March 2021 NARFE Magazine

A NARFE PUBLICATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES

MARCH 2021 VOLUME 97 ★ NUMBER 2

P. 18

Fighting COVID-19 on the Front Lines P. 26 Stand Out With

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Contents MARCH 2021

COVER STORY PAGE 18

FEATURE PAGE 26

FIGHTING COVID-19 ON THE FRONT LINES: Delve into the experiences of three employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs who have been on the front lines battling the coronavirus.

STAND OUT WITH NARFE-PAC: Find out how NARFE-PAC educates lawmakers and strengthens the voice of NARFE and all of our members, as well as what you can do to support the program.

Washington Watch

Columns

6 NARFE's Legislative

4 From the President

Accomplishments: 116th Congress (2019-2020) Review

8 NARFE's 2020 Grassroots Advocacy Successes

10 CBO Issues List of

Potential Federal Benefits Cuts

10 NDAA Corrects Paid Parental

Leave Inequity, Extends Leave Carryover From 2020

32 Managing Money 34 Alzheimer’s Update

A NARFE PUBLICATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES

MARCH 2021 VOLUME 97 ★ NUMBER 2

P. 18

Fighting COVID-19 on the Front Lines P. 26 Stand Out With

Departments

14 Questions & Answers 36 For the Record

ON THE COVER Illustration by GRAPHEK

38 NARFE News 42 Member Perks 44 The Way We Worked

Connect with us!

Visit us online at www.narfe.org Like us on Facebook NARFE National Headquarters Follow us on Twittter @narfehq

Follow us on LinkedIn NARFE

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

1

MARCH 2021 VOLUME 97 ★ NUMBER 2

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jenn Rafael

REGION I James C. Risner

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

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

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

2

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

NATIONAL OFFICERS

KENNETH J. THOMAS President; natpres@narfe.org KATHRYN E. HENSLEY Secretary/Treasurer; natsectreas@narfe.org

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BARBARA SIDO execdir@narfe.org

(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) Tel: 207-540-6233 Email: rvp1@narfe.org

REGION II Gary Roundtree, Sr.

(Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) Tel: 443-929-7045 Email: groundtreesr@comcast.net

REGION III Clarence Robinson

(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands) CELL: 404-312-8028 Email: crobin8145@att.net

REGION IV Robert L. Helfrich

(Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) Tel: 317-501-1700 Email: rlhelfrich@yahoo.com

REGION V Cindy Reneé Blythe

TO JOIN NARFE, RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP OR FIND A LOCAL CHAPTER: CALL (TOLL-FREE) 800-456-8410 OR GO TO www.narfe.org TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL LISTING:

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

TO REACH A FEDERAL BENEFITS SPECIALIST:

EMAIL fedbenefits@narfe.org

NARFE HEADQUARTERS

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

(Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) Tel: 785-256-1450 Email: mrsdocbusyb@yahoo.com

REGION VI Marshall L. Richards (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Republic of Panama and Texas) Tel: 903-660-2784 Email: pappysdad@cobridge.tv

REGION VII Rodney L. Adelman

(Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) Tel: 623-505-4719 Email: narfe7vp@cox.net

REGION VIII Robert H. Ruskamp (California, Hawaii, Nevada and Republic of Philippines) Tel: 703-628-3234 Email: rvp8@narfe.org

REGION IX Linda L. Silverio

(Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington) Tel: 503-391-2963 Email: l.l.silverio.narfe@gmail.com

REGION X William Shackelford

(Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) Tel: 703-830-6590, CELL: 703-201-6304 Email: rvp10@narfe.org

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 $40. Postmaster: Send address change to: NARFE Attn: Member Records, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. To ensure prompt delivery, members should also forward changes of address without delay. Because of the volume involved, NARFE cannot acknowledge nor be responsible for unsolicited pictures and manuscripts, although every reasonable precaution is taken. All submissions become the property of NARFE. Copyright © 2021, NARFE. Advertisements in the magazine are not endorsements of products and/or services by NARFE, unless officially stated in the ad. We shall accept advertising on the same basis as other reputable publications: that is, we shall not knowingly permit a dishonest advertisement to appear in NARFE Magazine, but at the same time we will not undertake to guarantee the reliability of our advertisers.

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From the President 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.

March Is NARFE-PAC Month

T

his year, NARFE is celebrating the association’s 100 years of service to the federal community, and much

has changed since its inception. As the 117th Congress gets into full swing with more than 60 new U.S. Representatives and half a dozen new U.S. Senators joining the ranks of incumbent lawmakers, the priorities of the White House and Congress are becoming clearer. Leadership changes create new political dynamics, and NARFE’s advocacy department is developing new relationships and retaining ties to our friends in Congress on both sides of the aisle.

It’s likely federal employee and retiree benefits will be included in budget discussions this year, given the role they have played in the past. As we become aware of legislative activities, we will provide the latest information available and request grassroots action from you. Please act when we ask you to get involved. We need everyone to proactively inform legislators about our association’s positions. You are the face of the federal community.

If we learned anything from 2020, it’s that we don’t need to physically be in Washington to advocate effectively. One way every member can support working and retired Feds is by contributing to NARFE-PAC, our association’s political action committee. Since its creation in 1982, NARFE-PAC has served as the federal employees’ and retirees’ defense fund and an investment in your future. Its efforts complement the work done by our grassroots advocates and our NARFE lobbyists.

4

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

As a political action committee, NARFE-PAC is a vehicle for NARFE members to pool their resources and contribute to our supporters in Congress (Democrats, Republicans and Independents), as well as to campaign committees and leadership PACs. Support of the federal community is the No. 1 requirement for receiving PAC funds, and the events associated with those funds give NARFE officers, staff and members another platform in which to discuss NARFE’s priorities with legislators.

Distributing PAC funds shows that NARFE is a serious player in the political arena. Our advocacy program was incredibly effective during the last congressional session and was able to hold off attacks on your earned pay and benefits. This is a tribute to NARFE members’ efforts, both through grassroots advocacy and your contributions to NARFE-PAC. Once again, March is designated as NARFEPAC month. I am asking all NARFE members to contribute and commit themselves to supporting the great work that NARFE-PAC does on behalf of the federal community. And if you are able, please consider becoming a NARFE-PAC sustainer.

Sustainers make automatic, monthly contributions, and these funds serve as a solid foundation to NARFE-PAC’s budget. A strong NARFE-PAC ensures that your voice is heard.

Thank you for your support of NARFE and NARFE-PAC.

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

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Washington Watch

NARFE’s Legislative Accomplishments: 116th Congress (2019-2020) Review

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ARFE’s advocacy efforts during the 116th Congress (2019-2020) helped defeat threats to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from earned federal benefits,

improve federal pay rates, enhance employee benefits, protect the integrity of agency functions and more. These victories were possible thanks to the combined efforts of NARFE’s members, leaders and staff working together to maximize our impact.

Below are highlights of NARFE’s legislative accomplishments during the 116th Congress.

PREVENTING CUTS TO EARNED PAY AND BENEFITS • NARFE defeated proposals in the president’s budgets for more than $177 billion in cuts (over 10 years) to earned federal retirement benefits.

The proposed cuts included eliminating or reducing cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for all current and future retirees.

• Thanks to the hard work of NARFE and its members over the years, these proposals never received serious consideration during budget negotiations, even as Congress raised sequestration-level spending caps on agency budgets.

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NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

BLOCKING THE OPM REORGANIZATION PLAN • NARFE prevented the Trump administration’s efforts to reorganize the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), a move that had the potential to subject the civil service to political influence and undermine OPM’s ability to carry out the vital programs—retirement services, health care and insurance—on which federal employees and retirees rely.

• NARFE President Ken Thomas testified before Congress, voicing concern over the consequences of the reorganization plan, and

helped lay the groundwork for congressional action in opposition to the proposal.

• In December 2019, legislation signed into law stopped the reorganization plan from advancing at least until after a yearlong study detailing the challenges facing OPM and recommending solutions.

SECURING PAY RAISES FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES IN 2019, 2020 AND 2021 • NARFE helped prevent the administration’s proposed federal pay freeze in 2019, secure a market-based pay increase in 2020 and block a Senate attempt to freeze pay in 2021.

• In 2019, Congress approved a 1.9 percent average federal pay raise—a 1.4 percent raise across-the-board and an average 0.5 percent locality pay increase—which the president signed into law. This was the first time since 2010 that Congress passed a pay raise into law through the appropriations process rather than

MYTH VS. REALITY MYTH: NARFE uses money from the NARFE general fund to contribute to congressional campaigns.

REALITY: No dues money or general funds from NARFE are disbursed to congressional campaigns. To do so would violate federal election laws. Only funds from NARFE-PAC, NARFE’s political action committee, are used for this purpose. NARFE-PAC contributions constitute a separate, segregated fund of NARFE that is reliant on voluntary contributions from members made explicitly to the PAC.

approving a pay freeze or deferring to the president.

• For 2020, Congress passed and the president signed into law a market-rate 3.1 percent average pay raise—a 2.6 percent across-theboard increase and a 0.5 percent average increase in locality rates.

• For 2021, the Trump administration proposed a 1 percent across-the-board pay increase. Congress remained silent on the issue despite attempts in the Senate to freeze pay, so the president’s pay increase went into effect.

PROVIDING PAID PARENTAL LEAVE FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES • NARFE worked with a coalition of stakeholders and congressional allies to include a modified version of paid parental leave legislation in the fiscal year 2020 (FY20) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which the president signed into law. The provisions provided 12 weeks of paid parental leave to most federal employees for the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child.

• While the bill inadvertently excluded some federal

employees from the new benefit, Congress corrected this inequity in the FY21 NDAA, extending the benefit to all federal employees and overriding the president’s veto of the bill.

GUARANTEEING BACK PAY FOR EMPLOYEES FURLOUGHED DURING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS • NARFE teamed with congressional allies to pass the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, which the president signed into law.

The law not only guaranteed back pay for those furloughed during the 35-day shutdown that began in December 2018, but also for all future government shutdowns.

ADDRESSING THE LONGEST GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IN HISTORY • NARFE continuously urged Congress and the president to end the government shutdown that began in December 2018, cataloging and highlighting its damaging effects on political leaders, civil servants and the public.

• NARFE members mobilized and worked cohesively to keep the pressure on legislators to end the shutdown. Members

sent more than 10,000 letters to Congress and submitted more than 2,000 letters to editors of local publications.

Nearly a dozen NARFE member letters to the editor were published, including one in The Washington Post.

SUSPENDING RMDs FOR TSP PARTICIPANTS FOR 2020 • NARFE worked to suspend required minimum distributions (RMDs) on retirement accounts, including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), for calendar year 2020.

With stock markets losing substantial value last year due to economic ramifications from the coronavirus outbreak, RMDs would have directed seniors to withdraw a far greater percentage of their retirement accounts than anticipated. The provision was included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law by the president in March 2020.

SECURING CONGRESSIONAL HEARING ON NOMINEES FOR THE TSP BOARD • NARFE successfully lobbied Congress to hold hearings to vet three nominees to the Federal Retirement Thrift SEE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON P. 9 NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

7

Washington Watch

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.

NARFE’s 2020 Grassroots Advocacy Successes

I

n celebration of NARFE’s legislative accomplishments in 2020, I want to thank you, the members, for your help in making them possible. You showed your ability to adapt in a year rife with many unknowns and chaos on Capitol Hill as Congress sorted through the unprecedented health and economic effects of the COVID-19 health emergency. We turned to virtual platforms that allowed us to communicate with lawmakers and conduct regular business. Doing so seemed precipitous at times, but, working together, we figured it out.

In response to the pandemic, NARFE shifted its advocacy to ensure that the concerns of our members were addressed in the economic relief packages and funding bills passed by Congress.

We also continued to work on ongoing critical issues like cost-ofliving adjustments (COLAs) that better reflect the spending habits of seniors, and repeal or reform of the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. You answered NARFE’s call to communicate your concerns and our position on these issues to lawmakers.

With Congress focused on the pandemic, some of NARFE’s top priorities were forced to wait. But NARFE-supported legislation nonetheless gained traction because of your steadfast advocacy efforts.

Throughout the year, especially during Grassroots Advocacy

8

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

Month in August, you were successful in convincing more lawmakers to join the list of cosponsors on critical pieces of legislation, setting us up for even greater success in the 117th Congress.

IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC, NARFE SHIFTED ITS ADVOCACY TO ENSURE THAT THE CONCERNS OF OUR MEMBERS WERE ADDRESSED IN THE ECONOMIC RELIEF PACKAGES AND FUNDING BILLS PASSED BY CONGRESS.

During Public Service Recognition Week in May, you helped the public recognize the vital work that public servants perform each day by sending hundreds of letters to the editors of local newspapers and engaging in community events.

The timing of this spotlight could not have been more apt— despite the tens of thousands of federal employees infected

with the coronavirus, many more continued to work on the front lines, keeping government operations churning even as they put themselves at risk.

NARFE’s 2020 grassroots activities report showed a robust year of engagement. More than 50,000 letters were sent to lawmakers through NARFE’s Legislative Action Center, and almost 20,000 phone calls were connected through NARFE’s advocacy call center. Additionally, you held meetings with dozens of members of Congress via Zoom or conference calls and wrote letters to community news outlets across the country, educating officials and the public about issues affecting the federal community. In addition to our veteran advocates, many first-time advocates engaged in grassroots campaigns last year.

NARFE has a collaborative strategy that includes lobbying, grasstops advocacy and mobilization of our entire membership to act (grassroots).

As NARFE members, it’s crucial that you weigh in on the issues— as legislators’ constituents and members of both the federal community and NARFE, you hold unique power that influences policymakers.

We thank you for your advocacy and look forward to continuing to work together to influence Congress in 2021.

—BY MARSHA PADILLA-GOAD, GRASSROOTS PROGRAM MANAGER

the need to obtain a waiver from OPM. This allows agencies to fill critical needs and create opportunities to train the next generation of public servants.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM P. 7

Investment Board (FRTIB), which oversees the TSP. At the hearing, the nominees committed to basing all decisions on a fiduciary standard. In an increasingly partisan and political environment, this fiduciary standard is crucial to TSP participants.

EXTENDING THE REHIRED FEDERAL RETIREES WAIVER AUTHORITY • NARFE and its congressional allies worked to include language in the FY20 NDAA to extend agency authority, through 2024, to rehire federal retirees on a parttime basis without an offset to their annuities and without

REPEALING THE CADILLAC TAX • Attached to a year-end FY20 government funding measure, the president signed into law a repeal of the “Cadillac Tax”—a 40 percent excise tax on high-cost employer-provided health insurance benefits.

• The tax, scheduled to go into effect in 2022, likely would have affected some Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans, leading to higher premiums or benefit cuts and increased costsharing to avoid the tax.

Contribute to

• NARFE joined coalition partners to support repeal of the tax.

SECURING EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR THE POSTAL SERVICE • NARFE worked with its coalition partners to support including a provision in the CARES Act authorizing up to $10 billion in borrowing authority for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The COVID-19 relief package, passed at the end of 2020, converted the borrowing authority to a grant, meaning USPS will not have to pay back the amount. This helps ease the financial burden that the pandemic has placed on the Postal Service.

—JOHN HATTON, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS

NARFE Member #: ____________________________________ Name: _____________________________________________

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To comply with federal law, we must use our best efforts to obtain, maintain and submit the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 each calendar year. NARFE-PAC is for the benefit of political candidates and activities on a national level. NARFE members have the right to refuse to contribute without reprisal, and NARFE will neither favor nor disadvantage anyone based on the amount of a contribution or failure to make a voluntary contribution. The suggested amounts are only suggestions and not enforceable. Only members of NARFE may contribute to the PAC. NARFE-PAC contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Contribution totals are cumulative for the 2021-2022 election cycle

n No pin for me. I’d like 100 percent of my contribution to go to NARFE-PAC.

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1/19/21 10:44 AM

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

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Washington Watch LEGISLATIVE RESOURCES NARFE NewsLine – A weekly newsletter that goes out to NARFE members on Tuesdays and includes 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.

CBO Issues List of Potential Federal Benefits Cuts

I

n December 2020, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its annual report with more than 80 options for reducing the national deficit over the coming decade. Among the many proposals to decrease mandatory and discretionary spending are cuts to federal benefits, which will look familiar to NARFE members. Although the report carries influence, the CBO does not endorse or formally recommend the options. NARFE opposes these proposed cuts.

The potential cuts span the federal retirement systems, the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program and Social Security. CBO proposes adopting a voucher program within FEHB to determine government contributions. Instead of the government contributing

a percentage of premiums, government contributions would stay at a fixed rate and increase annually by a set amount lower than average increases, decreasing government premium payments and forcing enrollees to leave FEHB. Social Security changes include increasing the payroll tax, raising the full retirement age, and calculating benefits based on average prices instead of average wages.

For federal annuities and Social Security benefits, the report suggests changing the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) calculation from the current Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W) to the Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U). Adopting the C-CPI-U would decrease benefits while simultaneously

increasing taxes on lower- and middle-income taxpayers. NARFE strongly opposes the change, and it has gained little traction in recent years.

Another proposal would require all FERS employees to pay into the retirement fund at 4.4 percent without increasing the value of future annuities.

Employees hired in 2014 or later already pay 4.4 percent, while employees hired in 2013 pay 3.1 percent, and those hired before 2013 pay 0.8 percent. Additionally, the list recommends reducing annual pay raises by half a percentage point compared to what would be paid under federal pay law. However, federal pay law is often overruled; instead, the president or Congress determines pay raises or freezes.

—BY SETH ICKES, GRASSROOTS ASSISTANT

NDAA Corrects Paid Parental Leave Inequity, Extends Leave Carryover From 2020

I

n December 2020, Congress passed the fiscal year 2021 (FY21) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains two important leave provisions for federal employees. The defense policy bill was a major point of contention throughout the lame-duck session, culminating in former President Trump vetoing the bill. Ultimately, both chambers overrode the veto.

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NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

The first provision, in response to the pandemic, extends the paid annual leave carryover limit for federal employees. Employees were permitted to carry over 25 percent more unused leave into 2021.

However, the extra leave cannot be included in lump-sum leave payments issued upon retirement.

The increased leave cap does not apply to Senior Executive Service (SES) employees. See page 14 for more information.

The law also corrects a technical error in the FY20 NDAA, which created a paid parental leave program for federal employees but inadvertently excluded employees not covered

by Title 5. The paid parental leave provision provides 12 weeks of paid leave in the case of a birth, adoption or foster placement of a child.

—BY SETH ICKES, GRASSROOTS ASSISTANT

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Questions & Answers

Q&A

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS & ANSWERS were compiled by NARFE’s Federal Benefits Institute experts. NARFE does not provide legal, financial planning or tax advice or assistance.

EMPLOYEES OPTIMAL RETIREMENT DATE

Q

I am planning to retire this year with 40 years of service under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). I noticed that the 2021 leave year ends (for most employees) on Saturday, January 1, 2022. I plan on preserving my annual leave in 2021, and I carried over 240 hours from 2020. For employees under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), the best day to retire is typically the last day of the month— is this also the best day for CSRS employees to retire at the end of 2021?

A

For 2021, December 31 is a great day for CSRS, CSRS Offset and FERS employees to retire if they want to maximize their lumpsum payment for annual leave.

CSRS and FERS retirements commence the first day of the month following the month of retirement, so by retiring on December 31, 2021, your retirement will commence on January 1, 2022, and your first benefit will be payable on February 1 (the January payment). CSRS and CSRS Offset retirements will commence the day after retirement if the retirement takes place on the 14

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

first, second or third day of the month. However, if you retire after Saturday, January 1, you will not be paid for more than 240 hours of annual leave, plus what you accrue in 2021.

To accumulate your final leave accrual for 2021, you need to work 80 hours in leave period 26 (or your scheduled tour of duty).

In addition, if there is a general pay increase for 2022, your lumpsum annual leave will be paid at the new salary rate.

NOTE: The FY21 National Defense Authorization Act included a provision that allowed federal employees to carry over an additional 25 percent of their

annual leave into 2021. However, any extra leave won’t count for the purposes of calculating an employee’s lump-sum payout upon retirement or separation.

This is not the same as having annual leave restored because it couldn’t be used due to work required in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Annual leave that is restored under these circumstances is included in the lump-sum payment.

FERS RETIREMENT SUPPLEMENT

Q

How do I know if I am eligible to receive the FERS retirement supplement? Is there a special application?

A

When you apply for a nondisability, unreduced, immediate retirement under FERS, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will determine whether you are eligible to receive the supplement, and, if you are, it will be automatically included with your FERS benefit. Be aware that while your retirement is being

finalized, OPM will not include the supplement in your interim retirement payments. Once your claim is fully adjudicated, you will be paid what is owed, starting with the first month that FERS was payable. If you retire under a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA), the supplement isn’t payable until you reach your minimum retirement age (55 to 57, depending on your year of birth). Note: An unreduced retirement means that there is no age reduction applied to your retirement. An immediate retirement is one that begins within 30 days of your separation.

HIGH-THREE AVERAGE COMPUTATION

Q

I received a promotion from GS-12 to GS-13 on October 11, 2020.

How long will I need to continue working for my high-three average salary to reflect the GS-13 pay rate for my retirement computation?

A

On October 11, 2023, three years after your promotion, your highthree average salary will reflect only the new pay rate (and any other pay increases that occur after that date). The high-three average salary is determined by averaging an employee’s rates of basic pay in effect over any period of three consecutive years of creditable civilian service, with each rate weighted by the length of time it was in effect.

Locality pay is included in the basic pay rate. The high-three average pay reflects a daily average of how long each pay rate was in effect over the threeyear period. In other words, if you retire two weeks after a pay increase, then that pay rate would count for two weeks of the entire three-year period. The period need not start on January 1, or the first day of any month, or the date of a pay change.

For most employees, the highthree period begins three years before the date of retirement.

Sick leave credit does not affect the high-three average salary computation.

RETIREES TAX WITHHOLDING AND ANNUITY

Q

I have a question regarding how my federal tax withholding will be calculated. My CSRS basic annuity will be reduced by an unpaid retirement contributions refund. Is federal tax withholding based on the base annuity or the reduced annuity amount?

A

Whether you retired under CSRS, CSRS Offset, or FERS, there are certain reductions to your retirement that reduce the amount of your retirement benefit that is subject to income tax. Annuity reductions, when applicable, must be applied in the following order: 1. Age reduction: a. CSRS and CSRS Offset: Reduction for retirement before age 55. b. FERS: Early deferred retirement or minimum retirement age (MRA) + 10 age reduction.

2. Reduction for unpaid deposit(s) for creditable service that was not subject to CSRS retirement contributions performed prior to October 1, 1982.

3. Survivor Reductions: a. Reduction for survivor annuity for a spouse or former spouse or b. Reduction to provide a survivor annuity to a person with an insurable interest.

4. Redeposit reduction (CSRS and CSRS Offset): Reduction for unpaid redeposit covering

1.5% COLA FOR FECA Retirees who receive benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) will get a 1.5 percent COLA in March.

This number was determined by comparing the December 2020 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (254.081) to the December 2019 CPI-W (250.452). FECA annuitants have workrelated injuries or illnesses. service that ended before March 1, 1991.

5. Alternative annuity reduction, such as a return of lump-sum retirement contributions in exchange for an actuarially reduced retirement, generally on account of a life-threatening illness for nondisability retirement.

6. The annuities for CSRS Offset employees are computed in the same manner as if they were covered under CSRS only. The nondisability annuity payment is reduced (offset) when the employee becomes eligible for Social Security.

Once your reduced annuity is determined, then your retirement benefit will be subject to withholdings for taxes and insurance. In the case of retirement benefits awarded to a former spouse, the court order will determine the amount payable.

MAKING CHANGES TO SURVIVOR BENEFIT

Q

I retired on December 31, 2020. I was planning to purchase a large

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

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Questions & Answers life insurance policy instead of choosing the maximum spousal survivor annuity from my FERS retirement. I found out that the premium quoted to me for the new life insurance policy was only an estimate. Once the underwriting was completed, the actual premiums are much higher.

Can I change my survivor benefit election after retirement? Is the election permanent in the event my spouse dies before I do?

A

There are limited changes that can be made to your retirement election once you have retired. They include: • Within 30 days of your first regular CSRS or FERS retirement benefit payment (the first payment after final adjudication of your retirement, not the interim payments), you may change or revoke your retirement survivor benefit election.

• After 30 days have passed, you may request, in writing, to increase the amount of a partial survivor annuity or

change your election not to provide a survivor annuity.

This can be done within 18 months of your retirement.

You will be required to pay a deposit equal to the difference between the original survivor election and the new election.

In addition, there is a deposit required that is equal to: -24.5 percent of the difference between the original survivor base to the amount of the new survivor base (CSRS) or -24.5 percent of the annual annuity amount to increase from no survivor annuity to full survivor (50 percent of unreduced FERS benefit) or -12.25 percent to change from no survivor annuity to partial survivor annuity (25 percent of unreduced FERS benefit) or from a partial to full survivor annuity for FERS employees.

• Any reduction in your annuity to provide a survivor benefit ends when OPM has been notified of your spouse’s death.

UPDATE: DEFERRED PAYROLL TAXES In the January/February Q&A, we noted that federal employees who had their payroll taxes deferred last year would need to pay back those taxes over the first four months of 2021, according to information provided to NARFE at the time.

However, in year-end legislation (the fiscal year 2021 omnibus appropriations bill), Congress gave federal employees more time to repay the deferred taxes—they can now do so over the course of 2021. Federal payroll agencies have issued some guidance on how they intend to directly collect the deferred taxes. For instance, if the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is your payroll provider, you can find information on the deferred tax repayment at www.dfas.mil/taxes/Social-Security-Deferral/.

Please check with your specific payroll provider for more information.

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NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

The reduction also stops if the marriage ends in divorce or annulment. However, the retiree may elect, within two years after the marriage ends, to continue the reduction to provide a former spouse survivor annuity. If the retiree marries again before electing a former spouse survivor annuity, the current spouse must consent to the election.

• Your retirement can be restored to the unreduced amount expressly provided for in a court order or on the first day of the month after the former spouse dies or remarries before age 55.

• If you marry or remarry after retirement, you will have two years from the date of marriage to elect a survivor (full or partial for your new spouse). In the case of a survivor election for a spouse acquired after retirement, the retiree must agree to pay a deposit equal to the difference between the amount of annuity actually paid and the amount of annuity that would have been paid if the survivor election had been in effect continuously since the time of retirement or since the date the reduction terminated, whichever is applicable.

Interest is assessed against the amount owed at the rate of 6 percent, compounded annually. This deposit is paid by permanent actuarial reduction that, in most cases, is less than 5 percent of the employee’s annuity.

SURVIVOR BENEFIT PROCESSING

Q

I recently lost my spouse to COVID-19. How long will it take OPM to process the survivor benefit that he provided for me?

A

We are so sorry for your loss. The pandemic has affected us all and has impacted operations at OPM to a certain degree. The group of employees who process these types of cases for annuitants and active federal employees has been hit hard. The last months of 2020 were some of the busiest months for death cases that OPM has on record. Due to the workload, there has been a minor delay in processing death cases.

It’s taking four to five weeks to process a case after receipt of the application. Even with the increased caseload—8,000 more than a typical year—OPM continues to work with the resources available to get the work done.

It is important to report the death to OPM as soon as possible. This can be done online at https://rsreporting. opm.gov/AnnuitantDeath.

Family members, caregivers or friends can report the death of an annuitant (federal retirees, their survivors, or their spouses, ex-spouses and children) who received federal annuity benefits.

If you prefer, you may report the death to OPM in writing.

Complete the appropriate Application for Death Benefits (SF 2800 for CSRS, SF 3104 and SF 3104B for FERS), and attach any other forms and/or evidence as the application or circumstances require. Attach a copy of the retiree’s certified death certificate and a copy of

the certificate of marriage to the widow or widower. Send the completed application to: Office of Personnel Management Retirement Operations Center ATTENTION: Survivor Processing Section P.O. Box 45 Boyers, PA 16017-0045 A widow or widower who is claiming benefits for himself or herself and on behalf of children should file one application.

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.

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Fighting COVID-19 on the Front Lines 3 VA employees explain their roles in limiting the pandemic’s effects

By Everett A. Chasen

W

hen the COVID-19 pandemic hit its first peak in New York City in 2020, Joan Whelan-Schwartz, FNP-BC

(family nurse practitioner-board certified) was the national coordinator of a research study called VA-INTREPID, looking at ways to prevent amputations in veterans with diabetes.

To help meet the surge in patients, Whelan-Schwartz volunteered to work in a specially outfitted van parked in front of the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx. There, she participated in what the hospital calls “hot triage,” serving as the first point of contact for veterans who came to the facility in need of medical care, reducing the load on the hospital’s emergency department.

Veterans with significant COVID-19 symptoms were sent to emergency, while others were treated in the van and discharged.

VA employees who tested positive for the virus were screened in the facility’s triage room, in partnership with the hospital’s occupational health nurse practitioner, before being allowed to return to work.

“After more than 30 years of not working in an emergency room,

I had to relearn how to triage patients quickly,” she says. “But it’s like riding a bike. It comes back to you.”

Early in 2020, the federal government committed itself to a whole-of-government response to the pandemic. Coordinating the response is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security. Many federal agencies are involved in the fight alongside FEMA. NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

19

“

We love our veterans and are so happy we can help serve them.”

— Joan Whelan-Schwartz, FNP-BC

The Nurse For example, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) study the virus worldwide and help communities respond to outbreaks locally. The Department of Labor helps employers and workers keep their workplaces as safe as possible and provides advice and updates on special unemployment benefits passed by Congress.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) works with the health care industry to develop vaccines, drugs and diagnostic tests. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) researches treatments for those who have contracted the illnesses and leads the race to develop, approve and distribute vaccines.

Three agencies provide direct, hands-on health care for Americans: the Indian Health Service; the Department of Defense’s Military Health System; and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which operates the nation’s largest integrated health care system, with 172 hospitals and nearly 1,300 outpatient clinics.

As of December 2020, the VA has admitted 121,765 veterans and employees with COVID19 to its hospitals; 5,229 have died. To get a sense of what the front lines of this battle look like, NARFE spoke with three VA employees: a registered nurse, a hospital administrator and a senior medical researcher.

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NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

Whelan-Schwartz, the nurse described at the opening of this article, staffed her hospital’s hot triage area for about six weeks. “We were able to work with other nurse practitioners in the hospital and bring them in when we needed more help. The greatest thing is that all the nurse practitioners who worked in the van remained healthy and free of COVID. Two of my colleagues, John Knapp and Beryl Sinclair, were in that van five days a week for months, and they are still helping screen VA employees and veterans for COVID.” Today, Whelan-Schwartz is part of VA’s support for Operation Warp Speed, a nationwide project administered by HHS with the goal of producing and delivering millions of doses of safe and effective vaccines to the American people and the world. Her medical center is one of 10 VA facilities and other hospitals worldwide testing the Janssen vaccine in the ENSEMBLE study. This vaccine was developed by a division of Johnson & Johnson.

Neither she nor the volunteers who receive a vaccination know whether they are getting the vaccine or a placebo. If the Janssen vaccine is successful, those who receive it may need only one vaccination instead of the two shots that some other vaccines require.

“We love our veterans and are so happy we can help serve them,” she says.

“

By sending staff and equipment from upstate facilities to

downstate, we never ran out of equipment ... and we never ran short of staff.”

— Dr. Joan McInerney

The Administrator Dr. Joan McInerney came to grips with the COVID19 outbreak earlier than most of the general public.

Network director of VA Health Care Network New York/New Jersey, McInerney leads nearly 18,000 employees who deliver health care to 467,000 veterans every year. In February 2020, she set up an Incident Command Center to track the virus and plan for what she and her staff would do if it reached the United States.

“Every morning, I heard from VA’s emergency management team [about] what was going on in the world,” she recalls. “I’d bring that up in our Incident Command meetings, and we worked on a potential model for what might happen.

“We started thinking New York City was going to be a hot spot for infections. Our initial plan was to make our Brooklyn hospital the place where we would transfer all our COVID patients, but that didn’t work out. So, all our hospitals [the network operates nine, including inpatient facilities in Manhattan, the Bronx, Long Island, Westchester County and Northern New Jersey] were involved.

“Our work was complicated by the number of patients who needed intensive care unit (ICU) beds and those who needed to be on ventilators.

We had to scramble to make sure we had enough equipment and staff. But by sending staff and equipment from upstate facilities to downstate, we never ran out of equipment, including PPE

[personal protective equipment], and we never ran short of staff.”

The network created 42 new ICU beds and 148 medically staffed beds. Within weeks, McInerney and her staff hired 425 new employees. The hospitals transformed patient rooms into negative pressure rooms in which the air pressure inside is lower than that outside, keeping potentially contaminated air or viruses from flowing into noncontaminated areas.

They repurposed post-anesthesia care units and reactivated old ICUs, emergency department areas and procedure suites. Trained hospital personnel from upstate New York were sent downstate where their services were more needed, and eventually some were sent to VA facilities elsewhere in the nation.

When other hospitals in the New York metropolitan area were overwhelmed, the network took in 143 COVID-19 cases from the community under VA’s humanitarian support mission. And they provided staff, supplies and training to three New Jersey state veterans’ homes when many of the homes’ staff members and patients became ill.

“Every morning,” McInerney explains, “VHA (Veterans Health Administration) had an operations center call. We all had to present what we were seeing, and by letting NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

21

others around the country know what was going on here, we helped them prepare.”

She recalls learning that at a New York City hospital not affiliated with VA, the intense use of oxygen associated with COVID-19 caused catastrophic failure of an oxygen gas system because the pipes were cold. By the end of the day, every VA facility nationwide was aware of the problem.

To protect staff, she allowed those who could do so to work from home and do virtual visits with patients whenever possible. To protect veterans who needed hospital services but did not have the coronavirus, the network greatly increased the amount of telemedicine services it provided, offered curbside service, and conducted home visits so patients did not have to risk exposure in hospitals.

In terms of lessons learned, McInerney mentions the need for transition beds for patients who are recovering but may still be contagious.

“We have patients who can’t go home because they have an elderly spouse or are living in a nursing home or are still testing positive even though they are much better. It took us a while to develop a good plan for that.”

She concludes that communicating with fellow employees “is the biggest thing. Keeping the staff healthy and unexposed is really important—because otherwise you’re not going to have the staff.”

The Researcher Dr. David Atkins directs VA’s Health Service Research and Development Service, overseeing more than 300 projects aimed at improving the health of and care for our nation’s veterans. He also heads VA’s COVID Observational Research Collaboratory, bringing VA experts together to analyze the use and effects of COVID-19 therapies with clinical partners interested in the safety and effectiveness of those therapies.

“At the beginning of the pandemic,” he says, “we didn’t have any effective treatments.

Clinicians were trying everything. We started the Collaboratory to learn what treatments doctors were using and to see whether there were any signs that some of those treatments were effective.”

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NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

Because VA has a comprehensive electronic health records system that can be mined for data, the department is a good place to examine the value of different treatments. “We started out by working with FDA and then decided we should have an organized process to determine which questions were especially relevant to VA and make sure our researchers were using the best available science,” Atkins explains.

“Studying COVID-19 is a complicated picture, and it’s easy to get a wrong answer if you don’t know what you’re doing. The Collaboratory is a way to ensure the science will be better than if we just let everyone do their own thing. Otherwise, we might have five different VA studies with five different conclusions.”

The Collaboratory began by funding three teams to look at important questions related to COVID-19 therapies. These included the value of anticoagulants in treating the illness; the effectiveness of remdesivir, an antiviral medication; and the helpfulness of steroids like dexamethasone, now the standard for treating patients with severe and critical COVID-19.

Another Collaboratory work group looks at ways to improve the underlying data and methods VA is using to address these questions.

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“

VA can look at the pandemic across multiple settings and populations.

We can follow it over time and see how the situation has changed. And we can take the things we’re learning and spread them quickly throughout our health care system.”

— Dr. David Atkins

“They review the methods of different studies, provide advice and comments, and make sure investigators understand the intricacies of VA’s data set and the ways different things are recorded in VA’s electronic health record,” says Atkins.

Recently, the Collaboratory began looking at the long-term outcomes of patients who have had COVID-19. “Some patients recover but don’t get completely better and have symptoms that can last a long time. There’s a lot of interest in this, but we don’t really know that much about it yet.”

Now that vaccines to protect against COVID19 are being distributed, the Collaboratory researchers are looking at veterans’ attitudes toward taking the vaccine and at the best way to administer vaccines to VA’s 9 million health care enrollees—how appointments will be handled and how to ensure patients who have received the first dose of the vaccine return for their second dose, if needed.

Atkins notes the special value VA research offers in the fight against COVID-19. “VA can look at the pandemic across multiple settings and populations. We can follow it over time and see how the situation has changed. And we can take the things we’re learning and spread them quickly throughout our health care system. VA is really going to be helpful in determining whether we are seeing side effects from vaccines once we start giving them to hundreds of thousands of people.”

“We have a population with a lot of vulnerable patients,” he says. “So far, we’ve been relatively fortunate that the toll on veterans has not been as high as one might have expected— but we are finding some of the same patterns as in the general population, that African Americans and Latinos are more likely to get the disease than white veterans. The good news is that we’ve seen no disparity of outcomes among infected patients, so VA is living up to its promise to treat everyone equally.”

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

24

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

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Stand Out With

26

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

By Ross Apter

The federal community serves as the steady hand of our country, making it all the more important that our voices rise above the rest at the start of the new Congress. There are an estimated 200,000 interest groups in the United States, and all of them are trying to influence lawmakers. Whether business or industry groups, public interest groups or myriad other organizations, all are trying to convince lawmakers to hear them out. There’s stiff competition for NARFE, but we have help from an additional tool in our advocacy toolbox: NARFE-PAC.

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

27

In concert with grassroots advocacy and topnotch lobbying, NARFE-PAC is another instrument for raising the profile of NARFE’s values. The PAC facilitates additional face time with lawmakers by enabling NARFE members and staff to attend congressional fundraisers, explain the latest issues affecting the federal community, and build relationships that facilitate future interactions.

The tumultuous start of the new Congress highlights the need for a strong, resilient civil service that keeps the government running in even the most challenging of times. NARFE-PAC is a proactive measure that promptly puts NARFE’s issues in front of lawmakers so our concerns never go unheard.

We must not only compete with other groups vying for legislators’ attention, but also against groups that openly advocate for reductions in federal benefits. As they justify breaking promises by claiming that federal benefits are lavish, it’s even more vital that NARFE has a say and that lawmakers get the facts. NARFE-PAC makes sure that we have opportunities to present our side of the argument and our voice is never drowned out.

With a new Congress comes new challenges and potential openings. It is important to build relationships with new lawmakers and strengthen relationships with returning ones. Narrower majorities in the House and Senate could force the type of horse trading that puts earned federal benefits at risk. Lawmakers must not forget about the federal community, those weathering our country through the storm. NARFE-PAC increases the chances that NARFE has to engage with legislators and tell our story.

NARFE-PAC’s strength has grown in the last few years as NARFE members have showed their support by contributing to the PAC. This, in turn, has raised NARFE’s profile. NARFE members and staff have been attending more events and speaking with more members of Congress than in earlier years, making sure that the concerns of federal employees and retirees are presented to members of Congress. Continue this trend by contributing to the PAC during NARFE-PAC month.

“We must not only compete with other groups vying for legislators’ attention, but also against groups that openly advocate for reductions in federal benefits.”

What 2021 Has in Store The polarizing start of the new Congress and the beginning of a new administration make it clear that NARFE-PAC has a lot of work to do. Agendas are being set on Capitol Hill that will lay the course of Congress for the next two years. We can’t allow NARFE’s issues to fall off lawmakers' radars or fall victim to political brinkmanship. Fortunately, NARFE-PAC is up to the task.

It is widely believed that narrow majorities in the House and Senate will force consensus building between the two parties. Ideological legislation will be hard to pass, simply because the votes do not exist. That said, the federal community needs to

Become a NARFE-PAC Sustainer Sustainers form the backbone of NARFE-PAC and ensure that the PAC is able to send local members and advocacy staff to congressional fundraisers early in the cycle. These events build awareness of NARFE and our issues, and they foster relationships with lawmakers. You have the power to ensure that NARFE-PAC has the funds to engage with our allies and with new members of Congress. Boost your support for NARFEPAC by signing up to become a NARFE-PAC sustainer. Sustainers receive the NARFE-PAC sustainer pin in recognition of their strong backing of the PAC. You can become a NARFE-PAC sustainer today. Sign up using the contribution form on page 9. Thank you for your support.

28

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

keep a watchful eye, especially on budget threats aimed at cutting spending. These cuts could be used as bargaining chips by lawmakers to gather support across the aisle for must-pass legislation.

With all this uncertainty, NARFE will need to communicate to legislators the importance of upholding the promises that were made to federal employees and retirees. NARFE-PAC can help achieve that goal by placing members and staff at events with new and existing lawmakers to educate them about the federal community. Having informed members of Congress puts NARFE in a better position for future legislative fights.

How Can You Support NARFE-PAC?

NARFE-PAC works by fostering relationships with lawmakers, helping elect candidates who understand the federal community and making sure NARFE’s views are heard.

NARFE-PAC provides more chances to engage.

Last cycle, NARFE-PAC sent officers, staff and 242 NARFE members to fundraisers to connect with legislators. NARFE members, just like you, have been up against the real-world challenges facing federal employees and retirees. Lawmakers need to hear about your service to the nation and the promises that were made to you.

Timely interactions with lawmakers by members and staff help advance the goals of NARFE; they also solidify NARFE as an expert on federal benefits issues, meaning legislators will come to NARFE first when they have questions. The association can then communicate the importance of protecting the retirement security of the federal community.

Combined with efforts to elect Fed-friendly candidates, NARFE-PAC serves as a powerful political force for the benefit of current and former Feds.

The easiest way you can support NARFE-PAC is by sending a contribution, especially this March during NARFE-PAC month. Please consider contributing either online via NARFE’s website or through the mail using the contribution form included on page 9 of this magazine. Doing so is quick and easy and will allow NARFE-PAC to send members and staff to fundraisers early in this congressional cycle.

In addition to contributing, there are several other things you can do to boost the PAC. If you hear of a fundraiser for your member of Congress, send word to your chapter NARFEPAC chair so that the information can make its way to NARFE’s advocacy department. With proper approval, you and other NARFE members can attend an event and represent NARFE, getting vital time with lawmakers that can make a big difference. The rise of Zoom meetings and other online fundraisers has made it even easier for members to connect with their legislators through NARFE-PAC. NARFE-PAC relies on information from our federations before it makes a campaign contribution. If you’ve interacted with your lawmaker or a candidate, share that with your chapter PAC chair as well. NARFE-PAC uses a consultative process to determine whether a campaign is deserving of funds, and every bit of information is helpful. You play a critical role in electing lawmakers who support NARFE’s priorities.

Finally, encourage your fellow members to contribute to NARFE-PAC. This is an easy way to aid the program, and it raises awareness of the important work of the PAC.

Member Contributions to NARFE-PAC

Political Disbursements

by NARFE-PAC

$2.0M $1.5M $1.0M

01

$-

-0 2 03 -0 4 05 -0 6 07 -0 8 09 -10 11 12 13 -14 15 -16 17 -18 19 -20

$500K

$1.6M $1.4M $1.2M $1.0M $800K $600K $400K $200K $-

-0 2 03 -0 4 05 -0 6 07 -0 8 09 -10 11 12 13 -14 15 -16 17 -18 19 -20

$2.5M

01

How NARFE-PAC Works for You

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

29

How Does NARFE-PAC Make Disbursements?

NARFE-PAC uses a consultative process to determine which candidates receive NARFE-PAC funds. Several factors are considered, including the candidate’s support on NARFE issues, as indicated primarily through their NARFE voting record. The recommendation of the federation is also critical in the decision-making process. Other considerations include the influence a legislator can exert in support of NARFE’s goals by virtue of committee assignments and leadership positions, the competitiveness of the race, and the overall NARFE-PAC budget. Party affiliation is not a factor used in the decision-making process.

All NARFE-PAC disbursement decisions are made by the NARFE-PAC Board, which consists of the two elected national officers and NARFE’s staff vice president of policy and programs. Local input is provided by the federation NARFEPAC coordinator, who is responsible for making a federation recommendation after gathering feedback from local chapters. Recommendations take into account the amount of and quality of communication with the candidate, along with the accessibility of the candidate to NARFE members.

NARFE-PAC faces significant competition from those who want to decrease your benefits. Every contribution to NARFE-PAC helps confront these attacks and build support within Congress for the federal community.

Support NARFE-PAC Today

NARFE-PAC set bold goals for the 2021-2022 election cycle to ensure that the PAC is well positioned to fight for you. We cannot allow others to weaken the retirement security of current and former Feds.

To advocate for you, NARFE-PAC set the following goals for the 2021-2022 cycle: • Raise $1.85 million in member contributions.

• Disburse $1.35 million for political purposes.

• Send NARFE members to 120 local events (may be virtual).

These goals are attainable and build on the growing support that NARFE members have shown to the PAC in recent years. Join with your fellow members by contributing to NARFE-PAC today. Easily contribute by mailing in the form on page 9 to NARFE headquarters or by going online to NARFE’s website. Any amount helps. To learn more about NARFE-PAC, check out the NARFEPAC-specific page at www.narfe.org. Thank you for your support of our PAC. —ROSS APTER IS THE POLITICAL ASSOCIATE IN NARFE'S ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT.

NARFE-PAC:

New Goals for 2021-2020 NARFE-PAC, the political arm of NARFE, works to defend your earned pay and benefits by building strong relationships between NARFE and members of Congress. Support the PAC, especially during NARFE-PAC month in March, and help fight for the federal community. Below are the new goals for the 2021-2022 election cycle.

Raise

$1.85 million

30

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

Disburse

Send NARFE members to

in political contributions

local fundraisers

$1.35 million

120

THERAPY, SAFETY AND INDEPENDENCE

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Managing Money

Catch-up Contributions

B

eginning in 2021, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) introduced a simplified process for eligible participants wishing to make catch-up contributions. Now, rather

than requiring a separate election, eligible participants need only make one election for both regular and catch-up contributions.

First introduced with the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), catch-up contributions give older participants the opportunity to save more money each year to make up for earlier times when circumstances may not have allowed them to save the maximum each year. For 2021, the annual TSP limit for regular contributions is $19,500; participants age 50 and older may make the additional catch-up contribution of $6,500, bringing their total contribution limit to $26,000.

Prior to this year, a TSP participant wishing to make catch-up contributions did so through a separate election in addition to the regular contribution election. Before being permitted to elect catch-up contributions, however, a participant must have already been contributing enough in regular contributions to reach the IRS annual contribution limit. Now, eligible participants may simply make one contribution election, and when their contributions reach the IRS annual limit for regular contributions ($19,500 for 2021), additional contributions

32

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

automatically spill over and count towards the catch-up limit.

Not all participants will find the new system easier. Some participants prefer to front-load their catch-up contributions, rather than spreading them evenly over all pay periods, under the assumption that front-loading

PRIOR TO THIS YEAR, A TSP PARTICIPANT WISHING TO MAKE CATCH-UP CONTRIBUTIONS DID SO THROUGH A SEPARATE ELECTION IN ADDITION TO THE REGULAR CONTRIBUTION ELECTION.

contributions and reaching the annual limit in as few pay periods as possible may lead to greater growth over time. While it will still be possible to accomplish the same result, participants who wish to front-load contributions will have to work a little harder or else risk missing out on some agency matching contributions.

For example, under the old system, participants wishing to front-load their catch-up contributions over 10 pay periods while spreading out their regular contributions to ensure they receive the maximum agency match would have elected regular contributions at $750 per pay period (based on a biweekly pay schedule) and catch-up contributions at $650 per pay period. In this case, the catch-up contributions would automatically stop when the limit was reached after the tenth pay period, while the regular contributions would continue for the full 26 pay periods.

Under this old system, catch-up contributions were not eligible for agency matching contributions, so a participant was free to frontload contributions and reach the annual catch-up limit as quickly as possible. Participants could easily contribute whatever amount they could afford to get the catch-up contributions in as quickly as possible while spreading out regular contributions over all 26 pay periods to receive the maximum possible agency matching contribution.

Under the new, single contribution system, participants won’t technically be front-loading catch-up contributions (since they don’t start until the annual limit for regular contributions has been reached); however, participants may still achieve the same end result by starting each year off with larger contributions for the desired number of pay

BENEFITS RESOURCES NARFE OFFERS MEMBERS a wide range of information on federal benefits. Visit www.narfe.org/FederalBenefitsInstitute.

periods, followed by smaller contributions over the remaining pay periods.

To draw on the previous example, under the new rules, TSP participants would start the year off with a single contribution of $1,400 per pay period instead of two separate elections (the $750 regular contribution and $650 catch up). After the tenth pay period when the desired front-loaded contribution is reached, participants would then have to reduce the contribution to $750.

While this method isn’t technically front-loading catch-up contributions, the effect is the same. Under the new system, catch-up contributions are eligible for agency matching contributions, so in reality, participants may front-load whatever amount he

or she desires just as long contributions never fall below 5 percent of salary during any pay period.

Otherwise, participants would miss out on some agency matching.

Although not overly complicated, it does take a little more work to front-load contributions.

This begs the question, is it worth the trouble?

Stay tuned, as next month I’ll compare various contribution scenarios and their potential outcomes based on historical TSP fund returns.

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

The Road to Retirement and What to Expect When You Get There Whether you’re thinking about retiring or already retired, NARFE’s spring webinars will cover some of the most critical parts of the process: Deciding when to retire and managing your social security benefits and taxes.

UPCOMING WEBINARS: THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2 P.M. ET Post-Retirement Tax Issues – NEW

NEW!

THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2 P.M. ET Understanding the CSRS Offset THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2 P.M. ET Targeting Your Best Retirement Date Online Q&A sessions follow each webinar. For details and to register, visit NARFE.org/Institute.

NARFE FEDERAL BENEFITS INSTITUTE

Questions? Members can call 800-456-8410 x2 or email NARFE’s federal benefits specialists for one-on-one help fedbenefits@narfe.org.

Not a member? Join NARFE today at NARFE.org/Join.

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

33

Alzheimer’s Update

I

Legislation Increases Federal Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research and Support ncluded in the year-end omnibus spending package Congress passed in December was a $300 million increase for Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding at the National

Institutes of Health (NIH) for fiscal year 2021, $15 million to fund and implement the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, P.L. 115-406, and advances to the Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act, S. 880/H.R. 1873 (116th Congress).

The Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act (the BOLD Act), S. 2076/H.R. 4256 (115th Congress), was originally passed in December 2018. The recently allocated $15 million will help strengthen the country’s public health infrastructure, thereby implementing effective Alzheimer’s interventions focused on increasing early detection and diagnosis with the goal of reducing the risk and preventing avoidable hospitalizations.

The Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct outreach on comprehensive care planning services available under Medicare for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The CMS must report on its efforts, as well as on any barriers to access. This will give clinicians the knowledge and tools to better help people living with dementia and their families. The legislation was championed by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM), the association’s advocacy arm.

34

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

Robert Egge, AIM Executive Director and Alzheimer’s Association Chief Public Policy Officer, stated, “We are indebted and thankful to Congress for their bipartisan work to advance the

HEARTFELT THANKS ALSO GO TO OUR TIRELESS NATIONWIDE NETWORK OF DEDICATED ADVOCATES WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO GROW THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THESE IMPORTANT ADVANCEMENTS. policies that are bringing about meaningful progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all the other dementia related conditions.”

The increased government investment in research was made possible in part because of our longtime congressional champions, including Sen. Roy Blunt, R-MO; Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA; Rep.

Rosa DeLauro, D-CT; and Rep. Tom Cole, R-OK. Heartfelt thanks also go to our tireless nationwide network of dedicated advocates who have worked so hard to grow the bipartisan support for these important advancements.

Alzheimer’s is one of the most expensive diseases in the country (costing an estimated $305 billion in 2020) and one of the greatest and under-recognized public health threats of our time. Today, more than 5 million Americans live with the disease, and an estimated 16 million American provide unpaid care.

The NARFE-Alzheimer’s National Committee joins the Alzheimer’s Association and AIM in thanking all of the elected officials who championed this legislation. NARFE members have contributed a cumulative total of more than $13 million to Alzheimer’s Research Fund toward our goal of raising $14 million by 2022. Thank you for your continued support, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about the Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act, funding for BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, or about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in general, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association at www. alz.org or call the 24-hour helpline at 800-272-3900.

OLIVIA A. WILLIAMS IS CHAIR OF THE NARFE-ALZHEIMER’S NATIONAL COMMITTEE. EMAIL: OEASHF3@ GMAIL.COM. THIS COLUMN APPEARS QUARTERLY.

Stand Up Straight and Feel Better Discover the Perfect WalkerTM, the better way to walk safely and more naturally It’s a cruel fact of life, as we age, gravity takes over. Our muscles droop, our bodies sag and the weight of the world seems to be planted squarely on our shoulders. We dread taking a fall, so we find ourselves walking less and less- and that only makes matters worse.

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For the Record

LOSSES COME AMID FALLING PAYROLLS CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC

2020

’21

2020

’21

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN FUND RETURNS

’21

F FUND

C FUND

S FUND

I FUND

JANUARY

0.07%

-0.71%

-1.01%

2.85%

-1.09%

DECEMBER

0.07%

0.14%

3.84%

7.24%

4.64%

NOVEMBER

0.07%

0.99%

10.95%

18.26%

15.54%

YTD

0.07%

-0.71%

-1.01%

2.85%

-1.09%

1 YEAR

0.87%

4.73%

17.16%

36.45%

9.99%

3 YEAR*

1.99%

5.53%

11.65%

15.07%

2.61%

5 YEAR*

2.03%

4.11%

16.14%

18.87%

9.01%

10 YEAR*

2.02%

3.98%

13.52%

13.50%

5.50%

JANUARY DECEMBER NOVEMBER

L INCOME

L 2025

L 2030

L 2035

L 2040

-0.10%

-0.24%

-0.32%

-0.35%

-0.37%

1.07%

2.27%

2.79%

3.06%

3.34%

3.00%

6.56%

8.10%

8.92%

9.74%

-0.10%

-0.24%

-0.32%

-0.35%

-0.37%

1 YEAR

5.04%

N/A

11.41%

N/A

13.41%

3 YEAR*

4.03%

N/A

6.84%

N/A

7.68%

YTD

2020

G FUND

5 YEAR*

4.79%

N/A

9.85%

N/A

11.23%

10 YEAR*

4.18%

N/A

8.15%

N/A

9.11%

L 2045

L 2050

L 2055

L 2060

L 2065

-0.39%

-0.41%

-0.44%

-0.44%

-0.44%

DECEMBER

3.59%

3.83%

4.63%

4.63%

4.63%

NOVEMBER

10.47%

11.19%

13.55%

13.55%

13.55%

YTD

For the first time since April, employers reported falling payrolls, underscoring the economic harm inflicted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Federal Reserve cited this impact in its decision to leave its target interest rate unchanged. Frenzied trading in a few stocks, apparently driven by retail investors, led some observers to express concerns about excessive speculation. The C, S and I Funds posted losses, with the latter hampered by a stronger U.S. dollar. The F Fund fell as longer-term interest rates edged higher. All L Funds finished lower.

—BY MICHAEL JERUE, FINANCIAL ANALYST, THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN RETURNS are net of the effect of accrued administrative expenses and investment expenses/costs. Source: TSP G Fund: Government securities (specially issued to the TSP) F Fund: Government, corporate and mortgage-backed bonds C Fund: Stocks of large- and medium-size U.S. companies S Fund: Stocks of small- to medium-size U.S. companies (not included in the C Fund) I Fund: International stocks of 21 developed countries L Fund: (Lifecycle) Invested in the G, F, C, S and I Funds (The proportion of L Fund balance invested in each of the individual TSP funds depends on the L Fund chosen.)

COUNTDOWN TO COLA

-0.39%

-0.41%

-0.44%

-0.44%

-0.44%

1 YEAR

N/A

15.14%

N/A

N/A

N/A

3 YEAR*

N/A

8.36%

N/A

N/A

N/A

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 0.10 percent in December 2020. To calculate the 2021 cost-ofliving adjustment (COLA), the 2021 third-quarter indices will be averaged and compared with the 2020 third-quarter average of 253.412. The percentage increase determines the COLA. December’s index, 254.081, is up 0.26 percent from the base.

5 YEAR*

N/A

12.45%

N/A

N/A

N/A

For a FECA COLA update, see Page 15.

10 YEAR*

N/A

9.90%

N/A

N/A

N/A

The CPI represents purchases of food and beverages, housing, apparel, transportation, medical care, recreation, education and communication, and other goods and services.

JANUARY

*ANNUALIZED.

OPM RETIREMENT CLAIMS PROCESSING STATUS

2020

’19

Claims Received

MONTH

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

DECEMBER 5,205 16,908 JANUARY 17,134 23,983 FEBRUARY 9,273 23,629 MARCH 6,566 21,264 APRIL 6,740 19,889 MAY 6,648 18,177 JUNE 6,555 17,432 JULY 6,819 17,631 AUGUST 6,775 18,570 SEPTEMBER 6,244 18,274 OCTOBER 8,323 19.605 NOVEMBER 5,876 20,022 DECEMBER 5,135 19,687

66 58 54 61 68

83

81

95

73 73 77 74 74

62 61 59 60 61 64 65 68 68 69 77 76 75

FOR THE NUMBER of new retirement cases the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) receives each month by agency and the percent with errors that it returns to those agencies, go to www.opm.gov/retirement-services/. l Source: OPM 36

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

CPI-W

Monthly % Change

% Change from 253.412

OCTOBER 2020

254.076

0.03

0.26

NOVEMBER

253.826

-0.10

0.16

DECEMBER

254.081

0.10

0.26

JANUARY 2021 FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER

Donate

to NARFE Programs

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

$13,700,196.60*

Enclosed is my NARFE-Alzheimer’s contribution: $__________ Every cent that is contributed is used for research. q Mr. q Mrs. q Miss q Ms.

*Total as of December 31, 2020. 100 percent of all Name:_______________________________________________ contributed funds go to Alzheimer’s research.

Address:_____________________________________________

If you have any questions, write to: NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIR

Olivia Williams 22 Garden Springs Road Columbia, SC 29209 EMAIL: oeashf3@gmail.com

City:_________________________________________________ State:________________________________________________ ZIP:_________________________________________________ Chapter Number:______________________________________

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

Credit Card Information:

NARFE-Alzheimer’s Research

q MasterCard

q VISA

q Discover

q AMEX

AND MAIL TO:

Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., 17th Floor Chicago, IL 60601-7633 YOUR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION IS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.

Card Number:_________________________________________ Expiration Date:___ (mm)/__ (yy) 3-Digit Security Code:____ Signature:___________________________ Date:___ /___ /___ Name: (please print)___________________________________

Give to the NARFE-FEEA Fund MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: NARFE-FEEA Fund PLEASE MAIL COUPON AND CHECK TO: FEEA 1641 Prince St. Alexandria, VA 22314 YOUR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION IS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.

q YES!

I would like to help with my contribution.

The NARFE-FEEA Fund supports NARFE members during disasters; provides scholarships to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and funds other programs to support NARFE members at the direction of NARFE and FEEA. Enclosed is my NARFE-FEEA Fund Contribution: $__________ Name:_______________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________ City:_________________________________________________ State:________________________________________________ ZIP:_________________________________________________ Email:_______________________________________________

To make credit card or e-check contributions, visit www.feea.org/givenarfe.

NARFE News NARFE PHOTO CONTEST DEADLINE IS APRIL 2

Fall Membership Drive 2020: Despite a Tough Year, Our Members Came Through

M

any of us will look back on the autumn of 2020 as a very challenging time, with good news in short supply.

However, here at NARFE, several hundred of our

members provided a positive spark that helped us end the year on a high note—they recruited more than 300 new members during the NARFE Fall Membership Drive. This achievement was even more remarkable because it took place during a global pandemic that limited their ability to make personal connections with prospective members.

While we don’t have the space to list all of our recruiters, we would like to recognize several people who brought in multiple members: Joseph Beyer, Mary Burkett, Kenneth Candell, Marsha Catlett-Weimer, Judith Davidson, John Hockenbury, Ilene McQuality, Gladyce Nelson, Dale Ollila, Marianne

Polo, Rebecca Price, Yoggi Riley, Steven Roy, James Ryan and Nancy Story. A few recruiters, chosen at random, also received Amazon gift cards, and one received the grand prize, a new Kindle tablet. To all members who participated, we thank you for your support and your commitment to helping us

Submit to the 2021 NARFE Photo Contest through April 2. Capture the image that conveys your interpretation of “Greetings From the USA.” For more information, visit www.narfe.org/photocontest.

grow. As an organization, we are stronger, and so is our message in Washington, because of you.

Moving forward, we have lots of exciting new programs and services coming online to help us work together to keep NARFE expanding and thriving. We’re working on more online programs with tips and information to guide the recruiting efforts of our members in the field, and we’ll introduce new ways to help our chapters engage with the NARFE members in their areas.

If you have questions, please call us at 800-456-8410 (press 1) or email us at membership@ narfe.org.

—BY DAVE BOWMAN, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

New NARFE Digital Staff

P

lease welcome Evan Dean, who recently joined NARFE’s communications team as its digital communications assistant. He manages the NARFE NewsLine newsletter and produces the association’s webinars, daily news clips and social media

38

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

content. He is also working with NARFE’s archive in anticipation of our centennial celebration.

Evan is a native Virginian and a 2015 graduate of the University of Mary Washington with a B.A. in political science. His previous experience includes strategy and communications work for various DC-area nonprofits,

political field work for national and state-wide campaigns, and campaign management.

Evan is a classically trained musician and has performed with several professional choirs and ensembles. He enjoys cooking and spending time at home with his cat and domestic partner.

Evan can be reached at edean@narfe.org.

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

Active and Retired Federal Employees ...

Join NARFE Today!

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

Who Should Join NARFE?

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

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

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

• Save time, hassle and money with NARFE Perks.

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

1Q6

NARFE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION YES. I want to join NARFE for the low annual dues of $48.

q

q Mr. q Mrs. q Miss q Ms.

q MasterCard

______________________________________________

Full Name

______________________________________________

Street Address Apt./Unit

______________________________________________

City

State

ZIP

______________________________________________

Phone

______________________________________________

Email

I am a (check all that apply) q Active Federal Employee

q Active Federal Employee Spouse

q Annuitant Spouse

q VISA

q Discover

q AMEX

___________________________________________ Card No. Expiration Date _____ /________ mm

______________________________________________

q Annuitant

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

yyyy

___________________________________________ 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.

q Survivor Annuitant

q Please enroll my spouse _________________________________________

Spouse’s Full Name

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

_________________________________________

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

THREE EASY WAYS TO JOIN

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

Spouse’s Email

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

2. Join online at www.NARFE.org.

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

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

(01/21)

NARFE News

Explore the New NARFE.org

I

f you’ve visited NARFE.org lately, you’ve probably encountered our new NARFE website. Phase I rollout began in early January, debuting a great new look with easier access to more resources.

A few highlights of the longanticipated website update: • The website is simpler to navigate, with visual links to relevant information.

• Our new chapter locator helps potential members connect with NARFE chapters near them.

• A robust new search function helps users pinpoint the pages they need.

• Visitors can easily view videos from our extensive library of webinars on any device.

• The new responsive design is right-sized for any screen you use, including smartphones and tablets.

• The “Contact Us” form helps members send email to the appropriate Headquarters department.

• It’s easy to share our awardwinning content, both by email and within your social networks, with just a few clicks.

You’ll still encounter links to legacy pages as you explore, but we’re launching new features regularly. We’d love to know what you think of the new website as we continue to refine functionality. Please send your feedback to communications@ narfe.org.

As NARFE commemorates its centennial, NARFE Magazine is providing a look back at milestones for the organization and its work on behalf of federal civilian employees, retirees and their survivors.

NARFE was formed less than a year after passage of the Civil Service Retirement Act of 1920, when 14 federal retirees met in downtown Washington, DC. At the time of that inaugural meeting, civil service annuities for the 16,500 federal annuitants were capped at $60 per month, with a maximum annual payout of $720.

Retirement was mandatory for employees with 15 years of service who had reached retirement age.

The new group, then named the Association of Retired Federal Employees, would work solely for “the betterment of the status of retired federal employees.”

Visit narfe.org/centennial for more about NARFE’s century of service.

Eargo is a proud sponsor of NARFE’s Centennial.

40

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

FEDERATION CONFERENCES AND ELECTION INFORMATION

This information was correct as of press time in late January; however, because of potential COVID-19 restrictions, please contact your federation to make sure these details are current.

2021 FEDERATION CONFERENCES COLORADO: October 7 in Aurora DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: April 24 ILLINOIS: September 27-29 in Normal KANSAS: April 26 -27 in Salina MASSACHUSETTS: May 6-7, virtual (register at https://us02web.zoom. us/j/87354549958) MISSISSIPPI: April 8-10 in Louisville

NORTH CAROLINA: May 12, virtual (register by email to Register@ NCNARFE.org) OKLAHOMA: August or September, to be determined OREGON: May 16-18 in Newport (if virtual, visit https://global. gotomeeting.com/join/748455997) PENNSYLVANIA: March 15 in York

MISSOURI: April 22, virtual

SOUTH DAKOTA: August 18-20 in Pierre

NEBRASKA: May 13-14 in Lincoln

TEXAS: April 13-14 in San Antonio

NEW JERSEY: April 21, virtual or in person

VIRGINIA: October 11-13 in Richmond

2021 FEDERATION ELECTIONS ILLINOIS: May 19; nominations due March 31 Cynthia Soltes, cynthiasoltes@sbcglobal.net, www.narfe.org/il KANSAS: March and April by mail John Ourada, (785) 643-8506 or john.ourada@cox.net; www.narfe.org/site/ks/ MASSACHUSETTS: April 5-26 by mail; nominations due March 15 Gene Holt, 978-256-6818 or wgholtjr@ verizon.net; www.manarfe.org MISSISSIPPI: April 9 Rhett Hamiter, 228-596-0396, katrdh90@currently.com, www.NARFE.org/ms NEW JERSEY: April 21 John Szpyhulsky, ukijs@aol.com, www.narfe.org/site/NJ

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

41

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

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

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

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

Because you're a member of NARFE you have access to exclusive, members-only discounts at Office Depot and OfficeMax. Office Depot and OfficeMax offer thousands of products discounted below retail pricing both online and in any store location. With your NARFE membership, you can save up to 75% off regular prices (as listed on officedepot.com) on our Best Value List of preferred products. Create an account and browse through our discounts, or shop in-store by printing your FREE Store Purchasing Card. Visit https://officediscounts.org/narfe for details and more! Text NARFESPC to 833‑344‑0228 and save your free store discount card on your phone.

Omaha Steaks www.omahasteaks.com/NARFE

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

Purchasing Power www.PurchasingPower.com/NARFE

While not a discount program, Purchasing Power is an exclusive purchase program helps members buy brand-name computers, electronics, appliances and furniture via annuity allotment when cash is not an option. No credit check or down payments.

Sam’s Club 877- 579-1201 l Use the Link Below to Sign Up Now!

NARFE Members can now take advantage of huge savings at Sam’s Club with an exclusive membership offer! Save up to 40% on a 1-year membership and receive a limited-time free gift upon purchase! To sign up please visit: www.rebrand.ly/narfe-samsclub

Ship Sunshine www.shipsunshine.com

Ship Sunshine offers cheery gifts - at all price levels - for all occasions, and especially for no occasion at all! You can also build your own custom gift and include personalized items.

Use promo code NARFE at www.shipsunshine.com for a 5% discount!

INSURANCE

MOVING SERVICES

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

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

Coleman Allied 850-375-0917 | jack.jacobs@colemanallied.com

With over 300 agency partners and an entire team dedicated to a quality move experience, Coleman Allied provides customized discount levels for all NARFE members for Interstate moves. *The NARFE pricing only applies to moves that leave the state you currently reside in.

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

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

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

TRAVEL & TRANSPORT

With 6,400 hotels throughout the world, Choice Hotels offers something for everyone. As a member, receive 20% off your next stay at participating hotels when you use Special Rate ID 00801967.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car® Book Now! https://partners.rentalcar.com/narfe

When you’re ready to go, Enterprise Rent-A-Car makes it easy. We offer everyday low rates on a great selection of cars, trucks and vans and customers are picked up at no extra cost*. See website for exclusions.

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

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

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

NARFE members receive great rates with National Car Rental! At National, we pride ourselves on always providing you with unsurpassed convenience and choice. Book Now! https://partners.rentalcar.com/narfe

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

WELLNESS

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

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

PRE-PLANNING

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.

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

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

ADDITIONAL PERKS

SEE HOW MUCH YOU CAN SAVE AT

www.NARFE.ORG/memberperks

The Way We Worked

Publishing for the Public Division of the Federal Register staff members support production of government publications in this 1947 photograph. In 1935, Congress passed the Federal Register Act, creating a partnership between the National Archives and the Government Printing Office to print an official daily publication of presidential documents, executive agency rules and public notices.

Today, the Office of the Federal Register (OFR) publishes several public documents including the Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, Compilation of Presidential Documents and the Public Papers of the Presidents, many of which are available online. The OFR also administers the Electoral College and Constitutional Amendment process.

PHOTO from the Records of 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.

44

NARFE MAGAZINE MARCH 2021

DID YOU KNOW? When a bill is signed into law by the president, it is sent to the OFR to be assigned a law number and paginated for the U.S. Statutes at Large. After that, a List of Public Laws is created and posted online, then published in the Federal Register.

Visit www.ofr.gov/

The Way We Worked celebrates the past 100 years of public service through archival images.

Eargo is a proud sponsor of NARFE’s Centennial.

This special offer for federal employees and retirees is available only at Your Hearing Network locations. To find your location call 1-877-696-5335.

• Disclaimer: Your out-of-pocket costs may vary depending on plan benefits, eligibility, deductible, co-insurance, and model of device chosen. This is not a guarantee of coverage or payment. Benefit is not available through all insurance plans. Please call us to verify your coverage. **Lithium-ion battery performance varies depending on hearing loss, lifestyle andstreaming behavior.

Learn how to save on your hearing health!

Two hearing aids with $0 out-of-pocket!

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

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

There have been such amazing advancements in hearing aid technology — the options are almost limitless in terms of size, comfort, sleek styling and rechargeable technology.

Conversation in background noise, hearing the television and speaking on the phone all become easy again!

Telehealth Available • FREE service visits for one year • FREE three year warranty, loss & damage, batteries • Risk-free 60-day trial • 10% off hearing accessories at hearingshop.com

In-person or telehealth appointments available. Schedule your FREE hearing appointment today: 1-855-252-0025

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