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COVER STORY
Volume 96 • Number 8
DISCLOSURE AND EXPOSURE: CONSIDERATIONS FOR POTENTIAL WHISTLEBLOWERS ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
PRE-RETIREMENT CHECKLIST
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WASHINGTON WATCH
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House Remains Silent on 2021 Federal Pay Raise
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GAO Report Outlines Concerns With Current COLA Calculation
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Beyond Grassroots Advocacy Month: NARFE Efforts Continue in Final Months of 2020
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Report Points to Uncompetitive Pay and Benefits Driving Recruitment and Retention Challenges
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House Votes in Favor of DC Statehood
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Bill Tracker
COVER STORY DISCLOSURE AND EXPOSURE: CONSIDERATIONS FOR POTENTIAL WHISTLEBLOWERS+ Read about the whistleblowing process for reporting government corruption and how taking action could effect your career.
COLUMNS
4
From the President
40
Managing Money
42 Alzheimer’s Update
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PRE-RETIREMENT CHECKLIST Tammy Flanagan details the many financial factors to evaluate when considering the optimal time to retire.
DEPARTMENTS
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Questions & Answers
44 For the Record SEP
46 NARFE News
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On the Web
50 NARFE Perks
VISIT US ONLINE AT:
52 The Way We Worked
www.narfe.org COVER STORY
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:
NARFE National Headquarters
Volume 96 • Number 8
DISCLOSURE AND EXPOSURE: CONSIDERATIONS FOR POTENTIAL WHISTLEBLOWERS ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
PRE-RETIREMENT CHECKLIST
ON THE C OVER Illustration by GRAPHEK
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W W W. N A R F E . O R G
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SEPTEMBER 2020 | Volume 96 | Number 8
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
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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
CRITICAL NEWS
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t press time, our nation is moving through phases of reopening even as many states face a spike in
coronavirus cases. Americans are demanding police reform and other actions to address racial injustice. Tens of millions remain out of work. Dare I say that things are likely to get worse before they get better? September 30 is the final day of the federal government’s fiscal year, so Congress has until then to pass appropriations bills to set spending levels for the new fiscal year. If Congress fails, and it usually does, it will need to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to establish temporary spending levels and avoid a government shutdown. There is little chance that either party would be foolish enough to threaten a shutdown in an election year. During election years, we are able to not only engage current members of Congress but also new candidates for office. Candidates will do all they can to interact with constituents, so we must take advantage of these opportunities. And, depending on national election results, the lame duck Congress could be highly active. Even though Grassroots Advocacy Month is almost over, we need to continue advancing NARFE’s
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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legislative priorities. Your advocacy doesn’t end when August does. We need to keep pushing for increased funding for the Postal Service so that the agency can stay afloat during the pandemic, ensuring citizens receive crucial medications, groceries and other necessities. Other legislative priorities include reforming or repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and securing more accurate COLAs for seniors. NARFE supports two current WEP reform bills 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. These bills do not fully repeal the WEP, but they would provide a monthly rebate to lower the WEP penalty. NARFE also supports legislation that would fully repeal both the WEP and Government Pension Offset (GPO)—H.R. 141/S. 521, the Social Security Fairness Act. Since a House vote is guaranteed once a bill has 290 cosponsors, it’s imperative that we work towards this end. NARFE also supports H.R. 1553, the Fair COLA for Seniors Act. Under this legislation, COLAs would be calculated by measuring seniors’ spending habits using the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), rather than the current method. For the past 99 years, NARFE members have rallied to preserve our hard-earned benefits— the benefits that we were promised by the government when we were hired. Today, NARFE members need to keep reminding legislators and the administration that we are only seeking fair treatment. Please make sure NARFE has your current email address so you can receive our action alerts. Stay tuned and stay informed.
KENNETH J. THOMAS NARFE NATIONAL PRESIDENT natpres@narfe.org
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Washington Watch
HOUSE REMAINS SILENT ON 2021 FEDERAL PAY RAISE
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n July, the House Appropriations Committee approved its fiscal year (FY) 2021 Financial Services and General Government spending bill. The legislation provides annual
funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Judiciary, the Executive Office of the President, and other independent agencies, including the Small Business Administration. Despite allocating billions of dollars, appropriators did not include a pay raise for federal employees in 2021.
The full House passed the legislation on July 31 as part of a larger appropriations package. Without a specified pay adjustment from Congress, action on a federal pay increase rests with the president, who proposed a 1 percent federal pay raise in his FY21 budget spending package to Congress. However, the president can change course if he deems it necessary, putting the possibility of a pay freeze on the table. NARFE was vigilant throughout the appropriations process. NARFE National President Ken Thomas issued letters reminding appropriators about the outstanding contributions and sacrifices federal employees make each 6
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day, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to full committee markup of the bill, Thomas sent a letter urging appropriators to reconsider their decision to exclude a federal pay raise for 2021. He again stressed that federal workers have been ACTION ALERT!
taking on additional risks for both the health and economic stability of this nation, and their contributions should be recognized. Even with more than 13,000 federal employees testing positive for the coronavirus, many continue—both on the front lines and working remotely—to serve the public. Federal employees spearhead the COVID-19 response: the National Institutes of Health researches treatments and vaccines, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracks the spread of the virus and helps communities respond. Countless more federal workers continue to serve the nation
SEPTEMBER
Federal employees continue to make outstanding contributions and sacrifices, especially amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Yet the House ignored those sacrifices and deferred any action on a federal pay raise to the president, who proposed a 1 percent pay increase in 2021. But the Senate has not yet spoken, and therefore a final compromise has not yet been reached. Please reach out to your members of Congress today using NARFE’s Legislative Action Center and urge them to reverse course and provide a pay raise. Take this opportunity to share what you do (or did) as a federal employee.
through telework, maintaining government operations amid difficult circumstances. Federal pay rates must be adjusted annually for the government to maintain the competitive pay required to recruit and retain a well-qualified and high-performing workforce. The doctors and nurses who care for our veterans, the cybersecurity professionals protecting critical infrastructure, the NASA engineers, NIH scientists, federal law enforcement and intelligence
officers, prosecutors and judges, and many more who comprise our federal workforce require adequate compensation or we risk losing their talents. Although silent on a pay raise for federal employees, both the House and Senate approved a 3 percent military pay raise in the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act. In recent years, Congress matched federal civilian employees’ pay adjustments with that of the military; 2021 should be no different.
GAO REPORT OUTLINES CONCERNS WITH CURRENT COLA CALCULATION METHOD
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n June, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported concerns about the accuracy, timeliness and relevancy of the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) calculations for federal retirees and Social Security beneficiaries. GAO’s main concern stems from the method the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses to derive price indexes, which hasn’t been tested in thirty years. BLS is uncertain about the extent to which its current COLA methodology reflects “what subpopulations pay, where they shop and what they purchase.” BLS cited budgetary reasons for the lack of analysis. Currently, COLAs are calculated using the Consumer
Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The CPI-W measures the average change in prices over time in a market basket of consumer goods and services purchased by urban wage earners and clerical workers. BLS also calculates the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), which covers a broader population. As such, the CPI-W is considered a sub-index of the CPI-U. Since 1981, BLS has collected data only on the populations covered by the CPI-U, which is then used to estimate the CPI-W and two other indexes. Prior to 1981, BLS collected separate data from the subpopulations covered (Continued on p.10)
We need to recognize and honor the dedicated service of federal employees nationwide with more than just words. While the House has spoken, there are still several steps left in the appropriations process before the start of the new fiscal year. Visit the NARFE website today and use NARFE’s Legislative Action Center to send a letter to your legislators urging support for a modest pay raise for federal employees in 2021. — BY SETH ICKES, GRASSROOTS ASSISTANT
MYTH vs. REALITY Myth: NARFE endorses and supports a presidential candidate.
Reality: NARFE does not endorse or support any presidential candidate. NARFE sent a candidate questionnaire to the two major party candidates competing in the 2020 presidential election and will publish their responses in next month’s NARFE Magazine to educate members on the candidates’ positions, if they are received by the deadline. However, this is not, and should not be perceived as, an endorsement of any candidate. NARFE’s political arm, NARFE-PAC, does not contribute funds to any presidential candidates. W W W. N A R F E . O R G
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Washington Watch
BEYOND GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY MONTH: NARFE EFFORTS CONTINUE IN FINAL MONTHS OF 2020
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ARFE sends a big thanks to all members who participated in Grassroots Advocacy Month. Despite the challenges and limits on advocacy activities due to the COVID-19 health crisis, you were energized and sought ways to safely and effectively make your voices heard. The campaign could not have succeeded without your hard work in support of NARFE’s legislative agenda. Many engaged in socially distant activities like lawmakers’ online, video chat and over-thephone virtual town hall meetings; participated in NARFE’s campaigns to write to members of Congress via our Legislative Action Center; and sent letters-tothe-editor to state and local media outlets. We were delighted that NARFE federations and chapters shared the campaign’s weekly Facebook and Twitter “post and share” and “listen and learn” activities. This year’s campaign focused on two legislative priorities: reform or repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which reduces Social Security benefits for federal retirees under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) who also worked in the private sector; and support for more accurate cost-of-livingadjustments (COLAs). NARFE’s ongoing call to action on these issues is to continue asking members of the House to cosponsor the two WEP reform bills: H.R. 4540, the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act, and H.R. 3934/S. 3401, the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act. These measures
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would bring immediate relief to those affected by providing a rebate and creating a new formula moving forward. NARFE is also pushing for Congress to vote on legislation to fully repeal the WEP and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), H.R. 141/ S. 521, the Social Security Fairness Act. The second legislative priority is to increase the number of cosponsors for H.R. 1553, the Fair COLA for Seniors Act. Under this legislation, COLAs would be calculated using the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly, which better accounts for seniors’ spending habits than the current index, especially on medicine, health care, shelter and related costs. Visit www.congress.gov to look up these important pieces of legislation and determine whether your lawmakers are cosponsors. Labor Day marks the end of summer and is a time of many transitions such as students heading back to school, even virtually, and Congress returning to Capitol Hill. Members of Congress are taking constituent concerns back to Washington, including issues that resonated with them after hearing from you. But you still need to follow up to ensure that lawmakers follow through, and be sure to provide any information they or their staff requested. We would also like to thank everyone who filled out NARFE’s feedback form to share details of your meetings and events. NARFE’s advocacy team is using this important information as it meets with lawmakers and continues the conversations you started back home.
Because it’s an election year, lawmakers’ return to Capitol Hill will be brief before they head to their home states and districts to continue campaigning up to Election Day. This presents additional opportunities for you to promote our issues, especially if you were unable to engage during Grassroots Advocacy Month. We thank you again for your advocacy and participation in Grassroots Advocacy Month. Visit the advocacy webpage at www.narfe.org/legislation to stay informed about NARFE’s legislative activities, and contact us at advocacy@narfe.org if you have questions. — 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.
REPORT POINTS TO UNCOMPETITIVE PAY AND BENEFITS DRIVING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION CHALLENGES
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n June 23, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management held a hearing to review the National Commission on Military, National and Public Service’s final report providing recommendations to improve public service. The report, developed over the past three years, contains over 160 proposals. Among them are steps to improve federal workforce recruitment and retention efforts, improve the public’s perception of the federal workforce, raise public awareness of agencies’ missions, and modernize federal benefits so they are competitive with the private sector. The 11-member, bipartisan commission was created by Congress in 2017 with a broad mission and mandate to develop recommendations to inspire more Americans, especially young people, to serve at all levels of government. NARFE worked extensively with the commission over the last two years and testified before the commission in May 2019; a number of NARFE’s recommendations were included in the commission’s final report. Commission Chairman Joseph Heck, a former Nevada Representative, cited poor pay and the cumbersome federal hiring process as roadblocks to recruitment and retention. Heck stated, “The commission found that many Americans seek civil service careers but are prevented from serving by antiquated personnel systems and practices,
Commission Chairman Joseph Heck, a former Nevada Representative, cited poor pay and the cumbersome federal hiring process as roadblocks to recruitment and retention. overly long hiring and clearance timelines, uncompetitive compensation and benefits, and lack of career flexibility.” Heck noted that the commission’s report was released as the coronavirus pandemic began to take effect in the United States and said the work of those in public service “will be integral to responding to COVID19.” Many of the commission’s recommendations, if adopted, “will create a more resilient nation better prepared to meet the next national emergency regardless of what form it takes.” Heck told the subcommittee that Congress must stop looking to reduce spending by cutting federal benefits, warning that it impacts the government’s ability to recruit and retain the best and brightest workers. Commissioner Shawn Skelly, who also testified, noted that the report encourages Congress to fund public service announcements to improve the public’s perception of the federal workforce and the work of the federal government. One idea posed by the commission to improve recruitment and retention is a cafeteria-style plan for federal
benefits. Heck said it would better match private-sector benefit plans and would allow new hires to choose benefits based on their needs rather than forcing them into a one-size-fitsall package. He also emphasized that the solution would be revenue neutral. Responding to a question from Senator Tom Carper, D-DE, Heck said agencies could hire more interns after their agency internships ended if they were exempt from competitive requirements for hiring. Skelly agreed and noted the commission’s recommendation that the Office of Personnel Management establish a fellowship center to track how agencies convert interns to employees and collect further data to improve recruitment. Subcommittee Chairman James Lankford, R-OK, concluded the hearing by expressing his support for many of the commission’s recommendations, calling them “common sense” solutions to long-standing issues and saying that he looked forward to exploring legislative avenues to implement them. — BY SETH ICKES, GRASSROOTS ASSISTANT W W W. N A R F E . O R G
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Washington Watch
HOUSE VOTES IN FAVOR OF DC STATEHOOD
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he Washington, D.C. Admission Act, H.R. 51, introduced by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC, passed the House of Representatives in June by a vote of 232-180. It is the first time that statehood legislation has ever passed a chamber of Congress. However, the Senate is not expected to take up the bill. If the bill were to become law, the District of Columbia would become the 51st state under a new name: Washington, Douglass Commonwealth. The change would grant the city’s 700,000-plus citizens control of their local governance, along
with voting representation in Congress—two Senators and one Representative. An area surrounding the National Mall and Capitol Hill would serve as the seat of power for the federal government. NARFE members voted, on two occasions, to include support of DC statehood in NARFE’s advocacy program, which guides our legislative advocacy. NARFE sent letters to Congress in support of H.R. 51, including a letter to all Representatives, urging them to vote in favor of the legislation. NARFE members of the DC federation were strong
advocates for the passage of this bill in the House. They contacted legislators, attended congressional hearings and worked with coalition partners to see the bill passed. They have now set their sights on growing the number of lawmakers cosponsoring the legislation. There are 141,514 active federal employees working in the District of Columbia, many of whom live there, and 44,014 district residents who are federal annuitants. None of these residents have voting representation in Congress.
(Continued from p. 7) by the CPI-W but found that data collected under the CPI-U and CPI-W were similar enough that the efforts were duplicative. However, according to BLS, it is unsure if CPI-U data are “adequate to produce accurate subpopulation estimates”— including those covered by the CPI-W. Furthermore, data used to calculate CPIs can be up to four years old. For example, the report notes that CPI data published from January 2014 to December 2015 used data from 2011 to 2012. Without a proper evaluation of the methodology, GAO said, “federal retirement benefits could be subjected to adjustment based on potentially inaccurate information.” GAO recommends BLS explore cost-effective methods for evaluating data to determine price indexes, including engaging with stakeholders and seeking input from advisory groups with expertise on the subject. Members of BLS advisory groups noted there are low cost ways
to evaluate the data despite the agency’s concerns with proper evaluation having a high price tag. GAO also encouraged BLS to compare its data to international and domestic National Accounts data, which are collected annually by the United Nations from its member countries to ensure the accuracy of their findings. BLS agreed with the former recommendation but disagreed with the latter. Seniors rely most on the COLA, yet BLS’ current methodology misrepresents their spending habits and lifestyle. Seniors spend a disproportionate amount on medical care, which continues to outpace the costs of other consumer goods. As a result, the current method of COLA calculations shortchanges retired public servants, veterans and all seniors who rely on Social Security for income. This is why NARFE supports the Fair COLA for Seniors Act, H.R. 1553, which would switch the COLA calculation from the CPI-W to the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), a
move that would result in higher COLAs of an estimated 0.27 percentage points per year. Visit NARFE’s website and use the Legislative Action Center to send a message to your Representative urging him or her to cosponsor the Fair COLA for Seniors Act.
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— BY SETH ICKES, GRASSROOTS ASSISTANT
— BY SETH ICKES, GRASSROOTS ASSISTANT
LEGISLATIVE RESOURCES • NARFE NewsLine: A weekly newsletter that goes out to NARFE members on Tuesdays and includes weekly recaps of legislative news, compiled by NARFE’s advocacy and communications teams. • Legislative Action Center: A one-stop site to send a letter to Congress, and more, at www.narfe.org.
narfe bill tracker THE NARFE BILL TRACKER IS YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO THE CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION THAT NARFE IS FOLLOWING. CHECK BACK EACH ISSUE FOR UPDATES. ISSUE
THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN
BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR H.R. 5018/S. 2791: Taxpayers and Savers Protection (TSP) Act / Rep. Mark Meadows, R-NC / Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL
WHAT BILL WOULD DO Removes Chinese companies from the Thrift Savings Plan international fund, putting investors at a distinct disadvantage compared to private-sector retirement funds.
Cosponsors: H.R. 5018: 0 (D) 16 (R) S. 2791: 2 (D) 7 (R)
LATEST ACTION(S) Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.R. 5018) / 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: 209 (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)
POSTAL REFORM1
H.Res. 54: Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-VA Cosponsors: 218 (D) 75 (R)
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:
Support
Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S.Res. 99)
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
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) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance (S. 521)
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) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance (S. 3401)
Cosponsors: H.R. 141: 191 (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) 44 (R) S. 3401: 1 (R)
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: 140 (D) 2 (R) moving forward.
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
Cosponsors: 15 (D) 3 (R)
H.R. 1553: Fair COLA for Seniors Act of 2019 / Rep. John Garamendi, D-CA FEDERAL ANNUITIES
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
H.R. 51/S. 631: Washington, D.C. Admission Act / Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC / Sen. Thomas Carper, D-DE Cosponsors H.R. 51: 227 (D) S. 631: 41 (D) 1 (I)
Provides for the admission of the Passed the House of State of Washington, D.C. into Representatives 232the Union. 180 on June 26, 2020 (H.R. 51) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 631)
NARFE’s Position: 12
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LATEST ACTION(S)
Support
Oppose
No position
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
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: 34 (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: 20 (R) S. 1898: 5 (R)
NARFE’s Position:
Support
LATEST ACTION(S) 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
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* The Service Benefit Plan will pay a hearing aid benefit for Standard and Basic Options up to $2,500 total every 3 calendar years for adults age 22 and over, and up to $2,500 total per calendar year for members up to age 22. FEP Blue Focus does not have a hearing aid benefit. Do not rely on this communication piece alone for complete benefit information. All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan brochure. The Blue365® Discount Program offers access to savings on items that you may purchase directly from independent vendors, which may be different from items covered under the Service Benefit Plan or any other applicable federal healthcare program. For hearing aids, acupuncture, chiropractic and vision services, you must exhaust your Service Benefit Plan benefit first before accessing the savings of the Blue365® Discount Program. To find out what is covered under your policy, contact the customer service number on the back of your member ID card. The products and services described herein are neither offered nor guaranteed under any local Blue company’s contract with the Medicare program. These items are not subject to the Medicare appeal process. Any disputes regarding these products and services are not subject to the Disputed Claims process. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) may receive payments from Blue365 vendors. Neither the Service Benefit Plan, nor any local Blue company recommends, endorses, warrants or guarantees any specific Blue365 vendor or item. The Service Benefit Plan reserves the right to change, modify, or terminate any item and vendors made available through Blue365, at any time. † Price shown does not include cost of comprehensive hearing exam. Examination and testing for prescribing of hearing aids is covered under the Service Benefit Plan. The member should confirm that the provider rendering the hearing exam is a Preferred provider. If the provider is Non-preferred, the member may be charged a maximum fee of
Example Savings (per pair) Prices and products subject to change. For more information, visit TruHearing.com. Sample Product
Average Retail Price
TruHearing Price
Allowance (up to $2,500)*
TruHearing® Advanced
$4,890
$2,500
–$2,500
Signia® 2 Nx
$4,020
$1,990
–$2,500
Phonak® Audéo® M 50
$3,990
$2,550
–$2,500
Resound LiNX Quattro 5
$5,560
$2,740
–$2,500
Starkey® Livio™ 1600
$5,480
$2,950
–$2,500
Widex Evoke™ 330
$5,570
$3,450
–$2,500
Oticon Opn® S1
$6,590
$4,300
–$2,500
You Pay † $0 $0 $50 $240 $450 $950 $1,800
Rechargeable | Listed products are smartphone compatible‡
Call TruHearing today and start saving 1-877-360-2432 | For TTY, dial 711 $75 for the exam, and the member may need to submit a claim for reimbursement. Must be a Service Benefit Plan member to access TruHearing discounted pricing. TruHearing is offered through Blue365, which provides exclusive health and wellness deals and is a program of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. The Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® words and symbols, Federal Employee Program®, FEP® and Blue365® are all trademarks owned by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ‡ Smartphone compatible hearing aids connect directly to iPhone®, iPad®, and iPod® Touch devices. Connectivity also available to many Android® phones with use of an accessory. All content ©2020 TruHearing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. TruHearing® is a registered trademark of TruHearing, Inc. All other trademarks, product names, and company names are the property of their respective owners. Listed benefit amount may differ from customer's actual benefit. Actual customer payment will vary. Three follow-up visits must be used within one year after the date of initial purchase. Hearing aid repairs, and replacements subject to provider and manufacturer fees. For questions regarding fees, contact TruHearing customer service. FEP_NARFE_AD_0120
TruHearing is an independent company that provides discounts on hearing aids.
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 FEGLI REENROLLMENT
Q
I’m thinking about retiring from federal service in six or seven years. Although I previously waived my coverage under Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), I would like to reenroll in the Basic plan so I can keep it in retirement. I know that to be eligible to carry the coverage into retirement, I must have the coverage for at least the last five years before I separate. I don’t expect to have a qualifying life event (QLE) anytime soon, and I haven’t heard any announcements about upcoming FEGLI open seasons. Is there any other way to obtain this coverage?
A
FEGLI open seasons are rare and don’t occur on a regular basis. Some employees who separate from federal service midcareer for at least 6 months before returning to federal service will have a 60-day opportunity to sign up for any level of FEGLI they desire upon being rehired. Although this information may prove useful to other people reading this column, this doesn’t appear to be an 16
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option that fits your specific need. As an active federal employee, if you don’t expect to experience a QLE (such as marriage, divorce, a spouse’s death, or birth or adoption of a child) that allows you to sign up for FEGLI, you do have another option. While it does require underwriting (i.e., physical examination to determine your health status and insurability), you can use form SF 2822 – Request For Insurance:
FEGLI program to try obtaining the coverage. It’s available at www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/ sf2822.pdf. Follow all of the steps outlined in the form’s instructions. If the Office of Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI) approves your physical exam, they will notify your agency human resources office, and your agency will automatically give you Basic coverage effective the first day that you are in a pay and duty status on or after the date of OFEGLI’s approval (as long as you are in a pay and duty status within 60 days of OFEGLI’s approval). You would also have 60 days from the date of OFEGLI’s approval to add Option A or B to your Basic coverage using form SF 2817 –Life Insurance Election, but this wouldn’t be necessary if your only desire is to obtain Basic coverage.
REDUCTION IN FEGLI COVERAGE
Q
I recently secured life insurance coverage in the private sector that is less expensive than the optional coverages that I currently have under the FEGLI program. Although I’d like to keep my Basic coverage under FEGLI, I want to cancel all the additional optional coverage. How do I do that?
A
As long as you haven’t previously assigned your FEGLI, you can reduce your coverage at any time by using form SF 2817 – Life Insurance Election: www. opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2817. pdf. Assignment, which is pretty rare, means that you give ownership and control of your life insurance to someone else (an individual, corporation or an irrevocable trust). If you want to keep your Basic coverage and cancel your optional coverages, only sign the section of the form related to retaining your Basic coverage. Once you submit the form to your agency human resources office, the lack of signatures in the Options A, B and C sections will automatically indicate that you are cancelling your optional coverage. Once you have submitted SF 2817, the effective date of the change in coverage should be the beginning of the pay period
following the one in which your agency receives the form. As with any government form, be sure to obtain a copy of the election once it has been processed by your agency. If your agency does not automatically provide you with a copy of the form, you can usually procure a copy once it has been added to your Official Personnel Folder (OPF, sometimes called an eOPF since most employees have access to their OPFs electronically). Form SF50 – Notification of Personnel Action will also be added to your OPF reflecting the change in FEGLI, and your statement of earnings and leave should reflect the change as well.
RETIREES FEGLI CHANGES IN RETIREMENT
Q
I’ve been retired for several years and early next year, I’m planning to get married to someone who still has young children. When I retired, I cancelled my optional coverages and chose to keep only the FEGLI Basic coverage. Will my marriage next year count as a QLE that allows me to add some optional coverage under FEGLI? If not, does OPM ever offer FEGLI open seasons to retirees?
A
Although federal retirees may reduce or cancel FEGLI coverage at any time, they are unable to increase, sign up or restore previously cancelled coverage under this program unless they return to federal service as a reemployed annuitant. However, not all reemployed annuitant positions offer this option. Federal retirees don’t have FEGLI open seasons or QLEs that allow them to increase, sign up or restore previously cancelled coverage. If you think you need additional life insurance coverage due to your upcoming marriage, and if you are healthy and insurable, you don’t have to wait until you get married to start shopping around for life insurance in the private-sector market. Consider taking a look at the back of your NARFE Magazine, as NARFE has Perk Partners who offer life insurance to NARFE members.
ADVANTAGES OF MEDICARE ENROLLMENT
Q
I’ve been retired for a couple of years now. Approaching my 65th birthday, I’m considering Medicare enrollment. I plan to keep my coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, but what are
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Questions & Answers
some advantages of signing up for Medicare Parts A and B?
A
Medicare Parts A and B, when combined with many FEHB plans, often provide 100 percent coverage for inpatient and outpatient medical care. Many FEHB plans will waive the majority of your co-pays and deductibles if you have Medicare Part B as primary coverage for outpatient medical care. Since Medicare Part A is premium-free for most federal retirees, other than the co-pays/coinsurances for prescription drugs (usually under your FEHB plan) and the premiums for Medicare Part B and the FEHB plan, many
federal retirees find themselves with very little out-of-pocket medical expenses if they have both Medicare Parts A and B as primary coverage to their FEHB plan. This is especially true if the medical service provider accepts Medicare. Medicare often provides excellent coverage for specific elderly care such as therapies, durable medical equipment and home health care. Some FEHB plans provide a health fund or a Medicare reimbursement to help cover the cost of your Medicare Part B premium. These plans could be ideal to switch to once Medicare becomes primary to your FEHB plan. Keep in mind that if
you are married to a younger spouse, you always have the option to delay switching FEHB plans until your spouse becomes eligible for Medicare. This might be important since your younger spouse won’t typically have access to Medicare until he or she reaches age 65. Since there are variations among the many FEHB plans, always read your FEHB plan brochure to obtain a better understanding of how your specific plan coordinates coverage with Medicare for various medical care needs. Section 9 of your FEHB plan brochure specifically addresses this topic. We also recommend calling a customer service
FEDCON WEBINAR SERIES WEBINARS CONTINUE SEPTEMBER 3 AND SEPTEMBER 10
IT’S NOT TOO LATE! Sign up for any of the six webinars or the whole series. Registrants get exclusive access to these webinars even after they’ve aired live. FEDCON webinars include • Legislative Update • How to Be an Effective NARFE Voice for Change • Cybersecurity—What the FBI Knows That You Don’t, But Should • Caring for the Caregiver • The Four Things You Can Change After You Retire • Be Prepared for Life’s Events
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Questions & Answers
representative from your FEHB plan so he or she can address any specific questions you still have after you review the information in your brochure. It’s difficult to cover every situation in the small space of this magazine each month. There are always exceptions to the answers we give in this section. NARFE‘s Federal Benefits Institute can address individual questions about your federal benefits and your specific situation. You can email your inquiries to fedbenefits@narfe.org. Also, remember that every fall, NARFE’s Federal Benefits Institute conducts a webinar regarding Medicare and FEHB. Look out for announcements about upcoming webinars. Watching previous webinars on this topic can illuminate the main factors to keep in mind regarding these insurance plans. These webinars are available to all NARFE members by logging into the member’s section of the NARFE website.
CONDUCTING BUSINESS WITH SOCIAL SECURITY DURING COVID-19
Q
My local Social Security offices are closed to the public for face-to-face service during the COVID-19 pandemic. What is the best way to obtain information or assistance from them during this time?
A
You can do most of your business with the Social Security Administration (SSA) online at www.ssa.gov. Before calling the agency, visit its website to see the list of selfservice options: www.ssa.gov/ onlineservices. 20
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These options include viewing your latest statement, reviewing your earnings history, estimating your future retirement benefits, applying for benefits and enrolling in Medicare. To engage in these actions, you will need to establish or login to your online account: www.ssa.gov/ myaccount/. If you cannot or prefer not to use the online services, you can still get help with certain critical issues by phone at 800772-1213 and by email at www. ssa.gov/agency/contact/. If you call, you may be able to take care of your business by using an automated system without having to wait for an agent. If you need to speak with an agent, be aware that wait times may be longer than usual. If you still need additional help, you can write to the agency at: Social Security Administration, Office of Public Inquiries and Communications Support 1100 West High Rise 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore, Maryland 21235 Warning: Be aware that there are some COVID-19-related scams involving Social Security. Refer to the following weblink
NARFE at Your Service At NARFE headquarters, experts are available to answer questions and to assist in helping with a variety of benefit matters. Call NARFE at:
800-456-8410, Option 2 from the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for more details: https://oig.ssa.gov/scam. 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.
More Lifecycle Funds Now Available As of July 1, 2020, you have 10 Lifecycle (L) Funds to choose from in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) instead of the five previously available. The TSP added the additional L Funds so that the target dates will be separated by only five years instead of ten, allowing you to more precisely target the time when you think you’ll need your money. Six more L Funds have been added (L 2025, L 2035, L 2045, L 2055, L 2060 and L 2065), and the L 2020 Fund, having reached its target date, has been rolled into the L Income Fund. Additional information is available at www.tsp.gov. The For the Record page in NARFE Magazine will be updated to reflect these changes, beginning with the October 2020 issue, .
Federal Employees and Retirees: call today to schedule your hearing exam 1-877-696-5335
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Special offer for federal employees and retirees available only at Your Hearing Network locations. Call 877-696-5335 today to schedule an appointment. 1 Your out-of-pocket costs may vary depending on plan benefits, eligibility, deductible, co-insurance, and model of device chosen. This is not a guarantee of coverage or payment. Benefit is not available through all insurance plans. Please consult your plan for coverage details. 2 For people with typical hearing loss and well-fitted hearing aids, in noisy situations. 3 Juul Jensen 2018, Oticon Whitepaper. 4 Lithium-ion battery performance varies depending on hearing loss, lifestyle and streaming behavior.
Cover Story 22
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Disclosure Conscience andCareer Exposure vs. Considerations for Considerations for Potential Whistleblowers Potential Whistleblowers By DavidBy Tobenkin David Tobenkin
Former Former U.S. State U.S. Department State Department employee employee John John Tye remembers Tye remembers when,when, duringduring a classified a classified briefing, briefing, he learned he learned that the that National the National Security Security Agency Agency (NSA)(NSA) was using was using Executive Executive OrderOrder 12333 12333 as a legal as a legal loophole loophole to collect, to collect, store and storesearch and search Americans’ Americans’ emails, emails, phonephone calls and callsonline and online communications communications without without a warrant a warrant or anyor suspicion. any suspicion.
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Tye, a section chief for Internet freedom in the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor from 2011 to 2014, says that he knew that the practice violated the Fourth Amendment, which protects Americans against government snooping. Later that year, Tye blew the whistle, working with Washington, DC attorney Mark Zaid to disclose, in a lawful manner, government electronic surveillance practices that he thought posed a threat to the public, including through meetings with the Offices of Inspector Generals of the State Department and National Security Agency, as well as congressional staff on the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Intelligence Committees, and, finally, by penning opinion articles for numerous publications. “My disclosures enabled Congress to start asking more questions and has allowed advocates to start challenging these practices,” Tye says. “I also showed that whistleblowers don’t have to risk prison to speak out.” Whistleblower disclosures, like those from Tye, can save lives as well as billions of taxpayer dollars. They play a critical role in keeping government honest, efficient and accountable. Federal laws strongly encourage employees to disclose wrongdoing. The Civil Service Reform Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (WPA), and the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (WPEA) are designed to encourage federal employees to come forward with disclosures about waste, fraud and abuse, while making it unlawful for federal employers to retaliate against whistleblowers. While certain whistleblowers, like Edward Snowden, and, more recently, Dr. Rick Bright, make big headlines, many go unnoticed by the broader public.
“ 24
Whistleblower disclosures, like those from Tye, can save lives as well as billions of taxpayer dollars. They play a critical role in keeping government honest, efficient and accountable.”
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Still, whistleblowing can be a stressful, time-consuming, expensive and risky activity for federal employees. Those considering this course will want to carefully assess whether to become a whistleblower and, if so, how to do so in a manner that maximizes their protections and their disclosure’s impact.
WHAT IS AND IS NOT PROTECTED FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS
Under the WPA (which was amended by the WPEA), protected whistleblowers are typically current federal employees who disclose to an official with the authority to correct the matter—including the media, Congress or even the wrongdoer—what they reasonably believe constitutes a violation of law, rule, regulation, gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, save for certain disclosures that are prohibited by law or executive order, notes John Mahoney, of The Law Firm of John P. Mahoney, Esq. Attorneys at Law in Washington, DC. With a few exceptions, the WPA protects current employees, former employees and applicants for employment in any executive branch agency, the Government Publishing Office and government corporations from retaliation. The WPA does not, however, protect employees from the Government Accountability Office, U.S. Postal Service, Postal Regulatory Commission, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and many intelligence agencies. The Postal Service has its own policy governing whistleblower retaliation (see www. uspsoig.gov/investigations/special-inquiriesdivision), while whistleblower protections for the FBI and other intelligence community agency employees have separate schemes; these will be discussed later in the article. There are some thresholds for reporting. First, for whistleblower protection, a disclosure must be based upon a reasonable belief of a violation of one of the categories of activities described above, even if the concerns ultimately prove to be unfounded. Gossip or a “hunch” not backed up with any objective facts likely will not suffice for whistleblower protection, notes Mahoney. In addition, there are some other applicable thresholds; to be a “gross”
“My disclosures enabled Congress to start “My disclosures enabled Congress to start asking more more questions and has asking questions andallowed has allowed advocates to start thesethese practices. advocates to challenging start challenging practices. I also Ishowed that whistleblowers don’t don’t have have also showed that whistleblowers to risktoprison to speak out.” out.” risk prison to speak —John Tye, Former StateU.S. Department employeeemployee —John Tye,U.S. Former State Department
waste of funds, for example, the disclosure must concern waste of at least $100,000. The WPA does not, however, protect the unauthorized disclosure of classified or otherwise protected information, which can expose the would-be whistleblower to prosecution for violation of other federal laws. Due to the complexities involved, employees should confer with a lawyer or union representative with whistleblower protection experience. “If what you disclose does not trigger whistleblower protection, you are taking a big risk, which is why it is so important to consult with an attorney,” says Mahoney.
WHETHER TO BLOW THE WHISTLE
A key preliminary question is whether it is worth it to blow the whistle. Potential whistleblowers may need to weigh their personal and professional morals and integrity against the possible negative outcomes of such an action. What does the whistleblower hope to gain by whistleblowing and what is the likelihood of achieving it? Here are some of the main considerations: • Ending violations of law or rooting out qualifying waste or fraud is often an achievable aim. In fact, for some employees, correcting such abuses may turn out to be the most memorable or impactful action they take in a long federal career. • Ending a whistleblower’s direct exposure to abusive or dangerous practices or activities that affect the whistleblower is often an achievable aim. • Ending retaliation against the whistleblower that has already
occurred—such as through corrections of adverse personnel actions or through an award of back pay owed and compensatory damages, along with recovery of related attorney fees—is also a frequently achievable aim. • Changing arguably problematic agency practices that are not necessarily clear violations of law, particularly if related to policy interpretation, is a larger lift but sometimes occurs. However, senior agency executives, usually political appointees, are granted considerable discretion in how they interpret statutes and rules and conduct agency affairs. • Removal of the official who conducted the objectionable activity is a goal that is less likely to be achieved. “I don’t recommend spending a lot of time fighting for that,” Mahoney says. “Who gets disciplined is within the discretion of the agency and the Office of the Special Counsel, which must use a high standard under the law to seek disciplinary actions.”
RETALIATION AND OTHER DOWNSIDES OF WHISTLEBLOWING
Retaliation is the key downside of whistleblowing. This can involve adverse personnel actions, unwarranted reassignment of duties, an abusive work environment, and even harassment or physical threats. While the WPA may deter, or allow whistleblowers legal remedies for, many forms of retaliation, and while competitive civil service employees enjoy further procedural job protections, they are unlikely to protect against some types of adverse employer actions. W W W. N A R F E . O R G
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The Project on Government Oversight (POGO), a nonpartisan watchdog on waste, The Project on Government Oversight corruption and abuse ofwatchdog power, offers a (POGO), a nonpartisan on waste, whistleblower Between corruption andguide, abuse“Caught of power, offers a Conscience and Career: Expose Abuse whistleblower guide, Caught Between Without Exposing Your Career.” You can Conscience and Career: Expose Abuse find it at Exposing www.pogo.org/analysis/2019/03/ Without Your Career. You can caught-between-conscience-and-career/. find it at www.pogo.org/analysis/2019/03/ caught-between-conscience-and-career/.
If management can clearly demonstrate, for example, that an employee engaged in violations of other rules—for example, duty time abuse by coming in late and leaving early consistently—or exhibited objectively poor job performance, it is likely an employee could not demonstrate retaliation if management disciplined the employee based upon that conduct. While whistleblowers in such cases will often argue that they were targeted for adverse action based on such conduct whereas other, nonwhistleblowing employees engaging in similar conduct were not, that is a difficult argument to win, says J. Ward Morrow, assistant general counsel for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest federal employees union. Whistleblowing can make unpleasant work environments even less pleasant and more tense. Pursuing a whistleblower action through a proceeding before an administrative judge at the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and then before the full Board itself can take years and $150,000 or so in attorneys’ fees if the matter proceeds to a full hearing, though legal fees can often be recovered if the complaint is successful and most cases resolve for much less in fees, Mahoney says.
HOW TO MAKE DISCLOSURES
Disclosures can be made to immediate supervisors, managers further up the chain, agencies’ inspector generals (IGs), and to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC, www.osc.gov), which is a federal agency dedicated to interpreting, investigating and prosecuting cases of prohibited personnel 26
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practices brought by government employees, including whistleblower retaliation, or even to the media or Congress. Mahoney recommends that Title 5 General Schedule federal employees make whistleblower disclosures to the OSC, which provides an independent, secure channel for disclosing and resolving wrongdoing in federal agencies and has certain powers, such as the ability to order a whistleblower’s agency to investigate and report on the information disclosed. Non-Title 5 employees whose cases are outside the scope of the OSC’s activities should make whistleblower disclosures to their agency’s IG, suggests Mahoney. If they find violations, IGs normally issue a report of investigation or make a criminal referral to the Department of Justice. As noted previously, intelligence community employees are not covered by the WPA and WPEA federal statutes; they receive more limited retaliation protections through Presidential Policy Directive 19 and Intelligence Community Directive 120, notes attorney Mark Zaid, who has represented numerous intelligence community whistleblowers, including one who filed a complaint with the Intelligence Community Inspector General on the actions of President Donald Trump concerning conversations with the president of Ukraine. The narrower protection provided by such authorities and the greater danger of making criminal disclosures makes it imperative that potential intelligence community whistleblowers consult counsel with deep experience in classified whistleblower disclosures, says Zaid.
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In 2017, Tye and Zaid formed Whistleblower Aid (www.whistlebloweraid. org), a nonprofit law office to help would-be federal civilian and military whistleblowers do so in a manner that protects them as well as classified information.
“
While any employee can do much of this without the union, doing so with the backing of coworkers through the union makes their case much more credible. There is strength in numbers.”
Unions are often participants in whistleblower actions. Morrow notes that AFGE and its members, for example, have participated in whistleblower actions concerning problematic practices at the Veterans Administration, including inaccurate reporting of patient wait times and shortcomings in the quality of care, starting well before 2014, when the issue gained national scrutiny. Ideally, unions can bring such issues to the attention of management through collective bargaining processes and sometimes to Congress. “While any employee can do much of this without the union, doing so with the backing of coworkers through the union makes their case much more credible,” Morrow says. “There is strength in numbers.”
RETALIATION CLAIMS
To make a strong case if retaliation occurs, the whistleblower must show that an agency official with the authority to take personnel actions took or threatened to take personnel actions adverse to the whistleblower [such as those listed at 5 U.S.C. § 2302(a)(2)(A)] within a reasonably short period of time and with actual or constructive knowledge of the whistleblower disclosure, says Mahoney. He notes that the employee should file a whistleblower retaliation complaint with OSC as soon as possible, definitely within three years. The OSC can request that agencies take corrective action (such as provide back pay 28
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and reinstatement) to address the retaliation. The OSC is also authorized to file complaints at the MSPB to seek corrective action for the whistleblower and/or disciplinary action against individuals who commit prohibited personnel practices. If a whistleblower files a retaliation complaint with OSC and OSC opts not to seek corrective action on the employee’s behalf, the whistleblower may bring an “individual right of action” before the MSPB. Employees who are union members alleging a retaliatory personnel action must pursue such actions either as a collective bargaining grievance or through a retaliation complaint with OSC, notes Morrow; they cannot do both.
APPEALS
To pursue an appeal before the MSPB for a whistleblower retaliation claim based upon personnel actions less severe than an adverse action (such as lack of promotion, an adverse performance evaluation, and changes in duties, responsibilities and work conditions), the whistleblower must first file a complaint with the OSC, though other complaints can be filed there, too. Once filed, the OSC has 120 days to investigate the complaint before the whistleblower can file an individual right of action (IRA) with the MSPB or allow OSC to continue the investigation. An IRA must be filed no later than 65 days from the date when the whistleblower receives OSC’s final determination letter on the complaint. Personnel actions that are directly appealable to the MSPB include more significant personnel actions (such as removals, suspensions that exceed 14 days, reductions in grade or pay, and furloughs for 30 days or less). No OSC complaint has to be filed on adverse action cases before filing an appeal to the MSPB. Sometimes it can be more effective for an employee who has received a retaliatory adverse action to file a direct appeal on the merits to the MSPB instead of filing a complaint at the OSC, Mahoney notes. Either party can appeal an MSPB initial decision with the full MSPB within 35 days of the initial decision. However, note that due to the current lack of a quorum at the MSPB (no members have been confirmed to the board), there is a massive backlog of cases before the full MSPB. DAVID TOBENKIN IS A FREELANCE JOURNALIST IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON, DC AREA.
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PRE-RETIREMENT
CHECKLIST By Tammy Flanagan
How do you know when it’s the right time to retire? Puzzling out the pieces of your post-work future requires both planning and some adaptability. This year, retirement may have been prompted by a COVID19 furlough or other issues related to the pandemic. For some, it simply boils down to having enough income to cover expenses. Others may want to spend more time with family members or begin something new. There are countless reasons to move into the next chapter of life that we call retirement. Retirement can be an emotional decision as well as a financial one.
Not everyone needs to replace their preretirement income. Early retiree Steve Adcock wrote in Market Watch, he and his wife “spend in the neighborhood of $30,000 to $35,000 a year.” They sold their home and bought an Airstream trailer, and they make a little extra money producing YouTube videos of their travel adventures. Steve feels that early retirement is “a remarkable feeling of control, each and every day.” But the key to his happiness in retirement was having a plan in place prior to him and his wife leaving their jobs. Whatever your plans for life are after retirement, it is important to do your preretirement planning to be sure there are no hidden surprises. Knowing that you’ve done your best to prepare for retirement financially and mentally should help you feel more confident when you make the decision to file your retirement application. The following are tips for assessing your financial readiness for retirement. Financial Planning. This involves knowledge of how money works and understanding the rules of investing and money management. Finding the best strategies may require professional help. Consider working with a trusted financial advisor to help you design a plan for retirement spending and investing. To be sure that you find someone who is looking out for your best interests, use the tools available at www.Investor.gov, a website created by the Securities and Exchange Commission to help the public make sound investment decisions and avoid fraud. Debt. Eliminate your debt and create an emergency fund. In other words, live within your means. This might be a maxim that you’ve lived by throughout your career, but if not, now is the time to get serious about it. W W W. N A R F E . O R G
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Create a withdrawal plan for your retirement savings. Decide how to use the retirement nest egg you’ve accumulated to create a stream of income to supplement your pension and Social Security.”
• Pay down debts with the smallest balance or eliminate debts with the highest interest rates. Credit card debt, followed by personal loans and car loans, generally have the highest interest rates. If you have a low interest rate on your mortgage balance, you may be able to continue to make payments in retirement as long as you don’t deplete your retirement savings too fast. • Put away as much as you can in an emergency savings account. Six to twelve months of living expenses should be sufficient. Retirement income. Take an inventory of your retirement income. Sources of retirement income include pensions (e.g., military retirement, CSRS or FERS benefits), Social Security and retirement savings (e.g., Thrift Savings Plan, IRAs, 401(k) plans). Whether you’re CSRS or FERS, you will need an accurate estimate of your benefit. Ideally this estimate will be calculated for the specific date you have chosen to retire by a retirement specialist in your HR office who can review your history of federal employment. Reductions to CSRS and FERS retirement benefits include: • Survivor elections. • Unpaid service credit deposits or redeposits. • Service that has not been verified or is not creditable. • Part-time work schedule or intermittent work schedule • Reduction (offset) at age 62 or at retirement, if later, for those who are CSRS Offset. • Court ordered benefits to a former spouse. 32
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FERS employees who retire with an immediate, unreduced retirement and are under age 62 are entitled to a special retirement supplement that will bridge the years between retirement and age 62, when Social Security retirement eligibility is reached. The supplement is subject to an earnings test which may reduce or eliminate this benefit due to post-retirement earned income. If eligible, the supplement amount will be included with your FERS retirement estimate. The withholdings from CSRS and FERS retirement benefits include taxes (federal and possibly state income tax) and insurance (FEHB, FEGLI, FEDVIP and FLTCIP). Note: The government contribution to your FEHB premium continues in retirement; however, your premium will be paid with aftertax dollars. Premiums for FEGLI will depend on how much coverage you wish to maintain after you’re 65 and retired. Social Security. Be sure to set up a My Social Security account at www.ssa.gov to access your benefits online. You may apply for Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. File on the website or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Once you determine when to claim Social Security, remember that it may be partially taxable on the federal level, but only a handful of states tax Social Security benefits. Medicare Part B premiums will be withheld from this benefit if you are age 65 or older and enrolled. Consider the following questions when determining the best time to file: • Are you old enough to file? • Widows’ benefits and disability retirement benefits may be payable before age 62, but for retirement benefits, you must be at least age 62.
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If you or your spouse will be age 65 or older at your retirement, contact Social Security to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. Your initial enrollment period begins three months before you turn 65.”
• Are you going to work? • If you are under the full retirement age (between 65 and 67, depending on your year of birth), there is an earnings limit that will cause your benefit to be reduced if you have wages higher than a certain limit ($18,240 in 2020). • Do you need the money? • According to the Social Security Administration, among elderly Social Security beneficiaries, 21 percent of married couples and about 45 percent of unmarried persons rely on Social Security for 90 percent or more of their income. If you have enough other income, then you may be able to delay your application for Social Security benefits beyond your full retirement age and earn delayed retirement credits. • How long are you going to live? • Whether you file at age 62 or wait until 70, you will receive about the same amount of income if you live to around age 81. You will either receive a smaller check for more years or a bigger check for fewer years as the calculation of the benefit is actuarially equal. If you live a long time, delaying your application to receive a larger Social Security benefit may provide the income needed to cover your household and healthcare expenses later in life when you may have spent down your retirement savings. Consider that in 2016, there were 82,000 centenarians in the United States. This figure is expected to increase to 34
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589,000 in the year 2060. Federal retirees tend to live longer. In 2018, there were 2,120 federal employee annuitants who were age 100 or higher and 3,358 survivor annuitants who were age 100 plus. According to Ken Zawodny, associate director for retirement services at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), approximately 250 federal retirees reach age 100 every month. • Is anyone else depending on your income? If you are married and can rely on two annuities or savings accounts, finances may be great. But when there is one of you, how solid will you be financially? Delaying your Social Security to receive delayed retirement credits can provide larger widows benefits. Medicare. If you or your spouse will be age 65 or older at your retirement, contact Social Security to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. Your initial enrollment period begins three months before you turn 65 and lasts three months after your 65th birthday. During your initial enrollment period, you may enroll in Medicare online at Social Security’s website. If you (or your spouse) are still working and covered under current employment health insurance at age 65, then there is a special eight-month enrollment period after your retirement in which you can enroll in Medicare Part B without a late enrollment penalty. It is important to have your agency or OPM complete form CMS L564 – Request for Employment Information to show that you were covered under current employment health insurance. You will also need to complete form CMS 40B – Application for Enrollment in Medicare - Part B and mail it to Social Security. Create a withdrawal plan for your retirement savings. Decide how to use the retirement nest egg you’ve accumulated to create a stream of income to supplement your pension and Social Security. Thrift Savings Plan. The final piece of the financial puzzle is your retirement savings. You will need to wait about 30 days after you retire to make a post-separation withdrawal from the TSP. To request a withdrawal, log into My Account on the TSP website, www.tsp.gov, and click on the “Withdrawals and Changes to Installment Payments” link on the menu. From there you’ll have access to an online tool with which to start your withdrawal. Use the TSP Payment and Annuity Calculator on the TSP webpage to estimate
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Think about how you will spend your days in retirement and how much more or less money you will spend doing those activities.” the income your savings can provide. As a separated employee, you may: • Elect monthly, quarterly or annual installment payments. • Elect monthly payments based on life expectancy. • Purchase a life annuity. If you purchase a life annuity with some or all of your retirement savings, then your account (or the portion used to purchase the annuity) will be transferred to the annuity provider. • Transfer your savings to an Individual Retirement Account. A word of caution: if you are thinking about closing your TSP account. Once you close your account, you will no longer have access to the TSP. Before moving your money outside of the TSP, keep in mind: • The average net expense you pay for every $1,000 invested in the TSP is $0.42. • The TSP has a fiduciary obligation to put your interests ahead of its own.
• Your retirement funds are protected from creditors’ claims. • You may schedule income payments from the TSP without giving up control of your account. • You can change your investments and take withdrawals without being subject to surrender fees or backend charges. Net income vs. net retirement income. Think about how you will spend your days in retirement and how much more or less money you will spend doing those activities compared with the amount you spend when you are at work 40-50 hours per week. Consider these questions when figuring out how much of your income you will need to replace in retirement: • How much of the income in your current paycheck do you spend? • Will you spend less in retirement? • Will your housing costs stay the same or go down? Could they increase since you will be spending more time at home? Will you be downsizing? Will your mortgage balance be paid? • Do you plan to take expensive trips in retirement? Will you start a new hobby that may require training, equipment or materials? • Will you be providing care for a family member? If so, what will the impact be on your finances? An AARP study, “Family
FEDERAL ANNUITANTS You might wonder about the federal employees who have gone into retirement before you. Here are some of the stats: • The average length of federal service of all current retirees on the retirement roll of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is 31.4 years for CSRS and 20.6 years for FERS. • The average length of federal service for new employees added to the retirement roll in 2018 was 37.5 years for CSRS and 24 years for FERS. It appears that federal employees are working a little longer today than previously.
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• The average age at the time of retirement is 62.9 years old for CSRS and 61.2 years old for FERS. • There are more than 500,000 retirees on the roll (both CSRS and FERS) who have monthly retirement benefits greater than $4,000. However, there are almost 900,000 retirees on the roll with less than $2,000 in CSRS or FERS monthly retirement benefits.
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Don’t overlook the changes in your life that will occur when you leave your federal career behind and begin a new, and sometimes uncertain, chapter.”
Caregiving and Out-of-Pocket Costs: 2016 Report,” estimates that family caregivers spend an average of $6,954 per year on out-of-pocket costs related to caregiving. • Mental Preparation. Don’t overlook the changes in your life that will occur when you leave your federal career behind and begin a new, and sometimes uncertain, chapter. • Try to visualize what your days in retirement will look like. • Make a schedule of a typical day in retirement. • Allow for time to adjust. It is natural to be a little (or a lot) worried about life after retirement. • Talk to other retirees to find out what retirement is like for them. Your family and friends can provide support as you transition to a new lifestyle. • Consider starting a hobby or learning a new skill while you are still employed, one that can move with you into retirement. • Research places you would like to travel to so that you can consider the costs of such trips. • Here are some resources that can get you in the right mindset for retirement: • How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free: Retirement Wisdom That You Won’t Get from Your Financial Advisor and The Joy of Not Working by Ernie J. Zelinski. Both books put a humorous spin on being happy where you are and making the most of what you have. The focus is on enjoying the retirement years! • Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes, by William Bridges. Whether you choose change or it is thrust upon you, 38
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change brings both opportunities and turmoil. This book takes readers step-by-step through the three stages of any transition: The Ending, The Neutral Zone, and, eventually, The New Beginning. • Retire Smart, Retire Happy: Finding Your True Path in Life, by Nancy K. Schlossberg. Retirement can sometimes bring up unexpected challenges that force us to confront who we are and what we can reasonably expect to accomplish in the remaining years of our lives. This book provides guidance on the psychological and emotional adjustments we make in retirement. • Next Avenue, www.nextavenue.org, is a website designed for America’s booming older population. Daily content delivers vital ideas, context and perspectives on the issues that matter most as we age. • Growing Bolder is among the world leaders in health, wellbeing and active lifestyle content. It is a website, www. growingbolder.com, as well as a TV show and a book. —TAMMY FLANAGAN IS A NARFE FEDERAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS EXPERT AND SENIOR BENEFITS DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TRANSITION PLANNING. FIND HER ON THE WEB AT RETIREFEDERAL.COM.
Retirement may last a long time, maybe even longer than your federal career! Retire too late and you may miss out on some of the opportunities to pursue new hobbies, travel or spend time with loved ones. But what if you retire too early and aren’t financially ready for a comfortable life after retirement? To learn more about planning for retirement and life after retirement, watch the online webinars available from the NARFE Federal Benefits Institute, www.narfe.org/federalbenefitsinstitute/. which are free to all NARFE members.
Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction
B.
26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise
C
enturies ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear. On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed. We found a limited supply of turquoise from Arizona and snatched it up for our Sedona Turquoise C. Collection. Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, oneof-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you aren’t completely happy with your purchase, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price. The supply of Arizona turquoise is limited, don’t miss your chance to own the Southwest’s brilliant blue treasure. Call today!
ONLY $99
“With depleting mines, turquoise, the most sacred stone to the Navajo, has become increasingly rare.” –– Smithsonian.com
A. Necklace enlarged to show luxurious color
Jewelry Specifications: • Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings
Sedona Turquoise Collection A. Pendant (26 cts) $299 B. 18" Bali Naga woven sterling silver chain C. 1 1/2" Earrings (10 ctw) $299 Complete Set** $747
$99* Save $200 $149 $99* Save $200 $249 Save $498
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Managing Money
MAKING LEMONADE OUT OF LEMONS
S
ometimes, it pays to make the best of a bad situation—make lemonade out of lemons, so to speak. If you hold investments such as stocks or
mutual funds in a taxable account, an active tax-loss harvest strategy may fit the bill. While no one wants to take a loss, tax-loss harvesting can be a smart strategy to improve after-tax returns. To be clear, tax-loss harvesting doesn’t mean selling at a loss and parking the proceeds in cash. That would turn a taxable loss into a permanent loss. While it’s permissible to leave the money in cash, an active tax-loss harvest strategy involves selling and reinvesting the proceeds in a similar investment so as not miss out on any future gains. Claiming a loss on a tax return is not allowed until a loss is realized, which occurs when the investment is sold. Until then, the loss is considered unrealized and provides no tax benefit. Once a loss is realized, it may be used to reduce, or even offset entirely, capital gains realized on other investments, including those pesky capital gains distributions that actively managed mutual funds tend to make at the end of each year. When capital losses exceed capital gains, a deduction of
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up to $3,000 may be taken against ordinary income. Any unused losses carry forward to subsequent tax years and may be used to first offset capital gains and then ordinary income up to $3,000. This process continues until the losses are used up entirely. When reinvesting the proceeds from the sold investment, you cannot turn right back around and repurchase the same investment. If you do, you won’t be able to claim the loss on your tax return. The IRS has regulations, called wash sale rules, that prevent someone from repurchasing the same or “substantially identical” investment 30 days before or after the sale. If the sold investment is repurchased within 30 days, taking the loss for tax purposes will not be allowed until a subsequent sale (resulting in a loss) is made that doesn’t violate the wash sale rules. A great way to avoid the wash sale rules when selling
BY MARK A. KEEN,
CFP®
an individual stock is to use an exchange traded fund (ETF) or mutual fund as its replacement. There are ETFs and mutual funds that track broad-market indexes, such as the S&P 500 (the index the TSP’s C Fund tracks), but there are also many ETFs and mutual funds that track more specific sectors like energy companies, technology companies and banks, to name a few. Using a sector ETF or mutual fund allows you to realize the loss on a stock while still maintaining exposure to the same industry or sector to avoid missing out on an ensuing rebound. For example, during the COVID-19-related market crash in March, shares of oil companies like Exxon and Chevron were some of the hardest hit stocks. If an investor had an unrealized loss in one of these companies, he or she could have sold the stock, realized the loss, and then reinvested the proceeds in an oil company ETF. Selling an individual stock or bond and using an ETF or mutual fund as a replacement is a straightforward way to avoid the wash sale rules. It’s not as straightforward, however, when selling one fund or ETF and buying
BENEFITS RESOURCES NARFE offers members a wide range of information on federal benefits. Visit www.narfe.org/ FederalBenefitsInstitute.
another fund or ETF. You must be careful not to run afoul of the “substantially identical” part of the wash sale rules. There’s no clear guidance on what constitutes a substantially identical security. It’s up to the IRS to determine if your transaction violates the wash sale rules. If it does so, you could be in for a nasty tax surprise.
And don’t try to outsmart the IRS by selling an investment for a loss in a taxable account and then buying the same investment in a retirement account, such as an IRA or Roth IRA. The IRS considers that a violation of the wash sale rules too. Tax-loss harvesting may help take the sting out of a bad situation, but steering clear of violating wash sale rules and accurately reporting capital losses and gains can be tricky. For more information, check out IRS Publication 550. 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.
Over 775,000 people in 47 countries have taken their lives back with a lightweight Inogen One portable oxygen concentrator. Dealing with a chronic respiratory disease, such as COPD, is burdensome enough without having to struggle with heavy tanks, constant refills, or being tethered to a stationary system. For nearly 20 years, Inogen has been the global leader in portable oxygen concentrators, exclusively dedicated to innovative oxygen solutions. It’s time to reclaim your freedom and live your life in moments, not minutes left in an oxygen tank.
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W W W. N A R F E . O R G
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Alzheimer’s Update
NEW LAW SUPPORTS OLDER AMERICANS AND THOSE WITH YOUNGERONSET ALZHEIMER’S
I
n March, President Trump signed into law the YoungerOnset Alzheimer’s Disease Act as part of the Supporting Older Americans Act. This bill supports the over 5,800,000
individuals in the United States that are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Sharing bipartisan support, the bill was introduced into in the Senate by Sens. Susan Collins, R-ME; Bob Casey, D-PA; Doug Jones, D-AL; and Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV. Representatives Kathleen Rice, D-NY; Peter King, R-NY; David Trone, D-MD; Elise Stefanik, R-NY; Maxine Waters, D-CA; and Chris Smith, R-NJ, introduced the bill in the House.
YOUNGER/EARLY-ONSET ALZHEIMER’S
Younger-onset (also known as early onset) Alzheimer’s is a dementia that typically affects people between the ages of 30-60. Up to 5 percent of the more than 5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s develop symptoms before age 65. The 1965 Older Americans Act (OAA) made nutritional programs, transportation, legal services, supportive services, elder-abuse prevention and caregiver support services available to those ages 60 and older. The new law, which reauthorizes the OAA through 2024, also allows many of the approximately 200,000 individuals under age 60 that have early-onset Alzheimer’s 42
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disease to have access to those programs. The bill also authorizes funding for respite care through the National Family Caregiver Support program, allowing full-time caregivers to take a temporary break from their responsibilities to relax and attend to their own needs. These programs would make a huge difference in the lives of the many individuals and families who might not otherwise have support services available to them.
DIAGNOSING THE DISEASE Getting an accurate earlyonset Alzheimer’s diagnosis is crucial so that patients and families can access treatment, resources and support. Medical professionals still aren’t certain about what triggers dementia, and at this time, the only known risk factor for younger-onset Alzheimer’s is family history. Since health care providers generally don’t look for Alzheimer’s disease in younger people, it can be a long and frustrating process that requires a battery of testing and imaging in order to rule out other possible illnesses. You may need to keep notes on symptoms of memory
BY OLIVIA A. WILLIAMS
NARFE-ALZHEIMER’S CHAIR
loss or cognitive difficulty that you have noticed. Minor forgetfulness is normal for everyone, but pay attention if your memory starts interfering with common tasks or activities and if you begin withdrawing from work or social events.
GIVING AND RECEIVING SUPPORT
If you have younger-onset Alzheimer’s, remember you are not alone. More details about the disease can be found at www. alz.org/help-support/i-havealz/younger-onset. Stay active, informed and involved. Call the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 and consider joining a support group; some are dedicated to those with early-onset Alzheimer’s. As NARFE members, we can reach out and contact a caregiver by telephone, write a short note or send an encouraging card. Also, please sign up to receive the Monthly NARFE Alzheimer’s E-News Update at www.alz.org/ narfemembers. Be an advocate by spreading quality information and resources about this disease. Remember, help is there for you, your family members and friends who may be experiencing depression, anxiety or otherwise having a difficult time understanding their condition. OLIVIA A. WILLIAMS IS CHAIR OF THE NARFEALZHEIMER’S NATIONAL COMMITTEE. EMAIL: OEASHF3@GMAIL.COM. THIS COLUMN APPEARS QUARTERLY.
Introducing the future of battery-powered personal transportation.
10”
The Zinger folds to a mere 10 inches.
It’s not a Wheelchair... It’s not a Power Chair... It’s a Zinger!
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! What’s more, it easily folds up for storage in a car seat or trunk. Think about it, you can take your Zinger almost anywhere, so you don’t have to let mobility issues rule your life. It folds in seconds without tools and is safe and reliable. It holds up to 275 pounds, and it goes up to 6 mph and operates for up to 8 miles on a single charge. Why spend another day letting mobility issues hamper your independence and quality of life
Zinger Chair®
Call now and receive a utility basket absolutely FREE with your order.
1-888-565-0364
Please mention code 113272 when ordering.
The Zinger Chair is a personal electric vehicle and is not a medical device nor a wheelchair. Zinger is not intended for medical purposes to provide mobility to persons restricted to a sitting position. It is not covered by Medicare nor Medicaid. © 2020 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.
85218
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.
2020
G FUND
F FUND
C FUND
S FUND
I FUND
JULY
0.06%
1.49%
5.64%
5.71%
2.33%
JUNE
0.06%
0.63%
1.99%
4.00%
3.44%
MAY
0.06%
0.46%
4.76%
8.79%
4.50%
YTD
0.65%
7.66%
2.31%
-0.47%
-9.01%
1 YEAR
1.42%
10.03%
11.86%
4.88%
-0.53%
3 YEAR*
2.25%
5.73%
11.96%
7.95%
1.02%
5 YEAR*
2.17%
4.62%
11.48%
8.04%
2.48%
10 YEAR*
2.11%
4.10%
13.86%
12.35%
5.37%
2020
*ANNUALIZED
L INCOME
L 2030
L 2040
L 2050
L 2060
JULY
1.11%
2.82%
3.35%
3.80%
4.13%
JUNE
0.73%
1.81%
1.81%
2.14%
N/A
MAY
1.23%
3.25%
3.25%
3.88%
N/A
YTD
0.87%
-0.06%
-0.41%
-0.78%
N/A
1 YEAR
3.46%
5.62%
6.17%
6.54%
N/A
3 YEAR*
3.84%
6.14%
6.73%
7.20%
N/A
5 YEAR*
3.74%
6.21%
6.83%
7.32%
N/A
10 YEAR*
4.21%
8.34%
9.26%
N/A
N/A
*ANNUALIZED. PLEASE NOTE THAT ADDITIONAL FUNDS WILL APPEAR STARTING IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE.
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
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 JUNE 6,555 17,432 81 65 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
EARNINGS REPORT AND JOB GROWTH SPUR GAINS
THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN FUND RETURNS
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U.S. equities enjoyed healthy gains in July as investor sentiment was bolstered by substantial improvement in the jobs market and better-thanexpected earnings reports, especially among the largest technology companies. Nevertheless, the coronavirus pandemic remained a significant public health crisis, underscored by the Federal Reserve leaving its target interest rate unchanged. The C and S Funds posted strong gains. The I Fund also rose, driven primarily by a weaker U.S. dollar. Lower interest rates contributed to a positive return for the F Fund. 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) increased by 0.61 percent in June 2020. To calculate the 2021 costof-living adjustment (COLA), the 2020 third-quarter indices will be averaged and compared with the 2019 third-quarter average of 250.200. The percentage increase determines the COLA. June’s index, 251.054 is up 0.34 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. June’s index is 0.24 percent higher 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
251.054 246.196
0.61 0.17
0.34 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
$13,573,672.53*
*Total as of June 31, 2020 100 percent of all contributed funds go to Alzheimer’s research.
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:__________________________________________________
If you have any questions, write to: NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIR Olivia Williams 22 Garden Springs Road Columbia, SC 29209 EMAIL: oeashf3@gmail.com WRITE YOUR CHAPTER NUMBER ON CHECK; MAKE IT PAYABLE TO:
City:______________________________________________________ State:_____________________________________________________ ZIP:______________________________________________________ Chapter Number:___________________________________________ 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 YOUR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION IS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.
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: $______________ Name:____________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________ City:______________________________________________________ State:_____________________________________________________ ZIP:______________________________________________________ Email:____________________________________________________ To make credit card or e-check contributions, visit www.feea.org/ givenarfe.
NARFE News
OPEN SEASON
EXCITING NEWS FROM HEADQUARTERS NEW NARFE STAFF AMANDA PAGAY
joined NARFE’s marketing, communications and membership team as digital communications manager in April, coming from a project manager role with Booz Allen Hamilton. In her new role, Amanda is responsible for the project management of NARFE’s website redesign, communications
metrics tracking, ongoing web strategy and content development. She also works closely with the Federal Benefits Institute and advocacy and federal benefits staff to assess digital communications needs and oversees the production of NARFE Newsline and the organization’s social media posts. Amanda has a strong interest in the intersection between
It’s almost time for the federal Open Season, when government employees and retirees are able to reassess their health insurance needs for 2021. Stay tuned for NARFE’s Open Season reports in the October and November issues of NARFE Magazine as well as for information on upcoming related webinars.
communications and technology, having received her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Georgetown University and her master’s in public (Continued on p. 48)
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 46
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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.
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)
NARFE News
(Continued from p. 46)
NEW NARFE PERK
communication from American University. She has spent her career working on digital transformation projects as a strategy consultant to both corporations and the federal government and is enjoying learning about the association world at NARFE. Please join us in welcoming her to the organization.
NARFE’s business development team is proud to announce a new affinity partner, Ship Sunshine.
Ship Sunshine offers cheery gifts at all price levels for all occasions—and especially for no occasion at all. Their goal is to make it easy to brighten someone’s day by helping customers send a surprise gift experience to a friend, client or loved one. You can also build your own custom gift and include personalized items. Use promo code NARFE at www.shipsunshine.com for a 5 percent discount.
NARFE PARTNERS WITH NAIJ TO MEET COMMON GOALS
E
arlier this summer, NARFE signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ), a voluntary association of the nation’s immigration court judges. The agreement aims to promote the mutual interests of NAIJ and NARFE members.
Through this agreement, NAIJ will promote NARFE membership to its 400-plus members through email blasts to their membership and publicize its partnership with NARFE (including a link to www. narfe.org) on its website. In exchange, NAIJ members will receive complimentary access
to a NARFE Federal Benefits Institute white paper and two webinars. This relationship builds on NARFE’s success partnering with Federally Employed Women (FEW) and work with other coalition partners. — BY JOHN HATTON, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
NARFE MEMBERSHIP DRIVE KICKS OFF
N
ARFE will once more sponsor a membership drive. It takes place this year from September 1 through December 31. Current members can earn $10 for each new member they recruit, as well as be eligible for other prizes (complete rules and information can be found online at www.narfe.org/ recruit). We realize, however, that things are not business as usual this year. As we continue to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the health and safety of our members is our main priority. While we invite NARFE members to recruit new members
48
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and help our organization grow, we encourage you to do so remotely in order to minimize the potential risk of exposure to COVID-19. Use email and your chapter or federation website to publicize the membership drive. Employ social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, and e-blasts to promote the benefits of membership and drive prospective members to the “JOIN NOW!” link on www. NARFE.org (remember to provide your NARFE member ID number so they can enter it when they join). You can even use a device that is sometimes
forgotten in today’s digital age: the telephone! You can access all the tools you need to support your recruitment at www.NARFE. org. Log in, go to “Membership Materials” under “Officer Resources,” then click on “Tips, Tools and Templates.” You’ll find recruiting tips, sample recruitment emails and more. Look for more virtual recruiting tips in next month’s magazine, and if you have questions, please call us at 703-838-7760, x274. We’re here to help you succeed. — BY DAVE BOWMAN, SENIOR DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
NARFE’s Dues Withholding Program What is dues withholding? It is a dues-payment method available to retired NARFE members, their spouses and annuitant survivors giving them the option to have their annual NARFE membership dues deducted from their annuities each month. Advantages • Save 15% off your annual NARFE dues • Sign up your spouse and double your savings • You’ll never get another dues reminder from us • Your monthly payment is affordable and convenient • You may cancel your dues withholding at any time
How does it work? One-twelfth of your total dues is automatically deducted from your monthly annuity. Your monthly deduction is determined by the following formula: ($34 NARFE dues ÷ 12) + (Chapter dues - if applicable ÷ 12) = total monthly deduction How do I sign up? It takes 60-90 days to process your application. Once the process is complete, you will receive a special membership card distinguishing you as a NARFE dues-withholding member. To learn more about dues withholding, call 800-456-8410.
NARFE Dues Withholding Application for NARFE Members who are Retirees, Spouses of Retirees or Annuitant Survivors Complete this section ONLY if you are signing up for Dues Withholding. If so, DO NOT send payment
o YES. I want to enroll in NARFE’s Dues Withholding Program. NARFE dues of $34 (a 15% discount off NARFE dues) and chapter dues, if applicable, to be withheld annually. Civil Service Annuity Number
Social Security Number (9-digit number)
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C S
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o Mr. o Mrs. o Miss o Ms. Full Name ____________________________________ Street Address ________________________________ Apt./Unit _____________________________________ City _________________________ State _____ ZIP __
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NARFE MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
NARFE Membership ID _______________________________ NARFE Chapter Number ______________________________
o YES. I also authorize my (NARFE member) spouse’s dues to be withheld from my annuity. (Additional annual dues of $34 and chapter dues, if applicable, to be withheld annually. If YES, enter spouse’s information below.)
Phone (__________) ___________________________ Email _______________________________________ Date of Birth _________ /_________ /__________________ mm
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(Include prefix, CSA or CSF) (Include any applicable suffix)
dd
yyyy
STOP
Complete ONLY if signing up for Dues Withholding option.
Spouse’s Name ____________________________________ _________________________________________________ Spouse’s Membership ID _____________________________ Spouse’s Email _____________________________________
AUTHORIZATION (Withholding will begin in 60-90 days). Send NO PAYMENT with Dues Withholding Application! I authorize the United States Office of Personnel Management to make appropriate deductions from my annuity payments, not to exceed the amount certified by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association as the amount of dues for which I am annually obligated, in accordance with elections I made above, and to pay the deducted sum to the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE). This authorization shall also apply to any and all dues changes certified by NARFE membership in accordance with elections I made. Please allow 60-90 days for processing. I understand that this authorization shall be valid until NARFE receives and processes my written notice of cancellation in accordance with its agreement with the Office of Personnel Management and that any disputes regarding this authorization shall be a matter between NARFE and myself. I hold the Office of Personnel Management harmless for any erroneous allotment deduction made pursuant to this authorization. ___________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Annuitant or Survivor-Annuitant
______________________________
Date
Dues payments and gifts or contributions to NARFE are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
MAIL THIS FORM TO: NARFE, ATTN: Member Services, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1914 800-456-8410
memberrecords@narfe.org
Do not send money with this form
(DW-2 06/19)
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
Office Depot and OfficeMax. Members can save up to 80% on over 93,000 products. Shop online or in any Office Depot or OfficeMax 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.
Purchasing Power www.PurchasingPower.com/NARFE
While not a discount program, Purchasing Power is an exclusive purchase program helps members buy brand-name computers, electronics, appliances and furniture via annuity allotment when cash is not an option. No credit check or down payments.
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
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.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car® Book Now! https://partners.rentalcar.com/narfe
When you’re ready to go, Enterprise Rent-A-Car makes it easy. We offer everyday low rates on a great selection of cars, trucks and vans and customers are picked up at no extra cost*. See website for exclusions.
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.
National Car Rental® 800-CAR-RENT | www.nationalcarrental.com
NAFRE members receive great rates with National Car Rental! At National, we pride ourselves on always providing you with unsurpassed convenience and choice. Book Now! https://partners.rentalcar.com/narfe
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
Coleman Allied 850-375-0917 | jack.jacobs@colemanallied.com
With over 300 agency partners and an entire team dedicated to a quality move experience, Coleman Allied provides customized discount levels for all NARFE members for Interstate moves. *The NARFE pricing only applies to moves that leave the state you currently reside in.
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.
ADDITIONAL PERKS
SEE HOW MUCH YOU CAN SAVE AT
www.NARFE.org/memberperks
The Way We Worked
WORKING ON ATOMIC ENERGY This photo from 1967 shows workers at the Argonne National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy science and engineering research center located in Lemont, IL. In the post-World War II era, the lab worked on non-weapon-related nuclear physics such as nuclear-generated electricity. Today the lab focuses on scientific research, energy storage, renewable energy, environmental sustainability, supercomputing, and, more recently, working with other research institutions to combat the spread of COVID-19. PHOTO from the Records of the Atomic Energy Commission, 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.
DID YOU KNOW? In 1942, the lab began as Metallurgical Lab at the University of Chicago, the site where Enrico Fermi and other scientists worked on the Manhattan Project and developed the world’s first nuclear reactor. When it was deemed unsafe for the experiments to be conducted in a major city, the lab was moved to nearby Palos Hills, IL. The lab was then renamed after the surrounding forest. In 1946, the lab was officially rechartered as Argonne National Laboratory and shifted its focus to peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Visit www.anl.gov
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How We Stack Up Against Some ‘Other Providers’† Some Other Providers NO Long Term Commitments
Contracts Up to 3 Years
Light Mobile Devices
Heavier Mobile Devices
Low prices on Mobile System
High Fees on Monthly Mobile Service
Advanced Fall Detection
Standard Fall Detection
†Based on December 2019 internal and 3rd party review of competitors.
Special Offer for NARFE Subscribers
Call Now Toll-Free
1-800-739-8806 www.MedicalAlert.com
2 FREE GIFTS*
1 FREE MONTH and FREE SHIPPING WHEN YOU ORDER NOW! *With annual rate plan. **Fall detection does not detect 100% of falls. Users should always push their button when they need help. ‡For home landline system and new customers only. Fall detection requires additional fees. Not available on monthly rate plan. Button signal range may vary due to environmental factors.
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.