NARFE MEMBERS SAVE ON SENIOR LIVING
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
VOLUME 101 ★ NUMBER 1
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Jenn Rafael
CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER
Beth Bedard
CONTENT MANAGER
Matt Sanderson
ADDITIONAL GRAPHIC DESIGN
TGD
EDITORIAL BOARD
William Shackelford, Cindy Reneé Blythe
CONTACT US
NARFE Magazine
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Phone: 703-838-7760 Fax: 703-838-7781
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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 NFBNEWSLINE® service at 866-504-7300 or go to www.nfbnewsline.org.
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The Association, since July 1970, has been classified by the IRS as a tax-exempt labor organization [not a union]; however, dues and gifts or contributions to the Association are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.
NATIONAL OFFICERS
WILLIAM SHACKELFORD President; natpres@narfe.org
CINDY RENEÉ BLYTHE
Secretary/Treasurer; natsectreas@narfe.org
TO JOIN NARFE, RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP OR FIND
A LOCAL CHAPTER: CALL (TOLL-FREE) 800-456-8410 OR GO TO www.narfe.org
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CALL (TOLL-FREE) 800-456-8410 EMAIL memberrecords@narfe.org OR GO TO www.narfe.org, log in and click on “My Account”
TO REACH A FEDERAL BENEFITS SPECIALIST: EMAIL fedbenefits@narfe.org
NARFE HEADQUARTERS
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REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS
REGION I Jeff Anliker (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont)
Tel: 413-813-8136
Email: jeff.anliker@outlook.com
REGION II Paul Schwartz (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) Tel: 240-838-2200
Email: schwartzpaul02@gmail.com
REGION III Lynn Harper (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Puerto Rico) Tel: 478-951-3260
Email: Lynn_harper@msn.com
REGION IV Ed Konys (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) Tel: 937-207-6087
Email: rvpkonys@outlook.com
REGION V Linda Sawvell (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) Tel: 563-340-4823
Email: Lsawvell262@gmail.com
REGION VI Patsy Ashton (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Republic of Panama and Texas) Tel: 504-452-3870
Email: rvp6@narfe.org
REGION VII Sharon Reese (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) Tel: 575-649-6035
Email: sreese346@gmail.com
REGION VIII John Almquist (California, Hawaii, Nevada and Republic of Philippines) Tel: 949-246-4378
Email: almquistjw@yahoo.com
REGION IX Steven Roy (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington) Tel: 425-344-3926
Email: stevenroy1@yahoo.com
REGION X Robert Allen (Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) Tel: 757-404-3880
Email: rvp10@narfe.org
NARFE Magazine (ISSN 1948-4453) is published monthly except in February and July 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 $48. 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 © 2025, NARFE. Advertisements in the magazine are not endorsements of products and/or services by NARFE, unless officially stated in the ad. We shall accept advertising on the same basis as other reputable publications: that is, we shall not knowingly permit a dishonest advertisement to appear in NARFE Magazine, but at the same time we will not undertake to guarantee the reliability of our advertisers.
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NARFE’S MISSION STATEMENT
To support legislation and regulations beneficial to federal civilian employees and annuitants and potential annuitants under any federal civilian retirement system and to oppose those detrimental to their interests.
To promote the general welfare of federal civilian employees and annuitants and potential annuitants, to advise and assist them with respect to their rights under retirement, health and other employee and retiree benefits laws and regulations, and to represent their interests before appropriate authorities.
To cooperate with other organizations and associations in furtherance of these general objectives.
New Year, Second Term
First, let me wish everyone a Happy New Year for 2025. Second, I want to express my sincere thanks for your support in electing me to serve as your NARFE national president for a second term. With five new regional vice presidents joining the National Executive Board (NEB) and former Region V Vice President Cindy Blythe assuming her new duties as your national secretary/treasurer, I want to assure all members that NARFE will continue its history of success as the number one advocacy organization representing the interests of all federal civilian employees and annuitants.
At the end of 2024, our organization finished strong. The upgrade of our membership database, the Association Management Software (AMS), was completed and long overdue. I want to express my gratitude to all headquarters staff members, but I want to single out two individuals for their exemplary work in making this success possible. Kudos to Senior Director for Communications and Technology Jennifer Rafael and Senior Manager for Membership Data Natcole Reid-McCorkle, who led the way.
Our partnership with Street Level Studios, Inc. continues to move forward with great success. Through one-on-one interviews conducted at FEDcon24 in St. Louis, one-minute video recordings or “snippets” of FEDcon24 attendees, and online surveys of retired and active NARFE members, we continue to put a renewed emphasis on recruiting, retention, and reinstatement. The increased level of emphasis is very apparent within the staff of the Membership Engagement Department led by Director Nora MacDonald. The attitude of these dedicated individuals can best be described as contagious!
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Most of us have become adept at using virtual platforms like Zoom to attend our various chapter, federation and regional meetings. While virtual meetings have allowed NARFE members to stay connected with the organization and to have plenty of opportunities to learn more about ways to protect their annuities and health benefits, in-person meetings allow for a much better exchange of information. Therefore, I am looking to schedule three in-person meetings for the National Executive Board (NEB). Two of these meetings may be held at NARFE headquarters in Alexandria, VA. The third is the biennial joint meeting of the federation presidents and the NEB at FEDcon26.
LEGCON25
Over the years, many of you have participated in our national legislative training conferences, now known as LEGcon. With many new lawmakers arriving on Capitol Hill as members of the 119th Congress, it is time to rally, as NARFE members always have, to defend our pay and benefits. In June, LEGcon25 will be held virtually. If past conferences are an indicator, NARFE members will take what they learn from the presenters during LEGcon25 and use the information at in-person meetings to ensure that members of Congress know how NARFE members feel about those issues that are important to us.
Again, I thank you for all your continued support. On behalf of everyone at NARFE headquarters, I wish you a very Happy New Year, and I look forward with hope and determination to what can be accomplished in 2025.
WILLIAM SHACKELFORD NARFE NATIONAL PRESIDENT natpres@narfe.org
Enter NARFE’s Photo Calendar Contest
Capture the image that conveys your interpretation of the phrase “Spirit of America” and submit it to the 2025 NARFE Photo Contest.
Winning photos will be featured in the 2026 NARFE Calendar. Submissions will be accepted from now through February 3, 2025
CONTEST GUIDELINES
• Photos must be horizontal and 8” x 10” or 8-1/2” x 11”.
• Each member is limited to five photo entries and must put the following information on a piece of paper taped to the back of each photo: title, description (up to 15 words), member name, address, chapter (if applicable), email address and phone number.
• No photos of children or pets, please.
• Photos sent by email will not be accepted. No Polaroids. Photos will not be returned.
All NARFE members in good standing, except for those who are professional photographers, are eligible to enter, even if they’ve already had a photo appear in past calendars.
By entering the contest, you grant NARFE a nonexclusive license to use your photo in perpetuity in any medium, including editing, publishing, distributing and republishing it in any form. Entrants retain the copyright to their images. NARFE assumes no liability for any misuse of copyright.
Photos for the 2026 calendar will be selected and winners notified by the end of June 2025.
Send photos to NARFE Photo Contest, Attn: Francine Garner, NARFE, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314.
Save More with NARFE Perks
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READ NARFE MAGAZINE ONLINE
NARFE’S website offers a digital flipbook of this and previous issues. You can read the magazine online on your computer, phone or tablet, or download it to browse later. Visit www.narfe.org/magazine-issues.
with sepcial discounts from our affinity partners. With nearly 30 exclusive discounts, you’ll find services and products you need to help you achieve and maintain the best possible quality of life.
STAY INFORMED
Want to stay on top of key federal news and benefits information? Subscribe to NARFE Daily News Clips. This newsletter features breaking news and informative articles from various outlets curated just for NARFE members, as well as NARFE media statements, op-eds and more. Visit www.narfe.org/clips.
CATCH UP ON WEBINARS
Miss a webinar from our Open Season trainings? NARFE’s webinars on demand includes videos, slides and transcripts of quaestion-and-answer sessions for NARFE Federal Benefits Institute webinars dating back to January 2019. Find them at www. narfe.org/webinar-archive.
And remember: Taking advantage of just one offer could more than pay for your annual membership.
Visit www.narfe.org/perks (or see p. 46) to see how your savings could add up.
TSP UPDATE ONLINE
Get the most recent monthly and annual Thrift Savings Plan returns G, F, C, S, I and L Funds) online at www.narfe.org/ tsp-funds.
TRACKING RETIREMENT CLAIMS
Find out how many retirement claims OPM Retirement Services receives and processes each month, with average processing times and total inventory, at www.narfe.org/opm-processing
ENGAGE WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS
NARFE’S 2025 LEGISLATIVE VIRTUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE
Join NARFE members across the country to:
• Improve your advocacy skills
• Make your voices heard by engaging with lawmakers
• Build and strengthen relationships with your legislators and congressional staff
• Make an impact on NARFE’s key issues with online advocacy training
Don't miss NARFE's premier virtual grassroots training conference! Attend grassroots advocacy training sessions and “lobby day” where you join your fellow NARFE members in bringing our message directly to lawmakers and their staff.
Coming June 2025!
Exact date will be determined based on the congressional calendar, which was not available at the time of publication.
Transitioning to a New Congress and Administration
The 119th Congress will begin on January 3, 2025, with the swearing-in of members, bringing in a new group of representatives and senators.
After the November elections and prior to the start of the next Congress, returning and newly elected Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate will choose their party leaders. In both chambers, the leader of the majority party controls the legislative agenda, albeit with different rules and limits in both chambers.
In the House, the majority party will need to elect a U.S. House speaker with a majority of those voting. While party members typically vote for their conference or caucus leader for House speaker, it took 15 rounds of voting for the Republican conference to unify behind Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-CA, at the start of the 118th Congress. He was later ousted via a motion to vacate. It remains to be seen whether the speaker election will be routine or controversial at the start of the 119th Congress. Both chambers must also form committees and subcommittees, select chairs, and rank members
for each. Committee leaders (and members) substantially influence bills within their jurisdiction. Relevant to NARFE, the House’s Oversight Committee and the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee have jurisdiction over federal workforce issues. In contrast, the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee have jurisdiction over Social Security (including the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset) and Medicare. We also pay attention to the House and Senate Appropriations committees,
which control annual government funding.
As for legislation, each new congress starts with a fresh slate. Regardless of where legislation may have been in the previous cycle, bills must be reintroduced upon the start of a new Congress and begin the process of becoming law again. We also must ensure members who previously committed to support a bill as a cosponsor register their support again. As it’s typically easier to get a member to sign back onto a bill they have previously supported, it’s critical to make an early push to remind them what positions they took last Congress on issues critical to federal retirees and employees.
NARFE GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY
NARFE’s Legislative Action Center is an easy way to send letters to your members of Congress, search for your legislators, report your congressional meetings, and much more. It helps you take action on the pressing issues NARFE has identified for the 119th Congress. LEARN MORE about how you can take action to protect your earned pay and benefits by visiting NARFE’s Advocacy homepage at www.narfe.org/advocacy.
MYTH VS. REALITY
MYTH: You permanently lose Social Security benefits if you keep working.
REALITY: While an “earnings limit” can temporarily reduce the benefits of those who claim benefits before their full retirement age and continue working, it is not permanent and only applies until you hit your full retirement age. If this situation is applicable, Social Security will withhold benefits if earnings from work exceed a set cap, depending on the amount set that year and how close you are to the full retirement age. Additionally, Social Security will adjust your lost benefits gradually to recover money that was withheld.
The new president’s taking office also involves a new administration staff, new cabinet officials, new political appointments, and new confirmations that must go through the Senate. This typically takes up a significant amount of the Senate’s time at the start of a new Congress following a presidential election.
While presidential budget proposals are scheduled to be sent to Congress in February, a new incoming administration typically delays the process. In 2025, there will also be a new round of negotiations over the federal budget and raising the debt limit. Unfortunately, that may mean a new round of threats to federal benefits.
Whether defending against threats or advancing favorable legislation, NARFE will be there, with the help of its members, to introduce the new Congress to the priorities important to federal retirees and employees.
—BY RANDALL “RJ” THACKER, MANAGER, POLITICAL AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment Set
The 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for federal retirees has been announced, with Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees receiving a 2.5% increase and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirees receiving a 2% increase. While this adjustment provides some relief to retirees grappling with rising costs, it is lower than in recent years, underscoring the ongoing challenge of keeping pace with inflation.
Compared to the 2024 COLA, which provided a 3.2% increase for CSRS retirees and a 2.2% increase for FERS retirees, the 2025 adjustment reflects a slight decrease. However, this year’s adjustment is notably lower than the 8.7% COLA for CSRS retirees and 7.7% COLA for FERS retirees in 2023. The significant boost in 2023 was largely driven by record inflation rates that
spiked due to pandemic-related disruptions, supply chain issues, and other economic factors. Similarly, in 2022, retirees saw
COMPARED TO THE 2024 COLA, WHICH PROVIDED A 3.2% INCREASE FOR CSRS RETIREES AND A 2.2% INCREASE FOR FERS RETIREES, THE 2025 ADJUSTMENT REFLECTS A SLIGHT DECREASE.
a 5.9% COLA, reflecting a high inflationary environment. However, 2025’s COLA reflects more moderate inflationary pressures than these peaks. Over the past
decade, COLA rates have fluctuated, with increases ranging from as low as 0% in 2016 to highs like 8.7% in 2023. The COLA for 2025 is more in line with the 2.6% adjustment in 2020 and the 2.8% adjustment in 2019, marking a return to more typical inflation patterns after economic upheavals.
COLA is designed to help retirees maintain their purchasing power amid rising prices, as it adjusts retirement benefits to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The CPI-W tracks the average price change over time for a basket of goods and services, including housing, food, and healthcare, which are critical for retirees.
While inflation has cooled compared to previous years, SEE COLA ON P. 12
NARFE GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY
LEARN MORE about how you can take action to protect your earned pay and benefits by reviewing NARFE Grassroots materials at www.narfe.org/advocacy
119th Congress: What’s in Store for NARFE Advocates
As the 119th Congress convenes in the new year, NARFE is gearing up to engage with lawmakers, a crucial step in ensuring the voices of federal employees and retirees are heard. This new Congress presents fresh opportunities to advocate for our mission-critical issues, such as safeguarding retirement security, employee health benefits, and federal pay. These issues are not just important; they are the backbone of our advocacy work, and your engagement is vital to their success.
With the arrival of a new Congress, NARFE Advocacy is preparing welcome packets for newly elected members of Congress. These packets serve as key tools to introduce them to the vital advocacy work NARFE does on behalf of federal employees and retirees. They also highlight the significant contributions of our members and the critical role they play in communities across the country.
The beginning of a new Congress is a time of transition, with lawmakers setting their priorities and building their teams. This is also a key moment for advocacy because it’s an opportunity to forge new relationships with members of Congress and their staff. But remember, it’s not just about NARFE, it’s about you. Many
NARFE members will prepare to schedule meetings with their representatives, especially if they are newly elected, and build a strong foundation for future advocacy. Your role in this process is crucial, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
Advocacy at the start of a new Congress is not just about building relationships with lawmakers. It’s about influencing which issues rise to the top of the legislative agenda. Every member of Congress is eager to define their priorities early, and engaging with them can ensure that federal employees’ and retirees’ concerns are part of that conversation. The more members of Congress understand the challenges facing the federal community, the better positioned they are to support and prioritize our causes.
We welcome a new Congress and the beginning of a new presidential term this year. With this comes a new administration’s policy priorities, which can affect NARFE’s key issues, including federal workforce management and retirement benefits.
Staying active at the start of this new term—whether through meetings, calls, or action letter campaigns—is essential. NARFE Grassroots is here to help with all advocacy efforts, providing you with resources
and training materials to make you successful. As we look ahead to our biennial legislative conference, LEGcon25, in June, it will be a prime opportunity for grassroots and grasstops advocates, new or seasoned, to heighten their legislative impact with lawmakers.
Advocacy is more important now than ever before. With so many new faces and shifting priorities, NARFE’s ability to communicate its mission and the needs of the federal community is crucial to ensuring we can garner support on our legislative priorities throughout the 119th Congress. By meeting with lawmakers, sharing personal stories, and showing them the impact of federal policies on their constituents, we are building pathways to success on our issues and making a real difference.
NARFE members have a unique opportunity to shape the future of the federal community by engaging early and often with their legislators. We are deeply grateful for our members’ hard work and dedication to fighting for our issues. We look forward to continuing our collaborative success in the 119th Congress and recognize that it is their efforts that make our advocacy work possible.
—BY IVANA SARA, MANAGER, GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
OPM Final Rule Limits Prescription Drug Plan Choice for Postal Employees and Annuitants
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a final rule regarding the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program, clarifying regulations concerning Medicare Part B enrollment and Medicare Part D integration, among other points. NARFE supported some aspects of the rule but was disappointed that the final rule removes the choice of prescription drug coverage for Medicare-eligible postal retirees, requiring them to receive coverage through their plan’s Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (MPDP) by removing the option to retain their plan’s drug coverage.
NARFE SUPPORTED SOME ASPECTS OF THE RULE, BUT WAS DISAPPOINTED THE FINAL RULE REMOVES CHOICE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE FOR MEDICARE-ELIGIBLE POSTAL RETIREES.
NARFE commented on the proposed version of the rule, arguing that removing the option to retain their plan’s drug
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coverage was neither directed nor authorized by Congress when it passed the Postal Service Reform Act.
While OPM limited choice, “to mitigate the consequences, the final rule added clarifications urged by NARFE to ensure that MPDP coverage is ‘equal to or better than’ than the PSHB plan drug coverage by requiring all PSHB plan drugs to be covered at the same or lower cost share and added an exception to MPDP coverage for those living overseas,” NARFE National President William “Bill” Shackelford noted in a media statement. NARFE supported necessary clarifications in its comment letter on the proposed
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rule and was pleased to see the new language in the final rule.
However, some circumstances could make PSHB plan coverage a better alternative. If drug-costlowering benefits of the MPDP coverage for the individual are outweighed by income-based Medicare premium surcharges or the inability to combine drug company discounts with insurance coverage, some postal retirees could be better off retaining their PSHB plan drug coverage. Yet, Shackelford argued, “OPM’s final rule forces these postal retirees to accept the costlier option or lose drug coverage through PSHB altogether.”
With the loss of the underlying PSHB drug coverage for someone who opts out of
LEGISLATIVE RESOURCES
NARFE NewsLine – A weekly newsletter that goes out to NARFE members on Tuesdays and includes weekly recaps of legislative news, compiled by NARFE’s advocacy and communications teams.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION CENTER – A one-stop site to send a letter to Congress, and more, at www.narfe.org
the plan’s MPDP, NARFE and others expressed concern that this could lead to inadvertent loss of any drug coverage based on confusion caused by the new rules. To address this concern, OPM is requiring enrollees to be notified of the implications of opting out and added re-enrollment flexibility for those who opt out, allowing them to re-enroll within 90 days of when their MPDP plan coverage would have been effective.
The final rule includes some additional favorable provisions. Notably, it made clear that survivor annuitants who qualified for the exception to the requirement to be enrolled in Medicare Part B as the family member of an
annuitant retain an exception to Part B enrollment when their spouse passes away (and they gain coverage as a survivor annuitant rather than as a spouse). Survivor annuitants are also eligible for exceptions to the requirement to enroll in Part B if they reside outside of the United States and its territories, if the survivor is enrolled in benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, or if they are eligible for Indian Health Service benefits.
NARFE’s comment letter strongly supported these exceptions to the Part B enrollment requirement for survivor annuitants.
—BY NICOLE BLACKSTONE, POLICY AND PROGRAMS MANAGER
many retirees still feel the effects of higher prices for essentials like groceries, utilities, and medical care. The 2025 COLA increase, though smaller than in recent years, is still a necessary adjustment to help offset some of these costs. However, for many retirees, especially those under FERS, the lower adjustment may fall short of covering their increasing expenses. FERS retirees receive a lower adjustment due to the plan’s design, which caps their COLA at 1% less than the increase provided to CSRS retirees when inflation exceeds 2%. This is why NARFE
supports the Equal COLA Act, which would eliminate this disparity and ensure that FERS retirees receive the same COLA as CSRS retirees.
The COLA for federal retirees dates back to 1962 when automatic adjustments based on the CPI-W were introduced for Social Security benefits. Before then, increases in benefits required specific acts of Congress. In 1975, COLA adjustments became automatic for Social Security, and similar adjustments were implemented for CSRS retirees in 1965 and later for FERS retirees in 1984 when FERS was established. These adjustments ensure that retirees do not lose purchasing power as
prices rise. Still, concerns about whether COLAs adequately address the realities of retirees’ expenses, especially for those facing healthcare costs or living in high-cost areas, persist.
While a 2.5% COLA increase for CSRS retirees and a 2% increase for FERS retirees is a positive adjustment reflecting cooling inflation, it may still feel insufficient for those facing high living costs. In addition to supporting Equal COLAs, NARFE continues to advocate for fair COLA calculations that more accurately reflect retirees’ expenses.
—BY NICOLE BLACKSTONE, POLICY AND PROGRAMS MANAGER
COLA FROM P.9
Dues Withholding is for retired members and is only $42 annually ($3.50/monthly annuity withholding). To apply, see NARFE’s Dues Witholding application in pg. 27 of this magazine or on the back of your next renewal notice. It takes about 4-5 months to get members onto dues withholding.
Login to our website at https://members.narfe.org/ and click on My Account and then My Settings and click on My AutoPay Account to preauthorize your card today! Call 800-456-8410 and dial 1 for membership assistance to update your rate. Or
RETIREMENT APPLICATION TIMING
QTHE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS & ANSWERS were compiled by NARFE’s Federal Benefits Institute experts. NARFE does not provide legal, financial planning or tax advice or assistance.
I will soon be eligible to retire and plan to choose my retirement date sometime in the next five years. What should I do now to ensure there won’t be any delays once I submit my application for my Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) retirement benefit?
AThis is the time to request a retirement estimate for the date that you are considering for your retirement. This estimate, a crucial tool in your retirement planning, will give you a clear picture of your financial situation post-retirement. Remember, under FERS, if you have met the age and service requirements for an immediate, unreduced retirement (age 57, or Minimum Retirement Age if you were born before 1970, with at least 30 years of service; age 60 with at least 20 years; or at age 62 with a minimum of at least 5 years of creditable civilian service), it is important to confirm that all of your federal civilian and military service has been properly documented so that it will be credited towards your length of service used to compute your retirement. This is done so that you will meet the service requirement for your retirement eligibility.
The estimate that is prepared for you should include a page that has a chronological list of your federal career that shows your retirement coverage, the beginning and ending dates of each appointment, and your work schedule if you have anything other than full-time employment (i.e. part-time; intermittent; “When Actually Employed” or WAE; or leave without pay). If you find missing documents or that FERS retirement contributions might not cover some of your service, there is still time to tie up these loose ends.
It’s highly recommended that you thoroughly review your electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF) and make copies of the documents that support your service history. This includes Personnel Action Statements or SF 50s, military discharge records or form DD 214s, etc. If you’ve previously paid a civilian or military service credit deposit, locate your payment records to show evidence of a $0 balance on those payments. If you owe a deposit for a period of your career, now is the time to find out how much you owe and what the impact will be on your retirement if you pay for this service. It’s crucial to contact a retirement specialist in your human resources office or shared service center to help you with this important step in the retirement process and to answer your questions to be sure that you understand your retirement estimate.
Once you select your retirement date, complete the FERS Application for Immediate Retirement, SF 3107, and submit the form as directed by your retirement specialist. Turning in your signed application at least 60 days before your retirement date is highly recommended to avoid unnecessary delays. Larger agencies may allow you to apply sooner, and smaller agencies may be able to process your application promptly with as little as 30-day notice.
The Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) guide, “Retirement Quick Guide to Retirement
Processing,” will help you understand the time it will take to finalize your retirement, beginning with submitting your application. Read more at https:// www.opm.gov/retirement-center/quick-guide/.
OFFICIAL PERSONNEL FOLDER
QHow can I get a copy of my Official Personnel Folder?
AIf you are currently a federal employee, to access the electronic version of your official personnel folder (OPF) or eOPF, you need to contact your agency’s human resources (HR) office, as they will provide you with the necessary login information to access the system, which is the online platform where you can view your personnel records; you may need to request a user ID and password if you haven’t already received them. To make copies of documents in your eOPF, log in to the eOPF system, navigate to the “My eOPF Print Folder” tab, select the documents you want to copy (either individually or by selecting “Select All”), and then click “Print Single Sided” or “Print Double Sided.” This will generate a consolidated PDF file containing your selected documents, which you can save or print. You are “copying” the documents by creating a printable PDF version. Sometimes, you may need to request that your HR office make copies if employee access to these records is restricted.
If you are a former federal employee, you may get a copy of your complete OPF by requesting it from:
National Archives and Records Administration
National Personnel Records Center (civilian) 411 Boulder Blvd, Valmeyer, IL 62295 Federal law [5 USC 552a(b)] requires that all requests for records and information be submitted in writing. Each request must be handsigned in cursive and dated within the last year. Please identify the documents or information needed and explain the purpose of your request. Certain basic information is needed to locate civilian personnel records and to respond to your request, including:
1. Full name.
2. Date of birth.
3. Social security number.
4. Your last employing agency (including duty station) and approximate date(s) of the employment
5. Signature
The fax number for the National Personnel Records Center for requests is 618-935-3014.
FEGLI COVERAGE
QI’m a federal employee. How do I find out how much life insurance coverage I have under the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program?
AYour life insurance coverage is documented on form SF 50, Notification of Personnel Action. Block 27 of that form has a two-character code representing your current coverage and a definition of the code.
You can look up the SF50 code here: https://www.opm.gov/retirementcenter/calculators/fegli-calculator/ codes-on-a-notification-of-personnel-action-sf50/
COUNTDOWN TO COLA
The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 0.1 percent in October 2024. To calculate the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the 2025 third-quarter indices will be averaged and compared with the 2024 third-quarter average of 308.729. The percentage increase determines the next COLA. October’s index, 309.358, is up 0.2 percent from the base. As a reminder, CSRS annuities received a 2.5 percent COLA for 2025, while FERS annuities received a 2.0 percent COLA.
The CPI represents purchases of food and beverages, housing, apparel, transportation, medical care, recreation, education and communication, and other goods and services.
For FECA COLA updates, visit narfe.org and search for FECA.
You can then use OPM’s FEGLI Calculator to determine the current value of your life insurance by entering your current age, salary, and type(s) of FEGLI coverage into the calculator. You can also use this calculator to show the increasing cost of optional FEGLI coverage as you age. This calculator can also show what it would cost to keep certain levels of FEGLI coverage into retirement. For more information, visit https:// www.opm.gov/retirement-services/calculators/ fegli-calculator/
To reduce your FEGLI coverage, use Standard Form 2817 ( https://www.opm.gov/forms/ pdf_fill/sf2817.pdf ) to choose the life insurance coverage you want to retain. The reduction in coverage would be effective at the beginning of the pay period after your agency receives the form from you. FEGLI life insurance open enrollment periods are infrequent. None are currently scheduled. Outside of open enrollment, eligible employees can enroll or increase their coverage by completing Standard Form SF 2817 along with Standard Form SF 2822 ( https:// www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2822.pdf ) to provide medical documentation. Option C can only be added or increased during an open enrollment or QLE. The last open enrollment for FEGLI was held in 2016.
To change your FEGLI life insurance beneficiaries, complete this form and submit it to your human resources office: www.opm.gov/ forms/pdf_fill/sf2823.pdf
RETIREMENT
NOTICE OF ANNUITY ADJUSTMENT
Q When do we receive Notice of Annuity Adjustment forms (RI 38-38) from OPM?
AWhen your monthly annuity amount changes, OPM will mail you a Notice of Annuity Adjustment explaining the change. Your statement will show required payment adjustments OPM makes, such as cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), health benefit plan and premium changes, Federal income tax withholding table changes, and life insurance premium changes. Be aware that COLAs are effective December 1 and payable on your January 1 annuity payment. Changes in health benefit premiums are effective
on January 1, changing the payment you will receive on February 1. Annuitants can also view their annuity statements online through OPM Retirement Services Online. Here, you can view your monthly annuity statement for the current and previous months, which includes the gross and net amounts, deductions, and additions. In this database, you can find your annual summary of payments and 1099-R tax form that you may download or print. Annuitants can also contact OPM to request a mailed statement.
TSP AND RMDS
Q If I choose a specific amount that I want to receive from Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) each year, how will I know whether that amount will meet the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year once I reach the age that RMDs are required? Do I have to compute this amount myself each year?
AIf you choose to have your monthly, quarterly, or annual periodic TSP distributions computed based on life expectancy, the formula to calculate this payment automatically satisfies the IRS requirements once your account becomes subject to RMDs. If you choose the amount of your installment payments and your RMD is not satisfied by mid-March, the TSP will send you what remains of your RMD. You won’t need to take any action to request additional distributions because the TSP will automatically send you a payment to satisfy the remaining amount before the IRS deadline each year so that you will avoid any tax penalties.
It is important to note that if your TSP account record has your date of birth or separation from service recorded incorrectly or your agency is late in reporting your separation, you may not receive a payment that satisfies the RMD by your required beginning date (defined below). If this happens, you may be subject to an excise tax of 25% on the amount not paid on time.
The excise tax is reduced to 10% if you meet the conditions of correcting the error within two years, which is Section 4974(e) of the Internal Revenue Code. To avoid this excise tax, you must be sure that the information in your TSP record is correct and that your agency or service reports your separation promptly. Reference TSP Booklet 26, “Tax Rules About TSP Payments,” for more information
at https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspbk26. pdf?TSP-BK-26
FERS DISABILITY RETIREMENT COLA
QI retired in July of 2023 and currently receive FERS disability retirement benefits. I was told I would receive COLAs at the end of each year for my type of retirement. I didn’t receive any COLA in my January 1, 2024 payment. Was I given proper information?
ADuring the first 12 months of your FERS disability retirement, you received 60% of your high-3 average salary, which may have been offset by 100% of any Social Security disability benefits received during that period). Under FERS rules, disability annuitants do not receive a COLA when they receive 60% of their high-3 average salary. Beginning with the thirteenth month of your FERS disability retirement, your annuity was reduced to 40% of your high-3 average salary, which may have
been offset by 60% of any Social Security disability retirement benefits.
Your first COLA will be applied to your FERS disability retirement, effective December 1, 2024, and payable on the first business day in January 2025. FERS COLAs will continue to be applied to your annuity each year. Also, be aware that OPM must re-compute your annuity at age 62 using the general FERS formula based on the creditable service you had leading up to your date of separation and including the years you would have had you not separated from federal employment. You can read about this in more detail here: https://www.opm. gov/forms/pdfimage/sf3112-2.pdf.
To obtain an answer to a federal benefits question, NARFE members should call 800-456-8410 and select option 2 for the Federal Benefits Institute; send the question by postal mail to NARFE Headquarters, ATTN: Federal Benefits; or submit it by email to fedbenefits@narfe.org.
IPrescription Drug Coverage Options
t should come as no surprise that according to a September 2024 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, 86.9% of adults ages 65–74, 91.3% of adults ages 75–84, and 91.2% of adults ages 85 and older take prescription medication.
Did you also know that adults with only Medicare and no other health insurance and older adults with no prescription drug coverage were less likely than those with other types of health coverage or any prescription drug coverage, private or public, to have taken prescription medication in the past 12 months? Fortunately, all Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) and Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) plans include excellent prescription drug coverage for employees, annuitants, and covered family members. For annuitants and their spouses eligible for Medicare, that prescription benefit might be through Medicare Part D rather than the prescription benefits outlined in the annual FEHB or PSHB brochure.
What is the difference? Is there a choice for retirees?
MEDICARE PART DPRESCRIPTION DRUG
The prescription drug benefit of Medicare, known as Medicare Part D, was implemented through the passage of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003. This was said to be the most significant change in Medicare’s history.
Although this benefit was introduced in 2003, the inside cover of every FEHB plan
brochure has the following reminder: “The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has determined that the _________ (FEHB Plan) prescription drug coverage is, on average, expected to pay out as much as the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage will pay for all plan participants and is considered Creditable Coverage. This means you do not need to enroll in Medicare Part D and pay extra for prescription drug coverage. If you decide to enroll in Medicare Part D later, you will not have to pay a penalty for late enrollment as long as you keep your FEHB coverage. However, if you choose to enroll in Medicare Part D, you can keep your FEHB coverage and your FEHB plan will coordinate benefits with Medicare.” PSHBcovered individuals who opt out of or disenroll from the Part D EGWP will not receive prescription drug coverage through their PSHB plan.
Beginning in 2024, after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Part D benefits were changed to help save money for Medicare beneficiaries. More vaccines were covered; lower costs for insulin; yearly Part D out-of-pocket costs capped at $2,000; lower out-of-pocket drug coinsurance; and negotiated rates to lower prices for certain brand name drugs.
BENEFITS RESOURCES
NARFE OFFERS MEMBERS a wide range of information on federal benefits. Visit www.narfe.org/federal-benefits-institute
Effective in 2026, Eliquis, Jardiance, Xarelto, Januvia, Farxiga, Entresto, Enbrel, Imbruvica, Stelara, and Flasp will be the first drugs selected for negotiation. There will be many more in the years ahead. For more information, visit https:// www.medicare.gov/about-us/ prescription-drug-law.
AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT
In 2024, most FEHB plans automatically enrolled members with Medicare Part A and/or Part B under the FEP Medicare Prescription Drug Program (MPDP). Those initially enrolled in group Part D drug coverage could disenroll and rejoin during the upcoming FEHB/ PSHB Open Season.
Many retirees only take generic medications, so many have opted out of this coverage. It was also discovered that the manufacturer’s discount coupons would not be honored if covered under a Medicare Part D plan. The new Part D coverage was especially unpopular for those impacted by the higher income surcharges of the IncomeRelated Modified Adjusted Amount (IRMAA). Outside of the IRMAA charges, there is no additional premium for coverage under the FEHB MPDP. Every FEHB plan website has information on prescription benefits, including those under the group Part D plan, if available. For more information, visit https://www.
opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/ plan-information/plans/.
The drug coverage provided by your FEHB plan is considered “creditable,” so there is no penalty if you decide later to enroll in Part D. The FEHB & PSHB plans and Medicare Part D plans have different formularies to determine what drugs are covered and at what expenses to you.
COUPONS
According to HealthLine Media, the enactment of the Anti-Kickback Statute made it illegal to use discount drug coupons with Medicare drug plans. If your medication is cheaper with a coupon than through your Part D plan, ask the pharmacist to charge you outof-pocket for the drug. It’s important to note that this will not count toward your Part D out-of-pocket maximum. Remember, most manufacturer coupons eventually run out, leaving you paying very high prices out-ofpocket without coverage. The problem is that it is unclear when you may save more money, and pharmacies are not always forthcoming or transparent about your options.
POSTAL SERVICE HEALTH BENEFITS (PSHB)
The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 (PSRA) requires certain Medicare-eligible United States Postal Service annuitants and their Medicareeligible family members to be enrolled in Medicare Part B to remain enrolled in a PSHB plan. PSHB carriers must offer Medicare-eligible USPS annuitants and their Medicare-eligible family members pharmacy benefit coverage through a Medicare drug benefit.
Beginning January 1, 2025, postal service employees, annuitants, and survivors will be covered under the new PSHB, a subset of the FEHB program administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This requirement does not apply to those enrolled in FEHB plans.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Watch NARFE’s on-demand webinars recorded during this year’s Open Season on its Federal Benefits Institute here: https://www.narfe. org/federal-benefits-institute/narfe-webinars/ webinar-archive/.
—MICHELE BOLLIER IS A RETIREMENT AND BENEFITS SPECIALIST WITH RETIRE FEDERAL.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan members may be eligible for two fully covered hearing aids with zero out-of-pocket cost*. Call 1-855-252-0025 to discover more or visit www.blue365deals.com/fep.
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RETURNING to the FEDERAL OFFICE
BY DAVID TOBENKIN
Many federal employees are being called back into their offices, part-time or fulltime, after working from home full-time or most of the time as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. What are some ways to successfully return by shifting your mindset? We cover the latest workforce factors.
Since 2023, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget has directed federal agencies to have federal employees work from their agency offices more often, more recently restated by OMB as at least 50% of the time, a large shift at many agencies that allowed more extensive telework during and post COVID-19. There has been considerable pushback by many federal employees who state they have been able to perform their jobs effectively, largely or fully at home. This story examines how employees can adjust successfully to a new norm of more work in agency offices.
Alice, a federal employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she is not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, says fully remote work has been permitted. It worked beautifully at her former federal agency, a unit within a large cabinet agency.
“It makes sense given the line of work they are in,” she said. “Even before the agency moved to fully remote work, we already operated like one. Most of our colleagues and internal customers were dispersed in other offices throughout the country, and I had co-workers I had worked with for years but had never met in person. We all worked effectively, and because of new technology upgrades like Microsoft Teams, we were able to foster more collaboration and build connections. Our FEVS [Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey] scores, especially the ‘Leaders Lead’ category, have increased significantly.”
Alice has recently moved to another agency that requires its employees to be in the office 50% of the time, even though, as with her previous agency, most of her colleagues and internal customers are in different states and locations. It has been a challenging adjustment.
“When I work in the office, I don’t see or meet with colleagues in person and just communicate with them through Teams, so there doesn’t seem to be much of a point to in-person work,” she adds. “Additionally, they should update the workspace to shift the cubicles and add more conference rooms and better technology. Commuting can be exhausting and stressful given my drive is about an hour each way to and from home.”
The good news is that her new agency is currently piloting a remote work program and collecting data to ensure its effectiveness. Unfortunately, this topic has become very political, and despite the effort, data, and full support from senior leadership, remote work might not remain, Alice says.
The Remote Work Trajectory
For years after a 2010 statute mandated that agencies make workplace flexibilities available, the level of federal telework steadily ramped up, driven in part by U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) annual reports to Congress that touted the effectiveness of telework.
Then, COVID-19 forced the issue, as most agencies transitioned to fully remote work for large swaths of employees and, to the surprise of some, demonstrated greater effectiveness at achieving the mission than previously thought. That, in turn, raised the possibility of extensive teleworking or even fully remote service as feasible options for many federal employees.
As the pandemic receded and agency calls to return to offices evolved from requests to mandates, many federal employees, like their private sector counterparts, pushed back. They noted the benefits of remote work, such as eliminating commute time and costs, more time spent with families, and the ability to accommodate physical limitations.
In August 2024, OMB issued a report detailing telework at 24 agencies. The report noted that most federal employees—roughly 56%—are not eligible for telework because their jobs require entirely in-person work. For units eligible for teleworking, agencies appeared to be moving to a new norm where, on average, telework-eligible teams work in person at the office at least half the time, OMB wrote in the report.
For some who work entirely remotely or close to it, a lot depends on whether remote work flexibility continues. Anne, a mid-career program analyst at the USDA who also spoke on the condition of anonymity because she is not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, works almost fully remotely, with occasional visits to her agency’s Washington, D.C. office building.
“Staying remote with a toddler-age child has greatly improved my quality of life and allows me to not pay before and after daycare fees,” she said. “If they pull us back to the D.C. office, my commute will be two to four hours per day, my childcare costs will skyrocket, and there will be no time to do anything other than work, commute and sleep.”
Agency and Agency Remote Work Evaluation Scrutiny Varies
The big question is to what degree are agencies determining to require a return to office based on the level of telework and in-person work the mission requires? Mika Cross, a government workplace expert who formerly worked at several agencies, asks whether this determination is appropriate to the needs and limitations of federal workers or is being made based on assumptions, optical or political considerations. Cross also consults many agencies on workforce transformation and future-of-work strategies. More information can be found at https://www.mikacross. com/ or www.strategyatwork.us.
“Those agencies that have the data to substantiate whether and how performance and productivity and workforce engagement is being affected, whether good, bad or indifferent, based on the location of work, are going to have the case studies and [return on investment data] to support continuing using these flexibilities,” said Cross. “They will have the ability to say, ‘Look, we have data that shows us our recruitment,
“When I work in the office, I don’t see or meet with colleagues in person and just communicate with them through Teams, so there doesn’t seem to be much of a point to in-person work.”
—Alice, federal employee
In August 2024, OMB issued a report detailing telework at 24 agencies. The report noted that most federal employees—roughly 56%—are not eligible for telework because their jobs require entirely inperson work. For units eligible for teleworking, agencies appeared to be moving to a new norm where, on average, telework-eligible teams
hires, employee engagement scores or performance and productivity measures that we track are not being affected in a negative way by remote work, and therefore, we want to continue extending the flexibility.’”
Documenting Norms
As a leader, Cross refers to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) as a model for prioritizing and strengthening skills across their teams so that they can adjust to remote and hybrid workforce arrangements early on in the pandemic.
“A couple of years ago, USDA NASS came up with a workforce standards document [‘Workplace Standards for a Hybrid Environment’] that they created, a guide that was helpful but not overly prescriptive as to norms, behaviors, best practices, such as when to Zoom with video [turned] on versus video [turned] off, how long your meeting should be, and how to leverage the technology,” Cross said. “They created a framework teams could take to create team norms and office protocols at the team-based level. It was brilliantly done and was an investment on their strategic and workforce
Become a Silver Circle Contributor Today
NARFE offers members a way to give to the association’s General Fund through its donor recognition program, the Silver Circle.
Your contribution to the Silver Circle supports the direct work of NARFE as we continue to provide you resources and advocacy that you rely on and that member dues alone cannot support. When you donate to the Silver Circle, you are ensuring that NARFE has the resources to continue to fight for the financial security and earned benefits for you and the federal community.
NARFE appreciates all financial support you provide to us and would like to recognize you for your generous contributions to our cause. Donate now to the Silver Circle at www.narfe.org/silvercircle.
With NARFE’s thanks, you will receive:
• A Silver Circle pin and recognition on NARFE.ORG with a donation of $100 or more.
• A Silver Circle pin, your name plate placed on the Silver Circle plaque at NARFE Headquarters, recognition on NARFE.ORG and recognition at the NARFE yearly conference with a donation of $1,000 or more.
To learn more about the Silver Circle donor recognition program or how to recommend an outstanding NARFE member to the Silver Circle, please visit www.narfe.org/silvercircle or email us at donatenow@narfe.org
Enclosed is my NARFE donation: $ q Mr. q Mrs. q Miss q Ms.
(yy) 3-Digit Security Code: Date: Signature:
Name: (please print)
Member Number:
PLEASE MAIL COUPON AND CHECK TO: NARFE, Attn: Silver Circle, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314 Donations to NARFE are not tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.
planning team to give their teams the tools to succeed in, first, with remote work, and then as they transferred to hybrid work.”
According to LaKeya Jones Smith, chief of staff at USDA NASS, the approaches in this guide played a key part of the 800-employee agency continuing to meet its mission during a time when its entire work model had to change.
“While it is not the only factor, it is part of the foundation that has allowed NASS to sustain an over 99% on-time release rate for its over 450 reports released annually,” Smith said.
The Role of Unions
Employees, their union representatives, and management must collaborate to craft sensible workforce plans. A good example is the collaborative work of the U.S. Census Bureau and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which, emerging from COVID-19 remote work in 2021, worked together to chart a path forward and determine which employees should be allowed to telework in which situations, says Johnny Zuagar, president of AFGE Council 241 and Local 2782. He is also a Census Bureau statistician.
“So instead of sitting and fighting each other, we started coming up with different ideas,” said Zuagar. “The outcome was, ‘it’s not a one-size-fits-all, you know? It depends on the type of job, where they’re located, and a lot of other things.’ So currently, we have people who come in every single day, all the time, but in a lot of different ways. Then, call center employees across the country agreed to give up their office space for their right to work remotely. Then, we had criteria for allowing telework for people with a deep personal need for remote work who didn’t otherwise qualify. And then you had a process for those with medical accommodations. So, overall, we just came up with a diverse set of options that meets the needs of the mission and our employees.”
According to Gleb Tsipursky, CEO of the hybrid work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts, whenever he works with an agency, he strongly recommends they do surveys of their staff members and then have conversations with their union representatives to be on the same page.
“I’ve been involved as an expert witness for unions in situations where an agency did not consult with them, and then whatever the agency has planned to do hadn’t worked out because the union was not consulted,” he said. More information on Tsipursky can be found at https:// disasteravoidanceexperts.com.
“The workplace can be a powerful engine for human connection, so creating opportunities for people to come back in person periodically to be able to build in-person connection [and] create more intentional opportunities for people to be able to connect and learn about one another virtually— those become increasingly important when you're in a hybrid work environment.”
—U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy
Tsipursky adds that existing bipartisan legislation, the Telework Reform Act (S. 3015), introduced in the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, attempts to codify the use of remote work in a thoughtful way that mandates more careful agency scrutiny of when telework is allowed.
Adjusting to The New Norm Federal employees are returning to workplaces that often differ from those pre-COVID. In some cases, as referenced in the December 2023 NARFE Magazine article titled “The Evolving Federal Office,” dedicated offices have been replaced by hoteling, at least for those who do not commit to enough hours in the office. This means employees may not have a dedicated workplace.
What is dues withholding?
NARFE’s Dues Withholding Program
It is a dues-payment method available to retired NARFE members, their spouses and annuitant survivors giving them the option to have their annual NARFE membership dues deducted from their annuities each month.
Advantages
• Save more than 10% off your annual NARFE dues
• Sign up your spouse and double your savings
• You’ll never get another dues reminder from us
• Your monthly payment is affordable and convenient
• You may cancel your dues withholding at any time
How does it work?
One-twelfth of your total dues is automatically deducted from your monthly annuity. Your monthly deduction is determined by the following formula: ($42 NARFE dues ÷ 12) + (Chapter dues - if applicable ÷ 12) = total monthly deduction
How do I sign up?
Complete the Dues Withholding Application below. Send no payment. It may take 60 to 90 days before auto-deduction starts. Your membership starts as soon as your application is received. To learn more about dues withholding, call 800-456-8410
NARFE Dues Withholding Application for NARFE Members who are Retirees, Spouses of Retirees or Annuitant Survivors
STOP! Complete this section ONLY if you are signing up for Dues Withholding. If so, DO NOT send payment
o YES. I want to enroll in NARFE’s Dues Withholding Program. NARFE dues of $42* and chapter dues, if applicable, to be withheld annually. (*Dues-withholding members save more than 10% off the regular NARFE dues rate.)
Social Security Number (9-digit number)
o Mr. o Mrs. o Miss o Ms.
Full Name
Street Address
Apt./Unit
City
State ___________ ZIP
Phone (__________)
Date of Birth _________ /_________ /
Civil Service Annuity Number
(Include prefix, CSA or CSF) (Include any applicable suffix)
NARFE MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
NARFE Membership ID
NARFE Chapter Number
o YES. I also authorize my (NARFE member) spouse’s dues to be withheld from my annuity. (Additional annual dues of $42 and chapter dues, if applicable, to be withheld annually. If YES, enter spouse’s information below.)
Spouse’s Name
Spouse’s Membership ID
Spouse’s Email
AUTHORIZATION (Withholding will begin in 60-90 days). Send NO PAYMENT with Dues Withholding Application!
I authorize the United States Office of Personnel Management to make appropriate deductions from my annuity payments, not to exceed the amount certified by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association as the amount of dues for which I am annually obligated, in accordance with elections I made above, and to pay the deducted sum to the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE). This authorization shall also apply to any and all dues changes certified by NARFE membership in accordance with elections I made. Please allow 60-90 days for processing.
I understand that this authorization shall be valid until NARFE receives and processes my written notice of cancellation in accordance with its agreement with the Office of Personnel Management and that any disputes regarding this authorization shall be a matter between NARFE and myself. I hold the Office of Personnel Management harmless for any erroneous allotment deduction made pursuant to this authorization.
Signature of Annuitant
or Survivor-Annuitant
Date
Dues payments and gifts or contributions to NARFE are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
this form
Many federal offices still struggle to offer enough regular in-office employees to support gyms, cafeterias, or other amenities. Agencies have allowed employees flexibility as to which days they are in the office. On a professional level, having all the employees in the office for a particular meeting or friends available to go out to lunch together may be challenging. Hybrid meetings are now commonplace in which some employees are remote and some are in the office.
“I strongly recommend that managers switch from managing by walking around to trying to check in with people by having a weekly meeting with each employee and setting three to five key goals that you want the employee to achieve over this next week,” Tsipursky notes.
Recognizing the Stresses and Possible Remedies
Employees must also recognize that in-person work after COVID does not feel the same as prior in-person work because of the stressful environment. Returning to work after an extended absence is stressful, as is not knowing whether future workplace expectations will change and how, such as agency budgetary uncertainties, an election year, two major international wars, and general divides in social affairs.
Returning to work can also complicate dependent care by eliminating the margins of the day for such homecare and errands. Some agency Employee Assistance Programs
(EAPs) offer concierge services to secure such services, Cross notes.
Some Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program plans offer discounts on wellness phone and tablet apps, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. Other perks include nutritional coaching services and gym discounts, Cross says.
Making Spaces Meaningful
Cross says it’s essential to have a personalized, comfortable workspace with objects that bring you joy, such as photos and music, rather than a sterile one. Some agencies with hoteling initiatives have provided dedicated lockers where employees can retrieve supplies and personal effects. Combining group rituals with such space can provide balance.
“Some agencies and teams have a Wednesday lunch date, where everybody who works in the office would bring in a dish and share, while others eat with them from their home offices online enjoying their favorite lunch,” said Cross. “So you can find some joy in the connection and comfort in your space.”
The closure of many agency cafeterias has resulted in a loss of good onsite dining options, so bringing in nutritious and appealing food or locating new lunch options near the office building can be an important hidden factor in in-office satisfaction.
Focusing on the Positive Aspects
In a May 2024 public conversation on workplace mental health between U.S. Surgeon General Vivek
“Those agencies that have the data to substantiate whether and how performance and productivity and workforce engagement is being affected, whether good, bad or indifferent, based on the location of work, are going to have the case studies and [return on investment data] to support continuing using these flexibilities.”
—Mika Cross, a government workplace expert who formerly worked at several agencies.
Murthy and OPM Acting Director Rob Shriver, Murthy emphasized the potential of a return to work to offer employees many positives if they embrace it.
"The workplace can be a powerful engine for human connection,” Murthy said. “So creating opportunities for people to come back in person periodically to be able to build in-person connection [and] create more intentional opportunities for people to be able to connect and learn about one another virtually—those become increasingly important when you’re in a hybrid work environment.”
Jonathan Kaufman, a clinical therapist and change consultant to businesses and government agencies, agrees.
“I sort of think about it from the perspective of jazz—there’s an improvisation that one can have when being in an office in terms of the ability to connect with colleagues on the fly that you can’t do via Zoom.”
Offices are still where some of the best collective thinking is done.
“The downside of working at home is that you have reduced the boundary between work time and home time, and many people would benefit from maintaining that boundary,” Kaufman adds. “Still, if you are a business or organization, unless there is a specific reason why they must be present, the real question is what work arrangement will allow you to get the best work out of a particular employee?”
—DAVID TOBENKIN IS A FREELANCE WRITER BASED IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA.
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of VA Research 100 YEARS
The past, present and future of one of the world’s preeminent research organizations
BY EVERETT A. CHASEN
One hundred years ago, in 1925, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began a program to study treatments for injuries and illnesses common to America’s veterans. A century later, VA researchers gave the world the first cardiac pacemaker and the CT (computerized tomography) scanner. Three Nobel Prize winners did much or all of their pioneering medical research at laboratories within VA facilities.
Dr. Rachel B. Ramoni, the VA’s chief research and development officer, cited other historic achievements by VA investigators.
“VA is where the very first multi-site clinical trials were done, leading to landmark findings that serve as the basis for many common practices in American medicine,” she said.
Examples include medications for treating heart disease and high blood pressure, therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder, and work that led to the approval of the shingles vaccine for older adults.
“Our work spans a spectrum of disciplines and diseases that are led by some of the nation’s most expert clinicians and scientists,” Ramoni said.
“This work now continues to expand into providing innovative breakthroughs.”
The VA Research enterprise is the only medical research program focused entirely on veterans’ needs. Only VA employees can conduct research under the department’s sponsorship. More than 60% of VA researchers are also clinicians who provide direct patient care to veterans. This allows VA Research to quickly move scientific discoveries from research settings to health care advancements and recruit the best and brightest health care professionals.
These investigators work on collaborative projects addressing issues affecting veterans and the VA health care system. Their research covers a wide range of topics, including military exposures, traumatic brain injury, mental health, prosthetics,
cardiovascular health and oncology. VA researchers routinely pioneer advances benefiting not only veterans but all Americans.
In fiscal year 2023, there were 3,774 funded principal investigators conducting more than 7,400 active funded research projects at 105 VA health care facilities nationwide. Congress allocated $916 million for VA medical and prosthetic research, and the department’s total research budget, including other VA and non-VA sources of funding, was $2.3 billion. VA investigators authored or co-authored more than 11,000 published research articles in 2023.
Most VA researchers and physicians are also professors at top academic medical centers throughout the nation.
“We really are like an all-star team for clinical research,” Ramoni said.
Veterans receiving care at the Nashville VA Medical Center, for example, are cared for by physicians associated with the renowned Vanderbilt University. “We have to stay on the cutting edge if we want to keep fulfilling our mission to improve Veterans’ well-being through research.”
Ramoni has been VA’s chief research and development officer since January 2017 and is responsible for developing and executing the strategy for VA’s nationwide research enterprise.
“It’s a privilege to be a public servant in the federal government,” she said. “Together, we can accomplish truly big things for our country.”
Historical Accomplishments
Dr. Philip B. Matz, the first chief of research for the organization, then known as the Veterans Bureau, and from 1930 to 1989 as the Veterans Administration, set out VA Research’s main goals right at the start.
“Ours must be research based on practicability,” he wrote. “Our research work must eventually result in larger percentages of recoveries and reduced mortality rates of (veterans).”
Within the first year of the program’s establishment, diagnostic centers were started at VA hospitals in Cincinnati, Ohio and Washington, D.C. The centers analyzed cases of hard-to-diagnose patients at their hospitals and elsewhere. VA research also began publishing a journal in 1925, circulating articles reflecting clinical experience and statistical studies at VA hospitals. The journal also included reports of original research done by VA physicians.
Dr. William H. Oldendorf, a neurologist at the Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center, conceived the idea for a computerized tomography (CT) scanner in 1959 as a way to avoid pain and complications suffered by patients whose brains had to be seen for doctors to detect lesions. Oldendorf built a prototype using his son’s toy train, a phonograph turntable, and an alarm clock motor.
Later, non-VA researchers turned his prototype into a reality.
Today’s CT scanners provide detailed crosssectional images of the body, including threedimensional images, which help diagnose a wide range of conditions from bone fractures and cancers to vascular diseases. CT scans are relatively quick, often taking only a few minutes—crucial in emergency situations. Also, they are less invasive compared to other diagnostic methods, reducing risk and discomfort for patients.
The first pacemaker was developed in 1958 at the Buffalo, New York VA Medical Center. Two surgeons, Dr. William Chardack and Dr. Andrew Gage, and an electrical engineer named Wilson Greatbach, built what Chardack described as a “battery-operated gadget about twice as big as a spool of Scotch tape and (having) much the same shape.”
3,774 funded principal investigators conducted more than 7,400 active funded research projects at 105 VA health care facilities nationwide.
Congress appropriated $916 million for VA medical and prosthetic research.
The department’s total research budget, including other VA and non-VA sources of funding, was $2.3 billion.
In 1960, the surgeons implanted the “gadget” under the skin of a patient suffering from a complete heart block. It sends electrical signals to stimulate the heart and help it maintain a regular rhythm, the way pacemakers still operate today. In 1972, Gage and Chardack implanted the first nuclear-powered cardiac pacemakers in patients at the Buffalo VA. That same year, Greatbach pioneered the use of long-lasting lithium-iodine cells as a power source for pacemakers.
VA Nobel laureates include Dr. Rosalyn S. Yalow, who worked on uncovering the mechanics of insulin injection at the Bronx VA Medical Center. Yalow and her research partner, Dr. Solomon A. Berson, worked to uncover the mechanics of insulin injections in the human body. Using radioactive iodine, they traced insulin on its path through the body, ultimately concluding these injections immunized patients so they developed insulinbinding antibodies (blood proteins produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen).
Yalow and Berson discovered a groundbreaking scientific technique they called radioimmunoassay. The technique harnessed the power of radioisotopes (the unstable form of an element that releases radiation as it breaks down and becomes more stable) to follow how antigens (toxins or other foreign substances that induce an immune response in the body) reacted with antibodies. Yalow received the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1977 for their work. Berson was not eligible because he had died in 1972. Yalow was a VA researcher from 1947 through 1991. She passed away in 2011.
Other recipients include Dr. Andrew V. Schally, who joined the department in 1962 and still maintains a laboratory at the Miami VA Medical Center. Schally moved there from the New Orleans VA after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. His discovery that the hypothalamus (the area of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger and thirst) links the nervous system to the endocrine system (the glands that make hormones) through the pituitary gland has been called the foundation of modern endocrinology (specially trained doctors who are qualified to diagnose and treat hormone-related diseases and conditions). He, too, received a Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1977.
For more than 30 years, Schally and his laboratory have been synthesizing analogs of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) for therapeutic use in managing various cancers, and
possibly reversing the aging process. Schally, who turned 98 in November 2024, is still active in his VA laboratory and still publishes papers (he has more than 2200 to his credit) to advance scientific knowledge throughout the world.
Dr. Ferid Murad, a VA researcher and chief of medicine at the Palo Alto, CA, VA Medical Center from 1981 through 1986, received the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1998 for discoveries relating to nitric oxide, a body chemical that helps maintain healthy blood vessels.
What VA Researchers Are Doing Today
“The fact is, without research, we would still be providing care to veterans that hasn’t been stateof-the-art for a century,” Ramoni said. “Instead of clunky prosthetic limbs made of wood and leather, VA research is driving the creation of functional prostheses that can move with just a veterans thoughts—and can feel!”
“It was such a moving experience some years ago when I shook the prosthetic hand of a veteran who had volunteered to participate in this research,” she added. “I asked what it felt like. He smiled and said, ‘it feels like you are shaking my hand.’”
Ramoni also cited VA’s Million Veteran Program, fittingly called MVP, as one of the program’s most recent and most significant accomplishments.
“That program examines how genetics affects areas as varied as cancer risk, military exposures, diabetes, mental health, and heart disease,”
“It began before I arrived, and I had the privilege of being in this role the year it reached its goal of enrolling one million veterans—that’s larger than the population of Austin, Texas!” Ramoni added. “The fact that so many veterans have signed up is an incredible testament to their ongoing commitment to their fellow veterans and our country.”
Ramoni is proud of the VA’s recent accomplishments in precision oncology, which enables doctors to choose cancer treatments based on a person’s genes, proteins, environment and lifestyle. The department’s precision oncology program for cancer of the prostate uses genetic information to tailor individualized treatments for veterans with advanced prostate cancer, including access to genetic testing, counseling, clinical trials and Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs targeted to specific cancer mutations. The program “has truly transformed prostate cancer care,” she said.
VA Research and COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Research and Development used its position as a national research enterprise within America’s largest integrated health care system to swiftly mobilize resources and expertise to assist our nation’s response to the problem. VA researchers conducted large-scale clinical studies, established research capabilities and resources; and worked with the Department’s clinical and operational partners to support the priorities of the VA health care system.
VA also collaborated with other federal agencies to create effective vaccines and treatments for
“Our mission to improve veterans’ well-being through research is, of course, eternal and unwavering, so that continues to guide the future of VA Research.”
– Dr. Rachel B. Ramoni, the VA’s chief research and development officer
The Future of VA Research
“Our mission to improve veterans’ wellbeing through research is, of course, eternal and unwavering, so that continues to guide the future of VA Research,” Ramoni said about the future.
With the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, a law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances, VA Research were called upon and empowered to accelerate their work to serve veterans who experienced military toxic exposures.
“In collaboration with our clinical partners in VA and our federal partners in the Toxic Exposures Research Working Group, I am confident we will do work that not only sheds light on the health impacts of these toxic exposures but also discovers ways to diagnose and treat them,” Ramoni said.
Ramoni recalls a recent visit to San Diego, where a research group has been making “amazing progress” in preclinical studies of restoring function by repairing the spinal cords of injured veterans.
COVID-19. Because of the racial and ethnic diversity of the veteran population, the men and women who volunteered to participate in vaccine studies substantially enhanced the diversity of clinical trials. In addition, the extent of data VA has gathered on its 9.1 million health care enrollees enabled its researchers to accomplish some unique tasks while maintaining the anonymity of individual patients. For example, VA investigators were among the first to shed light on the potential long-term impacts of having had COVID.
“VA Research’s contributions to the pandemic response really demonstrated the central role the program plays in our nation’s biomedical ecosystem,” Ramoni said. “I hope it made other federal agencies aware of the good we can accomplish when we collaborate.”
“I am confident that not long from now, we will be positioned to do clinical trials of spinal cord repair in humans,” she said.
Finally, she outlines two more areas of concern for VA and veterans: mental health and brain health.
“The human brain has been described as the most complex structure in the known universe, and much of how it works remains shrouded in mystery,” she said.
Thanks to the Long-Term Impact of Militaryrelated Brain Injury Consortium, an ongoing collaboration between the VA and the Department of Defense to follow veterans with and without a history of traumatic brain injury, the VA is beginning to understand how even mild brain injuries can impact a veteran’s overall health. That understanding, Ramoni believes, “is the beginning of a path to effective treatments for conditions that currently only have symptom management.”
“That’s the thing about working in a health care system,” she concluded. “It’s not enough to make grand discoveries. You need to be able to bring them into real-world care that can benefit veterans.” Philip Matz, her predecessor from a century ago, would surely agree.
—EVERETT A. CHASEN IS A WRITER AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C., AREA. HE RETIRED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AFTER 35 YEARS OF SERVICE.
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• Recruiter receives $8 for any new (never joined) active federal employee enrollment only September-December Fall Membership Recruitment Drive
• Recruiter receives $10 for new enrollment (any member type—active or retired federal employee)
New members can join by:
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SOptions When Inheriting an IRA From Your Spouse
pousal beneficiaries have more flexibility and options when inheriting an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) than other beneficiaries. While having more options is typically a good thing, surviving spouses must understand their options and which best fit their circumstances to avoid unnecessary taxes and penalties.
Cashing out an inherited IRA is an option, but the tax implications can be steep, particularly for a traditional IRA. It also eliminates any future taxadvantaged growth opportunities. If a surviving spouse wants to continue the tax advantages of the deceased spouse’s IRA, they’ll have two options.
The first option is to maintain the deceased’s IRA as an inherited IRA, and the second option, which is only available to spousal beneficiaries, is to roll over the deceased’s IRA into their own IRA. These options are available to a spousal beneficiary, whether the deceased spouse’s account was a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA.
Ultimately, the best option for the surviving spouse will depend on several factors, including age, the need to access the IRA, and the type of IRA the surviving spouse inherits.
When the surviving spouse needs to access the deceased’s IRA before turning 59 ½, maintaining the account as an inherited IRA may make the most sense. Why? The Internal Revenue Service typically imposes a 10% early distribution penalty when withdrawals are taken before 59 ½, but beneficiaries taking distributions from inherited
IRAs are not subject to this penalty.
Spousal beneficiaries maintaining an inherited IRA must be aware of the RMD
ULTIMATELY, THE BEST OPTION FOR THE SURVIVING SPOUSE WILL DEPEND ON SEVERAL FACTORS, INCLUDING AGE, THE NEED TO ACCESS THE IRA, AND THE TYPE OF IRA THE SURVIVING SPOUSE INHERITS.
rules, as they are different for beneficiaries than owners. While IRA owners must begin taking RMDs based on their age (the age at which RMDs must start is 73 and increases to 75 beginning in 2033), the timing of a spousal beneficiary’s RMD is based on the deceased spouse’s age.
For example, if the deceased spouse died before their required beginning date (April 1, following the year the deceased would have been required to start RMDs), a spousal beneficiary may delay RMDs until the year the deceased spouse would have reached the
required age for starting RMDs. If the deceased spouse died after their required beginning date, then the spousal beneficiary must start RMDs the year following the year of death.
The spousal beneficiary RMD rules can come in handy if the deceased spouse is younger than the surviving spouse and may potentially allow the surviving spouse to delay RMDs beyond the age they would be required to start if they were the owner of the IRA.
It should be noted that while Roth IRA owners are not subject to RMDs during their lifetime, inherited Roth IRAs are. If a spouse maintains an inherited Roth IRA, they will have to start RMDs the later of the year the deceased spouse would have reached the required age for starting RMDs or December 31 of the year following the year of death.
If the surviving spouse doesn’t need to access the inherited account before age 59 ½, or the RMD rules provide no advantage, then a spousal beneficiary may be better off rolling over the inherited account to an IRA of their own. When the surviving spouse chooses this option, the deceased’s IRA is treated as if it always belonged to the surviving spouse. In other words, the surviving spouse is treated as if they were the owner all along and is subject to the same rules as any IRA owner, including the timing of RMDs.
It’s important to note that if the deceased spouse was subject to RMDs but had not satisfied
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their RMD in the year of death, the surviving spouse will need to take the year of death RMD.
In the case of inheriting a Roth IRA, rolling it over into a Roth IRA of their own allows the surviving spouse to avoid having to take RMDs from the Roth IRA during their lifetime.
Each option has several advantages and disadvantages, including for the surviving spouse’s beneficiaries. Stay tuned next month when I discuss the circumstances in which one option will prove better than the other and a new option spouses have when calculating RMDs as beneficiaries.
Mark A. Keen, CFP®, Partner, Keen & Pocock. Securities offered through The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA), Member FINRA/ SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Strategic Blueprint, LLC and The Strategic Financial Alliance,
Inc. Mark Keen is a registered principal of SFA and an investment advisor representative of SFA and Strategic Blueprint, LLC. SFA and Strategic Blueprint are affiliated through common ownership but otherwise unaffiliated with Keen & Pocock. Neither Strategic Blueprint nor SFA provide tax or legal advice.
MARK A. KEEN, CFP®, PARTNER, KEEN & POCOCK. SECURITIES OFFERED THROUGH THE STRATEGIC FINANCIAL ALLIANCE, INC. (SFA), MEMBER FINRA/ SIPC. ADVISORY SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH STRATEGIC BLUEPRINT, LLC AND THE STRATEGIC FINANCIAL ALLIANCE, INC. MARK KEEN IS A REGISTERED PRINCIPAL OF SFA AND AN INVESTMENT ADVISOR REPRESENTATIVE OF SFA AND STRATEGIC BLUEPRINT, LLC. SFA AND STRATEGIC BLUEPRINT ARE AFFILIATED THROUGH COMMON OWNERSHIP BUT OTHERWISE UNAFFILIATED WITH KEEN & POCOCK. NEITHER STRATEGIC BLUEPRINT NOR SFA PROVIDE TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE. Did you recently join NARFE and looking for a way to get involved with local feds in your community? Are you missing the friends you used to work with every day in the office?
Find a local chapter convenient to you!
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first year of chapter
NARFE Life Membership Option Ends
As of October 1, 2024, following the bylaws part of NARFE’s election, it was voted on and overwhelmingly approved to eliminate the ability to sign up as a new life member moving forward. Any current life membership processed before that time will be honored, but any new life membership applications received will not be accepted. However, we do have some alternatives to replace the life membership option that you can consider.
GO PAPERLESS!
We hope you will encourage your fellow members to participate in other ways to set it and forget it!
DUES WITHHOLDING
Roughly a third of members are on dues withholding. This is an easy way to support NARFE with a monthly deduction of $3.50 from your annuity. This includes an annual savings of $6 off the regular $48 annual dues. This option is only available for retired members. Sign up for dues withholding today by completing the form on page 27 or the back of your renewal form, and once accepted dues will start to be withdrawn from your annuity in three to four months.
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to receive more print or email renewal reminders! By logging in to your account, you can set up a credit card to be charged on either a one-, two-, or three-year interval. The two-year and threeyear rates include annual savings of $2 and $6, respectively. To update the invoice in your record to one of these rates, email memberrecords@narfe.org or call 800-456-8410, ext. 1.
APPLY FOR THE 2025 NARFE-FEEA SCHOLARSHIPS
The 2025 NARFE-FEEA Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors only. Applicants must be children, grandchildren or greatgrandchildren of NARFE members. For more information and to access the application, visit www.feea.org/ our-programs/scholarships/
To sign up for AutoPay, login to https://members.narfe.org/ and click on “My Account,” and then “My Settings” and click on “My AutoPay Account” to preauthorize your card today! By automating your NARFE membership and if applicable chapter dues, you can
• Save NARFE valuable resources (and a few trees) by not having to mail renewal notices
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—BY NORA MACDONALD, DIRECTOR, MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
FEDERATION CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
VIRGINIA: annual meeting and election, April 6-9, 2025, Hotel Madison/Shenandoah Conference Center, 710 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801. Details about the conference can be found at https://vanarfe.org/conf2025. Paper registration forms and ballot available upon request. Please contact Jim Little, jlittle@vanarfe.org or 11759 Buckley Court, Woodbridge, VA 22192-5725.
Program Coordinator Joins NARFE Federal Benefits Institute
NARFE welcomes Program Coordinator Ellie Dorsey as the newest Federal Benefits Institute team member. She serves as NARFE members’ primary point of contact, providing educational content and assistance related to retirement and benefits questions. Ellie began as a temporary coordinator in July 2024 and officially joined the NARFE staff full-time on October 15, 2024.
When she started, Ellie took over the institute’s email inbox to facilitate inquiries from members and receive answers from NARFE’s federal benefits experts. Once she caught up on the emails, she learned as much as possible about federal benefits.
“I go down rabbit holes often about laws and what’s pending, just so I can better help assist the experts and team on the inbox to answer them,” she said. “Some can be very complicated to answer. It’s interesting to learn this information, to go down this rabbit hole, assist the callers, and assist the experts to help the caller.”
NARFE’s older generation of stakeholders is “very much aware” of health care changes and costs.
“It’s a scary time for them,” she said. “I can understand their frustration and concern. From a lot of those I talk to, their families live far away, so for them to have their concerns quelled a bit and alleviated so that they can make sound decisions, especially during Open Season, and especially for postal annuitants with the [new] Postal Service Health Benefits program.”
Ellie learned that new information about the PSHB
program has yet to be forthcoming from the federal government.
“I’ve searched, and much information is just not there,” she said. “The information NARFE is providing is crucial. The fact that we contract with experts who’ve been in the industry for 30-plus years breathes a sigh of relief to put information out there that members can immediately grasp and understand.”
Ellie envisions new, more detailed educational materials for members soon. Another challenge is reaching and meeting the needs of members who are not online regarding their benefits questions. Many members still prefer reading the printed paper, and NARFE Magazine keeps everyone in tune. Younger members are more inclined to NARFE’s online content.
One of Ellie’s top priorities is reaching out and following up with members and NARFE’s federal benefits experts and sustaining a successful customer care-style plan. She oversaw a call center at a former job in San Francisco and employed a strict 48-hour follow-up rule, making sure that customers felt acknowledged even when she was not able to provide an immediate answer or resolution to a question.
“The worst thing you don’t want is a stakeholder to feel unheard,” she added. “This is about reaching those who don’t feel heard. We’re advocating on your behalf every day.”
Aside from evolving NARFE’s member inquiries and fulfillment, Ellie is helping with the organization’s virtual and in-person
events, testing the new Association Management Software, assisting in the production and development of educational training, writing content, and more.
Ellie graduated from Trinity Washington University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in sociology. She initially wanted to be a teacher and became a tutor.
“I did a myriad of things,” she said about the next 15 years, which mainly comprised of customer service management roles.
She worked as a customer service manager for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, a certification organization based in Washington, D.C., and as an education program coordinator for the National Apartment Association based in Alexandria. At PTCB, Ellie took over customer service for the entire organization and helped implement Zendesk, a customer service management software that solved chronic problems across departments. She also produced renewal booklets that were mailed to hundreds of members. Eventually, everything was moved online.
“This opened my eyes to a lot of what the company, and
Share Your NARFE Pride
NARFE Business Development Manager Francine Garner and her team are ready to get you, and your local chapter and federation, equipped with the latest merchandise from our brand store, ShopNARFE.
At ShopNARFE, members can find reasonably priced branded items such as clothing, drinkware, pins, exhibit tablecloths and customized officer and member badges, and more. For more informtion, visit www.narfe.org/shopnarfe.
CORRECTIONS Several corrections were made to the October 2024 NARFE Magazine article “Where they Stand & How They Voted: 118th Congress.” The correction identifies and addresses errors with the 2023 votes. These include Senate vote #210 on pages 60-61 and House vote #636 on pages 62-69, where votes in favor of the bill/amendment were mislabeled as votes in favor of NARFE’s position and vice versa. This compounded error produced incorrect final percentages in the “118th” column and the “Career” column on the same pages. A corrected scorecard is available on www.narfe.org/scorecard.
In the November 2024 print edition of NARFE Magazine, a printing error occurred on page 11. The continuation of the page 9 “Washington Watch” story titled “NARFE Disappointed by Biden’s Below-Market Pay Raise Plan” was missing. NARFE regrets these errors.
Covering topics from retirement to FEHB and Medicare, TSP to Social Security, and estate planning to survivor benefits, these webinars provide timely and crucial benefits information for the federal community.
All past webinars are available on-demand. Just go to www.narfe.org/webinar-archive/
x1
companies, with how they treat their stakeholders, how involved or how engaged, and it can be challenging, knowing your audience,” she said. “How consistent are you being with your messaging?”
Ellie also has experience in commercial real estate, scheduling, membership, editing, and alpaca shearing, courtesy of one employer, who, in addition to a government consulting firm in DC, owned and operated an
1. Publication Title: NARFE
2. Publication Number: 4632-60
3. Filing Date: November 7, 2024
4. Issue Frequency: Monthly
5. Issues Published Annually: 10
6. Annual Subscription Price: $48
alpaca farm in Upper Marlboro, MD. Ellie has helped with collecting and bagging wool for distribution.
“It’s hard work but so much fun!” she added.
Ellie resides in Maryland, just outside of DC. Her parents came from large families. Her mom was one of 10 children from rural North Carolina, and her dad was the oldest of eight from DC. When she was born, she had two older sisters in their late teens, and Ellie’s oldest sister had her oldest nephew
three months before she was born. Ellie has a younger sister, not by blood, but she is her sister in every other sense.
Ellie loves to write and has a few stories unpublished.
“Writing is hard,” she says, but it’s also exciting and rewarding. I think whatever trepidation a writer may have in the beginning will evaporate when holding their completed work.”
—BY NORA MACDONALD, DIRECTOR, MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
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17. Publication of Statement of Ownership: January 2025
18. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete.
Jennifer Rafael, NARFE Senior Director of Communications and Technology/November 7, 2024
ELLIE DORSEY FROM P.43
(Previously Office Depot/Office Max)
Use your NARFE Perks and your membership will more than pay for itself!
See how much you can save at www.NARFE.org/memberperks
PRODUCTS
ADT/Bulldog Security Services | https://bulldogsecurityservice.partnerlinks.io/urns4ejdlhns
Exclusive Offer for NARFE Members: NARFE members can enjoy discounted monthly monitoring rates, $0 installation fees, reduced activation fees, and a $500 equipment voucher for customizing their security and smart home systems with ADT monitoring. Enhance your home security with these exclusive benefits tailored just for you. Select the link for more details and fill out the contact page to speak to a security expert and place your order.
BMG Money | https://www.narfe.org/narfe-perks-for-members/bmg-money/
BMG Money is the better loan solution for federal government employees and retirees who are working on improving their credit scores. Apply in minutes regardless of credit score with instant funding available. All credit scores are encouraged to apply with higher acceptance rates.
GE Appliances Store | Use the link below to start shopping!
Save with NARFE members-only access to the GE Appliances Store! You will enjoy up to 25% off MSRP every day on the latest in high-quality appliances. *Orders can not be shipped to P.O. boxes, APOS, Canada, Puerto Rico, HI, AK or U.S. Territories. https://www.myapstore.com/GEStore/Appliances/Registration?AuthCode=MONARFE21
HP – The Association Member Store | 1-888-678-9620 | www.narfe.org/hp-perk-2024E
NARFE members enjoy exclusive discounts via a private store environment. Save up to an additional 10% on Desktops, Laptops, Printers, and Accessories; and save an additional 5% on Care Packs and Services. Access to exclusive member-only promotions. Simply log on and purchase your options with a dedicated US Sales Support team to assist you. HP has Business Account Managers based in Boise, ID, and Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Call 1-888-678-9620, Monday - Friday 7:00am -7:30pm CST.
ODP Business Solutions | 1-800-650-1222 | www.officediscounts.org/narfe
Because you’re a member of NARFE, you now have access to exclusive members only discounts at ODP Business Solutions (previously Office Depot/Office Max). Members save up to 75% off on ODP Business Solutions Best Value list of preferred products and can take advantage of products discounted off the officedepot.com regular prices. Restrictions may apply so visit officediscounts.org/narfe for details. Product and service discounts may no longer be available for in-store purchases.
Purchasing Power | https://www.purchasingpower.com/?domain=narfe
While not a discount program, Purchasing Power is an exclusive purchase program helps members buy brand-name computers, electronics, appliances and furniture via annuity allotment when cash is not an option. No credit check or down payments.
Signature FCU Visa Platinum Card | www.SignatureFCU.org/NARFE
Signature FCU is a full-service, nationwide federal credit union operating since 1970. Membership starts with just a $5 deposit into a standard savings account—no membership fees and no minimum balance requirements to enjoy all the products and services we have to offer, including the NARFE Visa® Platinum Credit Card. This special card gives back to your organization and gives you one point for every $1 you spend to redeem for cash, travel, and merchandise.
WELLNESS
Active&Fit Direct | https://www.narfe.org/narfe-perks-for-members/activefit-direct/ Stay active from anywhere for $28/mo. Active&Fit Direct includes 12,200+ Gyms, 9,300+ On-Demand Videos and 1:1 Well-Being Coaching. A fitness program with no annual fees and no long-term contracts. Switch gyms anytime. Membership options for your spouse. No Enrollment Fee With Promo Code: STAYSTRONG Brookdale Senior Living Communities | 877-713-2762 | www.brookdale.com/narfe
As the largest operator of senior living communities in the US, Brookdale has over 1,000 locations all across the country. Members are eligible for 7.5% discount at Brookdale Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care communities and 10% discounts on Brookdale Private Duty Home Care. Discounts are for new move-ins/ customers only.
Life Line Screening | 800-324-9906 | www.lifelinescreening.com/NARFE
Life Line Screening, America’s leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will conduct health screenings using state-of-the-art ultrasound technology in your neighborhood. Operator code BKHN075
MOVING SERVICES AMBA
1-800-GOT-JUNK? | 800-468-5865 | www.narfe.org/1-800-got-junk NARFE Members Save 10% with 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Do you have old furniture, appliances, electronics, construction debris, yard waste or other junk you need to make disappear? 1-800-GOT-JUNK? can take away almost any material we can fit in our trucks, without you ever lifting a finger—all you have to do is point! Use code NARFE10 when you book. To get started, give us a call or book online.
Wheaton World Wide Moving | 800-248-7960 | narfe@wvlcorp.com
At Wheaton, we know interstate relocation is much more than trucks and boxes. With a network of top-quality agents throughout the United States, Wheaton provides peace of mind with every relocation.
TRAVEL, TRANSPORT & ENTERTAINMENT
Choice Hotels International | 800-258-2847 | www.choicehotels.com
With 6,400 hotels throughout the world, Choice Hotels offers something for everyone. As a member, receive 20% off your next stay at participating hotels when you use Special Rate ID 00801967.
Collette Travel | 844-311-6563 | www.narfe.org/gocollette
With over 160 tours to all 7 continents and travel styles varying from small group to river cruising, Collette offers something for everyone. As a NARFE member, you receive an additional $50-$100 off all tours including sales and offers! Just use your member benefit code NARFESAVE or let our reservation agent know you are a NARFE Member when booking.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car® | Book Now! | https://partners.rentalcar.com/narfe
When you’re ready to go, Enterprise Rent-A-Car makes it easy. We offer everyday low rates on a great selection of cars, trucks and vans and customers are picked up at no extra cost*. See website for exclusions.
Heroes Vacation Club | www.HeroesVacationClub.com
Hotel Engine, a private booking platform, connects organizations and their members to deeply discounted hotel rates.
Hotel Engine | www.hotelengine.com/join/24530f9
NEW!
Hotel Engine, a private booking platform, connects organizations and their members to deeply discounted hotel rates.
Member Deals | https://memberdeals.com/narfe/?login=1
MemberDeals is your one stop for great discounts on nationwide travel and entertainment! Find exclusive discounts, special offers, preferred seating, and tickets to top attractions, theme parks, shows, sporting events, hotels, and much more. Visit MemberDeals and find savings such as up to 40% on top theme parks nationwide and preferred access tickets to your favorite concerts, sports & more!
National Car Rental® | 800-CAR-RENT | https://partners.rentalcar.com/narfe/
NARFE members receive great rates with National Car Rental! At National, we pride ourselves on always providing you with unsurpassed convenience and choices. To make a reservation, call National Car Rental and reference Contract 5282909
NARFE Insurance Services | 800-233-5764 | www.narfeinsurance.com
Designed exclusively for NARFE members, (plans administered by AMBA Administrators, Inc.) Senior Age Whole Life Insurance, Senior Term Life Insurance, Hospital Indemnity and Short Term Recovery Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, AssistPlus, Discount Prescription Plan and Pet Insurance.
Member Options | 833-378-8224 | https://www.member-options.com/narfe
Member Options Auto and Home Insurance Program - Save Money with Multiple Quotes! Get quotes from top-rated insurance carriers on Auto, Home, Renters, Pet insurance and more in a matter of minutes. Answer a few simple questions online or over the phone with our licensed insurance experts to compare multiple options that meet your specific needs. To review and choose what’s best for you, go to the link above or call 833-378-8224.
ADDITIONAL PERKS
Supporting the War Effort
Mina C. Van Winkle was a social worker, suffragist, police lieutenant—and a federal employee. After the U.S. entered World War I, Congress passed the Food and Fuel Control Act of 1917, establishing the United States Food Administration. Its mandate was to find ways to voluntarily reduce domestic food consumption while increasing production at home. Future President Herbert Hoover led the agency and appointed Van Winkle head of the Food Administration’s Lecture Bureau. Van Winkle was paid a dollar a year for her work, one of many who were paid a small salary to help the government mobilize during the war. Here, Van Winkle explains victory gardening and food processing to support the war effort.
PHOTO from the Records of the National Archives, courtesy of the National Archives History Office, in collaboration with the Society for History in the Federal Government (SHFG), bringing together government professionals, academics, consultants, students and citizens interested in understanding federal history work and the historical development of the federal government. To join, visit www.shfg.org.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know? In 1939, more than $200 million of vegetables were grown in 4.8 million farm home gardens. In 1944, 18.5 million gardeners participated in Victory Gardens, supplying 40% of the nation’s fresh vegetables. Well-known Victory Gardeners— including Mickey Mouse, Batman, Superman, Vice President Henry Wallace, and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt—encouraged people to participate. By the time the war was over in 1945, American Victory Gardeners had grown between eight and 10 million tons of food.
Visit https://www.nps.gov/ articles/000/victory-gardens-onthe-world-war-ii-home-front.htm
Active and Retired Federal Employees–Join NARFE (or Renew) Today!
The only organization dedicated solely to protecting and preserving the benefits of all federal workers and retirees, NARFE informs you of any developments and proposals that affect your compensation, retirement and health benefits, AND provides clear answers to your questions.
Who Should Join NARFE?
If your future security is tied to federal retirement benefits—federal retirees, current employees, spouses and individual survivors—you should join NARFE. Membership expiring? Renew now!
NARFE MEMBER BENEFITS
• Understand benefit changes and key aspects to stay on top of with NARFE’s monthly webinars, held on a variety of topics such as TSP’s, health insurance options and long term care insurance updates
• Direct access to Federal Benefits Institute experts who can answer your most pressing questions and help you get answers you need from OPM
• Topical and robust articles on new legislation, and topics like car buying tips and finding your path in retirement, and the ever popular Q&A section addressing your most burning benefit questions in NARFE Magazine
• Support from your peers with access to FEDHub, the only national online community for the federal community, and local chapters, where you can meet feds in a neighborhood near you
• Weekly news roundup email called Newsline, with helpful tips and updates from NARFE on the work we are doing to support you
• Discounts on popular national brands with NARFE Perks
• Powerful advocacy and alerts to take action on important legislation pending in Congress and our advocacy team that protects your benefits every day!
NARFE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
o Yes. I want to join NARFE for the low annual dues of $48
o Mr. o Mrs. o Miss o Ms. Full Name
Address
o Renew my membership
State ZIP
Retirement date (or expected)
Membership ID if renewing (ID # can be found on cover of magazine)
I am a (check all that apply)
o Active Federal Employee o Active Federal Employee Spouse
o Annuitant o Annuitant Spouse o Survivor Annuitant
o Please enroll my spouse
Spouse’s Full Name
Spouse’s Email
3. Call 800-456-8410 , Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
o Check or Money Order (Payable to NARFE)
o Charge my:
o MasterCard o VISA o Discover o AMEX
Card No.
Expiration Date _______/_______ (MM/YY)
Name on Card
Signature
Date
TOTAL DUES
$48 annual dues x ________=_________ per person #enrolling total dues
Dues payments are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
LOOKING TO MEET OTHERS in the federal community? Go to www.narfe.org/chapters to find a chapter near you.
Are you a new member who wants to receive a FREE one-year chapter membership? Choose one:
o Chapter closest to home OR o Chapter #____________
Renewing members can call 800-456-8410 x1 to inquire about your chapter dues amount or to join a NARFE chapter today.
THANK YOUR RECRUITER Did someone introduce you to NARFE? Please provide their name and member ID.
Recruiter’s Name
Recruiter’s Membership ID
NARFE respects the privacy of our members. Personal information is used to provide content and relevant communications to our members. Some NARFE member benefits are provided by third parties (NARFE Perks), and not NARFE. (02/24)
1 The Service Benefit Plan may pay a hearing aid benefit for Basic and Standard Option of up to $2,500 total, with prior approval, every 5 calendar years for adults age 22 and up to $2,500 total per calendar year for members up to age 22.
2 Price shown does not include cost of comprehensive hearing exam. Examination and testing for prescribing of hearing aids is covered under the Service Benefit Plan. The member should confirm that the provider rendering the hearing exam is a Preferred provider. If the provider is Non-preferred, the member may be charged a maximum fee of $75 for the exam, and the member may need to submit a claim for reimbursement.
3 Smartphone-compatible hearing aids connect directly to iPhone®, iPad®, and iPod® Touch devices. Some TruHearing models connect to Android® phones directly. Connectivity also available to many Android phones with use of an accessory.
Do not rely on this communication piece alone for complete benefit information. All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan brochure. Blue365 offers access to savings on health and wellness products and services that members may purchase from independent vendors, which are not covered benefits under the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program, Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental® and/or Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision®. These products and services will be offered to you through the entire benefit year.
During the year, the independent vendors may offer additional discounts on these products and services. To find out what is covered under your policy, contact the customer service number on your member ID card. Any disputes regarding your health insurance products and services may be subject to your plan’s grievance process. BCBSA may receive payments from vendors
any Blue Company recommends, endorses, warrants, or guarantees any specific vendor,
