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RETIREMENT LIFE AUGUST 2011, Volume 87, Number 8

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

28 Questions &Answers

36 Retirement Benefits

38 NARFENews

41 Out &About

42 Letters

46 For the Record: TSP Investments, COLAChart

DEPARTMENTS

8 Debt Deal Just the Beginning; More Cuts Likely

13 ‘Protect America’s Heartbeat’ Campaign a Hit atIllinois NALC Convention

14 HaveYour Say at a Town Hall Meeting

16 House Panel Considers Bills to Reduce theFederalWorkforce

18 Civics 101: Extending Congressional Invitations

NARFE ResourcesNARFE-PACCoupon . . . . . . . .14

MembershipApplication . . . . . .39

DuesWithholdingApplication . .40

Alzheimer’s Coupon . . . . . . . . .41

NARFE-FEEACoupon . . . . . . .42

NARFEMember Perks . . . . . . .44

visit us online at www.narfe.org • ‘like’ us on Facebook (NARFE National Headquarters)

COLUMNS6 Message From the

National President

20 Managing Money

22 LiveWell

26 Civil Service CareerCoach

24 Contact Congress on July 27. NARFE urges allmembers to speak out against unfair budgetproposals by calling their senators, representa-tives and theWhite House.

COVER STORY

Cover design by Jim Richards

4 AUGUST 2011 | NARFE

NARFE MAGAZINEVolume 87,Number 8

Editor,Margaret M. CarterAssistant Editor, Donna J. St. JohnEditorial Administrator, Toni VallarioGraphic Designer, Beth BedardContributing Designers, Charlene Gridley, Jim RichardsEditorial Board: Joseph A. Beaudoin, Paul H. Carew, Elaine Hughes, Richard G.Thissen

Editorial Office:NARFE, Attn:NARFEmagazine, 606 NorthWashington St., Alexan-dria, VA 22314-1914; Phone: 703-838-7760; Fax: 703-838-7781; E-mail: [email protected]

Advertising Sales: Warren Berger, Media People Inc., 122 East 42nd Street, Suite 725,New York, NY 10168; 212-779-7172, ext. 223; E-mail: [email protected]

NARFE for the Visually Impaired

On the Telephone: This publication can be heard on the telephone by persons whohave trouble seeing or reading the print edition. For more information, contact theNational Federation of the Blind NFB-NEWSLINE® service at 866-504-7300 or go towww.nfbnewsline.org.

On Tape: Issues ofNARFEmagazine are also available on cassette through theNational Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. To find out aboutavailability in your area, call 800-424-8567 and ask for the Reference Section.The Association, since July 1970, has been classified by the IRS as a tax exempt labor or-ganization [not a union]; however, dues and gifts or contributions to the Association arenot deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.

REGIONALVICEPRESIDENTS

NATIONALOFFICERSJOSEPHA. BEAUDOIN, President; [email protected]. CAREW, Vice President; [email protected], Secretary; [email protected]. THISSEN, Treasurer; [email protected]

NARFE (ISSN 1948-4453) is published monthly by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), 606 N.Washington St.,Alexandria,VA 22314.Periodi-cals postage paid at Alexandria,VA, and additional mailing offices.Members:Annual dues includes subscription. Non-member subscription rate $45. Postmaster: Send addresschange to: NARFE Attn:Member Records,NARFE 606 N.Washington St.,Alexandria,VA 22314.To ensure prompt delivery,members should also forward changes of address withoutdelay.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.Contents of this magazine are copyrighted © 2011.Advertisements in the magazine are not endorsements of products and/orservices 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 dis-honest advertisement to appear in NARFE,but at the same time we will not undertake to guarantee the reliability of our advertisers.

REGION I GilbertW. Blaisdell(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, NewHampshire, New York, Rhode Island andVermont)Tel: 978-388-1830E-mail: [email protected]

REGION II Ronald P. Bowers(Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,New Jersey and Pennsylvania)Tel: 410-308-0420E-mail: [email protected]

REGION III Donald Stewart(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi,Puerto Rico, South Carolina and VirginIslands)Tel: 305-442-6388E-mail: [email protected]

REGION IV Paul E. Johnson(Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio andWisconsin)Tel: 812-306-5137E-mail: [email protected]

REGIONV Carol R. Ek(Iowa, Kansas,Minnesota,Missouri,Nebraska, NorthDakota and SouthDakota)Tel: 620-241-1131E-mail: [email protected]

REGIONVI Jerome S. Smith(Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma,Republic of Panama and Texas)Tel: 903-534-5849E-mail: [email protected]

REGIONVII Betty Lucero-Turner(Arizona, Colorado, NewMexico, Utah andWyoming)Tel: 719-583-0910E-mail: [email protected]

REGIONVIII Helen L. Zajac(California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevadaand Republic of Philippines)Tel: 707-644-7565E-mail: [email protected]

REGION IX LannyG. Ross(Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon andWashington)Tel: 360-692-9741E-mail: [email protected]

REGIONX WilliamF.Martin(Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee,Virginia andWest Virginia)Tel: 540-872-3345E-mail: [email protected]

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Dedicated readers of NARFE magazine aresurely aware of NARFE’s “ProtectAmerica’s Heartbeat” cam-paign. Since we announcedthe campaign in the March

issue, members have been advised monthly ofthe progress of this ambitious campaign to re-verse the seemingly endless attacks on the fed-eral community – both active and retired.

The April cover story on the campaign de-scribed its goal very succinctly: “NARFElaunches national campaign to fight drastic cutsin pay, health& retirement benefits of the activeand retired federal workerswhohave dedicatedtheir lives to protecting America’s heartbeat.”Since then, you have seen articles each monthon the steps being taken to protect the integrityand the earned benefits of federal and formerfederal employees. You have been informed ofthe actions of your National Executive Board(NEB), which, after considerable discussion,agreed to hire M+R Strategic Services of Wash-ington, DC, to assist us in this monumental en-deavor.

Since then, we have been involved in a coor-dinated campaign of advocacy, communicationand organization at the state and local levels, aswell as advertising designed to solicit supportfrom the general public for the federal workersand retireeswhomake, andhavemade, this na-tion work for more than 200 years. With orwithout M+R’s participation, this campaign would costmoney. And, to be honest, NARFE does not have a surplusof money but is on sound financial footing. A year ago, weasked for your support for a dues increase that, at the time,we believed would pull NARFE back into the black by theendof 2011.Obviously, we couldnot have foreseen the costof the fight we are in now!

This issue ofNARFEmagazine, while it is getting to youat the usual time of themonth, is really a special issue. You

can tell that by the unique “wrap” over the entiremagazine.This wrap is, obviously, an appeal for your assistance in fi-

nancing our Protect America’s Heartbeat cam-paign. And, since I, too, am a NARFE memberand get all of the NARFE mailings, I am awarethat this is not the first solicitation you have re-ceived this year. But after hearing frommembersas I traveled to NARFE federation state conven-tions during the spring, I am convinced morethan ever that the NEB made the right call incontracting with M+R and voting to spendmoney to fight this fight. I hope you will readthewrap to get the latest information about theProtect America’s Heartbeat campaign and willlend your assistance, even if youhave sent a do-nation already this year.

What else can you do? Plenty! First, after re-sponding to our appeal for a donation, you canparticipate in National “Call-In” Day on July 27(see p. 24). Then during August, “Grass-RootsAdvocacy Month,” contact your senators andrepresentative, and tell them about your per-sonal situation and how the cuts would affectyou. Meet with them while they are home intheir districts. Invite them to your chaptermeet-ings or picnics. Let them know that you, as aNARFE member and one of their constituents,are requesting fairness in any proposed legisla-tion. You can visit the NARFE website and clickon the “Protect America’s Heartbeat” campaignlogo to access a toolkit filledwith information to

help youmake your case.Together, we can win this fight. After all, that’s why we

joined NARFE in the first place!

Protect America’s Heartbeat

A Message From theNational President

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Congressional action on huge spending cuts before the

August congressional recess was expected to be just

the “down payment” of a larger effort to reduce the

federal deficit and address the national debt that is

likely to continue this fall. That means, whatever reductions Congress

makes to federal retirement, pay and health benefits as part of a com-

promise on a needed increase in the statutory debt limit may only be

the initial assault against federal employees and annuitants this year.

� Themonth-long congressionalrecess inAugust began as atradition with the firstCongress in 1790.SummersinWashington,DC,arefamous for heat and humidity,and early Congresses wouldadjourn for the entiresummer.

� On July 27,1956,Congresscompleted work on theappropriations bills andadjourned for the year. Dueto an increase in thecongressional workload andbetter air conditioning in theCapitol,Congress never againadjourned for the year asearly as July.

� In 1970,as part of the Legisla-tive ReorganizationAct,Congress codified theAugustrecess for odd-numberedyears.

LEGISLATIVE HOTLINEToll-free! (24 Hours):877-217-8234Legislative Action Center:www.narfe.org

As reported in the July issue, theTreasuryDepartment estimated that allavenues to meet the government’s fi-nancial obligationswill beexhaustedbyAugust2.Congressmust approvean in-crease in thedebt ceilingby thatdate toavoid a government default, accordingto Treasury Secretary Timothy F.Geithner. Budget hawks in both partieswere demanding substantial spendingreductions in exchange for their votesfor an increase in the debt ceiling.

Toward that end, the so-called “BlairHouse Group” – including Vice Presi-dent Joseph R. Biden and six key mem-bers of Congress – were asked to ne-gotiate a package of about $2 trillion indeficit reductions. At press time, Re-publican members of the group,House Majority Leader Eric I. Cantor,R-VA, and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-AZ, quit thosetalks when, they said, negotiatorsreached an impasse over whether the

compromise should include any rev-enue proposals. As a result, responsi-bility over the talks shifted to PresidentObama; House Speaker John A.Boehner, R-OH; House MinorityLeader Nancy Pelosi, D-CA; Senate Ma-jority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV; andSenate Minority Leader Mitch Mc-Connell, R-KY.

Prior to the Blair House deadlock, itappeared that the Obama administra-tion continued to support a version ofa proposal that would require activeworkersparticipating in theFederal Em-ployees Retirement System (FERS) tomake significantlyhigher contributionsto the Civil Service Retirement and Dis-ability Fund (CSRDF). The plan to re-quire FERS employees to pay an addi-tional5percentof salary toward their re-tirementannuitywasfirstofferedby thepresident’s bipartisan Commission onFiscal Responsibility and Reform in De-

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cember 2010, and later was included in the Budget Resolu-tion (H. Con. Res. 34) passed by the House in April.

The additional contribution would not result in anychange in an employee’s retirement annuity. In fact, workerswould pay more for a smaller retirement since their futureannuities will be reduced by the two-year pay freeze thatbecame law in December 2010.

While employees currently make contributions fromtheir salary to the CSRDF, most large private-sector em-ployers historically have not required their workers to makeany contribution toward their defined-benefit pensions.

Besides the retirement contribution proposals, NARFEcontinues to hear that key lawmakers are interested in aplan to shift a substantial percentage of Federal EmployeesHealth Benefits Program (FEHBP) premium costs to em-ployees and annuitants.

In addition, some lawmakers and outside groups stillsupport a proposal made by the president’s Fiscal Commis-sion to underestimate inflation in order to reduce Social Se-curity, federal civilian and military retirement cost-of-livingadjustments (COLAs).

BEYOND THE DOWN PAYMENTAt press time, political observers conceived of at least two

scenarios on how Congress could make additional budgetcuts this fall.

First, there was bipartisan interest in legislation thatwould require automatic across-the-board spending cutsif federal spending exceeds certain limits. Such legislationwould be similar to the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings deficit re-duction law that led to the loss of the federal civilian retire-ment COLA in 1985. Indeed, the new spending-cap billscould result in far greater and longer lasting reductions infederal retirement and health benefits than the “down pay-ment” currently being considered as part of the compromiseon the debt limit.

Some lawmakers view setting up a budget-cuttingprocess as a politically viable alternative to the negative re-action many voters have had to publicly recommending re-ductions to popular programs with large constituencies,such as Social Security and Medicare. For example, manyrepresentatives who voted for the House Budget Resolution(H. Con. Res. 34) in April encountered voters who wereangry about the measure’s proposal that would privatizeMedicare and require beneficiaries to pay a higher percentof the Part B premium every year. Some political observerseven cited a House special election victory by a Democratin a heavily Republican New York district in June as evi-

dence of voter dissatisfaction with the House Republicanplan. Spending-cap legislationwas seen as a “back door”wayto achieve the same level of cuts without taking the politicalheat for supporting specific reduction proposals.

‘LOOK MA, NO HANDS’ BUDGETINGWhile both sides of the aisle appeared supportive of

spending caps, there was considerable disagreement on de-tails of such legislation. The “debt cap” approach, whichseemed to be favored by the administration and some Dem-ocratic legislators, would have a deficit-reduction goal eachyear. The dollar amount goal would be enforced by a “debttrigger,” which would impose across-the-board reductionsand revenue increases if the goal were not met. Congresscould avoid the automatic budget cuts and tax hikes by as-sembling its own proposal to comply with the debt cap. So-cial Security would be exempt from the across-the-boardcuts, and Medicare would be partially protected. Federalcivilian and military retirement and health benefits wouldnot be exempt from automatic reductions.

Some Republican lawmakers and at least one Democraticsenator appeared to support “global spending cap” bills,which would limit federal spending to a share of theeconomy. For example, spending could not exceed 18 to 21percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). The GDP isthe total market value of goods and services produced byworkers and capital within U. S. borders during a given pe-riod (usually one year). Federal spending is currently 24 per-cent of the GDP. Under current policies, that figure will fallas the economy recovers, but then start rising again as thebaby boomers age and as interest rates return to normal.Spending caps, based on a percentage of the GDP, could re-sult in deeper across-the-board cuts in the event of an eco-nomic downturn, since tax revenue would decrease whilethe demand for unemployment insurance, food stamps andMedicaid would increase.

Under a spending-cap bill (S. 245) authored by Sens. BobCorker (R-TN) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO), setting a cap of


LegislativeReport

STORYHIGHLIGHTS� Any deal struck to enableCongress to vote to raisethe debt limit is likely just a“downpayment” on alarger effort to control the federal deficit.

� The next round of proposed cuts could includechanges that would increase enrollees’ share offederal health benefits premiums and reducefederal retiree and Social Security cost-of-livingadjustments.

20 percent of the GDP, nothing would be exempt from au-tomatic reductions, including Social Security, Medicare, theDefense Department, and federal civilian and military re-tirement and health benefits.

According to the nonpartisan Center for Budget andPolicy Priorities, “Social Security, Medicare and Medicaidcosts are projected to rise substantially in future decadesdue to the aging of the population and rising health carecosts and, thus, would have to be cut by increasingly severeamounts to meet the Corker-McCaskill level. If, instead offollowing the Corker-McCaskill formula for automatic cuts,all programs were cut by the same percentage, then all pro-grams (including federal civilian and military retirement)would be cut 14 percent in 2021 — or $1 of every $7. Overthe 2013-2021 period, the cuts would total $904 billion inSocial Security, $602 billion in Medicare, $386 billion inMedicaid, $104 billion in federal civilian retirement, $21 bil-lion in annuitants’ FEHBP and $72 billion in military retire-ment.”

Revenue increases could not be used to reduce thedeficit because they would have no bearing on whether

total federal expenditures fit within the spending cap.

BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENTOn June 15, the House Committee on the Judiciary ap-

proved, onaparty-line20-12vote, a relatedbalancedbudgetamendment to theU.S.Constitution (H.J. Res. 1).As amendedby the committee, H.J. Res. 1 would cap federal spending at18 percent of the GDP. No programs would be exemptedfromtheamendment, butCongress couldwaive its spendingcaps when a declaration of war is in effect or under certainother circumstances involvingmilitary conflict.A three-fifthssupermajorityof theHouseandSenatewouldbe required toincrease the debt limit, and a two-thirds vote would be man-dated for any tax increase. A constitutional amendment re-quires the support of a two-thirds majority in each chamberof Congress and then ratification by at least 38 states.

In 1997, when Congress last tried to approve the amend-ment, the House of Representatives approved the measure,but the Senate fell one vote short of the 67 votes needed to

LegislativeReport


NARFE Will!When you leave government service, you also leave your humanresources department behind. NARFE acts as a retirement counselorfor federal retirees, providing FREE benefits guidance for members.This year alone NARFE has assisted thousands of members withretirement benefits questions.

Keep your membership active! NARFE is here for you.

National Active and RetiredFederal Employees Association

After you retire,who will answer yourbenefits questions?

Continued on p. 13

NARFE | AUGUST 2011 13

NARFE’s “Protect America’s Heartbeat” cam-paign continues in high gear throughoutthe nation. Chapter to chapter, town totown, NARFE members are spreading the

word that we all need to stand up and fight to protect ourbenefits. NARFE membersare even expanding beyondtheir own membership andtaking the campaign to otherfederal employee organiza-tions.

In June, a delegation of Illi-nois NARFE members represented the Campaign to ProtectAmerica’s Heartbeat at the Illinois National Association ofLetter Carriers (NALC) annual convention in Peoria. Na-tional Legislative Director Dan Adcock spoke to NALCmembers about the current budget threats and the urgencyof the campaign, while Illinois NARFE members Leo Cun-ningham, president of the Illinois Federation; John Buffer,federation vice president; Sue Warner, Lincoln HomeChapter 402, Springfield; and Margaret Murphy, Marion

Payne Chapter 1309, Arlington Heights, met one-on-onewith NALC members and encouraged them to get involved.

When it was over, more than 800 letters were written toSens. Mark S. Kirk (R) and Richard J. Durbin (D), and moreare possibly on the way. According to Murphy, “Many of the

people took blank letters andsaid they were taking themback to their branch andhaving their fellow workerssign them.”

Illinois NARFE membershope to continue working

with NALC and other employee unions in the state to ex-pand the campaign and increase pressure on their electedofficials.

“Grass-roots campaigns work when many voices cometogether and speak as one,” said Adcock. “We hope to col-laborate with other union chapters throughout the countryto demonstrate that this is more than just a NARFE issue –it is a national crisis that will affect people and communitieseverywhere.” �

‘Protect America’s Heartbeat’ CampaignA Hit at Illinois NALC Convention

“GRASS-ROOTS campaigns workwhen many voices come togetherand speak as one.”

send the amendment to the states for ratification. In theevent Congress approves H.J. Res. 1, some budget expertsbelieve that 26 states would promptly ratify it and morewould likely follow.

NARFE supports efforts to balance the budget and re-duce the national debt; and, over the years, federal workersand annuitants have given considerably toward this effort.Nonetheless, NARFE believes that a statutory spending capor a balanced-budget amendment is unnecessary sinceCongress already has the authority to control spending. Fur-ther, NARFE is convinced that a spending cap and the bal-anced-budget amendment are ill-conceived proposals be-cause they would require Congress to indiscriminately re-duce spending for good and bad programs alike.

SHORT-TERM DEBT INCREASESBesides the spending and debt-cap proposals, Senate Mi-

nority Leader McConnell suggested that, if large spendingcuts could not be agreed to by August 2, a smaller packageof reductions should be paired with a short-term increasein the debt limit. After Labor Day, that could mean addi-tional spending cuts would be coupled with subsequent in-creases in the debt ceiling. In other words, the amount of re-ductions could mount until a longer term increase in thedebt limit becomes law.

House Majority Leader Cantor rejected McConnell’s pro-posal. “I don’t see how multiple votes on a debt ceiling in-crease . . . can help get us to where we want to go, which is,we want big reforms, we want big spending cuts and bigchanges to how this town works,” Cantor said in June.

Some representatives, particularly freshmen, are reluc-tant to vote for any increase in the debt limit and are con-cerned they will be punished by voters, especially if they areforced to support a debt increase more than once.

By DanAdcock,Legislative DirectorLegislative CounselAlan Lopatin contributed to this article.

Continued from p. 12


In addition to face-to-face meetings with members ofCongress in August, NARFE’s “Grass-Roots AdvocacyMonth,” attending a town hall meeting is a great op-portunity to meet your legislators. During the August

congressional recess (August 8-September 5), members ofCongress will be holding town hall meetings in their homestates to connect with constituents, share legislative updatesand take questions.

Town hall meetings provide an excellent opportunity forNARFE members to speak with their senators and repre-sentatives or their staff, askquestions, or thank a memberfor his or her support.

Traditionally, town halls areheld in community centers,churches, libraries or otherpublic spaces. However, moreand more members of Congress are relying on telephoneconference services to hold “tele-town halls.” Tele-town hallsare often held during congressional sessions as well.

WHEN ARE THE TOWN HALLS?NARFE’s website provides a schedule of town hall meet-

ings on the Legislative Department’s Home Page atwww.narfe.org/pdf/CongressionalTownHallMeetings.pdf.

For the most up-to-date information, contact your con-gressional representatives’ offices and ask if they will be

hosting any town hall meetings in the district during the re-cess. If you are interested in participating in a tele-town hall,

ask to be included in theirmailing list for such events.

WHAT DO I DO AT ATOWN HALL?

Ask questions! Go to themeeting prepared with facts

and questions for your senators or representative. Thetoolkit available to all members on the NARFE website atwww.narfe.org/heartbeat/resources.cfm includes a sectionon town hall meetings, with sample questions. You also canuse the suggested language proposed for NARFE’s National‘Call-In Day’ July 27 (see p. 24).

Following your attendance at town hall meetings,provide NARFE with feedback at www.capwiz.com/narfe/lrm/feedback.tt or e-mail [email protected].

By Sarah Holstine,Legislative Specialist

STORYHIGHLIGHTS� Members of Congress will be holding town hallmeetings inAugust.

� These are excellent opportunities forNARFEmembers to ask questions or express thanks.

� NARFE’s website has all the information you need,including sample questions to ask.

HaveYour Sayat aTown Hall Meeting

LegislativeReport

Please send check, money order or creditcard information to:

Attn: Budget & FinanceNARFE

606 N. Washington St.Alexandria, VA 22314-1914

Card Type: � Mastercard � VISA� Discover � AMEX

Card #

Expiration Date

Name on Card (Print)

Signature Date

I support NARFE•PAC, the Retirees’ Fund for the FutureI support NARFE•PAC, the Retirees’ Fund for the Future

Enclosed is my NARFE-PAC contribution: $Enclosed is my NARFE-PAC contribution: $

Federal law requires political committees to report the name, mail-ing address, occupation and name of employer for each individualwhose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year.

Please circle: Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms.

Name

Address

City, State, ZIP

NARFE Membership #

� For my contribution of $20 or more, please send a NARFE-PAC pin.

Only members of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association may contribute to NARFE-PAC. NARFE will neitherfavor nor disadvantage anyone based on the amount of a contribution, or the failure to make a voluntary contribution to this non-parti-san political action fund. NARFE-PAC contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

GO TO THE MEETING preparedwith facts and questions for yoursenators or representative.


NARFE has told a House subcommittee thatbills to reduce the size of the federal work-force do not take into consideration “facts onthe ground.”

In written testimony May 26 to the House Subcommitteeon Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy,NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin said that “while wewelcome the consideration of proposals that encouragegreater efficiency and cost savings in government, this leg-islation does not offer thoughtful reform.

“Instead of taking the time and effort to assess where andto what extent the federal government could perform itsmission with fewer employees, the proposals seek across-the-board cuts without consideration for facts on theground,” Beaudoin said.

“The real question,” he added, “is how many employeeswe need, as a country, to perform the federal government’sextraordinary missions.”

At the May 26 hearing, the subcommittee focused onH.R. 657, the Federal Workforce Reduction Act of 2011, in-troduced by Rep. Cynthia M. Lummis, R-WY; and H.R. 1779,the Federal Hiring Freeze Act of 2011, introduced by Rep.Tom Marino, R-PA:

• H.R. 657 would restrict federal government hiring toone employee for every two employees who leave the fed-eral workforce. It would exempt the Departments of De-fense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs, which makeup a substantial portion of the federal workforce. These ex-emptions would place a greater burden for workforce re-duction on all other agencies.

• H.R. 1779 prevents any new hiring unless there is noprojected budget deficit for the year.

Lummis and Marino testified before the subcommitteein support of their bills, citing a growing federal workforce,and the national debt and federal budget deficits as justifi-cation for their proposals.

However, NARFE points out that the federal workforce ismodest in size based on historical comparisons. The Asso-ciation believes that it is questionable as to whether theseproposals would actually achieve cost savings. And even ifthey did, it’s the wrong way to go about reducing the size ofgovernment.

First, the federal workforce has decreased in total sizeover the last 20 years (from 3.114 million employees in 1989to 2.527 million employees in 2009) and has decreased sig-nificantly over time as a percentage of the U.S. population(from a ratio of 1 employee for every 58 residents in 1946 to1 employee for every 121 residents in 2009).

Second, reducing the federal workforce would not nec-essarily reduce government spending and may actually costthe government money. Reducing federal personnelwithout altering policies or programs would likely result ina significant shift of work to contractors, preventing any realsavings from the reduction.

Also, reducing the number of employees who save thegovernmentmoneywill cost taxpayersmoney. Beaudoin ex-plained that “people may not love tax collectors; but whenyou pay your taxes, you expect others to do the same. If re-ducing thenumberof InternalRevenueServiceagents resultsin lower revenuecollection fromindividuals andcorporationspaying less than they owe, you are not saving money for thelaw-abiding taxpayer.Generally, if you reduce thenumberofemployees tasked with rooting out waste, fraud and abuse,it would be no surprise if the result were more waste, fraudand abuse, and higher costs to taxpayers.”

Beaudoin urged members of Congress not to make fed-eral employees “the victims of a separate fight regarding thescope of government. If you think the federal governmentshould reduce spending by discontinuing a program orpolicy, discontinue the program or policy. But don’t arbi-trarily reduce the workforce for all programs and policies,even the ones you support. We need federal employees toperform the tasks Congress has mandated they perform.”

By JohnHatton,Legislative Specialist

House Panel Considers Bills toReduce the Federal Workforce

STORYHIGHLIGHTS� NARFE submitted testimony to aHousesubcommittee opposing twobills thatwouldreduce the size of the federal workforce,saying theydo not offer“thoughtful reform.”

� H.R.657would authorize hiring only one employeefor every twowho leave the federal workforce.

� H.R.1779would prevent any new hiring unlessthere is no projected deficit for the year.

LegislativeReport

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LegislativeReport


NARFE federation conventions and chaptermeetings must become forums for invitingand engaging senators and representatives.When the members who do NARFE’s heav-

iest lifting gather – at conventions, executive boards andchapter meetings – invite your elected officials. Be flexible;be insistent.

FEDERATION CONVENTIONSAnnual conventions, planned with great care beginning

a full year in advance, should include invitations to bothsenators, the area representative and, perhaps, the governor.The congressional summer recess (August 8-September 5)is the longest stretch away from Capitol Hill. Think of it asthe calm before the storm because 2012 federation con-ventions will occur amid a steady stream of presidential andcongressional primaries and caucuses.

GETTING TO ‘YES’Senators and representatives are only available in their

states and districts when their chamber is not in session.Meetings scheduled midweek often conflict with floorvotes. Offering to alter the chapter meeting day to accom-modate a busy legislator demonstrates your eagerness tomeet. This flexibility allows you to distinguish between the“busy but eager” and the “avoid NARFE at any cost” legis-lator.

DELIVERING THE AUDIENCETo get to “yes” also will be a function of crowd size. Plan

ahead to invite all nearby NARFE members and chapterstomaximize the NARFEparticipation. One successful modelfor chapters is to extend an open-ended invitation to one ormore representatives and both senators. Some chapters pro-vide their planned meeting dates throughout the year, cou-pled with the offer to change a scheduled meeting date toaccommodate a busy lawmaker. For example, if yourchapter’s meeting algorithm is the fourth Wednesday, ex-cept July and August, offer to switch to a Monday or Friday.

HARNESSING WEEKENDSMost representatives and many senators return home

nearly every weekend. Scheduling meetings, even conven-

tions, to include part of a weekend increases the legislators’availability and, thus, theprobabilityof a successful booking.Members’ top staffers– the stateordistrict director—oftenat-tendevents and speak in lieuof their bosses. The stateordis-trict director is almost certain to be an able surrogate. Onceadate is set, use the lead time to rampup theaudience.Moreis always better. Planners should be eager to alter the venueto accommodate recruited participants. Politicians are im-pressed by organizations that can turn out their members.

INVITATION LOGISTICSMost congressional offices require an invitation in

writing. A sample invitation text is available on the NARFEwebsite under Legislation. A sample is also included in the“Protect America’s Heartbeat” campaign toolkit(www.narfe.org/heartbeat/resources.cfm). The NARFE Leg-islative Department staff is eager to help ([email protected] or703-838-7760, ext. 201).

WEB FORMMany congressional offices, especially the new repre-

sentatives, require that all meeting requests come throughtheir website. The web form is most often located under atab labeled “Contact Me.” Look for “Request a Meeting”where you supply meeting details, such as number of at-tendees, location of meeting, and your name and contact in-formation. Once you send your invitation electronically orvia the Postal Service, follow up by telephone to the stafferwith whom you have the best relationship. Be ready to sendanother copy of the invitation.

REDISTRICTING WILDCARDRepresentatives in 43 states, where there are two or more

districts, know their districts will be redrawn – perhaps sub-stantially. This fact should help NARFE members get ameeting with their representative. Make the request now.

By Christopher Farrell,Legislative Representative

T H E I N F O R M E D C I T I Z E NC I V I C S 1 0 1 :

STORYHIGHLIGHTS� Invite and engage representatives and senators.� Conventions and chaptermeetings should hostelected officials and key staff.

� NARFE staffmembers are eager to assist.

Extending Congressional Invitations

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Plan Now for Possible Tax Increases

R ecently, our tax codehasbecome a patchwork oftemporary legislationand fixes. According to

an article in The Wall Street Journal, inthe 1990s, there were typically fewerthan a dozen tax provisions that had alimited life span. By the latter part of2010, there were 141. Then in De-cember 2010, Congress passed theTaxRelief, Unemployment InsuranceReauthorization, and Job Cre-ation Act, which included atwo-year extension of theso-called Bush taxcuts. Now, our entiretax regime – includinglevies on salaries, capitalgains, dividends and even So-cial Security – is one big, tempo-rarymess.Many of the same issues (budget

deficits, tax increases and spendingcuts) that influenced the debate overextending the tax cuts still continue tobehotly debated. It’s becoming clear toboth political parties that the U.S.budget deficit is at levels that can’t besustained long term. In other words,the can can’t be kicked down the roadforever.With that inmind, certain categories

of investors, such as those with highlyappreciatedassets, dividend-producinginvestments and bonds, should con-sider the next year and a half as an op-portunity to examine the impact thathigher taxes would have on their fi-nances and make the appropriatepreparations for such a possibility.If you are holding assets that have

appreciated greatly in value and nowfind that the investments represent a

largerportionofyourportfolio thanyouwould like, you have been given an-other opportunity to examine the fea-sibility of liquidating some or all ofthose investments.Theextensionof theBush tax cuts holds the top tax rate onlong-term capital gains at 15 percent,rather than the 20 percent it wouldhave risen to, and the rate that itwill in-crease to beginning in 2013.

Of course, you shouldn’t let the tax-tail wag the dog. Taxes are only onefactor when making investment deci-sions. But if you’ve been consideringselling an asset anyway, it may makesense to implement a strategy fordoing so over the next two tax years.Two takeaways: First, unless Con-

gress takes further action, the top long-term capital gains rate will increase to20 percent beginning in 2013 (forthose in the15-percent taxbracket, themaximumcapital gains tax ratewill be10 percent).Second, a 20-percent capital gains

rate is still relatively low. In 1986,President Ronald Reagan signed theTax Reform Act of 1986, which pro-vided for capital gains to be taxed atthe same rates as ordinary income(the top tax rate was 28 percent). In

fact, there has been talk recently ofsetting the maximum capital gainsrate higher, so there is no guaranteethat the maximum capital gains ratewon’t be higher than 20 percent after2012.Qualifieddividendswill continue to

be taxed at amaximum rate of 15 per-cent through2012. Beginning in 2013,however, dividends will be taxed as

they were before 2003, asordinary income. If Con-gress takes no further ac-tion, dividends could betaxed as high as 39.6 per-cent, which is what thescheduled maximum taxrate will be in 2013. Ifyou’re currently in, orthink you’ll be in, a highertaxbracket than15percent(the current maximum taxrate on qualified divi-dends), you should con-

sider what impact a higher tax rate ondividendswill have on your finances –especially if you rely on dividends forpart of your income.In addition to the scheduled in-

creases to the top capital gains anddiv-idend tax rates, the income taxbrackets are set to shift higher as well.The current 10-, 15-, 25-, 28- and 35-percent tax brackets will shift to 15-,28-, 31-, 36- and 39.6-percent taxbrackets beginning in 2013. If youhold taxable bonds in nonretirementaccounts, it may be time to give mu-nicipal bonds another look.Furthermore, separate fromanypo-

tential increase in federal income taxrates, the unearned income of peoplemaking $200,000 a year ($250,000 forcouples filing a joint return) is sched-uled to be subject to a new3.8-percent

By Mark A.Keen,CFP®

ManagingMoney

CERTAIN CATEGORIES ofinvestors should consider

this an opportunity toexamine the impact

that higher taxes wouldhave on their finances and

make appropriate preparations.


Medicare contribution tax. Incomefrommunicipal bonds is not included.Absent further legislative changes, thatcould make municipal bonds evenmore attractive for affluent investors.As with any investment decision,

there aremany factors to consider. Forexample, the financial crisis has takena severe toll on many local and stategovernments’ finances in recent years,prompting concerns of defaults. Al-though the default rate on municipalbonds has historically been low, de-fault by individual governmentalbodies is always possible. Furthermore,other factors such as interest rates –which have been at historic lows forseveral years – may have an effect onyour investment strategy. Bond pricesmove in the opposite direction of in-

terest rates, so rising interest rateswouldhave anegative impact onbondprices.Congress’ inability, or unwilling-

ness, to set a course for this countrymakes it difficult for investors to planand strategize. Although higher taxesare not set in stone, the nation’s finan-cial pressures could very possibly leadto a combination of budget cuts andtax increases. Use the time betweennow and 2013 to review your strategywith your financial adviser and tax

consultant to determine if you shouldbe making any adjustments in prepa-ration.

Mark A. Keen, CFP®, is president andowner of Bennett Financial Advisors,3600 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax,VA, andan investment adviser representativeand registered principal of TheStrategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA).Securities and advisory services areoffered through SFA. E-mail:[email protected].

August Is ‘AdvocacyMonth’DuringAugust, “AdvocacyMonth,” helpNARFEdefend your retirement

and health benefits. Meetwith yourmembers of Congress or attend acongressional townhallmeeting. Seep.14 for tips.


W e all have a toughtime dealing withheat and humidity.But hot weather can

be especially dangerous for olderadults who have health problems. An

abnormally highbody temperaturecan stress yourheart and causefainting, confusionand even deathfrom heat stroke.Most people whodie from heatstroke are over age50.

Your body constantlyworks to keepa balance between howmuch heat itmakes andhowmuch it loses (temper-ature regulation). Too much heatcauses sweat to flowonto your skin. Asthe sweat dries fromyour skin, the sur-face of your body cools, and your tem-perature goes down.Your body’s system of temperature

regulation works constantly to keepyour temperature normal during hot,humid weather. Too much heat cancause the following health effects:• Heat rash (“prickly heat”) – red

bumps (papules) appear and cause aprickling feeling where clothing istight, and the skin is persistentlywetted by sweat. The papules may be-come infected if left untreated, but therash usually disappears when theperson returns to a cool place.• Heat edema– swelling in your an-

kles and feet due to heat. Check withyour doctor if putting your legs updoes not relieve the swelling fairlyquickly.

• Heat collapse/syncope (“fainting”)– sudden dizziness that occurs whenyour brain does not get enoughoxygen because blood pools in thelegs. It occurs with heat and activity,especially if you take certain heartmedications (beta blockers) or are notused to hot weather. Drinking water,putting your legs up and resting in a

cool place should relieve it.Serious heat disorders include:• Heat cramps – painful tightening

of muscles in your stomach, arms orlegsusually causedbyhardworkor ex-ercise in hot weather. Your body tem-perature and pulse may stay normal,and your skinmay feelmoist and cool.• Heat exhaustion – headache,

nausea, dizziness, weakness, thirst andgiddiness that can progress to heatstroke if not relievedby resting in a coolplace and drinking plenty of fluids.• Heat stroke – a medical emer-

gency that occurs when the body’ssystem of temperature regulation fails,and body temperature rises to life-threatening levels.Signs of heat stroke are:• Fainting – possibly the first sign;• Body temperature over 104 de-

grees Fahrenheit;• Behavior change – confusion,

grouchiness, agitation or actingstrangely, staggering or convulsions;• Hot dry skin;

• Strong rapid pulse or slow weakpulse;• Loss of consciousness; and• Lack of sweating.In addition to age, other risk factors

include:• Heart or blood vessel problems,

poorly working sweat glands or skinchanges due to aging;

• Heart, lung or kidney disease, andillnesses that cause weakness or fever;• Medications that make it harder

for the body to cool itself by sweating(diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, andsome heart and high-blood pressuremedications);• Being very overweight or under-

weight; and• Drinking alcoholic beverages.Lower your risk of heat-related ill-

ness by:• Drinking plenty of water, fruit or

vegetable juices, and avoiding alcoholand caffeine. If your doctor has told

By Marilyn S.Radke,M.D.

LiveWell

ToLearnMoreFormoreinformation,writetothe

NationalInstituteon Aging Infor-mation Center, P.O. Box 8057,Gaithersburg,MD20898-8057;orcall800-222-2225(TTY:800-222-4225);orvisitthewebsiteat www.nia.nih.gov.

Heat Stroke: A Medical Emergency

TOO MUCH heat causessweat to flow ontoyour skin. As the sweatdries,the surface ofyour body cools.

you to limit liquids, ask what youshould do when it is very hot.• Keeping as cool as possible – use

air conditioning or fans; limit oven use;cover windows with shades, blinds orcurtains during theday; openwindowsat night (whilemaintaining security);• Spendingat least twohoursduring

midday in a location that has air condi-tioning– shoppingmall, library, friend’shouse, senior center ormovie theater;• Checking the weather report and

avoiding the outdoors when it is hotand humid, or when an air-pollutionalert is in effect;• Traveling during nonrush hour

times and arranging transportationthrough a friend, relative, religiousgroup, agency, senior van or taxi, in-stead of waiting outdoors for a bus;• Dressing for the weather (light-

colored cotton), and avoiding physicalactivity and crowds in the heat; and• Checking for a Low IncomeHome

EnergyAssistance Program if youhavean air conditioner but cannot affordthe high electric bills.The temperature indoors or out-

doors does not have to reach 100 de-grees Fahrenheit to cause heat strokeand death. Visit your doctor or anemergency room immediately if youhave signs of a heat-related illness, andyou cannot cool down quickly.

Marilyn S. Radke, M.D., is board cer-tified in preventive medicine andpractices in Atlanta, GA.


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Miss an Issue?NARFE magazine is online at

www.narfe.org. Log in as amember,clickonNARFEMagazineunder Departments, then click onthe cover of the current issue orArchives forback issues.

During the current discussion ofour nation’s fiscal situation, NARFEhas said that while we understandthere will be sacrifice, federal retireesandworkers shouldnot be singled outunfairly.Many believe that our retirement

benefits are “too generous.” Each timethere is a storyabout this in thenational

or local media, the morale of federalworkers and retirees goes down. Wehave served our country proudly, andmany of us have sacrificed in doing so.We deserve to be treated fairly!Representatives and senators know

howmany federal employees and re-tirees live in their districts and states.So, if they don’t hear from you, theymay suspect that you are indifferent toyour earned retirement, pay andhealth benefits being cut. This is thetime that all NARFE members shouldpickup the phone andmake the call todefend their benefits.

Thismagazineshould reachyouonorbeforeJuly26.OnWednesday, July27,NARFE

isaskingallmembers tocall theWhiteHouseand their senatorsand representatives,

and let your voices be heard. In the event that yourmagazine does not arrive

by July 27, it is still important that youmake these calls as soon as possible.


July 27National ‘Call-In’ Day

Protect Your Benefits

By Julie TagenAssistant Legislative Director

TO CALL CONGRESSTo make your call to Congress,

dial 866-220-0044 (toll-free) to reachthe U.S. Capitol switchboard and askfor your senators and representativeby name, or provide your ZIP code sothat the operator can direct you tothe correct office.Once connected to your lawmaker’s

office, NARFEmembers should say:• My name is __________________,

and I live in (name city/town). I am afederal worker (or retiree).• Don’t single us out by making

more cuts to the retirement andhealthbenefits we earned through years ofserving the public.• Federal workers and retirees have

already sacrificed pay and benefits.Whether you speak to a staff person

or leave a recorded message, requestthat your lawmaker respond inwritingto your phone call. For that reason, besure to leave yourmailing address.Contact only your own representa-

tive and two senators. Lawmakers willdisregard your message if you are not

a voting constituent.

TO CALL THE WHITEHOUSETo make your call to the White

House, dial 888-225-8418 (toll-free)and ask for the comment line. Youwillbe connected to a volunteer who willwritedownyourmessage.Use the samescript aswith your congressional calls.Please remember to leave your

contact information so that you canreceive a response. The White Housecomment line is only open Mondaythrough Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.Don’t let Congress and the White

House slash the retirement andhealthbenefits you have earned. Ensure thatyour voice is heard.Pick up the phone on July 27. Take

10 minutes to help save yourbenefits.�


Keep thePressureOnAs the federal budget deliberations continue, itwill be im-portant to keep up-to-date on developments. To do this:

1. Make sure NARFE has your e-mail address to send LegislativeAction Alerts. Call NARFE Member Records at 800-456-8410;e-mail [email protected]; or go online to www.narfe.org,sign in as amember and click on “Join GEMS” in the left panel.

2. Join NARFE’s “Protect America’s Heartbeat” campaign. Go towww.ProtectAmericasHeartbeat.org, share your story of federalservice and send a message to Congress. As these messageschange frequently, please check this site regularly andmake sureyou are included on the latest message to Congress.

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Have you ever wanted toshare with your col-leagues what you havelearned on the job? Do

you have valuable information thatmight prevent your colleagues – espe-cially younger ones – from makingmistakes or help them do their jobsbetter? Are you thinking about retire-ment and what kind of legacy youwould like to leave behind?Experts interviewed by the Civil

Service Career Coach suggest thatsenior employees should consider be-comingmentors.Governmentworkers,including rank-and-file employees,have a wealth of knowledge on how todo their jobs. Theymay be particularlyhelpful in bringing new employees onboard. If your grade is not as high asyou would like, mentoring also mightshowcase your leadership abilities.But how to get started? To find out,

the Civil Service Career Coach inter-viewed Solly Thomas, a Partnership forPublic Service Excellence in Govern-ment Fellows coach. Thomas spent 30years managing and directing federal

agencies. A mentor, he explains, issomeonewho is ready,willing and ableto pass along knowledge to otherpeople. Based on their experience andexpertise, mentors can help their pro-tégés advance their careers, build theirnetworks and succeed on the job.

WHY MENTOR?“When you sit

down and startm e n t o r i n gpeople, you geta sense of accom-plishment,” saysThomas. “I findthat the youngergeneration – theyare like spongesand are open totheir elders. Youcan get an incred-ible feeling of self-worth – a senseyou have reallycontributed. It feelsgoodwhen youmentor people.”Thomas adds that mentoring also

could lead to career advancement.“Management might say, ‘Wow, this

person is a resourcewe can really use.’”Mentoring also is a great step if you

are considering retirement. “Passingalong your experience and expertise isa great way to leave your legacy or im-print on the organization,” he points

out. “And it could lead to asecond career. Your pro-

tégés might reachback to you later.”These relation-shipscould leadtoworkingwithyour agency

after retirement.

HOW DOYOU BEGIN?Your human

resources depart-mentmayalreadyhavea formalpro-gram, providingtraining andmatching men-torswithprotégés.

Another option is to talk to your super-visor or someone in human resources.Explain what you can offer and whyyou are interested. Thomas suggests

By Dale S.Brown

Becoming a Mentor

Civil Service Career Coach

MENTORING IS animportant contributionthat you can make inthe last few years of

your career.

MentoringTipsBelowareSolly Thomas’recommendationsandadviceonhowyoucancontributetothecareerdevelopmentofyour

protégés.• Be committed. It takes time to mentor people.This is a serious relationship. Schedule the time into your week.• Be a good listener. Your advice must be relevant. Just as a doctor needs to really hear your symptoms to give

the right diagnosis,you need to really hear their problems to give good advice.• Be a good communicator. You have a lot of knowledge to pass on. Organize your thoughts. It shouldn’t be a

brain dump.•Target your advice to the protégé. Don’t assume that what worked for you will work for him or her. Give sev-

eral options. Use phrases such as,“This is what worked for me” or“Here are some ways to handle that.”• Be passionate.Be passionate about your agency,your program and the career development of your protégé.

telling themaboutapositiveexperienceyou may have had while you werebeing mentored and offering to giveback the good experience that you re-ceived. If youwerenevermentored, saysomething like, “I never had the advan-tage of a mentor and wish that I had. Ireally struggled. Iwould like togive thatadvantage to someoneelse soheor shewon’t struggle asmuch as I did.”If your goal is career advancement,

youcould say, “I love themissionof theagency and wonder if I could help bymentoring someone–maybe someonecoming on board or in another depart-mentwho could usewhat I know.”If you know you are going to retire

soon, you could tell your boss that youare interested in spending the nextyear passing on the results of your ex-perience by mentoring others ortraining your successor. Your offer islikely to be taken because the need formentors is great. “However, it mightlook a little presumptuous to offer tomentor someone,” Thomas says. “Itoften takes a third party to arrange.”Mentoring is an important contri-

bution you can make in the last fewyears of your career. You can supportthe mission of your agency by trans-ferring knowledge to others. You cangive back to the organization, and itmay help you move forward. “Themore you teach people, the more youlearn,” says Thomas. Many mentorssay that they gotmore than they gave,and the relationship was rewarding.And if you are retiring, your protégésmay very well carry on your legacy.

Dale S. Brown, nationally recognized forher contributions during her 25 yearsin the civil service, is the author of fivebooks, including one co-authored withRichard Nelson Bolles, author of WhatColor IsYour Parachute? E-mail:[email protected].


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Lump-Sum Annual LeaveLUMP-SUM LEAVE PAYMENTQUESTION:I am under the FederalEmployees Retirement System(FERS)andplan to retire at theendofthe year. I understand that themostadvantageous date to retire for em-ployees under FERS is the last day ofthemonth.Is this correct?I alsowas told that,if I retire at the

end of December, I would receive acheckfortheunusedannual leavesometime in January 2012.I asked how thiswouldbetaxed,sincethiswouldbepaidinto the next year (2012). The humanresources specialist told me that, be-sidesFICAandMedicare,thereisanau-tomatic25percentwithheld for federalincometax.Ihavenotseenthiswrittenanywhere. My normal withholding ismarriedwith three exemptions.Is thisinformationcorrect?

By retiringat theendofDecember2011,myfirst retirementcheckwouldbe,in theory,February2012,butweallknow that there is a delay in pro-cessing. If I do not getmy first retire-ment check until March 2012, will italso include the amount that I wouldhave received in February,along withtheMarch payment?Response: FERS voluntary retirementannuities commence thefirst day of themonth after separation.We suggest you check with the In-

ternal Revenue Service concerningwithholding of taxes from your lump-sum leave payment.Generally, estimated special interim

annuity payments aremadewhenyoufirst retire. Your agency has 30 days tosubmit your retirement records, so youmaynot receive your first annuity pay-ment on February 1, 2012. When theestimated interim payment is made, itwill be retroactive to January 1, 2012.When your exact amount is com-puted, all amounts due from the dateof retirement will be paid.

FERSSUPPLEMENT

QUESTION: I willretire at the end ofthe year at age 61under the Federal Em-ployees Retirement System(FERS).I have not taken any an-nual leavethisyearandhavecar-ried over 240 hours from last year.When I inquired at my human re-sources office about the supplementthat FERSemployees get until age 62,Iwas told that Iwouldnotget theSpe-cial Retirement Supplement becausemy lump-sum annual leave paymentwould put me over the earnings capfor the Social Security supplement. Ithought that I would get the supple-ment until age 62 based on the

number of years that I had underFERS.Response: A person who is employedafter retiring may lose part or all of theSpecial Retirement Supplementbecauseof an earnings limitation rule in the law.The FERS Special Retirement Supple-ment is reduced by $1 for every $2earned over the earnings limitationamount, which is $14,160 for 2011 andwill most likely increase in 2012.According to the Social SecurityAd-

ministration, if youwork for wages, in-come counts when it is earned – notwhen it is paid. If youhave income thatyou earned one year, but the paymentwasmade the following year, it shouldnot be counted as earnings for the yearinwhichyou receive it. Someexamplesare accumulated sick or vacation payand bonuses.It appears that because your leave

would be earned in 2011 or earlier,your lump-sum leave payment shouldnot exclude you from the Special Re-tirement Supplement, particularly sincethe rule is that the FERS supplement isbased on a person’s earnings after re-tirement.

SPOUSALSS BENEFITSQUESTION:Myhus-band retired fromprivate industryand is collectingSocial Security.

I am still employed under the CivilService Retirement System and amage 66.I understand that I cannot re-ceivehalf ofmyhusband’sSocial Secu-rity benefit when I retire due to thecurrent law.Since I am still employed,can I collect half of his Social Securitywhile I amactivelyworking?Response: The Government PensionOffset only applies if you are receivinga retirement benefit. Since you are still

NOTE: The following Questions &Answers were compiled by Retire-ment Benefits Service Departmentstaff. These are real questionsreceived by the Department andreal answers, based on themembers’ personal circumstances.The answers are not universal andmay include information that isrelevant to the correspondent’sparticular situation.NARFE does notprovide legal advice or assistance,does not provide financial planningadvice or assistance, and does notprovide tax advice or assistance. Forlegal, financial planning or taxadvice/assistance,NARFE recom-mends members contact anattorney, financial planner or certi-fied public accountant/tax adviser.

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an active federal employee and not re-ceiving your retirement benefit, youare entitled to receive a Social Securitybenefit based on your husband’s earn-ings.In addition, since you are now age

66, your spousal benefit would not beoffset by your own earnings. As soonas you retire from federal employ-ment, you must notify the Social Se-curity Administration (SSA) so thatthe SSA can reduce or stop yourspousal benefit.

FED RE-EMPLOYMENTQUESTION: I am age 55 and have14-1/2 years of civil service employ-ment. I have worked for the past 20years in the private sector and paidinto Social Security.I am consideringseeking federal employment in order

to get 20 years of federal service forpurposes of retirement benefits,suchashealth insurance.Iwouldappreciateany information you could givemeonreturning to government service.Response: You may want to visit thewebsite www.opm.gov. Under “JobSeekers” at the top of themiddle panel,click on USAJOBS for current job list-ings. If you have been separated formore than one year and have an ap-pointment that confers retirement cov-erage, you would be re-employed

under the Civil Service RetirementSystem (CSRS) Offset or under the Fed-eral Employees Retirement System(FERS). CSRSOffset includes CSRS andSocial Security coverage. If you electcoverage under FERS, you also wouldbe covered under Social Security. Ifyou retire under CSRSOffset, your an-nuity would be reduced by the por-tion of your total Social Security ben-efit that is payable based on federalservice performed while covered byboth the CSRS and Social Security.

NARFE SERVICEOFFICERS are available to answer questions and toassist in helping with a variety of benefit matters.Check your chapter newsletterfor the name and phone number of your service officer.Call NARFE toll-free at

800-456-8410for the nearest service officer.NARFE Service Centers are also available in someareas.Use the Service Center listings on the NARFE Web site,www.narfe.org.

Questions &Answers

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If you elect coverage under FERS,your retirement benefits include SocialSecurity and distributions from yourThrift Savings Plan account.If you have less than 30 years of

substantial earnings under Social Se-curity, you may be subject to theWindfall Elimination Provision.

FEHBPQUESTION: I plan to retire beforetheendof theyear. I amcurrently cov-eredunderBlueCross/BlueShieldandwould like to continue that coverageinto retirement. I learned that I willsoon need bilateral shoulder replace-ment surgery. I am currently under-going physical therapy to ensure thestrength and flexibility aspects ofmyshoulders are good prior to surgery.Isthere an advantage to delayingmy re-tirement so that I can have these sur-geries prior to retirement, or wouldthecoveragebethesameregardlessofwhen they are performed?Response: Health plans in the FederalEmployees Health Benefits Programoffer identical coverage to employeesand retirees.

BENEFIT CALCULATIONQUESTION: Who can I contact attheOffice of Personnel Management(OPM) regardingmymonthly retire-ment calculations? I would like a copyfor my permanent records. The fig-ures frommyagencywerehigher thanwhatOPMcalculated.Response: You canwrite to theOffice ofPersonnel Management, RetirementOperations Center, P.O. Box 45, Boyers,PA 16017. Provide your name and civilservice retirement claimnumber or So-cial Security number, and request anexplanation of how your retirementbenefit was calculated.

PROOF OF REMARRIAGEQUESTION: TheOfficeof PersonnelManagement (OPM) is requiring thatI provide a marriage license to showthatmy ex-spouse remarried prior toher 55th birthday.OPMwill not ceasereducing my annuity for the formerspouse survivor’s benefits. I do nothave that ability because NewYorkstate law forbids providing a copy ofthemarriage license to a nonparty.Response: According to material wehave reviewed from New York state,you can get amarriage certificate if youdocument that you need it for a properpurpose. This could include theneed toclaim a benefit. Documentation wouldconsist of an official letter from theagency verifying that, in order toprocess the claim, the agency requires acopy of the requested marriage recordfrom the applicant.OPMhas sent you a letter requiring

your former wife’s marriage certificateto increase the amount of your federalretirement benefits, so this appears tomeet the New York state requirement.OPM will not change the amount ofyour retirement benefit to eliminatethe reduction to provide survivor’sbenefits without proof that yourformer wife remarried prior to age 55.

DIRECT DEPOSITQUESTION: How do I go abouthaving my mother’s direct depositswitched to a different bank?Response: The new bank where yourmother would like to have the directdeposit sent shouldhave a copyof stan-dard form1199A. This is a general formused to change a direct deposit for a va-riety of government payments. Youwillneed to have your mother sign theform.In addition, youwill have to provide

her civil service retirement claimnumber. To expedite the process, you

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can have the financial institution faxthe form to 724-794-6633. If youwantto mail the form to the Office of Per-sonnel Management (OPM), the ad-dress is Office of Personnel Manage-ment, Retirement Operations Center,P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0440.If you have the new bank account

number, bank routing number, the re-tirement claim number and Social Se-curity number, the change indirect de-posit also can be completed by calling888-767-6738. If your mother is inca-pable of handling her own funds, youcan contact OPM’s Retirement Opera-tions Center and request to bemade arepresentative payee.

NEW SPOUSE BENEFITSQUESTION: Iamsingleandretired in1990 under the Civil Service Retire-mentSystem(CSRS).If I getmarried,would I be able to get survivor’s bene-fits formywife and atwhat cost?Response: When you get married afterretirement, you can elect a reduced an-nuity to provide a survivor’s annuity foryour spouse. But you must submit awritten request for the survivor’s ben-efit to the Office of Personnel Manage-ment (OPM), and OPMmust receive it,within two years of the date of themar-riage. If you are sure youwant tomakethe election, you may want to do itsoon after marriage because, if youforget and exceed the two-year filingdeadline, youwouldnot be able to electthe benefit.If you elect to provide the survivor’s

benefit, therewould be two reductionsin your annuity. One would be the re-duction to provide the survivor’s ben-efit. The amount of the reduction de-pends on the amount of the benefityou elect. The reduction would beeliminated if the marriage ends. Thereduction in your annuity would beabout 10 percent for the maximum

Questions &Answers

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Neutronic Ear has been designed with thefinest micro-digital electronic componentsavailable to offer superb performance and yearsof use. Many years of engineering and development have created a product that’sready to use right out of the box. The patentedcase design and unique clear tube make it practical and easy to use. The entire unit weighs only 1/10th of an ounce, and it hides comfortably behind either ear. The tube is designed to deliver clear crisp sound while leaving the ear canal open. The electronic components are safe from moisture and waxbuildup, and you won’t feel like you have a

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survivor’s benefit or less if you elect asmaller amount. The other reductionin your annuity is a permanent actu-arial reduction to pay the survivor’sbenefit deposit. The deposit equals thedifference between the new annuityrate and the annuity paid to you fromretirementwith interest. The reductionis determined by dividing the amountof the deposit by an actuarial factor foryour age on the date your annuity isreduced to provide the benefit. The ac-tuarial reduction would not be elimi-nated from your annuity if your mar-riage ends. This actuarial reductionusually does not exceed 5 percent ofthe annuity.Your newwife would be eligible for

survivor’s benefits after ninemonths ofmarriage, if you have made your elec-tion. After you have been married for

nine months, OPM will send you anelection letter to confirm the electionand give you the exact amount of theannuity reduction to provide the sur-vivor’s benefit. Themaximumamountof the benefit is 55 percent of yourpresent CSRS benefit. However, youcould elect a lower survivor’s benefit.You also could request the reductionfor several survivor’s benefit amountsif you need to consider various alter-natives.Note that youwould need to elect a

survivor’s benefit in some amount for

your wife in order for her to continuecoverageunder the Federal EmployeesHealth Benefits Program (FEHBP) as asurvivor annuitant.If you get married, you can elect to

include your wife on your FEHBP en-rollment immediately by contactingOPM.

MEDICAREQUESTION:My husband and I cur-rently have Mail Handlers Standardoption under the Federal EmployeesHealth Benefits Program (FEHBP).I


NARFE now offers an online retirementcalculator and other financial planningtools formembers only.Find outmoreabout this newmembership benefit atwww.narfe.org.

am covered under his insurance.Myhusbandwill turnage65onNovember30.We are both retired military aswell as retired civil service. Whenshould he enroll inMedicare?Response: If your husband is not re-ceiving Social Security benefits, hemaywant to check with his local Social Se-curity office approximately threemonths prior to age 65. TRICARE-For-Life (themilitaryMedicare supplementplan for retirees)will require enrollmentin both Medicare Part A and MedicarePart B.Also, all annual deductibles, co-

payments and coinsurance, except forprescription drugs, are waived underMail Handlers when Medicare is pri-mary.When you reach age 65, and both

you and your husband are coveredunder Medicare Part A and MedicarePart B with TRICARE-For-Life, youmay want to suspend your Mail Han-dlers coverage. This can be done bycontacting the Office of PersonnelManagement after both you and yourhusband are covered by TRICARE-For-Life and Medicare Part A and PartB, and requesting suspension of theMail Handlers coverage.You can resume Mail Handlers

during any subsequentOpen Season ifyou find that you are dissatisfied withthe combination ofMedicare andTRI-CARE-For-Life. Youwould not pay anyFEHBP premiums during the periodyou chose to suspend your FEHBPcoverage.

To obtain an answer to a retirementbenefits question, call 703-838-7760and ask for the Retirement BenefitsService Department; send yourquestion by postal mail to NARFEHeadquarters,ATTN: RetirementBenefits; or submit it by e-mail [email protected].


“Well, I finally did it. I finally decided to enter the digital age and get a cell phone. My kidshave been bugging me, my book group made fun of me, and the last straw was when mycar broke down, and I was stuck by the highway for an hour before someone stopped tohelp. But when I went to the cell phone store, I almost changed my mind. �e phones areso small I can’t see the numbers, much less push the right one. �ey all have cameras, computers and a “global-positioning” something or other that’s supposed to spot me fromspace. Goodness, all I want to do is to be able to talk to my grandkids! �e people at thestore weren’t much help. �ey couldn’t understand why someone wouldn’t want a phone the size of a postage stamp. And the rate plans! �ey were complicated, confusing, and expensive… and the contract lasted fortwo years! I’d almost given up when a friend told me about hernew Jitterbug phone. Now, I have the convenience and safety ofbeing able to stay in touch… with a phone I can actually use.”

�e cell phone that’s right for me. Sometimes I think the people who designed this phone and the rate plans had me inmind. �e phone fits easily in my pocket, and it flips open toreach from my mouth to my ear. �e display is large and backlit, so I can actually see who is calling. With a push of a button I can amplify the volume, and if I don’t know a number, Ican simply push “0” for a friendly, helpful operator that will lookit up and even dial it for me. �e Jitterbug also reduces backgroundnoise, making the sound loud and clear. �ere’s even a dial tone, soI know the phone is ready to use.

Affordable plans that I can understand – and no contract tosign! Unlike other cell phones, Jitterbug has plans that makesense. Why should I pay for minutes I’m never going to use?And if I do talk more than I plan, I won’t find myself with nominutes like my friend who has a prepaid phone. Best of all,there is no contract to sign – so I’m not locked in for years ata time or subject to termination fees. �e U.S.–based customerservice is second to none, and the phone gets service virtuallyanywhere in the country.

Call now and get a FREE Car Charger and FREE Leather Carrying Case – a $43.99 value. Try Jitterbug for 30 days and if you don't love it, just return it1. Why wait, the Jitterbug comesready to use right out of the box. If youaren’t as happy with it as I am, you can return it for a refund of the purchase price.Call now, the Jitterbug product experts areready to answer your questions.

IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc. Your invoices will come from GreatCall. All rate plans and services require the purchase of a Jitterbug phone anda one-time set up fee of $35. Coverage and service is not available everywhere. Other charges and restrictions may apply. Screen images simulated. There are no additional fees to call Jitterbug’s 24-hour U.S. Based Customer Service. However, for calls to an Operator in which a service is completed, minutes will be deducted from your monthly balance equal to the length of the call and anycall connected by the Operator, plus an additional 5 minutes. Monthly rate plans do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges. Prices and fees subject to change. 1We will refund thefull price of the Jitterbug phone if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition. We will also refund your first monthly service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage. Ifyou have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will apply for each minute over 30 minutes. The activation fee and shipping charges are not refundable. Jitterbug is a registered trademark of GreatCall, Inc. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and/or its related entities. Copyright © 2011 GreatCall, Inc. Copyright © 2011 byfirstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Some changes in the rulesgoverning the Federal Em-ployees’ Group Life Insur-ance (FEGLI) program re-

cently took effect. The changes dealwith the timing for enrolling in FEGLIand the process for choosing to reducecoverage at age 65.The Federal Employees’ Group Life

Insurance program, establishedby lawAugust 17, 1954, provides term life in-surance coverage for federal em-

ployees. Term life insurance, as op-posed to whole life insurance, has nocash value and is designed to protectagainst the risk of financial ruin due toa worker’s untimely death during theyears his or her family would need in-come the most. Offered as anotherbenefit to attractworkers to the federalgovernment, the program has ex-panded greatly since its beginnings inorder to keep pacewithwhat is offeredto workers in the private sector.

BASIC COVERAGEAll eligible new federal employees

are automatically enrolled and coveredin the program’s Basic life insurancewhen they begin working for the gov-ernment unless the employee activelywaives participation. Because the gov-ernment covers one-third of the totalpremium cost, premiums are kept at areasonable rate. The face value of Basicinsurance keeps pace with the em-ployee’s career because it is tied to the


Keeping Up WithYourFederal Life Insurance

Retirement Benefits

Who is fighting for your benefits in Congress?“There is no guarantee to your federalpension based on the economics weface today in this country.

—Sen. Tom Coburn, R-OK

In today’s economic climate, federal retirement programs are a

target for Congress. NARFE is the only association dedicated

solely to safeguarding and enhancing the benefits of America’s

active and retired federal employees and their families.


”Keep your membership active! NARFE is here for you.

NARFE Is!

employee’s salary: The Basic benefit isthe current salary rounded up to thenearest $1,000, plus another $2,000.

OPTIONAL COVERAGEThe FEGLI program also offers ad-

ditional optional insurance coveragefor those enrolled in Basic butwithoutany government subsidy for the pre-mium cost. Employees can:• Elect the Standard Option (Option

A), which provides an additional$10,000 of insurance; and/or• Buy additional amounts of Basic

insurance (Option B), up to five timesthe employee’s annual rate of basicpay; and/or• Buy Family coverage (Option C)

for a spouse and children, up to fivemultiples of $5,000 for the spouse and$2,500 for each eligible child.

NEW RULES ON ELECTINGCOVERAGEThe new regulations expand the

time for electing Optional coveragefrom 31 calendar days to 60 calendardays after the employee becomes eli-gible for FEGLI coverage. They alsoallow an employee who experiences a“qualifying life event” 60 days to electBasic, plus any or all Optional cover-ages. Qualifying life events are mar-riage, divorce, death of a spouse, andbirth or adoption of a child. Plus, thereare now provisions for employees tomake a belated election within sixmonths of the qualifying event if theiremploying agency determines thatthey were unable, for reasons beyondtheir control, to elect the coveragewithin the time limit.

RETIREMENT AND FEGLIAs with the Federal Employees

Health Benefits Program, employeescan continue their FEGLI coverageinto retirement if they retire on an im-

mediate annuity, have not convertedtheir FEGLI coverage to a private plan,and have been enrolled in FEGLI forthe five years immediately precedingretirement or at every opportunity cov-erage was available for all periods ofservice. Retirees cannot elect new cov-erage after retirement. But they canelect to terminate any insurance theycarried into retirement.

NEW RULES ON REDUCINGCOVERAGEThe new regulations require em-

ployees who want to continue OptionB and Option C multiples into retire-ment to decide at retirement if theywant these options to reduce begin-ning at age 65. There no longer is a

second election permitted at age 65.But the new regulations allow em-

ployees to choose to have somemulti-ples fully reducedand theothersnot re-duced at allwhen they reach the ageof65. In otherwords, a “mixed” election.There is no reduction election for

the Standard Option (Option A). The$10,000 value reduces at 2 percent permonth starting at age 65 or retirement,whichever is later, until it reaches$2,500, but there is no premium costonce it begins to reduce.Life insurance is an important aspect

offinancialplanning.Federal employeesand retirees can learn more aboutFEGLI at www.opm.gov/insure/life.

Retirement Benefits ServiceDepartment


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NARFE magazine and the NARFE website keep youinformed of changes in – or threats to – your federalbenefits. Know what’s going on and when you shouldtake action with other NARFE member-advocates.

Keep your membership active!NARFE is here for you.


Who gives you accessto timely information on

changes in federal benefits?

NARFE Does!

NARFENews

The Florida Federation haslaunched NARFE’s second on-line chapter. Chapter 2364,

“eNARFE Florida,” went live on the In-ternet on June 15. It can be found onthe Web at www.narfe.org/eflorida. “Weare very happy to welcome Chapter2364 into the NARFE family,” said Na-tional President Joseph A. Beaudoin.The first online chapter, 2363,launched in March.Chapter 2364 was chartered on April

20 with seven charter members. “Thechapter charter members, all of whomhave been NARFE officers, hope to ful-fill the vision of our new leadership byproviding a form of membership that re-flects today’s active lifestyle and elec-tronic forms of communication,” saidChapter President Marc A. Harris.

“Now that the eNARFE Florida web-site is online, we plan to fill it with in-formation needed by and of interest toour members,” Harris said. “We plan towork with the public relations, re-cruiting and retention chairs in Floridato develop collat-eral material thatreflects botheNARFE and thetraditional formsof chapter opera-tions. We alreadyhave an excellentPowerPoint pres-entation that goesa long way tomeet this goal.“Our most im-

portant plan is to

emphasize the need for our membersto be responsive to all Action Alerts,” headded. Action Alerts are typically is-sued by NARFE on an urgent legislativematter.Other chapter officers are: Ben

Pappa, vice president; Lynne Isaacs, sec-retary; and Robert Miller, treasurer. �

‘eNARFE Florida’ Launches

NARFE Receives BequestFrom Florida Member

NARFE was named as a beneficiary in the will of AnneB. Chappell, who died October 10, 2009, at the age of

96. Mrs. Chappell joined NARFE in 1989 as a life memberand was living in Sarasota, FL, at the time of her death. Theamount of the bequest, which was received from the AnneB. Chappell Trust on June 8, was $37,277. A plaque recog-nizing Mrs. Chappell’s generosity will be placed in the lobbyof NARFE Headquarters.


NARFE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONFor Active and Retired Federal Employees www.narfe.org

JoinJoin NARFENARFE Today!Today!

• Complete the application below. • Enclose payment information, bill pay,

check or money order payable to NARFE,or request to be billed.

• Or go to our Web site at www.narfe.org. • Or call us at 800-627-3394 and join today!

*Prior to October 1, 1987

Membership is open to civilians in any agency ofthe federal or D.C.* governments including:• Retirees • Active federal employees • Spouses and former spouses of active and

retired federal employees• Former employees eligible for deferred annuity• Survivors of those eligible to join NARFE

Who can join? To apply:

Enrollment includes membership in a local chapter and the nationalassociation, plus a subscription to NARFE’s monthly publication, NARFE magazine.

1.

2. � Also enroll my spouse __________________________

3. � Please enroll me in NARFE chapter ______________

4. $45 x =__________ __________ __________Membership Fee # of People Total

Per Person Enrolling Payment

� Total payment (check, bill pay or money order payableto NARFE)

� Bill me (Membership starts when payment is received)� Charge to my credit card

The first year membership fee includes national and chapter dues.

Credit Card Information:Card type: � MasterCard � VISA

� Discover � AMEX

Card no. ___________________________________________

Expiration Date ________________

Name on Card (Print) ________________________________

Signature ____________________________ Date __________

Choose all that apply: � Retiree� Spouse� Survivor

� Active employee� Former spouse� Former employee

NARFE Member Records606 N. Washington St.

Alexandria, VA 22314-1914Fax: 703-838-7783

Full Name: Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms.

Street Address Apt./Unit

City/State/ZIP

Phone Number

E-mail Address

Date of Birth

Spouse’s Date of Birth (if applicable)

Recruiter’s Membership and Chapter Number

Contact Information:

(MM) (YY)

1Q

MAIL TO:

full name

Check outeNARFE, our new electronic membershipoption, at www.NARFE.org


AuthorizationI authorize the United States Office of Personnel Management to make appropriate deductions from my annuity payments, not toexceed the amount certified by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association as the amount of dues for which I amannually obligated, in accordance with elections I make below and to pay the deducted sum to the National Active and Retired FederalEmployees Association (NARFE). This authorization shall also apply to any and all dues changes certified by NARFE membership inaccordance with elections I make below:

Do You Authorize Your Spouse’s Dues to Be Withheld from Your Annuity? �� Yes �� NoIf YES, enter your spouse’s name and membership number below. You authorize:

Annual NARFE dues of $34.00 plusChapter dues of record to be withheld annually.

I understand that this authorization shall be valid until NARFE receives & processes my written notice of cancellation in accordancewith its agreement with the Office of Personnel Management & that any disputes regarding this authorization shall be a matter betweenNARFE & myself. I hold the Office of Personnel Management harmless for any erroneous allotment deduction made pursuant to thisauthorization.

Dues payments & gifts orcontributions to NARFE arenot deductible as charitablecontributions for federalincome tax purposes.

Signature of Annuitant or Survivor-Annuitant Date

Name Number

Dues Withholding Application (Retirees Only)Dues Withholding Application (Retirees Only)

Fill out this form completely and mail to: Attn: Member Records, NARFE, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314 (Do Not Send Money With This Form).

(Please Print)

— — ——

Social Security Number (9-digits)

(Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms.)

Address Telephone

City, State, ZIP E-mail

Date of Birth NARFE Membership Number NARFE Chapter Number

C SCivil Service Annuity Number(Include prefix CSA or CSF)

(Include any applicable suffix)

—

Retired Federal Employees Only

If you are a Retired Federal Employee and you would like your NARFE dues to be deductedfrom your annuity payments, fill out the form below.

NARFE Dues Withholding Application


Out &AboutWith the Chapters

Visit our online gallery at www.narfe.org.Click on NARFE magazine.

Congressional Speaker. U.S. Rep. John B. Larson spoke to Chapter 154 inGreater Hartford, CT. Pictured, left to right: Raymond Poet, chapterpresident; Larson; a representative of the Center for Medicare Advocacy;and Carol Ihnatenko, treasurer.

To submit a photo: E-mail it to [email protected] or send it by postal mail to NARFE Headquarters, ATTN: Out & About.

Scholarship Winner. Chapter 1797 in Adams-Hanover, PA,awarded a $500 scholarship to Kelsey Koerner, center, whowill attend Hood College in the fall. From left to right: SherryBixler, Koerner’s mother; Kalman Illyefalvi, chapter president;Koerner; Marian Conboy, chapter public relations officer; andCraig Koerner, father.

Alzheimer’s Fundraiser. Chapter 7 in Arlington, VA,raised $208 for the NARFE-Alzheimer’s Fund at acommunity yard sale. Pictured are Bonnie Franklin, left,Alzheimer’s chair; and Emily Samaha.

Your charitable contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Write your

chapter number on check; make it payable to:NARFE-Alzheimer’s Research and mail to:

Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., 17th Floor

Chicago, IL 60601-7633

SUPPORT ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH

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

Name _______________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________

City _______________________________ State _________ ZIP______________

Chapter number _______________________

NARFE members contributedfor Alzheimer’s research:

$10 Million Fund

$9,246,049**Total as of May 31, 2011

100% of all contributed fundsgo to Alzheimer’s research.

If you have any qquueessttiioonnss,, write to:National Committee Chairman

Barb L. Pretzer, 4817 Rockridge Ct.Manhattan, KS 66503

Credit Card Information: � Visa � MasterCard �Discover � AMEX

Card Number:__________________________________________________________

Expiration Date:________(mm)/_________(yy) 3-Digit Security Code: _________

Name on Card: (print) ___________________________________________________

Signature:_________________________________________ Date: _______________

Protect America’s Heartbeat. Representatives of chapters in the St.Louis, MO, area brought the campaign to the office of U.S. Sen. ClaireMcCaskill. From left to right: Elbert Williams and Patricia Cornell,Chapter 112; Brendon Fahey, McCaskill field representative; LindaKurz, Chapter 2071; and Delores Ivey and Art Buck, Chapter 1240.


NARFE MembershipAs Insurance PolicyIs a Good Deal

resident Joseph A. Beaudoin’sJuly editorial “Strength inNumbers” (p. 6) stated, “At $40

per year, I will bet that NARFE mem-bership is the cheapest insurancepolicy you have.” During a hurriedlunch one day, I realized that myNARFE membership, includingchapter dues, costs about the same asone “Big Mac” each month. Is there abetter deal than that? Yes, since I’m onDues Withholding, that’s the cost of a

monthly cheeseburger “Happy Meal,”and with NARFE, there are no diet con-

cerns, which makes me even happier.Dorothy Creswell,

New Braunfels, TXREMINDER:Call Congress on

July 27.

The call is free!

Do your part to

defend your benefits.

Letters

Letters to the editor may be edited for grammar, clarity andlength. All letters must be signed.Send by e-mail to [email protected] or bypostal mail to NARFE Headquarters,ATTN: Letters to the Editor.

NARFE-FEEAPROGRAM FUND CONTRIBUTION FORM

YOUR CHARITABLECONTRIBUTION IS TAX

DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.

Make check payable to:NARFE-FEEA Disaster Fund orNARFE-FEEA Scholarship Fund.

Please mail coupon and check to:

FEEA3333 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 300

Lakewood, CO 80227

YES! I would like to help with my contribution.Please check appropriate box(es). To make credit-card contributions,call 800-338-0755.Scholarships are available to children and grandchildren of federal civilian retirees andcurrent federal employees who are NARFE members.

� NARFE-FEEA Disaster Fund Amount $� NARFE-FEEA Scholarship Fund Amount $

Name

Address

City State ZIP

Celebrate NARFE’s 90th! NARFE has 90th Anniversary merchandise for sale:

• 90th Anniversary Book, DISCOUNTED to $6. See ad, p. 43. • 90th Anniversary PowerPoint Presentation, $5 (for chapter use);• 90th Anniversary Lapel Pin, $3. Go to www.narfe.org, click on Leadership at the top of the page,

then click on NARFE 90th Anniversary Merchandise.

Celebrating 90 Years of Service

1921-2011

PCorrection

Glenn Turner, winner of the GEICORetiree Award for Public Service,

is a member of Chapter 227 in Nash-ville, TN. The chapter was misidentifiedin the July issue.


Celebrating 90 Years of Service

1921-2011

Limited Edition 90th Anniversary Book

Order your copy of NARFE’s 90th Anniversary Book today, while supplies last!

Clip and mail to: NARFE 90th Book, 606 N. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1914

Name __________________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________

City__________________________________________State ______ZIP ___________

Member ID# (As it appears on NARFE magazine label) ________________________

� Charge to my credit card � MasterCard � Visa � Discover � AMEX

Card # _________________________________________________________________

Exp. Date ________ / _______(mm) (yy)

Name on card (print) ____________________________________________________

Signature ____________________________________________ Date_____________

Price includes shipping & handling

Number of Books:

____ x $10 $6 = _________

Tax (if applicable) = _________Virginia residents must add 5% tax($0.30 per book)

Total cost = _______________MAIL ORDER ONLY—NO PHONE ORDERS—make checks payable to NARFE

NARFE’s history is closely tied to the beginnings ofthe civil service system. Since the Association’s hum-ble beginnings in 1921, when 14 retired civil ser-vants met to discuss the economic plight of federalretirees, NARFE has made remarkable achievementsin preserving and improving benefits for federalemployees, retirees and their survivors.

NARFE’s 90th Anniversary book chronicles the Association’s continuous fight to protect your earnedbenefits. Find out just how vital NARFE’s effortshave been throughout its 90 years of serving you.Purchase your copy of NARFE’s 90th Anniversarybook and learn about NARFE’s remarkable achieve-ments – and the Association’s continuing work onyour behalf.

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August 2011 Magazine

Documents

Transcript of August 2011 Magazine