June/July 2022 NARFE Magazine by NARFE

A NARFE PUBLICATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES

June/July 2022 VOLUME 98 ★ NUMBER 5

Juneteenth and the Establishment of Federal Holidays

36 Under the Radar: Lesser-Known Government Ventures

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Contents JUNE/JULY 2022 COVER STORY PAGE 26

FEATURE PAGE 36

JUNETEENTH AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL HOLIDAYS Read about Juneteenth, what it commemorates and how to celebrate it and learn what goes into establishing federal holidays. UNDER THE RADAR: LESSER-KNOWN GOVERNMENT VENTURES Discover some of the vital programs and advances of the federal government that might not be on your radar.

Special Feature

52 2022 Bylaws Amendments Washington Watch

8 Government Funding Bill

Passes, Provides OPM With IT Modernization Funds

9 MSPB Nominees Confirmed by Senate, Providing First Quorum in Five Years

10 How Will You Advocate in August?

11 Submit Proposed Changes to NARFE’s Advocacy Positions for the 118th Congress

12 New Bill Would Reinstitute

Schedule F, Undermine Merit System

13 TSP’s Proposed Mutual Fund Window

14 Bill Tracker

Columns

A NARFE PUBLICATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES

4 From the President 24 Benefits Brief

June/July 2022 VOLUME 98 ★ NUMBER 5

Juneteenth and the Establishment of Federal Holidays

46 Managing Money 48 Alzheimer’s Update 36 Under the Radar: Lesser-Known Government Ventures

Departments

6 NARFE Online 20 Questions & Answers

ON THE COVER Illustration by TGD

50 NARFE News 54 NARFE Perks 56 The Way We Worked

Connect with us! Visit us online at www.narfe.org Like us on Facebook NARFE National Headquarters Follow us on Twitter @narfehq

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

JUNE/JULY 2022 VOLUME 98 ★ NUMBER 5

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jenn Rafael

REGION I James C. Risner

SENIOR EDITOR Mabel Yu CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER Beth Bedard ADDITIONAL GRAPHIC DESIGN TGD 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.

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

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BARBARA SIDO execdir@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 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.

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

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 $48. Postmaster: Send address change to: NARFE Attn: Member Records, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. To ensure prompt delivery, members should also forward changes of address without delay. Because of the volume involved, NARFE cannot acknowledge nor be responsible for unsolicited pictures and manuscripts, although every reasonable precaution is taken. All submissions become the property of NARFE. Copyright © 2022, 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.

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

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.

Two Years Later

n 2020, the Trump administration declared that federal agencies were moving to maximum telework due to the spread of

the COVID-19 virus. Many federal employees headed home indefinitely, while others had to continue reporting in person. Throughout the United States, there was uncertainty about the disease and how to stay safe, fear of getting sick, and logistical hurdles for everything from setting up home offices to caring for dependents. More than two years later, COVID-19 and its variants have become a part of life to an extent few people imagined. Regarding federal employees, some have switched jobs, relocated to be near family, and postponed or hastened retirement plans, while others learned how to Zoom. Many saw friends and family members fall ill. Some employees returned to the office, while others decided they will never go back. These have not been normal times. President Biden is beginning to bring employees back to traditional work sites with new telework and remote work policies that have expanded from prepandemic levels. Highlights may include a new hybrid work environment with agreements on telework and remote work. Additionally, returning to the office may include enhanced safety measures, including requiring masks in locations with high coronavirus community transmission levels and allowing managers to approve situational telework. Nailing down a policy that both works now and can scale up safety measures in the event of another flare-up of COVID-19 cases makes negotiating the return to office both frustrating and rewarding.

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

As a result of the last two years, large portions of the workforce found that they preferred to telework. Reviewing and incorporating flexibilities such as telework into departmental and agency human capital strategies and personnel policies will improve the civilian employee experience while encouraging innovation and productivity. Additionally, President Biden has signed a spending bill funding the government through September 30, 2022. In conjunction with the bill, the appropriations committees directed the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to make recommendations for “remote work post-pandemic,” develop a strategy for boosting the government’s cadre of employees in STEM fields, study the Department of Veterans Affairs’ streamlined hiring practices, and increase the number of interns working for federal agencies. The committees also directed OMB to report to Congress “on how the federal government can reduce its office space requirements based on lessons learned from the use of telework during the pandemic.” The bill adds funding for the IRS, enabling it to hire more employees to deal with backlogs; it also creates a new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health within the National Institutes of Health that would operate outside of most civil service rules. A lot is happening. Stay safe.

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

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Ready to enroll? If you’re eligible: Enroll online at RetireeFEHB.OPM.gov Or call the O�ce of Personnel Management (OPM) Retirement Information Center at 1-888-767-6738 (TTY: 711). Aetna Medicare is a HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan bene�ts, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. ©2021 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Health insurance plans are o�ered and/or underwritten by Aetna Life Insurance Company (Aetna). This is a brief description of the features of this Aetna health insurance plan. Before making a decision, please read the plan’s applicable federal brochure(s). All bene�ts are subject to the de�nitions, limitations and exclusions set forth in the federal brochure. Plan features and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Aetna does not provide care or guarantee access to health services. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to AetnaFeds.com/retireeplans. ©2021 Aetna Inc. Y0001_GRP_4009_3488_2021_M 19.12.345.1 A (9/21)

NARFE Online MISS A WEBINAR? CATCH UP on past NARFE Federal Benefits Institute presentations in NARFE’s webinar archive, where you’ll find videos, slides and transcripts of question-and-answer sessions for webinars dating back to January 2019. View them at www.narfe.org/webinar-archive.

Let NARFE Perks Help You Save Money Every Day

here are many reasons it pays to be a NARFE member, and one is the money you save with NARFE Perks. Whether you are planning your next vacation or move,

buying a gift or planning for retirement, members can save money on everyday purchases with special discounts from our Affinity Partners. You can also save money on appliances, legal services, health-

care screenings and cell phone plans. Taking advantage of just one offer could more than pay for your annual membership. Visit www.narfe.org/perks (or see p. 54) to see how your savings could add up.

TSP UPDATE ONLINE Get the most recent monthly and annual Thrift Savings Plan returns (G, F, C, S, I and L Funds) online at www. narfe.org/tsp-funds.

SPOTLIGHT YOUR MEMBERS

CONNECT ON FEDHUB

Have a recent chapter or federation activity featured on our website by sending photos to communications@narfe.org. Please include the names of members in the photo, when you held your activity and what you did. Visit www.narfe.org/spotlight for more details.

If you haven’t checked out NARFE’s new online community yet, what are you waiting for? FEDHub supports your federal journey, leveraging the knowledge and value of our entire NARFE community—all that’s missing is you. Join the conversation at fedhub.narfe.org/quick-start-guide.

READ NARFE MAGAZINE ONLINE

NARFE’s website now offers a digital flipbook of this and previous issues at www.narfe. org/magazine-issues. Read the magazine online on your computer, phone or tablet, or download it to peruse later.

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

A NARFE PUBLICATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES

April 2022 VOLUME 98 ★ NUMBER 3

May 2022 VOLUME 98 ★ NUMBER 4

MARCH 2022 VOLUME 98 ★ NUMBER 2

P. 24

Scams Targeting Seniors P. 24

Safeguard Your Benefits With NARFE-PAC

P. 24

State Tax Roundup P. 34 The New Realities of Federal Work

P. 32 Q&A with OPM Director Kiran Ahuja

P. 44 NARFE Officer Candidate Statements

P. 30

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Washington Watch

Government Funding Bill Passes, Provides OPM With IT Modernization Funds

n March 15, President Biden signed an omnibus spending bill that funds the government through September 30, 2022, the end of the fiscal year. The

bill passed with bipartisan support, 361-69 in the House and 68-31 in the Senate. The $1.5 trillion package comes after months of negotiations between congressional leaders that prompted a series of continuing resolutions (CRs) to keep the government open. The streak of CRs dated to October 1, 2021, the beginning of fiscal year 2022. NARFE applauded passage of the omnibus, as it prevented a government shutdown and a full-year CR, which hamper agencies and delay projects due to outdated spending figures. The bill includes funds for the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) information technology working capital fund to help with IT modernization. NARFE President Ken Thomas described the importance of the IT funds, saying, “with that funding, the agency will have the opportunity to address longstanding IT challenges and undertake modernization efforts.” President Thomas also provided a recommendation for OPM’s funds: “Look no further

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

than federal retirement claims processing, which is entirely paper-based, a costly and timeconsuming endeavor. OPM should utilize this IT capital

infusion to modernize claims processing with the promise of better response time to inquiries, prompt processing of transactions and reduced errors.” Congress also attached $13.6 billion in aid for Ukraine to the bill. Many congressional leaders argued that full FY 2022 spending was required to adequately provide aid for Ukraine. However, the omnibus did not include additional soughtafter COVID-19 relief funds due to disagreements between lawmakers over spending offsets. The Biden administration stated that many of the nationwide

JUNE/JULY ACTION ALERT: URGE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO COSPONSOR WEP AND GPO REPEAL BILL Join NARFE’s advocacy campaign by calling on your Representative to cosponsor the Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82/S. 1302, legislation to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) entirely. These long-standing, misguided provisions reduce the Social Security benefits of nearly 2 million people nationwide. Use NARFE’s Legislative Action Center, located at www.narfe.org, to personalize a message to your Representative requesting his or her cosponsorship of the bill.

MYTH VS. REALITY MYTH: The president of the United States sets spending levels for the federal government. REALITY: While the president submits a yearly budget proposal, Congress controls federal spending through the appropriations process. The president drafts a budget request and sends it to Congress, but the House and Senate often create their own budget resolutions and pass appropriations bills that differ from what the president requested.

COVID-19 procedures will grind to a halt without funding passed by Congress, so it will need to try to pass that funding in a separate bill. Government shutdowns are disastrous for federal employees and retirees. CRs have become a common measure for keeping the federal government’s doors open during negotiations, but these

can be harmful as well. Before this bill was signed into law, the federal government was operating at FY 2021 spending levels. This forced agencies to delay needed investments in capacity building and innovation while they were required to operate under the prior year’s budget. NARFE has previously decried congressional reliance on CRs.

Lawmakers will be required to provide additional funding ahead of the 2022 midterm elections or face a government shutdown. NARFE continues to advocate for timely full-year appropriations legislation to keep the government open and working efficiently. —BY JOHN ROBERT AYERS, POLICY AND PROGRAMS ASSISTANT

MSPB Nominees Confirmed by Senate, Providing First Quorum in Five Years

fter nearly five years without a quorum, resulting in a backlog of nearly 4,000 cases, the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) is up and running again. In March, the Senate confirmed two members to the MSPB—which adjudicates appeals of personnel actions, among other duties— restoring a quorum that allows the board to weigh in on cases. Vice Chair Raymond Limon, former chief human capital officer for the Department of the Interior, and Tristan Leavitt, who served as MSPB’s general counsel and acting chief executive, will serve what remains of their vacant sevenyear terms, with Limon’s term expiring on March 1, 2025, and Leavitt’s on March 1, 2023. Leavitt has led the agency since March 2019, following the

expiration of the last remaining board member’s term, overseeing the work of agency employees.

IN MARCH, THE SENATE CONFIRMED TWO MEMBERS TO THE MSPB—RESTORING A QUORUM THAT ALLOWS THE BOARD TO WEIGH IN ON CASES. In preparation for a quorum of the board, MSPB attorneys have been preparing cases for review by future board members. Although MSPB can adjudicate cases with only two

of three members, the third nominee, Cathy Harris, is still awaiting confirmation. Harris was renominated this year to serve as the board’s chair after her nomination expired at the end of 2021. In a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing considering the nominees last year, Senate Republicans raised concerns with Harris’ previous tweets criticizing Republican members of Congress, delaying her nomination. The board will now face the daunting task of clearing out its five-year backlog of cases that have yet to receive decisions. MSPB is expected to begin adjudicating cases as soon as possible. —BY SETH ICKES, POLITICAL ASSOCIATE NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

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.

How Will You Advocate in August?

et ready to engage in NARFE’s Grassroots Advocacy Month campaign, held every year in August. The campaign coincides with the month-long summer congressional recess, when Representatives and Senators travel back to their home states and districts to engage with constituents. The House is expected to break on August 1, and the Senate will follow on August 8. Both chambers will return to Capitol Hill on September 6. Because the extended recess allows for the maximum number of interactions with lawmakers, many advocacy groups plan similar campaigns, engaging hundreds of thousands of advocates who compete for lawmakers’ attention on a wide range of issues. NARFE members participating in Grassroots Advocacy Month play a critical role in ensuring continued discussions on NARFE’s legislative priorities, keeping them from getting buried by competing interests and having them stay fresh in lawmakers’ minds when they return to DC. And because the campaign is happening amid the midterm election season, there are additional opportunities to engage with incumbent lawmakers aggressively seeking reelection. There are also chances to engage with new candidates for office and start educating them about federal

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

community issues before they potentially take seats in Congress next January.

NARFE MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY MONTH PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN ENSURING CONTINUED DISCUSSIONS ON NARFE’S LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, KEEPING THEM FROM GETTING BURIED BY COMPETING INTERESTS AND HAVING THEM STAY FRESH IN LAWMAKERS’ MINDS WHEN THEY RETURN TO DC. Even if COVID-19 is still imposing limits on in-person activities, there are other ways members can engage, such as through virtual meetings, town halls, and meet and greets, or by using NARFE’s Legislative Action Center to send policyspecific letters to lawmakers and to editors of local news media. In August, NARFE will engage members in social media campaigns and encourage them to interact with lawmakers on Facebook and Twitter.

The letter-to-the-editor activity is a campaign highlight, and each year results in several published letters in community newspapers, raising public awareness about a NARFE issue. It’s also a good way to alert elected officials about the effect an issue has on the community since they carefully monitor newspapers to gauge local opinion. By mentioning elected officials by name and stating the specific action they should take, you can ensure that the letter catches legislators’ attention. NARFE’s Grassroots Advocacy Month webpage has all the resources members will need for engagement. The webpage includes issue briefs, federal family fact sheets, how-to guides for writing letters to the editor and op-eds, and much more. Also included on the webpage is the need-to-know webinar with instructions on campaign activities and updates on legislative priorities. Visit www. narfe.org for more information. NARFE thanks its advocates for their continued support of advocacy and for their engagement in Grassroots Advocacy Month. If you are a member who would like to learn more about advocacy or join other NARFE voices in advocacy activities, please contact the advocacy department at advocacy@narfe.org. —BY MARSHA PADILLA-GOAD, DIRECTOR, GRASSROOTS

NARFE-PAC:

Goals for 2021-2022 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 and help fight for the federal community. Below is the latest progress for the 2021-2022 election cycle, as of March 31, 2022.

Raise $1.85 million

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Submit Proposed Changes to NARFE’s Advocacy Positions for the 118th Congress

hile we’re still working with the current Congress, NARFE must also be ready to engage the next one. To do so, NARFE needs to adopt advocacy positions for the 118th Congress, which convenes January 3, 2023. NARFE’s advocacy positions detail NARFE’s specific policy stances, and they direct NARFE’s leadership and staff regarding whether to support a position—or not—when actions are taken by Congress or the administration. An advocacy committee, appointed by NARFE’s National President, will consider proposed changes to NARFE’s advocacy positions and recommend a final product

for adoption by the NARFE National Executive Board. If you’d like the advocacy committee to consider certain proposals, submit them through your federation board or chapter, or as an individual member. There are several ways to do so: 1. Submit a proposal from your chapter or federation board via the webform at www.narfe. org/advocacy-positions or via hard-copy forms (available upon request). You must certify support via a majority vote of those present and voting. Chapters that desire federation endorsement should also submit proposed changes to their federation by July 8. 2. Submit a proposal as an individual via the webform

at www.narfe.org/advocacypositions or via hard copy forms (available upon request) and gain support of at least 10 other NARFE members via recommendations on FedHub. Proposals will be posted on a designated FedHub thread for comments and recommendations. You may request a hard-copy form for your chapter, federation board or as an individual by calling NARFE’s advocacy department at 1-800- 456-8410, option 3, or via email by sending a message to advocacy@narfe. org. The deadline for submissions is July 15. NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

Washington Watch LEGISLATIVE RESOURCES NARFE NewsLine – A weekly newsletter that goes out to NARFE members on Tuesdays and includes weekly recaps of legislative news, compiled by NARFE’s advocacy and communications teams. LEGISLATIVE ACTION CENTER – A one-stop site to send a letter to Congress, and more, at www.narfe.org.

New Bill Would Reinstitute Schedule F, Undermine Merit System

n March 16, Rep. Jody Hice, R-GA, ranking member of the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations, introduced H.R. 7095, the Accountable Federal Employees Act. This legislation would codify several rescinded executive orders from the Trump administration, including the executive order creating a new, broad, excepted service category (Schedule F) that threatens the integrity of a professional, nonpartisan civil service. The new Schedule F excepted service category would represent a broad exception to competitive civil service rules. It could convert tens of thousands of positions, or more, into something more akin to political appointments than career positions. Schedule F would apply to employees serving in positions determined to be confidential, or of a policydetermining or policy-making character. Broad interpretation of

these terms could allow expansive application of the category. Individuals in such positions would no longer retain due

NARFE SUPPORTS A MERIT-BASED CIVIL SERVICE WHERE EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED AND FIRED BASED ON THE QUALITY OF THEIR WORK, NOT POLITICAL AFFILIATION. process protections that ensure merit-based firing. Reclassified positions would also be exempt from civil service rules ensuring that hirings are based on merit, not political connections or lack thereof. NARFE supports a meritbased civil service where

employees are hired and fired based on the quality of their work, not political affiliation. This practice has served our country well since the late 1800s. While this bill is unlikely to move forward during this Congress, NARFE opposes the bill and any efforts that jeopardize a merit-based civil service. Previously, NARFE urged lawmakers to rescind the harmful Schedule F executive order last Congress and was heartened when the current administration acted in its first days to do so; read the letter sent in November 2020 at https://www.narfe.org/ wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ NARFE20Letter20Schedule20F 20final-pdf.pdf. H.R. 7095 would also codify previous executive orders that weakened collective bargaining agreements and reduced the use of union official time. —BY JOHN ROBERT AYERS, POLICY AND PROGRAMS ASSISTANT

Clarification on Maine and California’s income tax from the State Tax Treatment of Federal Annuities cover story in the April 2022 issue: Maine residents may deduct $10,000 of eligible pension income, but that amount is reduced by all taxable and nontaxable Social Security and railroad retirement benefits received. If your total Social Security and railroad retirement benefits exceed $10,000, you do not qualify for the deduction. The Social Security and railroad retirement benefits reduction does not apply to military retirement pay. California’s personal exemption for residents 65+ is $129, not $122 as was listed.

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

TSP’s Proposed Mutual Fund Window

roposed regulations by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) would grant Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) participants access to thousands of mutual funds. On January 26, FRTIB posted its proposed rule on the Federal Register, making it available for public comment until March 28, 2022. Doing so represented the latest step in the creation of a mutual fund window for the TSP. FRTIB has been evaluating this option—a type of self-directed brokerage account that will allow

TSP participants to buy shares of mutual funds outside of the TSP—for over a decade. In 2009, Congress authorized the concept, but work on implementing the window did not begin until 2020. FRTIB plans to make the mutual fund window available to TSP participants this summer. These regulations come after the completion of a 15-month TSP financial systems modernization project, which went live on January 14, 2022. The proposed rule details how TSP participants may invest money via the window. It would

Contribute to Contribute monthly through your annuity. Get started at narfe.org/pac-sustainer. Monthly contributors of $10 or more receive a sustainer lapel pin

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include monthly interfund transfer limits and requirements on where the money for the window may originate from, as well as a $55 annual fee for use of the window. The flat rate fee would ensure that use of the window does not increase average administrative costs for TSP participants who decline to partake in the new option. The proposed rule also includes a separate batch of fees, such as a $95 annual maintenance fee and a $28.75 per-trade fee. —BY JOHN ROBERT AYERS, POLICY AND PROGRAMS ASSISTANT

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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. Contributions from non-members will be returned. NARFE-PAC contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

NARFE BILL TRACKER

THE NARFE BILL TRACKER IS YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO LEGISLATION NARFE IS FOLLOWING. CHECK BACK EACH ISSUE FOR UPDATES. ISSUE

BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR

WHAT BILL WOULD DO Repeals both the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means (H.R. 82) / Referred to Senate Committee on Finance (S. 1302)

Reforms the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) by providing a monthly rebate of $150 to current beneficiaries (age 62 or older before 2023) and creating a new formula to calculate benefits for future WEP-affected individuals (turning 62 in or after 2023).

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

Fully repeals the Windfall Elimination H.R. 4788: Well-Being for Every Public Servant Act of 2021 / Rep. Provision for individuals whose combined monthly income from Julia Letlow, R-LA their non-Social Security covered government annuity and Social Security Cosponsors: benefits is $5,500 or lower, with H.R. 4788: 0 graduated implementation on benefits above that amount.

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

H.R. 82/S. 1302: The Social Security Fairness Act / Rep. Rodney Davis, R-IL / Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH Cosponsors: H.R. 82: 197 (D) 72 (R) S. 1302: 33 (D) 4 (R) 2 (I) H.R. 2337: The Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act / Rep. Richard Neal, D-MA Cosponsors: H.R. 2337: 187 (D) 0 (R)

SOCIAL SECURITY

H.R. 5723: Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust / Rep. John Larson, D-CT Cosponsors: H.R. 5723: 201 (D) 0 (R) H.R. 5834: Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2021/ Rep. Kevin Brady, R-TX Cosponsors: H.R. 5834: 3 (D) 49 (R)

NARFE CENTENNIAL

H.Res. 131/S.Res. 76: Resolution Celebrating NARFE’s Centennial / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA / Sen. Ben Cardin, D-MD Cosponsors: H.Res. 131: 15 (D) 4 (R) S.Res. 76: 3 (D) 2 (R) H.R. 51/S. 51 Washington D.C. Admission Act / Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC / Sen. Thomas Carper, D-DE

DC STATEHOOD

Expands and strengthens Social Security benefits, improves the solvency of the Social Security trust fund, repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, and provides for numerous other Social Security related improvements.

Referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Energy and Commerce

Reforms the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) by providing a monthly payment of $100 to current WEPaffected beneficiaries (age 62 or older before 2023) and $50 for an affected spouse or child. Creates a new formula to calculate benefits for future WEPaffected individuals (turning 62 in or after 2023).

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

Congratulates NARFE on the celebration of its 100th anniversary on February 19, 2021, and recognizes the vital contributions its members have made to the United States during the past 100 years.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.Res. 131) / Agreed to in the Senate by unanimous consent on February 25, 2021 (S.Res. 76)

Provides for the admission of the State of Washington, DC, into the Union.

Passed the House on April 22, 2021, by a vote of 216-208 / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 51)

Cosponsors: H.R. 51: 216 (D) 0 (R) S. 51: 44 (D) 0 (R) 1 (I) NARFE’s Position:

LATEST ACTION(S)

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

Support

Oppose

No position

NARFE BILL TRACKER

THE NARFE BILL TRACKER IS YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO LEGISLATION NARFE IS FOLLOWING. CHECK BACK EACH ISSUE FOR UPDATES. ISSUE

BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR

WHAT BILL WOULD DO

H.R. 302: Preventing a Patronage Requires presidential administrations to obtain the agreement of Congress to System Act / Rep. Gerry reclassify competitive service positions Connolly, D-VA outside of merit system principles. Cosponsors: H.R. 302: 9 (D) 3 (R) H.R. 6066: Strengthening the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA Cosponsors: H.R. 6066: 2 (D) 1 (R) H.R. 6104: Building the Next Generation of Federal Employees Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA FEDERAL PERSONNEL POLICY

Cosponsors: H.R. 6104: 2 (D) 0 (R)

H.R. 7376/S. 3474: Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act / Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-VA /Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-AZ

Advanced from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform by a vote of 25-14

Establishes a comprehensive Federal Internship and Fellowship Center within the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to administer, manage and promote all federal internship and fellowship programs. The bill also credits fellows and interns who meet all qualifications with an additional five points in the competitive service examination.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

Increases death benefits and funeral allowances for federal employees ($90,000 increase in death benefit for survivors and $8,000 increase to funds granted for funeral allowances).

Advanced from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, 24-14

Implements merit-based reforms to the civil service hiring system that replace degree-based hiring with skills- and competency-based hiring.

Advanced from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform unanimously

An amended version of the bill addresses previous NARFE concerns and includes provisions that would prevent unintended increases to Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plan premiums for all federal employees and retirees, preserve choice for current postal retirees regarding whether to enroll in Medicare Part B, repeal the mandate to prefund future postal retiree health benefits, and codify the standard six-day mail delivery schedule.

Amended version of H.R. 3076 passed the House by a vote of 342-92 and the Senate by 79-19; signed into law on April 6, 2022

Cosponsors: H.R. 6967: 3 (D) 2 (R) S. 3423: 1 (D) 2 (R) H.R. 3076: The Postal Service Reform Act / Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-NY Cosponsors: H.R. 3076: 58 (D) 44 (R)

POSTAL REFORM

H.R. 695/S. 145: USPS Fairness Repeals the U.S. Postal Service’s Act / Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR / prefunding requirement. Sen. Steve Daines, R-MT Cosponsors: H.R. 695: 218 (D) 59 (R) S. 145: 5 (D) 5 (R)

Advanced from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in a 22-18 vote

Codifies several recommendations for OPM by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), such as clarifying that OPM stands at the center of federal civilian human resource management and ensuring the director of OPM possesses human capital and leadership expertise.

Cosponsors: H.R. 7376: 3 (D) 0 (R) S. 3474: 2 (D) 3 (R) H.R. 6967/S. 3423: Chance to Compete Act of 2021 / Rep. Jody Hice, R-GA / Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-AZ

LATEST ACTION(S)

Advanced from the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.R. 695) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 145)

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

NARFE BILL TRACKER

THE NARFE BILL TRACKER IS YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO LEGISLATION NARFE IS FOLLOWING. CHECK BACK EACH ISSUE FOR UPDATES. ISSUE

BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR H.R. 304: The Equal COLA Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA Cosponsors: H.R. 304: 28 (D) 3 (R) H.R. 4315: The Fair COLA for Seniors Act / Rep. John Garamendi, D-CA

FEDERAL ANNUITIES

Cosponsors: H.R. 4315: 50 (D) 1 (R)

H.R. 4268: Federal Retirement Fairness Act / Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-WA Cosponsors: H.R. 4268: 27 (D) 14 (R)

H.R. 6398/S. 3518: The Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA / Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI

WHAT BILL WOULD DO

Provides Federal Employees Retirement Referred to the House System (FERS) retirees with the same Committee on Oversight annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and Reform as Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees. Requires Social Security and federal retirement programs to use the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) to calculate cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to retirement benefits.

Referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means, Veterans’ Affairs, Oversight and Reform, and Armed Services

Allows federal employees who started their careers in temporary positions before transitioning into permanent roles to retroactively contribute toward their retirement for the years they held a temporary position.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

Provides federal employees with a 5.1 percent average pay raise in 2023.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.R. 6398) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 3518)

Extends paid leave to federal and postal employees for all conditions covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Approved by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.R. 564) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 1158)

Cosponsors: H.R. 6398: 31 (D) 0 (R) S. 3518: 12 (D) 0 (R) 1 (I) FEDERAL COMPENSATION

H.R. 564/S. 1158: Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act / Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-NY / Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI Cosponsors: H.R. 564: 36 (D) 0 (R) S. 1158: 8 (D) 0 (R)

NARFE’s Position:

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

LATEST ACTION(S)

Support

Oppose

No position

CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN. INSURE WHAT YOU CAN’T. You plan for your tomorrow, but have you planned for the possibility of a tomorrow without you in it? At a time when your loved ones should be focused on memories of you, they shouldn’t be troubled with thoughts of financial burdens.

The NARFE Senior Term Life Insurance Plan This plan, specifically designed for our members ages 50–74, offers coverage amounts between $5,000 and $25,000* for members ages 50–64 or coverage amounts of $5,000 or $10,000* for ages 65–74. Plus, coverage is available with no medical exam required.

Benefits include: Available to NARFE members and spouses age 50–74. No medical exam required.

• Spouse Coverage Available to help provide both you and your loved one with the protection you may need.

• Economical Group Rates negotiated with our insurance partners exclusively for our members.

• Choice of Coverage Amounts to custom fit your financial needs and budget.

• No Medical exam required! It’s that easy.

To learn more or enroll in the NARFE Senior Term Life Insurance Plan, call 1-800-233-5764 or visit us at www.narfeinsurance.com *At age 80, coverage, if greater than $5,000, will reduce to $5,000 with an appropriate adjustment in premium. All benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Policies underwritten by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company detail exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits and terms under which the policies may be continued in force or discontinued. Coverage may vary and may not be available in all states. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries, including Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company under the brand name, The Hartford®, and is headquartered at One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s legal notice at www.thehartford.com. Life Form Series includes GBD-1000, GBD-1100, or state equivalent.

Program Administered by Mercer Health & Benefits Administration LLC

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The Service Benefit Plan will pay a hearing aid benefit for Standard and Basic Options up to $2,500 total every 5 calendar years for adults age 22 and over, and up to $2,500 total per calendar year for members up to age 22. FEP Blue Focus does not have a hearing aid benefit. Do not rely on this communication piece alone for complete benefit information. All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan brochure. The Blue365® Discount Program offers access to savings on items that you may purchase directly from independent vendors, which may be different from items covered under the Service Benefit Plan or any other applicable federal healthcare program. For hearing aids, acupuncture, chiropractic and vision services, you must exhaust your Service Benefit Plan benefit first before accessing the savings of the Blue365®

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Discount Program. To find out what is covered under your policy, contact the customer service number on the back of your member ID card. The products and services described herein are neither offered nor guaranteed under any local Blue company’s contract with the Medicare program. These items are not subject to the Medicare appeal process. Any disputes regarding these products and services are not subject to the Disputed Claims process. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) may receive payments from Blue365 vendors. Neither the Service Benefit Plan, nor any local Blue company recommends, endorses, warrants or guarantees any specific Blue365 vendor or item. The Service Benefit Plan reserves the right to change, modify, or terminate any item and vendors made available through Blue365, at any time.

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TruHearing is an independent company that provides discounts on hearing aids.

Price shown does not include cost of comprehensive hearing exam. Examination and testing for prescribing of hearing aids is covered under the Service Benefit Plan. The member should confirm that the provider rendering the hearing exam is a Preferred provider. If the provider is Non-preferred, the member may be charged a maximum fee of $45 for the exam, and the member may need to submit a claim for reimbursement. Must be a Service Benefit Plan member to access TruHearing discounted pricing. TruHearing is offered through Blue365, which provides exclusive health and wellness deals and is a program of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. The Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® words and symbols, Federal Employee Program®, FEP® and Blue365® are all trademarks owned by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Smartphone compatible hearing aids connect directly to iPhone®, iPad®, and iPod® Touch devices. Connectivity also available to many Android® phones with use of an accessory. Rechargeable features may not be available in all models and styles. All content ©2021 TruHearing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. TruHearing® is a registered trademark of TruHearing, Inc. All other trademarks, product names, and company names are the property of their respective owners. Listed benefit amount may differ from customer's actual benefit. Actual customer payment will vary. Follow-up provider visits included for one year following hearing aid purchase. Hearing aid repairs, and replacements subject to provider and manufacturer fees. For questions regarding fees, contact TruHearing customer service. FEP_NARFE_AD_0221

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.

EMPLOYMENT THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN ONLINE ACCESS

What do I do if I forget my Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account number or user ID for online access to my account?

If you have forgotten your account number, you can use the following weblink to ask the TSP to send it to you: https://secure.tsp.gov/ tsp/forgottenAccount.html. For security reasons, the TSP cannot give you this number via email or over the telephone. If you have forgotten your user ID but still have access to your account number, you can use your account number to access your account and then create another user ID. You can use your account number and user ID interchangeably to log in to your TSP account online.

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN LOAN

I’m thinking about separating from federal service later this year. Can I continue to repay my TSP loan after I separate?

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

When you leave federal service, you must repay your loan in full within 90 days after your agency reports your separation to the TSP. Your repayment must include any accrued interest on the outstanding principal balance. You will receive a notice from the TSP with repayment details after your agency notifies the TSP of your separation. If you do not repay your outstanding loan balance in full, a distribution of the remaining balance amount of your loan will be declared as taxable income. You can roll the amount of the distribution into a traditional IRA or eligible employer plan within 60 days of it being declared to avoid taxes and penalties in accordance with Internal Revenue Code regulations. You will not be able to make a post-separation withdrawal from

your TSP account until your loan is closed by either payment in full or taxable distribution. For more details about the taxable distribution of an unpaid loan, refer to the tax notice, Important Tax Information About Payments From Your TSP Account: www. tsp.gov/publications/tsp-536.pdf.

FERS MRA + 10 RETIREMENT

Someone told me that if I reach my Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) minimum retirement age (MRA), I could immediately retire from federal service with as little as 10 years of creditable federal service. Can you briefly explain that?

retirement age (MRA, ages 55–57, depending on your year of birth). The reduction equals 5 percent per year (one-twelfth of 5 percent for each month) that you are younger than age 62. To be eligible for an unreduced FERS retirement, you need to have at least 30 years of service at your MRA; 20 years of service at age 60; or at least five years at age 62. Example: Age 57 with 15 years of service would provide a FERS retirement benefit that would be computed as follows: 15 years of service x 1 percent (FERS computation factor) x $80,000 (high-3 average salary) = $12,000/year FERS annuity, which would be reduced by 25 percent or $3,000 to $9,000/ year, which is a permanent reduction (five years under age 62 times 5 percent per year reduction) if the application for an immediate retirement was submitted at separation. To avoid the age reduction for the MRA + 10 retirement, you can resign from federal service once you’ve met the MRA and have completed at least 10 years of creditable service and postpone applying for retirement. Around 60 days prior to your desired start date, you may write to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or file form RI 92-19 “Application for Deferred or Postponed Retirement.” If you separated from federal service with at least 20 years but less than 30 years, you should apply for your unreduced, postponed FERS annuity about 60 days prior to reaching age 60. If you wish to avoid the age reduction but you had less than 20 years of service when you separated, then you must wait until age 62 to file for your benefit to completely avoid the age reduction. It is important to remember to file

prior to the time when you wish for the benefit to begin to avoid missing out on receiving valuable benefits. There is no incentive for waiting to file for a deferred/postponed retirement past age 62. Of course, you could also avoid the reduction by continuing to stay employed longer and retire with an immediate, unreduced retirement. There are exceptions to the age reduction for those who retire under special provisions for law enforcement officers, firefighters, air traffic controllers or certain other groups of employees, and for those who separate under disability retirement, Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) or a Discontinued Service Retirement (DSR). MRA + 10 is only available under FERS; there is no equivalent provision for the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).

EARLY RETIREMENT

Q A

I am age 50 and I have 20 years of service. Would I be eligible to file for early retirement?

One of the immediate, voluntary retirement options under FERS includes an MRA + 10 option that allows you to apply for an immediate but reduced retirement if you have at least 10 years of creditable federal service and have reached your minimum. Although there is a type of early retirement, VERA, the only time you are eligible for this type of retirement is if your agency has authority to offer it and has specifically targeted your position as eligible. VERA is also referred to as “early out” retirement. VERA temporarily lowers the age and service requirements to increase the number of employees who are eligible for retirement during periods of substantial

COUNTDOWN TO COLA The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPIW) increased 1.52 percent in March 2022. To calculate the 2023 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the 2022 thirdMonthly % % Change quarter indices will MONTH CPI-W Change from 268.421 be averaged and OCTOBER 2021 271.552 0.92 1.17 compared with the 2021 third-quarter NOVEMBER 273.042 0.55 1.72 average of 268.421. DECEMBER 273.925 0.32 2.05 The percentage JANUARY 2022 276.296 0.87 2.93 increase determines the FEBRUARY 278.943 0.96 3.92 COLA. March’s index, MARCH 283.176 1.52 5.50 283.176, is up 5.50 percent from the base. APRIL The CPI represents purchases of food and beverages, housing, apparel, transportation, medical care, recreation, education and communication, and other goods and services.

MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER

For the latest information and for FECA COLA updates, visit www.narfe.org/cola.

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

Questions & Answers restructuring, reshaping, downsizing or reorganization. Sometimes, a VERA will include a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP), also known as a buyout. VSIP allows agencies that are downsizing or restructuring to offer employees lump-sum payments up to $25,000 (or the employee’s severance pay amount, whichever is less) as an incentive to voluntarily retire or resign. Some agencies have their own VSIP authorities and may have higher caps. It’s also important to note that except in limited circumstances, an individual who takes a VSIP must repay the entire amount if he or she returns to federal employment within five years of receiving the payment. To learn more about your retirement options, visit www.opm.gov/ retirement-services/.

RETIREMENT CSRS SURVIVOR BENEFIT AND SOCIAL SECURITY

I’m a retired CSRS employee whose spouse earned a Social Security retirement benefit based on her own work record. When I retired, I elected the maximum survivor benefit for her. If I predecease my spouse, will her Social Security benefit be reduced when she begins to receive her CSRS spousal survivor benefit?

The Social Security benefit that your spouse earned based on her own work record will not be affected by the survivor benefit that she might receive based on your CSRS retirement. However, if your wife predeceases you, your entitlement to widows benefits based on her Social Security benefit will be offset by two-thirds of your CSRS

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

retirement due to the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The GPO impacts an individual who receives a retirement or disability pension from a federal, state or local government based on your own work for which you didn’t pay Social Security taxes. The two-thirds offset often eliminates the spousal or widows benefit entitlement from Social Security.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS WITH SOCIAL SECURITY

Q A

How can I change my address with Social Security?

If you receive Social Security benefits (retirement, survivors or disability) or are enrolled in Medicare, you can change your address online using your “my Social Security” account. First log in at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/, then go to the “My Profile” tab and update your information. This service is not currently available to people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or who do not have a U.S. mailing address. However, if you are receiving SSI, you can still check the address Social Security has on record via the My Profile tab. You may also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or contact your local Social Security office.

FEHB AND TRICARE

I’m retired from federal civil service and my husband, who is retired from military service, is under my Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plan. He recently turned age 65 and is enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B along with TRICARE For Life (TFL) through his military service. He no longer

needs coverage under my FEHB plan. How can I suspend his coverage under my FEHB plan?

Retirees are not able to suspend the FEHB coverage on a spouse unless the coverage is suspended for the retiree as well. One option to avoid paying for FEHB coverage for your spouse would be to change to a Self Only enrollment under FEHB. This change can be made at any time and does not require a qualifying life event (QLE). Changing your enrollment from Self Only back to Self Plus One, however, does require that the change be made during the annual Open Season or be due to a QLE. Be aware that if you predecease your spouse and you were enrolled in a Self Only FEHB plan on your date of death, your husband would never be able to reenroll in FEHB as a surviving spouse. It might be a better option to wait until you are both enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B along with TFL and then suspend your enrollment in FEHB. You may suspend FEHB coverage to use TRICARE, TRICARE For Life, Medicare Advantage, Peace Corps or CHAMPVA. Use form RI 79-9 - “Health Benefits Suspension/ Cancellation Confirmation,” or form OPM 2809 - “Health Benefits Election Form.”

I recently retired and have enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B along with maintaining my FEHB coverage. Which coverage will pay first for my health care expenses?

Once you have retired and are enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (doctors or outpatient insurance), Medicare will be the primary payer for both inpatient and outpatient services.

The insurance that pays first (primary payer) pays up to the limits of its coverage. The one that pays second (secondary payer) only pays if there are costs the first payer didn’t cover. The secondary payer (which could be Medicare) might not pay all the uncovered costs. You can find more information about who pays first at www. medicare.gov/supplementsother-insurance/how-medicareworks-with-other-insurance. It is important that you communicate your retirement and Medicare coverage to the following places to be sure that there is no confusion when your bills for medical services are being coordinated: 1. Your medical providers need to know that they should now bill Medicare first and the

claim will be coordinated with your secondary payer through Medicare. Let your providers know when you have retired and are covered by Medicare and any other health insurance, including FEHB, military health care or another employer health plan. 2. Call the Medicare Benefits Coordination and Recovery Center (BCRC) to update your insurance coordination of benefits information. BCRC customer service representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, except holidays, at tollfree lines: 1-855-798-2627 (TTY/TDD: 1-855-797-2627 for the hearing and speech impaired).

3. You must tell your FEHB plan if you or a covered family member has Medicare coverage, and let your plan obtain information about services denied or paid under Medicare if it asks. You must also tell your FEHB plan about other coverage you or your covered family members may have, as this coverage may affect the primary/secondary status of your FEHB plan and Medicare. 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, 606 North Washington St., Alexandria VA 22314-1914; or submit it by email to fedbenefits@narfe.org.

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Benefits Brief

Crediting Military Service Toward Your Civilian Federal Benefit, Part Two

n last issue’s Benefit Brief, we covered the importance and value of paying the military service credit deposit. This column explains the process for paying the deposit.

MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT DEPOSIT To credit your military service towards your Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirement benefit, you must make a deposit into the civilian retirement fund before you leave the agency. The deposit amount is based on your basic pay during military service. The deposit is equal to 7 percent of basic pay for those covered by CSRS, 3 percent for those under FERS. If the deposit isn’t completed prior to the first interest accrual date, there will be interest charged on the unpaid balance. Interest begins to accrue on the second anniversary of federal employment, but if the deposit is paid in full by your third anniversary, no interest is due. Any unpaid balance accrues interest, annually, on your anniversary date until the deposit is paid in full. Interest begins to accrue two years from the date of discharge if the military service interrupted your civilian employment.

STEPS TO MAKE A MILITARY DEPOSIT (AKA BUY BACK)

1. Locate your DD 214 “Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty” or other official military discharge records. There may be a copy filed in your electronic official personnel folder (eOPF). If records are

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

missing, you may request documentation from the National Personnel Records Center at www.archives.gov/ veterans/military-servicerecords. Be prepared for a long wait. 2. Complete form RI 20-97 “Estimated Earnings During Military Service” (available at www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/ RI20-97.pdf) and submit it to the appropriate branch of service found here: www. dfas.mil/civilianemployees/ customerservice/#Military. 3. Complete form SF 3108 “Application to Make Service Credit Payment (FERS)” (www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_ fill/sf3108.pdf) or form SF 2803 - “Application to Make Deposit or Redeposit (CSRS)” (www.opm.gov/forms/ pdf_fill/sf-2803.pdf), pages 1 and 5. Submit the forms listed in these first three steps to your human resources office or shared services center. The staff will determine the appropriate amount that you owe, including interest if due, based on whether your military service was performed prior to your civilian appointment or if the service interrupted your civilian service using the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) rules. 4. You will be instructed on how to submit your payment, which can usually

be accomplished by payroll deduction, electronically through www.pay.gov, or by check or money order. 5. Once the deposit is complete, you should receive a notice from your payroll provider that your deposit has been paid in full. Keep this for your records and submit a copy to your HR retirement specialist to include as creditable service towards your retirement eligibility and computation. You can also find detailed instructions for paying the military service deposit at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) website: www. dfas.mil/CivilianEmployees/ militaryservice/ militaryservicedeposits/. Individuals who have DFAS as their payroll office can complete the process on its website. Other payroll offices (such as IBC, NFC and GSA) will receive the information through their HR office. Completed military deposits are reported to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) when you transfer, resign or retire from your agency. —MICHELE BOLLIER IS A RETIREMENT AND BENEFITS SPECIALIST WITH RETIRE FEDERAL.

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NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

TEENTH and the Establishment of Federal Holidays BY CHRISTINA STURDIVANT SANI

s a child, Tommie D. Boudreaux and her brother traveled to her mother’s hometown of Mexia, TX —about 40 miles outside of Dallas—to celebrate

Juneteenth. The festivities lasted at least two days, beginning at Lake Mexia where organizers set up tents to host breakfast and kid-friendly activities. “I remember church services where the women wore all white—it was beautiful,” says Boudreaux, 79. “The men would wear dark suits, and there was a lot of praying and singing.” The food was also memorable. “We could eat anything we wanted to. It was a lot of fun,” she says. NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

Vintage illustration of the celebration of Juneteenth. This marks the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy. Keith Lance / DigitalVision Vectors

years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Many people believe owners withheld the president’s declaration from enslaved people to use them for one more harvest season, according to a Congressional Research Service fact sheet. Juneteenth is a combination of June and 19th. It’s also been called Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Juneteenth Independence Day and Black Independence Day. Texans began celebrating Juneteenth in 1886. However, it was largely relegated to specific communities, says Boudreaux, a member of the Galveston Historical Foundation Board and chair of its African American Heritage Committee. “It had been a story that African Americans who lived in the South celebrated—it was kind of narrowed down to that section, and a lot of information wasn’t passed on. [In Galveston] we didn’t have a wide range of involvement until the 1970s, when it became a citywide type of event.” In 1980, Texas became the first state to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. It was eventually recognized in Washington, DC, and 46 other states. But it would take several more decades for Juneteenth to become a federal holiday.

American Holidays At the time, Boudreaux knew little about Juneteenth, just that “it related to enslaved people being freed.” When she got older, the retired principal learned its significance as the official ending of chattel slavery in America, and that her hometown of Galveston, TX, was at the center of it all. According to historians, union soldiers led by U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in the coastal city of Galveston on June 19, 1865, to read a notice informing 250,000 still-enslaved Texans that they were free. The announcement came months after the Civil War’s end, and more than two 28

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

Though numerous proposals have been submitted, only 12 national holidays have been approved, a process that requires passage by both chambers of Congress and the signature of the president. The first four—New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day— were created in 1870 and allowed paid time off to 5,300 federal workers in Washington, DC, according to a report by Jacob R. Straus, specialist on the Congress for the Congressional Research Service. A decade later, George Washington’s Birthday was added to the list, marking the first federal holiday to honor a

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The first four—New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day—were created in 1870 and allowed paid time off to 5,300 federal workers in Washington, DC.

single person’s birth date. Today, it’s more commonly recognized as Presidents Day. In 1885, Congress extended the benefits of some holidays to include approximately 50,600 federal employees who worked outside of DC. In 1968, after the passage of seven more holidays, Congress approved the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which shifted the observance of several holidays— including Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day and Veterans Day—to fall on a Monday each year. The bill also established a holiday observing Christopher Columbus, which would be recognized on a Monday. According to Straus’ report, congressional members thought celebrating some holidays on Mondays would create more opportunities for long-distance families to gather, allow Americans to enjoy more recreational activities given the extended breaks from work, and offer more time for them to visit historic sites related to the holidays, among other benefits.

Stalled Proposals

Proposals for federal holidays that have been brought up over the years but haven’t gained much traction in Congress include Election Day, Rosa Parks Day, Christmas Eve, Cesar E. Chavez Day and Lunar New Year Day. There has been debate over whether September 11, 2001, in which almost 3,000 Americans were killed in a terrorist attack, should be commemorated as a federal holiday. Due to a proclamation by President Barack Obama in 2016, it 30

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

is currently observed as Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance. “By devoting ourselves to each other and recognizing that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves just as heroic patriots did on September 11, we are paying tribute to their sacrifices,” Obama said in a statement. “I invite all Americans to observe this day with compassionate and selfless deeds that embody the values that define our people.” On September 14, 2021, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, introduced legislation to designate September 11 Day of Remembrance a federal holiday. “Twenty years ago, we watched as terrorists brutally attacked our nation. The United States pledged we would never forget September 11, 2001. This legislation will uphold that promise to our heroes,” Sen. Blackburn told GovTrack at the time. “As time passes, pain eases, and more and more Americans are either too young to remember or were not yet born, we cannot allow the memories to fade or fail to honor the ordinary Americans who became extraordinary heroes on that September morning and in the years that followed,” added Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-NY, a supporter of the bill. “Making September 11th an official Day of Remembrance will ensure that future generations recognize and

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The national commemoration “gives an accurate picture of United States history, because so much has not been shared. African Americans are the only immigrants that were forced to come to America—or the colonies. This gives people an opportunity to understand all of U.S. history.” —Tommie D. Boudreaux, chair of the Galveston (TX) Historical Foundation Board’s African American Heritage Committee

appreciate the tragedy, sacrifice and resilience associated with 9/11.” While no further movement has been made on the bill, there have long been critics of its approval. In 2018, Donald Wolfensberger, a congressional scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, told USA Today that appointing 9/11 federal holiday status could take away from the memorials that occur at federal sites such as the Pentagon. Brian Balogh, a historian at the University of Virginia, told the newspaper that 9/11 as a holiday could lose meaning over time. “It’s a holiday, a day off, and it does become a day to extend your vacation or go to an amusement park,” he said.

Making Juneteenth Official

On June 14, 2021—nearly four decades after the establishment of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day—the Senate passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act under a unanimous consent agreement that sped up the process. The next day, the House of Representatives passed the legislation by a vote of 415-14, and President Biden signed it into law on June 16—just in time to celebrate the inaugural holiday three days later. Congressional resolutions to honor Juneteenth were introduced as far back as 2005, and proposals were first introduced in 2019. “Making Juneteenth a federal holiday is a major step forward to recognize the wrongs of the past,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, said in a statement. Speaking to Axios, Sen. John Cornyn, R-TX, who cosponsored the bill in the Senate, said of the passage, “It just seems like, given everything that’s going on in terms of race relations in the country, it’s 32

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

JUNE

an important reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.” Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-TX-18, who championed the bill in the House, stated that making Juneteenth a federal holiday is “the launching point for correcting the social ills, like improving our police-community relationships, getting the voting system turned right side up, making sure we don’t have that unfortunate situation of people being denied the right to vote.” Boudreaux feels that the national commemoration “gives an accurate picture of United States history, because so much has not been shared. African Americans are the only immigrants that were forced to come to America—or the colonies. This gives people an opportunity to understand all of U.S. history.”

Cause for Celebration

While Juneteenth is now a national holiday, some longtime celebrants are proceeding with caution. “Unknown individuals and ancestors kept the oral history and celebration of Juneteenth alive before any elected officials got involved. They are the foundation on which we stand and celebrate,” says Sam Collins III, a Galveston native who serves on the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “I’m concerned that the commercialization [will] take away from the importance of telling the full story of what truly happened. Specifically, that Granger was not alone but had many United States Colored Troops (USCT) that also helped to bring the message of freedom to Texas. The USCT were freedom fighters, patriots, Americans—and they helped save the Union.”

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Laquan Austion, founder of the Juneteenth Foundation, one of many civil rights groups that pushed for the holiday, is keen on ensuring it’s more than a day of mattress sales and restaurant deals. “We have an opportunity right now to define how we as a nation celebrate Juneteenth and what it looks like going forward,” he says. “I envision an optimistic way of viewing Juneteenth—the ability to celebrate our contributions to American culture.” This year, the foundation plans to host a series of events, including a career fair and celebration that will recognize Black changemakers. Juneteenth can be celebrated by attending festivals, parades, barbecues and other events. Austion says individuals, especially those who do not identify as Black or minority, can engage in thoughtful conversations with African Americans and other people of color about their experiences. “Be intentional about learning something new about an audience and community you’re not a part of,” says Austion, who suggests volunteering in Black communities on Juneteenth. This

could be physical activity, like working on a public garden, or a skill-based service, such as editing a resume or conducting job prep. Austion also points to other actionable steps, such as researching scholarships for historically Black colleges and making a donation. Other ways to honor Juneteenth include supporting Black-owned businesses (in your area or online), reading up on Black history, or cooking and sharing food traditionally eaten on Juneteenth, such as soul food (like collard greens), grilled food (like pork shoulder) and red food and drink (like Texasmade Big Red soda). Red is symbolic of the holiday; it marks the bloodshed of enslavement and is a color tied to strength and spirituality in many Western African nations. Meanwhile, Boudreaux is helping organize a series of events in Galveston to mark the holiday. Highlights of this year’s festivities in Galveston include the 25th Annual Juneteenth Banquet and the Juneteenth Inc. Scholarship Gala, where the 2022 Miss Juneteenth will be crowned. There will be several outdoor events, including an annual Juneteenth parade and picnic, festival, freedom tours and emancipation march. Boudreaux is also helping field calls at the Galveston Historical Foundation, which has been inundated with inquiries about Juneteenth. “I’m glad it gives people an opportunity to feel comfortable asking questions. People are learning so much.” —CHRISTINA STURDIVANT SANI IS A WRITER, EDITOR AND PROUD WASHINGTON, DC, NATIVE. SHE HAS WRITTEN FOR NEARLY TWO DOZEN PUBLICATIONS, INCLUDING THE WASHINGTON POST, WASHINGTONIAN MAGAZINE, PBS AND BLOOMBERG’S CITYLAB.

Juneteenth can be celebrated by attending festivals, parades, barbecues and other events. Laquan Austion, founder of the Juneteenth Foundation, says individuals, especially those who do not identify as Black or minority, can engage in thoughtful conversations with African Americans and other people of color about their experiences. 34

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Under the Radar: Lesser-Known Government Ventures

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

BY DAVID TOBENKIN

ou’re likely familiar with certain ways the U.S. government acts on behalf of inhabitants of this nation, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensuring the safety of our food, medicine and cosmetics, and the Social Security program financially aiding those who are retired or disabled. But that’s just scratching the surface. From engaging in cuttingedge scientific research to facilitating global development, federal agencies perform numerous functions and have spearheaded many innovations that the broader public may not be aware of. NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

The federal government didn’t always do so much, notes David Lewis, a professor of political science at Vanderbilt University. “In the beginning, a lot of important governing was happening at the state level, and the national government took on only the main functions of a national government, such as national defense, internal affairs and external affairs, postal service and handling national money,” Lewis says. “As the country developed, lots of new problems emerged that required a national response, as opposed to a statelevel response. And so, the federal government began to take a role in issues that were beyond the capacity of individual states to respond in an effective way.”

Buttressing the Economy The federal government is vital to the functioning of the nation’s economy. Consider the U.S. Treasury, which, among other things, sets economic policy and regulates financial institutions, as well as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which insures bank accounts in case banks fail. In addition, much of the country’s wealth is tied up in intellectual property, such as patents, trademarks and copyrights, which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Patent and Trademark Office. According to intellectual property tracking firm IPWatchdog.com, some of the leading patents last year included technologies to improve eye contact in video calls, target ads based on conversation samples and analyze toxicity in social media content. Among the most important ones from the past couple decades is a 2010 patent to the University of California for CRISPR technology for gene editing that can potentially prevent or cure diseases. In some areas of the economy, the government is an actor in its own right. Four federal Power Marketing Administrations operate electric systems and sell the electrical output of federally owned and operated hydroelectric dams in 34 states. Independent government corporations that directly serve consumers include the U.S. Postal Service and the Amtrak passenger railroad service. 38

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

Amtrak, which blends the words “America” and “track,” provides medium and longdistance intercity rail service in the contiguous United States and to some cities in Canada. After decades of private sector railroad decline following diversion of traffic to other forms of transportation, the federal government intervened in 1970 with legislation to support the continuing operation of the nation’s railroad system. Founded in 1971 as a quasi-public corporation to operate many U.S. passenger rail routes, Amtrak receives a combination of state and federal subsidies but is managed as a forprofit organization. The federal government, through the U.S. Department of Transportation, owns all the company’s issued and outstanding preferred stock.

Enforcing Laws Many regulatory commissions and agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regulate aspects of interstate commerce and activities to allow orderly functioning and to prevent fraud. For example, in January 2021, the EPA, along with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, announced a settlement with Dow Chemical Company and two subsidiaries, that, in addition to reducing excess emissions of pollutants, will also eliminate thousands of tons of greenhouse gas air pollution from four of Dow’s petrochemical manufacturing facilities in Texas and Louisiana. The FCC in recent years has taken actions to help the nation transition to the new 5G cellular standard that promises much greater data transfer potential. Beyond mobile phones, powerful advances in connectivity made possible through 5G will enable uses ranging from supporting telemedicine to helping communities manage local resources such as traffic signals and water supplies. Other potential applications include augmented reality, virtual reality and self-driving cars.

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NOAA’s products and services affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. Breaking Boundaries Developing standards and measurements is the mission of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST has produced five Nobel prize winners and has made significant contributions to a variety of innovations, including image processing, DNA diagnostic “chips,” smoke detectors and automated error-correcting software for machine tools. The Partnership for Public Service (PPS) celebrates outstanding federal employees through its annual Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (Sammies) for outstanding civil servants. One of the newest winners is a NIST scientist, Callie Higgins, who invented groundbreaking technology that detects microscopic flaws in 3D printed products, which “is going to potentially revolutionize the use of 3D in manufacturing, including possibly for replacement body parts,” notes PPS Director of Policy Troy Cribb.

Impacting Global Communities On the international front, a number of federal agencies promote democracy, development, freedom of information and peaceful solutions to conflicts across the world. These include the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Institute of Peace, the U.S. African Development Foundation and the Peace Corps. Voice of America (VOA) is often the only unfiltered source of news in many authoritarian countries. VOA broadcasts more than 2,300 hours of radio and television programming each week to an estimated global audience of 311.8 million people. The Millennium Challenge Corporation forms partnerships with, 40

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and provides financial support for, developing countries who are committed to good governance, economic freedom and investing in their citizens. These agencies often work in collaboration with the international branches of many larger agencies, such as the Departments of Energy and Commerce, the Treasury, and many others, notes Lewis. Promoting democracy and human rights internationally reflects America’s ideals while reinforcing U.S. interests, as it reduces security threats and can engender strong economic partnerships.

Protecting People and the Environment Among the more wide-ranging of Commerce’s units is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. In fiscal year 2021, NOAA provided scientific support for 177 pollution-related incidents, including incident coordination for four hurricanes and tropical storms through the Disaster Preparedness Program; removed 1,924 metric tons of marine debris; recovered more than $130 million from polluters for restoration; and made significant, publicly available improvements to its data management and mapping capabilities. NOAA satellites also helped save 330 lives last year. Its polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites are part of the global Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking system (Cospas-Sarsat), which uses a network of U.S. and international spacecraft to detect and locate distress signals sent from emergency beacons of aircraft and boats and handheld personal locator beacons (PLBs) anywhere in the world.

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On domestic soil, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) protects and manages the nation’s land, territorial waters and animals, and fulfills its special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives and affiliated island communities. It includes the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Scientists in the Hazards Science division of USGS research and monitor natural hazards—such as earthquakes, floods, landslides and geomagnetic storms—to learn more about what causes them and find ways to help communities prepare for and recover from such events. Geomagnetic storms can occur when solar wind interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field, creating rapid magnetic field fluctuations that can interfere with radio communications, GPS systems, satellites and even electric power grids, causing blackouts. Through the National Space Weather Program, USGS scientists collaborate with other federal agencies and with private companies to assess and mitigate the danger these storms pose to the nation’s electric power grid.

Defending the Nation Protecting the nation from foreign threats is the mission of the largest segment of civilian federal employees. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is America’s largest agency and includes the armed military services. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) serves as the central research and development organization of the DOD. Along with weapons and stealth technology, DARPA has played a key role in producing innovations used commonly by much of the world, such as global positioning system (GPS) receivers, virtual assistants like Apple’s Siri, and even the internet. The internet was originally developed to bring computing to the battlefield. DOD developed and furthered much of the conceptual basis for the ARPANET—a prototype communications network launched nearly half a century ago—and invented the digital protocols that gave birth to the modern internet. At the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), one key mission is to maintain control over the nation’s nuclear arsenal. DOE, including its semiautonomous National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), oversee the research, development, testing and acquisition of programs 42

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that produce, maintain and sustain the nuclear warheads. Further, DOE’s 17 national laboratories have served as leading institutions of scientific innovation in the United States for more than 70 years, including combating climate change and exploring the origins of our universe. In 2021, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory announced a key achievement in fusion research. A laser light was focused onto a target, which resulted in “a hot-spot the diameter of a human hair, generating more than 10 quadrillion watts of fusion power for 100 trillionths of a second,” according to a statement by Livermore. This offers signs of progress for fusion technology, which has trailed fission, in commercial application. The units of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are responsible for many aspects of security, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, border security, administration and enforcement of immigration laws, and detection of and protection against chemical, biological and nuclear threats. Last year, the Sammies honored two Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials, Ana Hinojosa and Eric Choy, for their work using forensic analysis to stop the import of goods produced by forced labor from foreign countries. Armed with new enforcement authority obtained by passage of the 2016 Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, their CBP unit issued 29 orders between February 2016 and January 2021 that blocked shipments of products made by forced labor from entering the United States. In August 2020, for example, CBP collected a $575,000 fine from a Chicago-based company, Pure Circle U.S.A., for attempting to import 20 shipments of a plant extract used as a soft drink sweetener that had been produced by prison labor in China. During the previous 80 years, only 33 of these “withhold release orders” had been issued. “Many people think of Customs and Border Protection as enforcing the nation’s southern border, but the agency also plays an incredibly important role in international trade and human rights,” PPS’s Cribb says. —DAVID TOBENKIN, IS A FREELANCE WRITER BASED IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON, DC AREA.

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.

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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

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NARFE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Sunday, August 21, 2022, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, Scottsdale, AZ Prior to FEDcon22 kicking off Sunday afternoon, NARFE will hold its Annual Membership Meeting, where members are invited to join and hear national officer reports and other information on the state of the association.

FEDCON22 BREAKOUT SESSION LINEUP DATE/TIME

ADVOCACY I

ADVOCACY II

Monday August 22

NARFE-PAC 101: An Introduction to All Things NARFE-PAC

The State of NARFE’s Grassroots Advocacy: Before, During, and After COVID-19

Legislative Update

Becoming a Relationship Ninja in a Dynamically Changing Congress

Legislative Update

NARFE Grasstops and Grassroots – Why They are Both Crucial for Advocacy Success

Leading NARFE-PAC in 2022 and Beyond

Making the Most of Your Meeting

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Monday August 22 1:45 - 3:15 p.m.

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FEDERAL BENEFITS I

FEDERAL BENEFITS II

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Wait, That Wasn’t You Asking for Gift Cards? – Preventing Online Fraud

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To Be Determined

Early/New Career Benefits and Investing for the Future

Chapter Leadership Excellence and Succession

Discover Your Family History

Estate Planning

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Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff

Debunking Retirement Myths

Utilizing Roth Conversions to Maximize the After – Tax Value of Your TSP

How to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits

FEHB and Medicare

fedcon.narfe.org

Managing Money

The IRS Clarifies the SECURE Act’s 10-Year Rule

lthough the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was passed in December 2019, in many instances it was vague

and left questions that were largely subject to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) interpretation. Finally, on February 23, 2022, the IRS released proposed regulations to address the changes made by the Act. The proposed regulations offered more clarity, but in one notable area—the application of the SECURE Act’s 10-year rule—they made a surprising (if not shocking) departure from how practitioners assumed the rule would apply. The SECURE Act’s 10-year rule, perhaps the single biggest change to impact individuals, eliminated a long-standing rule that allowed many designated beneficiaries the ability to stretch out required minimum distributions (RMDs) from an inherited retirement account over his or her own life expectancy. Instead, the 10-year rule now requires most nonspouse designated beneficiaries who inherited a retirement account in 2020 (2022 for the Thrift Savings Plan) or later (those referred to as noneligible designated beneficiaries) to completely liquidate an inherited retirement plan by the end of the 10th year following the retirement plan owner’s death. For more than two years, practitioners assumed noneligible designated beneficiaries would not be required to take any minimum distributions but instead would have the flexibility to distribute as much, or as little, as they 46

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

wanted each year during the 10-year period so long as the entire inherited account was liquidated by the end of the 10th year. This assumption appeared to be validated in early 2021, following a series of events related to the IRS updating its Publication 590-B, Distributions for Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). The updated Publication 590-B included an example that seemed to indicate that noneligible designated beneficiaries would, in fact, still be required to take annual RMDs during the 10-year distribution period. This unleashed a firestorm of questions and comments, and very soon after, the IRS issued a statement saying that the updated publication contained a mistake and that a corrected version would be released. On May 25, 2021, the IRS released a revised version of Publication 590-B that stated the following: “10-year rule. The 10-year rule requires the IRA beneficiaries

who are not taking life expectancy payments to withdraw the entire balance of the IRA by December 31 of the year containing the 10th anniversary of the owner’s death. For example, if the owner died in 2020, the beneficiary would have to fully distribute the plan by December 31, 2030. The beneficiary is allowed, but not required, to take distributions prior to that date.” The statement seemed to confirm the assumption that the 10-year rule would not require any annual RMDs during the 10-year distribution period. To everyone’s bewilderment, however, the proposed regulations released by the IRS this year create an overly complex system in which noneligible designated beneficiaries are split into two groups, with each group subject to its own set of distribution rules. The first group of noneligible designated beneficiaries will consist of those who inherit from retirement account owners who die before their required beginning date (RBD), which is typically April 1 following the year the retirement account owner turns 72. This group will be subject to “only” the 10-year rule. The second group will consist of noneligible designated beneficiaries who inherit from retirement account owners who die on or after their RBD. These beneficiaries will be subject to the 10-year rule and must also take RMDs during the 10-year distribution period.

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

The bifurcation of noneligible designated beneficiaries into two groups will undoubtedly lead to confusion—and mistakes—for many beneficiaries. Take, for example, a mother who dies at age 85 and leaves a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA to her daughter. In this case, the daughter will have to follow two different sets of distribution rules even though she inherited the retirement accounts from the same person—her mother, who died after her RBD. The reason for this is Roth IRAs are not subject to RMDs, and, therefore, Roth IRA owners will always be considered to have died prior to their RBD, regardless of their age at death. So, while the daughter will have to take RMDs during the 10-year distribution period of the inherited

traditional IRA, she’ll only have to worry about the 10-year rule for the Roth IRA. The proposed regulations address many other areas of the SECURE Act and will undoubtedly make for good discussion in future columns. For now, though, while it’s possible the proposed regulations will be amended before they are finalized, practitioners, and beneficiaries who inherited a retirement account in 2020 (2022 for the Thrift Savings Plan) or later, will need to be ready to adapt to the potential new regulations. Stay tuned. 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.

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NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

Alzheimer’s Update

The Importance of Physical Activity in Staying Mentally Fit

esearch linking the potential for exercise to prevent or slow dementia, among other benefits, may inspire more of us to lace up our sneakers and get moving.

A 2018 study by Janina Krell-Roesch and her colleagues focused on whether leisure-time physical activity among individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) might decrease the risk of their developing dementia. The cohort study, derived from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, was done with approximately 280 people, ages 70 and up, who were followed for a median of three years. The researchers found that physical activity may be associated with reduced risk of dementia among people with MCI. In addition, a 2014 study by psychiatrist Thomas Dannhauser and his team found that engaging individuals in regular cognitive, physical and social activities was a promising dementia prevention strategy. The researchers noted that participating in the aforementioned stimulating leisure activities during midlife may reduce the risk of dementia in later life by 28 to 47 percent. According to Dr. Jonathan Graff-Radford, coinvestigator in the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, exercise has many known benefits for both physical and mental health, including reducing the risk of

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

cardiovascular disease and diabetes, strengthening bones and muscles, and reducing

stress. Regular physical activity also seems to benefit the brain. He noted that studies have shown that “people who are physically active are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function and have a lowered risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.” Regular exercise is also a useful tool against depression and obesity, risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s. Exercising several times a week for 30 to 60 minutes can lead to a wealth of benefits, says Graff-Radford. These benefits include keeping thinking, reasoning and learning skills sharp for those who are healthy; improving the memory, reasoning and judgment for people with mild Alzheimer’s impairment; and possibly

delaying the start of Alzheimer’s for at-risk individuals, or slowing the disease’s progress in those who have it. It’s also possible that regular exercise increases the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain where memory formation takes place. What is it about exercise that offers these positive outcomes? On the Mayo Clinic website, Graff-Radford writes that physical activity helps your brain not only by keeping the blood flowing, but also by increasing chemicals that might protect the brain; it also counters some of the decrease in brain connections that naturally occurs with aging. While more research is needed to measure how much of a difference is being made, regular exercise is important to staying physically and mentally fit. NARFE members are encouraged to stay physically active and help others do the same. Thank you for your continued financial support of the NARFEAlzheimer’s Research Program. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, 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.

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MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: NARFE (write Silver Circle on memo line)

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

PLEASE MAIL COUPON AND CHECK TO: NARFE / 606 N. Washington St. / Alexandria, VA 22314 or donate online at www.narfe.org/ silvercircle With NARFE’s thanks, you will receive: • A Silver Circle pin and recognition on narfe.org with a donation of $100 or more. • A Silver Circle pin, your name plate placed on the Silver Circle plaque at NARFE Headquarters, recognition on narfe.org and recognition at the NARFE yearly conference with a donation of $1,000 or more.

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Support Alzheimer’s Research NARFE members contributed for Alzheimer’s research: $15 Million Fund $14,345,612.68* *Total as of March 31, 2022. 100 percent of all contributed funds go to Alzheimer’s research. If you have any questions, write to: National Committee Chair Olivia Williams 22 Garden Springs Road Columbia, SC 29209 OR EMAIL: oeashf3@gmail.com MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: NARFE-Alzheimer’s Research (write your chapter number on memo line)

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PLEASE MAIL COUPON AND CHECK TO: Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., 17th Floor Chicago, IL 60601-7633

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NARFE-FEEA Fund MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: NARFE-FEEA Fund PLEASE MAIL COUPON AND CHECK TO: FEEA 1641 Prince St. Alexandria, VA 22314

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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: ___________________________________________________________

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NARFE News

NARFE MAGAZINE 2022 SCHEDULE

New Staff at NARFE HQ

icholas Peters has joined NARFE as its new programs and events coordinator. A native of Washington, DC, he graduated from Howard University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Among several events-related positions, Nicholas was a field researcher for Richey International, a role that allowed him to travel to many sporting events, such as the 2015 Super Bowl and the Pro Bowl. In his position at NARFE, Nicholas will help support events such as the association’s conferences as well as manage the production of NARFE’s webinars and address retirement-related inquiries from members.

annah McLain has joined the NARFE advocacy department as its grassroots and programs assistant. She attended Florida International University (FIU) and received a bachelor’s degree in international relations while minoring in political science and earning a certificate in national security studies. While at FIU, she worked for nonprofit The Borgen Project, advocating to make global poverty a priority in U.S. foreign policy, and quickly transitioned from political intern to regional director. Most recently, she was employed at Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity. The Virginia native has now returned to the DC area. In her position at NARFE, Hannah performs duties such as assisting with writing content for NARFE Magazine and NARFE Newsline, serving as primary point of contact for member inquiries regarding legislative matters, and assisting with crafting letters to Congress.

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

As a reminder, this is a combined June-July issue of NARFE Magazine. There will not be a separate July issue.

arissa Esguerra has joined the NARFE membership development team in the role of manager, membership development. Marissa has 18 years of experience working in the nonprofit association sector, during which she has honed skills in marketing, communications, hospitality and retail. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, she received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State University (2002) and a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University (2008). Marissa is also a Certified Association Executive as of 2018. At NARFE, Marissa will work on member recruitment, retention and engagement, exploring new ways to reach current and retired federal employees, as well as promoting the association’s programs, products and services.

2022 FEDERATION CONFERENCES This information was correct as of press time in late April; please contact your federation to make sure details are current. ALASKA: September 24 online: https:// us02web.zoom.us/j/89098661119; contact Paul McIntosh, pjmac@gci.net CONNECTICUT: October 12 in Cromwell FLORIDA: October 13-16 in Jacksonville ILLINOIS: September 20-22 in Effingham MONTANA: June 7 online: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/5472873904; contact Leland Walbruch, walbruchsofmt@centurylink.net WASHINGTON: October 9-12 online; contact Steven Roy, stevenroy1@comcast.net

Make Your Voice Heard in Washington: Help NARFE Shape Our Legislative Agenda

s the premier association for federal workers and retirees, NARFE protects the earned pay, retirement and health care benefits of federal employees and annuitants, ensuring a strong federal workforce and a secure retirement for you and your federal colleagues. We have a track record of success, including the NARFE-supported postal reform legislation signed into law by President Biden in March and the recent government pay increases for which NARFE advocated in an effort to ensure that federal employee pay rates are comparable to those in the private sector. At NARFE, we’re proud of our legislative successes, but we don’t rest on our laurels. While we’re still working with the current 117th Congress, NARFE must also be prepared for the 118th Congress. We want to make sure that your voice is heard when those legislators convene on January 3, 2023, so we’ve created a discussion thread in the Open Forum on FEDHub where you can join chime in on

what policy positions NARFE should—or should not—support during the next Congress. We’ll receive proposed changes via

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR VOICE IS HEARD, SO WE’VE CREATED A DISCUSSION THREAD IN THE OPEN FORUM ON FEDHUB WHERE YOU CAN JOIN CHIME IN ON WHAT POLICY POSITIONS NARFE SHOULD—OR SHOULD NOT—SUPPORT DURING THE NEXT CONGRESS. a webform located at www. narfe.org/advocacy-positions and post the suggestions to the thread. Accessible from May 15 through July 15, this FEDHub discussion thread will give you the opportunity to recommend

and comment on the proposed changes to NARFE’s advocacy positions, submitted via webform, which will then potentially be under consideration by an advocacy committee appointed by NARFE’s National President. NARFE’s advocacy positions detail NARFE’s specific policy stances, and they guide NARFE’s leadership and staff regarding whether to support a position when actions are taken on Capitol Hill or by an administration. So chime in with arguments for or against, and recommend proposals you’d like to see considered. We’ll provide more details on what qualifies for consideration in the post. You may also submit proposals via mail (forms available upon request) and on behalf of your federation board or chapter. (see Washington Watch, p. 11). We’ll post those for discussion as well. As always, thank you for your support of NARFE and our efforts on behalf of all federal employees and retirees. —BY DAVE BOWMAN, SENIOR DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

If We Can’t Reach You, You’re Missing Out— Update Your Member Profile Today

ARFE provides members with valuable resources, news and information, but if we don’t have your current mailing address, email address and other contact information, you could be missing out on some of your NARFE member benefits. Please make sure your NARFE member profile is updated. To update your profile online, go to www.narfe.org and click “Member Portal” at

the top right portion of the window. Log in to the member portal and click the “Profile” icon to view your member profile and review your current contact information. To make changes, click the “Update Contact Information” button, make the necessary changes, then click “Save” to review your changes. If you’d prefer to talk through your changes with someone,

just call 800-456-8410 and press 1 for membership; our member services team will be happy to help you make your changes. (Keep in mind that mailing address updates can take up to 45 days to take effect.) By staying connected and informed, you can be sure you’ll always get the most out of your NARFE membership. —BY DAVE BOWMAN, SENIOR DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

BYLAWS AMENDMENTS

Bylaws Amendments on the 2022 Election Ballot The NARFE Bylaws Committee (BC) has the responsibility of assessing and making recommendations regarding proposed bylaws and standing rules amendments for placement on a ballot for a vote of the membership. The Committee may submit proposed amendments and edit, combine, substitute, reject, or rule out of order the proposals. This year, for the first time, a proposer whose submission had been recommended for rejection by the Committee was given up to 100 words in the BC report to the membership to provide their opposing view. Also, proposers whose bylaws amendments were rejected or ruled out of order by the BC could appeal that decision to the National Executive Board (NEB). A proposal was rejected or ruled out of order based on conflict with the national bylaws or for other reasons. No appeals were accepted by the NEB. One opposing view was submitted. The BC’s charge was to consider the submitted bylaws and standing rules amendments for a ballot vote in 2022. The BC met on Zoom beginning in March 2021 and continued Zoom meetings through March 2022. With the assistance of the NARFE parliamentarian, the committee reviewed a total of 24 bylaws amendment proposals. Duplicate or very similar proposals were combined into BC-proposed amendments. The Committee approved 10 amendments for the ballot, including 8 recommended for adoption and 2 recommended for rejection. Three amendments were ruled out of order and one was rejected from the ballot by the NEB. The proposers of three amendments withdrew their submissions. All bylaw amendments approved for the ballot and the full BC report with the disposition of all bylaws amendments submitted are posted on the NARFE website and on FEDHub. Voting takes place in August 2022 by paper ballot published in the August NARFE Magazine and by online voting commencing July 15. Voting closes on August 31, 2022, at 11:59 EDT. The ballot will ask members to vote on each bylaw amendment individually. Members may choose not to vote on any amendment. Please take the time to study the amendments, discuss them with other members in your chapter and federation, review the discussions posted on FEDHub, and cast your vote online or by paper ballot. Voting is one of the most important rights you have as a NARFE member. Ted Van Hintum Bylaws Committee Chair

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

BYLAWS COMMITTEE REPORT 2022 BYLAWS AMENDMENTS RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION NUMBER

SUBJECT

EFFECT

RECOMMENDATION

B-22-01

Electronic Meetings

Provides for electronic meetings in the bylaws

ADOPT

B-22-02

RVP Vacancies

Clarifies that any qualified member in the region may be elected RVP

ADOPT

B-22-10

Compensation Committee

Creates an independent committee appointed by the National President to review and recommend changes to National Officer and RVP compensation

ADOPT

B-22-24

Ballot After National Conference

Provides that voting for national and regional officers and bylaws amendments will take place after the national conference

ADOPT

BC-22-01

Electronic Voting

Provides for electronic voting in the bylaws

ADOPT

BC-22-02

Amendments to Bylaws

Reduces the number of members to propose bylaw amendments from 20 to 10

ADOPT

BC-22-04

Remove Executive Director Position from NARFE Bylaws

Deletes all references to the Executive Director position in the bylaws and standing rules

ADOPT

BC-22-07

Discussion of Bylaws at National Conference

Requires that a business session be scheduled at the national conference for the purpose of bylaws discussion and national and regional officer presentations (Only effective if B-22-24 is adopted)

ADOPT

BYLAWS AMENDMENTS RECOMMENDED FOR REJECTION NUMBER

SUBJECT

EFFECT

RECOMMENDATION

B-22-13

Require Two Federations for Bylaws Proposals

Restricts proposals to amend the bylaws to a joint submission by two federations

REJECT

B-22-15

Dues Discount

Changes the dues discount for two- and three-year renewals and dues withholding to a percentage basis

REJECT

B–Bylaw BC–Bylaws Committee

For complete information about the election, including candidates for office and the complete text of each bylaws proposal and accompanying recommendation, as well as a link to discuss candidates and proposals on FEDHub, visit www.narfe.org/2022election.

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

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

PRODUCTS........................................................................................................................................... ADT Home Security | 844-892-3513 | https://Partners.ADT.com/SSE-P1

Get your ADT-monitored home security system today for $28.99 a month with AND $100 Visa reward card from Protect Your Home ADT Authorized Premier Provider. *New customers only. Visit website for full details of offer.

GE Appliances Store | Use the link below to start shopping!

Save with NARFE members-only access to the GE Appliances Store! You will enjoy up to 25% off MSRP every day on the latest in high-quality appliances. *Orders can not be shipped to P.O. boxes, APOS, Canada, Puerto Rico, HI, AK or U.S. Territories. https://www.myapstore.com/GEStore/Appliances/ Registration?AuthCode=MONARFE21

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. 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. You will need to present your Store Purchasing Card at time of sale. REGISTER now at https://officediscounts.org/narfe to print your FREE card. *Tech, software and select furniture items are not part of the discount program.

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.

INSURANCE.......................................................................................................................................... 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.

Member Options | 833-378-8224 | https://www.member-options.com/narfe

Member Options Auto and Home Insurance Program - Save Money with Multiple Quotes! Get quotes from top-rated insurance carriers on Auto, Home, Renters, Pet insurance and more in a matter of minutes. Answer a few simple questions online or over the phone with our licensed insurance experts to compare multiple options that meet your specific needs. To review and choose what’s best for you, go to the link above or call 833-378-8224.

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

Our prearranged plans cover all necessary expenses for one guaranteed price even if the services are not needed for 40 or 50 years. The Neptune Society offers a $100 discount to all NARFE members. *Discounted offer is not valid for residents of Louisiana, Tennessee and Kentucky. Void Where Prohibited.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hotel Engine | https://members.hotelengine.com/join/narfe175

Hotel Engine, a private booking platform, connects organizations and their members to deeply discounted hotel rates.

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. https://partners.rentalcar.com/narfe

Wyndham Hotels | 1-877-670-7088 | http://bit.ly/WYNDHAM_NARFE

NARFE members receive up to 20% off the “Best Available Rate” at participating Wyndham Hotel Group locations worldwide. To receive discount, book online or call our special member benefits hotline at 1-877-670-7088 and give the agent your special discount ID number 1000007874 at time of booking. For online bookings, your discount ID will automatically be entered and your discount displayed.

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

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

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

Life Line Screening, America’s leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will conduct health screenings using state-of-the-art ultrasound technology in your neighborhood. Operator code BKHN075.

ADDITIONAL PERKS................................................................................................................................

SEE HOW MUCH YOU CAN SAVE AT

www.NARFE.ORG/memberperks

The Way We Worked

Ensuring the Safety of Our Skies During World War II, women became air traffic controllers and aircraft communicators in large numbers to replace men who joined the war effort. Pictured here are two female air traffic controllers in 1943 in the control tower of Chicago’s Orchard Place Airport (now Chicago O’Hare). Today, less than 20 percent of the Federal Aviation Administration’s air traffic controllers are women. The agency recently launched a campaign to hire more women, people of color and individuals from underrepresented communities to make the profession more diverse. PHOTO from the Federal Aviation Administration, courtesy of FAA Agency Historian Theresa L. Kraus, 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. 56

NARFE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2022

DID YOU KNOW? The Air Commerce Act of 1926 charged the Secretary of Commerce with fostering air commerce, issuing and enforcing air traffic rules, licensing pilots, certifying aircraft, establishing airways, and operating and maintaining aids to air navigation. Visit www.faa.gov/about/ history/brief_history.

5 Great Reasons

Why Oticon MoreTM could be the answer to your hearing problems.

1 Oticon More with Brain HearingTM technology

A revolutionary hearing aid that gives the brain more of the relevant information it needs to make better sense of sound. So you can get better speech understanding with less effort and the ability to remember more.

Connectivity made easy

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Simple, wireless connectivity to your favorite devices via Bluetooth®. Make hands-free calls, stream music, connect to smart devices and more!

A trouble-free rechargeable solution allows you to recharge at night for a full day of hearing. FREE charger included!1

The hearing aid with built-in intelligence

Take advantage of your $2500 benefit

Works more like how the brain works because it learned through experience. Clinical studies prove Oticon More delivers 30% more sound to the brain and increases speech understanding.2

Exclusive pricing for NARFE members. Your insurance may cover all or part of the cost. Call for more information.3

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

877-696-5335

Lithium-ion battery performance varies depending on hearing loss, lifestyle and streaming behavior. 2Compared to Oticon Opn STM, Santurette, et al. 2020. Oticon More clinical evidence. Oticon Whitepaper. 3Your 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. 1

Members,

Pay $0

out-of-pocket! Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan members may be eligible for two fully covered hearing aids with zero out-of-pocket cost on many models when applying your hearing aid benefit*. HearUSA offers all these features and follows all safety protocols for our customers and employees. Call 1-855-252-0025 to discover more or visit www.blue365deals.com/hearusa. EXPERIENCE - HearUSA has been changing lives through better hearing since 1987 and a proud NARFE Circle Sponsor since 2016. CHOICE - All major hearing aid brands and styles available, including completely-in-the-canal, the smallest custom hearing aids on the market. TECHNOLOGY - Smart technology helps you hear more clearly and eliminates annoying feedback “whistling”. RECHARGABLE - Most models have rechargeable options; no need to ever replace batteries! Plus, many models connect with your cell phone! TELEHEALTH - Take advantage of HearUSA Telehealth Services where you obtain quality care at home. Telehealth appointments are available.

Three-year manufacturer’s warranty covers repairs Three-year loss and damage coverage provides peace of mind One-year of FREE batteries eliminates an extra expense One year of FREE in-office service will get you off to a great start!

Call 1-855-252-0025 to schedule a FREE in-person or telehealth hearing appointment today! *The Service Benefit Plan will pay a hearing aid benefit for Standard and Basic Option up to $2,500 total every 5 calendar years for adults age 22 and over, and up to $2,500 total per calendar year for members up to age 22. FEP Blue Focus does not have a hearing aid benefit. Do not rely on this communication piece alone for complete benefit information. All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan brochure. Blue365® offers access to savings on health and wellness products and services that members may purchase from independent vendors, which are not covered benefits under the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program, Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental and/or Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision. These products and services will be offered to you through the entire benefit year. During the year, the independent vendors may offer additional discounts on these products and services. To find out what is covered under your policy, contact the customer service number on your member ID card. Any disputes regarding your health insurance products and services may be subject to your plan’s grievance process. BCBSA may receive payments from vendors providing products and services on or accessible through the Site. Neither BCBSA nor any Blue Company recommends, endorses, warrants, or guarantees any specific vendor, product or service available under or through the Blue365 Program or Site.

June/July 2022 NARFE Magazine

Articles inside

Questions & Answers

Submit Proposed Changes to NARFE’s Advocacy Positions for the 118th Congress

From the President

New Bill Would Reinstitute Schedule F, Undermine Merit System