November 2021 NARFE Magazine by NARFE

A NARFE PUBLICATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES

November 2021 VOLUME 97 ★ NUMBER 9

P. 24

Finding Your Way Through the Medicare Part B Dilemma P. 36

Medical Frontiers: Combating Leading Illnesses

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Contents NOVEMBER 2021 COVER STORY PAGE 24

FEATURE PAGE 52

FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH THE MEDICARE PART B DILEMMA Tammy Flanagan outlines the different aspects of Medicare and how they work with FEHB to help you decide if enrollment is right for you. MEDICAL FRONTIERS: COMBATING LEADING ILLNESSES Learn about recent advances in fighting the top causes of mortality in the United States, as well as where future research may be heading.

Special Feature

Columns

36 Open Season: FEHB and

4 From the President

FEDVIP Premiums and Information

22 Benefits Brief

Washington Watch

64 Managing Money

6 President Nominates Third

Departments

Member to Serve on Merit Systems Protection Board

7 Biden Directs 2.7% Federal Pay Raise in 2022

8 Social Media Takes NARFE

Advocacy to the Next Level

9 New WEP Reform Bill

Introduced in the House

A NARFE PUBLICATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES

November 2021 VOLUME 97 ★ NUMBER 9

P. 24

Finding Your Way Through the Medicare Part B Dilemma P. 36

16 Questions & Answers 66 For the Record

Medical Frontiers: Combating Leading Illnesses

ON THE COVER Illustration by TGD

68 NARFE News 74 Member Perks 76 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

NOVEMBER 2021 VOLUME 97 ★ NUMBER 9

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jenn Rafael

REGION I James C. Risner

SENIOR EDITOR Mabel Yu CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Jessica Klement CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER Beth Bedard ADDITIONAL GRAPHIC DESIGN 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. The Association, since July 1970, has been classified by the IRS as a tax-exempt labor organization [not a union]; however, dues and gifts or contributions to the Association are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

NATIONAL OFFICERS

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

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BARBARA SIDO execdir@narfe.org

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

REGION II Gary Roundtree Sr.

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

REGION III Clarence Robinson

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

REGION IV Robert L. Helfrich

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

REGION V Cindy Reneé Blythe

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

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

TO REACH A FEDERAL BENEFITS SPECIALIST:

EMAIL fedbenefits@narfe.org

NARFE HEADQUARTERS

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

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

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

REGION VII Rodney L. Adelman

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

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

REGION IX Linda L. Silverio

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

REGION X William Shackelford

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

NARFE Magazine (ISSN 1948-4453) is published monthly except in February and July by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA, and additional mailing offices. Members: Annual dues includes subscription. Nonmember subscription rate $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 © 2021, NARFE. Advertisements in the magazine are not endorsements of products and/or services by NARFE, unless officially stated in the ad. We shall accept advertising on the same basis as other reputable publications: that is, we shall not knowingly permit a dishonest advertisement to appear in NARFE Magazine, but at the same time we will not undertake to guarantee the reliability of our advertisers.

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From the President NARFE’S MISSION STATEMENT To support legislation and regulations beneficial to federal civilian employees and annuitants and potential annuitants under any federal civilian retirement system and to oppose those detrimental to their interests. To promote the general welfare of federal civilian employees and annuitants and potential annuitants, to advise and assist them with respect to their rights under retirement, health and other employee and retiree benefits laws and regulations, and to represent their interests before appropriate authorities. To cooperate with other organizations and associations in furtherance of these general objectives.

NARFE Benefits Resources Make Open Season Easier

rom November 8 to December 13, federal employees and annuitants can change their Federal Employees Health Benefits

(FEHB) plan, plus pick Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) coverage as part of the annual federal benefits Open Season. Federal employees can also make or change flexible spending account (FSA) choices. I am pleased to once again bring you this issue of NARFE Magazine, representing the culmination of months of planning and research by our advocacy, Federal Benefits Institute and communications staff members, in cooperation with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). All of this is to ensure NARFE members have everything they need to make the best possible benefits choices for 2022, and we at NARFE Headquarters are proud of their efforts. You have many options to choose from during Open Season, and FEHB and FEDVIP offer a variety of plans with a high quality of care. For help with these important decisions, turn to this month’s Open Season Report on page 36. NARFE also has extensive online resources to aid in your decision process: • Register for NARFE’s upcoming Open Season webinars at www.NARFE.org/institute. After each presentation, benefits experts will answer questions during a live chat. • Visit NARFE’s Open Season portal, www. NARFE.org/open-season/, which includes links

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

to premiums, plan comparison tools, enrollment instructions, frequently asked questions and much more. Annuitants can access charts that detail which plans offer Medicare Part B premium reimbursements or incentives. • Find tips on selecting health care coverage that meets your family’s needs in the October 2020 NARFE Magazine feature “Open Season; Worth a Closer Look,” available online at www.NARFE. org/closer-look/. Whether you are satisfied with the coverage you have, or you’re interested in a new plan, NARFE encourages you to thoroughly review the options available so you can select the one that best fits your needs.

WITH GRATITUDE

In November, we remember Veterans Day to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, service and sacrifice in wartime and in peacetime. It is important that we thank them on November 11 and throughout the year. As we come close to finishing another year, let me again thank you for all that you do for NARFE. All of us at NARFE National Headquarters wish you and your families a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

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

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Washington Watch

Senate Committee Considers MSPB Nominees

n September 22, the Senate took the next step in restoring a quorum to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), with the Committee on Homeland

Security and Governmental Affairs holding a hearing to consider the President’s three nominees to serve as members on the board—Cathy Harris, Raymond Limon and Tristan Leavitt. Committee Chairman Gary Peters, D-MI, and Ranking Member Rob Portman, R-OH, both expressed concerns with the state of the agency and recognized the importance of restoring a quorum. The MSPB’s primary function is to review and adjudicate federal employee appeals of disputed actions, such as adverse personnel actions. The agency has been unable to adjudicate on appeals since early 2017, resulting in a backlog of more than 3,400 cases. Cathy Harris, the nominee for chair of the board, said that, if confirmed, the board’s top priority will be to reduce the backlog. All three nominees agreed that using expedited methods to issue decisions would help

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

lower the backlog significantly. These methods include “short form decisions,” which allow the board to issue a verdict without a lengthy explanation of the adjudication, most commonly in instances where the board has nothing to add to an administrative judge’s

“well-reasoned” opinion on a case. The board also plans to employ “alternative dispute resolutions” when the circumstances of an appeal have changed enough since it was originally issued to warrant a new resolution, such as if an employee who submitted an appeal for his or her termination moved to a new job. Portman raised concerns about barriers to whistleblowing, asking the nominees if whistleblower protection laws should be reviewed by MSPB, which conducts studies on

NOVEMBER ACTION ALERT: URGE COSPONSORSHIP OF WEP AND GPO REPEAL BILL NARFE is calling on lawmakers to cosponsor the Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82 and S. 1302, legislation to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These long-standing provisions unfairly reduce the Social Security benefits of more than 2.6 million people nationwide. Use NARFE’s Legislative Action Center (www.NARFE.org) to personalize a message to your Representative and Senators requesting their cosponsorship.

MYTH VS. REALITY MYTH: The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses to calculate cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), does not consider the cost of gas, housing and medical care. REALITY: The BLS divides several hundred items into eight groups to calculate the CPI-W. Within these groups, the prices of gas, housing and medical care are all considered. Households included in the CPI-W meet two requirements: More than half of the household’s income must come from clerical or wage occupations, and at least one of the household’s earners must have been employed for at least 37 weeks out of the previous 12 months. NARFE contends that this population is not appropriate for determining seniors’ spending, while the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) would provide the most accurate calculation. NARFE supports replacing the CPI-W with the CPI-E for the calculation of COLAs.

the merit system in addition to appeals review. Leavitt concurred, agreeing that a new study on the topic would be

relevant and adding that the agency’s employees have been developing a new research agenda to present to incoming

board members. As of press time, the committee had yet to schedule a vote on the nominees. —BY SETH ICKES, GRASSROOTS ASSISTANT

Biden Directs 2.7% Federal Pay Raise in 2022

resident Joseph R. Biden Jr. submitted his alternative pay plan to Congress in August, which contained a 2.7 percent average pay increase for federal employees for calendar year 2022. The raise consists of a 2.2 percent across-the-board increase with a 0.5 percent average increase to locality pay rates. NARFE National President Ken Thomas issued a media release commending the decision, stating that the proposed raise demonstrates “respect for hard-working civil servants and the jobs they do, as well as a commitment to recruitment and retention of talented federal employees.” Thomas also noted that Biden answered NARFE’s call earlier this year to “increase locality pay rates by 0.5 percent on average, ensuring that the average pay increase is on par with recent private-sector wage growth.” Over the summer, the House Appropriations Committee advanced its annual spending bills

without any language outlining a federal employee pay raise for calendar year 2022, effectively deferring the final decision on the raise to the president. In recent times, such as this year and last year, Congress has sometimes abdicated its responsibility on the pay increase. But in 2018 and 2019, Congress included pay raises in its annual spending bills. The 2.7 percent average raise is based on the annual change in private-sector pay as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Cost Index prior to the development of the president’s budget request. In October 2020, the Federal Salary Council, which analyzes federal pay in comparison to wages in the private sector and recommends changes to federal pay rates, found that private-sector rates outpaced federal rates for similar jobs by 23.11 percent. Pay raises are integral to the government staying competitive with the private sector in attracting and retaining a skilled workforce, and NARFE commends President

Biden for seeking parity with average pay increases in the private sector. The proposed raise also seeks parity with the likely 2.7 percent pay raise for military personnel, which is included in the fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. Importantly, having the federal pay increase match the military raise is a return to form; while the 2021 federal raise did not achieve parity with the military increase, the 2020 and 2019 raises did. Moving into the future, NARFE encourages Congress and the White House to ensure federal pay raises achieve parity with those of the private sector and the military. Improved pay and benefits help preserve the government’s ability to recruit and retain top talent. The pay raise process for calendar year 2022 is not yet complete. Toward the end of the year, the president must sign an executive order to make the proposal official.

—BY SETH ICKES, GRASSROOTS ASSISTANT 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.

Social Media Takes NARFE Advocacy to the Next Level

rassroots advocacy is among the best strategies that constituents, as well as the organizations representing their concerns, can use to influence policymaking. But to be effective, advocacy must evolve to reflect trends in constituentlawmaker communication and incorporate technologies designed to make advocacy more efficient and effective. One of these trends is happening on social media. For the past 10 years, lawmakers have been quickly adapting to social media platforms and now practically prefer to engage with constituents there. Studies by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) and PEW Research Center show that all members of Congress use social media for general communication and use it almost exclusively to engage with constituents, mainly via Facebook and Twitter. It has become ubiquitous because of its cost-effectiveness, immediacy and ability to reach a wider audience when compared with phone calls, emails and other more traditional ways of interacting. Most notable is lawmakers’ ability to develop a legislative agenda by gauging constituent sentiments and opinions based on trending topics and discussions on these platforms. Additionally, in a survey of congressional staff conducted by CRS, more than half of respondents agreed

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

that social media enabled more meaningful interactions, more accountability, and greater transparency between lawmakers and constituents. When all members of Congress use social media and prefer to engage with constituents on such platforms, it makes sense for NARFE advocates to meet them there. NARFE understands that

FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN QUICKLY ADAPTING TO SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND NOW PRACTICALLY PREFER TO ENGAGE WITH CONSTITUENTS THERE.

some members choose not to engage on social media, but for those unsure about it, training to get up to speed on the basics is available on the NARFE website. And social media use among older adults is rapidly increasing. A Pew Research survey showed that social media use, primarily on Facebook and Twitter, among U.S. adults age 50 and older doubled from 2010 to

2021. This data is particularly encouraging as the survey’s population mirrors NARFE’s membership. Accordingly, NARFE developed a social media toolkit that includes a three-part training module—Social Media Basics: Facebook and Twitter, Social Media as an Advocacy Tool, and Social Media Pages for Federations and Chapters. Also included in the toolkit are best practices and tips to follow when engaging on such platforms. Members can access these resources on NARFE’s website at www.NARFE.org. Federations and chapters seeking to increase member engagement through social media are also encouraged to view the webinars, or they may contact the advocacy department about customized training based on their needs. To inquire, please contact us at advocacy@ narfe.org. Thank you for your advocacy. —BY MARSHA PADILLA-GOAD, GRASSROOTS PROGRAM MANAGER

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 WEP Reform Bill Introduced in the House

freshman member of Congress has set out to tackle the longstanding and punitive Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) with a new piece of legislation. Representative Julia Letlow, R-LA, introduced the Wellbeing for Every Public Servant Act of 2021, H.R. 4788, a bill that would fully repeal the WEP for individuals whose combined monthly income from their non-Social Security-covered government annuity and Social Security benefits is $5,500 or lower. For those with combined monthly benefits above $5,500, the WEP penalty is reduced until the combined monthly income is $6,333. Government retirees affected by the WEP are those who collect

both an annuity from their government jobs (during which

GOVERNMENT RETIREES AFFECTED BY THE WEP ARE THOSE WHO COLLECT BOTH AN ANNUITY FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT JOBS AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS THEY EARNED FROM PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT. they did not contribute to Social Security) and Social Security benefits they earned from private

employment. This includes federal retirees who began their government employment prior to 1983 and are covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). The WEP does not apply to federal employees covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). According to a December 2020 report from the Congressional Research Service, the WEP affects 1,948,427 beneficiaries, including 1,836,538 retired workers, 12,520 workers with disabilities, and 99,369 spouses and children. You can visit NARFE’s website at www.NARFE.org and use the Legislative Action Center to send a letter to your Representative in support of the legislation.

—BY SETH ICKES, GRASSROOTS ASSISTANT

Order your copy of NARFE’s Congressional Directory for the 117th Congress (2021-2022) today! Clip and mail to: NARFE Congressional Directory 606 N. Washington Street /Alexandria, VA 22314-1914 Name___________________________________________________________________

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

NARFE 606 N. Washington Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 1-800-456-8410 Email: advocacy@narfe.org www.narfe.org

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CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTORY 117th Congress 2021-2022

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Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. Call NARFE’s Advocacy Department at 800-456-8410, option 3, to order by phone.

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

Washington Watch

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. 3076/S. 1720: The Postal Service Reform Act / Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-NY / Sen. Gary Peters, D-MI Cosponsors: H.R. 3076: 44 (D) 30 (R) S. 1720: 14 (D) 12 (R) 1(I)

POSTAL REFORM

WHAT BILL WOULD DO Creates a new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program starting in January 2023. All postal employees and retirees would be moved to the new PSHB program, except Medicareeligible postal retirees who do not enroll in Medicare. Because retirees without Medicare tend to cost more to insure, this bill risks increasing premiums for federal employees and retirees enrolled in Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program plans.

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: 217 (D) 58 (R) S. 145: 5 (D) 5 (R) H.R. 304: The Equal COLA Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA Cosponsors: H.R. 304: 22 (D) 3 (R) H.R. 4315: The Fair COLA for Seniors Act / Rep. John Garamendi, D-CA FEDERAL ANNUITIES

Cosponsors: H.R. 4315: 38 (D) 1 (R) H.R. 4268: Federal Retirement Fairness Act / Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-WA Cosponsors: H.R. 4268: 9 (D) 6 (R)

DC STATEHOOD

H.R. 51/S. 51 Washington D.C. Admission Act / Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC / Sen. Thomas Carper, D-DE

NARFE CENTENNIAL

Cosponsors: H.Res. 131: 14 (D) 4 (R) S.Res. 76: 3 (D) 2 (R)

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

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)

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 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)

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)

NARFE’s Position: 10

Advanced from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform by voice vote (H.R. 3076) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 1720)

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.

Cosponsors: H.R. 51: 216 (D) 0 (R) S. 51: 44 (D) 0 (R) 1 (I) H.Res. 131/S.Res. 76: Resolution Celebrating NARFE’s Centennial / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA / Sen. Ben Cardin, D-MD

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SAVE THE DATE

Together we give. NOV 30, 2021

Join Us for The Global Day of Giving

On November 30, 2021, people all around the world are coming together to tap into the power of human connection and strengthen communities and change our world. Will you be one of them? By joining the GivingTuesday movement, you’re proving that in times of uncertainty, generosity can bring the whole world together. It’s a great opportunity to support NARFE and a chance to share NARFE’s mission of advocacy and federal benefits education with others.

Here is how you can get ready to give: 1. MARK YOUR CALENDAR. 2. GIVE. On November 30, go to NARFE.ORG/GIVINGTUESDAY and donate. 2. SPREAD THE WORD. Encourage your friends and family to join you in creating real impact on November 30 by sharing what our mission means to you and why you support our organization. Let’s rally together to build stronger communities. Learn more at NARFE.ORG/GIVINGTUESDAY or send in the coupon below with your donation. Enclosed is my GIVING TUESDAY NARFE donation: q $150 q $100 q $50 q Other $_______________ q Mr. q Mrs.

q Miss q Ms.

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Name: ______________________________________________

OR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION:

Address:_____________________________________________

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Washington Watch

NARFE BILL TRACKER

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

FEDERAL PERSONNEL POLICY

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)

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

Provides federal employees with a 3.2 percent average pay raise in 2022.

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.R. 392) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 561)

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)

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: Wellbeing 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. 392/S. 561: The Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA / Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI Cosponsors: H.R. 392: 54 (D) 1 (R) S. 561: 11 (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: 33 (D) 0 (R) S. 1158: 4 (D) 0 (R) H.R. 82/S. 1302: The Social Security Fairness Act / Rep. Rodney Davis, R-IL / Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH Cosponsors: H.R. 82: 173 (D) 54 (R) S. 1302: 28 (D) 4 (R) 2 (I) H.R. 2337: The Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act / Rep. Richard Neal, D-MA

GPO/WEP

Cosponsors: H.R. 2337: 176 (D) 0 (R)

NARFE’s Position: 12

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NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

Support

Oppose

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Questions & Answers

Q&A

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

EMPLOYMENT FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

Several colleagues have encouraged me to use a flexible spending account. I read that they have a “use it or lose it” clause and decided not to set up an account. Could you explain the benefits of this program?

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) offer a way for current employees to save money by paying for qualified expenses with earnings that are not subject to federal, state, FICA or Medicare taxes. Simply put, the allotment for FSAs comes out of your paycheck before taxes. For a Health Care FSA (HCFSA) or a Limited Expense Health Care FSA (LEX HCFSA), you can be reimbursed for eligible claims incurred up to your annual allotment (plus any carryover, if applicable). For the Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA), you can only be reimbursed up to the amount in your account at the time your claim is processed. The 2021 minimum was $100 for health care, with a maximum of $2,750 per individual. The DCFSA limit was $5,000 per household. The IRS will soon publish the limits for 2022. 16

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

Typically, a DCFSA is used to pay for care of children under age 13, including before- and after-school care, babysitting and other daycare expenses. A DCFSA can also be used for care for your spouse or a relative who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care and lives in your home. Be sure to review all eligible expenses at https://fsafeds.com/explore/ dcfsa/expenses. An HCFSA helps pay for health, dental, and vision expenses for you and your family that are not covered by insurance. Eligible expenses include the usual out-of-pocket expenses for your deductible, copays and coinsurance, but there are other expenses that can be reimbursed that you may not have considered. You may be reimbursed for chiropractic care, acupuncture, counseling and even massage therapy. Continuous

Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) equipment and supplies, crutches, canes, defibrillators, hearing aids and orthotics are also considered eligible expenses, as well as vision care, including eye exams, contact lenses and supplies, prescription eyeglasses and laser eye surgery. Over-the-counter items such as acne, allergy and sinus medicines; antacids; pain relievers; cough drops; eye drops; hand-sanitizers; insulin testing materials; and sunscreen can be covered. Transportation to and from medical, dental and vision office visits are also covered. Be sure to review all eligible expenses at https://fsafeds.com/ explore/hcfsa/expenses. Employees who use a Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and a Health Savings Account (HSA) can also use a LEX HCFSA for reimbursement of dental and vision expenses only. This option is also available if your spouse is enrolled in a non-FEHB HDHP and has an HSA. You may sign up during Open Season, which is November 8 to December 13 this year, at www.

fsafeds.com. Your election will be effective January 1, 2022. Many of the FEHB plans and Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Plans (FEDVIP) participate in a paperless reimbursement system. You can find the list of plans at www.fsafeds.com/ support/faq/all/635. Learn more about reimbursements at www.fsafeds.com/support/ reimbursementsandpayments. Be sure to take full advantage of this benefit while you are employed, as FSAs are not available after you leave federal service. When surveyed by OPM, FSAFEDS participants noted that they preferred carryover, and OPM determined that carryover provided the best protection against forfeitures for most participants. Rather than only having 2½ months to incur expenses to deplete your prior year balance, you have a full year. In addition, if you do not use the funds, you can continue to carry the balance forward, as long as it does not exceed $550 in total and you reenroll for the following year.

TSP CONTRIBUTIONS

Q A

When should I set up TSP contributions for 2022?

You can elect your TSP contributions in the last pay period of the year for the following year. For many, this will be December 19 – January 1, 2022. The 2022 IRS contributions limits are generally announced by the TSP near the end of November. Once you have reached the elective deferral limit, your contributions will be stopped for the rest of the year. This means that Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) participants who reach the limit before the year’s final pay date will also miss out on matching

FEDS MUST BE VACCINATED BY NOVEMBER 22 On Sept. 9, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. signed an executive order requiring that all federal employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. Federal employees will have until November 22 to receive both vaccinations (one vaccination if receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) and to complete the two-week waiting period post-vaccination before they are considered fully vaccinated. Teleworking employees will be required to get vaccinated, and new federal employees who start their government service after November 22 need to be fully vaccinated prior to their start date. Employees with a “disability or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance” may be exempt from the vaccine mandate. For more information, visit https://www. saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/vaccinations/.

contributions for the rest of the year. Be sure to check the TSP website for 2022 contribution limits: www.tsp.gov.

Q A

May I contribute to the TSP from my lump sum annual payment?

No. TSP contributions may only be made from basic pay, and the lump sum annual leave payment is not considered basic pay. Generally, basic pay is subject to retirement contributions, which is one way to determine the pay used for TSP matching contributions as well as the pay used to compute the high-three average salary for your retirement benefit.

FEHB COVERAGE

My spouse has cheaper/ better health insurance coverage from her nonfederal employer and can cover me for less than what I would pay if I participate in the FEHB program. Why should I enroll in FEHB?

To continue FEHB into retirement, employees need to be covered under FEHB for five years immediately prior to retirement (coverage

under a spouse’s FEHB plan counts, and coverage under TRICARE can be used to meet the five-year test if you are covered by FEHB on the last day of employment). Retirees pay the same rate as employees, although retirees pay premiums after tax, while employees have the benefit of paying with pre-tax dollars. Most private-sector employers do not continue coverage for employees who have separated, and some that do may not offer the same rates or family coverage. Federal retirees continue to enjoy annual Open Season periods and the ability to change plans as their needs change.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

I am considering leaving federal service soon, but I am not eligible to retire until July 2022. What do I give up if I resign now?

You are eligible for a deferred retirement benefit if you have at least five years of creditable civilian service (with retirement coverage). If you have at least 10 years of creditable service, you may receive a benefit as early as your Minimum Retirement NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

Questions & Answers Age (55-57, depending on your year of birth). Under a deferred retirement, you will not be eligible to reinstate your insurance benefits or receive credit for your unused sick leave. In addition, the FERS supplement that bridges the time between retirement and qualifying for Social Security is not payable under the deferred retirement rules. It is important to consider the value of an immediate retirement compared with a deferred retirement before making this important decision. Your agency’s human resources or personnel office may be able to provide you with resources to further evaluate your decision.

RETIREMENT MEDIGAP AND MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

I have FEHB and am turning 65. My mailbox is full of unsolicited marketing from health insurance companies wanting me to apply for Medigap coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan. Do I need this?

At age 65, you qualify to enroll in Medicare. Most federal retirees maintain their FEHB coverage and enroll in Medicare Part A hospital insurance, which is available at no premium because you’ve paid the Medicare Hospital Insurance Tax (HIT) throughout your career (currently 1.45 percent). You may also wish to enroll in Medicare Part B; however, you will pay a premium for Medicare Part B (the standard premium for 2021 is $148.50 per month per person, and the premium is adjusted for higher income enrollees). If you enroll in Part B, many federal plans will waive their deductible, copays and coinsurance when Medicare is

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

the primary payer. Some plans also offer a partial Medicare Part B reimbursement as a further incentive to enroll. Federal retirees may choose to suspend their FEHB coverage to use a Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plan, or they can continue FEHB coverage and use their FEHB plan to “supplement” Medicare Parts A and B. There are some FEHB plans that offer a Medicare Advantage plan without leaving FEHB coverage. All of this is to say that there’s no one easy, quick answer to your question. But never fear. Helpful webinars are available at the NARFE Federal Benefits Institute at www.NARFE.org, including two that have been updated for 2021: “To B or Not to B: Is Medicare Part B Right for You?” and “Understanding Medicare Advantage.” In those webinars, NARFE’s federal benefits experts take a deep dive into your question and provide a more comprehensive answer than we have space for here.

COLA

Q A

When can I expect to receive my COLA?

Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are effective December 1 based on the increase in prices measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) calculating the difference of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2020 and the third quarter of 2021. The announcement is published in mid-October. The COLA that you receive in your first year of retirement is prorated by the number of months you were retired before the effective date

of the increase. Most FERS retirees will not receive a COLA until they reach age 62. COLAs are reflected in the January 1 annuity payment, which is the payment for December. For more details, visit the BLS website at www.bls.gov/cpi/.

SURVIVOR BENEFITS

If I predecease my husband, what does he need to do to apply for the FERS survivor benefit that is provided for him through my retirement?

Surviving spouses should notify the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) upon the death of a federal retiree. You can call 888-7676738, or go online and report the death at https://rsreporting. opm.gov/AnnuitantDeath. Your surviving spouse must have your Civil Service Active (CSA) number handy; it can be found on your annuity statement and in any communication you’ve received from OPM since you’ve retired. OPM will stop paying the annuity upon the death notification and will send an application to apply for the survivor benefit. OPM will also confirm eligibility to continue coverage under the FEHB program. The coverage will be changed to Self Only if there are no additional family members eligible for coverage. OPM will provide information for claiming Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) benefits. This process may take several months to finalize. During this time, health insurance will continue with premiums deducted once the claim is finalized. Surviving spouses are eligible to continue or elect coverage under FEDVIP if eligible for a survivor benefit. A survivor annuity is not necessary to

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Questions & Answers continue coverage under the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP); surviving spouses receiving a survivor annuity may apply for coverage at www.ltcfeds.com. Surviving spouses should also notify the TSP of the retiree’s death by submitting form TSP-17- “Information Related to Deceased Participant.” Once Social Security has been notified (1-888-772-1213), a determination will be made for eligibility of widow(er)’s benefits. A special one-time, lumpsum death payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the deceased, or, if living apart, was receiving certain Social Security benefits based on the deceased’s record. Check out the Benefits Brief article in the September issue of NARFE Magazine for additional details.

Q A

How can I change my retirement benefits if my spouse predeceases me?

Notify OPM and provide a copy of your spouse’s death certificate to stop the deduction for the survivor benefits election you made when you retired. Your unreduced annuity is restored in this event. And be sure to let OPM know to change your health benefits to Self Only coverage. You may also want to update the designation of beneficiary forms you have on file for Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or FERS retirement, FEGLI, and TSP. All the forms may be found at www.opm. gov/healthcare-insurance/ life-insurance/designating-abeneficiary/#url=Designationof-Beneficiary. Follow the instructions on each form.

NARFE AT YOUR SERVICE At NARFE Headquarters, experts are available to answer questions and assist in helping with a variety of benefit matters.

CALL NARFE AT

800-456-8410, OPTION 2

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 mail to NARFE Headquarters, ATTN: Federal Benefits; or submit it by email to fedbenefits@ narfe.org.

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this calendar to remind you of the great things that NARFE does for you every day. Go to www.narfe.org/calendar to or more will go a long request your calendar. Your gift in this amount rned pay and benefits! ea r you g in ct ote pr to y wa Hurry! Quantities are limited. FR21CAD

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Benefits Brief

Survivor Benefits: Social Security Part II

ast month, we examined Social Security benefits for a surviving spouse, but others may also be entitled to a deceased individual’s Social Security benefit. When an

individual who had worked long enough to qualify for Social Security benefits dies, benefits may be available to a child, parent or former spouse.

SURVIVING CHILDREN

Eligible children can receive up to 75 percent of the deceased parent’s basic Social Security benefit. But there is a limit to how much Social Security can pay to a family. The family maximum payment, 150 to 180 percent of the parent’s full benefit amount, is determined as part of every Social Security benefit computation. If the total amount payable to all family members exceeds this limit, each person’s benefit is reduced proportionately (except the parent’s) until the total equals the maximum allowable amount. Your unmarried child can get benefits if he or she is: • Younger than age 18. • Between ages 18 and 19 and a full-time high school student. • Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22. Under certain circumstances, benefits may also be paid to a stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild or adopted child. To learn about applying for children’s benefits, visit www.ssa. gov/forms/ssa-4.html.

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

SURVIVING DEPENDENT PARENTS

Although rare, if you are the surviving parent, you may be entitled to benefits based on your child’s Social Security work record. You must have been receiving at least half of your support from your child, and you must not be eligible to receive a retirement benefit that is higher than the benefit that could be paid on your child’s record. Generally, you also must not have married after your child’s death; however, there are exceptions. A stepparent or adoptive parent may receive benefits if he or she became the child’s parent before the child reached age 16. As a surviving parent, you may be entitled to 82½ percent of your child’s benefit, but if there are two surviving parents, the benefit is reduced to 75 percent each. To learn about applying for parent’s benefits, visit www.ssa. gov/forms/ssa-7.html.

SURVIVING DIVORCED FORMER SPOUSE

Divorced spouses who were married for at least 10 years are eligible for Social Security benefits on the ex-spouse’s

record. If you are caring for a child who is under age 16 or disabled and who receives benefits on the record of your former spouse, you do not have to meet the length-of-marriage rule. The child must be your former spouse’s natural or legally adopted child. If you remarry after you reach age 60 (age 50 if disabled), the remarriage will not affect your eligibility for survivor’s benefits. Generally, the same payment rules apply to divorced spouses as to current spouses. Your local Social Security office representative can provide an estimate of the benefit you may receive based on your former spouse’s earnings record. You’ll need to show your marriage certificate and divorce decree to prove eligibility, along with your former spouse’s Social Security number, or, if you don’t have that, his or her date of birth, place of birth and parents’ names. To report a death or apply for benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Social Security representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. —TAMMY FLANAGAN IS THE PRINCIPAL OF TAMMY FLANAGAN LLC (RETIREFEDERAL.COM). SHE IS A FEATURED PRESENTER ON NARFE’S FEDERAL BENEFITS INSTITUTE WEBINARS.

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NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

FINDING YOUR WAY Through the Medicare Part B Dilemma BY TAMMY FLANAGAN

Federal retirees face the difficult decision of whether to enroll in Medicare Part B. This usually happens around age 65 but can be delayed until retirement, if later. NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

At the time you face the Medicare Part B enrollment decision, there may be decades of health care issues ahead of you that will make you glad you analyzed your choices. Let’s examine your Medicare options.

MEDICARE PART A

If you don’t elect Part B, your Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plan will continue to cover you, so why would you need to add more coverage and pay an additional cost? Let’s first review three basic concepts: 1. Unlike FEHB, Medicare Parts A and B (aka original Medicare) provide no coverage for catastrophic expenses, which means they have no limit on annual out-of-pocket spending on health care. 2. FEHB will supplement Medicare after retirement. Many plans “wrap around” Medicare by removing their cost-sharing (annual deductible, copayments, and coinsurance on in-network and out-of-network expenses) when Medicare is the primary payer. The combination can provide more comprehensive coverage than FEHB alone by eliminating most out-of-pocket costs for health care. 3. If you are covered by TRICARE For Life or a nonFEHB Medicare Part C (aka Medicare Advantage) plan—both of which require enrollment in Medicare A and B—retirees and survivor annuitants may suspend, rather than cancel, FEHB coverage, as cancellation of FEHB is a one-way ticket out of the program. Peace Corps volunteers may also suspend FEHB. Some individuals worry about finding doctors who accept Medicare patients, but odds are that your doctor participates in original Medicare. According to a University of Michigan study, 60 percent of your health care spending takes place once you’re eligible for Medicare, so doctors generally participate because many of their patients are over age 65. 26

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

Medicare Part A covers inpatient care (hospital, hospice or skilled care facility). For most people, there is no premium for Medicare Part A because you (or your spouse) have paid the 1.45 percent Medicare Hospital Insurance Tax (HIT) during your career. It generally makes sense to enroll in Medicare Part A during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which begins three months before your 65th birthday and continues for three months after.

MEDICARE PART B

Medicare Part B, sometimes referred to as outpatient or doctors coverage, covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services. You can enroll in Medicare Part B during your IEP or during the General Enrollment Period (GEP) each year that runs from January 1 to March 31, with coverage effective beginning July 1. For those enrolling during the GEP, there may be a 10 percent surcharge added to the standard premium for every 12 months you could have enrolled in Part B but didn’t. Besides the benefit of wraparound coverage with certain FEHB plans, there may be occasions when Medicare goes beyond the limits of your FEHB plan. For example, if your FEHB plan requires network providers, Medicare covers care when you wish to see providers outside of your plan’s network. Also, there may be times Medicare coverage exceeds your FEHB plan limits for things such as physical therapy when deemed to be “reasonable and necessary” for your recovery. Without Medicare, you may also need to meet your FEHB deductible, pay a copayment and be limited to a certain number of visits. Recovery from a fall at age 85 may take longer than it did when you were 55. Medicare caters to the needs of the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

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MEDICARE PART C

Medicare Part C, sometimes referred to as Medicare Advantage (MA), may offer incentives such as catastrophic limits; gym memberships; vision, hearing and dental care; limited meal delivery; and transportation to doctor visits. When you enroll in a Part C plan, Medicare pays the insurance company to take on your health risk. To attract large numbers of enrollees, many plans set very low premiums or even have a $0 premium for the plan itself. Although MA plans are an alternative to original Medicare, you will still pay for Part B. However, to have costs covered, almost all plans require you to use the plan’s network of physicians and hospitals in a specific geographic area. These networks may be more limited and require referrals to see a specialist. Some PPO MA plans have higher costs for out-of-network services. You can change non-FEHB MA plans during the annual open enrollment from October 15 to December 7. Explore the available plans in your area at www.medicare. gov/plan-compare. To make things more confusing, there are some FEHB plans that offer MA coverage. These may provide the most flexibility by combining the benefits of MA with additional benefits offered by the FEHB plan. They may also include a Part B reimbursement amount. This is a relatively new

offering under FEHB and requires a two-step enrollment—first, in the FEHB MA plan, and then in the MA option of the plan. Here are some FEHB plans offering MA benefits: • UnitedHealthcare Advantage (Plan codes Y51 - Y53) • Aetna Medicare Advantage (Plan codes Z24 - Z26) • Kaiser Permanente (plan codes vary by location) • APWU Health Plan High Option (Plan codes 471 - 473)

MEDICARE PART D

Surprisingly, Medicare did not cover outpatient prescription drugs until January 1, 2006, when Medicare Part D plans became available. Most MA (Part C) plans include Part D prescription drug coverage. If you choose to enroll in one of the FEHB

Charges for Medicare Part B If your yearly income in 2019 was

You pay for Medicare Part B each month (in 2021)

File individual tax return

File joint tax return

File married & separate tax return

$88,000 or less

$176,000 or less

$88,000 or less

$148.50

Above $88,000 up to $111,000

Above $176,000 up to $222,000

Not applicable

$207.90

Above $111,000 up to $138,000

Above $222,000 up to $276,000

Not applicable

$297.00

Above $138,000 up to $165,000

Above $276,000 up to $330,000

Not applicable

$386.10

Above $165,000 and less than $500,000

Above $330,000 and less than $750,000

Above $88,000 and less than $412,000

$475.20

$500,000 or above

$750,000 and above

$412,000 and above

$504.90

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

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SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD If you’re covered by employersponsored health coverage through your or your spouse’s job, you may qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP) that allows you to delay enrollment in Medicare Part B without a late enrollment premium surcharge. The SEP lasts for up to eight months after retirement. See “How to Apply for Part B During Your Special Enrollment Period” at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10012.pdf. Note for TRICARE eligible employees: Eligible federal employees turning 65 often delay Medicare Part B and TRICARE For Life coverage until retirement, using only FEHB coverage while employed. After retirement, TRICARE For Life enrollment can occur once the retiree is enrolled in Medicare Part B, and FEHB coverage can be suspended.

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

MA plan options, you will be automatically enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Be aware that higher income enrollees may be required to pay a surcharge for Part D under the MA option. Participants enrolled in all other FEHB plans (those that are not FEHB MA) do not need to enroll in Medicare Part D; OPM has determined that the prescription drug coverage from plans participating in the FEHB program is, on average, comparable to Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

THE COST OF MEDICARE PART B

By now, you probably realize that the question of whether to enroll in Medicare mainly centers around the cost and value of Medicare Part B. Enrolling in Part B is necessary to qualify for TRICARE For Life or an MA plan, but it is optional when continuing FEHB coverage after age 65. The standard Part B premium in 2021 is $148.50 per person per month. In 1983, when federal employees began paying the Medicare tax, the premium for Part B was only $12.20 per month—a more than a 1200 percent increase in almost four decades. If you have limited income and resources, you may be able to get help from your state to pay your Medicare costs if you meet certain conditions (contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program). Additionally, since 2007, high-income enrollees have been paying surcharges on their premiums for Part B (and Part D). Nationwide, relatively few people on Medicare pay these surcharges, called the Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), which can add between $59.40 and $356.40 per month in Part B charges per person; however, it is becoming more common for federal retirees to be affected. The income the Social Security Administration uses to determine whether someone needs to pay the IRMAA is typically two years behind the year the IRMAA applies, which is why the chart on Page 28 shows 2021 payments based on 2019 income.

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OPTIONS FOR FEDERAL RETIREES

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s move on to the options federal retirees have regarding Medicare Part B. 1. Enroll in Medicare Part B. Consider offsetting the additional cost of adding Part B by changing your FEHB plan, looking for one with less expensive coverage that offers wraparound benefits and partial reimbursement for your Part B premium. Look at specific services that are not covered under Parts A and B, such as prescription drug benefits, hearing aids and overseas coverage. Additionally, if you have family members not covered by Medicare, be sure the plan choice will meet their needs. Along with annual Open Seasons, federal retirees can change their FEHB plan by using qualifying life event “2L,” which allows a oncein-a-lifetime change in your FEHB plan starting 30 days prior to becoming eligible for Medicare. The following FEHB plans cater to enrollees who have original Medicare as their primary coverage by providing wraparound coverage and a health fund or Medicare reimbursement: • Aetna Direct (Plan codes N61-N63) • BCBS Basic (Plan codes 111-113) • GEHA High Option (Plan codes 311-313) • MHBP HDHP (Plan codes 481-483) • CareFirst BlueChoice (Plan codes B61-B63) • United Healthcare plans (multiple plan codes) 2. Elect to use FEHB and Medicare Part A only, and indefinitely delay Medicare Part B. If you take this route, you won’t have to pay Part B premiums; however, you will continue to be responsible for your plan’s cost-sharing and expenses in excess of the plan’s allowances as 32

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

well as limitations regarding in-network and outof-network benefits. 3. Delay Part B enrollment temporarily if your income is soon going to be lower due to post-retirement work ending, sale of rental property, or divorce or death of a spouse. This can be a good idea given the two-year IRMAA lag mentioned earlier. The IRMAA surcharge is on top of the standard Part B premium ($148.50 in 2021), which means a few years of delay may result in savings that could take decades to recover. For example, if your IRMAA rate is $386.10 per month (see earlier chart) and you delay enrollment in Part B for 24 months, you will save $9,266.40 (24 x $386.10). For more information on Medicare Part B and the IRMAA, see the Managing Money column in NARFE Magazine’s October 2021 issue. 4. Suspend FEHB to use an MA plan outside of FEHB or TRICARE For Life. Suspended coverage can be reinstated during the annual FEHB Open Season periods. This option requires enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B. Some low-income MA enrollees may qualify for extra help through programs such as Medicaid, PACE and Medicare Savings Programs to help pay for premiums and to lower out-of-pocket expenses. To find out more, visit www.medicare. gov/talk-to-someone. Note: If you are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and wish to continue to make tax-free health savings account (HSA) contributions, you may only do so if you are not covered under any part of Medicare (or any other health plan). You may delay enrollment in Medicare by using a SEP for Part B or, if retired, pay the late enrollment penalty if you enroll down the road. Most people are automatically enrolled in Part A when they receive Social Security benefits, but outside of this autoenrollment, you can enroll in Part A at any time after age 65, with no waiting period or penalty. Most of the information you need about Medicare is available at www.Medicare.gov, including which providers accept Medicare, and you can enroll in original Medicare online at www.ssa.gov/benefits/ medicare/. For information about coordination of FEHB and Medicare, contact NARFE’s federal benefits experts at fedbenefits@narfe.org, or watch one of the related webinars from the NARFE

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WEBINARS ON FEHB AND MEDICARE NARFE members can view several webinars from the NARFE Federal Benefits Institute (www.NARFE.org) related to this topic: • To B or Not to B: Is Medicare Part B Right for You? (archived from September 15, 2021) • Understanding Medicare Advantage (archived from October 14, 2021) • Which FEHB Plan is Right for You? (November 4, 2021) • So Many Choices: Which FEHB Plans Work Best With Medicare Parts A & B (November 18, 2021)

Federal Benefits Institute (www.NARFE.org). Check Section 9 of your FEHB plan brochure or search your plan’s website for information on specific coordination features. You may need one or more of the following forms when applying for Medicare or appealing the IRMAA surcharge: • CMS L-564 - “Request for Employment Information.” Use this form when you are covered by current employment health coverage at age 65. • CMS 40B - “Application for Enrollment in Medicare: Part B (Medical Insurance).” Use this form when enrolling in Part B during a SEP. • SSA-44 - “Medicare Income Related Monthly Adjust Amount: Life-Changing Event.” If you have a major life-changing event that causes your income to decrease, you can use this form to request a reduction of your Part B premium due to the IRMAA surcharge. • OPM 2809 - “Health Benefits Election Form.” For those who are looking to change their FEHB elections and are eligible for temporary continuations of coverage, use this form. • RI 79-9 - “Health Benefits Cancellation/ Suspension Confirmation.” Complete this form if you’re looking to suspend or cancel FEHB. There is no one-size-fits-all remedy to this dilemma, but it is important to take the long view on this decision. You may be enjoying excellent health at age 65, but that may not be the case 10 or 20 years down the road. Keep in mind that there are less expensive FEHB options to pair with Medicare Parts A and B that allow you to maintain a reasonable monthly rate. Consider the incentives built into many FEHB plans that include reimbursement for Part B premiums and wraparound coverage benefits. This is more than a financial decision—we all want the best health care available. —TAMMY FLANAGAN IS THE PRINCIPAL OF TAMMY FLANAGAN LLC (RETIREFEDERAL.COM). SHE IS A FEATURED PRESENTER ON NARFE’S FEDERAL BENEFITS INSTITUTE WEBINAR SERIES.

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

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PEN SEASON REPORT

2021 OPEN SEASON: NOVEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 13 FEHB PREMIUMS

n September 29, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced the premium rates for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program’s 2022 plan year. The enrollee share of premiums for non-Postal employees and all annuitants will increase an average of 3.8 percent in 2022. (Postal employees pay a different rate because of collective bargaining agreements.) The average increase in the government share of premiums will be 1.9 percent. The overall average total premium will be 2.4 percent more in 2022, which is lower than the average FEHB increases experienced in most of the past five years and competitive with premium increases projected for or reported by other large private- and public-sector employers. FEHB carriers may offer up to three plan options of any plan type: Self Only, Self Plus One or Self and Family. Overall, the FEHB program will offer 275 health plan choices in 2022. The actual number of choices

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

available to any given enrollee will be lower and will vary by geographic location. Changes in FEHB coverage may be made during Federal Benefits Open Season, November 8 to December 13. Also included in Open Season are the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) (see p. 50) and the Federal Flexible

EVEN MORE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT NARFE.ORG/ OPEN-SEASON. Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS). There is no need for enrollees to re-enroll in FEHB and FEDVIP unless they want to change plans or their current plan ceases participation. However, employees must re-enroll in FSAFEDS every year to continue to participate.

ENROLLEE PREMIUMS

The tables on pages 37, 38 and 40 list the 14 open-to-all fee-for-service (FFS) plans, the four restricted FFS plans and the largest participating HMOs; the 2022 cost of each plan for both employees and retirees; and the increase/ decrease from 2021. Rates listed are applicable to most non-Postal federal employees as well as all retirees and survivors. For a listing of all premiums, go to www.opm. gov/healthcare-insurance/ open-season/. Changes in FEHB enrollee premiums vary from plan to plan, but, on average, enrollees with Self Only coverage will pay $3.17 more per biweekly pay period; enrollees with Self Plus One coverage will pay $7.61 more per biweekly pay period; and enrollees with Self and Family coverage will pay $10.09 more per biweekly pay period. (Employees pay premiums on a biweekly SEE FEHB PREMIUMS ON P. 42

KEY: Employees pay biweekly Annuitants pay monthly

2022 PREMIUMS — FEE FOR SERVICE Plan Option

Code

Total Premium biweekly monthly

APWU HEALTH PLAN High Self 471 351.25 761.04 High Self & Family 472 842.96 1826.41 High Self Plus One 473 737.59 1598.11 CDHP Self 474 278.61 603.66 CDHP Self & Family 475 660.58 1431.26 CDHP Self Plus One 476 605.53 1311.98 BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD SERVICE BENEFIT PLAN Standard Self 104 372.33 806.72 Standard Self & Family 105 888.24 1924.52 Standard Self Plus One 106 814.24 1764.19 Basic Self 111 320.74 694.94 Basic Self & Family 112 786.42 1703.91 Basic Self Plus One 113 720.76 1561.65 Blue Focus Self 131 212.58 460.59 Blue Focus Self & Family 132 502.70 1089.18 Blue Focus Self Plus One 133 457.02 990.21 GEHA BENEFIT PLAN High Self 311 349.72 757.73 High Self & Family 312 876.38 1898.82 High Self Plus One 313 769.39 1667.01 Standard Self 314 250.66 543.10 Standard Self & Family 315 659.40 1428.70 Standard Self Plus One 316 538.94 1167.70 HDHP Self 341 252.83 547.80 HDHP Self & Family 342 667.99 1447.31 HDHP Self Plus One 343 543.59 1177.78 GEHA INDEMNITY BENEFIT PLAN Elevate Plus Self 251 316.51 685.77 Elevate Plus Self & Family 252 762.53 1652.15 Elevate Plus Self Plus One 253 707.14 1532.14 Elevate Self 254 194.97 422.44 Elevate Self & Family 255 545.93 1182.85 Elevate Self Plus One 256 448.44 971.62 MHBP Value Self 414 223.87 485.05 Value Self & Family 415 541.02 1172.21 Value Self Plus One 416 530.43 1149.27 Standard Self 454 313.04 678.25 Standard Self & Family 455 727.48 1576.21 Standard Self Plus One 456 720.55 1561.19 HDHP Self 481 305.59 662.11 HDHP Self & Family 482 710.09 1538.53 HDHP Self Plus One 483 676.28 1465.27 NALC High Self 321 343.14 743.47 High Self & Family 322 776.15 1681.66 High Self Plus One 323 758.98 1644.46 CDHP Self 324 218.55 473.53 CDHP Self & Family 325 512.73 1110.92 CDHP Self Plus One 326 482.16 1044.68 Value Self KM1 179.37 388.64 Value Self & Family KM2 420.99 912.15 Value Self Plus One KM3 395.70 857.35 SAMBA High Self 441 403.70 874.68 High Self & Family 442 968.87 2099.22 High Self Plus One 443 888.14 1924.30 Standard Self 444 326.74 707.94 Standard Self & Family 445 745.44 1615.12 Standard Self Plus One 446 703.25 1523.71

Govt Pays biweekly monthly

Enrollee Pays biweekly monthly

Enrollee Increase/Decrease biweekly monthly

244.86 574.13 524.63 208.96 495.44 454.15

530.53 1243.95 1136.70 452.75 1073.45 983.99

106.39 268.83 212.96 69.65 165.14 151.38

230.51 582.46 461.41 150.91 357.81 327.99

2.73 5.91 2.53 5.48 5.45 11.80 0 0 0 0 0 0

244.86 574.13 524.63 240.56 574.13 524.63 159.44 377.03 342.77

530.53 1243.95 1136.70 521.21 1243.95 1136.70 345.44 816.89 742.66

127.47 314.11 289.61 80.18 212.29 196.13 53.14 125.67 114.25

276.19 680.57 627.49 173.73 459.96 424.95 115.15 272.29 247.55

4.02 13.99 8.80 1.58 11.02 6.96 0 0 0

8.701 30.31 19.06 3.42 23.88 15.08 0 0 0

244.86 574.13 524.63 188.00 494.55 404.21 189.62 500.99 407.69

530.53 1243.95 1136.70 407.33 1071.53 875.78 410.85 1085.48 883.34

104.86 302.25 244.76 62.66 164.85 134.73 63.21 167.00 135.90

227.20 654.87 530.31 135.77 357.17 291.92 136.95 361.83 294.44

-3.28 -11.88 -7.17 0 0 0 1.84 7.96 3.96

-7.11 -25.74 -15.54 0 0 0 3.99 17.23 8.57

237.38 571.90 524.63 146.23 409.45 336.33

514.33 1239.11 1136.70 316.83 887.14 728.72

79.13 190.63 182.51 48.74 136.48 112.11

171.44 413.04 395.44 105.61 295.71 242.90

3.77 3.74 6.70 1.42 3.97 3.27

8.16 8.11 14.51 3.08 8.61 7.07

167.90 405.77 397.82 234.78 545.61 524.63 229.19 532.57 507.21

363.79 879.16 861.95 508.69 1182.16 1136.70 496.58 1153.90 1098.95

55.97 135.25 132.61 78.26 181.87 195.92 76.40 177.52 169.07

121.26 293.05 287.32 169.56 394.05 424.49 165.53 384.63 366.32

2.62 6.31 6.20 6.46 15.02 30.66 3.64 8.45 8.05

5.66 13.69 13.43 14 32.54 66.42 7.88 18.31 17.44

244.86 574.13 524.63 163.91 384.55 361.62 134.53 315.74 296.78

530.53 1243.95 1136.70 355.15 833.19 783.51 291.48 684.11 643.01

98.28 202.02 234.35 54.64 128.18 120.54 44.84 105.25 98.92

212.94 437.71 507.76 118.38 277.73 261.17 97.16 228.04 214.34

3.45 3.33 7.71 0 1.27 0 0 1.05 0

7.47 7.22 16.70 0 2.75 0 0 2.26 0

244.86 574.13 524.63 244.86 559.08 524.63

530.53 1243.95 1136.70 530.53 1211.34 1136.70

158.84 394.74 363.51 81.88 186.36 178.62

344.15 855.27 787.60 177.41 403.78 387.01

-3.28 -11.88 -7.17 -0.04 1.85 -0.20

-7.11 -25.74 -15.54 -0.09 4.00 -0.44

For restricted fee-for-service plans, see page 48. OPEN SEASON CHANGES for employees are effective at the beginning of the first pay period after January 1, 2022. Changes for retirees and survivor annuitants are effective January 1, 2022, and premium changes will

be reflected in February 1, 2022, annuity payments. If verified enrollment is required, the change notice from OPM should suffice for annuitants; the notification from their agency will suffice for employees. W W W. N A R F E . O R G

OPEN SEASON REPORT

KEY: Employees pay biweekly Annuitants pay monthly

2022 PREMIUMS — LARGEST HMOS* State(s) Plan Option

Total Premium Govt Pays Code biweekly monthly biweekly monthly DC, MD, VA AETNA OPEN ACCESS - CAPITOL REGION 577.64 1,251.55 244.86 530.53 High Self JN1 1,298.62 2,813.68 574.13 1,243.95 High Self & Family JN2 1,285.75 2,785.79 524.63 1,136.70 High Self Plus One JN3 341.29 739.46 244.86 530.53 Basic Self JN4 781.03 1,692.23 574.13 1,243.95 Basic Self & Family JN5 717.20 1,553.93 524.63 1,136.70 Basic Self Plus One JN6 DC, MD, VA AETNA DIRECT - CAPITOL REGION 289.97 628.27 217.48 471.20 CDHP Self N61 731.30 1,584.48 548.48 1,188.36 CDHP Self & Family N62 635.94 1,377.87 476.96 1,033.40 CDHP Self Plus One N63 DC, MD, VA CAREFIRST BLUECHOICE 417.96 905.58 244.86 530.53 Standard Self 2G4 993.04 2,151.59 574.13 1,243.95 Standard Self & Family 2G5 835.90 1,811.12 524.63 1,136.70 Standard Self Plus One 2G6 278.91 604.31 209.18 453.23 HDHP Self B61 662.67 1,435.79 497.00 1,076.84 HDHP Self & Family B62 557.80 1,208.57 418.35 906.43 HDHP Self Plus One B63 ID, WA KAISER PERMANENTE—WASHINGTON 401.32 869.53 244.86 530.53 High Self 541 882.89 1,912.93 574.13 1,243.95 High Self & Family 542 882.89 1,912.93 524.63 1,136.70 High Self Plus One 543 288.56 625.21 216.42 468.91 Standard Self 544 663.69 1,438.00 497.77 1,078.50 Standard Self & Family 545 663.69 1,438.00 497.77 1,078.50 Standard Self Plus One 546 DC, MD, VA M.D. INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE ASSOCIATION (MDIPA) 467.07 1,011.99 244.86 530.53 High Self JP1 High Self & Family JP2 1,309.69 2,837.66 574.13 1,243.95 912.20 1,976.43 524.63 1,136.70 High Self Plus One JP3 CA KAISER PERMANENTE—NORTHERN CALIFORNIA High Self 591 462.60 1,002.30 244.86 530.53 High Self & Family 592 1,104.27 2,392.59 574.13 1,243.95 1,104.27 2,392.59 524.63 1,136.70 High Self Plus One 593 376.10 814.88 244.86 530.53 Standard Self 594 880.06 1,906.80 574.13 1,243.95 Standard Self & Family 595 880.06 1,906.80 524.63 1,136.70 Standard Self Plus One 596 303.95 658.56 227.96 493.92 Prosper Self KC1 711.24 1,541.02 533.43 1,155.77 Prosper Self & Family KC2 711.24 1,541.02 524.63 1,136.70 Prosper Self Plus One KC3 CA KAISER PERMANENTE—SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 351.06 760.63 244.86 530.53 High Self 621 811.37 1,757.97 574.13 1,243.95 High Self & Family 622 811.37 1,757.97 524.63 1,136.70 High Self Plus One 623 225.39 488.35 169.04 366.26 Standard Self 624 520.90 1,128.62 390.68 846.47 Standard Self & Family 625 520.90 1,128.62 390.68 846.47 Standard Self Plus One 626 DC, MD, VA KAISER PERMANENTE—MID-ATLANTIC STATES 349.20 756.60 244.86 530.53 High Self E31 803.17 1,740.20 574.13 1,243.95 High Self & Family E32 High Self Plus One E33 803.17 1,740.20 524.63 1,136.70 280.27 607.25 210.20 455.44 Standard Self E34 644.60 1,396.63 483.45 1,047.47 Standard Self & Family E35 644.60 1,396.63 483.45 1,047.47 Standard Self Plus One E36 170.26 368.90 127.70 276.68 Prosper Self T71 485.23 1,051.33 363.92 788.50 Prosper Self & Family T72 400.11 866.91 300.08 650.18 Prosper Self Plus One T73 CO KAISER PERMANENTE— COLORADO 356.72 772.89 244.86 530.53 High Self 651 806.19 1,746.75 574.13 1,243.95 High Self & Family 652 806.19 1,746.75 524.63 1,136.70 High Self Plus One 653 304.23 659.17 228.17 494.38 Standard Self 654 687.56 1,489.71 515.67 1,117.28 Standard Self & Family 655 687.56 1,489.71 515.67 1,117.28 Standard Self Plus One 656 180.07 390.15 135.05 292.61 Prosper Self N41 442.97 959.77 332.23 719.83 Prosper Self & Family N42 406.95 881.73 305.21 661.30 Prosper Self Plus One N43

Enrollee Pays biweekly monthly 332.78 721.02 724.49 1,569.73 761.12 1,649.09 96.43 208.93 206.90 448.28 192.57 417.23

Enrollee Increase/Decrease biweekly monthly 31.33 65.95 69.88 8.28 14.57 17.11

67.87 142.89 151.40 17.93 31.57 37.06

72.49 157.07 182.82 396.12 158.98 344.47

1.43 3.11 3.62 7.85 3.15 6.83

173.10 418.91 311.27 69.73 165.67 139.45

375.05 907.64 674.42 151.08 358.95 302.14

4.92 7.58 9.22 3.95 9.38 7.89

10.66 16.43 19.97 8.56 20.32 17.10

156.46 308.76 358.26 72.14 165.92 165.92

339.00 668.98 776.23 156.30 359.50 359.50

-0.62 -6.03 -1.32 0.83 1.91 1.91

-1.34 -13.06 -2.86 1.80 4.14 4.14

222.21 481.46 735.56 1,593.71 387.57 839.73

24.92 67.22 47.91

53.99 145.64 103.80

-8.93 -25.39 -20.68 -6.88 -20.33 -15.62 0.75 1.75 -0.17

-19.35 -55.01 -44.81 -14.91 -44.05 -33.85 1.62 3.79 -0.37

217.74 530.14 579.64 131.24 305.93 355.43 75.99 177.81 186.61

471.77 1,148.64 1,255.89 284.35 662.85 770.10 164.64 385.25 404.32

106.20 237.24 286.74 56.35 130.22 130.22

230.10 514.02 621.27 122.09 282.15 282.15

1.54 -0.74 3.97 1.72 3.97 3.97

3.33 -1.60 8.60 3.73 8.60 8.60

104.34 229.04 278.54 70.07 161.15 161.15 42.56 121.31 100.03

226.07 496.25 603.50 151.81 349.16 349.16 92.22 262.83 216.73

1.50 -0.87 3.84 1.04 2.38 2.38 -6.79 -5.56 -9.80

3.25 -1.89 8.31 2.24 5.15 5.15 -14.71 -12.05 -21.23

111.86 232.06 281.56 76.06 171.89 171.89 45.02 110.74 101.74

242.36 502.80 610.05 164.79 372.43 372.43 97.54 239.94 220.43

-3.28 -11.88 -7.17 -0.19 -0.43 -0.43 -6.38 -15.71 -14.43

-7.11 -25.74 -15.54 -0.42 -0.93 -0.93 -13.84 -34.04 -31.28

*Based on information provided by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). If your plan is not listed, it simply means that your plan is not one of the largest. 38

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

Serving those who serve us all We believe finding the right medical coverage at a fair price should be simple. And with five specially designed plans, GEHA is making it easy for federal employees and retirees, like you, to access the coverage they deserve at a fair price. OPEN SEASON: Nov. 8 - Dec. 13 through midnight EST

OPEN SEASON REPORT

KEY: Employees pay biweekly Annuitants pay monthly

2022 PREMIUMS — RESTRICTED FEE FOR SERVICE Enrollee Increase/ Total Premium Govt Pays Enrollee Pays Decrease biweekly monthly biweekly monthly biweekly monthly biweekly monthly COMPASS ROSE HEALTH PLAN (members of the Intelligence Community, employees of Departments of Defense and State) High Self 421 351.02 760.54 244.86 530.53 106.16 230.01 0.19 0.40 High Self & Family 422 842.47 1825.35 574.13 1243.95 268.34 581.40 -3.54 -7.67 High Self Plus One 423 772.26 1673.23 524.63 1136.70 247.63 536.53 0.47 1.01 FOREIGN SERVICE BENEFIT PLAN (American Foreign Service personnel, Departments of State and Defense, USAID, Foreign Agricultural and Commercial services, other executive branch employees assigned overseas; Foreign Service retirees) High Self 401 292.76 634.31 219.57 475.73 73.19 158.58 1.44 3.11 High Self & Family 402 724.22 1569.14 543.17 1176.86 181.05 392.28 3.55 7.69 High Self Plus One 403 710.11 1538.57 524.63 1136.70 185.48 401.87 6.75 14.62 RURAL CARRIER BENEFIT PLAN (active and retired rural letter carriers) High Self 381 375.67 813.95 244.86 530.53 130.81 283.42 4.09 8.86 High Self & Family 382 811.02 1757.21 574.13 1243.95 236.89 513.26 17.43 37.76 High Self Plus One 383 772.12 1672.93 524.63 1136.70 247.49 536.23 20.74 44.93 PANAMA CANAL AREA BENEFIT PLAN High Self 431 325.92 706.16 244.44 529.62 81.48 176.54 5.33 11.55 High Self & Family 432 686.68 1487.81 515.01 1115.86 171.67 371.95 12.72 27.55 High Self Plus One 433 656.57 1422.57 492.43 1066.93 164.14 355.64 12.16 26.34 Plan Option

Code

NARFE PRESIDENT’S RESPONSE TO OPM’S OPEN SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT In response to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announcing September 29 that Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program premiums for America’s active and retired federal workers will increase by an average of 2.4 percent in 2022, NARFE National President Ken Thomas issued the following statement: “In a time of ever-increasing health care costs, I commend OPM for its hard work in keeping the FEHB average premium increase below that of the private market. The portion of FEHB premiums paid by federal civil servants and retirees will increase by an average of 3.8 percent; many other health systems are seeing greater increases. “While federal employees and retirees will continue to feel the pinch of rising health care costs, NARFE appreciates the diligence with which OPM staff negotiated rates to provide highquality benefits at a reasonable price. “Today’s announcement brought some additional good news for both retirees and employees: “First, the number of plans that offer enrollees Medicare Part B premium reimbursement has grown, to 29. That helps annuitants looking for coverage that meets their needs and fits their budgets. “For those employees who have not been able to draw down their flexible spending accounts this year, there’s a bright spot: All unused 2021 funds in health care and dependent care FSAs

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

can be used for reimbursement through 2022 if the employee re-enrolls in FSAFEDS. This is the right thing to do for federal employees and their families, given the difficulty scheduling elective procedures and closure of schools and child care centers due to the pandemic. “While higher costs for coverage may be unavoidable, federal employees and retirees should be aware that they have many options to choose from during Open Season. Although most enrollees will see an increase of less than 5 percent if they reenroll in their current plans, it’s still important to reevaluate your options. NARFE encourages all participants to thoroughly review the plans to select the one that best fits their needs. All federal employees and annuitants are encouraged to join NARFE’s upcoming Open Season webinars to help narrow their choices. “Congress can also do its part to help lower health care costs by passing legislation to lower prescription drug prices. FEHB carriers indicated that rising drug prices were a major contributor to the 2022 rate increases. As Congress considers the Build Back Better Act, NARFE urges leaders to preserve provisions to allow the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices for Medicare and to require FEHB plans to take advantage of those lower, negotiated prices. This would lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs for federal employees and retirees.”

Promoted to full-time life coach

With great benefits. Retirement offers the chance to dedicate your time to pursuing your passions. Federal retirees can rest easier knowing that UnitedHealthcare® Group Medicare Advantage PPO plan offers:

No out-of-pocket costs for covered medical services

Part B premium subsidy

Incentives like free gym memberships and hearing aid benefits

Nationwide network with access to any willing provider

It’s time to take advantage. Learn more at 1-866-482-1174, TTY 711 or uhcfeds.com/retirees Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. Administration services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates. Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations and exclusions apply. Not for distribution to retirees or beneficiaries. B2B EI21965305.0 10/21 © 2021 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All rights reserved. 21-965307

OPEN SEASON REPORT FEHB PREMIUMS FROM P.36

basis; retirees pay premiums on a monthly basis.) Enrollees with Self Only coverage in the popular Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Standard option will pay $127.47 per biweekly pay period in 2022; those with Self Plus One coverage will pay $289.61 per biweekly pay period; and those with Self and Family coverage will pay $314.11 per biweekly pay period.

CHANGES FOR 2022

New Reimbursement for Medicare Part B Premiums. In addition to existing plan options that offer some form of Medicare Part B reimbursement depending on the FEHB enrollees’ enrollment in Medicare Part B or Medicare Advantage, the following four plan options will now offer some reimbursement for an enrollee’s Medicare Part B premiums for those who also enroll in the carrier’s Medicare Advantage Plan: • Humana Value Plan • MHBP Standard Option • Compass Rose • Rural Carrier Benefit New Plan Options. There are 23 new plan options for 2022: • BCBS of Colorado (HDHP) • HealthKeepers, Inc.—Virginia (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Atlanta (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Austin, TX (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Central and NW, IL (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Chicago and NW, IN (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Cincinnati area (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Columbus, GA (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Corpus Christi, TX (HDHP) 42

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

• Humana CoverageFirst— Daytona (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Houston (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Lexington (Value) • Humana CoverageFirst— Louisville (Value) • Humana CoverageFirst— Macon, GA (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Orlando (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Phoenix (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— portions of Kansas and Missouri (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst—San Antonio (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst—South Florida (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Tampa (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Tennessee (HDHP) • Humana CoverageFirst— Tucson, AZ (HDHP) • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Southern California (PROSPER) Plan Terminations. OPM has not indicated that any health

plans will drop out of the FEHB program for the 2022 plan year. However, all HMO enrollees should review their plan’s 2022 brochure to see if they still live or work in their plan’s service area. Typically, two sources let enrollees know if a plan is terminating: • Pre-Open Season letter from OPM to all agency benefit officers. • Mailed notice to members from terminating plans.

INFORMATION SOURCES

Employees will receive Open Season information from their agencies, and most eligible annuitants, survivor annuitants and former spouse annuitants will receive information from OPM. Additional information will be added to OPM’s website as it becomes available before Open Season begins on November 8. Plan carriers will not automatically send enrollees their 2022 brochures. You must request a plan brochure or download it from www.opm.gov/ insure. —FEDERAL BENEFITS INSTITUTE

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS. We proudly stand with The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) in supporting federal employees. We’re committed to providing reliable benefits, helpful online tools and incentives to help keep active and retired federal employees healthy. Learn more at fepblue.org

PROUD CIRCLE SPONSOR OF

THANK YOU FOR A CENTURY OF

SERVICE

OPEN SEASON REPORT

FEHB FAQS FOR OPEN SEASON

hat are the parameters used to determine the dates for the annual Open Seasons for health, dental and vision insurances as well as for flexible spending accounts?

Each year, Open Season runs from the Monday of the second full workweek in November through the Monday of the second full workweek in December. This year’s Open Season begins Monday, November 8, and ends Monday, December 13. This is the time of year to ensure that you have the right health, dental and vision insurance coverage for you and your family. It is also the time for current employees to consider how much money to put aside in flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket medical and dependent care expenses for the upcoming year.

have had the same health insurance plan since the day I first joined the federal government years ago. Why is it important to have a federal Open Season every year?

Most Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans will see benefit and rate changes for the upcoming year. Some plans might drop out of the program, and others may change their service areas or coverage options. There are many different types of plans available in just about any ZIP code. It is wise to review your coverage during this period each year to decide what coverage and premium best suits your needs for the upcoming year. Another program to consider during Open Season is the 44

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). Through this program, you have the option to supplement your health insurance plan with separate dental and/ or vision insurance coverage that could potentially reduce your outof-pocket costs for these types of care. You may also cancel your participation in these programs during this period. A flexible spending account through FSAFEDS can save employees money through lower tax withholding. You can fund your account through pretax contributions from your salary and use the account to pay for health care out-of-pocket or dependent care costs. Typically, you cannot enroll, change your enrollment or cancel your coverage in these programs outside of an Open Season unless you experience a qualifying life event.

hy are the enrollee shares for some Self Plus One enrollments the same or higher than Self and Family enrollee shares for the same plan?

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) provided the following answer to that question: “For most enrollees, the enrollee share for Self Plus One will be lower than the enrollee share for Self and Family. However, it is possible that some plans will have higher enrollee shares for self-plus-one enrollments than for self-andfamily enrollments. The statutory formula that is used to calculate the government contribution is based on the

average of all plan premiums and requires that OPM calculate a maximum contribution for each enrollment type. In other words, there is a limit to how much the government will contribute toward the cost of a Self Only, Self Plus One or Self and Family enrollment. The government contributes the lesser of the maximum contribution or 75 percent of the total premium. The remaining amount is the enrollee share (how much the enrollee must pay). In some cases, such as plans with a premium cost that is above the program average, this calculation may result in a higher enrollee share for a Self Plus One enrollment than a Self and Family enrollment.”

hich benefit is the most important to consider?

The answer to that question can vary depending upon your medical needs in the upcoming year. For those not enrolled in Medicare Part B, the catastrophic protection benefit is very important. It puts a dollar limit on what you must pay out of pocket in terms of co-payments and coinsurance for the expenses that the plan covers. If a federal employee is married to another federal employee and they don’t have any eligible children under their FEHB plan, then it’s usually less expensive to maintain a separate Self Only FEHB plan versus a shared Self Plus One plan. However, you should consider using OPM’s online plan comparison tools and/or the

SEE WELL. BE WELL.®

ENROLL NOVEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 13, 2021 (MIDNIGHT EST).

Open Season is the perfect time to thank your eyes for all that they do. Enroll in your VSP® Vision Care benefit for access to great care and eyewear.

NEW FOR 2022 High Option plan at Premier Program locations now includes:

$250

featured frame brand allowance

$0 COPAY for your eye exam

Visit choosevsp.com to learn more about vision benefits available through VSP Vision Care. ©2021 Vision Service Plan. All rights reserved. VSP and “See Well. Be Well.” are registered trademarks of Vision Service Plan. All other brands or marks are the property of their respective owners. 96378 VCCM

Classification: Public

OPEN SEASON REPORT Consumers’ Checkbook Guide to Federal Health Plans to carefully compare your options, including physician networks and prescription drug coverage (NARFE members receive a 20 percent discount).

f I make an Open Season enrollment change and I have to go to the doctor after January 1, which plan do I contact to provide the insurance coverage based on my visit?

If you are an annuitant, you should contact your new plan. Your Open Season enrollment is effective January 1. However, if you are an active employee, your new plan is not responsible for providing coverage until the effective date of your enrollment change, which

for most active employees is the first day of the first full pay period in January. As an active employee, if you need medical services before the effective date of your Open Season enrollment or change, you should contact your old plan. Your old plan will provide coverage according to its new 2021 contract for care received in January before the effective date of your new plan. These expenses will count toward your prior year’s deductible.

an I enroll online in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) without contacting the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)?

BENEFEDS is an enrollment and premium processing system

sponsored by OPM that you must use to enroll in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. BENEFEDS includes a secure website and a call center. BENEFEDS also handles billing and premium administration. It’s the only place to enroll in a FEDVIP plan. You can enroll securely online at www.benefeds. com or by telephone at 1-877888-3337, TTY 1-877-889-5680.

s it possible to make a serious mistake in choosing an FEHB plan?

There really aren’t any bad plans in the FEHB. It’s just that there may be a plan that is better suited for you based on how and where you want to obtain your health care in the upcoming year. Federal employees, retirees

HONORING YOUR SERVICE WITH A BRIGHT SMILE. We stand with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) in supporting federal employees. We’re dedicated to supporting healthy smiles by offering worldwide dental coverage with no deductibles for in-network services. Learn more at bcbsfepdental.com

THANK YOU FOR A CENTURY OF

SERVICE

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

PROUD CIRCLE SPONSOR OF

OPEN SEASON 2021 NOV 8 - DEC 13

Enroll in the APWU Health Plan Medicare Advantage for High Option members Call: 855-383-8793 Visit: https://uhcvirtualretiree.com/apwuhp

2022 High Option Monthly Premiums Coming Soon! A Medicare Advantage plan designed for FEHBP. Take advantage of it. APWU Health Plan offers a Medicare Advantage plan for High Option members covered by Medicare Part A and Part B. The UnitedHealthcare® Medicare Advantage (PPO) for APWU Health Plan reduces or eliminates cost-sharing for services. Plus, it includes a $50 Medicare Part B monthly reimbursement. There’s so much to take advantage of: No deductible, coinsurance or copays

No need to coordinate primary and secondary payers

Prescription drug coverage throughout the Gap stage and Catastrophic coverage stage

FROM AN APWUHP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MEMBER

It's a homerun!

Choose a plan that offers benefits at no extra cost. SilverSneakers® Stay active with a free fitness program. NurseLine Access a registered nurse 24/7. UnitedHealthcare HouseCalls Get an annual in-home preventive care visit.

UnitedHealthcare Hearing Receive a hearing exam and access a wide selection of hearing aids. Provider network See any doctor who accepts Medicare patients and the plan.

OPEN SEASON REPORT

and their survivors enjoy the widest selection of health plans in the country. You can choose from among consumer-driven and high-deductible plans that offer catastrophic risk protection with higher deductibles, health savings/reimbursable accounts and lower premiums; fee-forservice (FFS) plans and their Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO); or Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO), if you live (or sometimes if you work) within the area serviced by the plan. Common mistakes include: enrolling in a costly plan or option when you don’t need one; a plan that doesn’t cover a specific benefit that you need; Self Only coverage when you need additional coverage or vice versa; or you enroll in a plan that requires you to use preferred providers and there are none in

your area. You might also make a mistake if you live outside the United States and Puerto Rico, and neglect to enroll in a plan that offers “overseas” benefits.

re there any useful tools online that can help me make decisions during this Open Season?

Several resources can help you understand the relationship between the three annual Open Season programs and aid you in choosing an FEHB plan and/or a FEDVIP plan. If actively employed, you also have resources to assist you with setting up a health care or dependent care Flexible Spending Account. To find all the information you need to make informed decisions during Open Season in one place, start with NARFE’s Federal

Benefits Open Season portal at www.narfe.org/open-season. Of particular interest are the five NARFE Federal Benefits Institute webinars dedicated to Open Season topics, including one on which FEHB plan is right for you, which will be streamed live on November 4. You can use the following link to access the Office of Personnel Management’s FEHB plan comparison tools once 2022 rates are made public: www.opm.gov/healthcareinsurance/healthcare/planinformation/compare-plans/. You should also review the brochure for each plan that you consider. Most of the FEHB plans offer tools on their individual websites that you might find useful. If you have questions about a specific plan, call the

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

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

• ASK QUESTIONS. Make sure to confirm information in your plan’s brochure by speaking with a plan representative. Do not assume anything. For example, plans may describe benefits in terms of “annual” or “annually.” This would seem to mean “each year,” when, in fact, it may mean that a year must have elapsed before it will cover you again. • ID CARDS. New plan identification cards showing your enrollment are issued by the health plan. If you do not change to another plan or option during Open Season, you don’t necessarily get a new ID card from the plan. • NO MORE SURPRISE BILLING. The No Surprises Act, passed in 2020 and effective January 1, 2022, protects patients from “surprise” medical bills following treatment by out-of-network health care providers at in-network medical facilities.

DON’T MISS THE DECEMBER ISSUE! * Prescription Drug Guide • Dental and Vision Plan Premiums

customer service phone number provided for the plan. For a more sophisticated set of online tools, consider using the Consumers’ Checkbook Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees. Some agencies have purchased access to this program for their employees, so if you are actively employed, refer to the following web link to see if your agency has secured access for you: www.checkbook.org/ newhig2/year22/more.cfm. If you don’t currently work for an agency that provides such access, you can use the discount code 20NARFE to receive 20 percent off the regular cost of using the website.

The site also offers some “Open Season Tips” at www. checkbook.org/newhig2/year22/ advice/11-fehb-open-season-tips. FSAFEDS has tools and calculators on its website to assist employees with determining the appropriate amount they might want to set up in a flexible spending account during the Open Season for any qualified expenses they anticipate incurring in the upcoming year. These tools are available at the following link: https://fsafeds. com/support/savingscalculators.

n my agency, who can I go to for assistance or answers to my Open Season questions?

For help with or questions about your Open Season options, contact your human resources office or your agency’s shared service center. Your agency should have provided you with its contact information. If you still need assistance after speaking with those sources, try contacting your agency’s headquarters’ level agency Benefit Officer using the following link for contact details: https://apps.opm.gov/ abo/index.cfm#list. If you have remaining questions that your agency can’t address, contact NARFE’s Federal Benefits Institute at fedbenefits@narfe.org.

Does MHBP have a plan for retirees? We do now. MHBP has a plan for every stage of your life, thanks to the introduction of the new Aetna MedicareSM Plan (PPO) with Extended Service Area (ESA) for MHBP in 2022. Our new Medicare Advantage plan provides highly competitive rates and lots of great features, including: • Prescription coverage • $0 deductible, copayments and coinsurance for medical care • $900 Medicare Part B premium reduction for eligible members • Added programs such as SilverSneakers® and Healthy Home Visits Plans offered by First Health Life & Health Insurance Company. This is a brief description of the features of this Aetna plan. Before making a final decision, please read the Plan’s Federal brochure(s). All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations and exclusions set forth in the Federal brochure. A single annual $42 associate membership fee makes all MHBP plans available to you. For more information about MHBP plans, refer to MHBP.com Aetna Medicare is a HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. 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. Y0001_GRP_4112_2022_M 19.22.321.1-NOV

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NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

OPEN SEASON REPORT

FEDVIP PLANS

verage premiums for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) will increase 0.81 percent for dental and rise 0.95 percent for vision in 2022, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced September 29. FEDVIP is separate from and different from the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. Visit www. benefeds.com for the most up-todate information.

In addition, there is no waiting period for major services such as crowns, bridges, dentures and implants. Under most plans, there is no 12-month waiting period or age limit for orthodontic coverage. Please review the dental plans’ benefits material for detailed information on the benefits covered, cost-sharing requirements and provider directories.

DENTAL INSURANCE

There are five vision plan providers: • Aetna Vision Preferred • Blue Cross Blue Shield Vision • The MetLife Federal Vision Plan • UnitedHealthcare Vision Plan • VSP Vision Care

There are 12 total dental coverage providers. Seven are nationwide: • Aetna Dental • Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental • Delta Dental’s Federal Employees Dental Program • GEHA Connection Dental Federal • The MetLife Federal Dental Plan • United Concordia Dental • UnitedHealthcare Dental Plan Five are regional: • Dominion National • EmblemHealth Dental • HealthPartners Dental Plan • Humana Dental • Triple-S Salud Dental plans provide comprehensive dental coverage, including preventive services covered at 100 percent when you use an in-network provider. There are no deductibles when using in-network dentists. Rates are based on ratings regions; you can find these regions by visiting narfe.org/open-season and scrolling to “FEDVIP Dental and Vision Coverage.”

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

VISION INSURANCE

Vision plans provide comprehensive vision coverage, including routine eye exams and vision correction without a referral. Plans also include low-vision exams and eyeglass frames and lenses, or contact lenses instead of glasses, at many eye doctor offices or optical retail stores. In addition, there are lens options such as shatter-resistant polycarbonate, scratch-resistant, anti-reflective, UV coatings, and tinted and progressive lenses, as well as discounts on laser eye surgery. Review the vision plans’ benefits material for detailed information on the benefits covered, cost-sharing requirements and provider directories.

PREMIUMS

Premiums will vary by plan and by enrollment type. Premiums

for the dental plans are based on home ZIP codes. See the specific plan brochure or call the plan’s customer service number to determine your region and premium. There is no government contribution to FEDVIP premiums. If you are a federal employee, your premiums will be taken from your salary on a pretax basis when your salary is sufficient to make the premium withholding. If you are an annuitant, premiums will be withheld from your monthly annuity check when your annuity is sufficient. Based on the Internal Revenue Code, pretax premiums are not available for annuitants. For information on each plan’s premiums, visit www. opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/ dental-vision/.

FEDVIP ELIGIBILITY

Federal and U.S. Postal Service employees eligible for the FEHB or the Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange), unless excluded by law or regulation, are eligible to enroll in FEDVIP. Annuitants are eligible regardless of FEHB or Health Insurance Marketplace eligibility. Eligible family members include your spouse, unmarried dependent children under age 22, and unmarried dependent adult children incapable of selfsupport because of a mental or physical disability that existed before age 22. The Affordable Care Act does not provide coverage under dental and vision plans for dependents up to age 26, as it does for health insurance.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR ANNUITANTS AND SURVIVORS • OPEN SEASON NOTIFICATION. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will send you notification by mail or by email if you have provided OPM with your email address. Both notices will provide details on Open Season and guidance on how to obtain information and materials. • PLAN PARTICIPATION. Make sure your current plan will participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program for 2022. This is especially important if you are currently enrolled in a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan. • STAYING PUT. If, after reading your current plan’s brochure—particularly about changes and premiums for 2022—you decide to continue your current coverage, you do not have to do anything. Your enrollment in your current plan will continue into next year, and the new premiums will be deducted from your February 1, 2022, monthly annuity payment. • MAKING A CHANGE. For Open Season changes, call the Open Season Express number provided in your FEHB Open Season notice, log on to Open Season Online at the internet address provided in

your Open Season notice, or contact the Open Season Processing Center provided in your Open Season notice. • LOW ANNUITY. If your monthly annuity is not enough to cover your plan’s 2022 premiums, you have the option to change to a plan that you can afford. You also may pay your monthly premiums directly to OPM if you want to stay with your current plan but your monthly annuity is not sufficient to cover the premium amount. • MEDICARE ENROLLEES. Make sure you read your plan brochure’s sections titled “When You Have Medicare” and “Coordinating Benefits With Other Coverage.” Section 9 of every FEHB brochure should provide these details. Call a service representative from the plan to address any questions you might have about the coordination of your FEHB benefits with Medicare. • AGE 65 AND NOT ENROLLED IN MEDICARE. Fee-for-service (FFS) plans include a section in their brochures titled “When You Are Age 65 or Over and Do Not Have Medicare.” This section details how, by law, the plan must use Medicare’s approved amounts on which to base its payments.

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NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

Medical Frontiers: Combating Leading Illnesses BY DAVID TOBENKIN

ulmonary disease, heart disease, stroke, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease—these are some of the leading medical scourges that cut short Americans’ natural lifespans. This story examines high-level medical progress in preventing, diagnosing and treating these conditions over the past decade and looks forward another decade to see how medical science may progress in fighting them.

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive lung disease that leads to a person’s inability to breathe. It affects both airways and lung tissue, often at the same time. The overall prevalence of COPD in the U.S., which currently affects about 6.5 percent of women and 4.3 percent of men over the age of 18, has been slowly declining over the past 10 years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Over that period, deaths from the disease declined from about 36 to 34 individuals in every 100,000 women, and from about 48 to 41 individuals in every 100,000 men. These changes are mostly due to a strong decline in tobacco smoking rates among the U.S. population over the past 50 years, though shifts in the prevalence and death rate for COPD happen at a slow pace, says James Kiley, a physician and director of the Division of Lung Diseases at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Better treatments for COPD have contributed to improvements in the symptoms that patients experience and, for example, are reducing breathlessness, diminishing cough and sputum production, and helping to prevent flare-ups of the disease, Kiley says. Pulmonary rehabilitation also helps many patients restore lung functionality and improve breathing, and it may reduce mortality. Advanced techniques such as insertion of endobronchial valves or lung transplant can improve outcomes for people with COPD. Kiley believes that over the next 10 years, research will target improving early detection of the disease so that proven and emerging therapies can be assessed for their efficacy in treating COPD and its symptoms earlier. These efforts should not diminish Americans’ best practices to prevent COPD, such as reducing tobacco smoking as well as other harmful environmental exposures.

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

Heart Disease Heart disease is a catch-all phrase for a variety of conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function. Between 2009 and 2019, there was an overall 11.5 percent decrease in age-adjusted mortality from heart diseases. However, this decline was primarily due to a decrease in death from coronary heart disease, the most common form of heart condition; deaths from other forms, such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation, have increased modestly over this period, notes Jerome Fleg, a medical officer in the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences at the NHLBI. Fleg says the decline in death from coronary heart disease is likely due to a combination of reductions in blood cholesterol level and smoking rates, and more widespread use of coronary angioplasty (a procedure to widen blocked arteries) to improve blood flow in patients who have a heart attack. A decline in the valvular disease death rate may be attributable to the increasingly widespread use of catheter-based methods to treat severe aortic valve disease. Predicting mortality trends for heart disease over the next decade is challenging, Fleg says, particularly given the continued increase in Americans’ rates of diabetes and obesity, and poorer blood pressure control in recent years. He notes that it is unclear whether the increasing use of personalized treatment using genetic profiling, artificial intelligence and remote monitoring will offset these unfavorable trends.

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The Biggest Event In Silver Dollar History!

he American Silver Eagle has been the most popular silver coin on the planet since its introduction in 1986. Its beautiful, iconic design inspires collectors, and investors love it because it’s struck in one full ounce of 99.9% fine silver, and guaranteed for weight and fineness by the U.S. Government. Now in 2021, for the first time ever, the coin’s design is changing.

The Most Important Coins in the Modern Era

When President Ronald Reagan signed the Liberty Coin Act into law, he didn’t know American Eagles would have the impact they’ve had, year after year. The coins were so popular that between 1986 and 2020, over 535 million were struck. That’s more than HALF A BILLION coins, easily making Silver Eagles the most bought coins in the world. Hugely popular now, Silver Eagles may soon become even more popular!

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new finishes and new designs. Now, for the first time in over three-and-a-half decades, the Silver Eagle is getting a new design, leading to a historic “first” unlike anything we’ve seen. The iconic Heraldic Eagle reverse is being replaced by a beautiful new “Eagle Landing” design. This is arguably a bigger deal than even the actual introduction of the coin because there’s so much more interest now than in 1986, with investors and collectors!

If You Knew Then What You Know Now...

If you’d had a crystal ball in 1986, you undoubtedly would have grabbed every Silver Eagle you could get. Those coins in uncirculated condition continue to be sought-after. Now you’re getting another chance to land a big Silver Eagle first, a Key Date. Additionally, since these newly designed Silver Eagles are only being released during the second half of 2021, it’s quite possible this will be one of the lowest mintages we’ve seen. That’s significant because it could make 2021 a DOUBLE Key Date, with both a new design and a low mintage. Demand for these coins is already sky-high, but if that

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There has been a revolution in the ability to remove clots in large vessels that are blocked in the brain, but only a small percentage of patients arrive in time and are eligible for this treatment.

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

Stroke

Stroke, which in 80 percent of cases is a blockage of blood and nutrient flow to the brain that results in brain tissue damage, is the No. 1 cause of adult disability. Approximately 800,000 individuals suffer a stroke every year. The U.S. mortality rate has declined from 43.5 to 37.6 individuals per 100,000 between 2007-2017, although health disparities remain, such as greater mortality in the Southeastern United States, says Clinton Wright, director of the Division of Clinical Research at the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The disability level for those affected by strokes has also declined. Developments in treating stroke over the last 10 years have been transformational in improving outcomes, Wright says. There has been a revolution in the ability to remove clots in large vessels that are blocked in the brain, but, he notes, only a small percentage of patients arrive in time and are eligible for this treatment. The availability of clotbusting medications has grown from about 5 percent of patients with brain blockages that would benefit from these treatments to 15 to 20 percent. In the next decade, “I expect we will see as much improvement as in the last 10 years; we will be able to deliver care to more people with more types of treatments to treat more types of strokes,”

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Wright says. He predicts that the treatability of strokes will continue to rise. Furthering the ability to access smaller blood vessels to remove clots will allow increased use of older as well as novel treatments, such as drug treatments that help protect brain tissue, stabilize it or decrease inflammation, since removal of clots allows medicines to reach the tissue. The ability to access such tissue will also spur innovation in drugs by the pharmaceutical industry, Wright believes. Given the importance of promptness for many stroke treatments, it is imperative that individuals recognize the symptoms of stroke—including drooping face, arm drift, problems speaking, problems with eyes and sight, and instability of gate—and seek immediate diagnosis and care by calling 911. Wright emphasizes the urgency: “There are windows for many types of stroke treatments; the worst thing to

“Many of the new drugs that have proven to improve mortality from breast cancer are targeted therapies, and others are chemotherapies.” – Kathryn Ruddy

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

see is a patient whom we could have helped who we cannot because he or she came in too late.

Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. A wide variety of cancers exist that afflict different systems and organs. Breast, prostate and lung cancers—which are some of the largest killers of adults among all cancers—are discussed below. A decade ago, there were approximately 230,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 40,000 deaths due to the disease in this country each year, which is expected to increase in 2021 to approximately 270,000 cases and 42,000 deaths, says Kathryn Ruddy, medical oncologist at Mayo Clinic and cochair of the Symptom Control/ Survivorship Cross-Disciplinary Group at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center. “In light of the 8 percent increase in the U.S. population over the last decade, these numbers reflect improvements in our breast cancer therapies that have allowed us to cure more patients and help people live longer,” Ruddy says. “Many of the new drugs that have proven to improve mortality from breast cancer are targeted therapies, and others are chemotherapies. And advances in surgery, such as minimizing the number of lymph nodes removed for many patients, and radiation techniques, such as reducing radiation of unaffected tissues, have reduced the morbidity [adverse medical impacts] of breast cancer treatment.” “Ten years from now, it is nearly certain that new treatments will evolve, perhaps including additional types of immunotherapy, which harness the immune system to fight the cancer,” Ruddy says. “These will hopefully help us continue to

Finally . . . a better mobility solution than Scooters or Power Chairs. The Zoomer’s versatile design and 1-touch joystick operation brings mobility and independence to those who need it most. If you have mobility issues, or know someone who does, then you’ve experienced the difficulties faced by millions of Americans. Simple tasks like getting from the bedroom to the kitchen can become a time-consuming and potentially dangerous ordeal. You may have tried to solve the problem with a power chair or a scooter but neither is ideal. Power chairs are bulky and look like a medical device. Scooters are either unstable or hard to maneuver. Now, there’s a better alternative . . . the Zoomer. My Zoomer is a delight to ride! It has increased my mobility in my apartment, my opportunities to enjoy theout-of-doors, and enabled me to visit the homes of my children for longer periods of time. The various speeds of it match my need for safety, it is easy to turn, and I am most pleased with the freedom of movement it gives me. Sincerely, A. Macon, Williamsburg, VA After just one trip around your home in the Zoomer, you’ll marvel at how easy it is to navigate. It is designed to maneuver in tight spaces like doorways, between furniture, and around corners. It can go over thresholds and works great on any kind of floor or carpet. It’s not bulky or cumbersome, so it can roll right up to a table or desk – there’s no need Zoomer conveniently rolls beneath table or desk

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Current research is exploring new biologic markers for prostate cancer that could be used to minimize unnecessary treatment by distinguishing early-stage cancers. reduce mortality and morbidity for patients with breast cancer.” Prostate cancer death rates declined by about half from the mid-1990s to the mid-2010s due to earlier detection through prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and advances in treatment, but remained stable from 2014 to 2018, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Recent changes in the grading system for prostate cancer have improved tumor characterization and disease management. The ACS notes that careful monitoring of disease progression (called active surveillance) instead of immediate treatment is appropriate for many patients, particularly men who are diagnosed at an early stage, have less aggressive tumors and are older. Current research is exploring new biologic markers for prostate cancer that could be used to minimize unnecessary treatment by distinguishing early-stage cancers that are more likely to progress if left untreated from those that are less likely to progress. For lung cancer, mortality has declined by 54 percent in men since 1990, and by 30 percent in women since 2002. This is mainly due to reductions in smoking, with the pace accelerating in recent years; from 2014 to 2018,

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

the rate decreased by more than 5 percent per year in men and 4 percent per year in women. According to ACS, cigarette smoking is by far the most important risk factor for lung cancer, with approximately 80 percent of lung cancer deaths in the nation still caused by smoking. NIH’s National Cancer Institute (NCI) states that much progress has been made by scientists in identifying many different genetic alterations that can drive lung cancer growth. A great deal of research has been conducted to find ways to detect lung cancer earlier. According to the NCI, several methods are currently being studied to see if they decrease the risk of dying from lung cancer. Scientists also have seen some promising results for study of treatment options for advanced stages of the disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease

The National Institute on Aging at NIH defines Alzheimer’s disease as an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys an individual’s memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, and one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2021 Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures.

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Ten years ago, mortality and morbidity were far less well-understood than today, which affected how patients were counseled after receiving a diagnosis, says Vijay Ramanan, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic. “Currently, mortality and morbidity are thought to be highly individualized,” Ramanan says. “Every patient with Alzheimer’s disease is different; symptoms can vary, and some progress more rapidly and others more slowly. Researchers are actively trying to understand the reasons for this. Over the past 10 years, new medical techniques have evolved, such as positron emission tomography (PET) imaging approaches that can noninvasively detect proteins involved in the disease [amyloid and tau].” The approaches may, in the near future, help detect these biomarker changes in the brain long before symptoms of Alzheimer’s appear. “Through more precise diagnosis and aggressive application of medication therapies and lifestyle modifications—such as exercise, cognitive and social activity, and healthy sleep and diet— patients are in a better position to optimize brain health with the goal of staying sharper and more independent for longer than they were in the past,” Ramanan says. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a drug, aducanumab, for potential use in mild stages of Alzheimer’s disease as a treatment to slow the progression of the disease, though many questions remain about its ultimate efficacy. “This new treatment is pivotal, while not a cure,” says Maria C. Carrillo, the chief science 62

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

“Patients are in a better position to optimize brain health with the goal of staying sharper and more independent for longer than they were in the past.” – Vijay Ramanan

officer at Alzheimer’s Association. “This is the first of a number of new treatments to come. History has shown us that approvals of the first drug in a new category invigorates the field, increases investments in new treatments and encourages greater innovation. We are hopeful for this drug and for better treatments for Alzheimer’s.” “Ten years from now, it is probable that new biomarker and genetic tests will help to predict who is at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and to better delineate who is most likely to experience more precipitous cognitive decline from the disease, versus those for whom it may be more slowly progressing,” Ramanan says. “It is also quite possible that there will be multiple new treatments that act on different mechanisms of the disease. There is reason for optimism that further advances will help prevent cognitive decline where possible, or, at a minimum, keep it at bay.” —DAVID TOBENKIN IS A FREELANCE WRITER BASED IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON, DC, AREA.

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Managing Money

Don’t Pass Up Any Tax-Advantaged Opportunities

he IRS provides very few opportunities for individuals to accumulate money in a tax-advantaged account, so it’s important not to pass up on these chances when

they’re available. Many federal employees don’t realize that they may make an annual IRA contribution in addition to their TSP contribution. This is true even when contributing the maximum allowable to the TSP.

To be clear, you must have eligible compensation income to contribute to an IRA, which includes wages from employment, commissions, self-employment income and nontaxable combat pay, among other sources. For married couples, both spouses may contribute to an IRA even if only one spouse has eligible compensation. There are limitations on how much someone may contribute to an IRA. For 2021, the annual IRA contribution limit is $6,000 for those younger than 50 and $7,000 for those 50 and older. Taxpayers may contribute 100 percent of eligible compensation up to the contribution limits. Like the TSP, IRAs come in traditional and Roth versions, which provide similar tax benefits as their TSP counterparts. Both the Roth TSP and a Roth IRA are funded with after-tax contributions, which simply means income tax is owed on the compensation income used for the contributions. The magic of both the Roth TSP and a Roth IRA is in the tax treatment of the earnings. The earnings in a Roth account grow tax-deferred 64

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

while they remain in the Roth account and will be tax-free with a qualified withdrawal. Like the traditional TSP, traditional IRAs may be funded with pre-tax dollars, which

LIKE THE TSP, IRAS COME IN TRADITIONAL AND ROTH VERSIONS, WHICH PROVIDE SIMILAR TAX BENEFITS AS THEIR TSP COUNTERPARTS.

means the income used for the contributions has not been taxed at the federal level. This is true for most states as well, but state rules vary and some do tax traditional retirement plan contributions. The earnings in both the traditional TSP and traditional IRA grow taxdeferred, and, along with the pretax contributions, are taxed upon distribution.

Unlike the traditional TSP, a traditional IRA may be funded with after-tax (nondeductible) contributions. And unlike the after-tax contributions made to a Roth account, the earnings on nondeductible traditional IRA contributions accumulate on a tax-deferred basis and are taxable upon distribution. But rather than leave the nondeductible contributions in a traditional IRA, the real opportunity comes when using a nondeductible traditional IRA contribution to fund a Roth IRA through the so-called backdoor Roth strategy discussed later in this column. The backdoor Roth strategy comes into play when a taxpayer’s income is too high to contribute directly to a Roth IRA. The income phase-out limits for a Roth IRA are $124,000 to $139,000 for single tax filers and $198,000 to $208,000 for joint tax filers. There are no income limits prohibiting someone from making a traditional IRA contribution. There are, however, income limits to determine whether the contribution will be deductible or nondeductible when a taxpayer is covered by an employer retirement plan. The phase-out limit for a covered taxpayer filing as single is $65,000 to $75,000. For married couples filing jointly, the phaseout limit for a covered spouse is $105,000 to $125,000, and for a spouse who is not covered by an employer retirement plan,

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

the phase-out limit is $198,000 to $208,000. If neither spouse is covered by an employer retirement plan, or if single and not covered, a traditional IRA contribution may be deductible regardless of income. As previously mentioned, the back-door Roth strategy may be used when a taxpayer’s income is too high to contribute to a Roth IRA directly. This strategy involves two steps: the first is to make a nondeductible traditional IRA contribution, and the second is to convert the nondeductible contribution to a Roth IRA. The Roth conversion will be nontaxable if the conversion consists of only the nondeductible contribution.

Please note, however, that taxpayers who have existing pre-tax contributions and/or earnings in a traditional IRA (including SEP and SIMPLE IRAs) will not be able to convert the nondeductible contributions tax-free due to the IRS’s pro rata rule. Not to worry though, as it’s possible to isolate the nondeductible contributions for a tax-free conversion using the strategy I outlined in the November 2020 issue of NARFE Magazine. 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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2020_02_NARFE_Apr_HHoriz.indd 1

2/12/20 9:51 AM

NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

For the Record

SLOW EMPLOYMENT GROWTH, SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES HAMPER RECOVERY

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN FUND RETURNS 2021

SEPTEMBER

2021

F FUND

C FUND

S FUND

I FUND

O.11%

-0.86%

-4.65%

-4.00%

-2.81%

AUGUST

0.11%

-0.18%

3.03%

2.00%

1.76%

JULY

0.13%

1.15%

2.37%

-1.24%

0.72%

YTD

0.99%

-1.40%

15.90%

11.66%

8.56%

1 YEAR

1.20%

-0.71%

29.98%

42.32%

26.04%

3 YEAR*

1.66%

5.41%

15.95%

15.53%

7.96%

5 YEAR*

1.98%

3.06%

16.86%

16.39%

9.17%

10 YEAR*

1.94%

3.25%

16.66%

16.44%

8.58%

SEPTEMBER AUGUST

L INCOME

L 2025

L 2030

L 2035

L 2040

-0.87%

-1.78%

-2.37%

-2.61%

-2.85%

0.63%

1.16%

1.50%

1.63%

1.77%

JULY

0.47%

0.75%

0.92%

0.99%

1.05%

YTD

3.52%

6.40%

7.92%

8.58%

9.26%

1 YEAR

7.15%

14.45%

18.00%

19.75%

21.54%

3 YEAR*

4.64%

N/A

9.06%

N/A

10.39%

5 YEAR*

4.76%

N/A

9.67%

N/A

11.07%

10 YEAR*

4.65%

N/A

9.98%

N/A

11.30%

L 2045

L 2050

L 2055

L 2060

L 2065

-3.05%

-3.25%

-3.87%

AUGUST

1.88%

1.99%

2.42%

2.41%

JULY

1.10%

1.15%

1.26%

SEPTEMBER 2021

G FUND

YTD

9.83%

10.41%

12.65%

1 YEAR

23.11%

24.70%

30.36%

3 YEAR*

N/A

11.50%

N/A

5 YEAR*

N/A

12.29%

N/A

10 YEAR*

N/A

12.44%

N/A

*ANNUALIZED.

Disappointing employment growth reinforced concerns that the continued spread of the coronavirus might derail the economy’s recovery. Although consumer prices rose at a slower rate, many companies identified supply chain disruptions as ongoing challenges. The Federal Reserve kept its target interest rate unchanged while signaling an intent to scale back monetary stimulus in the coming months. The C, S, and I Funds posted losses, with the latter hampered by a stronger U.S. dollar. Longer-term interest rates rose, contributing to a loss for the F Fund. All the L Funds fell.` —BY MICHAEL JERUE, FINANCIAL ANALYST, THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN RETURNS are net of the effect of accrued administrative expenses and investment expenses/costs. Source: TSP G Fund: Government securities (specially issued to the TSP) F Fund: Government, corporate and mortgage-backed bonds C Fund: Stocks of large- and medium-size U.S. companies S Fund: Stocks of small- to medium-size U.S. companies (not included in the C Fund) I Fund: International stocks of 21 developed countries L Fund: (Lifecycle) Invested in the G, F, C, S and I Funds (The proportion of L Fund balance invested in each of the individual TSP funds depends on the L Fund chosen.)

COUNTDOWN TO COLA The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 0.22 percent in August 2021. To calculate the 2022 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the 2021 third-quarter indices will be averaged and compared with the 2020 third-quarter average of 253.412. The percentage increase determines the COLA. August’s index, 268.387, is up 5.91 percent from the base. The CPI represents purchases of food and beverages, housing, apparel, transportation, medical care, recreation, education and communication, and other goods and services. For FECA COLA updates, visit narfe.org and search for FECA.

OPM RETIREMENT CLAIMS PROCESSING STATUS

2021

2020

Claims Received

MONTH

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

AUGUST 6,775 18,570 SEPTEMBER 6,244 18,274 OCTOBER 8,323 19.605 NOVEMBER 5,876 20,022 DECEMBER 5,135 19,687 JANUARY 13,850 26,968 FEBRUARY 7,495 26,460 MARCH 9.664 27,638 APRIL 9,414 25,386 MAY 7,684 24,619 JUNE 7,264 24,999 JULY 8,922 27,001 AUGUST 8,976 28,565

73 73 77 74 74 85 77 69 71 70 78 91 93

68 69 77 76 75 78 78 76 75 74 75 76 78

FOR THE NUMBER of new retirement cases the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) receives each month by agency and the percent with errors that it returns to those agencies, go to www.opm.gov/retirement-services/. l Source: OPM 66

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

CPI-W

Monthly % Change

% Change from 253.412

OCTOBER 2020

254.076

0.03

0.26

NOVEMBER

253.826

-0.10

0.16

DECEMBER

254.081

0.10

0.26

JANUARY 2021

255.296

0.48

0.74

FEBRUARY

256.843

0.61

1.35

MARCH

258.935

0.81

2.20

APRIL

261.237

0.89

3.08

MAY

263.612

0.91

4.03

JUNE

266.412

1.06

5.13

JULY

267.789

0.52

5.67

AUGUST

268.387

0.22

5.91

SEPTEMBER

Donate

to NARFE Programs

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

$14,061,552.06*

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

q Mrs. q Miss q Ms.

*Total as of September 31, 2021. 100 percent of all Name: ______________________________________________ contributed funds go to Alzheimer’s research.

Address: ____________________________________________

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

Olivia Williams 22 Garden Springs Road Columbia, SC 29209 EMAIL: oeashf3@gmail.com WRITE YOUR CHAPTER NUMBER ON CHECK; MAKE IT PAYABLE TO:

City: ________________________________________________ State: _______________________________________________ ZIP: ________________________________________________ Chapter Number: _____________________________________ Credit Card Information:

NARFE-Alzheimer’s Research AND MAIL TO:

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

q MasterCard

q VISA

q Discover

q AMEX

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

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

q YES!

I would like to help with my contribution.

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

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

NARFE News JUNETEENTH 2022

Enter NARFE’s 2022 Photo Contest

apture the image that conveys your interpretation of the phrase “America in Focus” and submit it to the 2022 NARFE Photo Contest. Winning photos will be

featured in the 2023 NARFE Calendar. Submissions will be accepted from now through February 28, 2022. Spread the word about the contest to friends and colleagues. If you are a NARFE federation or chapter leader, please provide a link to the guidelines, available at www.NARFE.org/ photocontest, on your website and e-newsletter, and include the guidelines in your print newsletter. All NARFE members in good standing, except for those who are professional photographers, are eligible to enter, even if they’ve already

had a photo appear in past calendars.

CONTEST GUIDELINES

Photos must be horizontal and size 8 x 10 or 8-1/2 x 11. Each member is limited to five photo entries and must put the following information on a piece of paper taped to the back of each photo: title, description (up to 15 words), member name, address, chapter (if applicable), email address and phone number.

Revving Up Recruitment

he NARFE Fall Membership Drive is in full swing, and with a $10 reward for every member you recruit, this is a great time to help NARFE grow. We hope your recruiting efforts have been going well and that you’re taking advantage of all our membership development resources. To access the resources, just go to www.NARFE.org, mouse over “For Members” on the menu bar, and select “Officer Resources”

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

from the dropdown menu. From the list of topics, click “Membership Officer Resources,” scroll down under “RECRUITMENT,” and click “NARFE Membership Recruitment Resources.” You’ll find all the recruiting tools you need, including: • A recruitment email template that incorporates a testimonial. • The NARFE membership brochure with powerful talking points.

Juneteenth, which commemorates emancipation from slavery, is not designated a federal holiday in the 2022 NARFE calendar. The calendar went into production and was printed before President Joseph R. Biden Jr. signed the holiday into law. It will be included in NARFE’s 2023 calendar.

No photos of children or pets, please. Photos sent by email will not be accepted. No Polaroids. Photos will not be returned. By entering the contest, you grant NARFE a nonexclusive license to use your photo in perpetuity in any medium, including editing, publishing, distributing and republishing it in any form. Entrants retain the copyright to their images. NARFE assumes no liability for any misuse of copyright. Photos for the 2023 calendar will be selected and winners notified by the end of June 2022. Send photos to NARFE Photo Contest, Attn: C. Marwitz, NARFE, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314.

• An “elevator speech” to help you quickly and effectively explain the benefits of NARFE membership. • The “About NARFE” video that you can use if you have the opportunity to give a short introduction to NARFE and want the impact of professional, polished media. • A membership presentation script that covers NARFE’s advocacy efforts and all our key member benefits. SEE RECRUITMENT ON P. 72

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

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

Who Should Join NARFE?

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

• Visit the Legislative Action Center to contact your representatives about bills affecting federal benefits. • Get NARFE Magazine with news and insights for the federal community. • Save time, hassle and money with NARFE Perks. • The opportunity to get involved at the local level by joining a chapter in your area. 1Q6

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

q Mr. q Mrs. q Miss q Ms.

q MasterCard

______________________________________________

Full Name

______________________________________________

Street Address Apt./Unit

______________________________________________

City

State

ZIP

______________________________________________

Phone

______________________________________________

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

q Active Federal Employee Spouse

q Annuitant Spouse

q VISA

q Discover

q AMEX

___________________________________________ Card No. Expiration Date _____ /________ mm

______________________________________________

q Annuitant

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

yyyy

___________________________________________ Name on Card ___________________________________________ Signature ___________________________________________ Date

TOTAL DUES $48 Annual Dues X ___________ = ___________ Per Person # Enrolling Total Dues Dues payments are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

q Survivor Annuitant

q Please enroll my spouse _________________________________________

Spouse’s Full Name

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

_________________________________________

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

THREE EASY WAYS TO JOIN

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

Spouse’s Email

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

2. Join online at www.NARFE.org. 3. Call 800-456-8410, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

___________________________________________ Recruiter’s Name ___________________________________________ Recruiter’s Membership ID NARFE respects the privacy of our members. Personal information is used to provide content and relevant communications to our members, and will not be sold or rented to third parties. (01/21)

NARFE News

NARFE Scholarship Winners

e are proud to announce the 2021 NARFE Scholarship winners and their NARFE sponsors. Each student will receive a one-time award of $1,000 to put toward the 2021-22 school year. In 1987, the Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA) established a scholarship program for children and grandchildren of federal employees. Ten years later, NARFE joined FEEA’s Board of Directors and soon after that authorized creation of a scholarship program open to the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of NARFE members. The program is funded by the NARFE-FEEA Fund, supported by NARFE members and administered by FEEA. To support the program, donations to the NARFE-FEEA Fund can be made online at www.feea.org/ givenarfe or by check payable to NARFE-FEEA Fund mailed to: NARFE-FEEA Fund c/o FEEA, 1641 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. This year, a total of $10,000 was awarded to 10 high school seniors; they were chosen from 201 applicants. Winners are listed here by region of residence.

NARFE thanks the volunteers who served on the Scholarship Selection Committee and to the staff members of FEEA who administer the program. To volunteer for the 2022 FEEA Scholarship Selection Committee, register at https://feea.org/ our-programs/scholarships/ scholarship-selection-reader/.

2021 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS REGION I

REGION VI

REGION II

REGION VII

REGION III

REGION VIII

REGION IV

REGION IX

REGION V

REGION X

Isabella Pawloski Gorham, ME Sponsor: Vincent Pawloski

Camille Young Washington, DC Sponsor: Cheryl Smith

Benjamin Roeder Coral Gables, FL Sponsor: Jose Roeder

Joshua Lemieux Indianapolis, IN Sponsor: Patricia Lemieux

Quincy Wiegand Cairo, MO Sponsor: Beverly Davis

Claire Barragan-Bates Cumby, TX Sponsor: Naomi Barber

Avery Wong Highlands Ranch, CO Sponsor: Harvey Wong

Cienna Abara Honolulu, HI Sponsor: Annette Chang

Benjamin Beder Vancouver, WA Sponsor: Robert Lieberman

Sophia Urbom Falls Church, VA Sponsor: Sonia Urbom

APPLY FOR THE 2022 NARFE-FEEA SCHOLARSHIPS The 2022 NARFE-FEEA Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors only. Applicants must be children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren of NARFE members. For more information and to access the application, visit www.feea.org/ our-programs/scholarships/.

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

NARFE Alzheimer’s Fund Tops $14 Million

ARFE is pleased to announce that the NARFE’s Alzheimer’s Fund has achieved its goal of donating $14 million to Alzheimer’s research. Since 1985, NARFE members have played a major role in seeking a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Through its partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, NARFE supports research into the causes, prevention, detection and effective treatment of Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Public education on the need for research – our only tool for conquering the disease – also is an important focus. A generous anonymous donation in September pushed the Fund’s total past $14 million. NARFE

greatly appreciates this gift, as well as all member gifts to the Fund. “Many of our members know the pain of living with and loving someone afflicted with this terrible disease,” said NARFE National President Ken Thomas. “Because 100 percent of NARFE donations to the Fund are allocated to research, we each can be proud of what we have accomplished together as we work to find a cure.” “This achievement is especially gratifying because it comes well more than a year ahead of expectations,” Thomas said. “In September 2020, the NARFE Alzheimer’s National Committee elected to extend the timeline for

YOUR HELP IS STILL NEEDED You can make a difference in the effort to find a cure. See page 67 for details on contributing to the NARFE Alzheimer’s Fund. reaching the $14 million mark to December 31, 2022, due to constraints on in-person meetings and fundraising during the COVID19 pandemic. Now we can focus on the next milestone as we work to ensure a future without Alzheimer’s.”

Share Your NARFE Pride ShopNARFE is the official online store offering NARFE-branded merchandise. A portion of the proceeds from all purchases support the organization. Shop now at www.narfe.org/shopnarfe. S A LE

His & Hers Jackets and Polos Bumper Sticker & Auto Magnets Commemorative Key Ring

ShopNARFE

Centennial Lapel Pin Tote Bags

Face Masks

License Plate Frames

And More!

NARFE.org/shopnarfe NARFE MAGAZINE www.NARFE.org

NARFE News

RECRUITMENT FROM P.68

SAVE THE DATE Make plans to attend FEDcon22 August 21-23 in Scottsdale, AZ. Details will be available in upcoming issues of NARFE Magazine and in NARFE NewsLine, NARFE’s weekly newsletter. Email events@narfe. org with questions.

• PowerPoint slides that provide visuals and sync up with the membership presentation script to show all the ways NARFE helps members get more out of their federal benefits. • A full-color ad you can download, featuring a member testimonial. • Excerpts from NARFE Magazine that you can download and send to prospects, including the article, “Open Season: Worth Another Look,” from last October.

NARFE Magazine is providing a look back at milestones for the organization and its work on behalf of federal civilian employees, retirees and their survivors. Veterans Day, November 11, is an opportunity to thank those who selflessly protected our great nation. NARFE not only is grateful for their service in uniform, but also appreciates the many who chose to transition into federal jobs as civilians. Across the country, a significant percentage of NARFE’s members are veterans. Executive agencies must give veterans preference over other applicants in the hiring process, which has helped the federal government remain the leading employer of vets, ahead of the manufacturing, professional, education and retail sectors. The percentage of veterans in the federal workforce has steadily increased in the past decade, from 25.8 percent in fiscal year 2009 to some 32 percent today. The federal government also is the leading employer of disabled veterans,

NARFE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

You can also order printed supplies to support your efforts, such as membership flyers, applications and copies of NARFE Magazine. Just click on “F-18 Requisition for Printed Supplies” on the “Officer Resources” page to order what you need. And remember to provide your NARFE member ID number to those you recruit so that you get credit when they join. If you have questions, please email us at membership@narfe. org or call us at 800-456-8410. —BY DAVE BOWMAN, SENIOR DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

ARE YOU A NARFE MEMBER WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES? Share why you chose to become a Fed. Visit FEDHub.narfe.org and search “Veterans Day.” with more than five times the number of disabled veterans employed by the federal government than any other entity. In addition to advocating on behalf of the many NARFE members who served in uniform, NARFE has long represented civilian federal employees who have had the honor of working alongside the military to support our nation’s defense and to provide care for our veterans in facilities around the country. NARFE is grateful for their dedication. Visit www.narfe.org/centennial for more about NARFE’s century of service. Eargo and GEHA are proud sponsors of NARFE’s Centennial.

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

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. Visit https:// officediscounts.org/narfe for details and more! *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.

The Way We Worked

Advancing Agriculture in America This 1925 photograph shows U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Office Assistant Chief J.H. Evans making rounds of local farms by horse-drawn buggy. In 1914, Congress created USDA’s Cooperative Extension Service to partner with land-grant universities for agriculture research and education. At that time, 30 percent of the U.S. workforce was engaged in farming. Today, with less than 2 percent of Americans farming for a living, the USDA has expanded its extension services to all communities, with offices in nearly every county in the U.S. These agents not only support farmers and ranchers, but also assist families with nutrition and home economics, and they provide youth educational services. PHOTO from the Records of the Department of Agriculture, National Archives, courtesy of the National Archives History Office, in collaboration with the Society for History in the Federal Government (SHFG), bringing together government professionals, academics, consultants, students and citizens interested in understanding federal history work and the historical development of the federal government. To join, visit www.shfg.org.

NARFE MAGAZINE MONTH 2021

DID YOU KNOW? There are more than 100 landgrant universities in America, including historically black and tribal institutions. Learn more at https://nifa.usda.gov/.

The Way We Worked celebrates the past 100 years of public service through archival images. Eargo and GEHA are proud sponsors of NARFE’s Centennial.

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

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

Never change a battery again

The hearing aid with built-in intelligence

No out of pocket expense

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

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

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

Take advantage of your $2500 hearing benefit! You may be eligible for a pair of Oticon MoreTM3 hearing aids for $0 out of pocket.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. Compared to Oticon Opn STM, Santurette, et al. 2020. Oticon More clinical evidence. Oticon Whitepaper Your out-of-pocket costs may vary depending on plan benefits, eligibility, deductible, co-insurance, and model of device chosen. This is not a guarantee of coverage or payment. Benefit is not available through all insurance plans. Please call us to verify your coverage.

1 2 3

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.

November 2021 NARFE Magazine

Articles inside

The Way We Worked

Open Season: FEHB and FEDVIP Premiums and Information

NARFE News

Member Perks

Managing Money

Questions & Answers

President Nominates Third Member to Serve on Merit Systems Protection Board

Biden Directs 2.7% Federal Pay Raise in 2022

Social Media Takes NARFE Advocacy to the Next Level