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RETIREMENT LIFE

OCTOBER 2012, Volume 88, Number 10

LEGISLATIVE REPORT 8 10 12 14

Tentative Agreement Avoids Government Shutdown Temporary Federal Firefighters Eligible for FEHBP “America Counts on Us” Events Held in Three States NARFE Legislation Tracker

COVER STORY 21

NARFE’s Congressional Scorecard – Special Pullout Section. Every two years, the Association compiles the voting records of members of Congress on issues important to NARFE members. See how your congressional delegation voted.

Cover design by Jim Richards

COLUMNS 6 Message From the National President

16 Managing Money 18 Live Well 44 Report From the Regions

SPECIAL SECTION 40 2012 Open Season Preview

NARFE Resources NARFE-PAC Coupon . . . . . . . .15

33 44 46 50

MembershipApplication . . . . . .29

DEPARTMENTS

DuesWithholding Application .30

Questions & Answers

NARFE-FEEA Coupon . . . . . . .31

NARFE News

Alzheimer’s Coupon . . . . . . . . .46

Out & About

NARFE Member Perks . . . . . . .48

For the Record: TSP Investments, COLA Chart ‘Like’ us on Facebook (NARFE National Headquarters)

visit us online at www.narfe.org

NATIONAL OFFICERS

Here’s How to Contact NARFE ...

JOSEPH A. BEAUDOIN, President; natpres@narfe.org PAUL H. CAREW, Vice President; natvp@narfe.org ELAINE C. HUGHES, Secretary; natsec@narfe.org RICHARD G. THISSEN, Treasurer; nattreas@narfe.org

If you want to: • Join NARFE Call (toll-free):

800-627-3394 or 800-456-8410 Or go to: www.narfe.org

If you want to: • Change your address • Check your membership status • Find out dues owed • Provide a death notification Call (toll-free):

800-456-8410 Email:

memberrecords@narfe.org If you want to: • Add your email address to your record (to receive GEMS email messages, the Legislative Hotline and NARFE NewsWatch): Call (toll-free):

800-456-8410 Email:

memberrecords@narfe.org

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS REGION I Augie Stratoti (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) Tel: 603-889-1073 Email: augrs@juno.com REGION II Ronald P. Bowers (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) Tel: 410-308-0420 Email: narferbowers@msn.com REGION III Donald Stewart (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Virgin Islands) Tel: 305-442-6388 Email: dejs33149@aol.com REGION IV Paul E. Johnson (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) Tel: 812-306-5137 Email: pejohnson@tds.net REGION V Carol R. Ek (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) Tel: 620-241-1131 Email: ek617@att.net

REGION VI Jerome S. Smith (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Republic of Panama and Texas) Tel: 903-534-5849 Email: retiredjer@aol.com REGION VII Betty Lucero-Turner (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) Tel: 719-583-0910 Email: blturner2311@aol.com REGION VIII Helen L. Zajac (California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada and Republic of Philippines) Tel: 707-644-7565 Email: hlz17@aol.com REGION IX Lanny G. Ross (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington) Tel: 360-692-9741 Email: lannyjean@comcast.net REGION X William F. Martin (Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) Tel: 540-872-3345 Email: narfe2065@hughes.net

E-mail: memberrecords@narfeorg

If you want to:

• Hear the Legislative Hotline Call (toll-free):

877-217-8234 If you want to: • Get materials to recruit members: Call (toll-free):

800-627-3394 Email:

rr@narfe.org

For any other NARFE matter: Call NARFE Headquarters

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

NARFE MAGAZINE Volume 88,Number 10 Editor, Margaret M. Carter Assistant Editor, Donna J. St. John Editorial Administrator, Toni Vallario Graphic Designer, Beth Bedard Contributing Designers, Charlene Gridley, Jim Richards Editorial Board: Joseph A. Beaudoin, Paul H. Carew, Elaine C. Hughes, Richard G. Thissen Editorial Office: NARFE, Attn: NARFE magazine, 606 North Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1914; Phone: 703-838-7760; Fax: 703-838-7781; Email: rl@narfe.org Advertising Sales: Warren Berger, Media People Inc., 122 East 42nd Street, Suite 725, New York, NY 10168; 212-779-7172, ext. 223; Email: wberger@mediapeople.com

NARFE for the Visually Impaired On the Telephone: This publication can be heard on the telephone by persons who have trouble seeing or reading the print edition. For more information, contact the National Federation of the Blind NFB-NEWSLINE® service at 866-504-7300 or go to www.nfbnewsline.org. On Tape: Issues of NARFE magazine are also available on cassette through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. To find out about availability in your area, call 800-424-8567 and ask for the Reference Section. 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.

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. Non-member subscription rate $45. Postmaster: Send address change to: NARFE Attn:Member Records,NARFE 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 © 2012, NARFE. Advertisements in the magazine are not endorsements of products and/or services by NARFE, unless officially stated in the ad. We shall accept advertising on the same basis as other reputable publications: that is, we shall not knowingly permit a dishonest advertisement to appear in NARFE, but at the same time we will not undertake to guarantee the reliability of our advertisers.

OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

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A Message From the National President

Moving Forward With Optimism

y the time you read this issue of NARFE magazine, you probably will have heard or read about the outcome of the NARFE National Convention, which concluded at the end of August. Much was accomplished, and I want to share some of the Convention highlights. First, though, I would like to thank all of you for re-electing me as your National President. It will be an honor to serve for another two years. I pledge that I will continue to work with you and for you during my second term. Convention delegates approved the revised National Bylaws and Standing Rules of the Association. The revised Bylaws, which are now in compliance with statutes of the District of Columbia, will be one of the catalysts that NARFE Headquarters will use to make our organization stronger and better. Another significant action taken by delegates was an overwhelming vote to endorse online e-Chapters. As many of you know, the e-Chapter concept was adopted by the National Executive Board as a recruitment tool for those prospective members who prefer not to join a traditional chapter. National e-Chapter 2363 has grown from five founding members in March 2011 to more than 4,000 members, as of September 4. The Florida Federation also has a successful and growing e-Chapter, and we pledge to assist

other federations interested in starting their own. Your National Officers and National Executive Board must and will continue to address our declining membership and search for new ways to appeal to prospective NARFE members. Convention delegates also approved the NARFE Legislative Program for the 113th Congress, which will guide us as we continue to fight to protect federal benefits. As citizens, we all need to participate in reasonable and fair efforts to balance the budget and reduce the national debt, but we will continue to lead efforts with our Coalition partners and our members to ensure that federal workers and retirees are not singled out unfairly. Finally, NARFE Headquarters will not cease looking for ways to reduce costs and increase revenue. As employees retire or leave Headquarters, we are attempting to absorb their duties in order to reduce our workforce and expenditures. We also will continue to look for new revenue sources, and ensure that any contracting is accomplished by competent individuals and companies at the most economical price. Your other National Officers – all have been re-elected – and I are committed to providing our members with the best possible service. I will end my column by quoting my personal motto, “Working Together, We Can Make a Difference.”

THE REVISED BYLAWS will be one of the catalysts that NARFE HQ will use to make our organization better and stronger.

Joseph A. Beaudoin natpres@narfe.org

OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

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LEGISLATIVE REPORT

Tentative Agreement Major Issues Avoids Shutdown Remain,Including

tentative agreement by congressional leaders and the White House on a measure to keep the federal government running past the start of the fiscal year October 1 does little to address the overar-

ching questions on the budget and the future economic health and well-being of the country. This uncertainty does not bode well for federal employees and retirees.

The pay and benefits of active and retired civil servants have already been trimmed by an estimated $75 billion over 10 years through pay freezes and increasing retirement contributions for new hires, effective in January 2013. And all of that comes without any significant agreement on a grand budget deal.

CONTINUING RESOLUTION Prior to the August congressional recess, it was reported that House Speaker John A. Boehner, R-OH, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, DNV, had agreed on a six-month Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government operating until March

Congressional Scorecard This special pullout section begins on p. 21. 8

Postal Reform ■ The House will be in session

October 1-5. It will be in recess the rest of the month leading up to the November 6 elections. As of press time, the Senate had not announced its fall schedule. ■ In 1922, the Navy League of

2013. At press time, details were being ironed out between the leaders’ respective staffs. Reid announced that President Obama also had agreed to the deal. The agreement adheres to the $1.047 trillion discretionary spending limit included in last year’s deficit-reduction law, the Budget Control Act. So far, the Senate has moved appropriations bills through the Senate Appropriations Committee at the Budget Control Act limits, while the House has made deeper cuts. But no regular appropriations bills for any federal agencies have been signed into law, and leaders do not expect to finish work on those funding bills by the September 30 deadline, making the CR necessary.

SEQUESTRATION LOOMS Not included in the agreement is resolution of the expiring Bush tax cuts, Medicare physician payment

the United States organized the first Navy Day on October 27, the birthday of President Theodore Roosevelt. Over the years, the celebration grew, with the Navy sending ships to ports throughout the country. In 1949, with the creation of the Department of Defense, the Navy was directed to participate in Armed Forces Day in May. As a civilian organization, the Navy League was not required to move its celebration and has continued its October commemoration.

LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE Toll-free! (24 Hours): 877-217-8234 Legislative Action Center: www.narfe.org OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

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Legislative Report

rates or the scheduled January sequestration process. Sequestration, part of the debt-limit deal of 2011, calls for deep, across-the-board cuts in most discretionary federal spending. Those matters are expected to be addressed in the post-election, lame-duck session of Congress, and could hinge on the outcome of the November presidential and congressional elections. Both Democrats and Republicans are wagering that the 2012 elections will give them a stronger negotiating stance to see things decided according to their competing visions for the future role of government and the national economy.

INACTION ON POSTAL REFORM Postal reform also is still on the docket. While the Senate passed postal reform legislation in April, the House has yet to schedule consideration of a companion measure reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, cosponsored by Chairman Darrell Issa, R-CA, and Rep. Dennis A. Ross, R-FL. The House bill allows for more drastic and immediate cuts than the Senate-passed measure, such as switching to five-day delivery, cluster-box instead of door-to-door delivery, and the renegotiation of labor contracts. A House vote may not come before a post-

STORY HIGHLIGHTS ■ Congressional leaders have agreed to pass a catch-

all Continuing Resolution to avoid a government shutdown October 1, as individual appropriations bills have languished. As of August, none of the appropriations bills had cleared Congress. ■ Even though a government shutdown will be averted, many key matters remain for Congress to decide, including how to deal with sequestration, which calls for deep cuts in federal discretionary spending beginning in January 2013. ■ Postal reform also awaits action in the House of Representatives.

election, lame-duck session, if at all, this year. In the meantime, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) defaulted on a $5.5 billion payment, due August 1, to cover health insurance for future retirees. That payment had been deferred from last year, and the USPS appears ready to default on another $5.6 billion due September 30, absent legislation passed by Congress. Stay tuned.

By Alan Lopatin, Legislative Counsel

Temporary Federal Firefighters Eligible for FEHBP

he Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has published regulations extending eligibility for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to individuals who assist in fighting forest wildfires throughout the nation under temporary appointments. Because of the seasonal nature of the work they are called to do, thousands of federal firefighters are temporary employees. Formerly, they were not eligible to enroll in the FEHBP. Under new regulations, these employees will be able to enroll in a health insurance plan under the FEHBP for health care coverage while they are employed. They also will have the option to continue their coverage at their own expense when they return home. Most of these firefighters are employed by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior. The regulation does not, however, extend health coverage to thousands of other temporary employees in land management agencies, who also work in a series of seasonal appointments without health insurance or pension benefits. OPM will issue guidelines for agencies following the 60-day comment peTemporary federal firefighters, including riod that allows the public to provide feedback on the new regulations. those who battled a huge wildfire in NARFE’s coalition partner, the National Federation of Federal Employees, Colorado in June, will now be eligible to enroll in the FEHBP. counts many seasonal federal employees as members.

OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

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Legislative Report

‘America Counts on Us’Events InVirginia,Maryland and Montana

n the August issue, NARFE magazine reported on the new advocacy campaign “America Counts on Us,” organized by the 30-member Federal-Postal Coalition. The campaign is designed to increase awareness of federal and postal employees and the work they do. The Coalition conducted three successful events in Virginia, Maryland and Montana, and more are being scheduled.

FORUM IN VIRGINIA Former Virginia Governor and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine joined members of the Federal-Postal Coalition at the first official America Counts on Us forum August 1 in Arlington, VA. Responding to questions from the audience, Kaine discussed the importance of the federal workforce and the need to protect federal employees and retirees. He labeled the attacks on feds “revolting.” Members of many Coalition organizations attended, including NARFE, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and the American Postal Workers Union (APWU). In addi-

STORY HIGHLIGHTS ■ The Federal-Postal Coalition’s “America Counts on

Us” campaign sponsored or took part in events in three states. ■ In Virginia, it sponsored a forum. ■ In Maryland, it participated in a candidate’s barbecue. ■ In Montana, it sent attendees to a congressional town hall meeting. tion to the strong turnout from member organizations, five reporters covered the forum. Jessica Klement, NARFE communications and legislative representative, was moderator. Former Virginia Governor and Republican Senate candidate George Allen also was invited to participate in the forum but had a scheduling conflict. The Coalition is working to organize an event with him.

MARYLAND CAMPAIGN EVENT John Delaney, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland’s 6th District, held a barbecue July 15 in Frederick, MD, attended by members of Federal-Postal Coalition organizations, including NARFE Maryland Federation President Ted Jensen and members of the NTEU. In discussing the current attacks on federal employees and retirees, Delaney said that he was sympathetic to members’ concerns but emphasized the importance of reducing the deficit. Since the event took place, the Coalition held a “meet and greet” with Delaney, and NARFE members in Maryland met with him separately.

MONTANA TOWN HALL MEETING

ABOVE: Tim Kaine, the former governor of Virginia and current Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, addresses the first “America Counts on Us” forum in Arlington, VA.

RIGHT: A federal retiree poses a question to Kaine.

Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-MT, held a “Defending our Defenders” town hall meeting July 16 in Great Falls, MT, to discuss the impact of sequestration on the military as well as Department of Defense employees and contractors in the Great Falls area, particularly at Malmstrom Air Force Base. Rehberg was joined, by phone, by Rep. J. Randy Forbes, RVA, and others, including five local Department of Defense contractors. AFGE field organizer Cheryl Kelso served as the main Coalition coordinator. America Counts on Us is working to organize additional events in Montana. ■ OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

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The NARFE LEGISLATION TRACKER is your monthly guide to the legislation that NARFE is keeping an eye on. Check back each issue for updates.

NARFE LegislationTracker ISSUE

Bill Number / Name /

What Bill Would Do

RETIREM ENT H.R. 3813: Securing Annuities for Requires federal employees to pay CONTRI BUTIONS/ Federal Employees Act / Rep. 1.5% more toward their retirement, CALCULATI ON requires new federal employees to Dennis A. Ross, R-FL contribute 4% to their retirement, bases retirement calculations on the highest five years of service instead of the current high three, and eliminates the Federal Employees Retirement System Annuity Supplement

Passed by House 3/23/2012 Failed in Senate 5/16/2012

Requires federal employees to pay 5% more toward their retirement

Passed by House 5/10/2012

Extends the federal pay freeze for one more year (until Dec. 31, 2013)

Passed by House 2/1/2012 (Likely to be part of deficitreduction talks)

H.R. 4363: Federal Employee Phased Retirement Act / Rep. Darrell Issa, R-CA

Allows federal employees to phase into retirement by working part time and collecting an annuity

S. 1813: Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century / Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-CA

Allows federal employees to phase into retirement by working part time and collecting an annuity

Passed as part of highway bill and student loan interest rate extension compromise Signed into law (P.L. 112-141) 7/6/2012

FEDERAL PAY H.R. 3835: To Extend the Pay FREEZE Limitation for Members of Congress and Federal Employees / Rep. Sean P. Duffy, R-WI

CHANGES TO S. 1789: 21st Century Postal THE FEDERAL Service Act / Sen. Joseph I. EMPLOYEES? Lieberman, I-CT COMPENSATI ON ACT (FECA) H.R. 2465 : Federal Workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Compensation Modernization and Improvement Act / Rep. John Kline, R-MN

Approved by Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 2/7/2012 (Likely to be considered by full House)

H.Con Res. 112: Establishing the Requires federal employees to pay 5% more toward their retirement Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2013 / Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-WI H.R. 5652: Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act / Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-WI

PHASED RETIREMENT

Latest Congressional

Reduces benefits by 25% at Passed by Senate 4/25/2012 retirement age for federal workers disabled by a work-related injury or illness; eliminates 8.33% augmented compensation for dependents Streamlines claims process, ensures Passed by House 11/29/2011 injured workers receive adequate compensation, enhances program efficiency, improves program integrity and modernizes benefits

OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

NARFE LegislationTracker ISSUE

WORKFORC E REDUCTION S

REPEAL OF GPO AND WEP

Bill Number / Name /

P OSTA L REFORM

Latest Congressional

Various bills (H.R. 235, H.R. 408/S. 178, H.R. 657, S. 1476, H.R. 2114, H.R. 3029/ S. 1611, H.R. 3662/S. 2065)

Decreases the size of the federal workforce by various percentages (usually 5-15%)

Referred to various committees (Likely to be part of deficit-reduction talks)

H.R. 1332: Social Security Fairness Act / Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, R-CA

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

Referred to Subcommittee on Social Security 4/7/2011

S. 2010: Social Security Fairness Act / Sen. John Kerry, D-MA

H.R. 4152 Hatch Act Modernization Act / Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, D-MD

P OLI TICA L ACTIV ITIES

What Bill Would Do

Referred to Committee on Finance 12/16/2011 (Unlikely to be considered)

S. 2170 Hatch Act Modernization Act / Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-HI

Eliminates the prohibition against state and local employees seeking partisan elective federal office and revises penalties for Hatch Act violations to allow penalties other than termination of employment

H.R. 2309 Postal Reform Act of 2011 / Rep. Darrell Issa, R-CA

Imposes receivership; cuts small post offices, delivery days and service

S. 1789 21st Century Postal Service Act/ Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-CT

Reduces funding requirements, allows business practice changes, cuts Passed by Senate 4/25/12 workers’ comp for federal employees (Likely to be considered

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Referred to Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 3/7/2012 Approved by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee 6/27/2012 Passed by Oversight and Govt. Reform Com. 1/17/12

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Managing Money

Better-Than-FEGLI Term Insurance By Mark A. Keen, CFP®

ederal employees have access to great benefits, and the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program is no exception. Having said that, there are still times when alternatives, such as individual term life insurance, will prove to be the better choice. Unfortunately, many federal employees take the easy road and simply elect FEGLI coverage. As a result, they may pay far more for their life insurance coverage than necessary. Before we go any further, I want to point out that there are several components to FEGLI. However, this column will focus exclusively on Option B, which can be elected at one, two, three, four or five times annual pay. There’s no question that FEGLI has its advantages, but there are several drawbacks as well, which create times when enduring the inconvenience of obtaining an individual term policy will prove worthwhile. For starters, premiums for FEGLI are based on fiveyear age bands and will increase as the employee gets older. On the other hand, individual term insurance policies can have a premium guaranteed to remain level for as long as 30 years. In some cases, the FEGLI premium may start out less expensive than a comparable individual term policy; but because the FEGLI premiums increase over time, the total cost of FEGLI may be more over the long run. For example, a 45-year-old male federal employee with $250,000 of Option B coverage will pay $519 annually, but that will increase to $846 annually beginning at age 50, $1,496 annually at age 55 and $3,381 at age 60. Let’s as-

sume the employee retires at age 65 and elects the full reduction option. Under this option, the FEGLI coverage will be reduced 2 percent every month, beginning the second month after his 65th birthday (or if he retired after 65, the second month after his retirement date) until the coverage reduces to zero. On the other hand, this same 45year old federal employee could get a $250,000 individual term life insurance policy with a 25-year, guaranteed-level

viduals with lower premiums. For example, let’s assume the 45-year-old in the above example is in excellent health and qualifies for a preferred health rating. Instead of paying $943 per year, the individual would pay only $485 per year, and the total savings compared to FEGLI would jump to nearly $20,000 over the 24-year period. Furthermore, women tend to live longer than men, and individual insurance policies will reflect this with lower

MANY federal employees take the easy road and simply elect FEGLI coverage. premium for $943 per year. Note: This is for a standard health rating, not an elusive preferred rate for only those in the best of health. While the FEGLI coverage will begin declining at age 65, the individual insurance policy will provide full coverage until the insured attains age 70 or simply stops paying the premiums. For this comparison, we’ll assume the insured stops paying the premiums after the 24th year, which will provide coverage for an additional six months longer than the FEGLI coverage. Add up all the premiums paid, and the FEGLI coverage will cost a total of $31,200. Although the individual term insurance premium starts out higher, and continues for an extra four years, the total cost is only $22,632 – a savings of more than $8,500. Another drawback to FEGLI is that there’s no discount for being in good health. Individual term insurance policies, on the other hand, are medically underwritten and provide healthy indi-

premiums for women. FEGLI premiums do not account for this actuarial difference, and are the same for men and women. If our 45-year-old federal employee were female, she could get a 25year individual term policy for $670 per year ($270 less than her male counterpart) as a standard health risk and only $388 per year as a preferred health risk. Assuming the same time period, the total savings would be $15,120 and $21,888, respectively. In some cases, an individual term insurance policy will be less expensive from day one. For example, let’s assume a 55-year-old male who will be retiring at age 65 and electing the full reduction option wants to compare the cost of carrying FEGLI coverage with individual term insurance. To ensure he’ll have coverage for as long as FEGLI will provide coverage, he’ll have to go with a 15-year, guaranteed-level term insurance policy. Recall that the FEGLI premium for a 55-year-old is $1,494. But this time, the individual term insurance OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

premium for a standard health rating is only $1,320 per year. The FEGLI premiums from age 55 to age 65 will total $24,375, whereas the total cost of the term insurance for 14 years (six months after the FEGLI coverage will be reduced to zero) will only be $18,480 – a savings of almost $6,000. The annual premium for the 15year individual insurance policy for a 55-year-old female is only $825 per year – a savings of almost $13,000 over the 14-year period. Once again, these premiums are for a standard health rating. If the federal employee is in good-to-excellent health, the savings could be much larger. Some of the biggest savings can come when a federal employee continues to work after age 65 or when a retiree continues Option B coverage

NARFE | OCTOBER 2012

with no reduction beyond age 65. For example, assuming a standard health rating, a 65-year-old male can get a $250,000 insurance policy with premiums guaranteed to remain level for 10 years for $2,343 per year. The comparable FEGLI coverage will run $4,029 per year and rise to $7,410 per year at age 70. In this example, the individual term insurance will provide nearly $34,000 in savings over the 10year period. And for a female? A 65year-old female can get the 10-year policy for $1,463 per year, providing a total savings of approximately $43,000 over 10 years. At this point, you’re probably thinking, “Sure, these premiums must be from some cut-rate insurance company.” Absolutely not. These are the premiums for reputable, A+ rated in-

surance companies. There’s no “one size fits all” answer here. And as this column illustrates, it’s not simply an issue of what happens to be less expensive in the beginning. To determine whether FEGLI or an individual term insurance policy will be the better option, an analysis of individual circumstances, including a projection over the expected time period, is required.

Mark A. Keen, CFP®, is president and owner of Bennett Financial Advisors, 3600 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax,VA, and an investment adviser representative and registered principal of The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA). Securities and advisory services are offered through SFA. Email: mkeen@tributaryadvisors.com.

LiveWell

Living With Lupus By Marilyn S. Radke, M.D.

upus is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the tissues and organs it is designed to protect. This causes inflammation that can damage the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels and brain. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., five million people throughout the world have some form of lupus, and more than 16,000 new cases are reported annually throughout the country. A healthy immune system makes proteins (antibodies) and cells (lymphocytes) that destroy foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses that invade the body. In lupus, the immune system makes proteins (autoantibodies) that attack healthy cells and tissues. The most common type of autoantibody found in people with lupus is an antinuclear antibody (ANA) that damages the cell’s command center (nucleus). Four types of lupus occur in adults: 1. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common type, affects many parts of the body, may be mild or serious, and usually occurs in women between the ages of 15 and 45. 2. Discoid lupus erythematosus is a red, raised rash on the skin of the face, scalp or elsewhere that may become thick and scaly, and cause scarring. It may last for days or years and recur. A few people with discoid lupus may have or develop SLE later. 3. Subacute cutaneous lupus ery-

thematosus causes skin lesions on parts of the body exposed to sunlight and does not cause scarring. 4. Drug-induced lupus is caused by medications and usually goes away when the medication is stopped. Symptoms of arthritis, rash, fever and chest pain are similar to SLE. Common symptoms of lupus include: • Painful or swollen joints and muscle pain; • Unexplained fever; • Red rash, most often on the face; • Chest pain when breathing deeply; • Hair loss; • Pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress; • Sensitivity to the sun; • Swelling in legs or around eyes; • Mouth ulcers; • Swollen glands; and • Extreme tiredness. Less common symptoms include: • Decreased red blood cells; • Headaches; • Dizziness; • Depression; • Confusion; and • Seizures. There is no single test to diagnose lupus. It may take years for doctors to put together the symptoms to diagnose this complex disease accurately. The process involves medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests on blood and urine, and skin or kidney biopsy. Blood tests for autoantibodies,

including ANA and others, can help make the diagnosis. Lupus is noted for periods of illness (flares) and periods of wellness (remission). Currently, there is no cure. However, lupus can be treated effectively with medications, and most people with the disease can lead active lives. Many people with lupus experience increased fatigue, pain, a rash, fever, abdominal discomfort, headache or dizziness just before a flare. A key to managing lupus is to recognize the warning signs of a flare and take action to ward it off or reduce its intensity. In treating lupus, a family doctor or internist often works with a rheumatologist (arthritis and inflammatory disorders specialist), dermatologist (skin specialist) and other medical specialists. The goals of treatment are to prevent and treat flares, and reduce organ damage and other problems. Therapies for lupus include: Continued on p. 20

LUPUS RESULTS in inflammation that can damage the joints,skin, kidneys,heart, lungs,blood vessels and brain.

To Learn More

or more information, write to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases,National Institutes of Health,1AMS Circle,Bethesda,MD 20892-3675; or call 877-226-4267 (TTY: 301-565-2966); or visit the website at www.niams.nih.gov.

OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

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LiveWell Continued from p. 18 • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat pain, swelling and fever. • Anti-malarials are drugs for malaria treatment that also relieve fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes and inflammation of the lungs in lupus, and may prevent flares from recurring. • Corticosteroids rapidly suppress inflammation and are drugs related to cortisol, an anti-inflammatory hormone. • Immunosuppressives block the production of immune cells, and may aid patients whose kidneys or central nervous systems are affected by lupus. • B-lymphocyte stimulator-specific inhibitors block protein that may reduce the number of abnormal B cells thought to be a problem in lupus. • Other medications may be used to treat lupus, including proteins derived from human blood (immunoglobulins) and medications to treat problems related to lupus, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or infection. • Alternative and complementary therapies include special diets, nutritional supplements, fish oils, ointments and creams, chiropractic treatment, and homeopathy, which may help with symptoms; but research has not shown them to affect the disease process or prevent organ damage. Exercising and finding ways to relax may make it easier to cope with the stress of having lupus. A support system of family, friends, doctors and community groups also can help. If you have lupus, learn more about the disease, and be involved in your own care so you can feel better and remain more active.

Marilyn S. Radke, M.D., is board certified in preventive medicine and practices in Atlanta, GA. OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

How

SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

Congressional Behavior Should Inform Our Own By Christopher Farrell, Legislative Representative

n the ongoing debate over the federal budget and deficit, there is general recognition of the need for shared sacrifices. But as the compilation of votes on the next several pages shows, current and future federal employees and retirees have been regularly singled out for the very opposite – targeted sacrifice. Having sent very few pieces of legislation to the president’s desk, the 112th Congress is being assailed as a do-nothing Congress. The strong partisan divide among members largely accounts for this gridlock. While embracing shared sacrifice in general, Congress has rejected the sweeping “balanced” plans offered by several bipartisan commissions proposing to rein in the federal deficit and grow the economy. Of course, balance among and between entitlements, taxes and discretionary spending resides in the eye of the beholder. Voting is the essential and defining act of lawmakers and citizens alike. On or before November 6, NARFE members, like all electors, have the opportunity to vote in private. Informed use of the ballot by voters is how citizens hold elected officials accountable. How members of Congress vote on the floor of the House and Senate is carefully recorded in each

NARFE | OCTOBER 2012

chamber. However, the hundreds of votes make it time-consuming, if not impossible, for the public to follow closely. NARFE, like other interest groups, selects the most important votes dealing with our legislative mission to allow the Association’s members to see in one place how their congressional delegation behaved on crucial votes. Redistricting and the explosion of super political action committee (PAC) spending complicate this election. Congressional redistricting means new districts, and the growth of so-called super PACs means anonymous groups may outspend the candidates. These strange bedfellows may make the unlikeliest districts competitive.

INFORMATION, NOT ENDORSEMENT NARFE’s biennial voting feature, the largest and longest-running feature in this publication, serves to provide information and empowerment. It should not be interpreted as a NARFE endorsement. The sole intent is to provide the best empirical information on how current members of Congress voted on legislation of concern to the federal community. Use it in conjunction with other means of measuring incumbents. It remains the best yardstick for that enterprise.

CIVICS 101:

THE INFORMED CITIZEN

HowTheyVoted: SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

112thCongress

o that NARFE members may be as informed as possible about the 390 representatives and 22 senators seeking re-election to Congress, and how these men and women have represented the concerns of current and future federal retirees, we are publishing this compilation of voting in the 112th Congress (2011-2012). Use it now and detach it for regular consultation, sharing and even recruiting. This is the 16th such compilation that NARFE has published.

FISCAL CLIFFS As you read this, the fiscal year is quickly coming to its conclusion on September 30. An even more momentous fiscal cliff looms at the end of the calendar year. Many of the most important decisions have been postponed until after the November 6 elections. This post-election session will have to grapple with many expiring policy issues, not the least of which are the expiring tax cuts established in 2001 and 2003, as well as a debate on how to avoid the pending sequestration cuts. (Votes cast in this lame-duck session may be used in the 2014 edition of this article.)

FIVE HOUSE, FOUR SENATE VOTES From the 1,505 House and 424 Senate roll call votes held during 2011-2012, NARFE has selected five House and four Senate votes as important to NARFE members, and they are displayed here. While similar, none of the votes are on precisely the same legislation.

RECENT AND HISTORICAL SUMMARIES The percent “correct” column near the middle summarizes the four Senate or five House votes cast during 2011-2012; the percent “correct” at the right includes all key votes cast from 1981 through 2010. Please use both the itemized recent votes and the historical summary to evaluate your own representative and two senators. Like the 2010 edition, this analysis is posted for NARFE members at www.narfe.org.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION CENTER, ONE-STOP SHOPPING Although you are urged to pull out and keep these pages, the NARFE Legislative Action Center harnesses the power of the Internet to provide a single site for votes, cosponsorships, congressional staff and offices, and other information for every member of Congress. Start at www.capwiz.com/narfe/officials/ and insert your ZIP code to produce a display of your congressional delegation and key votes for the last 10 years. Provide a copy to your legislators and their staff.

HIGH-STAKES ELECTION After two years of divided government, voters will determine if there should be a change. The November elections could narrow the margins in Congress, or party control could change. At least 50 House incumbents will not return to Congress – 26 representatives and 10 senators are retiring (marked “R”), 12 representatives and one senator were defeated (marked “D”) in primary elections, 11 representatives are running for the Senate (marked “S”), one representative is running for governor (marked “G”) and one is running for mayor (marked “M”). Thirty-three Senate terms are expiring (marked *). Senators (33) facing re-election in 2014 are marked with a “14,” and the 34 facing re-election in 2016 are marked with a “16.”

RESPECTED SOURCES Keeping track of the vote on one bill or one lawmaker can be done using public information. The House (www.clerk.house.gov) and Senate (www.senate.gov) make individual roll call votes available within hours of the vote. To produce this article, NARFE staff used Congressional Quarterly (CQ), the highly respected print and electronic publisher. Our contract with CQ.com allows NARFE to select the key votes and preferred position, and CQ’s software and database produce the “pluses” and “minuses” you see displayed on the next several pages. NARFE counts the historical “right” (+) and “wrong” (-) votes, and the percentage right (% +).

By Christopher Farrell, Legislative Representative

OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

SENATE VOTES

KEYNARFE VOTES

112TH CONGRESS

2011 SENATE VOTE #225 DECEMBER 8, 2011

2012 SENATE VOTE #38 MARCH 13, 2012 Surface Transportation Authorization (S. 1813) – Drilling Approval and Energy Tax Extensions Sen. Pat Roberts, R-KS, introduced an amendment to extend energy tax credit programs, excluding the production credit and the stimulus grant program that expired in 2011. Provisions would be partially offset by extending the federal employee pay freeze through 2013. It also would approve the Keystone XL pipeline, and expand oil and gas drilling in new areas, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Rejected 41-57. A “nay” vote is considered a “plus” for NARFE purposes.

NARFE | OCTOBER 2012

2012 SENATE VOTE #73 APRIL 24, 2012 Postal Service Overhaul (S. 1789) – Federal Workers’ Compensation Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-HI, introduced an amendment to strike provisions in the bill restricting injured workers’ compensation and replace it with adjustments strengthening the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). The amendment would allow payments of certain benefits in the event of terrorism incidents and increase funeral reimbursement. It also would allow the U.S. Postal Service to recoup $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. Rejected 46-53. A “yea” vote is considered a “plus” for NARFE purposes. (See July 2012 NARFE, “Senate Passes Postal Reform Bill, Reduces Workers’ Comp Benefits,” p. 12.)

2012 SENATE VOTE #98 MAY 16, 2012 House Fiscal 2013 Budget Resolution (H.Con.Res. 112) – Motion to Proceed Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND, proposed a motion to proceed with the concurrent resolution to allow $2.794 trillion in new budget authority for fiscal year 2013, not including offbudget accounts. The resolution would save $368 billion over 10 years by cutting federal retirement, extending for an additional year the current federal employee pay freeze and reducing the federal workforce. See full vote description on p. 24 for 2012 House Vote #151. Motion rejected 41-58. A “nay” vote is considered a “plus” for NARFE purposes. (See August 2012 NARFE, “Congress’ To-Do List: Deficit, Budget, Tax Cut,” pp. 8-10.)

SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

Payroll Tax Relief Extension (S. 1931) – Motion to Proceed Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-KY, proposed a motion to proceed with the bill to extend current payroll tax rates for individuals through 2012. It would be paid for, or “offset,” by extending the current pay freeze for federal workers for three years and reducing the federal civilian workforce through attrition. It also would require increased Medicare payments from higher income earners. Motion rejected 22-76. A “nay” vote is considered a “plus” for NARFE purposes. (See February 2012 NARFE, “Analysis: Feds Continue To Be Budget Pawns,” pp. 8-10.)

HOUSE VOTES 112TH CONGRESS

2011 HOUSE VOTE #133 FEBRUARY 19, 2011

SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

Fiscal Year 2011 Continuing Appropriations (H.R. 1) – Federal Employee Step Increases Rep. Darrell Issa, R-CA, proposed an amendment to bar the use of funds made available in the bill to fund periodic pay increases (step increases) for federal employees. Rejected 191-230. A “nay” vote is considered a “plus” for NARFE purposes. (See April 2011 NARFE, “Step-Increase Ban Defeated,” p. 11.)

2011 HOUSE VOTE #363 MAY 26, 2011 Fiscal Year 2012 Defense Authorization (H.R. 1540) – Civilian Employee Workforce Reduction Rep. John Campbell, R-CA, introduced an amendment to direct the Defense Secretary to reduce the baseline number of civilian employees at the Defense Department by 1 percent every year for the next five fiscal years. Rejected 98-321. A “nay” vote is considered a “plus” for NARFE purposes. (See August 2011 NARFE, “House Panel Considers Bills to Reduce the Federal Workforce,” p. 16.)

2011 HOUSE VOTE #923 DECEMBER 13, 2011 Year-End Extension of Payroll Tax Holiday (H.R. 3630) – Passage Passage of the bill to extend the 4.2 percent employee payroll tax rate through 2012. It also would provide for a 1 percent increase in Medicare payment rates to doctors in 2012 and 2013, preventing a reduction scheduled to occur in 2012. The bill also extends unemployment benefits, fees charged by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the Keystone XL pipeline. Among offsets included to reduce costs, the bill increases the employee contribution to the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System for calendar years 2013, 2014 and 2015. The bill establishes new annuity computation rules for federal employees hired after December 31, 2012, with less than five years of creditable civilian service. In addition, the bill eliminates the FERS Annuity Supplement for federal employees. Passed 234-193. A “nay” vote is considered a “plus” for NARFE purposes. (See March 2012 NARFE, “Fed Benefits Again on Chopping Block,” pp. 8-10.)

2012 HOUSE VOTE #151 MARCH 29, 2012 Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Resolution (H.Con.Res. 112) – Adoption Adoption of a concurrent resolution to provide $2.793 trillion in new budget authority for fiscal year 2013, not including off-budget accounts. It calls for limiting discretionary appropriations to $1.028 trillion in 2013 through major cuts to nondefense discretionary and mandatory spending over the next 10 years. In order to achieve this savings, the resolution saves $368 billion over 10 years by cutting federal retirement, extending for an additional year the current federal employee pay freeze and reducing the federal workforce. It would assume significant future savings by restructuring Medicare into a “premium support” system beginning in 2023, converting Medicaid and the food stamp program into block grants to states, and repealing the 2010 health care overhaul. Adopted 228-191. A “nay” vote is considered a “plus” for NARFE purposes. (See May 2012 NARFE, “Ryan Budget Aims Another Assault on Feds,” pp. 8-10.)

2012 HOUSE VOTE #247 MAY 10, 2012 Budget Sequestration Replacement (H.R. 5652) – Passage Passage of the bill to cancel $98 billion in automatic discretionary spending cuts scheduled to go into effect in January 2013. It replaces the sequester with a $19 billion reduction in the discretionary cap for fiscal year 2013 and with reconciliation savings from mandatory programs recommended by six House committees, among them requiring all current and future federal workers to pay an additional 5 percentage points of their salary toward their federal pensions. It also eliminates the separate cap on defense spending for the year to allow for higher spending levels. The bill modifies mandatory programs to save $19.7 billion through fiscal year 2013 and $310 billion over 10 years, including by decreasing benefits and eligibility for the food stamp program, and reducing and repealing elements of the 2010 health care law. Passed 218-199. A “nay” vote is considered a “plus” for NARFE purposes. (See July 2012 NARFE, “Feds Hit Again in Budget Reconciliation,” pp. 8-10.) OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

STATE-BY-STATE RECORD OF PERFORMANCE ON

KEY NARFE VOTES AL At-large representative R Member not running for re-election, retiring G Running for governor M Representative running for mayor S Representative running for Senate * Senator whose term is expiring D Member defeated in primary ’16 Term expires in 2016 ’14 Term expires in 2014

Votes: + Voted for the NARFE-preferred position – Voted against the NARFE-preferred position x Did not vote Members of Congress: Representatives’ names in black Senators’ names in blue 1 Not yet elected when vote taken S Speaker of the House, rarely votes

112th Congress 133 363 923 151 247 225 38 73 98

# +

# –

% +

14 6 6 22

70 21

ALABAMA

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Bonner (R) Roby (R) Rogers (R) Aderholt (R) Brooks (R) Bachus (R) Sewell (D) ’16 Shelby (R) ’14 Sessions (R)

+ – + + + – +

+ + + + + + + + +

– – – – + – + – –

– – – – – – + – –

40 20 40 40 60 20 100 25 25

15 36 3 16

29 16

+ + –

– – –

– + –

40 75 0

32 28 53 3 0 100 2 8 20

+ + – + + x + I – +

– – – + – + + I – –

– – – + – – + I – –

20 20 0 100 20 25 100

0 24 0 20 0 100

0 25

19 19 3 19

+ + + + + +

– – – – – +

– – – + – +

20 20 20 80 25 100

100

+ + – – + + + + + – + + – + + –

+ – – + + + + + + + + + + + + +

+ – – – + + + x + + + + + + + +

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100 20 0 20 100 100 100 100 100 80 100 100 75 100 100 80

25 1 96 12 41 23 3 10 23 0 5 0 13 0 100 31 1 97 61 4 94 43 1 98 27 0 100 2 0 100 10 0 100 6 0 100 61 5 92 34 1 97 22 0 100 31 1 97

ALASKA

AL Young (R) + ’14 Begich (D) ’16 Murkowski (R) ARIZONA

1 Gosar (R) – 2 Franks (R) – 3 Quayle (R) x 4 Pastor (D) + 5 Schweikert (R) – 6 S Flake (R) – 7 Grijalva (D) + 8 Barber (D) I ’16 McCain (R) * R Kyl (R)

50 14

ARKANSAS

1 2 3 4 R

Crawford (R) Griffin (R) Womack (R) Ross (D) ’16 Boozman (R) ’14 Pryor (D)

– – – +

100

CALIFORNIA

1 2 R 3 4 5 6 R 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Thompson (D) + Herger (R) – Lungren (R) – McClintock (R) – Matsui (D) + Woolsey (D) + Miller (D) + Pelosi (D) + Lee (D) + Garamendi (D)+ McNerney (D) + Speier (D) + Stark (D) x Eshoo (D) + Honda (D) + Lofgren (D) +

NARFE | OCTOBER 2012

VOTE NUMBER: House Senate

97th-111th

133 363 923 151 247 225 38 73 98

17 Farr (D) + 18 Vacant 19 Denham (R) – 20 Costa (D) + 21 Nunes (R) – 22 McCarthy (R) – 23 Capps (D) + – 24 R Gallegly (R) 25 McKeon (R) – 26 R Dreier (R) – 27 Sherman (D) + 28 Berman (D) + 29 Schiff (D) + 30 Waxman (D) + 31 Becerra (D) + 32 Chu (D) + 33 Bass (D) + 34 Roybal-Allard (D)+ 35 Waters (D) + 36 Hahn (D) I 37 Richardson (D) + 38 Napolitano (D) + 39 Sanchez, Linda (D) + 40 Royce (R) – 41 R Lewis (R) – 42 Miller (R) – 43 Baca (D) + 44 Calvert (R) – 45 Bono Mack (R) – 46 Rohrabacher (R) – 47 Sanchez, Loretta (D) + 48 Campbell (R) – 49 Issa (R) – – 50 Bilbray (R) 51M Filner (D) + 52 Hunter (R) – 53 Davis (D) + * Feinstein (D) ’16 Boxer (D)

# +

# –

% +

12 6 2 27 21 6 16 26 56 22 64 35 2

0 100 13 32 8 20 0 100 30 41 31 16 48 25 2 93 2 97 1 96 1 98 1 97 0 100

35 37

1 1

97 97

9 24

0 0

100 100

0 100 34 6 35 41 20 20 0 100 25 29 17 35 37 20

–

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + I + +

– + – – + – – – + + + + + + + + + + + +

– + – – + – – – + x + + + + + + + + + x

20 100 20 20 100 20 20 20 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

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100 0 20 20 100 20 0 20

19 2 24 5 23 10 9 9

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100 20 20 20 100 20 100 100 100

26 2 93 1 9 10 18 40 31 4 6 40 36 0 100 1 4 20 24 0 100 22 7 76 28 1 97

+ – + – + – +

+ + – – – – +

100 80 20 0 20 0 100

18 5

0 0

100 100

1 1 10

9 4 0

10 20 100

COLORADO

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

DeGette (D) + Polis (D) + Tipton (R) – Gardner (R) – Lamborn (R) – Coffman (R) – Perlmutter (D) +

SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

VOTE NUMBER: House Senate

112th Congress

97th-111th

112th Congress VOTE NUMBER: House Senate

97th-111th

133 363 923 151 247 225 38 73 98

’14 Udall (D) ’16 Bennet (D)

# +

# –

% +

+ +

– –

+ +

75 75

2 2

1 1

67 67

+ + + + + + +

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+ + + + + + +

100 100 100 100 100 100 75

25 9 39 5 5

0 0 2 0 0

100 100 95 100 100

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100 75 100

– – + + + – – + + + + + + – – + + + +

– – + – – – – – – – + – – – – – + – +

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0 0 100 40 20 0 0 40 20 20 100 20 20 0 0 20 100

34 1 7 17

97 29

13 33 6 29

28 17

+ + + + + + + –

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100 40 20 100 20 20 100 25

– + – + + – – + – – – + + + +

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0 100 0 100 100 0 20 20 0 0 0 80 100 25 25

+ +

+ + + +

100 100 100 100

x +

– +

– –

+ –

25 40

CONNECTICUT

DELAWARE

SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

FLORIDA

1 Miller (R) – 2 Southerland (R)– 3 Brown (D) + 4 Crenshaw (R) + 5 Nugent (R) – 6 D Stearns (R) – 7 Mica (R) – 8 Webster (R) + 9 Bilirakis (R) – 10 Young (R) – 11 Castor (D) + 12 Ross (R) – 13 Buchanan (R) – 14 S Mack (R) – 15 Posey (R) – 16 Rooney (R) – 17 Wilson (D) x 18 Ros-Lehtinen (R)+ 19 Deutch (D) + 20 Wasserman Schultz (D) + 21 Diaz-Balart (R)+ 22 West (R) – 23 Hastings (D) + 24 D Adams (R) – 25 Rivera (R) – * Nelson (D) ’16 Rubio (R) Kingston (R) Bishop (D)

– + Westmoreland (R) – Johnson (D) + Lewis (D) + Price (R) – Woodall (R) – Scott (R) – Graves (R) – Broun (R) – Gingrey (R) – Barrow (D) + Scott (D) + ’14 Chambliss (R) ’16 Isakson (R)

100

4 6 40 32 33 49 10 0 100 4 4 1 2

4 9 4 3

50 31 20 40

16 19 46 2 0 100 13 0 100 6 14 30 30

100

6 29 17 28 5 85 2 10 17 9 0 100 50 2 96 2 11 15

0 8 0 3 17 15 12 0 100 19 1 95 2 7 22 1 5 17

Labrador (R) Simpson (R)

# +

# –

% +

– –

0 0

1 0

13 3

7 0

– x + + – + + – + – + + – + – – + – – + +

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80 100 100 100 80 20 100 0 100 0 40 100 0 20 40 0 40 0 0 100 100

31 29 13 33 4 3 26

0 0 0 1 0 7 0

100 100 100 97 100 30 100

100

40 5 6 20

89 23

16 7 7 29

70 19

1 4 10 16 18 1

20 38 95

+ + – – – – + + + – +

+ – – – – – + – – – –

+ + – – – – + – – – –

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100 75 0 0 0 0 100 20 20 0 25

52 10

93 100

14 44 24 0 23 0 8 0 100

+ + + + –

+ + + + + – +

– – – – – – +

+ + + – – – +

80 80 80 40 20 0 100

9 1 90 9 0 100 26 1 96 12 21 36 2 18 10 18 40 31 30 6 83

Huelskamp (R) – Jenkins (R) – Yoder (R) – Pompeo (R) – ’16 Moran (R) ’14 Roberts (R)

– + – + + +

– – – – – –

+ – – – – –

– – – – – –

20 20 0 20 25 25

– + + + + +

– + + – – + – –

– – + – – + – –

+ – + – – + – –

+ – + – – + – +

40 40 100 20 20 100 0 25

9 24 27 1 4 20 10 0 100 2 6 25 27 37 42 18 0 100 13 31 30

– + – – – –

+ + – + + +

– + – – – –

20 100 0 20 20 20

1 10 1

4 8 4

20 56 20

Rush (D) + 1 2 Jackson (D) + Lipinski (D) + 3 4 Gutierrez (D) + 5 Quigley (D) + 6 Roskam (R) – 7 Davis (D) + 8 Walsh (R) – 9 Schakowsky (D)+ 10 Dold (R) – 11 Kinzinger (R) + 12 R Costello (D) + 13 Biggert (R) – 14 Hultgren (R) – – 15 R Johnson (R) 16 D Manzullo (R) – 17 Schilling (R) + 18 Schock (R) – 19 Shimkus (R) – ’14 Durbin (D) ’16 Kirk (R) INDIANA

1 Visclosky (D) 2 S Donnelly (D) 3 Stutzman (R) 4 Rokita (R) 5 R Burton (R) 6 G Pence (R) 7 Carson (D) 8 Bucshon (R) 9 Young (R) * D Lugar (R) ’16 Coats (R)

+ + – – – – + – –

4 0

17 41

IOWA

1 2 3 4 5

Braley (D) Loebsack (D) Boswell (D) Latham (R) King (R) ’16 Grassley (R) ’14 Harkin (D)

KANSAS

1 2 3 4

1 Whitfield (R) 2 Guthrie (R) 3 Yarmuth (D) 4 R Davis (R) 5 Rogers (R) 6 Chandler (D) ’14 McConnell (R) ’16 Paul (R) LOUISIANA

10 48 33

0 8 1

100 86 97

IDAHO

1 2

KENTUCKY

HAWAII

1 Hanabusa (D) 2 S Hirono (D) ’16 Inouye (D) * R Akaka (D)

133 363 923 151 247 225 38 73 98

’16 Crapo (R) ’14 Risch (R)

GEORGIA

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

97th-111th

ILLINOIS

Larson (D) + Courtney (D) + DeLauro (D) + Himes (D) + Murphy (D) + ’16 Blumenthal (D) * R Lieberman (I)

1 2 3 4 5 S

AL Carney (D) * Carper (D) ’14 Coons (D)

112th Congress VOTE NUMBER: House Senate

1 2 3 4 5 6

Scalise (R) Richmond (D) Landry (R) Fleming (R) Alexander (R) Cassidy (R)

OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

97th-111th

112th Congress VOTE NUMBER: House Senate

133 363 923 151 247 225 38 73 98

Boustany (R)

–

’14 Landrieu (D) ’16 Vitter (R)

# +

# –

% +

– + –

– – –

– + –

0 75 0

4 14 1

8 5 6

33 74 14

+ + – –

+ + + +

x + – –

+ + + +

100 100 50 50

5 20 17 14

0 0 7 5

100 100 71 74

+ + + + + – + + + +

– + + + + – + + + +

– + + + + + + + + +

40 100 100 100 100 40 100 100 100 100

19 0 100 10 0 100 7 0 100 62 4 94 6 30 17 26 0 100 20 0 100 36 4 90 6 0 100

MAINE

1 Pingree (D) 2 Michaud (D) * R Snowe (R) ’14 Collins (R)

+ +

MARYLAND

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Harris (R)

Ruppersberger (D)+

Sarbanes (D) Edwards (D) Hoyer (D) Bartlett (R)

+ + + + Cummings (D) + Van Hollen (D) + ’16 Mikulski (D) * Cardin (D)

MASSACHUSETTS

1R 2 3 4R 5 6 7 8 9 10

Olver (D) Neal (D) McGovern (D) Frank (D) Tsongas (D) Tierney (D) Markey (D) Capuano (D) Lynch (D) Keating (D) ’14 Kerry (D) * Brown (R)

+ + + + + + + + + +

x + + – + + + + + + x –

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

+ + + + + + + + + + + –

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

100 100 100 80 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 50

35 43 28 64 8 28 63 25 23

2 3 0 2 0 0 3 0 0

95 93 100 97 100 100 95 100 100

35 0

7 3

83 0

– – – – + – – – x –

– – – + + + + + – +

– – + – + – – – + –

0 0 60 20 100 20 20 20 75 20

+ + + +

+ + – + + +

+ + + + + +

100 100 80 100 100 100

61 63 52 12

3 3 6 0

95 95 90 100

Walz (D) Kline (R) Paulsen (R) McCollum (D) Ellison (D) Bachmann (R) Peterson (D) Cravaack (R) * Klobuchar (D) ’14 Franken (D)

+ – – x + – + –

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– – – + + x + – + +

+ – – + + – + – + +

+ – x + + – + – + +

80 0 0 100 100 25 100 20 100 100

10 0 100 3 17 15 1 4 20 23 0 100 10 0 100 2 7 22 31 10 76 6 3

0 0

100 100

– + + + –

– + – – –

0 100 40 20 0

6 33 1

1 2 4

100 94 20

18 40

9 31 23 64 2 97 23 29 44 1 4 20 6 16 27 4 0 100 11 8 58

# +

# –

% +

–

+ + + + + + x – + + +

+ – + – + – – – – – –

+ – + – + – – – – – +

100 20 100 20 100 20 0 20 20 25 50

24 0 100 0 24 0 13 0 100

–

– + +

+ + +

– + +

Fortenberry (R) –

+ + – + +

+ – – + –

– – – + –

+ I + + –

+ – – + –

– + – + + + + + + + + + +

MISSOURI

1 Clay (D) + 2 S Akin (R) – 3 D Carnahan (D) + 4 Hartzler (R) – 5 Cleaver (D) + 6 Graves (R) – 7 Long (R) – 8 Emerson (R) + 9 Luetkemeyer (R)– ’16 Blunt (R) * McCaskill (D)

13 0 100 9 13 41 14 13 1 4

52 20

20 100 100

6 19 39 18 5 1

24 68 83

– – – + –

40 20 0 100 25

7 3 1 8 0

6 23 9 4 3

54 12 10 67 0

+ – – + +

100 0 40 100 50

37 4

4 6

90 40

– – – +

– + – +

0 40 0 100

+ – – – + + – + +

+ – – – – + – + +

+ + – – – + – + +

100 60 20 40 40 100 40 100 100

33 8 23 10

80 70

MONTANA

AL S Rehberg (R)

’14 Baucus (D)

* Tester (D) NEBRASKA

1 2 3

Terry (R) Smith (R) * R Nelson (D) ’14 Johanns (R)

– –

NEVADA

1 S Berkley (D) 2 Amodei (R) 3 Heck (R) ’16 Reid (D) * Heller (R)

+ I +

1 2

Guinta (R) Bass (R) ’16 Ayotte (R) ’14 Shaheen (D)

– –

1 Andrews (D) + 2 LoBiondo (R) + 3 Runyan (R) – 4 Smith (R) + 5 Garrett (R) – 6 Pallone (D) + 7 Lance (R) + 8 Pascrell (D) + 9 D Rothman (D) + 10 Vacant 11 Frelinghuysen (R) – 12 Holt (D) + 13 Sires (D) + ’14 Lautenberg (D) * Menendez (D)

–

+ + + +

100 100 100 100

–

+ + +

100 20 100 100 100

+ + + x + + + – I +

+ + – + + + + + – +

+ + – + + x + + – +

+ + – + + + + + – +

100 100 40 100 100 100 100 80 0 100

44 22 67 2 18 10 37 9 80 3 2 60 28 0 100 26 1 96 15 18 45 26 0 100 10 0 100 41 7 85 3 0 100

NEW MEXICO

MISSISSIPPI

1 2 3 4

* Wicker (R)

NEW JERSEY

MINNESOTA

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

133 363 923 151 247 225 38 73 98

NEW HAMPSHIRE

MICHIGAN

1 Benishek (R) 2 Huizenga (R) 3 Amash (R) 4 Camp (R) 5 R Kildee (D) 6 Upton (R) 7 Walberg (R) 8 Rogers (R) 9 Peters (D) 10 Miller (R) 11 Vacant 12 Levin (D) 13 D Clarke (D) 14 Conyers (D) 15 Dingell (D) ’14 Levin (D) * Stabenow (D)

VOTE NUMBER: House Senate

97th-111th

Nunnelee (R) – Thompson (D) + Harper (R) + Palazzo (R) – ’14 Cochran (R)

NARFE | OCTOBER 2012

1 S Heinrich (D) + 2 Pearce (R) – 3 Luján (D) + * R Bingaman (D) ’14 Udall (D)

100

5 40 3

0 9 0

100 82 100

NEW YORK

1 Bishop (D) 2 Israel (D) 3 King (R) 4 McCarthy (D) 5 R Ackerman (D) 6 Meeks (D) 7 Crowley (D) 8 Nadler (D) 9 Turner (R) 10 R Towns (D)

+ + + x + + + + I +

20 0 100 23 0 100 16 19 46 26 2 93 56 2 97 25 0 100 25 0 100 33 1 97 49

SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

x + –

112th Congress

SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

VOTE NUMBER: House Senate

97th-111th

133 363 923 151 247 225 38 73 98

11 Clarke (D) + 12 Velázquez (D) + + 13 Grimm (R) 14 Maloney (D) + 15 Rangel (D) + 16 Serrano (D) + 17 Engel (D) + 18 Lowey (D) + 19 Hayworth (R) – 20 Gibson (R) + 21 Tonko (D) + 22 R Hinchey (D) + 23 Owens (D) + 24 Hanna (R) – 25 Buerkle (R) – 26 Hochul (D) I 27 Higgins (D) + 28 Slaughter (D) + 29 Reed (R) – ’16 Schumer (D) * Gillibrand (D)

VOTE NUMBER: House Senate

# +

# –

% +

9 31

0 2

100 94

34 63 41 42 43

1 1 0 2 2

97 98 100 95 96

OREGON

5 34 2

0 1 0

100 97 100

13 53

0 1

100 98

100

+ + + + + + + + + – + + + + + I + + – + +

+ + – + + + + + – – + + + – – + + + – + +

+ + – + x + + + – + + x + – – + + + – + +

+ + – + + + + + – + + + + – – + + x – + +

100 100 40 100 100 100 100 100 20 60 100 100 100 20 20 100 100 100 0 100 100

+ + – + + – + + + – + + + + +

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100 20 60 100 20 0 100 100 20 0 100 100 100 25 75

+ + –

– + –

20 100 0

– + + – + – + S + + + – + + – – + – + –

– – – – – – – S + + + – + – – – + – + –

– – – – – – – S + + + – + + – – + – + –

0 20 20 0 20 0 40 100 100 100 0 100 60 0 0 100 0 100 0

+ + + +

– – – –

– + – –

20 80 20 20

NORTH CAROLINA

1 Butterfield (D) + 2 Elmers (R) – 3 Jones (R) + 4 Price (D) + 5 Foxx (R) – 6 Coble (R) – 7 McIntyre (D) + 8 Kissell (D) + – 9 RMyrick (R) 10 McHenry (R) – 11 R Shuler (D) + 12 Watt (D) + 13 R Miller (D) + ’16 Burr (R) ’14 Hagan (D)

112th Congress

100

14 43 3 20 24 5 5 3 8 35 11 0 3

18 44 3 93 10 23 37 35 4 86 0 100 28 15 10 23 1 89 1 97 0 100 7 0 0 100

–

* R Conrad (D) ’16 Hoeven (R)

’16 Portman (R)

– + – –

# –

% +

5 20

29 13

+ + +

– – –

20 25 25

2 3

I – + + + + +

+ – + + + + +

100 0 100 100 100 100 100

9 16 36 25 2 93 45 5 90 4 1 80 20 2 91 3 0 100

+ + – + + + – – + – + + + + – – + + x

+ + + + + – + – + + + + + + – – + + + + +

+ + – + – – – – – – – + + + – – + – – + –

+ + – + – – – – – – – + + + – – + – + + –

+ + – + – – – + – – – + + + – – + – + + –

100 100 20 100 40 20 20 20 40 20 40 100 100 100 0 0 100 40 75 100 25

Cicilline (D) + Langevin (D) + ’14 Reed (D) * Whitehouse (D)

+ + + +

100 100 100 100

– – – – – +

– + – – – + + +

– – – – – + – +

– – – – – + – –

0 20 0 0 0 100 25 50

–

+ + +

– + –

x + –

25 100 25

+ – + + + – + + + + +

– – – – + – – – + – +

– + – – + – – – + – –

+ – –

– – –

+ – –

Bonamici (D) I Walden (R) – Blumenauer (D)+ DeFazio (D) + Schrader (D) + ’16 Wyden (D) ’14 Merkley (D)

1 Brady (D) 2 Fattah (D) 3 Kelly (R) 4 D Altmire (D) 5 Thompson (R) 6 Gerlach (R) 7 Meehan (R) 8 Fitzpatrick (R) 9 Shuster (R) 10 Marino (R) 11 Barletta (R) 12 Critz (D) 13 Schwartz (D) 14 Doyle (D) 15 Dent (R) 16 Pitts (R) 17 DHolden (D) 18 Murphy (R) 19 R Platts (R) * Casey (D) ’16 Toomey (R)

27 38

0 1

100 97

10 1 14

0 4 6

100 20 70

1 0 100 13 0 100 31 1 97 7 5 58 4 24 14 34 3 92 12 8 60 14 10 58 6 0 100

RHODE ISLAND

1 2

4 7 10 10 0 10 2 5

36 50 0 29

1 2 3 4 5 6

23 18 6

0 1 0

100 95 100

Scott (R) Wilson (R) Duncan (R) Gowdy (R) Mulvaney (R) Clyburn (D) ’14 Graham (R) ’16 DeMint (R)

34 1 1

1 8 6

97 11 14

16 1

1 6

94 14

40 40 20 20 100 0 20 20 100 25 50

1 4 14 32

20 30

10 2 2

0 8 4

100 20 33

40 0 0

3 4 5

10 9 35

23 31 13

SOUTH DAKOTA

1 4 20 8 33 20 50 8 86 27 0 100 5 0 100 9 15 36 9 0 100 23 10 70 20

100

6 4

0 100 15 21

AL Noem (R) ’14 Johnson (D) ’16 Thune (R) TENNESSEE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

OKLAHOMA

1 D Sullivan (R) 2 R Boren (D) 3 Lucas (R) 4 Cole (R)

–

# +

SOUTH CAROLINA

31 10

OHIO

1 Chabot (R) – 2 D Schmidt (R) – 3 Turner (R) – 4 Jordan (R) – 5 Latta (R) – Johnson (R) – 6 + 7 R Austria (R) 8 Boehner (R) S 9 Kaptur (D) + + 10 DKucinich (D) 11 Fudge (D) + 12 Tiberi (R) – 13 Sutton (D) + 14 R LaTourette (R) + 15 Stivers (R) – 16 Renacci (R) – 17 Ryan (D) + 18 Gibbs (R) – * Brown (D)

Lankford (R)

PENNSYLVANIA

NORTH DAKOTA

AL SBerg (R)

133 363 923 151 247 225 38 73 98

’16 Coburn (R) ’14 Inhofe (R)

1 2 3 4 5

97th-111th

4 17 19 11 0 100 11 24 31 6 14 30

Roe (R) + Duncan (R) – Fleischmann (R)– DesJarlais (R) – Cooper (D) + Black (R) – Blackburn (R) – Fincher (R) – Cohen (D) + ’14 Alexander (R) * Corker (R)

TEXAS

1 2 3

Gohmert (R) Poe (R) Johnson (R)

– – –

OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

Active and Retired Federal Employees ...

JOIN NARFE TODAY!

Learn about our ELECTRO NIC MEMBERSHIP at

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

Who Should Join?

Three Easy Ways To Join 1. 2. 3.

N A R F E M E M B E R S H I P A P P L I C AT I O N

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Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms.

Full Name _____________________________________________ Street Address _________________________________________ Apt./Unit______________________________________________ City _________________________ State _____ ZIP ___________ Phone (__________) ____________________________________ Email _________________________________________________ Date of Birth _________ /_________ / ___________________________ dd mm yyyy

CALCULATE YOUR DUES $45.00 x ___________ = ______________ First-Year Dues # Joining Total Dues (First-year dues include national and chapter dues.)

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Please enroll my spouse for an additional $45.

Spouse’s Full Name _____________________________ Spouse’s Date of Birth _________/_________/ ________ dd mm yyyy NARFE respects the privacy of our members. Personal information is used to provide content and relevant communications to our members, and will not be sold or rented to third parties without your express permission.

CHAPTER AFFILIATION (If known, otherwise NARFE will enroll you in the chapter closest to your ZIP code.) Enroll me in Chapter # ______ ______ ______ ______

MAY WE THANK SOMEONE? If applicable, please provide the name, membership and chapter number of the member who introduced you to NARFE: Recruiter’s Name___________________________________

Card No. ________________________________________________

Recruiter’s Membership ID ___________________________

Expiration Date _________ /_________ mm yyyy Name on Card ____________________________________________

Recruiter’s Chapter Number__________________________

Signature ________________________________________________

NARFE Member Records 606 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314-1914

Date ____________________________________________________

MAIL THIS APPLICATION TO

NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1914 www.narfe.org 800-627-3394 rr@narfe.org

IQA

NARFE’s Dues Withholding Program What is dues withholding? It is a dues-payment method that gives NARFE members (retirees) the option of having their annual NARFE membership dues deducted from their annuities on a monthly basis. How does it work? One-twelfth of your total dues is automatically deducted from your monthly annuity. Your monthly deduction is determined by the following formula: (National dues ÷ 12) + (Chapter dues ÷ 12) = Total Monthly Deduction

Advantages • Save 15% off your annual membership dues! • Sign up your spouse and double your savings! • You’ll never get another dues reminder from us! • Your monthly payment is affordable and convenient! • You may cancel your dues at any time! Application process It takes 60-90 days to process your application. Once the process is complete, you will receive a special membership card distinguishing you as a NARFE dues-withholding member.

To learn more about dues withholding, call 800-627-3394. Retirees, spouses of retirees and annuitant survivors are eligible for dues withholding.

NARFE Dues Withholding Application for Retirees YES. I want to enroll in NARFE’s Dues Withholding Program (Annual dues of $34 plus Chapter dues of record to be withheld annually.) Social Security Number (9-digit number)

–

Civil Service Annuity Number

C S

–

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

Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms. Full Name _____________________________________________

NARFE MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION NARFE Membership ID ______________________________

Street Address _________________________________________ Apt./Unit______________________________________________ City _________________________ State _____ ZIP ___________ Phone (__________) ____________________________________ Email _________________________________________________ Date of Birth _________ /_________ / ___________________________ dd mm yyyy

NARFE Chapter Number_____________________________

YES. I Also Authorize My (NARFE Member) Spouse’s Dues To Be Withheld From My Annuity. (Additional annual dues of $34 plus Chapter dues of record to be withheld annually.) If YES, enter spouse’s information below. Spouse’s Name ____________________________________ Spouse’s Membership ID ____________________________

AUTHORIZATION (Withholding will begin in 60-90 days). No payment should be forwarded with application. I authorize the United States Office of Personnel Management to make appropriate deductions from my annuity payments, not to exceed the amount certified by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association as the amount of dues for which I am annually obligated, in accordance with elections I make below, and to pay the deducted sum to the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE). This authorization shall also apply to any and all dues changes certified by NARFE membership in accordance with elections I make below: Please allow 60-90 days for processing. I understand that this authorization shall be valid until NARFE receives and processes my written notice of cancellation in accordance with its agreement with the Office of Personnel Management and that any disputes regarding this authorization shall be a matter between NARFE and myself. I hold the Office of Personnel Management harmless for any erroneous allotment deduction made pursuant to this authorization. ___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________ Signature of Annuitant or Survivor-Annuitant Date Dues payments and gifts or contributions to NARFE are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

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

112th Congress VOTE NUMBER: House Senate

97th-111th

133 363 923 151 247 225 38 73 98

# +

# –

% +

34 0 14 5 3 13 4 3 7 6 3 26 28

32 52 18 0 42 25 19 21 22 12 0 100 9 31 16 23 19 27 27 18 25 11 0 100 0 100

+ + – – – + + + + + – + + + + – + + + + + + – + + + + + + – +

– – + – – + – – – – x + + – + + + – – – – + – – + + + – – – –

– – + – – + – – – – x + + – + – + – – – – + – – + + + – – – –

– – – – – + – – – – x + + – + – + – – – – + x – + + + – – – –

20 20 60 0 0 100 20 20 20 20 0 100 100 20 100 20 100 20 20 20 20 100 25 20 100 100 100 20 20 0 25

+ + – + +

– – – x +

– + – – –

40 80 0 33 50

6 13 23 1 1 4 17 40

32 96 20 30

+ + +

100 100 100

10 48 6

0 7 0

100 87 100

+ + +

– – +

40 40 100

31 1 2 18 29 2 23 29 1 4

97 10 92 44 20

3 9 31 1 5 15

25 97 25

13 0 100 32 4 89 32 2 94 2 17 11 4 23 15 5 20 20 2 8 20

UTAH

1 2 3

Bishop (R) + Matheson (D) + Chaffetz (R) – * Hatch (R) ’16 Lee (R)

VERMONT

AL Welch (D) ’16 Leahy (D) * Sanders (I)

VIRGINIA

1 2 3

Wittman (R) Rigell (R) Scott (D)

4 Forbes (R) Hurt (R) 5 6 Goodlatte (R) 7 Cantor (R) 8 Moran (D) 9 Griffith (R) 10 Wolf (R) 11 Connolly (D) * R Webb (D) ’14 Warner (D)

+ – – – + – + +

# +

# –

% +

8 28 3 21 35 4

22 13 90

+ + – x + – x + + +

– – – – + – + + + +

– – – – + – – + + –

– – – – + – + + + +

40 20 0 0 100 0 75 100 100 75

100

+ x

– –

+ –

40 0

+ + + + + + +

– + + – + + +

– x + – + + +

– + + – + + +

20 100 100 20 80 100 100

3 10 23 62 3 95 43 2 96 9 3 75 25 3 89 29 0 100 12 0 100

+ + +

+ + + + +

+ – + + –

+ – + + +

– – + + +

80 40 100 100 75

20 60 38

1 Ryan (R) – 2 S Baldwin (D) + 3 Kind (D) + 4 Moore (D) + 5 Sensenbrenner (R)– 6 Petri (R) – 7 Duffy (R) – 8 Ribble (R) – * R Kohl (D) ’16 Johnson (R)

+ + + + – + – + x +

– + + + – – – – + –

– + + + x – – – + –

20 100 100 100 0 20 0 20 100 25

2 23 8 26 0 100 27 0 100 13 0 100 12 52 19 23 43 35 24 14

– – –

+ – –

– – –

20 0 0

1 2 0

20 11 0

48 17 74 5 0 100 6 0 100 2 1 67

WASHINGTON

1 2 3

Vacant Larsen (D) + Herrera Beutler (R) – 4 Hastings (R) – 5 McMorris Rodgers (R) – 6 R Dicks (D) + 7 McDermott (D)+ 8 Reichert (R) – 9 Smith (D) – ’16 Murray (D) * Cantwell (D) WEST VIRGINIA

1 2 3

McKinley (R) Capito (R) Rahall (D) ’14 Rockefeller (D)

* Manchin (D)

4 4 6

83 94 86

WISCONSIN

WYOMING

+ + +

AL Lummis (R) ’14 Enzi (R) * Barrasso (R)

NARFE-FEEA YES! I would like to help with my contribution.

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

NARFE-FEEA Disaster Fund NARFE-FEEA Scholarship Fund

Amount $ Amount $

Name

NARFE | OCTOBER 2012

4 17 4

YOUR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW. Make check payable to: NARFE-FEEA Disaster Fund or NARFE-FEEA Scholarship Fund. Please mail coupon and check to:

FEEA

Address City

–

Program Fund

CONTRIBUTION FORM

❏ ❏

133 363 923 151 247 225 38 73 98

State

ZIP

3333 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 300 Lakewood, CO 80227

SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

4 Hall (R) – Hensarling (R) – 5 6 Barton (R) + 7 Culberson (R) – 8 Brady (R) – 9 Green, A (D) + 10 McCaul (R) – 11 Conaway (R) – 12 Granger (R) – 13 Thornberry (R) – 14 R Paul (R) x 15 Hinojosa (D) x + 16 DReyes (D) 17 Flores (R) – 18 Jackson Lee (D)+ 19 Neugebauer (R)– 20 R Gonzalez (D) + 21 Smith (R) – 22 Olson (R) – 23 Canseco (R) – 24 Marchant (R) – 25 Doggett (D) + 26 Burgess (R) + 27 Farenthold (D) – 28 Cuellar (D) + 29 Green, G (D) + 30 Johnson (D) + 31 Carter (R) – 32 Sessions (R) – * R Hutchison (R) ’14 Cornyn (R)

97th-111th

112th Congress VOTE NUMBER: House Senate

Caribbean Cruise Plus...New Orleans Tour

11 Days

Join other NARFE members departing Jan. 11 & Feb. 22, 2013

from

$1798*

Start in New Orleans for two days and nights and tour ‘The Big Easy,’ including the French Quarter, St. Louis Cathedral, Bourbon Street, the Ninth Ward devastated by Hurricane Katrina, Lake Pontchartrain, the new flood gates and rebuilt levees, plus travel on St. Charles Avenue, following the Mardi Gras route. Then before boarding the NCL Star, visit the museum “Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond.” Aboard ship enjoy the renowned Norwegian Freestyle cruise experience with 10 different dining rooms with no assigned seating. In the Western Caribbean visit the exciting ports of: Costa Maya, Mexico, with Mayan Ruins and unspoiled coastal paradise; Belize City, Belize (in Central America), an English colony as late as 1963; Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras, a peaceful, eco-tourist’s dream, teaming with marine life and prestine reefs; and Cozumel, Mexico, an isolated island with a laid-back charm. After seven nights at sea, spend a final night in New Orleans to tour two, pre-civil war mansions and plantations. *Air supplement from some airports. Add $100 for February 22nd departure.

1௘2௘5௘:௘(௘*௘,௘$௘1 &58,6( /,1(

Hawaii Cruise & Tour 12 Days

Travel with other NARFE members departing March 1, 2013

from

$2098*

Start in Honolulu, Hawaii and exciting Waikiki Beach for one night. The following day board NCL’s Pride of America which offers FreeStyle cruising for the start of your Hawaii Cruise Experience. Sail upon the big, blue, beautiful Pacific to ports in Kahului, Maui (2-days), offering beautiful sea vistas, breathtaking waterfalls and golden beaches; Hilo, the flower capital of Hawaii, and Kona, Hawaii, known for its many island coffee plantations. Continue to Nawiliwili, Kauai, nicknamed the ‘Garden Island’ with glorious stretches of palm-fringed beaches and cruise the Na Pali Coast which is featured in many movies. Disembark in Honolulu, Oahu and enjoy a city tour including the State Capitol and Iolani Palace, Punchbowl Crater, Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Spend a final three days and nights at your leisure in Waikiki.

Save on this Repositioning Cruise!

Transatlantic & Europe Cruise

MSC CRUISES

Plus...Tour Germany 24 Days

Join other NARFE members departing April 19, 2013

from

$2198*

Start in Ft. Lauderdale for one-night with a city tour, including Miami. The following day, you will board the magnificent MSC Poesia where you will discover comfort and luxury cruising at its best! Sail to ports in: “The Big Apple,” New York City; Ponta Delgada, in the Azores, with miles of sandy beaches; Lisbon, Portugal, filled with cobblestone streets; La Coruna, Spain, known for spectacular inland scenery and seaside towns and Dover, England, famous for its amazing white cliffs. Disembark in Kiel, Germany and travel to Hamburg for the start of your five-day tour of Germany including: Berlin, Dresden, Weimar, Nuremburg and Munich. Fly home May 12th. *Add only $600 for Superior Balcony Stateroom.

&HOHEULW\ ; &UXLVHV

Alaska Cruise 15 Days

Travel with other NARFE members departing May 20, 2013

& Canadian Rockies Tour from

$1998*

Visit the last of the wilderness-like areas in North America all from the comfort of your deluxe motor coach and cruise ship. Fly into Calgary starting your scenic six-day motor coach tour to Vancouver, B.C. You’ll visit Calgary, Bow Falls, Canada’s “Diamond in the Wilderness;” Lake Louise, Banff and Banff National Park, Athabasca Glacier, take a “SnoCoach” ride over the Columbia Ice Fields, visit Jasper National Park and Kamloops, B.C. Then you will board your 4-STAR cruise ship the Century for your seven-day &HOHEULW\ ; &UXLVH. Travel the inside passage including: Icy Strait, with pretty woodland walks; Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in North America; Juneau; and Ketchikan. Disembark and travel to Seattle for one day.

Ireland Tour Visit the best of both Northern and The Republic of Ireland!

12 Days

Join other NARFE members departing June 13, 2013

from

$1598*

Start in Dublin with a city tour including St. Patrick’s Cathedral (the largest church in Ireland). Travel to Cork, stopping at the Rock of Cashel and Cobh along the way. Then visit Blarney Castle, Woollen Mill and Muckross House & Gardens en route to Killarney. Drive the “Ring of Kerry” offering spectacular scenery, tour Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, built in 1425. Visit the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, the Connemara region, Kylemore Abbey and the Bundoran area. Enjoy a guided tour of Belleek Pottery, visit Ulster American Folk Park, & explore “The Giant’s Causeway.” Finally take a sightseeing tour of Belfast that includes the impressive Parliament buildings plus you will visit the newly opened “Titanic Belfast.” Tour includes 16 meals.

*Price per person, based on double occupancy. Airfare is extra.

For reservations & details call 7 days a week:

1-800-736-7300

Questions & Answers NOTE: The following Questions & Answers were compiled by Federal Benefits Service Department staff. These are real questions received by the Department, based on the members’ personal circumstances. The answers are not universal and may include information that is relevant to the correspondent’s particular situation. NARFE does not provide legal advice or assistance, does not provide financial planning advice or assistance, and does not provide tax advice or assistance. For legal, financial planning or tax advice/assistance, NARFE recommends that members contact an attorney, financial planner or certified public accountant/tax adviser.

ACTIVE EMPLOYEES INSURANCE PREMIUM REBATE? QUESTION: I am a federal retiree under the Civil Service Retirement System. I have Medicare as primary and Blue Cross/Blue Shield as secondary medical coverage. Does the new Affordable Care Act, which requires insurance companies to spend 80-85 percent of premiums on actual health care, allow for rebates on premium rates for the next scheduled year if the companies spent less of the premiums on benefits? Response: The requirement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act you referenced is called the medical loss ratio provision. Specifically, the law states that individual and small group insurers must spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on direct medical NARFE | OCTOBER 2012

care and on efforts to improve the quality of care that enrollees receive. Large group insurers, such as plans under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), must use at least 85 percent of the premiums they take in for covering claims. Insurers will be required to disclose publicly their rates on a new national consumer website, www.HealthCare.gov. Insurers must report their medical loss ratio data to the Department of Health and Human Services on an annual basis. Insurers that do not meet the medical loss ratio standard will be required to provide rebates to their consumers or make adjustments to their premiums for the next year. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which administers the FEHBP, has always required participating plans to justify the premiums they charge the government. NARFE would not expect many, if any, of the plans to not meet the medical loss ratio standard. However, if an FEHBP plan doesn’t meet the standard, the excess premiums will be rebated to OPM and not to individuals. OPM will use the rebate to adjust premiums for that individual plan in the following year.

after-tax contributions to myVC account. Upon retirement,I understand that I can transfer that money directly to a Roth individual retirement account, but I would prefer to transfer it to a RothTSP account instead. Response: Yes. You can transfer the taxable portion of your contributions from your VC account to a Roth TSP account.

EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS QUESTION: I currently have 42 years of service under the Civil Service Retirement System and plan to stay another year before I retire.I understand that the maximum my retirement benefit can be is 80 percent of my salary,which occurs at approximately 41 years.I was told that,at that point, I would not be paying into the retirement system any further, as there would be no additional benefit, and that the deductions would be returned to me. Is the excess money returned at the time of my retirement? Do contributions continue to be withdrawn from my earnings once I reach the 80 percent mark?

QA &

ROTH TSP QUESTION: In the July 2012 issue of NARFE magazine,NARFE stated that it is possible to put money into a Roth Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account by transferring Roth money directly from eligible plans: a Roth 401(k), Roth 403(b) or Roth 457(b). Is it also possible to transfer money from my voluntary contribution (VC) account? I am under the Civil Service Retirement System and have made periodic

Response: Once you reach 41 years and 11 months of service, you are entitled to 80 percent of your high-three average salary. You would continue to make contributions to the Civil Service Retirement Fund after working for 41 years and 11 months. Your department or agency would continue to withhold your retirement contributions from your salary. After you retire, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will look at your work history. If you have any service during which you did not pay into the retirement fund, or you separated and took a lump-sum payment of your retirement contributions, OPM would use

Questions & Answers NARFE SERVICE OFFICERS are available to answer questions and to assist in those contributions toward a deposit or redeposit for civilian service. OPM will send you an application and ask you if you would like a refund of your retirement contributions that exceed 41 years and 11 months or if you would like to purchase a supplemental annuity. Supplemental annuities will be computed based on each $100 of contributions in excess of 41 years and 11 months of service, which will give you an additional annuity of $7 for each $100 in contributions, plus 20 cents for each full year that you are over age 55. You also would get credit for your sick leave in excess of 41 years and 11 months of service. For example, if you have one year of sick leave, you would receive 82 percent of your highthree average salary.

REHIRED ANNUITANT QUESTION: I am a rehired annuitant and a permanent,part-time employee at the Department of Agriculture.Because I am an annuitant, the department has been applying an offset to my salary. What happens to this offset? Will I get it back when I retire again? Response: The amount of the offset goes to the Office of Personnel Management. You may be eligible for a supplemental annuity or a redetermined annuity when you separate from your current part-time position. You would be eligible for a supplemental annuity after one actual, continuous year of full-time re-employment or the part-time equivalent. You would be eligible for a redetermined annuity after five or more actual, continuous years of full-time re-employment or the part-time equivalent. You must make retirement contributions to the retirement fund to qualify for the supplemental or redetermined annuity. Your human resources office should have given you the opportunity to contribute to the re-

helping with a variety of benefit matters. Check your chapter newsletter for the name and phone number of your service officer. Call NARFE toll-free at

800-456-8410 for the nearest service officer. NARFE Service Centers are also available in some areas. Use the Service Center listings on the NARFE website, www.narfe.org.

tirement fund when you were appointed. If it did not, you might want to contact the office and ask to begin making contributions. You also may pay the deposit, plus interest, to the fund after you separate and receive a supplemental or redetermined annuity.

RETIREES SURVIVOR BENEFITS & REMARRIAGE QUESTION: My wife retired under the Civil Service Retirement System and died in 1979.I was receiving a survivor benefit. I remarried in 1980 at age 58, and my survivor benefit stopped.I had understood that,if I remarried after age 55,my survivor benefit would continue.Shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t I still be receiving my survivor annuity? Response: There was a different law in effect in 1980 when you remarried. Under the law at that time, survivor benefits were terminated if you remarried prior to age 60, as described in Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, 831.644 (a)(1). You are subject to the earlier law, and your survivor annuity was properly terminated because you remarried prior to age 60. The current law requires survivor benefits to terminate if remarriage occurs before age 55.

DIVORCE & FED BENEFITS QUESTION: I am in the middle of a divorce and need some answers.I retired under the Civil Service Retirement System in January 3,2001.I was married in October 1997. Does my

soon-to-be ex-spouse qualify for medical insurance coverage from the federal system?What would be her cost for this? Does my soon-to-be ex-spouse have any claims on my pension? Response: Regarding health insurance coverage, your wife qualifies for Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC). She has 60 days from the date of the divorce to apply for TCC. She will be able to continue this coverage for 36 months. Her cost includes the employee premium, the government matching contribution and a 2 percent administrative fee. The only way your spouse would be entitled to your pension is if you have a court order requiring you to pay benefits to her. If the court orders you to pay her a portion of your annuity or a survivor benefit after your death, she would be entitled to health insurance for the rest of her life under the spouse equity provisions. The cost for the health benefits would be the employee premium and the government matching contribution. Again, the only way she could get any part of your pension is through a court order. You should have your attorney consult the publication, A Handbook for Attorneys on Court-ordered Retirement, Health Benefits and Life Insurance Under the Civil Service Retirement System, Federal Employees Retirement Benefits, Federal Employees Health Benefits and Federal Employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program. It is available only on OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

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Questions & Answers the Office of Personnel Management website at www.opm.gov/retire/pubs/ pamphlets/list.asp.

ELIGIBLE FOR SS BENEFITS? QUESTION:I retired under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and receive no Social Security benefits. My husband retired under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). When he dies, am I eligible for any Social Security? I am eligible for a survivor benefit under his annuity.But without a Social Security benefit, I will have to make lifestyle changes, such as moving to more affordable housing.He would have been eligible for a Social Security benefit without the FERS pension. Response: As a CSRS retiree, you are subject to the Government Pension Offset. Go to the Social Security Administration (SSA) website for a link on how to compute your benefit. The SSA also has a fact sheet on its website that explains how the Government Pension Offset affects Social Security benefits. The SSA will compute an amount that equals two-thirds of your CSRS pension and subtract that figure from your SSA spousal benefit. If you get a positive number, the SSA will pay you that amount. However, most CSRS retirees do not receive anything based on their spouse’s work record. But the only way that you can get the exact amount of your benefit is to contact your local SSA office. The number is 800-772-1213. . WITHDRAW SS CONTRIBUTIONS?

QUESTION:I retired under the Civil Service Retirement System and have been receiving an annuity since 1997. I also have 30 quarters of Social Security on my work record but do not receive any Social Security benefits.Is it possible to withdraw my contribu-

tions from my Social Security account? Response: We checked with the Social Security Administration, and here is the response: “No. Participation in the Social Security program is mandatory with respect to the payment of Social Security taxes, regardless of the citizenship or place of residence of either the employer or the employee. Unless specifically exempt by law, everyone working in the United States is required to pay Social Security taxes on earnings from covered employment. These earnings are subject to Social Security tax without regard to the citizenship or place of residence of either the employer or the employee. “The law provides an exemption only in very limited circumstances for members of certain religious sects. Individuals generally cannot voluntarily withdraw from or terminate their participation in the Social Security program. “Similarly, people cannot withdraw the Social Security taxes that they have already paid. This is true regardless of the number of Social Security credits earned or whether benefits are payable. The Social Security taxes that employees and employers pay on workers’ earnings are not placed in an individual worker’s account, but are pooled in special funds from which benefits are paid to eligible workers and their families. However, people will not receive benefits unless they voluntarily apply for them at the time they become eligible.”

To obtain an answer to a federal benefits question, call 703-838-7760 and ask for the Federal Benefits Service Department; send your question by postal mail to NARFE Headquarters, ATTN: Federal Benefits; or submit it by email to retbenefits@narfe.org. OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

Limited Mintage Striking...

WORLD’S FIRST The 2012 $100 SILVER PROOF

Collectible 2012 date

Mirrored proof background

Larger Franklin portrait

Liberty Bell, quill pen & July 4th date

New York Mint Announces the Limited Mintage Striking of an Extraordinary Silver Proof —the Newest United States $100 Bill Struck in Pure Silver Bullion. Discount Price $99 This extraordinary piece of pure silver bullion has a surface area that exceeds 30 square inches...and it contains one Troy ounce of pure silver bullion! And now, during a limited strike period, the very first Year 2012 $100 Silver Proof is available at a special discount price—only $99!

EXQUISITE DETAIL The historic 2012 $100 Silver Proof is an exquisite adaptation of the United States Treasury’s newlydesigned $100 Federal Reserve Note—only the second new $100 bill design in 70 years. It is a true artistic masterpiece that will always be treasured.

.999 SILVER Best of all, this stunning Silver Proof is even more beautiful than the original, because it’s struck in precious silver bullion! It is a landmark in proof minting, combining unprecedented weight with extraordinary dimension. The specifications for this colossal medallic proof are unparalleled. Each one: • Is Individually Struck from Pure .999 Silver Bullion. • Weighs one Troy ounce. • Has a Surface Area That Exceeds 30 Square Inches. • Contains 31.10 Grams (480 Grains) of Pure Silver. • Is Individually Registered and Comes With a Numbered Certificate of Authenticity. • Is Fully Encapsulated to Protect Its Mirror-Finish. • Includes a Deluxe Presentation Case.

Minted in one Troy ounce of pure silver bullion

Shown larger than actual size of 6" x 21⁄2"

EXCLUSIVE RELEASE The 2012 $100 Silver Proof is being released exclusively through New York Mint and is not available anywhere else. NOTE TO COLLECTORS: If you place your order for the $100 silver proof within the next 10 days, it will be processed immediately, and the earliest orders will receive the lowest registration numbers. By placing your order now, you can acquire this giant silver proof for only $99.

ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS Substantial additional discounts are available for serious collectors who wish to acquire more than one of these exquisite silver proofs. You can order: ONE Year 2012 $100 Silver Proofs for just $99 each + s/h FIVE Year 2012 $100 Silver Proofs for just $95 each + s/h TEN Year 2012 $100 Silver Proofs for just $89 each + s/h There is a limit of twenty $100 Silver Proofs per order, and all orders are subject to acceptance by New York Mint.

ONLY 9999 AVAILABLE New York Mint will limit striking to only 9999 One-Ounce Silver Proofs for the year 2012. With over half of the mintage already sold out, the time to call is now! Telephone orders only will be accepted on a strict firstcome, first-served basis according to the time and date of the order.

Call Today to Order Your $100 Silver Proof!

1-888-201-7060 Offer Code: NSP225-02 Please mention this code when you call.

A major credit card is necessary to secure your reservation, and New York Mint guarantees satisfaction with a money-back policy for a full 30 days.

New York Mint

Prices and availability subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a predictor of future performance. NOTE: New York Mint® is a private distributor of worldwide government coin and currency issues and privately issued licensed collectibles and is not affiliated with the United States government. Facts and figures deemed accurate as of May 2012. ©2012 New York Mint, LLC.

Visit our web site at www.newyorkmint.com

Hear that? It’s sound of a To take advantage of these savings, contact TruHearing: Enroll online: www.TruHearingMemberPlus.com USE GROUP NUMBER: HP2R-A365 then call (877) 360-2432 M- F, 8am-8pm Central. Appointments must be scheduled through TruHearing.

* Fitting and programming of the hearing aids, and three adjustment visits are included. Price shown does not include discounted comprehensive hearing exam of $75 (which is covered by the Service Benefit Plan; the Insured may need to submit for reimbursement), or applicable state and local taxes. Service Benefit Plan members get the TruHearing MemberPlus membership fee waived through December 15, 2013. Regular yearly cost for the TruHearing MemberPlus membership is $108. Must be a Service Benefit Plan member to access TruHearing MemberPlus discounted pricing.

§ The Service Benefit Plan will pay up to $1,250 per ear in a 36-month period, up to a maximum of $2,500 per pair purchased (2012 benefit). The BCBS FEP Blue365® Discount Program offers access to savings on items that you may purchase directly from independent vendors, which may be different from items that are covered under your Service Benefit Plan policy or any other applicable federal healthcare program. For hearing aids, acupuncture, chiropractic and vision services, you must exhaust your Service Benefit Plan benefits first. To find out what is covered under your policy, contact the Service Benefit Plan. The products and services described herein are neither offered nor

the

Service Benefit Plan members can save hundreds to thousands on hearing aids through TruHearing.

great deal. Cost Example: Starkey® Ignite i30 Avg. retail $3,390 per pair—MemberPlus® price $2,390 per pair

For a limited time, $108 Membership Fee waived! MemberPlus Price (save $2,010 off retail):

$ 2,390

FEP covered hearing benefit (up to $2,500 § ):

− $ 2,390

MemberPlus Membership + Shipping*:

Hearing Aid Cost Per Pair: guaranteed under any local Blue company’s contract with the Medicare program. In addition, they are not subject to the Medicare appeal process. Any disputes regarding these products and services are not subject to the Service Benefit Plan’s Disputed Claims process. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) may receive payments from Blue365 vendors. Neither the Service Benefit Plan, BCBSA, nor any local Blue company recommends, endorses, warrants or guarantees any specific Blue365 vendor or item. The Service Benefit Plan reserves the right to change, modify, or terminate any items and vendors made available through Blue365, at any time.

$10

TRUHEARING IS AN INDEPENDENT COMPANY THAT PROVIDES DISCOUNTS ON HEARING AIDS.

OFFER VALID THROUGH 12/31/2013

PEN SEASON REPORT 2012 Preview Editor’s note: This is the first of a threepart series. he 2012 Open Season for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) runs from Monday, November 12, to Monday, December 10.

BENEFITS AND PREMIUMS Because this issue of NARFE magazine went to press in early September, official announcements regarding next year’s benefits and premiums, and changes to the Open Season processes, were not available for inclusion. Contract negotiations between the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and FEHBP plans are conducted in private. OPM will not release information about any plan’s benefits or premiums for contract year 2013 until it completes negotiations with all of the participating plans. After the changes for 2013 are announced by

OPM in September, this information will be included in the November and December issues of NARFE magazine.

NEW FOR 2013: SUMMARY OF BENEFITS, COVERAGE One of the changes required under the Affordable Care Act (health reform) is that all health insurance plans provide a summary document detailing information about the plan’s benefits and coverage on their websites. Plans will provide information in their Open Season materials about where to find their summary on their websites and how to obtain a copy. Health plans in the FEHBP no longer are required to automatically mail participants their plan brochure for the new year. All FEHBP plan brochures can be viewed and printed at the following: www.opm.gov/insure/ health/planinfo/index.asp. Or you can call your plan using the information on the back of your health plan identification card. Changes in benefits and premiums for the 2013 year should be available online by the beginning of Open

Season on November 12.

CHANGES YOU CAN MAKE DURING OPEN SEASON Health Insurance (FEHBP) During Open Season, employees, annuitants, survivor annuitants, former spouses and those in receipt of benefits from the Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, already enrolled in the FEHBP may change plans, options, type of enrollment (self-only or family) or make any combination of these changes. Annuitants and survivor annuitants who suspended FEHBP coverage to enroll in TRICARE, TRICARE-For-Life, the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan, a Medicare Advantage Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan, CHAMPVA, Medicaid or as a Peace Corps volunteer may re-enroll in the FEHBP during Open Season. Eligible active federal employees who are not enrolled may enroll or reenroll during Open Season. Annuitants and survivors who are not enrolled gen-

Effective Dates of Changes, Enrollments, Cancellations • FEHBP Annuitants and Survivors. For changes and re-enrollments: January 1, 2013. The new premiums will be deducted beginning with the February 1, 2013, annuity payments. • FEHBP Federal Employees. For enrollments, changes and re-enrollments: beginning of the first pay period after January 1, 2013. • FEDVIP Annuitants and Survivors. For enrollments, cancellations and changes: January 1, 2013. The new premiums will be withheld from annuities beginning with the February 1, 2013, payment. • FEDVIP Federal Employees. For enrollments, cancellations and changes: beginning of the first pay period on or after January 1, 2013. • FSAFEDS. The effective date is January 1, 2013.

OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

erally may not enroll or re-enroll. Dental and Vision Insurance (FEDVIP) During Open Season, eligible employees, annuitants, survivors and compensationers may enroll in the program or, if already enrolled, change plans, options, type of enrollment or make any combination of these changes. Open Season also is the only time you can voluntarily cancel your

FEDVIP enrollment. Your FEDVIP enrollment continues year to year unless you change or cancel during Open Season. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) During Open Season, federal employees may sign up for FSAs for the 2013 plan year under the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS). FSAs allow employees (but

not retirees) to set aside pretax money that can be used for certain health and dependent-care expenses. Unlike the FEHBP and FEDVIP, enrollment in FSAFEDS does not carry over from year to year, so employees must re-enroll each year. To enroll, employees must go to www.fsafeds.com or call 877-372-3337.

Federal Benefits Service Department

Important Questions for Open Season Will my current health plan continue to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)? Don’t assume that FEHBP plans remain participants or have the same coverage every year. The FEHBP frequently adds new plans and drops others, particularly health maintenance organization (HMO) plans. In addition, medical expenses covered by a plan this year may not be covered next year and vice versa. HMO plans might change the area of coverage, dropping some ZIP codes and adding others. You also will need to know if your HMO plan has split into two separate plans, with separate premiums and areas of coverage. This could result in your being automatically enrolled in the new plan, unless you make an Open Season election to stay with your original plan. The best way to stay on top of upcoming changes is to read the information available to you from your health plan and from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This means that you need to keep your mailing address and email address current with both the plan and OPM so the information you request arrives in a timely manner. Remember, health plans in the FEHBP are no longer required to automatically NARFE | OCTOBER 2012

mail you their plan brochure for the new year. You can view plan brochures online at www.opm.gov/insure/health/ planinfo/index.asp, or call your plan using the number on the back of your health plan ID card.

What should I do if I don’t understand something in a plan’s brochure? Don’t ignore plan features that are unclear to you. Contact the FEHBP carriers directly to clarify plan features and eliminate future misunderstandings. This is very important whenever a plan offers a new option or a new benefit. Contact information can be found at the OPM website listed in the previous answer.

Am I correct in believing that OPM’s online comparison chart gives me all of the information I need to select a health plan that best meets my needs and the needs of my family? The comparison chart available online at OPM’s website provides a good sum-

mary of the plans available to you and the services that the plan pays for. Even so, OPM cautions you not to rely exclusively on the comparison chart or hearsay about health plans. Do an independent review of your family’s and your health care needs – and how well individual plans meet those needs. Be sure to review your plan brochure and the brochure of any other plan you are interested in for upcoming changes. Compare the benefits offered with your health care needs and those of your covered family members.

Are there other aspects of health plans’ day-to-day business that I need to consider when choosing a plan under the FEHBP? Don’t forget to check the plans’ records of service and reimbursement, and the availability of preferred provider organizations (PPOs) in your area for contract year 2013. Remember: A plan’s PPOs also can change from one year to the

PEN SEASON REPORTS NOVEMBER: 2013 Premiums

DECEMBER: Plan Changes and Prescription Drug Guide 41

PEN SEASON REPORT next; and, if you use a nonpreferred provider, it would cost you more in copays and/or coinsurance. Also be sure to read and understand the plans’ coordination of benefits policy if you have other insurance coverage, such as Medicare or TRICARE.

Is it true that the safest way to select a health plan is to go by the least expensive premium available to you? Don’t figure the cost of a health plan on premium rates alone. Keep in mind that premiums are but one aspect of your health care costs; benefits are equally important. Review deductible, coinsurance and co-payment features. Some plans have separate deductibles for “major medical” and specialized-care expenses. Some plans may substitute coinsurance for co-payments. Carefully review health plans’ “catastrophic protection limits” and which of your out-ofpocket costs count toward those limits. If Medicare (Parts A and B) is your primary insurer, review your FEHBP plan brochure to see if the plan waives or discounts any of your deductibles, coinsurance or co-payments. Remember: A co-payment is a flat amount; coinsurance is a percentage of the cost. If prescription drug coverage is a major part of your health care, then you want to look at a plan’s out-ofpocket expenses for generic as well as brand name or specialty drugs. You also should pay attention to the difference in amounts and costs for ordering prescriptions by mail, and the costs for using your neighborhood retail pharmacist. Double-check your understanding of the total costs before enrolling in a plan. Evaluate each plan in light of your past medical history and your anticipated medical needs for the coming

year. Also make the same considerations for your eligible family members.

Are there other cost-related implications that I need to consider when making a decision about a health plan? Don’t forget to consider a plan’s catastrophic coverage feature – a limitation on the maximum out-of-pocket expenses that you might have to pay in a calendar year. Also, be sure you understand what counts as an out-of-pocket expense. All out-of-pocket expenses do not count toward the catastrophic protection limit. Consumer-driven health plans and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) tend to have higher catastrophic protection limits, along with lower monthly premiums.

What is an HDHP/HSA? HDHP stands for high-deductible health plan. Anyone who is enrolled in an HDHP may be eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement account (HRA). Medicare-eligible enrollees cannot open an HSA. HDHP monthly premiums may be lower than traditional fee-for-service or HMO plans. However, such coverage may not be appropriate for retirees or those with higher annual medical costs. HSAs and HRAs allow HDHP enrollees to set money aside to pay for out-of-pocket health care costs. HDHP enrollees are encouraged to be prudent about their health care treatment and expenditures.

How will an HDHP/HSA or an HDHP/ HRA help the FEHBP member? An HDHP/HSA or HDHP/HRA provides insurance coverage and catastrophic coverage, and a tax-advantaged way to help save for future medical expenses. They provide greater flexibility and discretion over how to use your health care dollars. However, if you or a member of your family get very sick, you would

have to meet your health plan’s catastrophic protection limit, which could be as much as $10,000 out-of-pocket in a calendar year.

My health plan will continue to participate in the FEHBP next year. What do I have to do if I want to stay with my present enrollment? Don’t do anything if you are satisfied with your present health insurance coverage. Your present coverage is automatically continued unless you make a change, or unless your plan or option is terminated. For retirees and survivors: If your monthly health benefits premiums for 2013 are more than your monthly annuity, and you do not change to a lesscostly plan or option during Open Season, OPM will send you instructions on what you must do. One option is to keep your current plan but pay the premiums directly to OPM instead of having them deducted from your annuity.

My health plan will not be participating next year. What happens if I do not change to another plan before Open Season ends? If your current plan will not be participating in the FEHBP in 2013, you may elect a new plan during Open Season. For active federal employees: You must elect a new health plan, or you will not have any FEHBP coverage in 2013. For retirees and survivors: OPM will enroll you automatically in Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Standard) if your plan is leaving the FEHBP for contract year 2013, and you do not choose a new plan. If your plan terminates the option of the plan in which you are enrolled for 2012, OPM may enroll you in the plan’s other option, if it is approximately equivalent to the option being terminated, and you do not choose a new plan for 2013. OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

I am going to change my current FEHBP coverage. How will I obtain my new plan identification cards? New plan ID cards are generated by the health plan – not by your employing agency or OPM. The plans usually issue the cards within 30 days from the date they receive your enrollment change from your agency or OPM.

How do I make sure that my spouse is covered by the FEHBP in the event of my death? For retirees: In order to retain FEHBP coverage, the surviving spouse (if not also a federal employee or retiree) must be eligible to receive a survivor annuity benefit and be covered by a family enrollment at the time of the death of the retiree. Survivor annuity benefits for a post-retirement marriage must be

elected within two years of the marriage. (Note: If you are a retiree and you remarry the person who was your spouse when you retired, and that spouse at retirement waived his or her entitlement to a survivor annuity, you cannot elect a survivor annuity for that same spouse based on the remarriage to that person.) For active federal employees: Upon your death, your spouse would be covered by your FEHBP plan if he or she is eligible for a survivor annuity and you are enrolled in family coverage at the time of your death. For active federal employees, survivor benefits are determined by operation of law; there is no requirement for active federal workers to elect survivor annuity benefits for their spouses in order to protect the spouses’ future FEHBP entitlement.

If I have FEHBP plan coverage, do I need to sign up for Medicare Part D prescription drug plan benefits as well? Your prescription drug benefits under the FEHBP are generally better than, or at least as good as, the prescription drug benefits under Medicare. Most retirees do not need to sign up for Medicare Part D. The OPM contract year 2013 FEHBP plan brochures will each contain a statement telling you that your FEHBP prescription drug benefit is superior to or at least as good as Medicare’s. If you subsequently decide to sign up for Medicare Part D, the plan brochure statement from OPM will excuse you from any Medicare Part D late-enrollment penalty.

Federal Benefits Service Department

Affordable Progressives Are Here. The average retail price for progressive lenses, such as deluxe and platinum, is $440.00. However, if you’re enrolled in a High Option Plan from UnitedHealthcare Vision, these same lenses will cost only a $65.00 copay! Whatever your individual or family need is we have an industry-leading vision plan for you. FEDVIP Open Season: November 12 -December 10

2013

www.myuhcvision.com/fedvip 1-866-249-1999

NARFE | OCTOBER 2012

NARFE News

NEW FEDERATION LEADERS As of August, 40 federations had held conventions in 2012. New presidents were installed by 24. All federation presidents are listed at the right.

Organizations Honor Wolf

wo NARFE members presented Rep. Frank R. Wolf, RVA, with a glass plaque from the Public Employees Roundtable and the Coalition for Effective Change for his effective leadership on federal employee and retiree legislation and policy. NARFE

is a participant in those organizations. William Shackelford (left in photo at right), immediate past president of the Virginia Federation, and William Schmidt (right), NARFE congressional district liaison in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, presented the plaque

to Wolf in his Capitol Hill office. ■

Report From the Regions The Benefits of NARFE Membership By Augie Stratoti Region I Regional Vice President augrs@juno.com

ARFE members know that the Association works tirelessly on their behalf before Congress, the White House and the Office of Personnel Management. But some members may not be fully aware of all of the advantages of NARFE membership. I hope my column serves to remind you of the value of your membership, as well as encourage you to take full advantage of what NARFE has to offer. The awardwinning NARFE magazine is an excellent source of legislative analysis and reporting, and includes the latest information on retirement and health benefits. Articles focus on money management, Thrift Savings Plan investment updates, and NARFE chapter and federation activities throughout the country. A “Questions & Answers” feature includes responses to

questions submitted by members to a team of experts in NARFE’s Federal Benefits Service Department. NARFE’s newly redesigned website offers members-only access to the latest information on legislation affecting federal benefits, and pre- and post-retirement issues. Weekly Legislative Hotline messages keep members up to date on breaking news. And through attendance at chapter, federation and national meetings, NARFE members can get the latest on issues affecting them, as well as enjoy the camaraderie of participating with fellow federal workers and retirees. Chapter service officers and NARFE volunteers in community-based service centers also help NARFE members who need benefits assistance. Special offers and discounts on products and services also are available to members through

NARFE’s Affinity Partners Program. These member perks range from financial services and moving companies to travel and vacations. Each year, NARFE awards 60 college scholarships to the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and stepchildren of NARFE members. Disaster relief grants also are available to NARFE members who are victims of a declared natural disaster. Both of these programs are administered by the Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund on behalf of NARFE. If you were unaware of the discounts and special offers available through NARFE membership, check the NARFE Member Perks section on p. 48 of this issue of NARFE magazine or visit the NARFE website, www.narfe.org, where you also can find details on the scholarship and disaster relief programs. Get the most out of your NARFE membership! ■

20 Years of Service NARFE recently recognized three employees who reached their 20th anniversary with the Association. Left to right: Sharon Campbell, Support Services; Gloria Washington, Budget & Finance; and Myra Moore, Member Records.

OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

FEDERATION PRESIDENTS 2012-2013 ALABAMA Willa Dean Morgan 256-233-0248 dmorgan1427@bellsouth. net www.narfeal.com

HAWAII Henry J. Magee 808-834-7719 hjmagee@msn.com www.narfehsfc.multiply. com

ALASKA Hollis D. Hall 907-479-0617 hdhall@alaska.net

IDAHO Arnold F. Hartigan 208-377-3265 anjhartigan@cableone.net www.idnarfe.org

ARIZONA Rodney Adelman 623-505-4719 narfeaz@cox.net www.narfeaz.com ARKANSAS Winston Wolfe 501-922-1724 wowolfe@suddenlink.net www.narfeark.org CALIFORNIA Jeanette L. Schmidt 530-273-7324 jlschmidt37@comcast.net www.csfcnarfe.org COLORADO Frank C. Impinna Jr. 303-482-1747 impinna@gmail.com www.narfe-colorado.com CONNECTICUT Gerald J. Naves 203-743-5478 geraldnaves@sbcglobal.net www.ctnarfe.org DELAWARE Erik D. Anderson 302-542-8610 eda014@aol.com www.narfede.org DISTRICT of COLUMBIA Linwood N. Watson 202-581-8767 bepbear@aol.com FLORIDA Kenneth J. Thomas 352-666-5216 dcrsa1@hotmail.com www.narfefl.net GEORGIA Roger A. Finley 706-886-4039 mjfarms100@aol.com www.ganarfe.com

ILLINOIS R. Leo Cunningham 309-688-4657 cunningham8866@sbc global.net www.narfe.org/il INDIANA Andy F. Whitt III 812-249-0984 awhittIII@aol.com www.narfe.org/in IOWA Larry E. Moore 641-363-4561 larrymingo@aol.com KANSAS Cindy Renee Blythe 785-589-2266 cindy.r.blythe@uscg.mil www.ksnarfe.org KENTUCKY Noreene Morgan 859-283-9688 firstships@aol.com www.narfeky.org LOUISIANA Teddy R. Holmes 318-651-8397 lanarfe@comcast.net www.narfe.org/la MAINE Susan S. Hyde 207-594-2466 sh@midcoast.com www.narfe.org/me MARYLAND Ted Jensen 301-845-2088 tjensen.narfe@gmail.com www.mdnarfe.org MASSACHUSETTS William L. Wayne 781-534-0770 billwayne63@yahoo.com

NARFE | OCTOBER 2012

MICHIGAN David Adams 586-232-4594 adamsadamsjr@comcast. net MINNESOTA John A. Schmidt 218-736-7123 schmidt1@prtel.com www.mn-narfe.org

NEW YORK Anthony F. Montoro, Jr. 716-549-5347 tony0514@roadrunner. com www.narfeny.org NORTH CAROLINA Samuel E. Crain 828-926-0264 samcrainjr@aol.com www.ncnarfe.info

MISSISSIPPI Gerald M. Janci 662-412-2029 lettermanj@aol.com www.narfemississippi.org

NORTH DAKOTA Harold Weninger 701-627-4699 halweninger@ymail.com www.narfe.org/nd

MISSOURI Eric E. Bahl 816-478-0172 ericbahl@comcast.net www.narfe.org/mo

OHIO Sondra K. Gartner 740-323-2356 sgartner@windstream. net

MONTANA Mary Williams 406-443-5016 arw16hd@bresnan.net www.narfe.org/mt

OKLAHOMA Charles Stanphill 918-493-2486 retiredmsg@cox.net www.narfeok.org

NEBRASKA Bonnie M. Tabler 402-341-1102 bontab1@cox.net

OREGON Robert J. Leedy 541-474-4448 ghodux@yahoo.com www.narfe.org/or

NEVADA Thomas R. Prettyman 775-884-3538 trpreq81@charter.net www.narfe.org/nv NEW HAMPSHIRE Nell R. Shea 603-275-1894 nellshea@aol.com www.narfe.org/nh NEW JERSEY Rae C. Novak 732-495-0322 rcn19422002@yahoo.com http://mysite.verizon.net /vzeon7y1/njfederation narfe/index.html NEW MEXICO Janice Baker 505-471-2448 janicenarfe@msn.com www.narfe-nm.net

PENNSYLVANIA Maria I. Ritzman 717-270-1119 maria745@comcast.net www.narfepafederation. org PANAMA Carlos M. Caddle carlosbrown777@ hotmail.com PHILIPPINES Fidel T. Dayrit 345-331-2514 fideldayrit@gmail.com PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS Luis Arroyo-Medina 787-529-6039 hpabon@coqui.net RHODE ISLAND David MacDonald 401-682-2292 djmacdon@aol.com

SOUTH CAROLINA William J. Jaillet 843-705-5262 wjaillet@sc.rr.com www.scnarfe.org SOUTH DAKOTA Roger E. Youngman 605-725-1777 ryoungman@nvc.net www.narfe.org/sd TENNESSEE John F. Wells 615-975-5585 jfwells65@aol.com www.narfetn.org TEXAS Marshall L. Richards 903-660-2784 pappysdad@cobridge.tv www.txnarfe.org UTAH Marla Ramey 435-882-3876 mramey54@trilobyte.net www.narfeutah.org VERMONT Mary E. Nadeau 802-295-2123 vtgram3@gmail.com VIRGINIA Luther Santiful 540-331-6012 santiful@aol.com www.vanarfe.org WASHINGTON Sandra S. Cagle 360-456-8509 asgwa@aol.com www.narfewa.net WISCONSIN J. Dobbin McNatt 608-831-5759 mydomcnatt@tds.net http://narfewi.tripod.com WEST VIRGINIA Wayne F. Mitchell 304-487-9335 wmitchel2002@yahoo.com www.wvnarfe.com WYOMING Edward E. Chase 307-472-6420 eschase@earthlink.net http://home.bresnan.net/ ~wynarfe/wyfed

Out & AW bout ith the Chapters

Visit our online photo gallery at

www.narfe.org. Sign in and click on NARFE Publications.

WINNING IDEA. Members of Chapter 2 in Topeka, KS, brainstorm recruitment ideas at a recent meeting. Members explained how and why they became NARFE members and then suggested names and addresses of potential new members, along with recruitment ideas. The chapter made it a competition, pitting table against table. Members put each name and idea on a separate piece of paper, along with their table number, for a drawing for a free lunch for the entire table at the next meeting. The more names and ideas a table submitted, the better their chances of winning. HELP TO REBUILD. Chapter 106 in Duluth, MN, recently made a donation to the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth to help it rebuild following torrential rains on June 20 that severely damaged the zoo and killed 14 animals. Sam Maida, CEO of the zoo, left, is pictured accepting a check from Wally Ruce, president of Chapter 106, and Jeanne Merrifield, treasurer.

ADVOCACY. Larry Harper, right, legislative director and NARFE-PAC coordinator of the Georgia Federation, recently met with several congressional candidates, including Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia’s 8th Congressional District.

To submit a photo: Email it to rl@narfe.org or send it by postal mail to NARFE Headquarters, ATTN: Out & About. NARFE members contributed for Alzheimer’s research:

SUPPORT ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH

$10 Million Fund

$9,881,418* *Total as of July 31, 2012 100% of all contributed funds go to Alzheimer’s research. If you have any questions, write to: National Committee Chairman Jane Rodgers, P.O. Box 234 Wadesville, IN 47638-0234 Email: ajrodgers@tds.net

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

Mr.

Mrs.

NARFE-Alzheimer’s Research and mail to: Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., 17th Floor Chicago, IL 60601-7633

Ms.

Address _____________________________________________________________ City _______________________________ State _________ ZIP ______________ Chapter number _______________________ Credit Card Information: ❑ Visa

Your charitable contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Write your chapter number on check; make it payable to:

Miss

Name _______________________________________________________________

❑ MasterCard

❑ Discover

❑ AMEX

Card Number: __________________________________________________________ Expiration Date:________(mm)/_________(yy) 3-Digit Security Code: _________ Name on Card: (print) ___________________________________________________ Signature:_________________________________________ Date: _______________

OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

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

MOVING SERVICES

INSURANCE

HEARING BENEFITS

NARFE INSURANCE SERVICES NARFE MEMBER HOMEBENEFITS 1-800-666-9203 http://narfe.myhomebenefits.com • Earn thousands in cash-back rewards when you buy or sell a home* • Shop competitive mortgage rates, receive discounts on closing costs, plus take advantage of your VA Loan Benefits • Receive preferred pricing on interstate moving services with the nation’s most trusted moving company – Allied Van Lines! *State restrictions apply. Call or visit website for details.

BEKINSVAN LINES 1-800-456-6832 (M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT) narfe@bekins.com All NARFE members will receive discounted pricing for all interstate shipments. Discount will apply to packing and moving services and valuation protection. All intrastate shipments, locals and international moves will be competitive in cost based on your geographical location. Mention you are a NARFE member and transportation agreement #00930.

VACATION RENTALS

Government Employees Travel Opportunities® Offers government employees, retirees and their families 7-Night Stays for ONLY $349 on accommodations worldwide. Book online at www.getravelop.com/narfe and save on your next vacation stay.

1-800-233-5764 Designed and administered by Marsh U.S. Consumer, a service of Seabury & Smith, Inc., exclusively for NARFE members: Senior Whole Life, Term Life, Medicare Supplements, Hospital Income Plan, Short Term Recovery Insurance, Pet Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Cancer Care, Enhanced Dental Insurance and Long Term Care. Go to www.narfeinsurance.com for more information on these programs.

GEICO:1-800-368-2734 NARFE members with good driving records may be eligible for quality automobile insurance from GEICO. Ask about the NARFE discount available to members in many states. Call today for your free, no-obligation rate quote. Be sure to mention that you’re a NARFE member! • Discount amount varies in some states • Discount not available in all states or in all GEICO companies • One group discount applicable per policy.

Two discount programs to choose from: ValueAdd® or MemberPlus®. Similar to a warehouse membership, MemberPlus saves hundreds more for a $108 yearly membership.

MemberPlus also includes: • 45-day, money-back guarantee on membership fee and all purchases • 48 batteries, 3-year warranty, and onetime loss and damage for 3 years (small manufacturer deductible applies) on each purchased hearing aid • Guest membership for up to four extended family members (siblings, parents, etc.) for only $79 each • Combine with an existing health plan hearing benefit to maximize savings Visit TruHearingMemberPlus.com for more information, or call 877-360-2442 Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. East Coast Time

EDUCATION

EMERGENCY SERVICES SINCE 1974 1-800-423-3226 Medical Air Services Association has been the industry leader in prepaid emergency assistance services for more than 30 years. NARFE members have experienced MASA’s “peace of mind” services since 2001. Now NARFE members are entitled to even more: air ambulance transportation, helicopter transportation, ground ambulance, vehicle return, mortal remains transport, and much more! Call MASA Today. It Could Save Your Life!

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

OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

HOTELS

CAR RENTALS

CREDIT UNION

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

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

NATIONAL You Drive A Hard Bargain. Receive up to 20% off rentals at National Car Rental. To make a reservation call National Car Rental at 1-800-CAR-RENT® and reference Contract ID 5282909.

NARFE’s OFFICIAL CREDIT UNION As a member of NARFE, you have the privilege of joining NARFE Premier Federal Credit Union, which has been serving members since 1935. We offer extensive services at competitive rates to members nationwide. Your savings are federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. For more information, call 800-3281500, e-mail jparish@narfepremierfcu. org or visit us at NARFEpremierfcu.org.

CREDIT CARD AVIS:1-800-331-1441

WYNDHAM HOTEL GROUP As a member of NARFE, you will receive up to 20% off the “Best Available Rate” at participating locations when you travel. Call and give agent your special discount ID number, 8000002694, at time of booking to receive discount. Whether you are looking for an upscale hotel, an all-inclusive resort or something more cost-effective, we have the right hotel for you... and at the right price. So start saving now. Call our special memberbenefits hotline 1-877-670-7088 and reserve your room today at one of these fine hotels: Wyndham Hotels and Resorts®, Days Inn®, Ramada Worldwide®, Super 8®, Wingate By Wyndham®, Baymont Inns and Suites®, Hawthorn Suites® By Wyndham, Microtel Inns and Suites®, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge® and Knights Inn®.

NARFE | OCTOBER 2012

The employees/owners of Avis offer guaranteed low rates and quality services to members of NARFE. Mention ID# A991900.

HEALTH SCREENING

LIFE LINE SCREENING Life Line Screening, America’s leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will conduct the following screenings using state-of-the-art ultrasound technology in your neighborhood: 1. Stroke/Carotid Artery 2. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 3. Atrial Fibrillation 4. Peripheral Arterial Disease. You will receive a confidential written report within 21 days. Life Line Screening and NARFE encourage you to share these test results with your doctor. All four screenings cost just $135. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-324-9906 and give the operator code number: BKHN075 or visit www.lifelinescreening. com/NARFE. Coverage may vary and may not be available in all states.

Bank of America now offers the officially approved credit card program for NARFE, featuring the Platinum Plus® MasterCard® with WorldPoints. This is the only credit card that helps support NARFE every time you use it to make a purchase–at no additional cost to you. Call toll-free 1-866-438-6262 Use NARFE’s full name, not NARFE.

NARFE MERCHANDISE NARFE GENERAL STORE

Order Official NARFE name badges, customizable NARFE logo products and plaques. www.narfegeneralstore.com Call toll-free 855-99NARFE (855-996-2733)

For the Record The chart below tracks the CPI-W, the monthly inflation change, and the cumulative percentage gain for the next CSRS and Social Security COLA. CPI-W October 2011 November December January 2012 February March April May June July August September

223.043 222.813 222.166 223.216 224.317 226.304 227.012 226.600 226.036 225.568

MONTHLY % CHANGE % CHANGE FROM 223.2 -0.29 -0.10 -0.29 +0.5 +0.5 +0.89 +0.31 -0.18 -0.24 -0.20

TSP Funds Had Good Summer ByTracey Ray

t was a good summer for the Thrift Savings Plan stock funds. During June, July and August, the S Fund rose 9.7 percent, and the C Fund increased 10.7 percent. But the star performer was the I Fund, which posted a 13.7 percent gain. Despite that strong performance, the I Fund remains the worst performing equity fund so far in 2012. While investors no longer fear the demise of the eurozone, big problems still remain in Greece, Italy and Spain. Meanwhile, on August 31, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke delivered a speech at the central bank’s annual retreat where he talked about new efforts that the Federal Reserve would undertake to bring down “gravely high unemployment.” Investors focused on hopes his plans would work rather than on the poor economic condition itself.

Tracey Ray is chief investment officer of the Thrift Savings Plan. 50

-0.09 -0.19 -0.48 -0.01 +0.49 +1.38 +1.69 +1.51 +1.26 +1.04

Index Declines Again

he Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) decreased 0.20 percent in July. To calculate the 2013 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the indices of July, August and September 2012 will be averaged for a thirdquarter determinant, which will be compared with the 2011 thirdquarter base of 223.233. The July index of 225.568 is up 1.04 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. July’s index is 1.53 percent higher than the December 2011 base index of 222.166. ■

Thrift Savings Plan Investments* Month G Fund 2011 September 0.16% October 0.14% November 0.14% December 0.15% 2012 January 0.13% February 0.12% March 0.14% April 0.15% May 0.14% June 0.11% July 0.12% August 0.11% Last 12 Months 1.61%

F Fund 0.73% 0.11% 0.01% 1.01% 0.88% 0.05% (0.61%) 1.12% 0.91% 0.05% 1.38% 0.07% 5.85%

C Fund (7.03%) 10.93% (0.21%) 1.04% 4.50% 4.34% 3.30% (0.62%) (5.99%) 4.13% 1.40% 2.25% 18.14%

S Fund (10.73%) 14.09% (0.51%) (0.04%) 7.59% 3.99% 2.30% (0.71%) (6.91%) 3.25% (0.62%) 3.57% 13.87%

Month L Income September (1.51%) 2011 October 2.31% November 0.02% December 0.20% 2012 January 1.18% February 0.98% March 0.54% April 0.01% May (1.38%) June 1.04% July 0.37% August 0.63% Last 12 Months 4.41%

L 2020 (4.73%) 6.18% (0.34%) 0.11% 3.03% 2.53% 1.23% (0.38%) (4.20%) 2.72% 0.63% 1.57% 8.12%

L 2030 (5.92%) 7.68% (0.49%) 0.09% 3.77% 3.10% 1.49% (0.52%) (5.23%) 3.32% 0.71% 1.94% 9.57%

L 2040 (6.85%) 8.83% (0.62%) 0.07% 4.34% 3.54% 1.68% (0.63%) (6.00%) 3.77% 0.75% 2.23% 10.56%

I Fund (10.55%) 9.48% (2.46%) (2.03%) 5.36% 5.14% 0.13% (1.87%) (11.40%) 7.08% 0.56% 3.29% 0.36% L 2050 (7.80%) 9.92% (0.78%) (0.01%) 4.87% 3.99% 1.86% (0.78%) (6.85%) 4.27% 0.78% 2.51% 11.20%

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

OCTOBER 2012 | NARFE

Technology Breakthrough

Safe, comfortable bathing from Jacuzzi®

Enjoy A Bath Again… Safely and Affordably The Jacuzzi® Walk-In tub is luxurious, feature-packed and affordable here is nothing like the simple pleasure of taking a warm bath. The cares of the day seem to fade away, along with the aches and pains of everyday life. Unfortunately for many aging Americans with mobility issues, slipping into a bath can result in slipping onto the floor. The fear of falling has made the simple act of bathing and its therapeutic benefits a thing of the past… until now. firstSTREET, the leader in products Designed for Seniors® has partnered with Jacuzzi®, the company that perfected hydrotherapy. Together, they’ve created a walk-in tub that offers more than just safe bathing, peace-of-mind and independence, it can actually help you feel better. Unlike traditional bathtubs, our Jacuzzi® Walk-In Tub features a leakproof door that allows you to simply step into the tub rather than stepping precariously over the side. It features a state-of-the-art acrylic surface, a raised seat, and the controls are within easy reach. No other Walk-In Tub features the patented Jacuzzi® PointProTM jet system. These high-volume, low-pressure pumps feature a perfectly balanced water to air ratio to massage

thoroughly yet gently. Some swirl, some spiral, some deliver large volumes of water and others target specific pressure points. They are all arranged in precise locations designed to deliver a therapeutic massage, yet they are fully adjustable so that your bathing experience can be completely unique. Jacuzzi®

Other Brands

SEE THE JACUZZI® DIFFERENCE Laboratory tests clearly show how Jacuzzi® outperforms other manufacturers’ jet systems, producing a deeper and wider plume of revitalizing bubbles. Best of all, it doesn’t cost you a penny more!

Why spend another day wishing you could enjoy the luxury and pain-relieving benefits of a safe, comfortable bath. Call now and you’ll get an unsurpassed lifetime warranty. Knowledgeable product experts are standing by to help you learn more about this product. Call Today!

What To Look For in a Walk-In Tub: Five major considerations to help make an informed decision before buying a Walk-In Tub: ¼ Quality - A walk-in tub is a major investment. You want to find a quality tub that will last for decades. Look for one that’s 100% leakproof, mold-resistant, full metal frame construction and one that’s American made. ¼ Warranty - Ask for a lifetime “no leak guarantee.” The best tubs offer a lifetime warranty on both the tub and the operating system. ¼ Pain Relieving Therapy - Find a tub that has both water and air jet therapy to soak away your aches and pains preferably with a perfectly balanced water to air mix. ¼ Comfort - Insist on ergonomic design, easy-to-reach controls. ¼ Endorsements - Only consider tubs that are ETL or UL listed. Also look for a tub tested to IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials) standards and that’s USPC (Universal Spa Plumbing Code) Certified.

New! Jacuzzi®

Walk-In Tub

• Jacuzzi® PointProTM Jet System

For information call:

1-888-571-9505 Call now Toll-Free and mention your special promotion code 45727. Third-party financing available with approved credit. Not Available in Hawaii and Alaska

80407

• Low Threshold Step

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Card # ___________________________________________ Exp.: ____/____ Mr. Mrs. Ms.____________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________ Apt. # _________ City & State _______________________________________Zip ___________ Phone/Email _____________________________________________________

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Imported WHAT WHAT HOW WAIST? INSEAM? MANY?

Send ____ jeans. I enclose $_______ purchase price, and only $5.99 shipping & handling. In GA add tax. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed or Full Refund of merchandise purchase price. When you pay by check, you authorize us to use information from your check to clear it electronically. Funds may be withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day we receive your payment, and you will not receive your check back from your financial institution.

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