break a campaign.

Strong numbers show would-be donors that a campaign is wellpositioned and deserving of greater support. Campaigns are expensive and a lack of funds can stop one in its tracks.

For incumbents, posting a large fundraising haul (Continued on p.13)

what they say. Agency leaders recognized the importance of HR staff, but the MSPB emphasized that organizational success between managers and HR is still a work in progress that is missing many “critical components.”

The report is available on MSPB’s website, www.mspb.gov.

— BY SETH ICKES, GRASSROOTS ASSISTANT

MYTH vs.

REALITY Myth: Members of Congress take a monthlong vacation each August and are unavailable during this time.

Reality: August is the only statutory recess on the legislative calendar and was made official by the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970. While lawmakers are not in Washington, DC, during this time, they often use the month to campaign, meet with constituents in their district or travel in congressional delegations.

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Washington Watch

NARFE ADVOCACY DURING AND AFTER THE 2020 ELECTIONS

G

rassroots advocacy during an election year presents a unique opportunity for NARFE members to educate candidates—both incumbents and challengers alike—on the issues important to the federal community. It is vitally important that we keep our concerns on the table despite the challenges of the pandemic.

NARFE’s annual Grassroots Advocacy Month campaign is in full swing. Please refer to page 36 to learn more about this year’s campaign, legislative priorities, activities and the many ways you can have your voice heard by those making the decisions that will affect your future. Lawmakers want to hear from you, and we’ve put together many ways for you to access them and express your opinion.

While the law restricts the election activities that nonprofits can engage in, nonprofits are allowed to conduct get-out-the-vote (GOTV) campaigns as long as the efforts remain nonpartisan.

Activities can include running voter registration drives, holding candidate forums and developing voter engagement resource libraries. As a trusted messenger for the federal community, NARFE takes seriously its role in promoting voter and civic participation.

NARFE encourages its members, employees, families and communities to participate in the political process. We compiled state-specific voter

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2020

As a trusted messenger for the federal community, NARFE takes seriously its role in promoting voter and civic participation. requirements and other essential election resources into a GOTV 2020 Resource Center. Voters can access their states’ voter registration forms, identification laws and requirements, election dates and deadlines, polling locations and more at www.narfe.org/ GOTV2020. NARFE federations and chapters are encouraged to share this vital resource to engage their communities. We also developed a how-to guide to assist members as they plan candidate forums, which are an excellent opportunity for NARFE members to get to know the individuals running for office and inform them about the issues that concern us. The how-to guide can be found on the NARFE advocacy webpage.

Reminder: to ensure fairness to candidates of all parties and to comply with federal law, it is important to keep the forums and all other activities nonpartisan.

This year’s elections will send dozens of new lawmakers to Capitol Hill, some of whom you may have met on the campaign trail, whether in person or online. Now is the time to start thinking about post-election activities to build relationships with them and

their staff. Make it a priority to send them a welcome letter or email and attend meet-andgreet events in their states and congressional districts.

— BY MARSHA PADILLA-GOAD, GRASSROOTS PROGRAM MANAGER

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

(Continued from p. 11) accomplishes several things.

Importantly, it’s a clear message to challengers about the strength of the campaign.

A large war chest can persuade potential challengers to not enter the race.

Strong fundraising numbers also enable campaigns to plan ahead, like buying digital and television advertisement slots around the crucial weeks leading up to an election, or renting out campaign field offices. There are a lot of moving parts to running a campaign, and having funds available frees up decision making.

Based on reporting from Roll Call, some political strategists fear that fundraising during the pandemic will be difficult. For some campaigns, the upheaval may create a hole too deep to get out of. For candidates with primaries, winning and getting to the general election is even more arduous. Congressional races have been transformed.

NARFE-PAC has also been affected by the tumult.

However, the PAC quickly adapted to ensure that NARFE’s issues remained at the forefront. As campaigns began to better understand operations during the coronavirus outbreak, so did NARFE-PAC. With in-person fundraisers canceled, NARFE-PAC took to the web. The PAC embraced the new era of Zoom calls and joined candidates in virtual fundraisers to make sure our

strongest supporters had the funds necessary to continue successful campaigns. These events gave NARFE the opportunity to discuss our concerns—especially about timely coronavirus relief legislation and its implications for the federal community.

NARFE-PAC also set up oneon-one fundraising calls with NARFE locals and candidates to make sure relationships continued to grow.

During this unprecedented time, know that NARFE-PAC continues to fight for the federal community and will continue to adapt to make sure that your voice is heard.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to NARFE-PAC so far this cycle. Your continued support strengthens NARFE’s ability to fight for your earned pay and benefits. Learn more and contribute to the PAC by visiting the NARFE-PAC page from www.narfe.org.

LEGISLATIVE RESOURCES • NARFE NewsLine: A weekly newsletter that goes out to NARFE members on Tuesdays and includes weekly recaps of legislative news, compiled

by NARFE’s advocacy and communications teams.

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

— BY ROSS APTER, POLITICAL ASSOCIATE

CORRECTIONS

JUNE/JULY ISSUE

In the Washington Watch section of the June/July issue of NARFE Magazine, there were two inaccurate statements, noted below. We regret the errors.

• On p.7 of the lead article, the text notes that unemployment benefits under the coronavirus stimulus package have temporarily increased by an additional $600 per month. It should be $600 per week.

• On p. 9, the text states that switching from CPI-E to the CPI-W would provide more accurate calculations. It should read that switching from the CPI-W to the CPI-E would provide more accurate calculations.

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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

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN

BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR

WHAT BILL WOULD DO

H.R. 6614/S. 2791: Taxpayers and Savers Protection (TSP) Act / Rep. Michael Waltz, R-FL / Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL Cosponsors: H.R. 6614: 2 (D) 29 (R) S. 2791: 2 (D) 7 (R)

Removes Chinese companies from the Thrift Savings Plan international fund, putting investors at a distinct disadvantage compared to private-sector retirement funds.

LATEST ACTION(S) Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.R. 6614) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 2791)

H.Res. 23: Rep. Susan Davis, D-CA

Expresses the sense of the Referred to the House House that the United States Committee on OverPostal Service should take all sight and Reform Cosponsors: 208 (D) 53 (R) appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of door delivery for all business and residential customers.

H.Res. 33/S.Res. 99 Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-MA / Sen. Gary Peters, D-MI Cosponsors: H.Res. 33: 226 (D) 41 (R) S.Res. 99: 44 (D) 8 (R) 2 (I)

H.Res. 54: Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-VA Cosponsors: 218 (D) 75 (R) POSTAL REFORM H.Res. 60: Rep. David McKinley, R-WV Cosponsors: 181 (D) 25 (R)

H.R. 2382/S. 2965: USPS Fairness Act / Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR / Sen. Steve Daines, R-MT

Expresses the sense of the House that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the United States Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the federal government and is not subject to privatization.

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

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

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

Expresses the sense of the House that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to restore service standards in effect as of July 1, 2012.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

Repeals the USPS’ prefunding requirement.

Passed the House of Representatives 309-106 (H.R. 2382) on February 5, 2020 / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 2965)

H.R. 2382: 233 (D) 68 (R) S. 2965: 4 (D) 3 (R)

NARFE’s Position: 14

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Support

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

Oppose

No position

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

ISSUE

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

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

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means (H.R. 141)

Reforms the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), to provide WEP-affected individuals who are eligible for benefits before 2022 a $100 monthly rebate and $50 for an affected spouse.

Changes the WEP calculation moving forward.

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means (H.R. 3934)

Cosponsors: H.R. 141: 189 (D) 58 (R) S. 521: 31 (D) 5 (R) 2 (I)

GPO/WEP

H.R. 3934/S. 3401 The Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act / Rep. Kevin Brady, R-TX / Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX Cosponsors: H.R. 3934: 3 (D) 42 (R) S. 3401: 1 (R)

Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance (S. 340) Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

H.R. 1254: The Equal COLA Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA

Provides Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirees with the same annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) as Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

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

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

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

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

H.R. 1553: Fair COLA for Seniors Act of 2019 / Rep. John Garamendi, D-CA Cosponsors: 36 (D) 2 (R)

H.R. 2478: The Federal Retirement Fairness Act / Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-WA Cosponsors: 45 (D) 13 (R)

DC STATEHOOD

Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance (S. 521)

H.R. 4540 Public Servants Reforms the Windfall EliminaProtection and Fairness Act tion Provision (WEP), to provide / Rep. Richard Neal, D-MA WEP-affected individuals who are eligible for benefits before 2022 a $150 monthly rebate.

Changes the WEP calculation Cosponsors: moving forward.

140 (D) 2 (R)

Cosponsors: 15 (D) 3 (R)

FEDERAL ANNUITIES

LATEST ACTION(S)

H.R. 51/H.R.5803: Washington, D.C. Admission Act / Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC

Provides for the admission of the Passed the House of State of Washington, D.C. into Representatives 232the Union.

180 on June 26, 2020.

Cosponsors: 223 (D) NARFE’s Position:

Support

Oppose

No position

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Washington Watch

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

ISSUE

FEDERAL COMPENSATION

BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR

WHAT BILL WOULD DO

LATEST ACTION(S)

H.R. 5690/S. 3231: Federal Provides federal employees with Adjustment of Income a 3.5 percent pay raise in 2021.

Rates (FAIR) Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA / Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI H.R. 5690: 32 (D) S. 3231: 10 (D)

FEDERAL PERSONNEL POLICY

H.R. 3348/S. 1898: Modern Employment Reform, Improvement, and Transformation (MERIT) Act of 2019 / Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-GA / Sen. David Perdue, R-GA

Streamlines the employee removal process for agencies by weakening due process for federal employees.

H.R. 3348: 19 (R) S. 1898: 19 (R)

NARFE’s Position:

Support

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.R. 5690) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 3231) Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.R. 3348) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 1898)

Oppose

No position

Contribute To NARFE-PAC I want to make a monthly sustainer credit card contribution:

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Questions & Answers

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

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

EMPLOYEES TSP INHERITANCE

Q A

My daughter has been living in Germany for a decade and wants to acquire German citizenship. Would this affect her inheriting my Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account upon my death?

Your daughter’s decision to obtain German citizenship has no impact on any of the federal benefits that she would be entitled to upon your death, including inheriting your TSP account. There is also no rule dictating that your beneficiaries must be American citizens to inherit various federal benefits that may be payable upon your death.

For more details on this topic, visit www.tsp.gov/forms/ deathBenefits.html.

CSRS VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS

Q

I’m still actively employed under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). A colleague

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recently mentioned something about joining the CSRS Voluntary Contribution Program. Can you tell me more about this?

A

If you are an active CSRS or CSRS Offset employee, you can apply to set up a CSRS Voluntary Contribution (VC) account that allows you to contribute as much as 10 percent of the federal employment income you have earned to date.

Interest accrues on contributions made into a VC account based on a variable rate determined by the U.S. Department of Treasury each year (the same as the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Trust Fund).

IRAs have annual limits on how much money can be moved from savings into an IRA, and

if a CSRS employee is already contributing the max to his or her TSP account, a VC account is another great option for saving for your retirement.

CSRS and CSRS Offset employees are allowed to continue contributing to these accounts until their annuity is adjudicated by OPM. Since most separated federal employees are still in interim retirement pay status when they receive a direct deposit from their agency payroll office for the lump sum payment of their unused annual leave, many individuals will then make one last large deposit into their VC account using this money.

However, if you have any unpaid deposit/redeposit service, you must pay those deposits/ redeposits before you can set up your VC account.

Your contributions are post-tax, but they will grow with interest until the date you separate for retirement.

No interest is added for any contributions made shortly after you separate while you are waiting for OPM to finalize your annuity. The interest portion of the VC account is taxable, but you can delay the tax liability by transferring the interest portion to either your TSP account or a traditional IRA. Submit the following form to your agency retirement office to set up your VC account: www. opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2804. pdf.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has a document that describes the VC program, www.opm. gov/retirement-services/ publications-forms/pamphlets/ ri83-10.pdf, but I think the best resource for understanding the program and all of its benefits and options is an archived radio segment from Federal News Network on this topic: www. federalnewsnetwork.com/foryour-benefit/2018/07/voluntarycontributions-program/.

TRANSFER OF DECEASED SPOUSE’S TSP

Q

I’m an active federal employee. Last year, my federally retired spouse passed away at age 65, and I inherited his TSP account.

I decided to transfer his TSP account into mine. I am currently

62 and plan to retire in a couple of months. Will there be a different required minimum distribution age or computation for the part of my TSP account that was originally his? If so, how can I track that separately?

A

If you had kept your spouse’s TSP in your separate Beneficiary Participant Account (BPA), then the answers to your questions would be different. For surviving spouses who choose to keep inherited TSP monies in a TSP BPA, readers can refer to the TSPBK33 booklet for more details: www.tsp.gov/PDF/ formspubs/tspbk33.pdf.

However, since your spouse’s TSP account has been fully transferred into your individual TSP account, you do not have to track it separately from the money you already had in the account. A similar rule applies to surviving spouses who choose to transfer their deceased spouses’ TSP to their own individual retirement account (IRA) or eligible employer plan.

Your entire TSP account, including the money that you transferred from your TSP BPA will be subject to RMDs once you reach age 72. You can find more information here: www. tsp.gov/PDF/formspubs/tsp775.pdf.

RETIREES TRANSFERRING IRAS INTO THE TSP

Q

My husband and I are both retired federal employees. We each have a TSP account, and we each also have an IRA at a local bank.

Is it possible to transfer our IRA funds into the TSP? If so, how do we proceed?

A

Yes. As a TSP participant, you can use the TSP-60 form to transfer an IRA into your TSP account. For more details regarding the traditional (nonRoth) types of monies that can be transferred or rolled over into the TSP, refer to the details included with the TSP-60 form: www.tsp.gov/PDF/formspubs/ tsp-60.pdf.

The only type of IRA that cannot be transferred into the TSP is a Roth IRA. The only Roth money that can be transferred into the TSP is Roth money that resides in a 401k, 403b or 457b account. For more details on that, refer to the TSP-60-R form: www.tsp.gov/ PDF/formspubs/tsp-60-r.pdf.

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Questions & Answers

FERS SPOUSAL SUPPLEMENT

Q

I recently retired under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and elected a spousal survivor benefit with my retirement application. I heard about a FERS spousal supplement that might also be payable in the event of my death, but I didn’t see it as an election option on the application.

What is this supplement, and how is it computed? How long does it last? Will it receive a cost-of-living adjustment? And is it affected by any earnings test if my spouse is still working upon my death?

A

There is no option on the FERS retirement application to make an election for the spousal supplement. Since you elected a FERS spousal survivor benefit to be paid in the event of your death, if your surviving spouse is younger than 60 at the time of your death, he or she would automatically receive the FERS spousal supplement in addition to the spousal survivor benefit. While the survivor benefit you elected would typically last for the rest of your spouse’s life, the spousal supplement typically ceases once your spouse reaches age 60.

The purpose of the FERS spousal supplement is to bridge the gap between the date of your death and the date that your surviving spouse becomes eligible for a widow/ widower benefit from Social Security. Unless the surviving spouse is disabled or is caring for a dependent child, Social Security widow/widower benefits aren’t typically payable until the surviving spouse reaches age 60. The FERS spousal supplement would not 22

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be included with the regular spousal survivor benefit from OPM if your spouse has already passed age 60 by the time you pass away.

FERS cost-of-living adjustments are applied to the spousal supplement, and regardless of whether your surviving spouse is still working, there is no earnings test that prevents him or her from receiving this supplement in addition to the regular spousal survivor benefit that you elected.

Please refer to Chapter 71 of the CSRS/FERS Handbook, Section 71B2.1-3 (pages 21 to 23) for more details, including the actual computation of the FERS spousal supplement: www.opm.gov/retirementservices/publications-forms/ csrsfers-handbook/c071.pdf.

FERS SUPPLEMENT EARNINGS TEST

Q

I recently received the 2019 Annuity Supplement Earnings Report form that I need to complete and return to OPM. It says that if I earned over $17,640 last year, a reduction will be applied to my retirement annuity supplement (RAS) effective July 1, 2020.

My wages last year did exceed the limit, but since I turn 62 in June 2020, my supplement ends. Will OPM take the reduction from my basic annuity when they process my returned form?

A

Based on the details you provided, your supplement should cease before OPM can apply any reduction to it. If you turn 62 in the month of June, then OPM will not give you a supplement

for the month of June, which would have been payable on July 1st. OPM will never apply a reduction to the regular portion of your annuity due to the earnings test.

If you reach age 62 in June, your last supplement payment (for the month of May) will be paid to you on June 1st.

There won’t be any supplement payments for OPM to apply the earnings test reduction to.

For more details, refer to Chapter 51 of the CSRS/ FERS Handbook: www.opm. gov/retirement-services/ publications-forms/csrsfershandbook/c051.pdf.

MEDICARE AND FEHB

Q

I retired in January and turn 65 next month, but my spouse (who has no other health coverage) is seven years younger. From what I can find, Medicare won’t cover my spouse until she reaches age 65.

Can you suggest a viable option for this situation?

A

Many federal retirees who reach age 65 typically sign up for Medicare Parts A and B but will continue to maintain the same Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plan if they have a younger spouse who isn’t old enough to qualify for Medicare coverage.

Since your FEHB coverage would be secondary to your Medicare coverage, you can still benefit from the wraparound coverage, which often includes the waiver of your co-pays and deductibles. You can call your specific FEHB plan to confirm this, or refer to Section 9 of your FEHB plan brochure for

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Questions & Answers

NARFE at Your Service details. Your younger spouse can continue to use your FEHB plan as normal until she becomes eligible for Medicare.

Once she becomes eligible and signs up for Medicare, you may want to take a closer look at other FEHB plans that make more sense once Medicare becomes the primary coverage for the both of you, especially if an FEHB plan provides a cash reimbursement to help offset the cost of Medicare Part B premiums. For more details, refer to the Medicare and FEHB

webinars that NARFE conducts in the fall. These webinars can be viewed at any time by logging into the member portal of the NARFE website.

To obtain an answer to a federal benefits question, NARFE members should call 800-456-8410 and select option 2 for the Federal Benefits Institute; send the question by postal mail to NARFE Headquarters, ATTN: Federal Benefits; or submit it by email to fedbenefits@narfe.org.

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

Call NARFE at:

800-456-8410, Option 2

ShopNARFE Show Your NARFE Pride ShopNARFE is the official online store offering NARFE-branded merchandise, including apparel, drinkware, pins, officer badges and business cards.

A portion of the proceeds from all purchases support the organization.

Shop now at www.narfe.org/shopnarfe.

NARFE.org/shopnarfe 24

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Introducing the future of personal transportation.

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Years of work by innovative engineers have resulted in a personal electric vehicle that’s truly unique. They created a battery that provides powerful energy at a fraction of the weight of most batteries. The Zinger features two steering levers, one on either side of the seat. The user pushes both levers down to go forward, pulls them both up to brake, and pushes one while pulling the other to turn to either side. This enables great mobility, the ability to turn on a dime and to pull

right up to tables or desks. The controls are right on the steering lever so it’s simple to operate, and its exclusive footrest swings out of the way when you stand up or sit down. With its rugged yet lightweight aluminum frame, the Zinger is sturdy and durable yet convenient and comfortable!

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More and more Americans are reaching the age where mobility is an everyday concern. Whether from an injury or from the aches and pains that come from getting older– getting around isn’t as easy as it used to be. You may have tried a power chair or a scooter. The Zinger is NOT a power chair or a scooter! The Zinger is quick and nimble, yet it is not prone to tipping like many scooters. Best of all, it weighs only 47.2 pounds and folds and unfolds with ease. You can take it almost anywhere, providing you with independence and freedom.

Benefits Brief

WONDERING HOW MUCH FEGLI COVERAGE YOU HAVE?

T

he NARFE Federal Benefits Institute has been fielding more calls than usual on how to confirm your Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) coverage.

Here’s how to do just that.

IF YOU ARE A FEDERAL ANNUITANT OR COMPENSATIONER:

The Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Retirement Services office is the only office with access to your FEGLI records. There are three ways to access your FEGLI coverage information.

1. L og on to Retirement Services Online, www. servicesonline.opm. gov/, to view and print your Verification of Life Insurance (VOLI). Your VOLI will show which types of FEGLI coverage you have, your amount of coverage before reduction, your post-65 reductions and your amount of coverage after reductions are complete.

Here is the FEGLI handbook for your reference: www. opm.gov/healthcareinsurance/life-insurance/ reference-materials/ handbook.pdf#page=137.

2. Email retire@opm.gov to request that your VOLI be mailed to you. Be sure to include your retirement claim number (CSA/CSF) in the email.

3. Call 1-888-767-6738 to request that your VOLI be mailed to you. The phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 7:40 a.m. to

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5 p.m. ET. We recommend calling early in the morning or late in the evening when the lines are less busy.

Have your retirement claim number (CSA/CSF) or Social Security number handy.

Your FEGLI beneficiary records are not available online.

If you wish to change your FEGLI beneficiaries, complete the following form and mail it to OPM’s Retirement Operations Center (the address is listed on page 3): www.opm. gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2823. pdf. Once OPM receives and certifies your beneficiary form, you should receive a copy for your records.

IF YOU ARE A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE:

Contact your human resources office. The office that maintains your Official Personnel Folder (OPF) or its equivalent is the only one with access to your FEGLI life insurance records. If you do not know what office that is or how to contact them, check with your supervisor.

You can also look on a copy of your most recent Standard Form 50 - “Notification of Personnel Action” to determine the coverage you currently have. In Block 27 of the form,

BY JAMES MARSHALL

FEDERAL BENEFITS EXPERT

there is a two-character code that represents your current coverage along with a definition of the code. You can look up SF50 codes and what they mean here: www. opm.gov/retirement-services/ calculators/fegli-calculator/ codes-on-a-notification-ofpersonnel-action-sf50/.

You can then use the FEGLI Calculator to determine the current value of your FEGLI by inputting your current age, salary and type(s) of FEGLI coverage here: www. opm.gov/retirement-services/ calculators/fegli-calculator/. If you wish to change your FEGLI life insurance beneficiaries, complete this form and submit it to your human resources office: www.opm.gov/forms/ pdf_fill/sf2823.pdf.

Once your agency benefits office receives and certifies your beneficiary form, they should provide you with a copy, or you can print a copy once they file the document in your OPF. For more details regarding FEGLI beneficiaries, both annuitants and employees can refer to the following weblink: www.opm.gov/ healthcare-insurance/ life-insurance/designatinga-beneficiary/#url=Who-is-myBeneficiary.

—JAMES MARSHALL IS THE PRINCIPAL AT FEDERAL RETIREMENT PLANNING, LLC (WWW. FEDERALRETIREMENTINFO.COM) AND A REGULAR CONTRUIBUTOR TO NARFE’S FEDERAL BENEFITS INSTITUTE WEBINARS AND NARFE MAGAZINE.

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This is a brief description of the features of these Aetna health benefits plans. Before making a decision, please read the plan’s applicable federal brochure(s). ©2020 Aetna Inc. Y0001_GRP_4002_2892_2020_M 04/2020 19.12.339.1 B (4/20)

Cover Story 28

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WELLNESS in the Age of

COVID-19

By Everett A. Chasen

How to stay healthy and care for yourself properly, even in the midst of a pandemic “Be well.” “Stay healthy.” “Hope you’re okay.”

These expressions of concern have always been part of our conversations. But during this novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, these hopes and wishes take on a new urgency and importance.

In a time of anxiety and isolation, what does wellness really mean?

Aspects of Wellness

According to Sabrina Clark, PhD, wellness refers to “positive mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.” Dr. Clark, a psychologist specializing in the field of positive psychology, is the director of voluntary service for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Washington, DC. Clark believes that paying attention to each facet of her definition is important.

Overemphasizing one area at the expense of others keeps people from achieving overall wellness. “There are folks,” she says, “who use an emphasis on one of those areas to avoid addressing gaps in other areas that really should be paid attention to. I think the way we address each area is different.”

Mental wellness, Clark explains, is the ability to properly manage our thoughts.

“We have millions of thoughts a day, but we do not have to hold on to them. The thoughts we [should] hold on to are the ones that are intentional and the ones we purpose to be a

part of our identity. We need the capacity to let other thoughts go.”

Physical wellness involves exercise, deliberate activity or movement related to the body. It promotes the care of our bodies to achieve and maintain proper health and functioning. Overall physical wellness encourages a balance of physical activity, proper nutrition and mental well-being to keep your body in its best condition.

Emotional wellness is the ability to have positive emotions—like a sense of joy, courage or resilience—that you’re able to utilize for positive activity. These positive emotions can become a part of your sense of being, “allowing you to navigate your life in a way that others perceive as being proactive, strong, competent and capable,” Clark adds.

And spiritual wellness is the act of being in tune with your spiritual self, allowing you to find meaning in life events and define your individual purpose. Spiritual wellness can be defined through factors including religious faith, values, ethics and morals. It not only allows you to seek meaning and purpose in human existence, but it also allows you to appreciate your life experiences for what they are.

After identifying these “zones of wellness,” Clark says, the next step is to have a plan of improvement. “Each individual should have an understanding of where it is he or W W W. N A R F E . O R G

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“The thoughts we [should] hold on to are the ones that are intentional and the ones we purpose to be a part of our identity. We need the capacity to let other thoughts go.”

—Sabrina Clark, PhD

she wants to go: emotional, spiritual, physical and mental goals. After that, the next step is to create a pathway: what milestones do you need to reach to accomplish those goals?”

Finally, “you need to understand why you want to get there. You can have all the motivation you need, but if you can’t understand the why, you’ll give up when you fall. Having a plan, having a purpose and having a pathway are all essential to achieving wellness.”

Clark offers weight loss as an example.

Many people set a physical wellness goal of losing weight, but when challenges like attending birthday parties with soda, pizza and cake arise, if all they want to do is lose a set amount of weight, they’ll say, “I’ll start tomorrow.” But if they set a goal of being able to do something specific, important and lifedefining—for example, running a marathon with one of their children—it’s easier for them to stay on track.

“Being able to attach your goals to something that is really pivotal to your life, not just to one area of who you are, makes the difference,” she explains.

Making Time for Self-Care

“You are the only one who can take care of yourself entirely,” Clark believes. “All the information we have on the internet, with our physicians and in our health 30

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records are simply snapshots in time: information changes all the time.

“Self-care is important because we are the first ones to encounter information about ourselves. It is internal and absolutely accurate.

There is no variation, and no one is going to know it better or more clearly define it than the person experiencing it. And we don’t develop the language or vocabulary to talk about ourselves unless we commit to taking care of ourselves in all the different areas of wellness.”

Self-care, she continues, isn’t just about yourself. “Taking care of myself means that I am available to other people to be my best self in every area. I am a better employee for the VA, I am a better wife to my husband and a better mother to my son because I have taken that time for myself, and it leaves me available to have time for the other areas I find equally important.”

COVID-19 has increased the importance of self-care while also throwing up barriers to doing it effectively. While most people’s first thoughts were concern that the illness could strike them or a member of their inner circle, now many are also responding to the emotional toll caused by restrictions requiring them to stay home or away from family, friends and large gatherings.

Clark notes, “If [before the onset of the pandemic] you were already an isolated person who didn’t get out much, and your sense of activity or engagement was wrapped up in your job, you’d no longer have any reason to get out of your house. Then isolation would set in—and become depression. Isolation continues to be very challenging for people.

“If isolation turns into hopelessness, you tend to not take care of yourself physically and not get the proper amount of exercise or to eat healthy.

Under stress, people tend to reach for highcalorie, high-fat foods. They provide a sugar rush that helps people feel good but can bring on many physical issues. Also, without being connected spiritually to something that gives you a sense of peace, you tend (Cont’d on p. 34)

Be Good to Yourself: 10 Self-Care Tips

By Mabel Yu, Senior Editor 2020 has been a rough year, to say the least. A global pandemic, a nationwide recession, panic-buying, protests—and did someone say, “murder hornets?” The many unknowns associated with the novel coronavirus and its impact on society and the economy leave us in a whirlpool of uncertainty. And while most states have been lifting their stay-at-home orders as of press time, those regulations may be back in the fall and winter.

Under the best of circumstances, it can be difficult to find the time and space for self-care. But during these stressful times, wellness must take priority. Here are some suggestions for soothing your mind and body.

1 Establish a routine.

4 Stay connected.

Whether you’re still working or retired, it’s likely that your normal schedule has been disrupted. So, create a new one.

It’s a good idea to segment the day, breaking it up in ways that give you a sense of regularity and productivity.

Keep up your personal hygiene and get an appropriate amount of sleep.

Stave off loneliness and isolation by contacting friends and relatives via texts, phone calls, social media, and emails. Make video calls through apps like Skype, FaceTime, Zoom and Houseparty. In addition to chatting, try group activities such as bingo, karaoke, and trivia. Encouraging fun while social distancing, many group games are available online, including Codenames, Scribbl (similar to Pictionary), Scrabble, Jackbox games and Settlers of Catan.

2 Get moving.

Physical activity is proven to elevate mood and reduce stress. Whether it’s walking, running, cycling, yoga, participating in online fitness classes or having a solo dance party in the living room, find ways to let out some energy.

3 Take a deep breath.

Take several. Deep breathing, meditation, praying and stretching are all great ways to relax and stay in the present moment. There are apps that can guide you in some of these activities, such as Aura, Headspace, The Breathing App, Insight Timer and Calm.

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5 Flex your creativity.

8 Eat well.

Create a new recipe from items in your pantry. Learn a language or how to play an instrument. Fill out an adult coloring book.

Take part in the Getty museum challenge to recreate a famous painting using household objects. This is the time to indulge your imagination or start that hobby you always meant to try but never had the time for: take up cross-stitching or crochet; tackle calligraphy or origami; take advantage of the warmer weather and plant a garden; build furniture for yourself, your pets or backyard critters. Share the results with neighbors and loved ones—whether the projects are wins or fails, they’ll be sure to start a conversation.

While it’s fine to treat yourself now and then, make sure that overall, you’re staying hydrated and keeping to a balanced diet that includes an abundance of fruit and vegetables along with lean protein and whole grains. While spending so much time at home, it may be tempting to dive into a pint of ice cream or bag of chips, but indulge in those types of foods in moderation.

6 Focus on the good.

Every day, write down three things you’re grateful for. Seek out some of the many positive stories out there about how people are volunteering, donating, sacrificing and supporting each other during this time. Consider following in some of their footsteps. Make encouraging signs or chalk drawings for others to see on their neighborhood walks. Support local businesses. Look for virtual volunteering opportunities, such as working for hotlines, tutoring or reading to the blind. Send or deliver care packages. Sew cloth masks for health care workers. If you’re able, give to local charities or national ones such as Direct Relief, Feed America, Meals on Wheels, Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation and Save the Children.

7 Keep up with the news, but don’t overdo it.

While it’s important to stay educated, constantly digesting negative or conflicting information will only increase your anxiety.

Get the facts from a couple trusted sources like NIH or the CDC, limit news notifications on your phone, and avoid mere speculation or untested theories. It’s also a good idea to end any screen time an hour before going to bed.

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9 Talk to your doctor.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your emotions or are concerned about symptoms that may point to illness, schedule an appointment with your doctor; some health care providers are offering telehealth services. Urgent-care centers are another option, though it’s best to call first to see if they have any special instructions before arriving in order to keep you and other patients safe.

10 Don’t beat yourself up.

You’ve probably seen images flooding social media of all the quarantine baking, housecleaning, and woodworking that has been going on. But if you’ve been engaging in some less-productive activities (e.g., Netflix bingeing, rereading a literary favorite for the tenth time), that’s okay, too.

Light a candle, put on some music, snuggle up in your favorite blanket, look through old photos. Allow some time to do what comforts you.

CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN. INSURE WHAT YOU CAN’T. At whatever stage of life you’re in, or how well you have planned, events can happen that are simply beyond your control.

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“Self-care is important because we are the first ones to encounter information about ourselves. It is internal and absolutely accurate. There is no variation, and no one is going to know it better or more clearly define it than the person experiencing it. And we don’t develop the language or vocabulary to talk about ourselves unless we commit to taking care of ourselves in all the different areas of wellness.” —Sabrina Clark, PhD to feel like you’re floating away and lost. That all goes back to needing a sense of purpose, because otherwise you can’t see beyond your situation today and worry about tomorrow. It leaves you stuck and not moving anywhere.”

“Wellness and self-care is definitely our life these days,” agrees Antonette Zeiss, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist and retired federal employee. “My husband and I did more than a five-mile walk today—our second this week—and we are working in the garden every day.”

“I love going to the opera,” Zeiss continues, “but all performances have been canceled. So we listen to a lot of music on CDs. Mother’s Day was just a call from our daughter, unlike the last two years when we were together, but that was still good!”

“Relationships are hugely important in combating stress,” she explains. “People who are well-connected to others and have close relationships turn to their friends in times of stress. They also support their friends with their issues as well as being supported, creating a kind of interrelational closeness that’s really important.”

Phone calls, text messages, emails, Zoom and other teleconferencing techniques are all ways to maintain connection even while travel and gatherings are restricted.

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“I think what’s important is to have a sense of self-awareness,” says Clark. “But awareness is not change, and change comes about through finding resources. Right now, there are many resources online: resources to help you meditate, to journal, and to allow you to listen to or watch something other than the news. Or you might do a project in your home, such as cleaning or decluttering, that serves as a good distraction that can last over a period of time, at the end of which you have something more positive than what you started with. Like everything else, there needs to be an intention in the activity with the overall goal of feeling better, or at least feeling different, in this current state.”

“I really believe our current situation isn’t just something we want to get over—it’s something we want to go through,” concludes Clark. “We want to allow ourselves to navigate everything that comes with COVID-19 in every area of our lives—but not by getting around it or going over it: we actually have to go through it. If we allow ourselves to experience everything that comes through this pandemic, we will find ourselves all the better on the other side of it.”

— EVERETT (EV) A. CHASEN IS A WRITER AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT IN THE WASHINGTON, DC AREA HE RETIRED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AFTER 35 YEARS OF SERVICE.

Federal Employees and Retirees: call today to schedule your hearing exam 1-877-696-5335

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You can thrive in noisy environments, just like people with normal hearing.2, 3 Opn S is more than just a hearing aid. It’s a wearable technology that makes it possible to connect to your favorite devices. Take handsfree calls, stream music, connect to smart devices, and more.

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Exclusive offer for federal employees and retirees. A full day’s power. Every day. The discreet miniRITE R style with an easy-to-use, stylish and reliable charger. Simply recharge at night for a full day of use.4

Special offer for federal employees and retirees available only at Your Hearing Network locations. Call 877-696-5335 today to schedule an appointment.

1 Your out-of-pocket costs may vary depending on plan benefits, eligibility, deductible, co-insurance, and model of device chosen. This is not a guarantee of coverage or payment. Benefit is not available through all insurance plans. Please consult your plan for coverage details. 2 For people with typical hearing loss and well-fitted hearing aids, in noisy situations. 3 Juul Jensen 2018, Oticon Whitepaper. 4 Lithium-ion battery performance varies depending on hearing loss, lifestyle and streaming behavior.

Influencing Congress During a Pandemic

By Marsha Padilla-Goad

It’s August, and NARFE’s annual Grassroots Advocacy Month is in full swing. The campaign, which is held annually in conjunction with the month-long summer recess when members of Congress return to their districts and states, is an opportunity for NARFE members to continue their advocacy on the federal community’s legislative priorities. This year’s campaign, however, is unlike any in recent history. It is happening amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has kept most Americans under varying degrees of stay-at-home orders for months.

Despite these challenges, NARFE’s community has shown resilience from the beginning of the crisis as our headquarters staff, federations, chapters and members have found new approaches to continue advancing NARFE’s legislative agenda.

NARFE’s response to the pandemic is the perfect example of how quickly the organization can switch its advocacy focus to protect the interests of its members.

Throughout this crisis, staff have been working

hard to lobby on behalf of federal retirees and employees affected by the coronavirus, urging Congress to improve workplace conditions for frontline federal employees, protect federal retirees’ income, and grant emergency funding to help the U.S. Postal Service distribute personal protective equipment to its workers and remain financially afloat.

NARFE created a COVID-19 frequently asked questions (FAQs) webpage that addresses a myriad of topics. It includes information about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act stimulus payments, Office of Personnel Management coronavirus guidance, and information about the suspension of required minimum distributions for individual retirement accounts.

Our advocacy never stops, and Grassroots Advocacy Month will continue with the same energy and enthusiasm that has kept us going during these challenging months. While we may still be unable to engage with lawmakers in person due to social distancing measures, W W W. N A R F E . O R G

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there are many other activities that allow for effective advocacy. Although interacting with constituents by telephone, online and on social media platforms is nothing new, the pandemic has pushed Congress to ramp up constituent communications through a variety of virtual alternatives for town hall sessions and other events normally held in person. And they are desperately seeking a boost in constituent participation.

Grassroots Advocacy Month Legislative Priorities

This year, our legislative priorities will focus on the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and support for more accurate costof-living adjustments (COLAs) for seniors.

These two issues have long been at the top of NARFE’s legislative agenda, and now is the time for us to push congressional action.

Windfall Elimination Provision The WEP reduces the Social Security benefits of local, state and federal retirees who worked in private-sector jobs covered by Social Security and also receive a government annuity from government employment not covered by Social Security. There are currently two bills NARFE supports that would provide immediate relief– H.R. 4540, the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act, and H.R. 3934/S. 3401, the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act. H.R. 4540 provides a rebate for eligible Social Security beneficiaries in the amount of $150 rebate per month but no spousal rebate, while H.R. 3934/S. 3401 provides a $100 rebate per month for beneficiaries plus a $50 rebate for spouses. Both would provide a new formula for those affected by the WEP in the future. NARFE supports both pieces of legislation as they would both provide much-needed relief to individuals unfairly penalized by WEP. Members should visit NARFE’s Legislative Action Center to contact lawmakers and urge them to cosponsor the measures.

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NARFE is also pushing Congress to vote on legislation to fully repeal the WEP and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).

Under House rules, legislation garnering 290 or more cosponsors will receive a vote on the House floor. With nearly 250 cosponsors at press time, NARFE members should also be asking their representatives to cosponsor the Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 141, if they’re not already.

NARFE’s Call-to Action: We urge both parties to work together on a WEP compromise that improves fairness, provides real relief for current retirees, and can be passed into law.

Addressing WEP and COLAs “have long been at the top of NARFE’s legislative agenda, and now is the time for us to push congressional action.”

Support More Accurate COLAs for Seniors COLAs for federal civilian and military retirement annuities, as well as for Social Security, veterans’ and disability benefits, are currently determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage and Clerical Workers.

Unfortunately, the index doesn’t accurately account for seniors’ spending habits.

NARFE supports H.R. 1553, the Fair COLA for Seniors Act. Under this legislation,

the COLAs would be calculated using the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly, which better accounts for seniors’ spending habits, especially on medicine, health care, shelter and related costs. The change would provide more accurate calculations, increasing adjustments by an estimated 0.27 percentage points per year. That doesn’t sound like much, but considering the laws of compounding, over time this will make a significant difference in the lives of retirees.

NARFE’s Call-to-Action: Ask lawmakers to cosponsor the Fair COLA for Seniors Act.

Election Year Opportunities for Grassroots Advocacy Month Activities

This year’s advocacy campaign comes in the midst of a presidential election year with the White House, all seats in the House, and onethird of those in the Senate up for grabs. That means ample opportunities to engage with incumbent lawmakers aggressively campaigning for reelection. This is also an opportunity to engage with new candidates for office and start educating them about federal community issues before they take a seat in Congress next January.

Social Distancing Advocacy Activities

If you are unable to meet with lawmakers in person, there are many opportunities to engage with them by phone or virtually. One way is to visit NARFE’s Legislative Action Center to engage in letter-writing campaigns. The center allows you to access a sample letter that can be edited to reflect your own experience and tell a compelling story of how an issue is impacting your life. Once you enter your contact information, the system will generate a list of your representatives in Congress and allow you to submit your letter directly.

As mentioned before, lawmakers are ramping up their online outreach by holding town halls and other meetings through conference calls, Zoom, Facebook Live or

other platforms. Visit the Town Hall Project website at www.townhallproject.com and enter your ZIP code to access a list of congressional events in your district and state.

Write a Letter to the Editor Writing a letter to the editor is one of the best ways to alert elected officials about an issue you care about. In a letter, you have the opportunity to share your opinion, educate the public about an issue, applaud someone for taking a desired action, or express disappointment when an official fails to act or acts in an undesirable manner.

Elected officials and their staff members carefully monitor newspapers to gauge local opinion. By mentioning elected officials by name and stating the specific action you want them to take, you can guarantee that your letter will catch their attention.

In addition to getting the attention of elected officials, letters to the editor are a tremendous advocacy tool because they reach a large audience and can show widespread support or opposition to an issue. A step-by-step guide to writing your letter and getting it published is available at www.narfe.org/GAM2020, the Grassroots Advocacy Month webpage.

Factors of Influence

Lawmakers’ schedules are particularly hectic during an election year, often with 14-hour days of nonstop meetings and political events seven days a week. The August recess is a time when many organizations engage their members in advocacy, so figuring out how to rise above the noise is key to advancing our legislative priorities. There are a number of factors that can influence a lawmaker’s decision-making.

Don’t worry if you end up meeting with a lawmaker’s staff member instead of him or her. Staff are invaluable sources of information and influence, both for you and for lawmakers. Members of Congress typically sit on three committees and do not have the time to attend all meetings, W W W. N A R F E . O R G

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read all bills, sit in on all hearings or absorb all relevant background information on all issues. Instead, they rely on their staff and colleagues to keep them informed.

When engaging with a lawmaker or staff, ask for their support but also ask them to encourage fellow members of their party to support the legislation you are advocating for. Members of Congress often look first to other members of their party to assess how an issue might affect their home state.

NARFE is a vital resource to members of Congress on federal issues. As an advocate for active and retired federal employees, NARFE has become one of the most reliable sources for information on the federal community. NARFE testifies at committee hearings, conducts research, and provides information and resources at the request of government officials. Furthermore, lawmakers know it is almost impossible to win elections without the support of interest groups, and NARFE’s political action committee provides an additional voice by raising and spending money to elect Fed-friendly candidates. When engaging with lawmakers on NARFE issues, always identify yourself as a member of NARFE. Members of Congress are influenced by you, but knowing how and when to communicate with them is very important to making your advocacy efforts effective.

Making a compelling case of how policies and laws affect your daily life is essential to being heard. Remember, lawmakers are listening to many stories daily from different interest groups, so you need to make your story memorable. First, always customize your messages to Congress. NARFE provides sample letters only as a guide to assist you in developing your story. Use NARFE’s federal family fact sheets to weave in vital information about federal workers and retirees in the district and state, but always include your own story as well. Doing so will make the lawmaker pay closer attention to you. Always have a follow-up strategy, including sending a thank-you note to the lawmaker or staffer after a meeting or seeing them at an event.

If they asked questions you were unable to answer, use that as the perfect opportunity to follow up and share information with them.

Tools to Help Prepare for Engagement

Grassroots Advocacy Month Webpage NARFE’s Grassroots Advocacy Month webpage provides all the resources you will need for engagement. The webpage includes issue briefs, federal family fact sheets, how-to guides to assist in planning meetings and events, step-by-step guides to writing letters to the editor and op-eds, and much more. Visit www.narfe.org/GAM2020.

Sharing Your Experience with NARFE Headquarters

“When engaging with lawmakers and NARFE issues, always identify yourself as a member of NARFE.”

Our advocacy effort is a collaborative operation. Sharing your Grassroots Advocacy Month experience with headquarters’ staff is vital to our work in Washington. This information helps the lobbying staff develop effective meeting strategies so they can continue the dialogue you started with lawmakers.

NARFE thanks you for your advocacy and in advance for making the 2020 Grassroots Advocacy Month a big success!

— MARSHA PADILLA-GOAD IS NARFE’S GRASSROOTS PROGRAM MANAGER.

40

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Actual size is 30.6 mm

A “World’s First” From the U.S. Mint!

T

eamwork. Sportsmanship. Fitness. Leadership. Integrity.

Respect. Perseverance. These are the “Naismith values,” created by Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. 2020 marks the 60th anniversary of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and the United States Mint is celebrating with a very special limited release: the U.S. Mint’s first-ever curved Basketball Half Dollar!

Unique One-Year Only Curved Design

The inwardly-curved obverse of the coin displays three athletes reaching for the same ball—symbolizing how basketball brings together people from all walks of life. The outwardly-curved reverse depicts a basketball as it’s about to drop through the hoop. And just look at the detail on that ball!

This coin marks just the third time the U.S. Mint has struck a curved coin series, and like the others—the incredibly popular 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame series and the 2019 Apollo 11 series—this first-ever Basketball Hall of Fame curved coin is a one-time-only release with a strictly limited mintage.

Official U.S. Half Dollar

Each coin is official United States legal tender, minted in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition. But don’t spend them!

These first-ever U.S. Basketball coins were issued by the U.S. Mint to hep raise funds for the Basketball Hall of Fame.

They’re a one-time-only, limited-edition collectible celebrating one of America’s favorite sports!

Don’t Wait—Our Supply is Limited!

This is the world’s first-ever U.S. Half Dollar struck by the U.S. Mint with a unique curved basketball design. And once these coins are gone, they’re gone for good! This is a one-time-only release with a strictly limited mintage. Don’t wait for our limited supply to run out—order your 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame 60th Anniversary Commemorative Clad Half Dollars now!

2020 Basketball Hall of Famed Curved Clad Half Dollar $42.95 ea + s/h

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The 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame Clad Half Dollar has a limited mintage of just 750,000 coins. Meanwhile, CNN reports that as many as 30 million Americans tune in to the NBA Finals each year! That’s one coin for every 40 fans!

The first two bowl-shaped series from the U.S. Mint were massive hits, with collectors scrambling to secure even one coin for their collections. Don’t miss the Mint’s historic first-ever curved basketball coin!

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Unique Concave Design

GovMint.com • 14101 Southcross Dr. W., Suite 175, Dept. BHF322-01 • Burnsville, MN 55337 GovMint.com® is a retail distributor of coin and currency issues and is not affiliated with the U.S. government. The collectible coin market is unregulated, highly speculative and involves risk. GovMint.com reserves the right to decline to consummate any sale, within its discretion, including due to pricing errors. Prices, facts, figures and populations deemed accurate as of the date of publication but may change significantly over time. All purchases are expressly conditioned upon your acceptance of GovMint.com’s Terms and Conditions (www.govmint.com/terms-conditions or call 1-800-721-0320); to decline, return your purchase pursuant to GovMint.com’s Return Policy. © 2020 GovMint.com. All rights reserved.

NARFE’S FEDERAL FAMILY RESOURCE

BY SETH ICKES GRASSROOTS PROGRAM ASSISTANT

T

he National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) represents the entire federal community and is your source of information as you carry out advocacy efforts during NARFE Grassroots Advocacy Month and throughout the year. The Federal Family table, located on the next page, offers data on current and retired Feds and provides a synopsis of data trends such as increases or decreases in the number of employees and annuitants since the previous fiscal year. This information is sourced from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the United States Postal Service (USPS).

The chart includes the total number of annuitants in fiscal year 2019, which is then further categorized into employee annuitants and survivor annuitants. The number of annuitants increased overall, though the number of survivor annuitants decreased since the last fiscal year. The chart also tracks the pension provided to annuitants, which also increased since the previous fiscal year. Looking at the federal workforce, the overall number of federal employees saw a slight increase over the previous fiscal year.

The overall number of postal employees, however, decreased according to recent data from May 2020.

Though there are fluctuations in the number of federal employees and

annuitants every year, it is clear that the federal community has a strong presence nationwide and is working across the country in every congressional district.

Please use this chart as well as other materials provided by the NARFE advocacy department when you meet with your legislators during NARFE Grassroots Advocacy Month.

Visit the NARFE advocacy webpage to access state-

MEAN (AVERAGE) AND MEDIAN (MIDPOINT) MONTHLY ANNUITIES BY SYSTEM BY YEAR

CSRS 2019 FERS 2019 CSRS 2018 FERS 2018 CSRS 2017 FERS 2017 EMPLOYEE MEAN* $3,939 $1,576 $3,781 $1,506 $3,651 $1,436 EMPLOYEE MEDIAN $3,428 $1,247 $3,288 $1,183 $3,171 $1,121 SURVIVOR MEAN** $1,710 $620 $1,646 $596 $1,597 $572 SURVIVOR MEDIAN $1,514 $483 $1,459 $466 $1,414 $446 * Employee Annuitants

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2020

specific federal family fact sheets and policy issue briefs. These documents report the number of federal retirees and employees in each state along with the departments and agencies they work for. They also compare the size of agencies to private-sector employers in each state. Additionally, NARFE publishes fact sheets detailing the number of federal annuitants in each congressional district. This information is vital when highlighting the federal community in your legislator’s state and district, showing the weight of the federal community.

If you have any questions about the data provided here or any other resources provided by the advocacy department, please call us at 1-800-456-8410 and select option 3, or email us at advocacy@narfe.org.

** Survivor Annuitants

the federal family Civilian Annuitants, Employees and Postal Employees The chart is a snapshot in time of the federal family. Dates and sources of the data are listed below. 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. (Note: Blue numbers denote annual decrease.)

TOTAL

TOTAL MONTHLY ANNUITANTS

ANNUITANTS EMPLOYEE SURVIVOR ANNUITIES FEDERAL USPS AND STATE/AREA ON ROLL* ANNUITANTS* ANNUITANTS* ($000s)* EMPLOYEES** EMPLOYEES*** EMPLOYEES ALABAMA 59,820 47,338 12,482 $158,875 38,764 9,221 107,805 ALASKA 8,779 7,530 1,249 $23,156 11,328 1,489 21,596 ARIZONA 62,292 51,697 10,595 $157,113 32,306 9,696 104,294 ARKANSAS 25,463 20,244 5,219 $55,630 13,177 5,470 44,110 CALIFORNIA 213,684 170,925 42,759 $562,787 145,125 63,712 422,521 COLORADO 53,216 44,331 8,885 $146,183 37,455 10,416 101,087 CONNECTICUT 14,923 11,928 2,995 $37,650 8,053 8,466 31,442 DELAWARE 11,931 9,976 1,955 $37,525 3,150 2,067 17,148 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 43,819 36,757 7,062 $167,506 141,955 5,623 191,397 FLORIDA 189,758 155,702 34,056 $509,124 81,775 36,300 307,833 GEORGIA 92,124 74,746 17,378 $237,085 73,086 18,257 183,467 GUAM 2,451 1,659 792 $4,539 2,534 110 5,095 HAWAII 24,960 18,942 6,018 $71,226 22,998 2,416 50,374 IDAHO 16,898 14,176 2,722 $42,137 10,129 2,647 29,674 ILLINOIS 71,180 58,493 12,687 $187,938 40,228 29,390 140,798 INDIANA 38,951 31,815 7,136 $92,316 23,797 12,567 75,315 IOWA 21,667 17,554 4,113 $49,750 8,696 7,518 37,881 KANSAS 25,514 20,895 4,619 $62,170 16,414 6,485 48,413 KENTUCKY 34,823 28,370 6,453 $77,995 21,983 7,792 64,598 LOUISANA 28,779 23,479 5,300 $69,462 18,993 8,509 56,281 MAINE 14,501 11,709 2,792 $34,264 11,234 3,442 29,177 MARYLAND 168,092 139,805 28,287 $643,841 127,783 12,978 308,853 MASSACHUSETTS 41,987 33,075 8,912 $109,451 24,839 16,086 82,912 MICHIGAN 48,117 40,452 7,665 $119,926 25,834 21,282 95,233 MINNESOTA 31,542 26,033 5,509 $75,879 16,663 12,414 60,619 MISSISSIPPI 26,550 21,219 5,331 $62,653 18,076 5,079 49,705 MISSOURI 55,957 45,925 10,032 $137,214 36,247 15,111 107,315 MONTANA 14,346 12,123 2,223 $35,978 10,823 2,075 27,244 NEBRASKA 13,885 11,186 2,699 $31,554 9,838 4,548 28,271 NEVADA 27,006 22,816 4,190 $69,373 11,698 4,622 43,326 NEW HAMPSHIRE 13,413 10,932 2,481 $36,145 4,510 3,393 21,316 NEW JERSEY 52,619 41,039 11,580 $152,160 20,329 21,348 94,296 NEW MEXICO 29,500 24,517 4,983 $76,001 21,863 3,121 54,484 NEW YORK 95,165 76,780 18,385 $229,494 51,377 44,756 191,298 NORTH CAROLINA 83,519 68,491 15,028 $220,678 45,289 19,672 148,480 NORTH DAKOTA 6,873 5,633 1,240 $15,119 5,555 1,775 14,203 OHIO 77,584 62,874 14,710 $202,853 50,521 23,419 151,524 OKLAHOMA 47,967 37,937 10,030 $112,924 39,158 6,956 94,081 OREGON 35,456 29,291 6,165 $91,590 20,527 7,052 63,035 PENNSYLVANIA 110,334 88,697 21,637 $285,963 61,360 28,486 200,180 PUERTO RICO 11,787 9,435 2,352 $23,670 11,365 2,777 25,929 RHODE ISLAND 7,654 5,893 1,761 $19,278 7,585 2,647 17,886 SOUTH CAROLINA 48,396 39,148 9,248 $121,456 21,966 8,698 79,060 SOUTH DAKOTA 11,427 9,589 1,838 $26,173 8,515 2,011 21,953 TENNESSEE 50,612 41,322 9,290 $125,151 26,713 12,776 90,101 TEXAS 181,348 146,122 35,226 $454,399 116,752 43,912 342,012 US VIRGIN ISLANDS 603 489 114 $1,224 417 152 1,172 UTAH 35,099 28,276 6,823 $90,092 30,365 5,492 70,956 VERMONT 4,826 3,988 838 $11,430 3,386 1,619 9,831 VIRGINIA 148,253 121,845 26,408 $517,109 136,648 16,373 301,274 WASHINGTON 71,940 59,178 12,762 $192,220 55,323 12,098 139,361 WEST VIRGINIA 19,260 16,070 3,190 $48,553 15,285 3,792 38,337 WISCONSIN 28,895 24,813 5,082 $67,933 15,878 11,680 56,453 WYOMING 6,283 5,352 931 $15,039 6,569 1,031 13,883 FOREIGN COUNTRIES & TERRITORIES NOT BROKEN OUT ABOVE 22,345 13,202 9,143 $36,918 25,324 20 47,689 TOTAL 2,685,173 2,181,813 503,360 $7,243,872 2,122,082 630,844 5,453,825 *OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, FISCAL YEAR 2019 ** OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FEDSCOPE, JUNE 2019 (THE LOCATIONS OF AN ADDITIONAL 274,521 EMPLOYEES ARE SUPPRESSED FOR SECURITY REASONS.) ***POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION, MAY 2020

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

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Managing Money

MANAGE RISK WITH A REBALANCING STRATEGY

Y

our investment strategy should reflect your goals and objectives, with a target asset allocation designed to balance risk with the return you need

to achieve those objectives. Over time, as high- and low-risk asset classes inevitably generate different returns, a portfolio can drift from the target asset mix, resulting in a different risk and return profile than you may desire. Periodically rebalancing your portfolio will help ensure that your asset allocation stays in line with your goals.

Many studies have focused on the benefits of portfolio rebalancing. While some have indicated rebalancing may improve performance (these studies typically involve periods when stocks can be bought after dropping significantly in value), the research makes it clear that rebalancing helps manage the risk of a portfolio.

Take, for example, a portfolio invested in 50 percent stocks and 50 percent bonds on March 1, 2009. If not rebalanced, the portfolio’s allocation would have drifted to 78 percent stocks and 22 percent bonds by the end of 2019.

While the expected return of a portfolio with 80 percent stocks will be higher than a portfolio with 50 percent, the risk will be higher, too. As you can see from the following chart, the average annual return for an 80 percent stock and 20 percent bond portfolio

was 8.3 percent versus 7.1 percent for the 50/50 portfolio from 1997 through 2019.

However, the worst one-year return was nearly twice as bad as well.

Though we all know that the way to make money in the stock market is to buy low and sell high, buying stocks in a down market can feel challenging when the basic instinct is to avoid losing any more money. And

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2020

CFP®

while rebalancing is a relatively simple concept, it is often emotionally difficult to do as it may involve selling the “winners” and buying the “losers.”

In the previous example, stocks outperformed bonds and needed to be sold to bring their allocation back down to 50 percent, but when the stock market drops during bear markets like the one we currently have due to COVID19, it’s bonds that must be sold while stocks are bought.

Most rebalancing strategies will either use a time- or threshold-based method.

For example, a time-based method could be annually, quarterly or some other predetermined interval. A threshold-based method would trigger a rebalance when the asset allocation has drifted from the target allocation by a predetermined percentage.

Source: Vanguard, as of December 31, 2019

44

BY MARK A. KEEN,

BENEFITS RESOURCES NARFE offers members a wide range of information on federal benefits.

Visit www.narfe.org/ FederalBenefitsInstitute.

More sophisticated rebalancing strategies may use a blend of the two.

While there’s no concrete evidence to suggest that one method or interval is better than another, Vanguard’s whitepaper, “Getting Back on Track: A Guide to Smart Rebalancing,” suggests the evidence is clear; from a risk management standpoint, any structured rebalancing strategy is better than not rebalancing at all.

When rebalancing, it’s important to be aware of potential transaction and tax costs. Since you don’t have to worry about tax costs in retirement plans, such as the Thrift Savings Plan, you may be able to

A great move

for NARFE members

accomplish your rebalancing objectives by making adjustments in a retirement account if rebalancing a taxable account would result in large tax costs.

If you’re managing a taxable account, you may want to consider receiving any mutual fund capital gains distributions and dividends in cash and then reinvesting them in the underweight assets. You can also use contributions and withdrawals to increase underweight assets or reduce overweight assets while minimizing any additional trading or tax costs.

Research shows that having a rebalancing strategy will help manage the risk of your investment portfolio. There are many great resources to help you get started, including Vanguard’s, which can be found at https:// investor.vanguard.com/investing/portfoliomanagement/rebalance.

MARK A. KEEN, CFP®, IS PARTNER, KEEN & POCOCK, AND AN INVESTMENT ADVISER REPRESENTATIVE AND REGISTERED PRINCIPAL OF THE STRATEGIC FINANCIAL ALLIANCE, INC. (SFA). SECURITIES AND ADVISORY SERVICES ARE OFFERED THROUGH SFA.

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Applicable to all discounts: Residents under a Life Care Agreement are not eligible for the discounts. These discounts do not apply to any room, board or services which are paid for all or in part by any state or federally funded program. Subject to availability. Further restrictions may apply.

*Discounted rate valid for new residents who are NARFE members or immediate family members of NARFE members. Discount applies only to the Monthly Rate or Basic Service Rate, excluding care costs and other fees. All fees are subject to the terms of the residency agreement. The discount does not apply to any fees which are paid for all or in part by any state or federally funded program. Further restrictions may apply. **Discount is only applicable to a new client of personal assistance services by a Brookdale agency under an executed service agreement. ***Discount is only applicable to new residents of a Brookdale assisted living or memory care community admitting under an executed respite agreement. Discount applies to the daily rate. ©2020 Brookdale Senior Living Inc. All rights reserved. BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING and BRINGING NEW LIFE TO SENIOR LIVING are the registered trademarks of Brookdale Senior Living Inc.

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

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45

2020

G FUND

F FUND

C FUND

S FUND

I FUND

JUNE

0.06%

0.63%

1.99%

4.00%

3.44%

MAY

0.06%

0.46%

4.76%

8.79%

4.50%

APRIL

0.07%

1.78%

12.81%

15.81%

6.42%

YTD

0.59%

6.08%

-3.15%

-5.85%

-11.08%

1 YEAR

1.54%

8.65%

7.41%

0.84%

-4.82%

3 YEAR*

2.30%

5.37%

10.68%

6.36%

1.20%

5 YEAR*

2.19%

4.47%

10.72%

6.82%

2.43%

10 YEAR*

2.12%

4.06%

14.01%

12.49%

6.21%

*ANNUALIZED

2020

L INCOME

L 2020

L 2030

L 2040

L 2050

JUNE

0.73%

0.77%

1.81%

2.14%

2.42%

MAY

1.23%

1.31%

3.25%

3.88%

4.43%

APRIL

2.52%

2.61%

6.71%

8.02%

9.16%

-0.23%

-0.74%

-2.80%

-3.64%

-4.42%

1 YEAR

2.52%

2.36%

2.95%

2.96%

2.86%

3 YEAR*

3.66%

4.23%

5.66%

6.14%

6.52%

5 YEAR*

3.62%

4.44%

5.88%

6.41%

6.84%

10 YEAR*

4.29%

7.00%

8.65%

9.60%

N/A

YTD

*ANNUALIZED

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

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

OPM RETIREMENT CLAIMS PROCESSING STATUS

Claims Received

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

2019

MAY 7,877 17,228 62 56 JUNE 8,201 18,501 60 56 JULY 8,000 18,413 55 56 AUGUST 8.878 17,576 50 56 SEPTEMBER 7,456 17,376 57 56 OCTOBER 7,044 17,882 59 59 NOVEMBER 7,822 18,390 62 61 DECEMBER 5,205 16,908 66 62 JANUARY 17,134 23,983 58 61 FEBRUARY 9,273 23,629 54 59 MARCH 6,566 21,264 61 60 APRIL

6,740 19,889 68

61 MAY

6,648 18,177 83

64 FOR THE NUMBER of new retirement cases the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) receives each month by agency and the percent with errors that it returns to those agencies, go to www.opm.gov/retirement-services/. l Source: OPM

2020

For the Record

MARKET GAINS REMAIN SLIGHT AMID PANDEMIC NEWS

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN FUND RETURNS

46

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2020

Investors continued to face mixed signals related to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Early in the month, a sharp increase in the number of employed Americans inspired hope for a fast recovery. By the end of the month, however, several large states were slowing their normalization measures in response to rising infection rates. The Federal Reserve continued its supportive policy measures, citing the ongoing public health crisis.

The C, S, and I Funds posted gains. The F Fund rose slightly. All of the L Funds finished higher.—BY MICHAEL JERUE, FINANCIAL ANALYST, THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN

COUNTDOWN TO COLA

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) went unchanged in May 2020. To calculate the 2021 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the 2020 third-quarter indices will be averaged and compared with the 2019 third-quarter average of 250.200. The percentage increase determines the COLA. May’s index, 249.521, is down 0.27 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 0.37 percent lower than the December 2019 base index of 250.452 The CPI represents purchases of food and beverages, housing, apparel, transportation, medical care, recreation, education and communication, and other goods and services. Included are various government fees, such as water charges, auto registration fees, and sales and excise taxes.

MONTH

CPI-W

Monthly % Change

% Change from 250.200 239.668

OCTOBER 2019 2017

240.573 250.894

-0.15 0.26

0.28 0.38

NOVEMBER

250.644 240.666

-0.10 0.04

0.18 0.42

DECEMBER

250.452 240.526

-0.08 -0.06

0.10 0.36

JANUARY 2020 2018

251.361 241.919

0.36 0.58

0.46 0.94

FEBRUARY

251.935 242.988

0.23 0.44

0.69 1.39

MARCH

251.375 243.463

-0.22 0.20

0.47 1.58

APRIL

249.515 244.607

-0.74 0.47

-0.27 2.06

MAY

249.521 245.770

0.00 0.48

-0.27 2.55

JUNE

246.196

0.17

2.72

JULY

246.155

-0.02

2.71

AUGUST

246.336

0.07

2.78

SEPTEMBER

246.565

0.09

2.88

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

$13,555,233.43*

*Total as of May 31, 2020 100 percent of all contributed funds go to Alzheimer’s research.

If you have any questions, write to: NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIR Olivia Williams 22 Garden Springs Road Columbia, SC 29209

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

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

EMAIL: oeashf3@gmail.com

Chapter Number:___________________________________________

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

Credit Card Information:

q MasterCard

q VISA

AND MAIL TO:

q Discover

q AMEX

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

Card Number:______________________________________________

NARFE-Alzheimer’s Research

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

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

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

FEEA 1641 Prince St. Alexandria, VA 22314

q YES!

I would like to help with my contribution.

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

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

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

NARFE News

WEBINARS AHEAD

NARFE PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

N

ARFE’s 2021 Photo Contest brought in hundreds of wonderful photographs from NARFE members.

Thank you all for sharing your work.

Narrowing the selection from several hundred photos down to 12 was particularly challenging this year, but the result is a magnificent 2021 NARFE Calendar, which will be distributed during the NARFE fundraising effort this month.

Here are the winning photographers and the titles of their photos.

Congratulations to everyone!

Watch your email for exciting webinar offerings that will bring exciting content we had planned for FEDcon20 to your computer or mobile device. And, as always, the Federal Benefits Institute webinar archive is always available online for NARFE members. Just visit www.narfe. org/federalbenefitsinstitute/?fa= webinars.

LIST OF 2020 WINNERS January: “Winter’s Warm” by George Petrovich, Gurnee, IL, Chapter 0441.

February: “Evening Kiss” by Phyllis Maguire, Burke, VA, Chapter 0893.

March (and Cover): “Cape May Lighthouse” by David Harrah, Bel Air, MD, National-Only member.

April: “Peek-A-Boo” by John Posluszny, Aurora, CO, Chapter 1072.

May: “Spring Day at Lan Su Chinese Garden” by Margaret Hadaway, Eugene, OR, Chapter 79.

June: “Turtle Hat (Busch Gardens)” by Lynn Fucarino, Tampa, FL, Chapter 1154.

July: “4th of July at Sharon and Rod’s” by William Johnson, Eugene, OR, National-Only member.

August: “Home Sweet Kansas” by Allyn Elliot, Lawrence, KS, Chapter 0378.

September: “Sunrise-Chatham MA” by George Sermuksnis, Worcester, MA, National-Only member.

October: “Near Oxford, Maine, in the Fall” by Jordan Tuller, The Villages, FL, Chapter 1372.

November: “Freedom of Speech” by David Trom, Windsor, CO, National-Only member.

December: “Available for Spring Occupancy” by Thomas A. Hodgson, Durham, NC, National-Only member.

★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★ 48

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

Active and Retired Federal Employees ...

Join NARFE Today!

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

Who Should Join NARFE?

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

• Visit the Legislative Action Center to contact your representatives about bills affecting federal benefits.

• Get monthly issues of NARFE Magazine with news and insights for the federal community.

• Visit the NARFE Perks page for a full listing of the many time-, money- and hassle-saving benefits available only to NARFE members.

• The opportunity to get involved at the local level by joining a chapter in your area.

1Q6

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

q

q Mr. q Mrs. q Miss q Ms.

PAYMENT OPTIONS q Check, Money Order or Bill Pay (Payable to NARFE) q Bill me (NARFE membership will start when payment is received.) q Charge my: q MasterCard

______________________________________________

Full Name

______________________________________________

Street Address Apt./Unit

______________________________________________

City

State

ZIP

______________________________________________

Phone

q Discover

q AMEX

___________________________________________ Card No. Expiration Date _____ /________ mm

______________________________________________

q VISA

yyyy

___________________________________________ Name on Card ___________________________________________ Signature ___________________________________________ Date

TOTAL DUES

______________________________________________

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

I am a (check all that apply)

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

Email

q Active Federal Employee q Annuitant

q Active Federal Employee Spouse

q Annuitant Spouse

q Survivor Annuitant

q Please enroll my spouse _________________________________________

Spouse’s Full Name

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

_________________________________________

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

THREE EASY WAYS TO JOIN

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

Spouse’s Email

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

2. Join online at www.NARFE.org.

3. Call 800-456-8410, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

___________________________________________ Recruiter’s Name ___________________________________________ Recruiter’s Membership ID NARFE respects the privacy of our members. Personal information is used to provide content and relevant communications to our members, and will not be sold or rented to third parties.

(05/20)

USE YOUR NARFE PERKS AND YOUR MEMBERSHIP WILL MORE THAN PAY FOR ITSELF! PRODUCTS

LegalShield 410-419-7130 | www.legalshield.com/info/narfe

Whether it’s big, small or somewhere in between, you have affordable legal help when you need it. Members receive the discounted rate of $16.95 for individuals and $18.95 for families of 10 (two adults and up to 8 children).

Office Depot 855-337-6811 x 2897 | www.officediscounts.org/narfe

Members can save up to 80% on over 93,000 products online or in store. Enjoy FREE next-day delivery on online orders over $50! Visit www.officediscounts.org/narfe to shop online, print off a FREE Store Purchasing Card, or text NARFESPC to 555-888 to receive the card to your mobile device. Call 855-337-6811 x 2897 and mention your NARFE membership with any questions or to place your order over the phone.

Omaha Steaks www.omahasteaks.com/NARFE

ENJOY FREE SHIPPING ON EXCLUSIVE COMBOS AND AN EXTRA 10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER WITH OMAHA STEAKS! Omaha Steaks delivers the finest in gourmet steaks, seafood, poultry, sides and desserts. NARFE members can enjoy FREE SHIPPING on select combos and an additional 10% DISCOUNT off entire order.

Ship Sunshine www.shipsunshine.com

Ship Sunshine offers cheery gifts - at all price levels - for all occasions, and especially for no occasion at all! You can also build your own custom gift and include personalized items. Use promo code NARFE at www.shipsunshine.com for a 5% discount!

TRAVEL & TRANSPORT

Alamo Rent a Car 800-462-5266 | www.alamo.com

Drive Happy with Alamo, where NARFE members receive year-round discounts. Call and mention ID# 262544.

Avis Car Rental 800-633-3469 | www.avis.com

Avis Car Rental is one of the world’s best-known car rental brands with approximately 5,500 locations in more than 165 countries. Call or book your reservation now at Avis. com using the NARFE AWD number A701900.

Budget Car Rental 800-218-7992 | www.budget.com

Budget Car Rental was founded in 1958 for the “budget-minded” renter. Today, with approximately 3,500 locations around the world, Budget is a leading rental car supplier.

Call or book your reservation using the NARFE BCD number D871500.

Choice Hotels International 800-258-2847 | www.choicehotels.com

With 6,400 hotels throughout the world, Choice Hotels offers something for everyone.

As a member, receive 20% off your next stay at participating hotels when you use Special Rate ID 00801967.

National Car Rental 800-CAR-RENT | www.nationalcarrental.com

You Drive A Hard Bargain. Receive up to 20% off rentals at National Car Rental.

Contract ID 5282909.

Extra Holidays 800-428-1932 | www.Extraholidays.com

Excellent service and the finest comforts are standards you can always rely on with Extra Holidays. With more spacious floor plans than a regular hotel, you can enjoy a One-, Two- or Three-Bedroom suite with partial or fully equipped kitchens.

Advanced reservations required.

Brookdale Senior Living Communities 877-713-2762 | www.brookdale.com/narfe

WELLNESS

As the largest operator of senior living communities in the US, Brookdale has over 1,000 locations all across the country. Members are eligible for 7.5% discount at Brookdale Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care communities and 10% discounts on Brookdale Private Duty Home Care. Discounts are for new move-ins/customers only.

HearUSA 855-845-2706 | www.narfe.hearusa.com

The Nation’s Most Trusted Name in Hearing Care. Choose from 250+ hearing aids with $0 co-pay for many plans. Wireless. Bluetooth. Smartphone compatible. Nearly invisible. Riskfree 60-day trial. Free follow-up care. Free 3-year warranty.

Life Line Screening 800-324-9906 | www.lifelinescreening.com/NARFE R

INSURANCE

Life Line Screening, America’s leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will conduct health screenings using state-of-the-art ultrasound technology in your neighborhood. Operator code BKHN075.

NARFE Insurance Services 800-233-5764 | www.narfeinsurance.com

Designed exclusively for NARFE members, (plans administered by Mercer) Senior Age Whole Life Insurance, Senior Term Life Insurance, Hospital Income and Short Term Recovery Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, AssistPlus, Discount Prescription Plan and Pet Insurance.

Nationwide 855-550-9216 | https://www.nationwide.com/narfe.jsp

For your love of discounts side. Discover how Nationwide’s suite of solutions can help protect your financial future. Protect what matters to you for less with a member-only discount when you enroll in an auto or power sports policy.

MOVING SERVICES

Bekins Van Lines 800-248-4810 | narfe@bekins.com

The Bekins team has been moving families with friendly professionalism for more than a century. We’ve been around all these years because we keep our word­—being on time, treating your possessions with care, and proactively communicating with you.

Wheaton World Wide Moving 800-248-7960 | narfe@wvlcorp.com

At Wheaton, we know interstate relocation is much more than trucks and boxes. With a network of top-quality agents throughout the United States, Wheaton provides peace of mind with every relocation.

PRE-PLANNING

Neptune Society 800-NEPTUNE (637-8863) | www.neptunesociety.com

Our prearranged plans cover all necessary expenses for one guaranteed price even if the services are not needed for 40 or 50 years. The Neptune Society offers a $100 discount to all NARFE members.

OTHER PARTNERS

SEE HOW MUCH YOU CAN SAVE AT

www.NARFE.org/memberperks

The Way We Worked

PROTECTING FISH AND WILDLIFE In this photo from 1954, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) agent Jim King is preparing to walk to an illegal beaver trap about 20 miles southwest of Galena, Alaska.

FWS agents routinely used airplanes to travel around Alaska, enforcing animal protection and conservation efforts throughout the state. Today, FWS agents are still responsible for enforcing federal wildlife laws as well as protecting endangered species, managing migratory birds, restoring nationally significant fisheries, and conserving and restoring wildlife habitats.

PHOTO from the Records of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Archives, courtesy of National Archives History Office, in collaboration with the Society for History in the Federal Government (SHFG), bringing together government professionals, academics, consultants, students and citizens interested in understanding federal history work and the historical development of the federal government. To join, visit www.shfg.org.

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DID YOU KNOW? The U.S. Commission on Fish and Fisheries was an independent agency created in 1871 to study and provide solutions for a decline in fisheries. In 1903, the Commission was renamed Bureau of Fisheries and moved to the Department of Commerce and Labor. In 1940, the agency combined with the Bureau of Biological Survey and became the Fish and Wildlife Service under the Department of Interior.

Visit https://training.fws.gov

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Learn how to save on your hearing health!

Call today to see if you qualify to receive 2 free hearing aids!* With more than 30 years in hearing care, HearUSA has helped over 1 million people experience a better quality of life through better hearing.

NARFE Member Exclusive • FREE one-year batteries and one-year follow up service visits

As a NARFE member you have access to the latest hearing aid technology. Receive the highest level of quality hearing healthcare service in the industry.

• FREE three years warranty and loss, stolen & damage coverage

HearUSA is the exclusive hearing care Affinity Partner for NARFE members. We carry all major brands including rechargeable and nearly invisible models.

• 10% off hearing accessories at HearingShoppe.com

• Risk-free 60-day trial

Schedule your FREE hearing appointment:

1-855-252-0025

*This is not insurance and insurance benefits vary. Some restrictions apply. 1 year battery supply with purchase of hearing aids. Offer valid at participating HearUSA providers only. Call for details.