New Way to Join the NARFE PAC Sustainer Program

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.

NARFE has partnered with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to allow members to contribute monthly to NARFE’s political action committee—NARFEPAC—via their federal annuity. This new way to become a NARFE-PAC sustainer enables members to support this important program without using a credit card.

Signing up as a sustainer through annuity withholding is easy. First, NARFE members should go to www.narfe.org/ PAC-sustainer to fill out the NARFE registration form. A detailed set of instructions and a link to OPM’s Services Online website will be provided after the form is submitted. NARFE members will then authorize the annuity withholding through OPM. It’s really that easy.

This is the most efficient way to support NARFE-PAC. Annuity withholding enables NARFE-PAC to put more funds toward supporting Fedfriendly lawmakers and fewer funds toward credit card fees. Withholding also cuts down transaction errors stemming from expired credit cards and card number changes. You can bolster NARFE-PAC by signing up for annuity withholding today.

Are you a current sustainer? Consider switching to annuity withholding to strengthen your support. Simply mark that you are a current sustainer on the NARFE registration form and

complete the authorization on OPM’s Services Online website. Once you register, your credit card contributions will automatically end. This simple change goes a long way.

NARFE members have expressed interest in annuity withholding for many years, and NARFE-PAC is proud to make this option available now. Support the backbone of NARFE-PAC by joining the PAC sustainer program today at www. narfe.org/PAC-sustainer.

Your contribution allows the PAC to bring additional attention to NARFE’s most

pressing concerns and provides more opportunities for NARFE members and staff to speak with lawmakers, building relationships that will benefit our federal community for years to come.

If you have questions or need assistance signing up for annuity withholding, please email rapter@narfe.org.

—BY ROSS APTER, POLITICAL ASSOCIATE

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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: 51 (D) 37 (R) S. 1720: 12 (D) 14 (R) 1(I)

POSTAL REFORM WHAT BILL WOULD DO LATEST ACTION(S)

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. 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)

H.R. 695/S. 145: USPS Fairness Act / Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR / Sen. Steve Daines, R-MT

Cosponsors: H.R. 695: 217 (D) 59 (R) S. 145: 5 (D) 5 (R) Repeals the U.S. Postal Service’s prefunding requirement. 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)

H.R. 304: The Equal COLA Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA Cosponsors: H.R. 304: 24 (D) 3 (R) Provides Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirees with the same annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) as Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees. Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

FEDERAL ANNUITIES

H.R. 4315: The Fair COLA for Seniors Act / Rep. John Garamendi, D-CA

Cosponsors: H.R. 4315: 41 (D) 1 (R) 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.

H.R. 4268: Federal Retirement Fairness Act / Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-WA

Cosponsors: H.R. 4268: 11 (D) 8 (R) 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 Committees on Ways and Means, Veterans’ Affairs, Oversight and Reform, and Armed Services

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

DC STATEHOOD

NARFE CENTENNIAL

H.R. 51/S. 51 Washington D.C. Admission Act / Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC / Sen. Thomas Carper, D-DE Cosponsors: H.R. 51: 216 (D) 0 (R) S. 51: 44 (D) 0 (R) 1 (I) 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)

H.Res. 131/S.Res. 76: Resolution Celebrating NARFE’s Centennial / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA / Sen. Ben Cardin, D-MD

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

FEDERAL PERSONNEL POLICY

H.R. 302: Preventing a Patronage System Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA Cosponsors: H.R. 302: 9 (D) 3 (R) Requires presidential administrations to obtain the agreement of Congress to reclassify competitive service positions outside of merit system principles. Advanced from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in a 22-18 vote

WHAT BILL WOULD DO LATEST ACTION(S)

FEDERAL COMPENSATION

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: 57 (D) 1 (R) S. 561: 12 (D) 0 (R) 1 (I)

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: 177 (D) 56 (R) S. 1302: 29 (D) 4 (R) 2 (I) 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)

GPO/WEP

H.R. 2337: The Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act / Rep. Richard Neal, D-MA Cosponsors: H.R. 2337: 180 (D) 0 (R) 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

H.R. 4788: Well-Being for Every Public Servant Act of 2021 / Rep. Julia Letlow, R-LA

Cosponsors: H.R. 4788: 0 Fully repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision for individuals whose combined monthly income from their non-Social Security covered government annuity and Social Security benefits is $5,500 or lower, with graduated implementation on benefits above that amount. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

NARFE’s Position: Support Oppose No position

More Than Just Hearing Aids

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan members get a full hearing care package when they use their allowance through TruHearing®

The TruHearing Program Includes:

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Professional exam from a local, licensed provider

1 year of follow-up visits for fitting and adjustments to ensure you’re completely satisfied with your hearing aids The latest chips and algorithms combine to make speech clearer, even in the most challenging environments

Advanced sensors automatically adjust to the noise around you for better clarity and natural sound

New models include sound enhancement technology to make your voice sound more natural to you Bluetooth connectivity for streaming your favorite music, TV and phone calls straight to your ears3

A wide variety of rechargeable models that keep a charge for an entire day4

Options to match your lifestyle including virtually undetectable devices

Devices for Your Lifestyle

1 The Service Benefit Plan will pay a hearing aid benefit for Standard and Basic Options up to $2,500 total every 5 calendar years for adults age 22 and over, and up to $2,500 total per calendar year for members up to age 22. FEP Blue Focus does not have a hearing aid benefit. Do not rely on this communication piece alone for complete benefit information. All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan brochure. The Blue365® Discount Program offers access to savings on items that you may purchase directly from independent vendors, which may be different from items covered under the Service Benefit Plan or any other applicable federal healthcare program. For hearing aids, acupuncture, chiropractic and vision services, you must exhaust your Service Benefit Plan benefit first before accessing the savings of the Blue365® Discount Program. To find out what is covered under your policy, contact the customer service number on the back of your member ID card. The products and services described herein are neither offered nor guaranteed under any local Blue company’s contract with the Medicare program. These items are not subject to the Medicare appeal process. Any disputes regarding these products and services are not subject to the Disputed Claims process. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) may receive payments from Blue365 vendors. Neither the Service Benefit Plan, nor any local Blue company recommends, endorses, warrants or guarantees any specific Blue365 vendor or item. The Service Benefit Plan reserves the right to change, modify, or terminate any item and vendors made available through Blue365, at any time.

Example Savings (per pair)

Prices and products subject to change. For more information, visit TruHearing.com

SAMPLE PRODUCT TruHearing® Advanced Widex Moment® 220 ReSound ONE™ 5 Signia® Styletto® 3X Oticon More® 3 Starkey® Livio® 2400 Phonak® P-R90

Rechargeable | Listed products are smartphone compatible3

AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE TRUHEARING PRICE ALLOWANCE (UP TO $2,500)1 YOU PAY2

$5,440 $2,500 –$2,500 $0 $3,320 $2,500 –$2,500 $0 $3,496 $2,590 –$2,500 $90 $5,166 $2,700 –$2,500 $200 $6,750 $3,050 –$2,500 $550 $5,704 $4,100 –$2,500 $1,600 $7,328 $4,390 –$2,500 $1,890

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

2 Price shown does not include cost of comprehensive hearing exam. Examination and testing for prescribing of hearing aids is covered under the Service Benefit Plan. The member should confirm that the provider rendering the hearing exam is a Preferred provider. If the provider is Non-preferred, the member may be charged a maximum fee of $45 for the exam, and the member may need to submit a claim for reimbursement. Must be a Service Benefit

Plan member to access TruHearing discounted pricing. TruHearing is offered through Blue365, which provides exclusive health and wellness deals and is a program of Blue Cross Blue Shield

Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. The Blue

Cross® and Blue Shield® words and symbols, Federal Employee Program®, FEP® and Blue365® are all trademarks owned by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. 3 Smartphone compatible hearing aids connect directly to iPhone®, iPad®, and iPod® Touch devices. Connectivity also available to many Android® phones with use of an accessory. 4 Rechargeable features may not be available in all models and styles.

All content ©2021 TruHearing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. TruHearing® is a registered trademark of TruHearing, Inc. All other trademarks, product names, and company names are the property of their respective owners. Listed benefit amount may differ from customer's actual benefit. Actual customer payment will vary. Follow-up provider visits included for one year following hearing aid purchase. Hearing aid repairs, and replacements subject to provider and manufacturer fees. For questions regarding fees, contact TruHearing customer service.

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