November 2014 NARFE Magazine

NOV

’14

COVER STORY

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Volume 90 • Number 11

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WashingTon Watch

6

OPM Issues Regs on Providing Flags for Fallen Employees

7

Congress Passes Stopgap Bill, Avoids Shutdown

7

Postal Facilities Fight

8

NARFE-PAC: It’s Your Turn to Contribute

9

Grass-Roots Advocacy Report: Investing in Your Future Security

10 Take Your Advocacy Up a

Notch, Attend Conference

10 Bill on Sick Leave for

Disabled Vets Advances

26

12 NARFE Bill Tracker Cover Story The future of federal service. Vigorous efforts are underway by agencies to attract more young people to federal employment and keep them on the job.

Columns

4 From the President 50 Managing Money 52 The Informed Citizen DEPARTMENTS

Convention coverage. NARFE’s Biennial National Convention made some historic decisions.

Our report tells the story in words and pictures.

60

16 Questions & Answers 54 For the Record: TSP

Investments, COLA Chart

56 NARFE News 68 The Way We Worked On the Web special section

visit us online at:

36 Open Season Report:

www.narfe.org

Premiums

like us on facebook:

NARFE National Headquarters follow us on twitter:

@narfehq

ON THE COVER

Illustration by Bill Pragluski, Critical Stages, LLC

w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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NOVEMber 2014 | Volume 90 | Number 11

Editor Margaret M. Carter Assistant Editor Ken Fanelli Editorial Administrator Toni Vallario

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association NATIONAL OFFICERS RICHARD G. THISSEN, President; natpres@narfe.org JON DOWIE, Secretary/Treasurer; natsectreas@narfe.org

Graphic Design Charlene Gridley Editorial Board Richard G. Thissen, Jon Dowie

Editorial Office: narfe magazine 606 North Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314-1914 Phone: 703-838-7760 Fax: 703-838-7781 Email: communications@narfe.org Advertising Sales: Warren Berger Media People Inc. 122 East 42nd St., Suite 725 New York, NY 10168 Phone: 212-779-7172, ext. 223 Email: wberger@mediapeople.com NARFE for the Visually Impaired On the Telephone: This publication can be heard on the telephone by persons who have trouble seeing or reading the print edition. For more information, contact the National Federation of the Blind NFB-NEWSLINE® service at 866-5047300 or go to www.nfbnewsline.org.

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

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

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

REGION I James P. Crawford (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) Tel: 603-630-5191 Email: seacaptains@metrocast.net REGION II Evelyn Kirby (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) Tel: 410-604-1141 Email: ekirby@atlanticbb.net REGION III Jerry Janci (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Virgin Islands) Tel: 662-412-2029 Email: lettermanj@aol.com REGION IV Edward J. Konys (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) Tel: 937-470-0566 Email: region4vp@gmail.com REGION V Carol R. Ek (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) Tel: 620-241-1131 Email: ek617@att.net

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

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

REGION VI Marshall L. Richards (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Republic of Panama and Texas) Tel: 903-660-2784 Email: pappysdad@cobridge.tv REGION VII Rodney L. Adelman (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) Tel: 623-505-4719 Email: narfe7vp@cox.net REGION VIII Helen L. Zajac (California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada and Republic of Philippines) Tel: 707-644-7565 Email: 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 Shackelford (Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) Tel: 703-830-6590, CELL: 703-201-6304 Email: wshack1951@aol.com

For any other NARFE matter:

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

www.narfe.org

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

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From the President

Charting our course

I

want to send heartfelt greetings to all NARFE members and thank you for the great honor you have given me by

electing me your National President. I want to express a special thanks to the departing National Executive Board (NEB) members for their contributions to NARFE’s success.

As I said at the recent National Convention and in correspondence throughout the past year, the Association faces challenges that require changes in its structure and how it does business. This is due, in part, to the generational differences and preferences among our two major constituencies. Our older members enjoy the camaraderie of meetings, where they can interact with other like-minded members; our younger members, particularly those who are still employed by the government, tend to put a high premium on their

leisure time, given the demands of their work and private lives, and are apt not to join many organizations. This requires that NARFE meet the needs of both groups. We have to appeal to a new generation while not alienating our current loyal members − those who have built NARFE to be the effective advocacy group that it is today.

Headquarters and the new Board will be working on branding NARFE and developing a strategic plan with implementation milestones. It is important that we get your input and buy-in.

While we are shaping the Association’s future, we can never take our eye off our mission. We must maintain our steadfast vigilance in protecting our earned benefits. I expect there will be further attacks on them next year. This will require your participation in our grass-roots advocacy efforts; your legislators must hear from you.

We also must continue our comprehensive membership marketing. Recruitment is the responsibility of every member. By popular demand, the $10 recruiting incentive campaign, originally scheduled for September only, will run through the end of December. Remember, our Federal Benefits Service Department, our Service Officer system and this great magazine are among our best recruiting tools!

Richard G. Thissen NARFE national President natpres@narfe.org

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Washington Watch

OPM issues Regs on providing Flags for fallen employees

T

he Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued final regulations allowing federal agencies to provide flags to the next of kin of civilian employees killed in the line of duty,

nearly three years after President Obama signed the bill into law.

The September 9 release of the regulations follows a letter that NARFE, along with the Senior Executives Association (SEA) and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), recently sent to OPM Director Katherine Archuleta, calling for the immediate release of the regulations.

After a grass-roots effort led by two former federal executives generated attention to the issue, Rep. Richard Hanna, R-NY, and then-Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-HI, introduced legislation to provide an American flag to families of federal employees killed in the line of duty. The bill was signed into law in late 2011.

More than 20 federal employees have been killed in the line of duty since the law was enacted.

Although federal agencies have had the ability to honor these

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fallen employees since the legislation was enacted three years ago, no information is available regarding whether they have done so. The final regulations, however, make it clear that agencies can and should honor the sacrifice made by civilians in service to our country.

NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin expressed relief that OPM has finally made progress on this issue. “Since 1992, more than 3,000 federal employees have lost their lives working for us across the country and around the world,” Beaudoin pointed out.

“These are brave Americans who were doing their part for our nation as border patrol agents, drug enforcement agents, public health officials, disaster firstresponders, FBI officers, astronauts and in countless other vital government roles,” he added.

“Their loss is tragic, but their families will finally receive a muchdeserved symbol of recognition of their sacrifice.”

Carol Bonosaro, SEA president, said fallen employees deserve this tribute. “It is a small measure to recognize their work on behalf of their country and the American people – work that is often done with great dedication, but little fanfare,” she said. “The honor of a flag is an appropriate way for agencies to recognize the sacrifice of their employees, and SEA hopes they have already begun to embrace this policy.”

However, NARFE remains concerned that the final regulations do not require an agency official to proactively offer the flag to the next of kin. Rather, it places the burden of a request on grieving families and loved ones.

NARFE, SEA and FLEOA plan to work with OPM to make it a practice, not an option, to offer the flag to next of kin instead of waiting for them to request it.

—By Jason Freeman, legislative staff assistant

CONGRESS PASSES STOPGAP SPENDING BILL, AVOIDS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

M

embers of the House and Senate headed for the exits and back to the campaign trail, but not before passing a short-term continuing resolution to fund federal government operations through December 11 (from the start of fiscal year 2015 on October 1).

The Senate voted 78-22 on September 18 to send the measure to the White House for President Obama’s signature. The House had approved the measure 319108 on September 17.

The temporary funding bill, which maintains agency and program budgets at their current fiscal year (FY) 2014 levels, was necessary because Congress has failed to agree on any of the 12

annual appropriations measures funding specific segments of the federal government for FY 2015. The broad support for the stopgap measure stands in stark contrast to the situation one year ago when a stalemate in Washington kept the federal government closed for the first 16 days of the new fiscal year.

Congress will return November 12 for a “lame duck” session, including leadership elections, new-member orientation and consideration of a number of must-pass bills. Congress will have to agree to a new funding measure to maintain government operations past December 11. In a meeting with donors, House Budget Committee

Chairman Paul D. Ryan (R-WI) predicted a short lame-duck session as the focus moves to the incoming 114th Congress in January.

Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin, D-IL, told NARFE that no one has any idea what might be considered in the lame-duck session, particularly with the Senate majority in play in the November elections. The outcome of the November 4 midterm balloting will have significant implications for the year-end session, and certainly for Washington and the country heading into the 2016 presidential election.

—By Alan Lopatin, Legislative Counsel

Legislative Resources

POSTAL FACILITIES FIGHT

D

espite pressure from large bipartisan groups of House and Senate lawmakers, a provision delaying the closure of 82 mail processing facilities was not included in the recently passed continuing resolution, a stopgap spending measure that keeps the federal government operating until December 11. However, lawmakers from both chambers are expected to push for the delay to be included in the next funding bill, in time to prevent the start of the closures.

The U.S. Postal Service announced the planned closures,

which it called “network rationalization,” in a June 30 letter to postal customers. Scheduled to begin in January 2015, the closures would eliminate 15,000 jobs across 37 states and reduce delivery times for First-Class Mail.

In September, 160 members of the House signed a letter urging their colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee to approve a one-year moratorium on the closures. In August, 51 senators sent a similar letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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

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

—By John Hatton, Deputy Legislative Director w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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Washington Watch

NARFE-PAC: it’s Your Turn to Contribute

R

esponding to persuasive pleas from NARFE Legislative Director Jessica Klement, NARFE National Convention attendees gave generously to NARFE-PAC at the Orlando, FL, meeting in August. NARFE members contributed $9,499 in onetime donations, and 57 members committed to monthly credit card contributions of $655 ($7,860 over one year’s time, or $15,720, if sustained, between now and the next convention). “It was a resounding success,” Klement commented.

But Klement added that NARFE-PAC cannot be sus-

one-on-one time with members of Congress and their top staff.

It shows NARFE is a player in the political arena. It shows that NARFE carries weight and that we’re a group worth paying attention to. But most of all, it shows we are willing to help elect and re-elect those who support our mission.”

As the November 4 elections approach, this is the last push for NARFE-PAC donations in this election cycle (2013-2014), Klement said. “Your contribution now will help some of NARFE’s biggest supporters over the finish

NARFE-PAC shows we are willing to help elect and re-elect those who support our mission. tained simply with the goodwill of the leaders attending NARFE’s convention. “We need help from the entire membership,” she said.

“And while we may have asked before, we’re asking again.”

Here’s what Klement had to say at the convention. Perhaps it will persuade you as well: “I know we ask a lot from you as NARFE members. We ask for your time; we ask for your assistance in our fundraising efforts; we ask you to support our Alzheimer’s and FEEA funds; and now we’re also asking for support for NARFE-PAC. It can be daunting to decide how to give to the programs that we support in NARFE. Here’s what you need to know about NARFE-PAC. “NARFE-PAC increases our political clout. It gives our officers, staff and members unfettered, 8

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line and into the 114th Congress next year.

“NARFE once again will be facing budget challenges and attacks on your pay and benefits next year, right out of the gate,” she added. “With the president’s budget release in February and the House Budget Committee continuing its quest to take more of your hard-earned benefits to offset sequestration, we must prepare for those fights now. Your contribution to NARFE-PAC is a necessary weapon in our legislative arsenal.”

A NARFE-PAC contribution form can be found on page 15 of this issue. To raise funds at chapter or federation meetings, consult the new “NARFE-PAC Toolkit,” available on the Legislation home page on the NARFE website at www.narfe.org/legislation.

MYTH vs.

REALITY Myth: Members of Congress receive free health care for life.

Reality: Members of Congress never receive free health care. They pay a portion of their health insurance premiums and receive an employer contribution from the government, similar to other federal employees.

Prior to the Affordable Care Act, members of Congress accessed their health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). However, unlike all other federal employees, who remain in FEHBP, members of Congress and their staff now receive health care through the Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as exchanges, which were created by the health care reform law. The employer contribution they receive is still calculated in the same manner as for all other federal employees.

When members of Congress retire from the government, they are subject to the same rules of participation in FEHBP as other federal annuitants.

Grass-Roots Advocacy report: investing in your future security

I

n August, NARFE members participated in conversations with their members of Congress and candidates for office as part of NARFE’s annual “GrassRoots Advocacy Month.” We’ve been getting some wonderful stories about our members’ efforts.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-MD, the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, and his staff met with several NARFE chapters in his district. In addition, members of the Maryland Federation’s Legislative Committee met with him in his district office to discuss NARFE priorities. The ongoing commitment to this relationship is evident in Van Hollen’s accessibility to NARFE members and his support on Capitol Hill.

Chapter 1927 met with the district director for Rep. Michael Turner, R-OH, when Turner was delayed in Washington because of a vote. The district director noted the Dayton chapter’s ongoing advocacy in their meeting.

Chapter 1927 has met with Turner throughout his 10 years in the House, and this continued relationship-building may prove especially valuable next year. Turner is on the short list to take over the chairmanship of the committee with jurisdiction over much of NARFE’s legislative agenda, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

NARFE grass-roots activities were not limited to formal meetings. Members of Chapter 79 in Eugene attended four town hall events hosted by Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR. Different members attended the gatherings over the

course of a week and a half. They asked DeFazio questions, had a photo taken with him and talked to his staff. NARFE members from two Maryland chapters attended three town halls hosted by Rep. Andy Harris, R-MD, over the course of a week. At each, Harris was aware of the NARFE presence, and the NARFE members are in contact with his office to schedule a meeting.

NARFE members also met with candidates for office. We’ve heard from chapters in Iowa, Montana, Virginia, Arizona, North Dakota and Georgia about successful candidate meetings. In Virginia, several chapters have been organizing candidate forums for the highly anticipated races in their areas. Many of the candidates will win this fall, and those who do not may become members of Congress one day. Investing in a conversation with a candidate today can return dividends in the future when the groundwork of a relationship is already laid.

We also heard from members in Colorado, Pennsylvania and Washington state who met with

members of Congress and candidates at chapter picnics, and July 4th and Labor Day parades.

Sometimes, we heard about meetings from somebody besides the NARFE member. Following events in Washington state, Virginia and Texas, members of Congress or candidates tweeted their appreciation for an invitation to talk to NARFE members.

The conversations begun in August, whether in a small meeting or as part of a larger NARFE meeting, are just the start.

Congress is going to face budget decisions early in the new term, and federal employee and retiree retirement and health benefits could be back in the mix. Having conversations with legislators in August, November or January will help make conversations in March, April and May easier.

Did you carry out any August advocacy activities but forgot to tell the Legislative Department? If so, please fill us in on your activity by emailing advocacyinaction@ narfe.org or leg@narfe.org.

—By Sarah Weissmann, Grass-Roots Program Manager

NARFE Maryland Federation Legislative Committee Chair Sudha Haley, fifth from right, led a group of members and chapter presidents in a meeting with Rep. Chris Van Hollen, fifth from left, to discuss NARFE issues and concerns. w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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Washington Watch

Take your advocacy up a notch, attend the legislative conference

N

ARFE members will exercise their responsibility as citizens on November 4 by voting. Members can take their civic duties to the next level by participating in grass-roots advocacy. One of the best ways to start is by attending the 2015 NARFE Legislative Training Conference.

The conference is designed to give members the information to take part in the fight over their retirement and health benefits. It will be March 14-17, 2015, at the Renaissance Capital View Hotel in Arlington, VA. By hearing from nationally renowned guest speakers, participants will learn about what to expect from the new Congress.

Through training sessions from NARFE staff and outside experts,

participants will learn how to effectively meet with and convey their messages to members of Congress and staff.

NARFE encourages participation from members who have never attended a legislative training conference in the past. You provide a fresh perspective and new story to tell.

The registration fee of $175 includes all materials, three full breakfasts, two full lunches, one full dinner and transportation to and from Capitol Hill on Tuesday, March 17. The special room rate at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel is $175 plus 10.25 percent state and local occupancy tax, for a total of $192.94 per night.

More information is available at www.narfe.org. Federations

are encouraged to use “10 percent funds” to help offset the costs and increase their federation members’ participation.

There are only 300 spots available, so do not wait until the last minute to register. You can register with NARFE by completing and mailing the form on the facing page, or you can register online at www.narfe.org.

Hotel reservations must be made by calling the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel directly at 800-228-9290. Tell the operator you are attending the “NARFE National Executive Board and Legislative Conference.” The deadline to register with both NARFE and the hotel is February 3.

—By Sarah Weissmann, Grass-Roots Program manager

BILL ON SICK LEAVE FOR DISABLED VETS ADVANCES

A

bill to provide sick leave immediately upon employment to first-year federal employees who are disabled veterans has been approved by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

The Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2014, H.R. 5229, was sponsored by Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, D-MA, and has bipartisan support, with Reps. Elijah E. Cummings, D-MD; Walter B. Jones, R-NC; G.K. Butterfield, D-NC; and Blake Farenthold, R-TX, signing on as cosponsors.

Currently, federal employees begin their service with no sick leave, and accumulate four hours 10

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of sick leave each pay period for a yearly total of 104 hours. Disabled veterans new to federal service often face multiple medical appointments and ongoing treatment for their conditions and to maintain their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability rating.

The bill approved by the House committee would make available all 104 hours of sick leave up front to first-year employees who qualify under the VA as 30 percent disabled or more. All leave used under this bill would have to be certified as used toward the employee’s service-related injuries, and any unused time could not be carried over into the

employee’s second year.

The Federal-Postal Coalition, of which NARFE is a member, sent a letter to members of the committee urging them to support the bill. “This legislation would provide a small but helpful head start to our nation’s men and women who have already made significant sacrifices while in the military, who then continue to serve their country with the federal government,” the Coalition stated.

Given the pre-election recess and likely short lame-duck session, it’s unclear at this time if the bill will see further movement in this Congress.

—By Jason Freeman, Legislative Staff Assistant

NARFE 2015 Legislative

TRAINING CONFERENCE

March 14-17, 2015

Registration must be returned by February 3, 2015

REGISTRATION FORM

Each participant must complete a form. Please write legibly.

Name:

o Mr. o Mrs.

o Miss

o Ms. o Dr.

_______________________________ Last

NARFE Membership # ______________________

________________________

___________________________

First

Middle

Name as you would like it to appear on badge: _________________________________________________ Federation or chapter officer title for your badge (choose only one title — Examples: President, Ohio Federation; or NARFE-PAC Chair, Chapter 192/Raleigh, NC): ___________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Home address: ____________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Preferred phone: _____________________________ Email address: ______________________________ Notify in case of emergency: ________________________________________________________________ Name

$175 registration fee is not refundable.

Please complete registration form and return with check made payable to NARFE, or charge to your credit card.

Phone number

o Charge to my credit card $____________ o MasterCard

o VISA

Exp. Date ________ / _______ (mm)

(yy)

Name on card (print) ________________________________ Signature ________________________ Date ____________

For Internal Planning Purposes Only:

For Internal Planning of March 17 on Capitol Hill:

Conference meals and events are included for registered attendees.

Are you planning on attending the Saturday night dinner? o Yes

o No

Are you planning on attending the breakfasts on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday? o Yes o No Registered attendees may bring guests to all NARFE-provided meals for a separate $175 fee. Will you have a guest? o Yes o No Name of guest(s) _______________________________________________ Is this your first NARFE Legislative Training Conference?

o Yes

o No

I am a(n): o Active Federal Employee o Active Federal Employee Spouse o Annuitant Spouse

o AMEX

Card # ____________________________________________

Mail to: NARFE Legislative Conference Budget & Finance 606 North Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314-1914

o Annuitant

o Discover

o Survivor Annuitant

Can NARFE include your name, chapter and title on a list of attendees that will be distributed to participants? o Yes o No

Do you plan to ride the NARFE-provided bus to Capitol Hill on March 17? o Yes o No Do you plan to return to the hotel from Capitol Hill on the bus later that afternoon? o Yes o No What time do you plan to leave Capitol Hill? _______________________

Washington Watch

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

ISSUE

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

DEFERRED ANNUITIES

supporting federal employees

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

What Bill Would Do

Latest Action(s)

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

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

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

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

narfe, April 2013, p. 9

narfe, January 2014, p. 10

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

E. Connolly, D-VA Federal Compensation

Paid Parental Leave

Pension scam protection

Cosponsors: 29 (D) S. 2397: FAIR (Federal Adjustment of Income Rates) Act / Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI

Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Cosponsors: 1 (D)

narfe, August 2014, p. 7

H.R. 517: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2013 / Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, D-NY Cosponsors: 24 (D)

H.R. 3310: Annuity Safety and Security Under Reasonable Enforcement Act of 2013 / Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-PA Cosponsors: 54 (D)

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

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Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

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

NARFE’s Position: 12

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Support

Oppose

No position

ISSUE

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

Health Care

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

What Bill Would Do

Latest Action(s)

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

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

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

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

narfe, June 2013, p. 9

narfe, July 2013, p. 15

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

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

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

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

combat zone tax parity

FEDERAL PENSIONS

Cosponsors: 94 (D), 39 (R)

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

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

Referred to the Senate Finance Committee

Cosponsors: 15 (D), 4 (R), 1 (I)

narfe, July 2013, p. 16

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

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

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

(Continued on p. 14) w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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Washington Watch

narfe bill tracker (Continued from p. 13) ISSUE

Bill Number / Name / Sponsor H.R. 630: The Postal Service Protection Act / Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR Cosponsors: 176 (D), 9 (R)

What Bill Would Do

Latest action(s)

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

Referred to House Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Judiciary

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

Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Cosponsors: 31 (D)

postal reform

H.R. 2748: Postal Reform Act / Rep. Darrell Issa, R-CA Cosponsors: 2 (R)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Passed by the House 7/14/14

S. 2117: Smart Savings Act / Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA

narfe, April 2014, p. 6

narfe, September 2014, p. 6

Passed by the Senate by unanimous consent on 9/17/14

Cosponsors: 2 (D), 2 (R)

Federal Employee Back Pay

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

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

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nov 2 0 14

narfe, May 2014, p. 8

Cosponsors: 2 (D), 1 (R)

NARFE’s Position: 14

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services

Support

Oppose

No position

ISSUE

Bill Number / Name / Sponsor

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

REPEAL FERS CONTRIBUTION INCREASES

Cosponsors: None

H.R. 5338: Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act / Donna Edwards, D-MD Cosponsors: 9 (D)

What Bill Would Do

Latest action(s)

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

Repeals laws passed in 2012 and 2013 that increased the Federal Employees Retirement System contributions for newly hired federal employees.

2013-14_PAC_Coupon_2013 Coupon 4/1/14 9:47 AM Page 1

Referred to House Committees on Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, and Foreign Affairs narfe, September 2014, p. 8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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15

Questions & Answers

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

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

employees Sick Leave and retirement calculation

Q

I am a Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employee.

If I read the annuity calculation information correctly, I should be able to use the 1.1 percent multiplier, instead of 1 percent, with 19-1/2 years of service and at least six months of sick leave. Is this correct?

A

A FERS employee is eligible to retire at age 62 with at least 20 years of civilian service, and the annuity will be based on 1.1 percent of his or her average high-three salary (the highest average basic pay earned during any three consecutive years of service).

However, the answer to your question is no, because you may not use your sick leave to meet the 20-year requirement.

The days of unused sick leave are used only to determine the number of years and months of service for annuity-computation purposes; they cannot be used to compute the employee’s highthree average pay or to meet the minimum length of service 16

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required for retirement eligibility.

FEHBP Overseas

Q

I am enrolled in a Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) health insurance program. I am moving to Thailand to work for another federal agency. Is this a qualifying life event that will enable me to change enrollment?

A

Yes, you may enroll or change enrollment when you transfer from a duty post within the United States to a duty post outside the United States or the reverse. You have 31 days before the date you are expected to leave your former duty

post and 60 days after your arrival at the new duty post to enroll or change enrollment. If you are enrolled in a nationwide FEHBP plan, you will have coverage even if you move outside the United States. If you need assistance, contact your employing office.

Maximum CSRS benefit

Q

I have worked for 52 years under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and have sick leave. What is the maximum benefit payable to me?

A

First, our congratulations on your long service to the nation. The maximum you can receive under CSRS is 80 percent of your high-three average salary, plus credit for your sick leave. This limit generally affects only those who have more than 41 years and 11 months of service when they retire.

Your service beyond the years that provide the maximum benefit will not be used by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to compute your annuity. Instead, OPM will refund the retirement contributions you made during those years. Interest is paid on this refund at the rate of 3 percent annually. You can use the refund to purchase additional annuity, as if the contributions and interest are voluntary contributions.

Name change

Q A

I just got a divorce, and my name is changing. Do I need to contact Social Security?

If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you must contact Social Security so that you can get a corrected card. You also should tell your employing agency.

If you do not tell Social Security when your name changes, it may delay your tax refund and prevent your wages from being posted correctly to your Social Security record, which may lower the amount of your future Social Security benefits.

All documents provided to Social Security to substantiate the name change must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. Social Security cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. They also cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.

Social security while still working

Q

I am a Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) employee, and I just turned age 66. I am eligible for a Social Security benefit that will be reduced because of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). I plan to work several more years.

I heard that I could begin taking my Social Security benefit while I am still working, and it will not be impacted by the WEP. Is this true?

A

The WEP affects the way the Social Security Administration calculates the amount of your retirement benefit if you receive a pension from work where Social Security taxes were not taken out of your pay, including the CSRS. The modified formula results in a lower Social Security benefit than you would receive otherwise.

Presently, you are not receiving your annuity, so you may receive your full Social Security benefit until you retire. If you begin receiving your Social Security benefit now, don’t forget to notify the Social Security Administration when you retire so it can reduce your benefit and you avoid an overpayment.

Because you already have reached your full Social Security retirement age, you would not be impacted by the earnings limitation test, which reduces a Social Security benefit by $1 for every $2 earned in excess of $15,480 (the amount for 2014). However, if you were a CSRS employee who had not reached his or her full Social

Security retirement age, your benefit would most likely be totally eliminated.

retirees Nursing home payment and survivor annuity

Q

I am married and have been receiving retirement benefits as a retired federal employee. I have elected the survivor benefits option for my wife (should I die first). If I become unable to care for myself and am confined to a nursing home, my savings will not last long, and I may soon become a Medicaid patient. I understand that half of our savings will be depleted, and then my Social Security benefits (for work I did after retirement) and my federal retirement annuity will be paid to the nursing home for my care. Will my wife still be eligible for a survivor benefit?

A

The Office of Personnel Management would continue to withhold the amount you are paying for her survivor benefit from your annuity, even though the annuity payment would go directly to the nursing home. If you predecease your spouse, she would still receive her survivor annuity.

SSA Spousal benefits

Q

I paid into Social Security for several years. However, I do not have 40 quarters because I was covered under the Civil Service Retirement w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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17

Questions & Answers

System (CSRS). A financial planner told me that I could get Social Security benefits anyway because I am married. Is that correct?

A

Normally, spouses are entitled to a Social Security benefit based on their spouse’s work record. However, the Government Pension Offset (GPO) will have an impact on you, as it does on many federal, state and local government retirees.

Generally speaking, CSRS retirees never receive anything based on their spouse’s work records because of the GPO. A few CSRS retirees receive a small payment from the Social Security Administration (SSA) after their spouse dies.

Under the GPO, SSA subtracts an amount equal to two-thirds of your annuity from the benefit to which you are otherwise entitled from Social Security as a spouse.

While your spouse is alive, you are entitled to between 38 and 50 percent of his or her Social Security benefit. You are entitled to about 38 percent if you are age 62, and 50 percent, which is the maximum amount, at your full retirement age, which is usually 66.

If your spouse predeceases you, you are entitled to 100 percent of your spouse’s benefit. However, as we mentioned, two-thirds of your annuity is subtracted from these amounts.

We recommend that you contact the SSA and tell the representative that you are a CSRS retiree. SSA will do the computation for you and determine if you are entitled to a benefit. For a publication addressing the GPO, please go to www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ EN-05-10007.pdf.

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when does Self Plus One take effect?

Q

I have Medicare and a family Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) as my supplement. There is just me and my wife, but we pay the same premium as a family with five kids.

That is not really fair. We read that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is going to adopt a self plus one policy. When does that take effect?

A

The effective date for the new FEHBP self plus one enrollment type will be January 1, 2016. Therefore, the annual Open Season that begins on November 9, 2015, will include the new self plus one enrollment type in the enrollment choices available.

OPM has not decided on the cost of the premiums and probably will not release the information until September or October 2015.

Providing a survivor benefit for new wife

Q

I retired in 1984 under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and, at retirement, elected a full survivor benefit for my wife. We divorced some months later, and I started getting my full unreduced annuity.

I am now considering marriage to a survivor annuitant who is over age 55 and whose late husband retired under CSRS. If we marry and I elect a full survivor benefit, can she receive two survivor benefits if I predecease her – the one she is receiving now and one from my annuity?

How would I compute the reduction in my annuity if I elect a full survivor benefit for my new wife?

A

It appears from your message that the individual you plan to marry is receiving a survivor annuity based on a deceased retiree. You may elect a survivor benefit for your new spouse, but it would be very expensive because you would have to pay for the benefit retroactively to your divorce. Your new spouse would have to choose between the two benefits if you predecease her. She may continue to receive her former spouse’s survivor annuity or the annuity that you elected for her. She isn’t eligible to receive both. However, if her spouse died as an active federal employee, then she may receive both annuities.

You have two years from the date of your marriage to elect a survivor benefit for her. You may elect as little as a $1 survivor benefit for your spouse or a maximum of 55 percent of your annuity. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) computes the amount of the survivor benefit for each year starting from the date that you were divorced and adds a 6 percent interest rate per year. Once it calculates the retroactive amount that you owe, it computes what is called an actuarial reduction. It uses a life expectancy chart and divides this amount by a factor for your age. You are not allowed to pay a lump-sum payment for the retroactive amount that you owe. Instead, your annuity would be reduced by this amount. Then, OPM computes the amount that you owe for the survivor benefit, which is 2.5 percent of the first

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$3,600 of the base that you’ve elected, plus 10 percent for the remaining portion of the base amount. You would see two reductions for the survivor benefit, one for the actuarial reduction and the other for the amount you would normally pay for the survivor benefit.

We do not have a system to compute your election. You would have to get that information from OPM by writing a letter. OPM will not respond to your inquiry until you have been married for nine months because your spouse isn’t entitled to the benefit until you meet the nine-months marriage requirement.

charge for doctor outside Medicare

Q

My doctor does not participate with Medicare.

What are the guidelines as to how much my doctor can charge for an office visit?

A

If your doctor does not accept Medicare, you may be required to pay for your services at the time they are rendered. Additionally, your doctor may charge you (or your secondary plan) more than Medicare’s allowed amount. Federal law limits the amount that a doctor or other medical provider can charge you. Doctors cannot charge more than 115 percent of

Medicare’s allowance. This means that if a doctor charges $150 for a certain service and Medicare’s allowance is $100, the doctor can only collect $115 (115 percent of $100) for the service. If you have paid for the service in full, you may be due a refund if the charge is over 115 percent of the allowance. If you think that you have been charged in excess of the 115 percent, ask your doctor for a refund. If you have trouble getting excess charges refunded, contact your Medicare Part B carrier. Service providers who repeatedly charge more than this amount may be subject to severe sanctions.

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Questions & Answers

NARFE at Your Service State Tax Withholding

Q A

Whom do I contact for state income tax withholding from my annuity

checks?

You should contact the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to begin state income tax withholding. OPM can process requests to initiate, change or cancel tax withholding. You must specify the monthly amount of state tax you want withheld. Deduction amounts must be in whole dollars.

The minimum monthly amount OPM is able to withhold is $5.

You can make this request using OPM’s Services Online (www.

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opm.gov), or by phone (888-7676735), email (retire@opm.gov) or postal mail (OPM, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017).

Your state tax deductions will be reflected on notices of annuity adjustment mailed when payments change and will be included in your yearly statement (Form 1099R) used for income tax filing purposes.

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

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

800-456-8410.

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

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Cover Story

Can a new generation be

The future of

FEderal service Vigorous efforts are underway by federal agencies to attract more young people to federal civil service and to retain them with a more flexible, more rewarding and less bureaucratic federal workplace, with some positive results. But the sequester and furloughs, budget cuts resulting in more being asked of fewer employees, maligning of federal employees on Capitol Hill, less generous benefits, and dated federal organizational structures and career paths in many quarters have taken their toll. Experts say that only time will tell whether federal government service will represent the long-term desirable career alternative for younger generations that it has for their predecessors.

Illustration by Bill Pragluski, Critical Stages, LLC

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By David Tobenkin

drawn to federal careers?

the future of

FEderal service Troublesome Trends

The tough past several years for federal employees are not making such efforts easier, with clear evidence of widespread federal employee dissatisfaction.

Results of the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) 2013 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, released in November 2013, demonstrated “a significant drop in employee satisfaction and continue last year’s declines across the majority of questions, which are cause for concern,” according to OPM Director Katherine Archuleta in her introduction to the report. The survey showed that from 2011 to 2013, only one satisfaction measure had improved, while 67 measures had declined.

“The survey results serve as an important warning about the long-term consequences of the sequestration and budget uncertainty,” said Archuleta.

“Without a more predictable and responsible budget situation, we risk losing our most talented employees, as well as hurting our ability to recruit top talent for the future.”

That comes as an increasing number of federal employees will be eligible to retire, with the number of retirement-eligible federal workers expected to double within the next three years, according to NARFE estimates.

“Budget constraints and the ongoing losses we’ve faced over the past few years have given us new challenges [at the Social Security Administration (SSA)],” says SSA Chief Human Capital Officer Reginald Wells. “If these dynamics persist, we may find ourselves facing a second retirement wave in the future due to low morale and a sense of despair relative to fulfilling the mission.”

Some say a fundamental shift has occurred with respect to whether a federal government career is enticing.

“Government service is not what it used to be,” says Jeffrey Neal, senior vice president for consulting firm ICF International and, until 2011, chief human capital officer for the U.S.

‘If these dynamics persist, we may find ourselves facing a second retirement wave in the future.’

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Department of Homeland Security. “If you are 22 and someone says to you, ‘Hey, we may not give you a pay raise for several years, and we might just shut down because Congress is broken,’ you won’t attract the best and the brightest with that type of pitch. You are selling a flawed product.”

“Jane” – not her real name – is a 30-year-old who joined the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and worked at the agency for three years after graduate school. Then, last year, she joined a nonprofit that specializes in community development. “I thought it would be more idealistic and flexible in terms of what we worked on and the work environment,” says Jane. “More ‘go get ’em’ and less bureaucratic. I was also disappointed by the pace and tone of a lot of the work among those I worked with at DOT. It was, ‘This is good enough. It doesn’t have to be perfect.’ ” And for many federal employees in the middle of their careers, there is stagnation.

“Bill,” a 20-year career veteran in a coveted policy position at a federal agency charged with disbursing federal benefits, says that for the army of those at his agency who directly disburse benefits, particularly at field offices, many are stuck in positions that require them to perform repetitive functions that become boring with time and that offer almost no hope for professional advancement.

The Good News

On the other hand, some say that there are other signs that interest in federal government employment remains high overall and among younger employees in particular.

“Based on both what we’re seeing from hard data and anecdotally, we are seeing signals that federal government service is still of interest to younger employees,” says Tim McManus, vice president for education and outreach at the

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the future of

FEderal service Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit federal policy organization. “The government is hiring more young people. In 2013, the federal government hired 80,000 people, of whom more than 24 percent were under age 30, whereas they only represent 7.1 percent of the federal workforce. So agencies are bringing in a good number of young people, more than in the past.”

SSA’s Wells agrees that there has been no shortage of applicants for his agency’s posted positions. Wells, whose agency ranked sixth highest among large federal government agencies in the Partnership for Public Service’s 2013 Best Places to Work survey, says he believes that a new generation can be drawn to long-term federal service.

“We believe that the SSA’s mission and commitment to public service provides millennials [the 18- to 33-year-old generational cohort] with the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on their communities,” Wells says. “Through our public contact positions, they can receive instant gratification from helping someone that is facing a critical life change. Contrary to popular opinion, it is cool to be a public servant!”

Many young federal employees do continue to welcome the opportunity to serve the public.

“I do plan to stay my entire career in federal government,” says Jordan Baker, a 34-year-old trademark examining attorney at the Patent and Trademark Office who joined the agency in 2005 and is a NARFE member. “I am still very excited about federal service as a choice. There are lots of different things you can do at an agency, especially at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where there are so many opportunities. There is also a deliberate pace to federal government service; I didn’t want to be in an environment of 80-hour workweeks. And I telework full time, which is a huge quality-of-life benefit, given I have a young family.”

And some younger employees who leave federal service come back – including Jane, the DOT employee who left to join a nonprofit organization last year. This past April, she returned to DOT after little more than a year at the nonprofit.

“The nonprofit job was not what I thought it would be,” Jane says. “There were not a lot of guiding principles there; it seemed the prior30

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ity was to raise more money, not to accomplish things. It also was very cutthroat: ‘This grant is mine, not yours; you can’t take credit for this or that.’ Also, it was very flat. There were not a lot of levels of management and not a lot of opportunities for advancement. That experience helped me realize what the federal government has to offer.”

A Global Fix?

Many view the federal organizational and compensation structure as dated and a hindrance to attracting the talented and ambitious to federal service. ICF’s Neal notes that the current 15 levels of the General Schedule system were designed when much of the federal workforce was clerical, but now many agency positions are clustered in higher-end professions, with many rapidly attaining the GS-13 to GS-15 level, resulting in little potential for future career advancement.

The Partnership for Public Service has called for radical reform of the civil service system, including a return to civil service-wide, rather than agency-specific, rules; a modernization of the pay and classification system that is more market- and performance-sensitive; increased performance management to reward high-performing managers and employees and develop or remove low performers; reform of the federal hiring practice to expedite hiring and make sure the best candidates are hired; and reform of the Senior Executive Service to increase responsibility and pay.

Others say such fundamental reforms are not warranted. “I do not agree [with the proposed reforms],” says National Treasury Employees Union National President Colleen Kelley. “We need to get back to a fair and reasonable federal pay raise; close the pay gap with the private sector; and ensure full compliance with federal employee rights, promotion opportunities and the competitive, merit-based system.”

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the future of

FEderal service Getting in the door

Despite all the challenges of federal employees over the past several years, perhaps the biggest challenge to attracting young individuals to federal service may be the hiring process.

“The existing competitive hiring process for the federal civil service ... along with the complexity of the rules governing admission to the career civil service, creates a barrier to recruiting and hiring students and recent graduates,” noted a 2010 Presidential Executive Order by President Barack Obama, which directed reform of OPM programs aimed at recruiting students and recent graduates to federal service.

In response, some reforms to federal hiring have already been made, such as the elimination of lengthy knowledge, skill and abilities essays formerly required of applicants.

The 2010 Executive Order established the Pathways Programs – comprised of the Internship Program for students from high school through post-graduate school, which replaced the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP); the Recent Graduates Program; and the revamped Presidential Management Fellows Program for graduates with advanced degrees.

Unfortunately, the timing of the launch of the Pathways Programs ran into the sequester, the shutdown and reduced budgets. This led to freezing of the programs at many agencies. Although they now have been reactivated or launched, the delay has reduced their impact to date.

OPM also is working on expediting the hiring process. OPM Director Archuleta recently told NARFE that attracting and recruiting young Americans into public service “is a top priority.”

She noted that OPM is working with agencies to ensure that job announcements are easier to understand. She also said that OPM is expanding its outreach to job seekers by increasing its use of technology, especially social media, by hiring a new social media director and by launching a new applicant website that will make onestop shopping possible, providing resources to applicants, ranging from how to tailor resumes for a job with government to how to apply to the Pathways Programs, all in one place. This year, Archuleta herself has visited numerous campuses 32

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across the country – as have other OPM staff members – to informally talk to students about federal employment.

Staying in Federal Service

A whole other set of problems confronts younger and middle-age federal employees once they are in government related to keeping them engaged.

Some say that without more decisive agency actions to carry out major agency-specific programmatic improvements, many in federal service will continue to feel that their mission of public service is under-realized. Bill, the midcareer policy employee, says that as a professional attempting to make his organization more efficient, he is frustrated by necessary reforms that are never implemented. He says that unless innovations are implemented at his agency to move it forward, he may start a second career outside of federal government after he reaches minimum retirement age.

OPM and some federal agencies are trying to address the issue of talent being siloed within agencies and within agency subunits. In April 2014, Archuleta sent a formal call requesting federal agencies to participate in the GovConnect Initiative, a cross-government talent exchange program, co-led by OPM and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), designed to create a culture of excellence based on collaboration and teamwork that responds to mission demands without being unnecessarily limited by organizational silos. Archuleta said that GovConnect would be designed to help all agencies test and scale talent exchange programs, enable employees to find project-based rotational assignments, and allow managers to reach into the broader federal workforce to fill critical skills needs.

EPA has been a leader in developing these programs, notes EPA spokesperson Liz Purchia. “EPA has introduced a number of programs that are designed to help improve internal communication,

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The insured may need to submit for reimbursement. State and/or local taxes may apply. Prices and products subject to change. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan will pay a hearing aid benefit up to $2,500 every 3 calendar years for adults age 22 and over, and up to a $2,500 total per calendar year for members up to age 22. Do not rely on this communication piece alone for complete benefit information. All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in your Service Benefit Plan brochure. The Blue365® Discount Program offers access to savings on items that you may purchase directly from independent vendors, which may be different from items covered under your Service Benefit Plan or any other applicable federal healthcare program. For hearing aids, acupuncture, chiropractic and vision services, you must exhaust your Service Benefit Plan benefits first. To find out what is covered under your policy, contact the Service Benefit Plan. The products and services described herein are neither offered not guaranteed under any local Blue company’s contract with the Medicare program. In addition, these items are not subject to the Medicare appeals 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 item and vendors made available through Blue365, at any time. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is an association of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies.

the future of

FEderal service collaboration, employee engagement and retention, a key part of making EPA a high-performing organization,” says Purchia. “The Skills Marketplace program, for example, offers employees an opportunity to work on projects in a different part of the agency for up to 20 percent of their time, without leaving their home office on detail.

The program helps boost employee development while at the same time giving managers access to talent across the agency to help get their critical work done.”

Wells notes that a few of SSA’s most recent new initiatives include: GovProject, a pilot program that will allow employees, despite geographical location, to participate in virtual teams within and across agency components and the Job Experience Learning Program, which allows SSA employees at SSA headquarters (HQ) the opportunity to work in a field office and, in turn, allows employees in the field to work in HQ components to gain experience and knowledge of HQ functions.

Phased retirement, the final rules for which were released by OPM in August, is also touted by many as a program that could provide mentorship, training and growth opportunities for younger and midcareer employees. Under the program, participating older employees will spend 20 percent of their time in mentoring activities to facilitate knowledge transfer to other employees within their agencies.

Some groups are trying to address the concerns of young federal employees. Young Government Leaders (YGL), a professional organization formed 10 years ago to develop young government leaders, has more than 7,000 members in more than 15 chapters.

“We have evolved over those 10 years,” YGL Chief Learning Officer Miguel Joey Aviles says.

“Initially, there were lots of events like happy hours and get-togethers. We have since been evolving into a learning and development organization. We want to make sure our emerging leaders have the right set of skills when facing the complex environment federal employees

Some groups are trying to address the concerns of young employees.

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face, particularly given that agencies are cutting budgets in huge increments, and normally the first thing to be cut is training.”

Facing a large bureaucracy, some federal employees are demonstrating an entrepreneurial flair in seeking to have an impact.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) Under 5 group was established in 2011 to improve the experience of HUD employees who have been at the agency for fewer than five years.

Among projects created by the organization, which now numbers more than 300 active members, nearly 3,000 listserv subscribers and a dozen field chapters in addition to the original headquarters office, was a rotational assignment pilot that allowed HUD employees the opportunity to take temporary assignments in different program offices. Rotations create a more flexible workforce, lead to better career opportunities and increase employee satisfaction, says Michael Lawyer, a cofounder of the group and special assistant to the chief human capital officer at HUD. In 2013, HUD also tested Innovation Time, a set-aside of four hours per week for participants to identify, consider, prototype and connect with others around the ideas they care about to improve the agency. One ongoing project launched by Innovation Time is a smartphone app that maps subsidized and affordable housing services and resources near the user.

So, will such agency and employee efforts ensure a new generation of committed career federal civil servants?

“It is probably true that fewer young federal employees will make federal service their full career,” says YGL’s Aviles. “On the other hand, other research says that when managers and agencies provide meaningful work, millennials are staying on the job. We are not going to leave a job when we feel challenged, valued, engaged, and where opportunities for networking, advancing and training are offered.”

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

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he Office of Personnel Management (OPM) October 7 announced that the average premium rate for enrollees in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) will increase 3.2 percent in 2015. OPM said it is slightly above the national average increase in 2015. It is the fourth consecutive year that increases were held to below 4 percent, OPM noted. Federal Benefits Open Season is November 10-December 8.

The average increase in the government share of premiums for 2015 will be 3.0 percent; the average enrollee share increase will be 3.8 percent. The employee share is growing faster than the government share because of enrollee selection, OPM said.

The changes in the enrollee share of premiums vary from plan to plan, but, on average, enrollees with self-only coverage will pay $2.93 more per biweekly pay period; enrollees with family coverage will pay $6.89 more.

Enrollees with self-only coverage in the popular Blue Cross/ Blue Shield Standard Option will

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pay $3.21 more per biweekly pay period (3.66 percent) in 2015 than 2014; those with family coverage will pay $8.33 more each pay period (4.06 percent).

Premiums for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) will increase an average of 4.0 percent, while fee-for-service (FFS) plans will see an average increase of 3.1 percent.

The tables on pages 37 and 38 provide lists of the six open-to-all,

FFS plans, the four restricted FFS plans and the largest participating HMOs; the 2015 cost of each plan for both employees and retirees; and the increase/decrease from 2014.

Rates listed are applicable to most federal employees as well as all retirees and survivors. Postal employees pay a different rate because of collective bargaining (Continued on p. 40)

Any increase in premiums means reduced take-home pay for federal employees

In response to the October 7 announcement that premiums in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) will rise an average of 3.2 percent in 2015, NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin said that while the increase is in line with the private sector, “any increase means reduced take-home pay for federal employees, who, at most, will receive a 1 percent pay raise next year.

“The health insurance premium increase will take another bite out of the already diminished paychecks of middle-class federal employees across the country,” he said. “Over the last four years, federal employees have endured a three-year pay freeze, reduced pay increases since then, and lost pay due to sequestration-related furloughs. Now comes a 3.2 percent increase in health insurance premiums on top of that. I call on members of Congress to appropriate sufficient funding to provide a pay raise next year for our hardworking federal civil servants.”

FEHBP premiums went up 7.3 percent in 2011, 3.8 percent in 2012, 3.4 percent in 2013 and 3.7 percent in 2014.

2015 premiums — Fee for Service

KEY: Employees pay biweekly Annuitants pay monthly

Enrollee Increase / Plan Option Code Total Premium Gov’t Pays Enrollee Pays Decrease

biweekly | monthly biweekly | monthly biweekly | monthly biweekly | monthly APWU High Self High Family CDHP self CDHP family

OPEN TO ALL 471 472 474 475

$258.69 | $560.50 $584.92 | $1,267.33 $185.24 | $401.35 $416.73 | $902.92

$194.02 | $420.38 $438.69 | $950.50 $138.93 | $301.01 $312.55 | $677.19

$64.67 | $140.12 $146.23 | $316.83 $46.31 | $100.34 $104.18 | $225.73

$1.58 | $3.42 $3.57 | $7.73 $1.35 | $2.92 $3.03 | $6.58

Blue Cross / Blue Shield Standard self 104 Standard family 105 Basic self 111 Basic family 112

$293.04 | $634.92 $661.88 | $1,434.07 $253.62 | $549.51 $593.86 | $1,286.70

$202.01 | $437.69 $448.57 | $971.90 $190.22 | $412.13 $445.40 | $965.03

$91.03 | $197.23 $213.31 | $462.17 $63.40 | $137.38 $148.46 | $321.67

$3.21 | $6.95 $8.33 | $18.05 $2.44 | $5.29 $5.71 | $12.37

GEHA High self High family Standard self Standard family HDHP self HDHP family

311 312 314 315 341 342

$296.26 | $641.90 $673.80 | $1,459.90 $196.18 | $425.06 $446.12 | $966.59 $203.47 | $440.85 $464.72 | $1,006.89

$202.01 | $437.69 $448.57 | $971.90 $147.14 | $318.80 $334.59 | $724.94 $152.60 | $330.64 $348.54 | $755.17

$94.25 | $204.21 $225.23 | $488.00 $49.04 | $106.26 $111.53 | $241.65 $50.87 | $110.21 $116.18 | $251.72

$.48 | $1.04 $2.26 | $4.90 $.96 | $2.08 $2.19 | $4.74 $.00 | $.00 $.00 | $.00

MHBP Value self Value family Standard self Standard family HDHP self HDHP family

414 415 454 455 481 482

$227.44 | $492.79 $542.24 | $1,174.85 $294.66 | $638.43 $674.36 | $1,461.11 $256.90 | $556.62 $582.10 | $1,261.22

$170.58 | $369.59 $406.68 | $881.14 $202.01 | $437.69 $448.57 | $971.90 $192.68 | $417.47 $436.58 | $945.92

$56.86 | $123.20 $135.56 | $293.71 $92.65 | $200.74 $225.79 | $489.21 $64.22 | $139.15 $145.52 | $315.30

$4.70 | $10.18 $11.20 | $24.25 $-3.87 | $-8.39 $-7.59 | $-16.44 $1.26 | $2.73 $2.85 | $6.18

NALC High self High family CDHP self CDHP family Value self Value family

321 322 324 325 KM1 KM2

$278.95 | $604.39 $604.27 | $1,309.25 $200.24 | $433.85 $434.79 | $942.05 $172.40 | $373.53 $374.38 | $811.16

$202.01 | $437.69 $448.57 | $971.90 $150.18 | $325.39 $326.09 | $706.54 $129.30 | $280.15 $280.79 | $608.37

$76.94 | $166.70 $155.70 | $337.35 $50.06 | $108.46 $108.70 | $235.51 $43.10 | $93.38 $93.59 | $202.79

$2.53 | $5.48 $4.65 | $10.08 $1.81 | $3.92 $3.93 | $8.51 $1.56 | $3.37 $3.38 | $7.33

SAMBA High self High family Standard self Standard family

441 442 444 445

$339.89 | $736.43 $800.46 | $1,734.33 $243.16 | $526.85 $555.35 | $1,203.26

$202.01 | $437.69 $448.57 | $971.90 $182.37 | $395.14 $416.51 | $902.45

$137.88 | $298.74 $351.89 | $762.43 $60.79 | $131.71 $138.84 | $300.81

$10.85 | $23.51 $27.17 | $58.87 $.00 | $.00 $.00 | $.00

RESTRICTED

Compass Rose Health Plan (members of the Intelligence Community, employees of Departments of Defense and State) High self 421 $279.49 | $605.56 $202.01 | $437.69 $77.48 | $167.87 $5.42 | $11.74 High family 422 $642.51 | $1,392.11 $448.57 | $971.90 $193.94 | $420.21 $13.76 | $29.82 Foreign Service Benefit Plan (American Foreign Service personnel, Departments of State and Defense, USAID, Foreign Agricultural and Commercial services, other executive branch employees assigned overseas; Foreign Service retirees) High self 401 $240.67 | $521.45 $180.50 | $391.09 $60.17 | $130.36 $2.32 | $5.01 High family 402 $593.00 | $1,284.83 $444.75 | $963.62 $148.25 | $321.21 $5.70 | $12.36 Rural Carrier Benefit Plan (active and retired rural letter carriers) High self 381 $292.49 | $633.73 $202.01 | $437.69 High family 382 $557.72 | $1,208.39 $418.29 | $906.29

$90.48 | $196.04 $139.43 | $302.10

$3.19 | $6.91 $.00 | $.00

Panama Canal Area Benefit Plan High self 431 $222.72 | $482.56 High family 432 $464.88 | $1,007.24

$55.68 | $120.64 $116.22 | $251.81

$4.13 | $8.94 $8.61 | $18.65

$167.04 | $361.92 $348.66 | $755.43

w w w. n a r f e . o r g

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Open Season Report

2015 premiums — largest hmos*

KEY: Employees pay biweekly Annuitants pay monthly

Enrollee Increase / Total Premium Gov’t Pays Enrollee Pays Decrease State(s) Plan Option Code biweekly | monthly biweekly | monthly biweekly | monthly biweekly | monthly

DC, MD, VA M.D.-IPA

High self JP1 $314.55 | $681.53 $202.01 | $437.69 $112.54 | $243.84 $19.10 | $41.39

High family JP2 $725.30 | $1,571.48 $448.57 | $971.90 $276.73 | $599.58 $45.39 | $98.35 CA

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of N. California High self 591 $359.81 | $779.59 $202.01 | $437.69 High family 592 $858.89 | $1,860.93 $448.57 | $971.90 Standard self 594 $301.78 | $653.86 $202.01 | $437.69 Standard family 595 $706.16 | $1,530.01 $448.57 | $971.90

DC

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Mid-Atlantic States High self E31 $279.94 | $606.54 $202.01 | $437.69 High family E32 $643.87 | $1,395.05 $448.57 | $971.90 Standard self E34 $181.53 | $393.32 $136.15 | $294.99 Standard family E35 $417.50 | $904.58 $313.13 | $678.44 Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of S. California High self 621 $266.38 | $577.16 $199.79 | $432.87 High family 622 $615.65 | $1,333.91 $448.57 | $971.90 Standard self 624 $172.81 | $374.42 $129.61 | $280.82 Standard family 625 $399.39 | $865.35 $299.54 | $649.01

CA

$157.80 | $341.90 $410.32 | $889.03 $99.77 | $216.17 $257.59 | $558.11

$-5.33 | $-11.55 $-10.95 | $-23.72 $-5.33 | $-11.55 $-10.95 | $-23.72

$77.93 | $168.85 $195.30 | $423.15 $45.38 | $98.33 $104.37 | $226.14

$-.19 | $-.41 $.88 | $1.91 $.86 | $1.87 $1.97 | $4.28

$66.59 | $144.29 $167.08 | $362.01 $43.20 | $93.60 $99.85 | $216.34

$1.64 | $3.56 $4.19 | $9.08 $1.58 | $3.41 $3.64 | $7.89

DC, MD, VA Aetna Open Access High self JN1 High family JN2 Basic self JN4 Basic family JN5

$426.78 | $924.69 $955.97 | $2,071.27 $265.88 | $576.07 $594.52 | $1,288.13

$202.01 | $437.69 $448.57 | $971.90 $199.41 | $432.05 $445.89 | $966.10

HI HMSA High self High family

871 872

$230.00 | $498.33 $511.96 | $1,109.25

$172.50 | $373.75 $383.97 | $831.94

$57.50 | $124.58 $127.99 | $277.31

801 802 804 805

$359.25 | $778.38 $898.21 | $1,946.12 $270.09 | $585.20 $613.31 | $1,328.84

$202.01 | $437.69 $448.57 | $971.90 $202.01 | $437.69 $448.57 | $971.90

$157.24 | $340.69 $449.64 | $974.22 $68.08 | $147.51 $164.74 | $356.94

NJ-NY

GHI Health Plan High self High family Standard self Standard family

CA

United Healthcare of California (Formerly PacifiCare) High self CY1 $297.25 | $644.04 $202.01 | $437.69 High family CY2 $679.23 | $1,471.67 $448.57 | $971.90 Standard self CY4 $251.45 | $544.81 $188.59 | $408.61 Standard family CY5 $576.15 | $1,248.33 $432.11 | $936.25

$224.77 | $487.00 $8.46 | $18.33 $507.40 | $1,099.37 $19.97 | $43.27 $66.47 | $144.02 $1.76 | $3.81 $148.63 | $322.03 $3.93 | $8.52 $4.99 | $10.81 $11.11 | $24.06 $6.82 | $14.78 $19.43 | $42.10 $2.84 | $6.16 $9.79 | $21.22

$95.24 | $206.35 $-10.08 | $-21.84 $230.66 | $499.77 $-21.80 | $-47.02 $62.86 | $136.20 $2.36 | $5.11 $144.04 | $312.08 $5.41 | $11.72

*Based on information provided by the Office of Personnel Management. If your plan is not listed, it simply means that your plan is not one of the largest.

Open Season changes for employees are effective at the beginning of the first pay period after January 1, 2015. Changes for retirees and survivor annuitants are effective January 1, 2015, and premium changes will be reflected in February 1, 2015,

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annuity payments. If verified enrollment is required, the change notice from OPM should suffice for annuitants, the notification from their agency will suffice for employees. For more information, go to www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare.

Is my doctor in the network?

Get answers to your health plan questions at GEHA. You have important questions about your health plan. GEHA has answers. It’s one of the many reasons federal employees choose GEHA at Open Season: • A nationwide network with nearly 2 million provider locations, • Annual eye exams for just $5, in-network, and • Health Rewards valued at $250.

Join GEHA President Richard Miles for a live online chat (Tuesday, October 28, at noon ET) at geha.com.

(800) 262-GEHA • geha.com/GetAnswers

/GEHAhealth This is a brief description of the features of GEHA. For complete information on benefits, see the GEHA Plan Brochure, RI 71-006. All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations and exclusions set forth in the federal brochure.

© 2014 Government Employees Health Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

Open Season Report

(Continued from p. 36) agreements. Please note: Employees pay premiums on a biweekly basis; retirees pay premiums on a monthly basis.

For a listing of all premiums, go to OPM’s website, www.opm.gov/ healthcare-insurance/healthcare.

The maximum 2015 monthly government contribution will be $437.69 for self-only coverage and $971.90 for family coverage. (See story on p. 36 for NARFE’s reaction to OPM’s announcement of 2015 FEHBP premium rates.)

Changes for 2015

OPM said there are no significant benefit changes for 2015 and more plan choices.

New HMO Plans. FEHBP HMO plans are available in every

state. Four new HMO plans will be added to the FEHBP for 2015: • United Healthcare, codes L9, in the District of Columbia; Chicagio, IL; Maryland; San Antonio, TX; and Northern Virginia; and LV, in parts of Florida and Atlanta, GA; • Priority Health, code A5, in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan; • Keystone Health Plan West, code NP, in Western Pennsylvania; and • Innovation Health Plan, code LQ, in Northern Virginia.

Service Area Reductions.

One plan will reduce its service area: Aetna Open Access, codes HY1 and HY2 (Kansas and Missouri).

Plan Terminations. Five HMO plans will drop out of the FEHBP after December 31, 2014: • United Healthcare of the

ways to get OPM OPen Season Info

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced several ways to get information on Federal Benefits Open Season 2014. They are: • the Web: Information about Open Season can be found at www.opm.gov/openseason.

• FACEBOOK: Employees and retirees can get the latest updates on Open Season and participate in discussions with other federal employees, retirees and their family members about federal insurance options by visiting the Federal Benefits Open Season Facebook page, www.facebook. com/fedbenefits.

• TWITTER: Employees, retirees and their family members can get the latest updates on Open Season by subscribing to the Federal Benefits Twitter account, twitter.com/insurefeds.

• LIVE WEB CHAT WITH Q&A: There will be a live web chat Q & A session in November to give employees and retirees an opportunity to learn more about the federal benefits programs. This is an opportunity for employees and annuitants to submit related questions to a panel of subjectmatter experts. The exact date and time as well as the link for viewing the chat will be posted to www.opm.gov/openseason in early November.

Thinking About Retirement? More information for employees thinking about retirement and their federal employee health benefits can be found on the OPM website. For FEHBP and retirement, go to www.opm.gov/ thinkfehb; for FEDVIP and retirement, go to opm.gov/thinkfedvip.

Midwest, codes B91 and B92, in Illinois and Missouri; • Coventry Health Care, codes IG1, IG2, IG4, IG5, GZ1 and GZ2, in Maryland; • Total Health Care USA, codes A51 and A52, in Michigan; • Anthem Healthkeepers Inc., codes A91 and A92, in Virginia; and • Optima Health Plan, codes 9R1, 9R2, 9R4 and 9R5, in Virginia.

The 25,248 federal enrollees in these plans must select new coverage during Open Season.

Plans generally decide to withdraw from the FEHBP based on an assessment of enrollment, utilization and premium. However, OPM can initiate a termination if it determines that a plan is no longer able to meet its contractual obligations to the program.

All enrollees in an HMO should review their plan’s 2015 brochure to see if they still live or work in their plan’s service area.

Information Sources

Active Employees. Federal agencies will provide employees with Open Season information and sources for more information.

Employees who do not receive Open Season information by November 10 should contact their personnel or administrative office.

Annuitants and Survivor Annuitants. OPM will provide Open Season information to most eligible annuitants, survivor annuitants and former spouse annuitants. Those who do not receive Open Season notices by November 10 should contact OPM. Plans will not automatically send enrollees their 2015 brochure. You must request one or download it from the OPM website.

—Federal Benefits Service Department

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Quality health plans & benefits Healthier living Financial well-being Intelligent solutions

A whole new level of value for federal retirees Introducing Aetna Direct

Aetna Direct is unlike any other federal health plan you’ve seen. It’s not Medicare, but it works seamlessly with Medicare. With Aetna Direct you can get unmatched value for your money – low plan premiums, low out-of-pocket costs, and a large national network of doctors. Aetna Direct is a whole new level of value with: • Low monthly premiums – below the federal average • A fund to help you pay Medicare Part B premiums ($750/self and $1,500/self+family) • Waived deductibles and copayments for medical services – if Medicare Part A and Part B are primary and your provider accepts Medicare assignment

Call or go online for more details If you’re a federal retiree, and currently enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, check us out. There’s not been a federal plan quite like Aetna Direct.

See why it could be the right plan for you.

Learn more

Visit aetnafeds.com/aetnadirect or call 1-855-277-4356 This open season

Health benefits and health insurance plans are offered by Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates. This is a brief description of the features of this Aetna health benefits plan. Before making a decision, please read the plan’s applicable federal brochure(s). All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations and exclusions set forth in the federal brochure. Plan features and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Aetna does not provide care or guarantee access to health services. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to www.aetnafeds.com. ©2014 Aetna Inc.

2014088

Open Season Report

FEHBP FAQs for open season

W

ill provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affect my health plan’s benefits under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)?

No, if you are asking whether the ACA will reduce benefits coverage provided by the plans participating in the FEHBP. None of the provisions of the health care law directly affect or require plans to reduce benefits. But maybe, if the seven new taxes mandated by the law on the entire health insurance industry lead to the plans passing the costs along to enrollees through higher premiums.

H

ow should I go about choosing an FEHBP plan?

Review your health care needs for the past year or two and consider the kinds of care you think you may need during the next year.

If you or a family member have been using a lot of hospital inpatient care, and you think you will continue to use that kind of care, choose a plan that has excellent hospital inpatient coverage. These include health maintenance organization (HMO) plans and any fee-for-service (FFS) plans with good preferred provider arrangements with hospitals.

If you think you need better coverage for outpatient doctors’ visits, diagnostic tests or prescriptions, choose an HMO or an FFS plan that has good preferred provider agreements with a wide variety of doctors and labs.

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Before you change to another plan, obtain and review the brochure for that plan, and check on the availability of preferred providers.

A

re there waiting periods for benefits, limitations or exclusions on pre-existing conditions?

FEHBP plans cannot, by law, impose waiting periods, exclusions or limits on benefits because of a pre-existing condition. There is no medical underwriting in the FEHBP.

I

s it possible to make a serious mistake in choosing a plan in the FEHBP?

All FEHBP plans are good. All cover hospital and physician care, prescriptions, outpatient diagnostic lab tests, treatment of mental illness, home health care, routine mammograms for women over 35, routine prostate cancer tests for men over 40 and smoking cessation programs. Some also cover special benefits such as acupuncture and dental care. In addition, many HMOs provide more comprehensive preventive care.

Generally, you can make a serious mistake only if you enroll in: a costly plan or option when you don’t need one; a plan that doesn’t cover a specific benefit when you need it; self-only coverage when you need family coverage, or vice versa; or, if you live outside the continental United States and Puerto Rico, and enroll in a plan that does not offer “overseas” benefits.

W

hich benefit is the most important to consider?

For those not enrolled in Medicare Part B, the catastrophic protection benefit is very important.

It puts a dollar limit on what you have to pay out-of-pocket in terms of co-payments and coinsurance for the expenses that the plan covers. Considering the catastrophic protection benefits for a two-option plan, it is not possible generally to recover enough in additional high-option benefits to offset the much higher premiums.

However, you should carefully compare the options, especially prescription drug coverage.

M

y health plan will continue to participate in the FEHBP next year.

What do I do if I want to stay with my present enrollment?

Don’t do anything. Your present coverage is automatically continued unless you make a change or unless your plan or option is terminated. (Retirees and survivor annuitants, see “Low Annuity” note on p. 44.)

M

y health plan will not be participating next year.

What happens if I do not change to another plan before Open Season ends?

Federal employees: You must elect a new plan, or you will not have any FEHBP coverage in 2015.

Retirees and survivor annuitants: OPM will enroll you automatically in Blue Cross/ Blue Shield (Standard) if you do

Open Season: November 10 to December 8, 2014

With the APWU Health Plan’s High Option and Medicare you can go to any doctor or facility you wish. We coordinate with Medicare for you. Many retirees prefer the APWU Health Plan because of its affordable premium and excellent coverage.

See your steps to better health: No deductible or coinsurance on covered expenses * 100% coverage for lab tests when performed by LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics Discounts on eye care and hearing needs Diabetes & Hypertension Management offers $0 costs for generic medicine and lab tests ** Pharmacy benefits include mail order with auto refills Cancer Centers of Excellence covered at 95% Preventive care and screenings paid at 100%** Affordable monthly premiums for High Option members *High Option members with Medicare Part A and B ** In-network

1-800-222-2798 | www.apwuhp.com Click on "Open Season"

Open Season Report

Got questions about Medicare and the FEHBP? NARFE’s got the answers at “Medicare and the FEHBP” at www.narfe.org.

not choose a new plan. If your plan terminates the option in which you are enrolled for 2014, 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 2015.

W

hat are the advantages/disadvantages to HMO enrollment?

HMOs offer a good alternative to FFS plans. HMOs cover hospital and physician care and prescriptions, but they stress preventive care, covering routine physicals, immunizations and well-baby

Important Reminders for all FEHBP Participants • Research Preferred Providers. Feefor-service (FFS) plans use preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and doctors to help contain program costs and keep premiums at a reasonable rate. Usually, you will save a lot on out-of-pocket costs if you use your plan’s preferred hospitals or doctors. However, PPO arrangements are business contracts that are not always renewed. PPO arrangements can be made and also can be discontinued from one year to the next. In addition, there may not be PPO arrangements in all parts of the country. If you are enrolled in an FFS plan or thinking of enrolling in one, you should check with the hospitals and doctors you use and ask them if they are PPO providers in your plan. You also can review your plan’s PPO directory to see if your doctor or hospital is a PPO provider for your plan.

• Ask Questions. Be careful to confirm information in your plan’s brochure by speaking with a plan representative. Do not assume anything. For example, plans may describe benefits in terms of “annual” or “annually.” This would seem to mean “each year,” when, in fact, it may mean that a year must have elapsed before it will cover you again. Also, while a hospital may be a PPO for your plan, not all departments in that hospital are PPO providers. Hospitals contract out much of their emergency room, technical and lab work to other groups that may not be PPO providers for your plan, and you will pay more for their services.

• ID Cards. New plan identification cards showing your enrollment are issued by the health plan. If you do not change to another plan or option during Open Season, you don’t necessarily get a new ID card from the plan.

Important Reminders for Annuitants and Survivors • Open Season Notification. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will send you notification by mail or electronically if you have provided OPM with your email address. Both notices will provide details on Open Season and guidance on how to obtain information and materials.

• PLAN PARTICIPATION. Make sure your current plan will participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) for 2015. This is especially important if you are currently enrolled in a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan.

• Staying Put. If, after reading your current plan’s brochure – particularly about changes and premiums for 2015 – you decide to continue your current coverage, you do not have to do anything. Your enrollment in your current plan will continue into 2015, and the new premiums will be deducted from your February 1, 2015, monthly annuity payment.

• Making a Change. For Open Season changes, call the Open Season Express number provided in your FEHBP Open Season notice, log on to Open

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Season Online at the Internet address provided in your Open Season notice, or contact the Open Season Processing Center provided in your Open Season notice.

• Low Annuity. If your monthly annuity is not enough to cover your plan’s 2015 premiums, you must either change to a less-costly option or change to a plan that you can afford. You also may pay your monthly premiums directly to OPM if you want to stay with your current plan but your monthly annuity is not sufficient to withhold the premium amount.

• Medicare Enrollees. Make sure you read your plan brochure’s sections titled “When You Have Medicare” and “Coordinating Benefits With Other Coverage.”

• Age 65 and Not Enrolled in Medicare.

Fee-for-service (FFS) plans include a section in their brochures titled “When You Are Age 65 or Over and Do Not Have Medicare.” This section details how, by law, the plan must use Medicare’s approved amounts on which to base its payments.

Smile! Choose the MetLife Federal Dental Plan for a picture perfect smile.

Open Season Enrollment: Nov 10Dec 8, 2014

THE METLIFE FEDERAL DENTAL PLAN The 500,000 federal employees and annuitants who’ve already chosen us have plenty of reasons to smile. So many, in fact, 95% of our customers would recommend us to friends.* • No waiting period to receive benefits • No deductible, no co-pay, and no out-of-pocket costs for all in-network preventive care • A choice of two plan options including one with a $20,000 annual maximum and orthodontia coverage for adults and children • 15-45% savings when you visit any network dentist**

Enroll at 1-877-888-FEDS, or for more information visit federaldental.metlife.com * 2013 Plan Participant Survey. Results based on participants who visited a network dentist and reported that they would probably recommend (37%) or definitely recommend (58%) their MetLife PPO Dental plan to a friend. ** Savings from enrolling in a dental benefits plan will depend on various factors, including plan design and premiums, how often participants visit the dentist and the cost of services rendered.

Covers dependent children through the end of the month of their 19th birthday. Like most group benefit programs, benefit programs offered by MetLife and its affiliates contain certain exclusions, exceptions, reductions, limitations, waiting periods, and terms for keeping them in force. Please contact MetLife or your plan administrator for costs and complete details. ©2014 Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York, NY 10166. PEANUTS © 2014 Peanuts Worldwide LLC. L0914390300[exp0915][All States][DC,GU,MP,PR,VI]

Open Season Report

care. Many HMOs offer more comprehensive coverage (including dental) at lower premiums than FFS plans. HMO plans tend to be offered more frequently in urban areas than in rural areas.

For most care, enrollees must use doctors and hospitals that are approved by the HMO or with which the HMO has working agreements. Most HMOs require that an enrollee’s care be coordinated by a primary care physician.

Compared to FFS plans, enrollee access to specialists is more limited under an HMO plan.

HMOs generally limit benefits outside of their full service areas to emergency services only.

Doctors’ contracts with HMO plans do not necessarily run from

January 1 through December 31, which means that a plan doctor may leave the plan during the FEHBP contract year.

The FEHBP frequently adds new plans and drops others, particularly HMOs. Also, HMO plans might change the area of coverage, dropping some ZIP codes and adding others. Make sure to check coverage areas.

H

ow would an HDHP/HSA or HDHP/HRA help an FEHBP member?

HDHP stands for high-deductible insurance plan. Monthly premiums may be lower than traditional feefor-service or HMO plans. Anyone enrolled in an HDHP may be eligible for a health savings account

UHC3454 FedNARFEad_Layout 1 7/23/14 2:13 PM Page 1

(HSA) or a health reimbursement account (HRA). Medicare-eligible enrollees cannot open an HSA. The combination of an HDHP and HSA or HRA provides insurance coverage and catastrophic coverage, and a tax-advantaged way to save for future medical expenses. It provides you greater flexibility and discretion over how to use your health care dollars.

However, HDHP coverage may not be appropriate for retirees or those with higher annual health care costs. And, if you or a member of your family gets very sick, you would have to meet your plan’s catastrophic limit, which could be as much as $10,000 outof-pocket in a calendar year.

—Federal Benefits Service Department

Vision wellness for a healthier, stronger America.

Did you know 80% of vision loss is preventable?* UnitedHealthcare Vision offers two plans that include an annual comprehensive eye exam, savings on progressive no-line bifocals, and much more! Whatever your individual or family need is we make it easy to maintain healthy eyes and save money while you’re at it. Protect the precious gift of sight and your overall health.

FEDVIP Open Season Enrollment at: www.benefeds.com or 1.877.888.3337 November 10 – December 8

2015

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

*WHO, 2010.

UnitedHealthcare Vision® coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, located in Hartford, Connecticut, or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by Spectera, Inc., United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates.

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Snap that selfie – there are many reasons to smile.

Delta Dental’s Federal Employees Dental Program offers active employees, annuitants and their family members two great plans. Join over 60 million others and choose Delta Dental for affordable rates, 100% coverage for in-network preventive care services and a robust nationwide network of dentists.

Don’t miss out!

Sign up by December 8th BENEFEDS.com

deltadentalfeds.org

Choose the coverage that makes you smile. Choose Delta Dental.

Open Season Report

FEDVIP Premiums

T

he average premium increase for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) will be 1.7 percent for dental and 1.5 percent for vision, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced October 7. FEDVIP is separate and different from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP).

OPM has contracted with 12 insurance carriers to provide comprehensive coverage under 14 different plans.

Dental Insurance

There are 10 dental plans: • Aetna Life Insurance Company; • Delta Dental; • Dominion Dental; • FEP Blue Dental (Blue Cross/ Blue Shield); • Humana; • Government Employees Health Association, Inc. (GEHA); • EmblemHealth, Inc.; • MetLife, Inc.; • Triple-S Salud; and • United Concordia Companies, Inc. Dental plans will provide a comprehensive range of services, including the following: • Class A (Basic) services, which include oral examinations, prophylaxis, diagnostic evaluations, sealants and X-rays.

• Class B (Intermediate) services, which include restorative procedures such as fillings, prefabricated stainless steel crowns, periodontal scaling, tooth extractions and denture adjustments.

• Class C (Major) services, which include endodontic services such as root canals, periodontal services such as gingivectomy, major restorative services such as 48

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crowns, oral surgery, bridges and prosthodontic services such as complete dentures.

• Class D (Orthodontic) services with up to a 12-month waiting period.

Please review the dental plans’ benefits material for detailed information on the benefits covered, cost-sharing requirements and provider directories.

Vision Insurance

There are four vision plans: • Aetna Life Insurance Company; • FEP BlueVision (Blue Cross/ Blue Shield); • UnitedHealthcare Vision Plan; and • Vision Service Plan (VSP).

Vision plans will provide comprehensive eye examinations and coverage for lenses, frames and contact lenses (in lieu of eyeglasses). There are no deductibles or waiting periods. Other benefits such as discounts on lasik surgery may also be available.

You must review the vision plans’ benefits material for detailed information on the benefits covered, cost-sharing requirements and provider directories.

premiums

Premiums will vary by plan and by enrollment type.

Premiums for the nationwide and regional dental plans are based on home ZIP codes. (For most dental plans, there are five “rating areas” for each carrier. The rating areas for each carrier are not the same for all plans. See the specific plan brochure or call the plan’s customer service number to determine your region and premium.)

There is no government contribution to FEDVIP premiums.

If you are a federal employee, your premiums will be taken from your salary on a pretax basis when your salary is sufficient to make the premium withholding.

If you are an annuitant, premiums will be withheld from your monthly annuity check when your annuity is sufficient. Based on the Internal Revenue Service Code, pretax premiums are not available to annuitants.

For information on each plan’s premiums, visit www.opm.gov/ healthcare-insurance/dentalvision/plan-information.

FEDVIP Fast Facts

Eligibility. Federal and U.S. Postal Service employees eligible for the FEHBP or the Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange), unless excluded by law or regulation, are eligible to enroll in FEDVIP. Annuitants are eligible regardless of FEHBP or Health Insurance Marketplace eligibility.

Enrollment options. The following options are available: • Self-only. Covers only the enrolled employee or annuitant; • Self-plus-one. Covers the enrolled employee or annuitant plus one eligible family member specified by the enrollee; • Self-and-family. Covers the enrolled employee or annuitant and all eligible family members.

Eligible family members.

Eligible family members include your spouse, unmarried dependent children under age 22, and unmarried dependent children age 22 or over incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that existed before age 22.

Note: The Affordable Care Act does not mandate coverage under dental and vision plans for dependents up to age 26.

How do I keep my smile?

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© 2014 Government Employees Health Association, Inc. All rights reserved. © 2014 Government Employees Health Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

Managing Money

Isolating IRA basis for Tax-Free distributions

T

raditional individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are, for the most part, funded with pretax dollars and grow tax-deferred until the money

is withdrawn from the IRA. However, it’s possible for after-tax dollars to find their way into traditional IRAs. When this happens, the IRA is said to contain basis; and while you don’t have to pay tax on the basis again at the time of distribution, you are not permitted to isolate the basis for the purpose of a tax-free distribution or Roth IRA conversion. Instead, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) applies what is known as the pro-rata rule, which essentially forces you to account for your basis proportionately with each distribution or conversion.

While the pro-rata rule catches many by surprise, it may be possible for you to circumvent it and, at the same time, convert your basis to a Roth IRA without incurring additional tax liability.

Before we get into the specifics, let’s cover a few of the common ways you may end up with basis in a traditional IRA. For starters, your contributions to a traditional IRA may have been considered nondeductible in years that your income exceeded the IRS thresholds for making deductible (pretax) contributions. Also, some employer-sponsored plans − such as 401(k)s − permit after-tax contributions (not to be confused with Roth accounts

50

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now offered in employer plans).

Such after-tax contributions may go into a traditional IRA when the employer plan is rolled over into an IRA. Another possibility, and one I find common among federal employees, is when Civil Service Retirement System participants have transferred their entire voluntary contribution account (which is funded with after-tax dollars) to a traditional IRA. When you have basis in a traditional IRA and you take a distribution or perform a Roth IRA conversion, the pro-rata rule requires you to aggregate all of your traditional IRAs (including SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs) to determine the percent of the distribution or conver-

By Mark A. Keen,

CFP®

sion that will be considered basis and, therefore, tax-free.

The amount that will be considered basis is the proportion of nondeductible contributions to the total value of all your IRA accounts.

For example, let’s assume John has two IRA accounts – one valued at $25,000 and consisting entirely of after-tax contributions. His other IRA account consists of pretax contributions and tax-deferred earnings and is valued at $75,000. John’s basis represents 25 percent of his total IRA money, and the pretax money represents the other 75 percent.

Regardless of which IRA John decides to take a distribution from (or convert to a Roth IRA), 75 percent of the distribution (or conversion) will be taxable, and 25 percent (the pro-rata portion of the basis) will be tax-free.

While the pro-rata rule typically applies to all distributions − as well as to any Roth conversion − there is a special rule that permits participants to transfer only the pretax money in IRA accounts to an eligible retirement plan, including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). This special rule permits you to isolate and leave only basis in an IRA account as long as the amount remaining is at least equal to the basis.

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

Let’s now assume that John, from the previous example, owns a TSP account in addition to his two IRAs. Since the TSP permits participants to transfer money from a traditional IRA into a TSP account, John may transfer the $75,000 in pretax money from his IRA accounts to his TSP account, which will leave $25,000 − consisting entirely of basis − remaining in his IRA. At this point, John may take the $25,000 from his IRA as a tax-free

distribution (he’s already paid tax on the money, so the IRS won’t tax it again), or he may wish to convert the basis to a Roth IRA – tax-free – and enjoy years of tax-free growth and distributions.

In this example, John had multiple IRAs, but that is not a requirement for this to work. Furthermore, if you like the flexibility IRAs provide, you may transfer the money from the TSP back into an IRA. Of course, you’ll need to make sure you understand and follow the TSP distribution rules.

If you have basis in an IRA, you may want to consider this special rule to maximize the potential of this after-tax money. Additional information may be found in IRS Publication 590.

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

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Witness the stunning views of Inverness and Loch Ness where you’ll take a short scenic cruise. Continue to the Isle of Skye and Fort William, near the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Head South along Scotland’s shoreline into Argyll with a visit to Inveraray Castle. Complete your vacation in Glasgow, the biggest city in Scotland for a city tour where you’ll visit the popular park - Glasgow Green and George Square. Tour includes eight breakfasts and four dinners.

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51

The Informed Citizen

Vote, then meet the elect

B

y the time you read this column, voting in the midterm elections will be well underway via absentee voting, early voting and vote-only-by-mail. In certain markets where there is a seriously contested office, candidate advertisements and ads purchased by independent groups may preempt all other kinds of radio and television advertising. Understandably, you may be overwhelmed by the frequency; even repulsed by the content; and just want the advertising, especially negative ads, to stop. Once the political airwaves go silent and all the votes are counted, there will be a new opportunity for NARFE members if we stay tuned in while most tune out.

Election Day, Then Congress Returns to Capitol Hill Despite the public’s low regard for Congress as a whole, most incumbents are almost certain to win re-election. Once all the polling places close on election day, November 4, the winners will take a brief victory lap, shaking hands with their supporters. Then, both the re-elected and the defeated will return to Capitol Hill for a “lame duck” session expected to begin on November 12. The agenda and duration of this last stand for the 113th Congress is unknown. It most likely will depend on the outcome of the election, especially the battle for the Senate, and, perhaps, on world events.

While the lame-duck session occupies the current office holders, the first-time winners will be transitioning from candidates to members-elect. New-member orientation, including sessions

52

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with the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, will overlap with highly partisan pitches from current party leaders and candidates for party leadership positions. Memberselect for the 114th Congress (2015-2016) are expected to elect party leaders during the week before Thanksgiving.

Another Chance For Face-to-Face Meetings NARFE’s opportunity after November 4 happens only if officers and activists immediately seek out the newly elected, especially challengers who unexpectedly upset an incumbent. Requests for these meetings will have to have been planned in advance.

NARFE leaders, especially congressional district liaisons, will need to be nimble. Flexibility and coordination will be paramount. Be prepared for the candidate who, when phoned for

By Christopher Farrell, Legislative Representative

a meeting, asks, “Can you come over now?”

Campaign’s End Game It may not be too late to volunteer in the final stages of the campaign for the congressional candidate of your choice. Becoming a familiar face at a campaign office could provide entrée after the election when the office serves as temporary headquarters for the transition. Another option is to offer to work for a candidate’s election-day efforts, perhaps greeting voters at your own polling place.

Why get involved in a congressional campaign even so late in the race? Because campaigns want something you have – your vote. Campaigns aim to please; they want to say yes to every voter. But don’t be easily deceived.

The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Use the “How They Voted” feature in the October issue of narfe magazine.

These 12 pages are available to members at www.narfe.org/ pdf/2014VoteAnalysis.pdf).

Finally, stay up late and attend a victory party. Throughout the campaign and during the term of office, NARFE members should always be seeking face-to-face meetings with our elected officials. In this endeavor or any other, please call upon the NARFE Legislative Department staff, at leg@narfe.org, if there is a way for us to help.

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2013 2014 2013 2014

For the Record

Thrift Savings Plan Monthly Returns G FUND

F FUND

C FUND

S FUND

I FUND

OCTOBER

0.19%

0.89%

4.60%

2.94%

3.38%

NOVEMBER

0.18%

(0.35%)

3.05%

2.49%

0.75%

DECEMBER

0.19%

(0.56%)

2.54%

2.94%

1.51%

JANUARY

0.21%

1.58%

(3.45%)

(1.91%)

(4.03%)

FEBRUARY

0.18%

0.62%

4.58%

5.43%

5.58%

March

0.19%

(0.15%)

0.85%

(0.69%)

(0.57%)

APRIL

0.20%

0.90%

0.75%

(2.47%)

1.51%

MAY

0.20%

1.21%

2.35%

1.52%

1.72%

June

0.19%

0.14%

2.07%

4.45%

0.99%

JULY

0.19%

(0.19%)

(1.37%)

(4.38%)

(1.95%)

AUGUST

0.20%

1.12%

4.01%

4.98%

(0.14%)

SEPTEMBER

0.18%

(0.58%)

(1.40%)

(5.10%)

(3.82%)

YTD

1.75%

4.73%

8.41%

1.18%

(1.06%)

LAST 12 MO

2.32%

4.70%

19.83%

9.89%

4.59%

10 yr

3.61%

5.25%

7.12%

10.79%

8.39%

L INCOME

L 2020

L 2030

L 2040

L 2050

OCTOBER

1.01%

2.23%

2.75%

3.11%

3.47%

NOVEMBER

0.58%

1.24%

1.54%

1.74%

1.93%

DECEMBER

0.58%

1.25%

1.56%

1.77%

1.98%

JANUARY

(0.42%)

(1.57%)

(2.04%)

(2.35%)

(2.71%)

FEBRUARY

1.15%

2.73%

3.44%

3.94%

4.44%

MARCH

0.19%

0.17%

0.14%

0.12%

0.09%

APRIL

0.31%

0.39%

0.37%

0.32%

0.32%

MAY

0.64%

1.20%

1.46%

1.63%

1.78%

JUNE

0.58%

1.19%

1.52%

1.77%

1.96%

JULY

(0.26%)

(0.97%)

(1.34%)

(1.63%)

(1.86%)

0.84%

1.64%

2.07%

2.40%

2.61%

(0.42%)

(1.36%)

(1.84%)

(2.18%)

(2.50%)

YTD

2.61%

3.38%

3.70%

3.88%

3.97%

LAST 12 MO

4.86%

8.35%

9.88%

10.92%

11.82%

AUGUST SEPTEMBER

THIS CHART is provided as a service to NARFE members who enrolled in the Thrift Savings Plan while employed by the federal government. Retirees are not eligible for enrollment. These returns are net of the effect of accrued administrative expenses and investment expenses/costs. Percentages in () are negative. Source: TSP G Fund: Government securities (specially issued to the TSP) F Fund: Government, corporate and mortgage-backed bonds C Fund: Stocks of large- and medium-size U.S. companies S Fund: Stocks of small- to medium-size U.S. companies (not included in the C Fund) I Fund: International stocks of 21 developed countries L Fund: Invested in the G, F, C, S and I Funds (The proportion of L Fund balance invested in each of the individual TSP funds depends on the L Fund chosen.)

54

| n o v

2 0 14

Markets retreat in september Following their August rebound, global markets reversed course in September over continued anxieties about overseas growth, regional geopolitical tensions and a strengthening U.S. dollar. The fixed-income markets (F Fund) pulled back on fears that the Federal Reserve would begin raising interest rates sooner than planned, sometime in early to mid-2015. Smallcap stocks (S Fund) fell hardest, as they are the most sensitive to the rising cost of debt. International equities (I Fund) continued to retreat due to slower economic growth outside the United States and concerns about the situation in Russia.

—BY Benjamin Gong, Financial analyst, Thrift Savings Plan

Countdown to COLA

T

he Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) decreased 0.21 percent in August. To calculate the 2015 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the indices of July, August and September 2014 will be averaged and compared with the 2013 third-quarter average of 230.327. The percentage increase, if any, determines the COLA. August’s index, 234.030, is up 1.61 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. August’s index is 2.12 percent higher than the December 2013 base index of 229.174.

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

Month

CPI-W

October 2013

229.735

November December

Monthly % Change

% Change from 230.327

-0.3

-0.26

229.133

-0.26

-0.52

229.174

+0.02

-0.50

January 2014

230.040

+0.38

-0.12

February

230.871

+0.36

+0.24

March

232.560

+0.73

+0.97

April

233.443

+0.38

+1.35

May

234.216

+0.33

+1.69

June

234.702

+0.21

+1.90

July

234.525

-0.08

+1.82

August

234.030

-0.21

+1.61

September

Donate to NARFE Programs Support Alzheimer’s Research Write your chapter number on check; make it payable to: NARFE-Alzheimer’s Research and mail to: Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., 17th Floor Chicago, IL 60601-7633

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

$10,986,136*

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

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

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

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

MasterCard VISA If you have any questions, write to:

Discover AMEX National Committee Chair Card Number: Jane Rodgers, P.O. Box 234 Expiration Date: (mm)/ (yy) Wadesville, IN 47638-0234 3-Digit Security Code: Name: (please print) Email: ajrodgers@tds.net Signature

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

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

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

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

/

Enclosed is my Silver Circle contribution: $ ID # (ID # may be found on your narfe magazine label or your NARFE membership card)

Name: Address: City: Silver Circle contributions are NOT deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Installment Plan Wall of Fame 12-month installment plan

Give to the Scholarship and Disaster Funds

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

/

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

State:

ZIP:

My check is enclosed

(Please make check payable to NARFE Silver Circle.)

Please charge my credit card Card type MasterCard VISA

Discover AMEX Card Number: Expiration Date: (mm)/ (yy) Name: (please print)

Signature

Make check payable to: NARFE-FEEA Disaster Fund or NARFE-FEEA Scholarship Fund.

Date

YES!

Date

/

/

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, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of federal civilian retirees and current federal employees who are NARFE members.

NARFE-FEEA Disaster Fund

Amount: $

NARFE-FEEA Scholarship Fund

Amount: $

Name: Address: City:

State:

ZIP:

NARFE News

Greetings!

$10 finder’s fee extended!

B

ased on requests by memfor each new member, current or bers at the NARFE National retired, who joins between SepConvention in Orlando, FL, tember 1 and December 31, 2014. in August, the special recruitment (Applications must be postmarked, incentives planned for September and calls or website joins must be will be extended through the end of received, by December 31. Recruitthe year. Every member who recruits er’s ID number must be on applicaa new member will receive $10 from tion.)

NARFE. • All September through DecemHere are the details: ber recruiters will be entered into a Life Membership Apl_New Design $10 3/26/13 3:49 PM Page 1 once for each new mem• Recruiters will receive drawing,

NARFE is mailing members a selection of greeting cards as a holiday gift and fundraising campaign. The holiday card program was inaugurated last year and was so successful, it is being repeated.

A gift bag and NARFE ballpoint pen accompany the cards. An alternative selection of cards will be offered as an option this year.

ber they have recruited.

• A Kindle Fire tablet computer will be awarded to a recruiter randomly selected from this pool.

A membership application appears on p. 58 and in every issue of narfe magazine. For more information, go to www.narfe.org, log in and click on the “Membership Drive Extended” graphic.

Good recruiting!

NARFE NATIONAL LIFE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Life Membership Fee Schedule Ages

Contact Information n Mr. n Mrs. n Miss n Ms. Full Name _____________________________________________ Street Address _________________________________________ Apt./Unit______________________________________________ City _______________________ State _____ ZIP _____________ Phone (__________) ____________________________________ Email_________________________________________________ Date of Birth _________ /_________ /___________________ dd

mm

yyyy

Recruiter ID # (if applicable) _________________________________ Chapter Number _______________________________________ (call 800-456-8410 for chapter information) Membership Information Member Number: ______________________________________ (New members) Membership is open to civilians in any agency of the federal or D.C. (before Oct. 1, 1987) governments eligible for a federal annuity.

Thank you for becoming a National Member for Life. You will receive a membership card, certificate and special lapel pin.

Please allow six weeks for processing. Dues payments & gift contributions to NARFE are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.

56

| n o v

2 0 14

Single or Quarterly Payment Installments 30-39 $1,796 $450.25 40-50 1,408 353.25 51-55 1,127 283.00 56-60 960 241.25 61-65 801 201.50 66-70 653 164.50 71-75 514 129.75 76-80 392 99.25 81-90 251 64.00 91-100+ 127 33.00

I am a (check all that apply) n Active Federal Employee n Active Federal Employee Spouse n Annuitant n Annuitant Spouse n Survivor Annuitant

PAYMENT INFORMATION n Single Payment or n Quarterly Installments (4 payments) Life Membership fee amount: $ ______________________ PAYMENT OPTIONS n Check or Money Order (Payable to NARFE) n Charge my: n MasterCard n VISA n Discover n American Express Card No. __________________________________________ Expiration Date _________ /_________ mm

yyyy

Name on Card ______________________________________ Signature ____________________________ Date ________ MAIL THIS APPLICATION TO NARFE Member Records 606 N. Washington St. / Alexandria, VA 22314-1914

Limited Mintage Striking...

WORLD’S FIRST

The 2014 $100 SILVER PROOF

Collectible 2014 date

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GovMint.com Announces the Limited Mintage Striking of an Extraordinary Silver Proof—the Newest United States $100 Bill Struck in 99.9% Pure Silver.

Discount Price $99

This extraordinary piece of pure proof silver has a surface area that exceeds 15 square inches... and it contains one Troy ounce of pure silver!

And now, during a limited strike period, the new 2014 $100 Silver Proof is available at a special discount price—only $99!

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Each one: • Is Individually Struck from Pure .999 Silver.

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The price for the 2014 $100 Silver Proof will be set at $129 per proof.

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Additional Discounts Substantial additional discounts are available for serious collectors who wish to acquire more than one of these exquisite silver proofs.

Year 2014 $100 Silver Proof 1-4 proofs - $99 each + s/h 5-9 proofs - $95 each + s/h 10+proofs - $89 each + s/h There is a limit of twenty $100 Silver Proofs per order, and all orders are subject to acceptance by GovMint.com.

Only 9999 Available

GovMint.com will limit striking to only 9999 One Troy Ounce Silver Proofs for the year 2014. With over half the edition already sold out, the time to act is NOW! Orders only will be accepted on a strict first-come, first-served basis according to the time and date of the order. Call today for fastest order processing.

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GovMint.com • 14101 Southcross Dr. W. Dept. SFP231-04 • Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 Prices and availability subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a predictor of future performance. NOTE: GovMint.com® 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 July 2014 ©2014 GovMint.com.

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Active and Retired Federal Employees ...

JOIN NARFE TODAY!

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

Who Should Join?

Three Easy Ways To Join 1.

2.

3.

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

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

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

n Please enroll my spouse

City _______________________ State _____ zIp ________

Spouse’s Full Name ________________________________

phone (__________) _______________________________

Spouse’s Email ____________________________________

Email____________________________________________

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

Choose Your Membership Type o Local Chapter Close-to-Home Membership – $40* Affiliation with the NARFE chapter closest to your home.

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

Chapter Affiliation: Chapter # __ __ __ __(if known, otherwise enroll me in the chapter closest to my zIp code). *First-year dues. Subsequent years, $40 plus local chapter dues.

OR

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

Including email address strongly recommended.

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

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

yyyy

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

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

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August 24-28

NARFE National Convention

rlando

LEFT: Bruce Coleman, president of Chapter 209 in Cedar Valley, IA, and his wife, Trudy, look over the meeting program outside the Rosen Centre Hotel, site of the NARFE Convention. TOP RIGHT: Delegates raise voting cards for a vote on the convention floor.

BOTTOM CENTER: James R. Olden, president of the Oklahoma Federation, accepts a recruiting award from National President Joseph A. Beaudoin. BOTTOM right: A member of the Sgt. at Arms Committee signals that a delegate wants to speak against a pending motion.

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Convention confirms:

change starts here

NARFE’s 33rd Biennial National Convention lived up to its billing. Predicted to be one of the most important in the 93-year-old association’s history, it saw major steps taken toward change, as delegates overwhelmingly passed resolutions reducing the number of National Officers from four to two and authorizing continued development of “Future NARFE,” a new structure for the organization.

Delegates also selected the officers who will direct this change as it takes shape over the next two years. National Treasurer Richard G. Thissen of Lake Ozark, MO, was elected National President. Jon Dowie of St. Augustine, FL, was elected to the new position of National Secretary/Treasurer. Ten regional vice presidents also were elected during the meeting.

The convention at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, FL, attracted 993 registrants whose votes represented 88 percent of NARFE’s chapters.

Photos By Mike Gibson, Versatile Photography Stories by Margaret Carter and Ken Fanelli

New Alzheimer’s Fundraising goal Set: $12 million by 2016!

A t the Opening Ceremonies, delegates voted to set a new fundraising goal for Alzheimer’s research, listened to the touching story of an early-stage victim of the disease and heard a progress report on efforts to find a cure.

Fundraising. With the current goal of raising $11 million for Alzheimer’s research in sight, convention delegates approved, by applause, the recommendation of the NARFE-Alzheimer’s National Committee to set a new goal of raising $12 million by 2016.

Jane Rodgers, chair of the committee and Alzheimer’s coordinator for Region IV, said that the committee had met at the convention and approved $439,931 for three more research projects, bringing to 63 the number of projects funded by Association donations since NARFE’s Alzheimer’s program began in 1985.

She also recognized several federations for their fundraising efforts in the past fiscal year (July 1, 2013June 30, 2014): Top fundraising federation was the Virginia Federation, $75,349; top per-capita fundraising federation, Delaware, $11.65; top fundraising chapter, Chapter 1270 in Woodbridge, VA, $15,831.

A Victim’s Story. When Amy Shives was diagnosed with earlystage Alzheimer’s disease in 2011 at the age of 53, she was no stranger to the disease and its devastating

effects on its victim and loved ones.

Her own mother had begun showing symptoms of the neurological disease in her 50s and sank into a state of anger and isolation as her family watched helplessly. Shives’ story is poignant, too; but unlike her mother’s, it is one where there is real hope for a cure for the next generation of Alzheimer’s sufferers.

When Shives first showed symptoms of the disease, she was a mother of two daughters, a wife in a two-wage-earner household and a long-time professional counselor at a community college in Spokane, WA. She endured a year of tests before she received the numbing news.

Worst of all, she said, “the diagnosis came with no treatment to slow the disease. My general health was declining, my mind was failing and our plans for the future were erased.”

She joined clinical studies on Alzheimer’s disease at the University of California San Francisco and happily submitted to MRIs, PET scans, spinal taps, cognitive and genetic

TOP: Amy Shives receives applause from, left to right, NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin; Convention Host Committee Chair Ken Thomas and NARFEAlzheimer’s National Committee Chair Jane Rodgers. LEFT: Harry Johns, Alzheimer’s Association president and CEO.

testing and an array of other tests.

Shives’ contributions to Alzheimer’s research will even outlive her. She is donating her brain to science. “I am empowered to focus on a goal of a world without Alzheimer’s,” she said.

Research Report. Research into Alzheimer’s disease now has reached the stage where there is consensus in the scientific community that drug tests should occur earlier in the disease’s progression than previously has been the case, Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, said. Johns thanked NARFE for all it has done and continues to do to raise funds for research. He also commended the Food and Drug Administration for agreeing to approve drugs that demonstrate effectiveness through scans and biomarkers, rather than by showing cognitive improvement.

Rep. John Mica, R-FL, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Government Operations, saluted NARFE as “a great organization, which advocates for great people who have given great service to our nation,” and recalled his own work on behalf of federal employees and retirees as chair of the former Civil Service Committee, including initiating legislation establishing the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program.

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rlando

Archuleta Asks for help: ‘Tell them about Your experience as a federal Employee’ O ffice of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Katherine Archuleta thanked NARFE for its “tireless support of our federal family” and asked members for their help in recruiting young people to government work.

As the president’s “chief recruiter,” Archuleta said that she had visited 10 colleges and universities since becoming OPM director in November 2013, and also has met with veterans and community groups “to spread the word” about federal service. She asked attendees to talk with their friends and families about their careers. “Talk to young people about your experience

as a federal employee,” she urged.

Archuleta provided updates on: • Phased retirement. OPM has just published the final regulations for the program, which will allow employees to “ease their way into retirement” and gives agencies time to do “smooth and orderly succession planning.”

• Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP).

Since the Affordable Care Act was signed in 2010, FEHBP has added participants, including 11,000 tribal members and more than 325,000 children of FEHBP members who can remain on their parents’ health plans until they turn 26.

Promise Kept Rep. Alan Grayson, D-FL, who represents the Orlando area, expressed

solidarity with NARFE members. Grayson has a 100 percent NARFE voting record and recently became a member. The congressman, who had been voted out of office for one term, joked that he had been a retired federal employee for two years. He told the group that he is introducing a bill to expand Medicare to include hearing, vision and dental coverage for seniors. “I call it the ‘Seniors Have Ears, Eyes and Teeth Act,’” he quipped. In a Q&A period, CJ Reeves, president of Orlando Chapter 95 (at left in photo at right), good-naturedly chided him for not responding to repeated invitations to attend a chapter meeting.

Grayson promised to come to the next one; Reeves reports that he did.

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• Retirement Services. Archuleta has created a Retirement Services Working Group, which is concentrating on customer service, information technology and claims adjudication, especially Federal Employees Retirement System disability retirements.

OPM recently added 15 agents to its Retirement Services call center and will add more over the next few months. However, she recommended annuitants use OPM’s Retirement Services Online (www. servicesonline.opm.gov) for routine questions and save the call center for problems that cannot be resolved online.

NARFE National Convention

Resolutions on NARFE’s Future pass overwhelmingly

R

esolutions to reduce the number of National Officers from four to two and to authorize the National Executive Board (NEB) to continue developing the model for “Future NARFE” passed overwhelmingly, as delegates cast electronic votes in three voting sessions over the course of two days. Long lines snaked around the voting area (above) as delegates made their way through the initial lengthy ballot.

National Officers. The original proposed resolution on National Officers, presented by the NEB, would have left NARFE with a

The exhibit hall drew more than 20 vendors.

Here, John Priolo of the Hawaii Federation meets Grace Bumgardner at the Kaiser Permanente booth.

president and treasurer, eliminating the vice president and secretary positions. The Bylaws Committee amended the resolution to change the treasurer position to secretary/ treasurer and to offer language providing for transition in the event the officers cannot serve. The amended resolution passed with 82.16 percent of the votes, well over the two-thirds necessary to change the NARFE bylaws. That vote, taken on Monday of convention week, set the stage for electronic voting the next day to elect officers to those positions. (See story, p. 65.)

The reduction in National Officers grew out of a recommendation by the Future of NARFE Committee, which envisioned a policy-setting, five-person board with two of the members of that body elected as National Officers.

That bylaws change was one of three adopted by the convention.

The others clarified that a chapter’s bylaws may provide for “social” members and stated that when a revision to the bylaws is considered at a convention, no amendments to the existing bylaws will be considered. The latter brings the NARFE bylaws in compliance with Roberts Rules of Order, 11th edition.

Future NARFE. The vote on the NEB-submitted proposal to authorize the Board to continue development of a new structure for NARFE, dubbed “Future NARFE,” using the Future of NARFE Committee Report as the foundation, also received overwhelming approval, garnering 85.89 percent of the votes on Tuesday, the second day of electronic balloting.

Voting delegates review the list of 14 bylaws amendments on the ballot. To assist voters, NARFE provided the document to delegates as they entered the voting area. At the convention’s final day, delegates passed a resolution saying that if such “cheat sheets” are used in the future, they should not include the committee’s position on each measure so that it would not inadvertently bias the vote.

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rlando Get Ready for budget battles to begin again

E

xpect more of the same from Capitol Hill, Legislative Director Jessica Klement advised the convention. When the 114th Congress convenes in January, budget battles will start again, she predicted. “All the things we have been fighting for the last four years will be right back on the table.” These include proposals to increase retirement contributions by current federal employees, use the Chained CPI to calculate cost-of-living adjustments and make changes in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

And if any of these come up, she said, NARFE’s legislative staff will be asking members to take action.

Postal reform, while still pend-

ing, is unlikely to be brought up before the end of this year, Klement reported. NARFE remains opposed to the Senate postal bill, she said. It sharply reduces workers’ compensation benefits for all federal employees; allows the U.S. Postal Service to bargain over retirement benefits, including bargaining away Federal Employees Retirement System pensions for new employees; and requires enrollment in Medicare Part B for all postal retirees and spouses.

Passed out of committee in February, the bill has only a “very slim” chance of being brought to the Senate floor before the end of the year. It is more likely, she said, that Congress will start fresh with reform in 2015.

NARFE wants members to become involved in the legislative process and provides the resources for them to become grass-roots advocates in its Protect America’s Heartbeat Toolkit, she said.

Legislative Conference.

Klement put in a plug for the 2015 Legislative Training Conference, the premier event for those who want to be more involved in advocacy. It will be March 14-17 in Arlington, VA. NARFE-PAC. She also showed a graph depicting NARFE-PAC’s decline over the past few years. “If we do not come out of this convention strong, it is very unlikely we will hit the $600,000 mark,” which is the

The BAdge of a remarkable recruiter

amount of money that NARFE-PAC gave in the last election cycle. “We can do better than this,” she said.

Legislative Program for 114th congress Delegates approved the NARFE Legislative Program for the 114th Congress (2015-16).

The program retains the Association’s policy positions on current issues and was edited, revised and reorganized by the Legislative Committee. The committee recommended, and delegates approved, three resolutions for adoption that would: reaffirm support for District of Columbia statehood; oppose legislation contrary to the interests of postal employees; and support the option of recalculating annuities to include locality pay for retirees from Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. Territories.

Delegates also approved one resolution that the committee had recommended for rejection. That would include a provision allowing NARFE to support legislation that attempts to address campaign finance inequities. The entire Legislative Program will be published in the January 2015 issue of narfe magazine.

NARFE recruiter extraordinaire Marie Collins of Chapter 682 in Virginia was presented with the 2014 Platinum Award for membership recruitment. In the two years since the last NARFE National Convention, Collins had signed up 100 new members. NARFE also gave awards to 19 others who had recruited 25 or more members.

In accepting the award, Collins suggested that others could win it, too. “All you need to do to make it happen is be a NARFE member for 28 years, become 90 years old and wear your NARFE badge everywhere,” she said. In fact, on her way to the convention, three people inquired about her NARFE badge. “You don’t need to introduce yourself,” she said. “That gets your foot in the door.”

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NARFE National Convention

Thissen Commits to inclusive process N

ARFE’s incoming National President congratulated delegates for adopting resolutions reducing the number of National Officers from four to two and authorizing continued development of “Future NARFE.” “There were people last week who weren’t sure we could pass that,” said Richard G. Thissen on the convention’s closing day. Yet, he noted, both measures overwhelmingly won approval. “You’ve already started the change in NARFE,” he said. “Now we need to go forward.”

Thissen said he is committed to including NARFE members in the process and appealed for confidence in the National Executive Board. For years, he said, members elected the officers but didn’t place their trust in them. “That is going to change,” he said. “We are going to be together.”

Thissen won the election in a runoff with Ken Thomas, immediate past president of the Florida Federation, when none of the original

Thissen

Dowie

candidates (Thissen; Thomas; and Elaine C. Hughes, then National Secretary) received a majority on the first ballot.

Jon Dowie, newly elected National Secretary/Treasurer, also made brief remarks. He said he would start each workday with thoughts of “survivability, strategic thinking and earned benefits.” Running unopposed, he was elected by acclamation.

Outgoing National President Joseph A. Beaudoin swore Thissen and Dowie into office for two-year terms beginning November 1, along with the 10 newly elected regional

Blogs and email focus of membership debate New technology was a focus of debate on membership issues. A resolution that calls for the establishment of a single online blog for all NARFE members was passed on a floor vote. The Membership Committee had recommended the measure be rejected on the grounds that such blogs should be the prerogative of chapters and that one national blog could create monitoring problems.

The convention also adopted a resolution that states that eNARFE membership should be listed last as an option in future membership applications and that the option should have the stipulation “email address strongly recommended.”

vice presidents: Region I, James P. Crawford of Bristol, NH; Region II, Evelyn Kirby of Chester, MD (re-elected); Region III, Jerry Janci of Pittsboro, MS; Region IV, Edward J. Konys of Enon, OH; Region V, Carol R. Ek of McPherson, KS (re-elected); Region VI, Marshall L. Richards of Hallsville, TX; Region VII, Rodney L. Adelman of Goodyear, AZ; Region VIII, Helen L. Zajac of Vallejo, CA (re-elected); Region IX, Lanny G. Ross of Bremerton, WA (re-elected); and Region X, William Shackelford of Centreville, VA.

Jacksonville, FL, selected as site Of 2018 Convention The National Executive Board has selected the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, FL, as the site of the 2018 National Convention.

In 2016, the convention will be held at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno, NV, August 28-September 1.

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Member Perks

NARFE Member Perks

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

Credit Union

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

insurance

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

GEICO 800-368-2734 NARFE members with good driving records may be eligible for quality au-

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tomobile 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.

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

Vacation rentals

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

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hotels

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

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

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

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

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

Wyndham, Microtel Inns and Suites®, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge® and Knights Inn®.

car rentals

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

Alamo

mention you are a NARFE member and ask for Todd.

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

With a network of top-quality agents throughout the United States, Wheaton provides peace of mind with every relocation. We offer you, as a NARFE member, benefits to help you have a positive interstate relocation experience. Call Angela and mention you are a NARFE member to start the moving process.

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

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

Moving services

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

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

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

narfe merchandise emergency services

Avis

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.

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

Call MASA Today. It Could Save Your Life!

health screening

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

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

NOT A MEMBER? GO ONLINE: It’s easy to join online at www.narfe.org. Click “Join NARFE.” TURN TO PAGE 58: Fill out the Membership Application and mail it to NARFE to receive all the perks of being a NARFE member.

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

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The Way We Worked

dropping in to fight fires In this 1945 photo, U.S. Forest Service Smokejumpers wait for the order from the spotter to jump. The Forest Service began using smokejumpers in the 1930s in the Pacific Northwest to quickly provide the initial attack on forest fires. By parachuting in near fires, they could arrive fresh and ready for the strenuous work of fighting fires in rugged terrain. Today, smokejumpers travel all over the country. Tools, food and water are dropped after they land, making them self-sufficient for the first 48 hours.

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Bramwell, Chief Historian, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service; in collaboration with the Society for History in the Federal Government (SHFG), bringing together government professionals, academics, consultants, students and citizens interested in understanding federal history work and the historical development of the federal government. Website: http://shfg.org/shfg/.

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Did you know?

More than 270 smokejumpers work from U.S. Forest Service smokejumper bases in Idaho, California, Montana, Washington and Oregon, according to the Forest Service’s Fire & Aviation Management website.

Smokejumpers work from about June 1 through October.

When they are not fighting fires, they are assigned to various natural resource projects and other duties.

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