january - National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

Transcription

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RETIREMENT LIFE
JANUARY 2008, Volume 84, Number 1
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
10
14
16
17
18
20
21
22
News Conference, Hearing Held on GPO-WEP
NARFE Pushes Premium Conversion Alternative
Members of Congress in Transition
Government Shutdown Still Possible
Unused Annual Leave Cases Pending Before Judge
Civics 101: Newspapers’ Competitors
2008 Primary Elections by State
COVER STORY
NARFE’s 30th Biennial National Convention
heads to Louisville, KY, in September. It promises
to be a Triple Crown-winning event. Be there!
DEPARTMENTS
36 Retirement Benefits
37
45
47
48
52
56
57
58
Cover photo illustration by Jim
Richards
Photos courtesy of Louisville
Convention & Visitors Bureau
Blue Cross/Blue Shield Changes Mail Pharmacy Provider
Questions & Answers
Faces of NARFE: John E. O’Hara, Chapter 116, Providence,
Rhode Island
Out & About
NARFE News
Letters
For the Record: COLA Chart,TSP Investments, Milestones
At Last! Past Times & Present Pursuits
Brain Game & Bookend
COLUMNS
8 Message From the
National President
27 Alzheimer’s Update
30 Managing Money
32 Live Well
34 Retirement and
Beyond
46 From the Secretary’s
Desk
visit us online at
www.narfe.org
NATIONAL OFFICERS
MARGARET L. BAPTISTE, President
[email protected]
NATHANIEL L. BROWN, Secretary
[email protected]
Editor
Margaret M. Carter
RICHARD C. OSTERGREN, Treasurer
[email protected]
Assistant Editor
Donna J. St. John
Contributing Designers
Charlene Gridley
Jim Richards
Editorial Board:
Margaret L. Baptiste
Nathaniel L. Brown
Richard C. Ostergren
Editorial Office
NARFE, Attn: NARFE magazine
606 North Washington St.
Alexandria, 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
National Headquarters
NARFE Phones Open
8 a.m.—4:45 p.m. (ET) Monday—Friday
Telephone: 703-838-7760
Fax: 703-838-7785
The Association, since July 1970, has been
classified by the IRS as a tax exempt labor organization [not a union]; however, dues and
gifts or contributions to the Association are
not deductible as charitable contributions for
income tax purposes.
Web site: www.narfe.org
NARFE on Tape
Monthly issues of NARFE magazine are available on cassette in selected areas of the
country through the National Library Service
for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
To find out about availability in your area,
call toll-free 1-800-424-8567 and ask for the
Reference Section.
4
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS
REGION I Augie Stratoti
(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and
Vermont)
16 Birch Hill Drive
Nashua, NH 03063-2537
Tel: 603-889-1073
Fax: 603-882-8144
REGION II Charles W. Saylor
(Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,
New Jersey and Pennsylvania)
205 E. Joppa Road, Apt. 1509
Towson, MD 21286-3225
Tel: 410-938-8783
REGION III Robert S. Harrell
(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi,
Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Virgin
Islands)
25112 Kingston Drive
Athens, AL 35613-7382
Tel, Fax: 256-232-2013
REGION IV Tom Johnson
(Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and
Wisconsin)
10429 Oak Branch Trail
Strongsville, OH 44149-1278
Tel: 440-878-1833
Fax: 440-268-9540
REGION V Richard G. Thissen
(Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota)
P. O. Box 485
Lake Ozark, MO 65049-0485
Tel: 573-365-5679
Fax: 573-964-5074
REGION VI Jerry D. Hatfield
(Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma,
Republic of Panama and Texas)
231 Inwood Road
Texarkana, TX 75501-9082
Tel, Fax: 903-832-1120
REGION VII Russ Boor
(Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and
Wyoming)
5843 Agave Lane
Las Cruces, NM 88012-7002
Tel: 505-382-7478
Fax: 505-382-2145
REGION VIII Forney A. Lundy
(California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada
and Republic of Philippines)
769 Ambrose Drive
Salinas, CA 93901-1061
Tel: 831-758-4888
Fax: 831-758-6308
REGION IX Lanny G. Ross
(Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and
Washington)
7450 Illahee Road NE
Bremerton, WA 98311-9431
Tel: 360-692-9741
Fax: 360-662-0384
REGION X Joseph A. Beaudoin
(Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee,
Virginia and West Virginia)
527 Old Fort Road
Winchester, VA 22601-2913
Tel: 540-665-9715
Fax: 540-722-2290
NARFE (ISSN 0034-6179) is published monthly by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees
Association (NARFE), 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria,VA 22314. Periodicals postage paid at
Alexandria, VA, and additional mailing offices. Members: Annual dues includes subscription.
Non-member subscription rate $33. Postmaster: Send address change to: NARFE Attn:
Member Records, NARFE, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria,VA 22314.To ensure prompt
delivery, members should also forward changes of address without delay. Because of the
volume involved, NARFE cannot acknowledge nor be responsible for unsolicited pictures
and manuscripts, although every reasonable precaution is taken.All submissions become the property of NARFE.
Contents of this magazine are copyrighted © 2008. Advertisements in the magazine are not endorsements of
products and/or services by NARFE, unless officially stated in the ad. We shall accept advertising on the same basis
as other reputable publications: that is, we shall not knowingly permit a dishonest advertisement to appear in
NARFE, but at the same time we will not undertake to guarantee the reliability of our advertisers.
JANUARY 2008 | NARFE
How To Contact Us
NARFE Welcomes Your Input and Questions
HUMAN RESOURCES:
HERE’S HOW TO CONTACT US:
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: If you change your
address, please notify Member Records toll-free at
1-800-456-8410, send an e-mail message to
[email protected], or mail the notification to
NARFE Headquarters, ATTN: Member Records.
Q&A: To obtain an answer to a retirement benefits
question, call 703-838-7760 and ask for the
Retirement Benefits Service Department, send an email to [email protected], or mail your question
to NARFE Headquarters, ATTN: Retirement Benefits.
Out & About: Submit photo and caption information by mail to NARFE Headquarters, ATTN: Out
and About, or by e-mail to [email protected].
Personal Milestones: Submit names (both first
names), wedding anniversary (50th only) and chapter name/number/state by mail to NARFE
Headquarters, ATTN: Anniversaries, or by e-mail to
[email protected].
Letters to the Editor: Letters may be edited for
grammar, clarity and length. Because of the volume
received, they will not be acknowledged. All letters
must be signed. Mail to NARFE Headquarters,
ATTN: Letters to the Editor, or e-mail, [email protected].
For help with any Association issue,
CALL NARFE AT 703- 838-7760
When writing to NARFE Headquarters,
use the following address:
NARFE (specify officer, department or staff member)
606 North Washington St.,
If you have e-mail access, use the following list
to direct your inquiries or comments.
BUDGET AND FINANCE:
[email protected]
COMMUNICATIONS: NARFE magazine’s editorial and
print production operations
[email protected]
FEDERATION AND CHAPTER SERVICES: Officer rosters (F-7 & F-7A), chapter openings/closings, bylaw revisions, anniversary & distinguished service certificates
[email protected]
6
[email protected]
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:
[email protected]
LEGISLATION: Legislative efforts, state taxation of annuities and Social Security issues
[email protected]
MAILROOM: Fulfillment of F-18 orders for printed supplies
[email protected]
MEMBER RECORDS: Change of address, membership
status, dues, and death notification
[email protected]
NARFE PROGRAMS: Calendar & Greeting Card Program,
Disaster Fund, Scholarship Program, Pre-Retirement Seminar Program
[email protected]
NATIONAL PRESIDENT: NARFE-Alzheimer’s Program
[email protected]
NARFE PERKS: NARFE-sponsored services; see NARFE
Perks pages in this issue
[email protected]
OPERATIONS:
[email protected]
PUBLIC RELATIONS: Media inquiries, general public relations information and assistance
[email protected]
RECRUITMENT & RETENTION: Pre-retirement seminar
material and information, table top displays, and general
recruiting and retention assistance
[email protected]
RETIREMENT BENEFITS: Annuities, Medicare and federal health and life insurance benefits, federal taxes, thrift
savings and court ordered benefits; service officers
[email protected]
To obtain NARFE’s Legislative Hotline by phone, call:
(TOLL-FREE) 1-877-217-8234
To receive the Legislative Hotline as well as important
federation information by e-mail, please ensure that
your e-mail address is accurate on your NARFE membership record. To add, change or remove your e-mail
address use the Update link on the NARFE Web site, or
call or e-mail Member Records.
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A Message From the National President
2008 New Year’s Resolutions
T
hose readers who remember my columns
when I was national vice president might recall that I usually included in my January
column some suggestions for New Year’s resolutions. In fact, I have several suggestions
this month that, if you embrace them, will be beneficial not
only to our Association, but also to you personally. And I do try to make them ones that we
can keep.
The first one refers to the cover story of this
issue: our 2008 National Convention in
Louisville, KY. I hope each and every one of
you will try your best to join us in Louisville
on September 7-11. We’ll be at the Galt House
Hotel & Suites, and I can tell you from a few
visits there in the past year that this is an outstanding facility in which to hold our convention. The guest rooms, the meeting rooms and
the convention areas are all under one roof, so
there will be a minimum of walking. You’ll find
reservation forms and information on p. 24 of
this issue of NARFE magazine. I’ve said this before—and you’ll hear me say it again many
times before September—this is going to be one
of the most important NARFE National Conventions in the history of our Association.
Some difficult decisions need to be made if we
are to continue to serve federal employees and
retirees in future years, and I urge all of you to
be a part of that decision-making process.
Second, I hope that all of you will resolve to
do your part to attain NARFE’s new goal of
reaching $8 million in contributions for Alzheimer’s research
(be sure to see the column by Barb Pretzer, our NARFEAlzheimer’s National Committee chair, on p. 27). Our members have reached amazing heights already, raising more
than $7 million for the NARFE-Alzheimer’s Fund. Wouldn’t
it be wonderful if we could reach our goal of $8 million by
the time the National Convention rolls around?
Speaking of money, I wonder how many of you know
that NARFE has its own credit union: NARFE Premier Federal Credit Union (FCU). You’ll see the ad on p. 59. NARFE
Premier FCU is part of NARFE. Two of our national officers
sit on the board of directors. A lot of you were introduced to
NARFE Premier FCU during the federation conventions last
spring. Now I know that a lot of you are already members of
a credit union through your former–or current–agency or
department. There’s nothing that says you cannot belong to
more than one FCU. So I urge you to give them
a look to see if the NARFE Premier FCU might
be able to assist you with any of your financial
needs.
In next month’s NARFE magazine, you’ll find
information and an entry form for the annual
NARFE-FEEA Scholarship Program. This program awards six $1,000 scholarships to children,
grandchildren, great-grandchildren or stepchildren of NARFE members in each of our 10 regions. While the money for the scholarships
comes from NARFE members, FEEA (Federal
Employee Education & Assistance Fund) in Littleton, CO, administers the program for NARFE.
Finally, as we begin another year, let me remind you to update your F-100 form, or fill one
out if you haven’t already. Nobody likes to think
about death. But the F-100 form, “Be Prepared
for Life’s Events,” provides an easy, one-stop
place to put all of your insurance and financial
information so your survivors aren’t burdened
during their time of grief trying to find your
CSA retirement claim number, your insurance
policies, etc. You can get an F-100 from NARFE’s
Retirement Benefits Service Department or online at www.narfe.org. The beginning of a new
year is the perfect time to check to make sure all of this information is in order.
And to all of you, best wishes for a great 2008.
THESE
SUGGESTIONS
will be
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Association,
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8
Margaret L. Baptiste
[email protected]
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT
News Conference,Hearing
Cites
Held on GPO-WEP NARFE
Adverse Effect
N
ARFE National President Margaret L. Baptiste
On Retirees
spoke November 6 at a press conference called by
■ Baby boomers will begin to hit
the Social Security eligibility
age this year at the rate of 365
persons per hour.Three years
from now,these 3.2 million
boomers born in 1946 will
turn 65,and the Medicare
rolls will begin to swell.
Sen. John Kerry, D-MA, to highlight the detrimental
impact of the Government Pension Offset (GPO)
and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) on government retirees.
NARFE has made reform or repeal of those two Social Security “offsets”
key legislative goals. Kerry invited NARFE to participate in the press con-
Later that day, Kerry, chairman of the
Senate Finance Subcommittee on Social
Security, Pensions and Family Policy,
held a hearing to explore the legislative
background as well as policy and financial pressures that resulted in the creation of the GPO and WEP. NARFE submitted testimony.
The GPO reduces public employees’ Social Security spousal or survivor benefits by an amount equal to
two-thirds of their public pension. The
WEP reduces the earned Social Security benefit of an individual who also
receives a public pension from a job
not covered by Social Security.
At the news briefing, NARFE President Baptiste thanked Kerry for using
his senior position on the Senate Finance Committee to bring attention to
the GPO and WEP.
“NARFE applauds your efforts to assure equity in the earned retirement
10
Photo by Margaret Carter
ference to represent the views of the federal community.
Baptiste speaks at Senate news conference.
benefits of our nation’s public servants,”
she said. “The impact of these two Social
Security provisions has adversely affected the income security of far too
many of our federal retirees for too long.”
“These Social Security offsets deny
many of our older members, particularly women, the economic dignity they
had been led to expect in retirement,”
she said. “About 75 percent of GPO-
■ It is believed that about
49 percent of the men and
53 percent of the women
reaching age 62 this year will
opt to begin drawing their
Social Security as soon as
possible,despite their early
retirement resulting in a 25percent benefit reduction.
■ The number of younger
workers claiming disability
benefits from the Social
Security system has doubled
in the past 15 years, jumping
from 4.2 million in 1990 to
8.4 million in 2006.
LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE
Now toll-free! (24 Hours):
1-877-217-8234
Legislative Action Center:
www.narfe.org
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Zip
Mail To: Listen Up, PO Box 4525, Pacoima, CA 91333
affected individuals are women, and it is
worth noting that about 42 percent of those
affected are widowed individuals. The GPO
can effectively wipe out an individual’s entire Social Security spousal and/or survivor
benefit. The WEP causes many individuals
to suffer as much as a 50-percent reduction
in their own earned Social Security, and to
make matters worse, many individuals are
affected by both.”
Both Baptiste and Kerry used the example of Mrs. Jean Rapose, a member of Sen. John Kerry congratulates NARFE National President Margaret L. Baptiste after her statement. Looking on are Sen. Susan Collins and Dennis Van Roekel, vice president of the NEA.
NARFE’s Lower Cape Cod Chapter 1443, to
illustrate the effect of the GPO.
is the lead Republican cosponsor of the bill, which is sponKerry explained the difficulty Rapose faces in being denied
sored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-CA. NARFE supports this
a spousal Social Security benefit, despite her husband’s many
repeal legislation, and its congressional and grass-roots efyears of Social Security contributions. Because she had
forts are focused on advancing S. 206.
worked as a U.S. Postal Service employee, she receives a federal annuity and is now also subject to the GPO, he said.
ARGUING IN FAVOR OF GPO-WEP
Baptiste also noted that Rapose and her husband “rely
At the hearing, the Government Accountability Office
heavily on his Social Security benefit to make ends meet,
(GAO), the research arm of Congress, provided an expert Social Security witness who argued for the need for the GPO
and she is understandably fearful for her future.”
“This is a common fear faced by more than a million reand WEP to ensure fairness to all U.S. workers covered by
Social Security. While acknowledging that these provisions
tirees and their spouses,” Baptiste added.
are “blunt” and “not perfect,” the GAO representative said
In addition to Baptiste, Kerry invited a retired Massachuthat without the offsets, private-sector retirees would be at
setts teacher and a representative of the National Education
a disadvantage compared to public-sector retirees.
Association (NEA) to speak at the media event. NARFE
The Urban Institute, a Washington think tank, seconded
works closely with the NEA on GPO and WEP legislation.
this argument. A technical discussion ensued comparing
With 3.2 million members, the NEA is the nation’s largest
the GPO to the dual-entitlement rule, which governs the
organization representing teachers. The Social Security offtreatment of spousal and survivor Social Security benefits.
sets impact local and state government retirees, in addition
The Social Security Act does not allow a person to receive
to federal annuitants hired before 1984.
both his or her own earned Social Security benefit and a full
Social Security data reveal approximately 6.8 million state
spousal/survivor Social Security benefit. The GPO essenand local government workers participate in a pension
tially treats federal annuities as if they, too, were Social Sesystem that is outside of Social Security, and Office of Percurity benefits, and applies the essence of the dual-entitlesonnel Management data show about 650,000 federal Civil
ment rule. The GAO and Urban Institute witnesses also tesService Retirement System (CSRS) employees. Many of these
tified that the WEP was needed to ensure that public
individuals will be affected by the offsets once they retire beretirees do not receive an overly advantageous Social Secucause the CSRS is a non-Social Security-covered pension
rity benefit.
system. In addition, federal employees who are part of the
With the first session of the 110th Congress (2007-2008)
Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) can be afdrawing to a close, the congressional tax committees will be
fected by the WEP if some portion of their annuity is based
devoting their full attention to a host of outstanding income
on CSRS work.
and Medicare tax issues. NARFE members should continue
At the press conference and the hearing, Kerry was
to press their members of Congress to act on GPO-WEP legjoined by Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME, who spoke about her efislation (see NARFE magazine, December 2007, p. 14).
forts in the U.S. Senate to address the offsets. She advocated
By Jill Crissman,
action on S. 206, the Social Security Fairness Act, which
Legislative Representative
would eliminate both the GPO and WEP provisions. Collins
12
Photo by Margaret Carter
Legislative Report
Money-Back
Guarantee!
c
HA_NARFE_4LR_outlines.indd 1
GMP
11/21/07 4:04:39 PM
Legislative Report
NARFE Promotes Alternative to
Premium Conversion Legislation
T
he NARFE Legislative Department has been
working with key lawmakers since June on an
alternative version of “premium conversion”
legislation, which would cost less than the existing bills and would be based on the precedent set by the
new retired public safety officer health insurance premium
tax exclusion (NARFE magazine, September 2007, pp. 1012; and November 2007, p.18).
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 made retired “public
safety officers” of federal, state and local governments eligible to exclude from federal
taxes up to $3,000 withheld from their retirement annuities for their share of employersponsored health and/or long-term care insurance premiums. The new law defines a “public safety officer” as a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, a chaplain, or
a member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew.
The retired public safety officer health tax exclusion provides tax relief that is similar, but not identical, to the tax relief offered to most public- and private-sector workers as
premium conversion. NARFE has sought the enactment of
premium conversion legislation, which would allow all federal retirees as well as military retirees and active duty personnel to pay their share of health insurance premiums
with pre-tax earnings.
The House Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform approved H.R. 1110, the premium conversion bill
introduced by Rep. Tom Davis, R-VA, on September 20.
Since the measure amends the tax code, the legislation also
must be passed by the House Committee on Ways and
Means or included by the panel in a larger tax bill. At press
time, the Senate bill, S. 773, introduced by Sen. John Warner,
R-VA, was pending in the Senate Finance Committee.
time, Van Hollen was waiting for a cost estimate on the alternative language from the Joint Committee on Taxation.
EXCLUSION FOR ALL FEDERAL RETIREES
NEW BENEFIT SETS A PRECEDENT
Under the alternative to premium conversion supported
by NARFE, the public safety officer tax exclusion would be extended to federal annuitants as well as military retirees and
active duty personnel. Davis drafted the new language. Rep.
Chris Van Hollen, D-MD, a member of the House Ways and
Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over the tax code,
has been working with Davis and NARFE to find a way to attach the proposal to a larger piece of tax legislation. At press
Although the public safety officer tax exclusion is not
premium conversion, it sets a new precedent for providing
government retirees with tax relief, which will help them
pay for health plan premiums. Since premium conversion
was created by Congress and the president in 1978, all employees in the public and private sector have lost the tax
benefit once they retired.
“We applauded Congress for providing public safety offi-
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Since NARFE’s first priority remains the enactment of
H.R. 1110 and S. 773, the Association’s members should
continue to promote the concept of health tax relief for retirees by urging their lawmakers to support the current premium conversion bills. Grass-roots support of the existing
NARFE MEMBERS are urged to continue seeking
support for current bills.
14
legislation will reinforce the Legislative Department’s Washington, D.C.-based efforts to promote the less costly and
precedent-based option to members of the House Ways and
Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.
Davis and Van Hollen have no plans to introduce the
new proposal as a separate bill during the current 110th
Congress (2007-2008) because they want to emphasize
the current premium conversion bills as the preferred
method of making health care insurance premiums more
affordable. At the same time, however, they are working
behind the scenes with NARFE on extending the safety officer tax exclusion to all federal and military retirees.
NARFE President Margaret L. Baptiste said, “Although
our main focus is on premium conversion, this new proposal would provide our community with much the same
practical outcome and be more palatable to the tax-writing
committees. Do not be distracted by the nuances of our alternative plan. While the strategy may change, the goal remains the same.”
cers with health care tax relief, but who is to say that air traffic
controllers, NASA engineers, NIH scientists, Defense Department employees in Iraq and others in federal service are any
less deserving than their colleagues who worked as law enforcement officers or firefighters?” NARFE’s Baptiste asked.
LOWER COST
In addition, the extension of the public safety officer tax
break to all federal retirees would cost less than premium
conversion’s $12.7 billion price tag because the exclusion is
limited to $3,000 a year as an “opt-in” benefit, which requires each eligible taxpayer to file for the tax relief.
The cost savings achieved by a capped tax exclusion will
be significant compared to premium conversion since there
is no limit on how much premium conversion can lower income reported by employers to the IRS. In other words, an
employee’s annual premium share could be $6,000, instead
of $3,000, and his or her taxable income would still be lowered by the higher amount. The most retired public safety officers can exclude from income is the first $3,000 withheld for
health and/or long-term care insurance premiums per year.
The alternative proposal also would be less costly because it requires eligible participants to file for the tax benefit on their income tax returns. In contrast, participation in
premium conversion is nearly 100 percent since every employee is eligible unless they opt-out, which few do. Workers
do not have to do anything to receive the premium conversion tax benefit because their employers do it for them.
Taxable income is lowered by the amount an employee
spends on health insurance. For example, if your salary is
$30,000 a year and your health premiums are $3,000, your
employer reports your wages as $27,000 a year instead of
$30,000. But because your employer reports this informa-
tion, the eligibility process is automatic.
Under the proposed tax exclusion, federal retirees would
have to report the amount of their health and/or long-term
care insurance premiums to be excluded from gross income
to the IRS in their federal tax filings. Since retirees or their
tax preparers would have to do all the legwork and be aware
of the tax exclusion, participation would be less than 100
percent. In other words, if the tax exclusion were to become
law, NARFE members who read the Association’s magazine
would know about the tax benefit’s existence and take advantage of it, but non-members would be unaware unless
they have a savvy tax preparer or read the federal civil
service trade press. Absent full participation, the cost of the
tax exclusion would be lower than premium conversion.
OTHER ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The proposal to extend the public safety officer tax exclusion to all federal retirees is not the first time NARFE and
the Association’s Capitol Hill allies have considered lesscostly alternatives to premium conversion. As reported in
the October 2006 NARFE magazine (pp. 13-14), the NARFE
Legislative Department and Sen. Warner worked together in
2006 to develop plans to reduce the cost of providing health
care tax relief to federal retirees.
One plan considered, for example, would have put a
dollar cap on the amount of pre-tax annuities that could be
used to pay for a Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) premium. Another would have allowed retirees to pay FEHBP premiums with tax-free dollars out of
an account that would withhold part of their annuities.
Such accounts would be similar to “Flexible Spending Accounts” (FSAs), which permit workers to pay for childcare,
transportation and out-of-pocket medical costs with salary
PREMIUM CONVERSION VS.PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER BENEFIT
Premium Conversion
New Retired Public Safety Officer HealthTax Exclusion
Worker share of health insurance premiums reported
automatically by employer to the IRS.
Eligible individuals must report any amount withheld
for health and/or long-term care insurance premiums
to be excluded from gross income to the IRS in their
federal tax filings.
Tax exclusion is limited to the first $3,000 withheld for
health and/or long-term care insurance premiums per
year.
$3,000 cap is not indexed.
Participants take no action to receive tax benefit.
No cap on the premium amount,which can lower taxable income.
NARFE | JANUARY 2008
15
Legislative Report
withheld from their paychecks.
In response to criticism that premium conversion legislation would only provide the benefit to federal and military retirees–and not other retirees–NARFE has supported a proposal to offer the tax benefit to all retirees. “Premium conversion for all” was included in a larger pension reform bill
proposed by former Reps. Ben Cardin, D-MD (currently a U.S.
senator), and Rob Portman, R-OH (a former Bush Administration official), in the 108th Congress (2003-2004). The
Cardin/Portman bill did not become law. While providing premium conversion to all retirees would be far more costly than
offering it to federal and military retirees, Cardin and Portman
reduced the proposal’s price tag by phasing in, over several
years, the amount of pre-tax pensions or annuities that could
pay for employer-sponsored health insurance.
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Although all the premium conversion alternatives pre-
viously considered have merit, extending the public safety
officer tax exclusion to all federal retirees is presently
the best option because it not only lowers costs but also
builds on the precedent of providing retirees—law enforcement officers and firefighters–a health tax benefit
that did not exist until 2006. That’s why NARFE will continue to seek support for the proposal to offer this tax relief to all federal and military retirees.
As mentioned previously, Association members can
support this effort by continuing to urge their members of
Congress to cosponsor H.R. 1110 and S. 773.
“All federal and military retirees devoted their working
lives to the common good and, as a matter of equity,
the health tax relief afforded public safety officers should
be offered to the entire federal family,” NARFE President
Baptiste concluded.
By Dan Adcock,Assistant Legislative Director
Legislative Counsel Alan Lopatin contributed to this article.
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN TRANSITION
StateDistrict
AL-2
AZ-1
AZ
CA-37
CA-52
CO-2
CO-6
CO
CT
DE
IL-11
IL-14
IL-18
IL
KS
LA-1
MA-5
ME-1
MN-3
Member
Note
Terry Everett
Retiring from the House
Rick Renzi
John McCain
Running for President
Laura Richardson Elected 8/21/07 1
Duncan Hunter Running for President
Mark Udall
Running for the Senate
Tom Tancredo
Running for President 2
Retiring from the Senate
Wayne Allard
Chris Dodd
Joe Biden
Weller
Jerry
J.Dennis Hastert Retiring from the House
Ray LaHood
Barack Obama Running for President
Sam Brownback Running for President
Bobby Jindal
Elected Governor 3
Niki Tsongas
Elected 10/16/07 4
Tom Allen
Jim Ramstad
1 Succeeds Juanita Millender-McDonald
2 Announced plans to retire from the House
3Jindal will resign 1/14/08;special election 3/8/08
16
StateDistrict
MS-3
NE
NJ-3
NJ-7
NM-1
NM-2
NM-3
NM
NY-21
NY
OH-5
OH-7
OH-10
OH-15
OH-16
TX-14
VA-1
VA
WY-AL
Member
Note
Chip Pickering
Chuck Hagel
Jim Saxton
Michael Ferguson Retiring from the House
Heather Wilson Running for the Senate
Steve Pearce
Tom Udall
Pete Domenici Retiring from the Senate
Michael McNulty Retiring from the House
Hillary Clinton Running for President
General Election 12/11/07 5
Vacant
Dave Hobson
Dennis Kucinich Running for President
Deborah Pryce Retiring from the House
Ralph Regula
Ron Paul
Vacant
General Election 12/11/07 6
John Warner
Barbara Cubin Retiring from the House
4 Succeeds Martin Meehan
5 General election 12/11/07 (Paul Gillmor died)
6 General election 12/11/07 (Jo Ann Davis died)
Government Shutdown Still Possible
A
t press time, no negotiations had taken place
between President Bush and congressional
leadership to resolve their months-long
battle over the approval of must-pass
spending bills. As a result, a government shutdown in December continued to be a possibility.
At the core of the disagreement is the president’s opposition to congressional plans to spend $23 billion more than the
$933 billion he requested in his fiscal year (FY) 2008 budget.
Under the Congressional Budget Act, all 12 appropriations bills–which fund the day-to-day operation of government–are supposed to be approved by Congress and signed
into law by the president before the start of the new fiscal
year on October 1. Since congressional appropriators knew
there would be no compromise by October 1, they passed
legislation, known as a “Continuing Resolution” (H.J. Res.
52), that temporarily funded government operations at FY
2007 levels through November 16.
A second temporary continuing resolution, which
stretches spending authority until December 14, was included in the FY 2008 Defense appropriations bill (H.R.
3222), approved by the House and Senate November 8 and
signed into law by the president November 13. At press
time, H.R. 3222 was the first and only one of the dozen appropriations bills to have been approved in 2007.
The government could shut down in December if no
compromise is reached, and Congress and the president fail
either to complete action on the remaining FY 2008
spending legislation or extend temporary funding authority
after December 14. Even if the shutdown occurs, federal retirees and survivors will continue to receive their annuities
since the Treasury Department staff members responsible
for distributing such retirement compensation are considered “essential employees” and will stay on the job when
other workers are sent home.
By Dan Adcock,Assistant Legislative Director
17
Legislative Report
Update: Class-Action Lawsuits on Unused
Annual Leave Pending Before Judge
T
wo class-action lawsuits regarding payment for
federal employees’ unused annual leave that
could result in back pay for federal retirees are
pending in the U. S. Court of Federal Claims.
The cases, filed in 1999 and awaiting
conferences with a judge, stem from
the Archuleta et al. v. United States case
and involve the lump-sum payments
for federal employees who separated,
retired or died. Those who are affected may be entitled to
back pay and interest.
The Archuleta case involved employees who separated,
retired or died between April 7, 1993, and September 7, 1999,
who were not paid fully for their unused annual leave. The
case was settled in favor of employees but only applied to
those who worked for the 17 largest federal agencies. Information on this case and the settlement can be found at
http://mylumpsumpayment.com/.
The two pending cases are similar to the Archuleta case,
but one deals specifically with employees of the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the other addresses employees
from the smaller agencies not covered under the Archuleta
settlement. In the suit involving VA employees, those who
retired, separated or died between November 1993 and the
first week of January 2008 may be affected. The case re-
garding employees of smaller agencies includes those who
retired, separated or died between November 1993 and the
first week of January 1999.
Current law requires that a federal worker’s unused an-
IF YOU THINK you may be affected by one of these
lawsuits,contact the attorney handling the cases.
nual leave be paid out in a lump-sum payment based on the
amount of leave accrued at the date of retirement. The payment is required to be the same amount the employee
would receive if he or she had lengthened his or her time
on the federal payroll as an active employee by exhausting
all annual leave before retiring instead of retiring with unused leave and taking the lump-sum payment. In other
words, if an employee retired from the government in December, but had enough unused leave to stay on the payroll into January, the annual pay raise that took effect in January should have been calculated into his or her lump-sum
payment.
If you think you may be affected by one of these lawsuits,
send an e-mail to Ira Lechner, the attorney handling the
cases, at [email protected].
I support NARFE•PAC,
NARFE•PAC, the Retiree’s
Retiree’s Fund for the Future
Enclosed
Enclosed is my NARFE-PAC
NARFE-PAC contribution: $
Federal law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual
whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year.
Please circle:
Mr.
Mrs.
Miss
Ms.
By Laura Scott,Legislative Assistant
Please send check, money order or credit
card information to:
Attn: Budget & Finance
NARFE
606 N. Washington St.
Card Type:
Name
❍ Mastercard
❍ Discover
Address
Card #
City, State, ZIP
Expiration Date
NARFE Membership #
❍ For my contribution of $20 or more, please send a NARFE-PAC pin.
❍ VISA
❍ AMEX
Name on Card (Print)
Signature
Date
Only members of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association may contribute to NARFE-PAC. NARFE will neither
favor nor disadvantage anyone based on the amount of a contribution, or the failure to make a voluntary contribution to this non-partisan political action fund. NARFE-PAC contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.
18
ANNOUNCING YOUR SPECIAL
NARFE MEMBER BENEFIT
Pays you up to $5,000.00 in cash benefits
ATTENTION: NARFE Members Age 65+
Up to $4,000.00 a year in cash
I
Up to an additional $1,000.00 in cash
you can use
the money however you want
Affordable rates
NARFE
NARFE
NARFE
guaranteed-issue
Protection that can’t be cancelled because
of your health,
This plan pays you cash benefits if you’re
admitted to the hospital for as little as one day.
Guaranteed acceptance for you and your
spouse,
ADVISORY:
NARFE
GUARANTEED ACCEPTANCE.
FOR FASTER SERVICE, CALL TOLL-FREE
1-800-233-5764
Request Number 32713-1-1-1
Legislative Report
CIVICS 101:
THE INFORMED CITIZEN
Newspapers’ Competitors
S
unday newspaper circulation declined 4 percent
nationally, according to a recent Audit Bureau of
Circulations report, which compared year-to-year
data. My driveway still gets The Washington Post
every morning, but Post circulation declined 3 percent. Demographics explain most of the decline and predict further
declines. While NARFE members are in one of the most
”subscribing” age cohorts, younger people are less likely to
subscribe to print media due to reliance on Internet sources,
including newspapers, newsletters and blogs. In fact, washingtonpost.com has more readers than the print version.
NEW FREE WEB SERVICE
One recently upgraded Internet service is
cqpolitics.com from Congressional Quarterly (CQ). Recently upgraded with new content, cqpolitics.com features
banner and other advertisements. CQ’s boast of having the
largest staff covering Capitol Hill means it must be in
search of new revenue outlets. CQ began in the print-only
era and continues to publish numerous print publications,
including its flagship weekly, CQ Weekly Report. However,
like its competitors, CQ long ago expanded into electronic
services, now including a quality, free service found at
www.cqpolitics.com. Here is some of the CQ promotion for
cqpolitics.com: “Go beyond the political headlines with indepth reporting and analysis from CQ’s 150 reporters and
editors, the largest press corps covering politics and Washington. Get a fresh perspective on the campaigns and the
issues from our featured blogs and columns. Heavy-hitters, such as David Corn, Craig Crawford and Richard
Whalen, are regular contributors to the site. Utilize interactive tools like the popular CQ Election Map, PolitiFact’s
‘truth-o-meter’ and CQ’s Race Ratings to stay on top of the
campaigns. Read the most compelling news stories, handpicked by our editors, from hundreds of sites across the
Web.”
GATEWAY TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In addition to offering a rich-yet-free, on-demand site,
CQ’s new service allows users to enroll in three newsletters
delivered by e-mail. They are: CQ Midday Update, CQ Politics and CQ Homeland Security. Samples can be viewed
from www.cqpolitics.com.
20
FREE CAMPAIGN FINANCE INFORMATION
One of the richest aspects of the cqpolitics.com site is its
campaign finance information. It seems that information
first available to paid subscribers will, after a cooling-off period, be made available to everyone, and at no cost. Thus,
summary data reported by the Federal Election Commission
might get coverage in your morning newspaper. The wire
services may offer editors a national story; but until now,
only deep-pocketed specialty subscribers could “drill down”
to find important information about specific congressional
contests. By using cqpolitics.com, NARFE members can see
if their own House and Senate races are financially competitive. Try it and let us know what you think.
ALMANAC OF AMERICAN POLITICS
Finally, after repeated delays, the 2008 edition of The Almanac of American Politics is available. This latest version includes profiles of every member of Congress and governors,
as well as in-depth and up-to-date narrative profiles of all 50
states and 435 House districts. The soft-cover publication
costs $74.95 and is available in better bookstores and from
National Journal Group’s toll-free service at1-800-356-4838.
Michael Barone is the primary author of The Almanac since it
was first published in 1972. Barone’s current co-author is
Richard E. Cohen. Almanac purchasers gain electronic access
to the current and previous editions. National Journal Group
also makes Charlie Cook’s weekly “Off to the Races” column
available free of charge. To sign up, point your browser at
http://nationaljournal.com/about/cookcolumn.htm.
POLITICS IN AMERICA 2008
Congressional Quarterly’s rival publication, Politics in
America 2008, is a group effort of the Congressional Quarterly staff and edited by Jackie Koszczuk and Martha Angle.
The book has 1,212 pages of in-depth profiles of members
of Congress, biographical data, key votes, election results
and district snapshots. It is available in better bookstores, by
phoning Congressional Quarterly’s toll-free service at 1-866427-7737 or via the Internet at www.cqpress.com/product/
pia2008.html. Politics in America 2008 costs $85 in paperback. Both books might be bought by chapters and federations for their legislative officers.
By Christopher Farrell,Legislative Representative
APPENDIX I
2008 Primary Elections by State
2008 PRIMARY ELECTIONS BY STATE
T
his chart lists the 2008 primary election dates in
sentative seats up for election; and gubernatorial races.
all
the
states,
the
District
of
Columbia
and
U.S.
The chart
prepared
the Federal
Voting Assistance
This chart lists the 2008 Presidential and State primary election dates
in all was
the States,
theby
District
of Columbia
and U.S.
Program
(FVAP)
of the
of Defense.
upprimary
dates; states
with
U.S.U.S. Senate
Territories; territories;
primary runoff
datesrunoff
(if applicable);
states
with
races;
number
ofU.S.
U.S.Department
Representative
seats up For
for reSenate
races, number
of U.S.
House
of Repredates,
check the
FVAP .Web site, www.fvap.gov.
election; and
Gubernatorial
races. The
General
Election
is Tuesday,
November
4, 2008
State
Alabama
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virgin Islands
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Presidential
Primary
State
Primary
(or preference)
February 5
August 26
---------February 5
February 5
February 5
---------February 5
February 5
January 8
January 29
February 5
------------------May 27
February 5
May 6
------------------May 20
February 9
---------February 12
March 4
January 15
---------March 11
February 5
June 3
May 13
---------To Be Determined
February 5
Feb 5 (DEM), Jun 3 (REP)
February 5
May 6
---------March 4
February 5
May 20
April 22
To Be Determined
March 4
Jan 29 (DEM), Jan 19 (REP)
June 3
February 5
March 4
February 5
March 4
---------February 12
February 19
May 13
February 19
----------
June 3
August 26
---------September 2
May 20
June 3
August 12
August 12
September 9
September 9
August 26
July 15
September 6
September 20
May 27
February 5
May 6
June 3
August 5
May 20
October 4
June 10
February 12
September 16
August 5
September 9
March 11
August 5
June 3
May 13
August 12
September 9
June 3
June 3
September 9
May 6
June 10
March 4
July 29
May 20
April 22
March 9
September 9
June 10
June 3
August 7
March 4
June 24
September 9
September 3
June 10
August 19
May 13
September 9
August 19
State
Runoff Primary
(if necessary)
July 15
---------November 18 (Governor)
---------June 10
------------------------------------------------------August 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------April 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------June 24
------------------August 26
------------------------------------June 24
June 17
---------April 8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Election
Federal Offices
U.S. Senate
Yes
Yes
-----No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
-----No
Yes
-----No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
---Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
-----Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
U.S.
Representative
7
1
1 Delegate
8
4
53
7
5
1
1 Delegate
25
13
1 Delegate
2
2
19
9
5
4
6
7
2
8
10
15
8
4
9
1
3
3
2
13
3
29
13
1
18
5
5
19
1 Res Commissioner
2
6
1
9
32
3
1
1 Delegate
11
9
3
8
1
State
Governor
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
| JANUARY
Note: This
election information
is current as of September 11, 2007. Check your state election website (see Chapter Three), the FVAP
2008
NARFE
21
website (www.fvap.gov), or contact your Voting Assistance Officer for updates.
E
very two years since 1950,
NARFE members have gathered to set the Association’s
course during the next two
years. This year, Louisville,
KY, plays host to the 30th
Biennial NARFE National Convention,
September 7-11. This is the second
time the convention has been held in
Louisville. The last time was in 1990
(see convention timeline below).
Not surprising for a gathering held in
the Kentucky Derby City, the 2008 convention takes its theme, “NARFE: Going
the Distance for Your Future,” from the
sporting world. Convention planners think
they have a Triple Crown-winning event
for NARFE delegates to enjoy.
• First, the convention schedule is
being streamlined to maximize the
amount of time spent on official convention business.
• Second, all convention activities will
be conducted under one roof.
•Third, the convention hotel’s downtown location is within walking distance
of many attractions.
The convention program is being
designed to try to ensure that delegates
complete all convention business within
the allotted time. As usual, most of the
convention business will take place on
the main convention floor, where delegates will debate and signal acceptance
or rejection of resolutions and committee reports.
The convention also will feature an
enhanced electronic voting process for
choosing leaders at the national officer
and regional vice president levels, and to
select a site for the 2012 National
Convention. Instead of swiping electronic
cards at voting stations, which required
delegates to line up by region, delegates
will use their NARFE ID number as a voting identifier and will not have to cue up
in regional lines. Additional voting stations also will be available, further reducing the wait to vote.
Unlike in 2006, the convention program will not take place in a convention
,
Where We ve
22
New Orleans, LA
1978
Salt Lake City, UT
1976
Portland, OR
1974
Fort Worth, TX
1972
Buffalo, NY
1970
1968
Jacksonville, FL
1966
Des Moines, IA
1964
San Francisco, CA
Vice President
Spiro Agnew
addresses the
Convention.
First National
Convention held
outside
Washington,DC.
Tulsa, OK
1962
Washington, DC
1960
Washington, DC
1958
Washington, DC
1956
Washington, DC
1954
Washington, DC
1952
Washington, DC
First Biennial National Convention. Officers
were elected by members for the first time.
1950
Photos courtesy of the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Heading to
LOUISVILLE
Albuquerque, NM
2006
Greensboro,
NC
2002
San Diego, CA
2000
Orlando, FL
1998
Houston, TX
1996
St. Louis, MO
1994
Las Vegas, NV
I
1992
1990
Louisville, KY
Little Rock, AR
1988
Reno, NV
1986
Baltimore, MD
1984
Denver, CO
1982
Albuquerque, NM
1980
Delegates elect
NARFE’s first
woman national
president.
Convention gets word
that congressional
summiteers had federal
retiree COLAS on the
table.Delegates begin
calling their senators
and representatives.
Delegates vote to create a
membership department to
support recruitment and
retention of members.
Louisville on the Saturday evening before
the convention. (NARFE magazine will
carry information on those events in
upcoming issues.) In addition, Bunten
says, representatives of the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau will be on-site to
help delegates arrange their own tours.
To get the most out of the convention
experience—and to make the most
meaningful contribution—conventiongoers should prepare in advance, planners advise. Chapters and delegates are
encouraged to review the NARFE
National Bylaws.
To help federations, chapters and
delegates plan for the convention, page
26 provides a summary of procedures
and deadlines. Shortly, NARFE will mail
important convention-related information to chapters.
The next three pages provide forms
for registering for the convention and
the convention banquet, contact information for the convention hotel, and
other convention details. ■
Reno, NV
Been
Churchill Downs. Renowned for the
Kentucky Derby, the racetrack recently
underwent a $121 million renovation and
expansion. The Kentucky Derby Museum
is located next to Churchill Downs.
The Louisville Slugger Museum &
Factory. Home to the world's largest
baseball bat, it features exhibits and a
factory tour.
Muhammad Ali Center. The exhibits
pay tribute to the boxing legend.
Fourth Street Live! Louisville’s
$70 million entertainment district contains restaurants and other entertainment
venues.
Delegates also will have the opportunity to attend the convention’s Kentucky
Night, being planned by the Host
Committee. It will spotlight the bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth
near Hodgenville, KY, on Feb. 12, 1809.
Host Committee Chairman Bunten also
reports that the committee is planning a
number of optional events and tours,
including a dinner cruise on the Belle of
2004
center, but rather in the convention
hotel, the Galt House Hotel & Suites in
downtown Louisville.
Delegates will be pleased with the
convention hotel, predicts Marlene
Bunten, Kentucky Federation president
and chairman of the Convention Host
Committee. The Galt House Hotel &
Suites recently underwent a $60 million
refurbishing, she says. It has comfortably sized rooms; several restaurants,
including a revolving rooftop restaurant;
and all of the amenities of a large
hotel.
“I am advising everyone I talk with to
call in and make your reservations early”
so as not to be disappointed, she says.
The Galt House Hotel & Suites consists of two towers joined by a covered
walkway above the street between the
buildings (see photo, p. 24). The walkway features conversation areas, tables
and a deli. “You don’t have to go outside, if you don’t want to,” Bunten says.
But if convention-goers venture outside—and they will—they will find
many local attractions. “There are so
many things to do and see in Louisville,”
Bunten says, “and a lot of it is within
walking distance of the Galt House.”
Among the top Louisville attractions are:
23
NARFE 2008 NATIONAL CONVENTION
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Hotel reservations must be made directly with the convention hotel
by calling the telephone number below. Please be mindful of the
reservation cut-off date.
Galt House Hotel & Suites
140 N. Fourth St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Hotel rate: $75 single/double + $10.50 tax
Reservation number: 1-800-843-4258
AIRPORT SHUTTLE:
Parking rate: $12 per day, in and out; valet $18
Transportation to the convention hotel from Louisville
International Airport:
• Sandollar Shuttle
Cost: $15 one way
502-366-2628
Cut-off date for reservations: August 3, 2008
Check-in: 3 p.m.
Check-out: 12 noon
• Louisville Yellow Cab Co.
Cost: $20 one way
502-637-6511
Don’t peek! Solution to Macrostic,p.58.
Chapters & Federations:
2008
National
Convention
Program Book
Advertising
Contacts
• Lela Williams
270-351-6637
[email protected]
• Betty Hundley
270-765-7107
[email protected]
A M useums
B E bay
C E ffortlessly
D T homas Edison
House
E M uhammad Ali
F E mbroidery
Resource Center
G I ce cream
H N ett
I S cience Center
J T he Spirit of
Jefferson
K L ouisville
Slugger
L O kay
M U nabomber
N I vory
O S peed Art
P V isitor
Information Center
I dolatry
L ionheart
L aw
E xtreme Park
Q
R
S
T
Our convention is fairly accessible to many members. Our officers
expect good facilities and favorable rates around the event. There are
many memorable KY attractions to enjoy. We hope to see you there.
MEET ME IN (ST) LOUISVILLE
Solution
AD DEADLINE: MAY 17
MACROSTIC by JAMIEFEN
24
NARFE 2008 NATIONAL CONVENTION
30TH NATIONAL CONVENTION
September 7–11, 2008
PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
PLEASE CHECK:
■ (Guest) Member ■ Delegate*
■ (Guest) Non-member
■ Delegate-at-Large*
■ Alternate*
NARFE ID #:
Name:
*Must be confirmed by chapter on form C/08-2
Address:
Mail Pre-Registration Form to:
NARFE, Treasurer’s Office
Name for badge:
❚ A non-refundable fee of $50 (payable to NARFE) must accompany this form.
❚ On-site registration fee will be $60 in Louisville.
❚ Each attendee must complete a separate registration form.
❚ Form must be postmarked by August 15, 2008.
Chapter #:
Location:
■ Charge to my credit card
Notify in case of emergency:
Card type: ■ MasterCard ■ Visa ■ Discover ■ AMEX
Name:
Card#
Phone Number:
Expiration Date_______ / _______
(mm) / (yy)
Name on card (Print)
Signature
Date
Form C/08-4
BANQUET RESERVATION FORM
September 11, 2008
30TH NATIONAL CONVENTION
September 7–11, 2008
Non-Member Guest:
❚ Tables will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tables seat 10 people.
❚ RESERVATIONS LIMITED TO 2,000 PEOPLE.
❚ Groups wishing to sit together should submit only one request
specifying number of seats desired. Please attach name list.
❚ A receipt will be mailed to you by August 15 acknowledging
payment and showing your table assignment.
❚ All banquet tickets will be held for your pickup at the convention registration area, Galt House Hotel & Suites.
❚ REFUNDS AVAILABLE ONLY IF RESERVATIONS ARE CANCELLED 72 HOURS PRIOR TO THE BANQUET.
Please reserve _____ tickets at $50 each, total $_____.
NARFE ID #:
Name:
Address:
Chapter #:
Make check payable to NARFE and send to:
NARFE, Treasurer’s Office
Card type: ■ MasterCard ■ Visa ■ Discover ■ AMEX
Card#
Expiration Date_______ / _______
(mm) / (yy)
Name on card (Print)
Signature
Date
Form C/08-16
25
CONVENTION DEADLINES
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS
BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1
The national offices of president, vice president, secretary
and treasurer and the 10 regional vice presidents will be elected
during the convention. Candidates may submit their qualifications and/or platforms for NARFE magazine publication.
Candidate statements will be published in the April, May, June
and July issues. They must be limited to 400 words and will be
published only once. Statements should be typewritten and may
be e-mailed to [email protected] as a Word attachment. No copy corrections will be made, including spelling, so statements should
be carefully proofread before submission.
Candidates may submit a head-and-shoulders photograph
for publication with their statement in NARFE magazine; color
photographs are preferred. Such photographs must accompany
the statements. Photos may be e-mailed in JPG format.
Photocopies, negatives and Polaroid photographs cannot be
accepted.
Deadlines for candidate statements in NARFE magazine are:
April NARFE magazine, February 1
May NARFE magazine, March 1
June NARFE magazine, April 1
July NARFE magazine, May 1.
Candidates are also entitled to send statements via GEMS,
the NARFE e-mail messaging system. Statements must be limited to 400 words and may be sent twice between February 1,
2008, and July 31, 2008. Send statements as a Word attachment and e-mail to [email protected]. For technical questions,
contact NARFE Information Technology Director Fred Hamidzada,
703-838-7760, ext. 326.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REQUESTS:
MARCH 15
Delegates wishing to be appointed to a National Convention
committee must submit their requests on a Request for
Committee Assignment Form C/08-22 to their chapter presidents.
The chapter presidents will then submit the requests to their
respective federation presidents. The federation presidents will
send the requests to the regional vice presidents, who then, along
with their recommendations, will submit the forms to the Office of
the National President.
After reviewing the requests and considering the regional
vice presidents’ recommendations, the National President will
appoint the committees. Requests must follow the above-mentioned procedure and must be received by the Office of the
National President no later than March 15. Candidates for
national officer or regional vice president positions will not be
assigned to certain committees (see C/08-22).
The convention committees are: Ballot & Teller, Bylaws,
26
Credentials, Legislative, Membership, Officers Salary,
Resolutions, Rules, Sergeant-at-Arms, Secretaries and
Timekeeper. The NARFE-Alzheimer’s National Committee is a
standing committee.
RESOLUTIONS: NO LATER THAN JUNE 2
All resolutions must be received by the Office of the National
Secretary no later than June 2. This deadline is essential if
NARFE is to comply with publication requirements set down in
Article IX, Section 2A, of NARFE’s National Bylaws. Information
regarding procedures and forms will be published in the
February issue of NARFE magazine.
DELEGATE FORM: JUNE 30
PROXY FORM: AUGUST 23
Chapters should appoint or elect convention delegates as
soon as possible. Form C/08-2, Designation of Chapter
Delegates, Voting Representative and Proxy, will be mailed to all
chapters in April. When completed, this form must be signed by
both chapter president and chapter secretary.
When used to designate chapter delegates and the voting
representative, Form C/08-2 must be received by the Office of
the National Secretary no later than June 30.
If a chapter does not send a delegate to the National
Convention, a proxy delegate may be selected to represent it.
Chapters wishing to designate a proxy delegate must submit
Form C/08-2 to the Office of the National Secretary no later than
August 23. None will be accepted if postmarked after that date.
A delegate cannot hold proxies for more than three chapters.
REGISTRATION: POSTMARKED BY
AUGUST 15
The registration fee for all convention attendees is $50 if
Form C/08-4, Pre-Registration, is used and payment is postmarked no later than August 15, 2008. The on-site registration
cost is $60. The convention—including the business sessions,
regional caucuses, seminars and banquet—will be held at the
Galt House Hotel & Suites.
Banquet tickets are $50 per person. They are available on a
first-come, first-served basis. Refunds will be available only if
reservations are canceled at least 72 hours prior to the banquet.
The Pre-Registration (C/08-4) and Banquet
Reservation (C/08-16) forms appear in this
issue of NARFE magazine, p. 25.
Alzheimer’s Update
A New Year, A New Goal
By Barb L. Pretzer
F
or those of you who have
been working on the
NARFE-Alzheimer’s
Research Fund since
the late 1980s, did you ever in
your wildest dreams think that
we would be working on a
goal of $8 million in 2008?
Who could have predicted the
amazing success of this
NARFE program?
If we weren’t seeing such
progress being made in research, I’m
sure we wouldn’t be where we are today.
But great progress has been made.
Twenty years ago, there were no
medications at all for Alzheimer’s patients. Today, there are. And with sev-
eral drugs in Phase III clinical trials,
about four dozen more in the smaller
Phase II human trials and another 300
compounds in various stages of devel-
heartedly agree that we should make $8
million our next goal. Your national
committee did not suggest a time frame
or put a catchy phrase to it. We would
just like to see everyone work toward achieving that goal, keeping
in mind that we are making a difference, and we are leaving a
legacy.
There will be a day—there will
be a time—when we have a
world without Alzheimer’s disease. What could be more satisfying than knowing that NARFE
played a big part in the journey to that
day?
WHO COULD have
predicted the
amazing success
of this NARFE
program?
opment, I feel certain there will be an
answer coming for the researchers who
are working to find the cause/cure of
this terrible disease.
I was so pleased to hear the delegates
at our last National Convention whole-
Barb L. Pretzer is chairman of the
NARFE-Alzheimer’s National Committee. E-mail: [email protected].
ANNOUNCING OUR NEW GOAL:
$8
$7,108,277*
*Total as of October 31, 2007
for Alzheimer’s research
SUPPORT ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH
NARFE members contributed
for Alzheimer’s research:
$8 Million Fund
MILLION
Enclosed is my NARFE-Alzheimer’s contribution: $
Every cent that is contributed is used for research.
Please circle:
Mr.
Mrs.
Miss
.
Ms.
Name
Address
100% of all contributed funds
go to Alzheimer’s research.
City
State
ZIP
Chapter number
If you have any questions, write to:
National Committee, Chairman
Barb L. Pretzer, 4817 Rockridge Court,
Manhattan, KS 66503
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
27
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Managing Money
The True Measure of Success
By Mark A. Keen, CFP®
T
he scene is all too familiar.
You are at a cocktail party
listening to an acquaintance recount how he or
she skillfully profited from the latest investment (insert: tech, real estate, oil,
etc.) boom. You cannot help but feel
left out of another opportunity as they
explain in gleeful detail how they not
only astutely entered these markets at
the opportune time but, just as impressively, also managed to exit prior to
the inevitable bursting of the bubble.
A SCARCE SPECIES
We hear of people ingeniously
buying, selling and rotating their investments for market-trouncing returns, much like folklore handed down
from generation to generation. But
why is it that when we try moving in
and out of stocks or funds, we end up
buying yesterday’s winner only to see
it become tomorrow’s loser? We buy
with euphoria and sell with despair.
Chances are, these people—the ones
telling these tales—are no different
from us. We tend to embellish our
wins and conveniently forget our
losses. It is not that there are no
shrewd investors able to make such
moves, but they are a scarcer species
than some would have us believe. Average investors may get lucky from
time to time, but they typically do not
have the skills or the savvy to time
their investments consistently for
market-beating returns.
THE AVERAGE INVESTOR
A recent study by Dalbar Inc., a financial research firm, comparing the
average equity investor’s return to that
30
of the S&P 500 Index found that, from
1986 to 2005, the S&P 500 Index’s average annual return was 11.9 percent,
while the average investor’s annual return fell far short—at only 3.9 percent. In real, monetary terms, that
is the difference of a $10,000 investment in the S&P 500 growing
to $94,754 versus a $10,000 investment with the investor
growing to only $21,493!
If you are like me, you find
these statistics a bit startling.
How is it that we have managed
to betray ourselves to the
point of potentially sabotaging our financial well
being? We are, after all,
only human—driven
by short-term gratifications and the idea
that there are more
lucrative methods
than time-tested,
ho-hum strategies
such as asset allocation, diversification and rebalancing.
drives us beyond the edge of rationality—from irrational exuberance to despair and back. It is what forces us to
make short-sighted, inexcusably poor
investment decisions.
What should we strive for?
What should this seemingly elusive benchmark be? The answer is
the same and yet different for
everyone: Your benchmark, and
thus your portfolio’s success,
should be measured and tied
to your life goals. Outperforming the S&P 500 Index,
or “beating the market,” is
not a life goal; however,
not outliving your money
during a three-decade retirement is. As is
helping your children or your children’s children
pay for their college educations.
These are attainable goals with
real life meaning by which success can
be measured.
THE IDEA OF BESTING
something or someone
is the crux of our
problem.
YOUR BENCHMARK
It is not unreasonable for us to expect or seek excellent returns, but our
quest to outperform someone or something seems to lead us down a path to
financial abyss rather than bliss. At
what point are we satisfied with the returns of our portfolios? What is our
bogey, our benchmark? Is it the S&P
500 Index–the proverbial market? Or
is it the friend who proclaims to have
doubled his or her money on the tech
boom and then had the fortitude to
bail prior to its 75- to 90-percent
plunge? I will argue it is neither. The
idea of besting something or someone
is the crux of our problem. It is what
UNIQUE ROADMAP
Many people will have the same or
similar life goals, but the composition
of these goals will be unique to each
person, couple and family. Pensions,
debts, risk tolerance, health and children are some of the inputs to the goalsetting process. The roadmap you
create as a result helps determine,
among other things, your asset allocation, savings rate and required rate of
return. Our goals and the roadmap we
create to achieve them constitute our
true benchmark.
Goal-focused investing frees us
from the financial noise we are subJANUARY 2008 | NARFE
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Mark A. Keen, CFP, is managing director of Bennett Financial Advisors in
Fairfax,VA, and an investment advisor
representative and registered representative of The Strategic Financial
Alliance, Inc. (SFA). Securities and
advisory services are offered through
SFA. E-mail: mkeen @relico.com. He
is a member of the National Capitol
Area Chapter of the Financial
Planning Association.
NEW
47286
jected to daily and the self-destructive
habits that follow and, instead, allows
us to concentrate on the successful
and time-tested investment principles
of asset allocation, diversification and
rebalancing. After all, these account for
more than 90 percent of our portfolio’s
return; market timing and fund selection account for less than 6 percent. Institutions have long understood this,
and it is time we do, too.
Internal peace and contentment
will come once we understand that a
portfolio’s success comes from tying it
to our most cherished life goals. Only
then will we realize the sensationalized
economic and market events that are
here today, gone tomorrow, will have
minimal long-term bearing on our success. There are no shortcuts. Successfully reaching our life goals–hitting our
benchmark–is a long-term commitment, which takes patience, discipline
and faith.
31
Live Well
Complementary & Alternative Medicine
By Marilyn S. Radke, M.D.
A
lmost two out of three
Americans age 50 and
older use some form of
complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The two
therapies are different:
• Complementary medicine
is used together
with conventional
medicine. For example,
aromatherapy
(extracts or
essences of
flowers, herbs
and trees) can
decrease discomfort after surgery.
• Alternative medicine is used
in place of conventional medicine,
such as using a special diet to treat
cancer instead of undergoing surgery,
radiation or chemotherapy recommended by a conventional doctor.
While conventional medicine is
practiced by doctors of medicine and
doctors of osteopathy, and is enhanced
by physical therapists, psychologists
and nurses, CAM may cause health
problems if your health care providers
are unaware of your use of it. Yet fewer
than one in three people who use
CAM talk with their health care
providers about it. However, your
physician and you can achieve safe
and effective uses of these therapies by
integrating treatments from both conventional medicine and CAM.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(NCCAM) of the National Institutes of
Health launched “Time to Talk,” an educational campaign, to encourage pa-
32
tients and health care providers to discuss CAM use.
There are four domains of CAM:
1. Mind-Body Medicine enhances
the mind’s capacity to affect bodily
function and symptoms, including
meditation, prayer, mental healing; and
therapies using art, music or dance.
2. Biologically Based Practices use
substances found in nature: foods, vitamins, herbs, dietary supplements
pies involve the unconventional use of
electromagnetic fields, including
pulsed, magnetic, alternating-current
or direct-current fields.
Whole medical systems, built on
complete systems of theory and practice, cut across all domains of CAM
and developed apart from conventional medicine. Examples include:
• Homeopathic medicine uses small
quantities of diluted substances to cure
symptoms, when the same
substances given at larger
or concentrated doses
would cause those symptoms;
• Naturopathic medicine proposes that there is a
healing power in the body
that establishes, maintains
and restores health;
• Traditional Chinese
medicine proposes to balance opposing forces of yin (negative energy)
and yang (positive energy), and includes acupuncture (often uses thin
needles to stimulate specific points on
the body); and
• Ayurveda (from India) uses diet
and herbal remedies, and involves
body, mind and spirit.
Like any medical therapy, CAM
may have risks.
Herbs, botanicals and dietary supplements may interact with prescrip-
CAM MAY CAUSE
health problems if
your health care
providers are
unaware of
your use of it.
and other “natural” yet scientifically
unproven therapies, such as using
shark cartilage to treat cancer.
3. Manipulative and Body-Based
Practices are based on manipulation
and/or movement of one or more parts
of the body, including chiropractic
(focus on the spine) or osteopathic
(focus on the musculoskeletal system)
manipulation and massage (focus on
muscle and connective tissue).
4. Energy Medicine uses energy
fields:
• Biofield therapies are intended to
affect energy fields claimed (but not
scientifically proven) to surround and
penetrate the body, and include qi
gong (traditional Chinese method
using movement, meditation and regulation of breathing), Reiki (Japanese
spiritual practice) and Therapeutic
Touch (laying-on of hands).
• Bioelectromagnetic-based thera-
To Learn More
or more information, write the
NCCAM Clearinghouse,P.O.Box
7923,Gaithersburg,MD 20898;or call
1-888-644-6226 (TTY at 1-866-4643615) or visit the Web site at
www.nccam.nih.gov.
F
Innovative Safety Technology
Marilyn S. Radke, M.D., is board
certified in preventive medicine and
practices in Atlanta, GA.
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or many of us, nothing is more
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48809
tion and non-prescription medications,
or may be inherently dangerous.
St. John’s wort (used for depression)
may decrease the effectiveness of certain medications.
Kava (used for insomnia, stress and
anxiety) may damage the liver.
“Natural” does not mean “safe.” For
example, wild mushrooms are natural
but some are poisonous.
If you are considering using a CAM
treatment:
• Find out what scientific studies
have been done on its safety and effectiveness.
• Discuss it with your physician before you begin.
Choose your CAM practitioner with
care:
• Seek recommendations from your
physician, hospital or health department, and gather information from licensing boards, professional and accreditation organizations, and regulatory agencies.
• Find out if your insurance will
cover the services.
Inform your health care providers if
you are using CAM: Make a list in advance. Detail all therapies and treatments you use when completing patient history forms, including over-thecounter and prescription medications,
and herbal and dietary supplements.
Before beginning a new CAM
therapy, ask your physician about its
safety, effectiveness and possible interactions with your prescription and
over-the-counter medications.
Take charge of your health. Ensure
safe, coordinated care between conventional and CAM therapies by
telling your health care providers
about your CAM use.
33
Retirement and Beyond
Disease Fighter Targets Measles
By Stan Hinden
C
an one man inspire a
global campaign to wipe
out a disease that kills
vast numbers of children
in developing countries every year? If
the disease is measles, and the man is
public health expert Jean A. Roy—the
answer is “yes.”
A veteran disease fighter, Roy persuaded five of the world’s top public
health organizations to join together in
2001 to create the Measles Initiative.
The goal: to eliminate measles by immunizing children throughout Africa.
Six years later, the campaign is clearly
working. Childhood measles deaths in
2005 were down 60 percent globally
and 75 percent in Africa, according to
the World Health Organization
(WHO). Roy predicts that childhood
measles deaths in Africa will be less
than 50,000 by 2009.
Currently, the Measles Initiative is
involved in vaccination programs in 49
countries, including 43 African nations. An estimated 360 million children were vaccinated between 2000
and 2005, the WHO reported.
Increasingly, at family vaccination
events in Africa, children receive multiple shots for measles and polio, and
are given Vitamin A and de-worming
medicines. Families also are given insecticide-treated bed nets to protect
them from malaria-infected mosquitoes.
Roy, 66, spent 32 years at the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where he dealt with
many diseases, including smallpox,
malaria, polio and diphtheria. But
measles was never off his radar.
His first brush with measles came
34
early in his career in Gambia, West
Africa, where he studied a measles
outbreak that occurred only two
years after the country thought it had
eliminated the disease. Back in the
United States in the 1970s, the CDC
THE CAMPAIGN is
clearly working. Childhood measles deaths in
2005 were down
60 percent globally and
75 percent in Africa.
sent Roy to New York state and Washington state to develop mandatory
measles vaccination programs for
public school students. He also
worked on measles control in Puerto
Rico.
In 1980, as a CDC consultant to the
Pan American Health Organization,
Roy witnessed the elimination of
measles in South America and asked,
“Why is Africa not doing the same?”
Roy’s interest in measles elimination surged in 1995, when he was
loaned by the CDC to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Geneva,
Switzerland. The IFRC had asked for
CDC help in managing an outbreak of
diphtheria in the former Soviet Union.
As Roy became familiar with the IFRC,
he could see that it had the resources
to lead a major international measles
campaign. The IFRC had branches in
53 countries in Africa and, thus, had
access to thousands of potential vaccination volunteers.
Roy also became convinced that the
Red Cross could reprise the work of
Rotary International, a global service
organization. Starting in 1985, Rotary
raised $600 million to inoculate millions of children against polio. When
Roy left the Red Cross in Geneva and
returned to the CDC, he told colleagues, “I’ve found the Rotary of
measles!”
Roy retired from the CDC in 1998.
Soon afterwards, the American Red
Cross hired him and assigned him to
go back to Geneva and work on the
measles idea. Roy spent most of the
next nine years as a consultant to the
IFRC in Geneva—slowly drawing the
IFRC deeper and deeper into public
health programs, including an African
measles campaign.
At the same time, Roy was working
both sides of the Atlantic, laying the
groundwork for the American Red
Cross to take a lead role in the Measles
Initiative. Exploring sources of revenue, he also visited the United Nations Foundation (UNF), which was
created when media mogul Ted
Turner donated $1 billion to the
United Nations.
“My vision, my dialoguing, my advocating and even my cajoling were
only the start of the initiative,” he
says.
In time, the Measles Initiative was
created by five major public health orJANUARY 2008 | NARFE
ganizations: The American Red Cross,
the UNF, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the WHO and
the CDC.
Looking back, Roy says he is proud
of what he accomplished after he retired. “I participated in many great
public health ventures, but they were
not my very own creations,” he says.
“But upon retirement, I hit my stride.
The Measles Initiative would not have
happened without my causing it to be.
This is the one thing I did that I can
claim as my own.”
After the Measles Initiative was
formed, the founders discussed the
need for money. At one point, it was
suggested that the American Red
Cross contribute $5 million a year for
five years. But that idea ran into
trouble. Red Cross Vice President
Gerry Jones called Roy to say that
fellow executives feared that giving so
much money to measles would deprive the Red Cross of funds it needed
elsewhere.
Roy’s advice was: “Make only a oneyear commitment. If the program is
not satisfactory, you can abandon it
after one year.”
Red Cross officials agreed, and the
Measles Initiative got its first $5 million.
CDC then contributed $5 million. And
UNF put up a matching $10 million.
“That’s how we got our first $20 million,” Roy recalls.
Other major donors to the initiative
now include the Canadian International Development Agency, Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
(Mormon), and the Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation. Since its inception,
the initiative has raised about $300
million.
Although the Measles Initiative is a
global enterprise, it has no formal office or organizational structure. “It’s a
virtual operation,” Roy says, explaining
that every Wednesday at 9 a.m. Washington time, the partners join a global
conference call to discuss the progress
of the initiative and to plan future actions. Typically, 30 or 40 organizations
take part in the weekly call.
Roy grew up in Winslow, ME, in a
family with French-Canadian roots. He
joined the CDC in 1966. At the time he
was hired, he was fresh from a twoyear stint with the Peace Corps in
Cameroon, West Africa, where he
worked as a teacher and school administrator. The CDC promptly sent
Roy to Benin in West Africa as part of
a team assigned to eradicate smallpox
in the former French colony known as
Dahomey.
For Roy, getting a job at the CDC
and being sent to Benin were both fortuitous events. By joining the CDC,
Roy became an officer in the U.S.
Public Health Service Commissioned
Corps. And in Benin, Roy met his future wife, Betty, who was working at
the U.S. Embassy.
They were married in 1970, live in
Atlanta, and have been able to travel
together on Roy’s overseas missions.
Their son, Jonathan, an artist, is head of
FADA Design Inc. in New York.
Stan Hinden retired in 1996 from
The Washington Post. He is the
author of “How to Retire Happy,The
12 Most Important Decisions You
Must Make Before You Retire,”
McGraw Hill (2006).
35
Retirement Benefits
BC/BS Changes Pharmacy
B
lue Cross/Blue Shield (BC/BS) has announced that, effective January 1, 2008, Medco will be its new Mail
Service Prescription Drug Program provider. Caremark will continue to manage both the mail service
and retail service for the remainder of 2007 but will provide only retail pharmacy services beginning January 1, 2008.
BC/BS sent an introductory letter
and program guide about Medco to
2.5 million enrollees, and additional
separate letters to those enrollees who
have refills on file, prescriptions for
specialty medicines, and prescriptions
for controlled substances and compounds.
Medco’s primary dispensing pharmacy is located in Willingboro, NJ,
with a secondary pharmacy in Las
Vegas, NV. Specialty drug prescriptions
will be dispensed through Accredo in
Memphis, TN.
Refills will continue to be filled by
Caremark through December 28,
2007, after which available refills (with
the exception of compound and controlled substances) will automatically
transfer to Medco.
Enrollees should always make sure
they have a 14-day supply of medication before requesting refills.
BC/BS enrollees who previously
used a credit card for mail service prescriptions will need to contact Medco
with this information as Caremark will
not transfer credit card information to
Medco.
The change in the mail service drug
program did not change prescription
drug benefits under the BC/BS Service
Benefit plan. ■
Correction
T
he monthly premium for the
United Concordia dental plan
self-and-family coverage listed on
pg. 44 of the December 2007 issue
of NARFE magazine was incorrect.
The correct amount of the premium is $116.NARFE magazine regrets the error.
NARFE/FEEA
PROGRAM FUND CONTRIBUTION FORM
YES! I would like to help with my contribution.
Please check appropriate box(es); to make credit-card contributions,call 1-800-323-4140.
Scholarships are available to children and grandchildren of federal civilian retirees and
current federal employees who are NARFE members.
❏
❏
NARFE/FEEA Disaster Fund
NARFE/FEEA Scholarship Fund
Amount $
Amount $
Name
36
Make check payable to:
NARFE/FEEA Disaster Fund or
NARFE/FEEA Scholarship Fund
Please mail coupon
and check to:
FEEA
Address
City
YOUR CHARITABLE
CONTRIBUTION IS TAX
DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.
State
ZIP
8441 W. Bowles Ave., Suite 200
Littleton, CO 80123-3245
Questions & Answers
NOTE: The following Questions &
Answers were compiled by Retirement Benefits Service Department
staff. These are real questions
received by the Department and
real answers, based on the
members’ personal circumstances.
The answers are not universal and
may include information that is
relevant to the correspondent’s
particular situation. NARFE does not
provide legal advice or assistance,
does not provide financial planning
advice or assistance, and does not
provide tax advice or assistance. For
legal, financial planning or tax
advice/assistance, NARFE recommends members contact an
attorney, financial planner or certified public accountant/tax adviser.
RETIREES
GERMAN SOCIAL SECURITY
QUESTION: A response to a question
in the November 2007 issue of NARFE
magazine appears to state that the
Government Pension Offset (GPO)
could be applied if an individual is receiving German Social Security.If the
spouse receives the pension,then the
GPO would not apply. GPO only applies to federal, state and local pensions from U.S. entities and territories.
If the questioner is or plans to receive
a German pension,then the Windfall
Elimination Provision (WEP) may
apply to his or her Social Security.
When he or she dies, any WEP is removed from the primary insurance
amount, and survivors are paid
without regard to the WEP.
Response: You are correct that German
Social Security is considered in application of the WEP but not the GPO.
JOINT SURVIVOR ANNUITIES
QUESTION: If a couple worked for
the government each for more than
30 years, retired leaving the other
spouse retirement benefits and one
spouse died,what would the surviving
spouse draw?
Response: If each is receiving an annuity and each elected a survivor annuity for the other, the surviving
spouse would receive his or her annuity and the survivor benefit elected
by the deceased spouse.
NEW SPOUSE BENEFITS
QUESTION:I have been retired now
for 11 years,and my wife passed away.
Is it true that I have to remarry within
two years after my wife’s death or I lose
the survivor benefits? If this is true, is
there a way I can extend the two-year
requirement?
Response: You do not have to remarry
within two years of the date of your
wife’s death. You must elect a survivor
benefit for the new spouse within two
years of your remarriage, and your election must be received by the Office of
Personnel Management (OPM) within
two years of the date of your remarriage. After you remarry, notify OPM of
your marriage if you
wish to provide a
benefit for your
new spouse. The
election cannot
be effective until
the marriage has existed for nine months,
so you have time after the
marriage to elect a new survivor benefit.
(CSRS),law enforcement retirement.
If there were an error in calculating my
retirement annuity, how much time
must pass before it is too late for the
Office of Personnel Management
(OPM) to rectify the situation? There
is a slight possibility that the error was
in my favor.
Response: If there is an error in the calculation, there is no time limit on the
correction. If you have notified OPM,
they should be looking into it. And if
you are due additional funds, the
retroactive amount should be included
in a future check. If you are being overpaid, OPM will notify you of a collection.
OPF LOCATION
QUESTION: A response to a question
in the July 2007 issue of NARFE magazine indicated that Official Personnel
Folders (OPFs) are maintained by the
National Personnel Records Center
(NPRC) in St Louis, MO. I was under
the impression that OPFs were maintained at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in Boyers,PA. If this is
not so, what are the responsibilities
and mission of OPM in Boyers?
Response: OPM maintains only retirement records. OPFs have always been
kept at the NPRC. As you may know,
many people may work for the
federal government but do
not retire from the government. Each time a person
separates, his or her OPF
generally goes to the
NPRC. If he or she
later returns to federal employment, the new agency requests the OPF and keeps it until the
employee again separates. Only the
payroll record (SF 2806) is forwarded to
OPM at the time of each separation. If
and when a person actually retires, the
retirement application, along with Fed-
QA
&
ANNUITY CALCULATION
ERROR
QUESTION: I retired from government service January 3, 2006, under
the Civil Service Retirement System
37
Questions & Answers
eral Employees Health Benefits Program and Federal Employees’ Group
Life Insurance records are sent to OPM.
OPM can and does request OPFs from
the NPRC in the event they need information they cannot otherwise obtain.
There is no reason for OPM to retain all
personnel actions, since all pay actions
are posted on the SF 2806.
FEHBP CHANGE
QUESTION: My wife and I are both
72.My wife is not a retired federal employee. She is covered as a spouse
under my Aetna HMO Open Access,
self-and-family.
Can I change my coverage from
self-and-family to two self-only plans in
each of our names? This would be less
expensive than paying for self-andfamily,which is not needed for just the
two of us any longer.
Response: No, you can’t do that. Unless
your wife is a federal retiree as well as
you, she cannot carry a self-only plan
with you carrying a self-only plan in the
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
SURVIVOR BENEFIT
CANCELLATION
QUESTION:I am a retired Civil Service Retirement System employee,
and I opted to take a survivor benefit.
If I choose to cancel the survivor benefit option at this time,can I get it back
later? What is the procedure if I do
want to change my current benefit option?
Response: You cannot cancel the survivor election. It can only be terminated
if the marriage ends by death, divorce
or annulment. If it is terminated for one
of these reasons and you later remarry,
you can elect a survivor benefit for the
new spouse if you notify the Office of
Personnel Management within two
years of the date of the marriage.
38
YOU CANNOT CANCEL the survivor election.It can
only be terminated if the marriage ends by death,
divorce or annulment.
TSP WITHDRAWALS
QUESTION:I am a retired Civil Service Retirement System employee,
age 64.I know that when I am 70-1/2,I
must begin receiving funds from my
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account.
What calculations are used by theTSP
to determine how payments will be
spread out over “X” number of
months? Are they the same calculations used by private investment companies for IRA disbursements at age
70-1/2?
Response: At age 70, the distribution
period is more than 27 years. It is the
same for TSP and an IRA. Go to
www.tsp.gov/form/oc97-17.pdf and look
for a publication titled Important Tax Information About Your TSP Withdrawal
and Required Minimum Distributions.
You also can call TSP at 1-877-968-3778
and request a copy.
DIRECT DEPOSIT CHANGE
QUESTION: I have a power of attorney for my father, who is seriously ill.
He wants me to have the direct deposit
of his federal pension switched from
one bank to another. I have been trying
to find information on the Internet on
how to do this but have had no luck.
Can you advise me on how I can go
about doing this?
Response: You can obtain SF 1199A at
the new bank or financial institution
that your father wants to use. You will
need to know his CSA retirement claim
number. The address to send the form
to is: Office of Personnel Management,
P.O. Box 440, Boyers, PA 16017-0440.
The change also can be made by
calling 1-888-767-6738. You may have
to have your father present, and you
need to know his CSA retirement claim
number, Social Security number, new
bank routing number and new account number.
TSP ANNUITY OPTION
QUESTION: I turned 64 in October
and plan to withdraw from my Thrift
Savings Plan (TSP). You previously
stated that 88 percent of TSP participants elect monthly payments, and
less than 1 percent elect the annuitypurchase option. What is the reason
for this when the annuity monthly lifetime payment seems much more beneficial,using the TSP Web site calculators? For example,using $40,000 and
the age of 64 to begin withdrawing
monthly payments based on life expectancy produces $153 per month at
64,then decreases to $86 per month at
73.Monthly annuity payments (based
on single life and level payments at the
current 5.5-percent rate) produce
$295 per month for your lifetime.
Response: Thank you for the information on your experience with the annuity calculator. We attempted another calculation. Using the monthly
payment calculator on the TSP Web
site, we entered $40,000 as the amount
in the account, with a distribution of
$300 each month, and the same 5.5percent annual earnings. If withdrawal
were $300 per month, for example, the
individual could continue to do so for
more than 17 years, when the account
would run out of funds, which would
exceed the actuarial lifetime at age 64.
Whether an individual would benefit
financially from the annuity would depend on how long he or she lived. If
his or her lifetime exceeds the actuarial charts, the annuity would be best
since it is payable for life. The monthly
Innovative Entertainment
CSRS OFFSET
QUESTION:I retired under the Civil
Service Retirement System (CSRS)
Offset program.In May 2007,I signed
up for my Social Security benefits, as
required at age 62 under the program.
I have started receiving my Social Security benefit checks. Do you know if
any part of my Social Security benefits
are taxable (federal and state) and, if
so,do you know by what percentage?
Response: You will have to pay federal
taxes on your Social Security benefits if
you file a federal tax return as an individual, and your total income is more
than $25,000. If you file a joint return,
you will have to pay taxes if you and
your spouse have a total income that is
more than $32,000.
RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT
QUESTION: I’m a retired Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) annuitant who is currently rehired under
special provisions within the Department of Defense (DOD),still drawing
my retirement plus a regular paycheck. It is my understanding that if I
remain employed under the current
situation for three years, then my retirement can be recomputed; however, I’m currently not making any
contributions as it relates to retirement.Therefore, will I have to do a
“pay back” for the three years? What
exactly will be my responsibility to
have the three years added to my
longevity, and my current retirement
refigured with a new high-three?
Response: Re-employed annuitants in
DOD presently receive full pay and full
federal annuity. Generally, a re-employed
annuitant has the amount of the annuity
offset against his or her federal pay and
Cassette
Deck
included
Located at the top of the system, under the
lid, is the three-speed turntable that plays 33
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The side-mounted cassette deck will enable
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hey have been stored away for years,
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T
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the front. Also located on the front is an
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LCD display and all the buttons and knobs
necessary for each of the three components.
The CD player, when not being used to
record music from the other media, is
capable of playing CD-R/RWs as well as
store-bought CDs. This player also has
repeat and shuffle options so you can listen
to a specific song as many times as you'd
like, or you can mix up the order of your
mixed CD.
In addition to being able to play CDs,
cassettes, and records, there is also a built-in
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Records vinyl and
cassette to CD
39
Questions & Answers
NARFE SERVICE OFFICERS are available to answer questions and to
can have deductions for retirement
withheld from his or her pay. However,
re-employed annuitants receiving full
pay and full annuity are not entitled to
supplemental or re-determined annuity
benefits at separation, and do not have
deductions for retirement withheld
from their pay, as far as we are aware.
TSP PROTECTION
QUESTION: I found the following
statement on the Web: “IRAs are not
protected by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
(ERISA) as are qualified employer
sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)
plans. Therefore,they are potentially
subject to attachment or assignment.
Individual states handle IRAs differently, some allow garnishment or attachment and some do not.”
Where might I find information on
whether theThrift Savings Plan (TSP)
is protected (similar to 401(k) plans)
and whether IRAs are protected in
California?
Response: Except for alimony, child
support, child abuse or national security offenses, TSP funds are not subject
to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment or other legal process. You may
want to visit the Web site www.tsp.
gov/forms/oc07-7.pdf.
BC/BS OVERSEAS COVERAGE
QUESTION: I am retired from the
federal government. I have Medicare
as my primary health insurance and
Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BC/BS) (federal) as secondary.I will be traveling to
Mexico to visit my daughter and her
family.I know Medicare does not provide coverage outside the United
States,but do you know if BC/BS will
cover me? If so,what do I need to do?
Response: BC/BS provides benefits at
preferred benefit levels in Mexico using
an overseas fee schedule as the plan al-
40
assist in helping with a variety of benefit matters. Check your chapter newsletter
for the name and phone number of your service officer. Call NARFE toll-free at
1-800-456-8410
for the nearest service officer. NARFE Service Centers are also available in some
areas. Use the Service Center listings on our Web site, www.narfe.org.
lowance. Under the Standard option,
you must pay any difference between
their payment and the amount billed, in
addition to any applicable deductible,
coinsurance and co-payments. You also
must pay for any uncovered services.
Under the Basic option, you pay any difference between their payment and the
amount billed, as well as any applicable
co-payment and coinsurance. You are
not required to use preferred providers
in Mexico.
There is a network of participating
hospitals that will file your claims for inpatient facility care for you with an advance payment for covered services you
receive. The Worldwide Assistance
Center can help you locate a hospital in
the network near where you are
staying. You can view the list on
www.fedblue.org. If these hospitals are
not used, you may have to pay for the
services and then request reimbursement. To file a claim, you would need to
submit an overseas claim form. If you
are in Mexico and need assistance locating providers, contact the Worldwide
Assistance Center by calling the center
collect at 1-804-673-1678. Also check
p. 100 of your 2008 BC/BS brochure.
SSA REDUCTION
QUESTION:I wrote to the Social Security Administration in 2006, asking
what amount of Medicare I should pay
if my monthly Social Security payment
were only $85. I had understood that
since my Medicare premium increase
exceeded my Social Security cost-ofliving adjustment (COLA), there
should be no change in my benefits.
Their information indicates that my
income is too high to qualify.
Response: Our understanding from Social Security, which we previously sent to
you, was that you would not be subject
to a reduction in your Social Security
benefit due to the Medicare premium increase being greater than the Social Security COLA increase, as in the past.
However, we also included information
stating that the Social Security representative advised that the extra Medicare
premium based on higher adjusted
gross income would be billed to anyone
affected. This apparently included you.
ACTIVE
EMPLOYEES
SETTING RETIREMENT DATE
QUESTION: My brother tells me
there are great benefits to retiring on
August 3. But would it matter that
much if I retired on August 1 or 2? I’m
eligible to retire July 30, 2008, and I
would like to be able to retire as soon
as possible.
Response: If you are under the Civil Service Retirement System, you can retire
as late as the third day of the month
and still receive a benefit for that
month. Since you want to leave as early
as possible, you might want to consider
retiring on the third only if it makes a
difference in your time base or increases your average salary for computation purposes. Ask your personnel office to compute your annuity using
both dates to see if it makes a difference
in the monthly amount. If not, retire on
the first or second day of the month.
SERVICE COMPUTATION
QUESTION:Can you tell me if three
months’ leave without pay for maternity will change my service computation date for retiring? I’m due to retire
in one year;but if they make me work
the three months I was on maternity
leave,I would have to stay longer than
I had intended. My service computation date has never changed on paper
all these years.
ment. In December,I reached 30 years
in the military as a reservist and 19
years under the Federal Employees
Retirement System (FERS). Even
though my military duty will stop, I
won’t begin collecting my military retirement until I am 60.I want to make
an educated decision concerning when
I will retire from civil service.I am currently 52 and mobilized until May
2008.
Response: If you are to receive Reserve
Retired Pay from the military (that’s less
than 20 years of active military duty) at
Response: Employees can receive credit
for up to six months of leave without
pay in a calendar year without having
this leave affect their retirement.
GRANDCHILD’S HEALTH
COVERAGE
QUESTION: My daughter is age 17,
still in high school,unmarried and covered under my family health benefits
plan as a federal employee.She is going
to have a baby, and I want to verify
whether my grandchild will be covered
under my health insurance.If not,will
the child be covered for any length of
time until we can get some sort of insurance for the baby?
Response: Unfortunately, your coverage
does not extend to your grandchild unless you have applied to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to cover the
child as a “foster child,” including documents to show that you plan to raise the
child as your own. Until the child is born,
you cannot submit this information. You
may want to contact OPM now to see if
they will send you the required paperwork so you can start the process once
your grandchild is born.
CIVILIAN/MILITARY PENSION
QUESTION: I need to understand the
connection or independence of having
both a civilian and a military retireNARFE | JANUARY 2008
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41
Questions & Answers
age 60, it will not affect your FERS
civilian retirement annuity.
LENGTH OF SERVICE
QUESTION:I attended a retirement
seminar recently in which calculating
length of service was explained, but
there was a part of that exercise that
confused me.We were told to list our
service computation date and then
our anticipated retirement date. As an
example of this,I’ll use January 1,2010,
as my anticipated retirement date.
We were told to list the anticipated retirement date numerically as years,
months and days,and then to numerically list our service computation date
under the anticipated date and subtract.But in order to make the math
work, we were told to list the anticipated retirement date as 2009-12-31
rather than 2010-0-01. Now, here is
where I’m confused.Where did the 31
days come from? This looks to me to
be equivalent to January 31, 2010, instead of January 1,2010.
Response: You would add one day to
your retirement date and generally subtract your starting date to obtain your
total service. For example, if you are retiring on January 1, 2010, the date would
be 2010-1-2. If you were first employed
on January 1, 1980, for example, you
would then subtract 1980-1-1, and your
total service would be 30 years, 0
months and one day. You also could do
this with each period of service if there
were periods of separation.
BREAK IN SERVICE
QUESTION:I am covered under the
Federal Employees Retirement
System (FERS); but from 1972 to 1974,
I was under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). There was a
break in service from 1974 to 1989,and
I’m sure the only sick leave that appears on my Leave and Earnings State42
ment was earned under FERS.That will
be lost when I retire.Is that correct?
INSURABLE INTEREST
ANNUITY
Response: Unfortunately, you would
not be credited with unused sick leave
because you do not have a CSRS component of your FERS benefit.
QUESTION: My former spouse is
awarded almost 50 percent of my survivor benefits. How can I learn about
acquiring additional survivor benefits
for my current wife,possibly through
something called an insurable interest
annuity?
ARMY RESERVE SERVICE
QUESTION: I have spent numerous
hours reviewing Chapter 22 of the Civil
Service Retirement System (CSRS) and
Federal Employees Retirement System
(FERS) Handbook for Personnel and Payroll Offices. It appears that U.S.Army
Reserve service (active duty) for the
annual training periods is considered
creditable military service. It also appears that weekly or biweekly training
periods (monthly reserve drills) are not
considered creditable military service.
However,Section 22A2.1-2 (Definition
of Military Service) states: “The information in this chapter has not been updated to reflect the passage of Public
Law 103-353,the Uniformed Services
Employment and Reemployment
Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).”
According to my Army Reserve
Personnel Center Form 249-2-E,
Chronological Statement of Retirement Points,I have 1,035 inactive duty
points and 1,547 active duty points.I’m
in the process of obtaining my Army
Reserve pay records to document my
total Army Reserve service.
Is there anything in USERRA or
other official documentation that permits classifying the inactive duty as
creditable military service, so that I
can make my military deposit and,
thus, make the 1,035 days creditable
for CSRS/FERS retirement computation? This would add about 2.8 years
to my retirement service computation date.
Response: USERRA would not allow
you to credit your inactive duty points
for federal civilian retirement.
Response: You may want to visit the
Web site www.opm.gov/asd. Scroll
down to Civil Service Retirement System
(CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Handbook for Personnel and Payroll Offices. See CO52
(Chapter 52), especially the section on
electing an insurable interest annuity to
benefit a current spouse.
RETIREMENT DEPOSITS
QUESTION:How can I get written information on paying into the retirement system to cover previous parttime government employment (in
order to bring benefits up to 100 percent)? I need to know where to write
or call,who is covered and who is not,
what else can be done to make up the
difference.
Response: Deposits for service during
which retirement deductions were not
withheld must generally be made while
the individual is still an active federal
employee. If the request to make the
deposit is made at the time of retirement, the deposit can be made at that
time. Any further requests for deposit
after retirement would generally not be
accepted. You may want to visit the
Web site www.opm.gov/retire. Scroll
down and click on Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) Publications, then
look for Retirement Facts 3, Deposits and
Re-deposits. If you do not have a computer, you may want to use one belonging to a friend or relative. Your
public library also may provide access
to a computer. ■
Join
Who can join?
Today!
NARFE
Membership is open to civilians in any agency of the federal
or D.C.* governments including:
Retirees
● Active federal employees
● Spouses and former spouses of current and retired
federal employees
● Former employees eligible for deferred annuity
● Survivors of those eligible to join NARFE
●
To apply:
Complete the application on the reverse side.
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 and join today!
●
●
*Prior to October 1, 1987
Enrollment includes membership in a local chapter and the national
association, plus a subscription to NARFE’s monthly publication, NARFE magazine.
Dues W ithholding Application (Retir ees Only)
Be sure to fill out both sides of this form and mail to: Attn: Member Records, NARFE,
606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314 (Do Not Send Money With This Form)
(Please Print)
—
—
C
—
S
—
—
Civil Service Annuity Number
Social Security Number (9-digits)
(Include prefix CSA or CSF)
(Include prefix applicable suffix)
(Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms.)
Address
Telephone
City, State, ZIP
E-mail
Date of Birth
NARFE Membership Number
NARFE Chapter Number
43
NARFE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
www.narfe.org
For Active and Retired Federal Employees
1. ■ Please enroll me in NARFE chapter __________________
(leave blank if not known).
■ Also enroll my spouse.
name
Contact Information:
Full Name: Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms.
2. CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY:
■ Active employee
■ Former spouse
■ Former employee
■ Retiree
■ Spouse
■ Survivor
3.
$33
Membership fee
per person
x
no. of
people joining
Street Address
Apt./Unit
City/State/ZIP
=
Total payment
Home Telephone Number
E-mail Address
The first year membership fee is in lieu of national and chapter
dues. Upon renewal you will be billed for national and chapter
dues at the prevailing rate on your anniversary date.
■ Total payment (check, bill pay or money order payable
to NARFE)
■ Bill me
Credit Card Information:
Card type:
■ MasterCard
■ Discover
Federal Agency
Retirement Date
Date(s) of Birth
Recruiter’s Membership and/or Chapter Number
■ VISA
■ AMEX
Card no. _________________________________________
Expiration Date ______________
(mm)
Mail to:
(yy)
NARFE Member Records
Name on Card (Print) _______________________________
Fax: 703-838-7783
Signature ____________________________ Date _______
1Q
Authorization
I authorize the United States Office of Personnel Management to make appropriate deductions from my annuity payments, not to exceed
the amount certified by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association as the amount of dues for which I am annually obligated, in accordance with elections I make below and to pay the deducted sum to the National Active and Retired Federal
Employees Association (NARFE). This authorization shall also apply to any and all dues changes certified by NARFE membership in
accordance with elections I make below:
Do You Authorize Your Spouse’s Dues to Be Withheld from Your Annuity?
If YES, enter your spouse’s name and membership number below.
Name
Number
❑ Yes
❑ No
You authorize:
National dues of $24.60 plus
Chapter 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 accordance
with its agreement with the Office of Personnel Management & that any disputes regarding this authorization shall be a matter between
NARFE & myself. I hold the Office of Personnel Management harmless for any erroneous allotment deduction made pursuant to this
authorization. I also authorize the Office of Personnel Management to disclose any information necessary to execute this request.
Signature of Annuitant or Survivor-Annuitant
Do Not Send Money With This Form
44
Date
Dues payments & gifts or
contributions to NARFE are
not deductible as charitable
contributions for federal
income tax purposes.
Faces of NARFE
A Big Man in ‘Little Rhody’
N
ot that we’re inferring
that this month’s
“Faces of NARFE”
profile has a height
problem. It’s just that with all that
John E. O’Hara does in his state and
community–and for Rhode Island
NARFE–it seems a perfect description.
A member of Greater
Providence Chapter 116, John
currently serves as chapter
president, and also has been
chapter vice president and
secretary. For nearly 25 years, he
has been chapter legislative chair.
For the past “15 years or so, off
and on,” John also has been
legislative chair for the Rhode
Island Federation, a position he
currently is “on,” as well as
federation secretary. In addition,
he lists federation audit
committee chair and service on
the Alzheimer’s and NARFE-PAC
committees on his lengthy
résumé.
Like NARFE’s National
President Margaret L. Baptiste,
John began life in England—born
in Stockport, Manchester, in
March 1921. His family came to
the United States in 1923 and
settled in Rhode Island. He
graduated from LaSalle Academy,
where he played in the band
and ran both track and crosscountry.
Like so many NARFE members,
John served in World War II and
saw action in the North Atlantic,
North Africa and Pacific. He
received a Purple Heart for
injuries he received during an
attack on the U.S.S. Alabama.
After the war, John held several
civilian jobs, including working on
the New York, New Haven and
JOHN E. O’HARA ...
long-time legislative
chair for his chapter
and his federation
Hartford Railroad, and the New
York Journal American newspaper.
He then joined the U.S. Postal
Service (USPS) as a clerk, moving
up to supervisor, manager and
eventually postmaster at Bristol, RI,
retiring after 37 years of service. It
was shortly after joining the USPS
that he met his wife-to-be, Shirley.
They were married in 1949, had six
sons and 16 grandchildren. Shirley
passed away in 2004, which led
John to become even more active
in helping others, a trait he learned
from Shirley.
John joined NARFE in February
1981 and, as noted above, has
been an active leader. But his
volunteer work doesn’t end with
NARFE. In 2006, he was awarded
AARP’s Andrus Award, honoring
him as their Rhode Island
Volunteer of the Year. And while
John says he has become more
active since Shirley passed away,
his record shows that he was a
busy man even before then. In his
hometown of Seekonk, MA, he
served on the school committee,
the town bylaws committee and
the school building committee.
For five years, he worked as a
volunteer camera operator at the
Seekonk Public Access TV studio.
A member of the
Massachusetts Senior Agenda,
John lobbied in Boston on behalf
of senior issues. He served in the
Silver Haired Legislature in both
Massachusetts and Rhode Island,
and is still on the Rhode Island
Silver Haired Legislature
Committee, representing NARFE.
He also represents NARFE as a
member of the Rhode Island
Department of Elderly Affairs
Forum and the Rhode Island
Senior Agenda, representing
senior issues in the Rhode Island
legislature. Oh, and he also is
legislative officer for his local
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Post, and has served as president
and national state representative
for his chapter of the National
Federation of Postal Clerks
(NFPOC).
And if that isn’t enough, for
more than 50 years, John has
worked as a professional
photographer for a number of
studios in the Providence area.
By Chuck Timanus,
Director of Public Relations
45
From the Secretary’s Desk
Convention Planning
Under Way
By Nathaniel L. Brown
National Secretary
[email protected]
T
he 2008 National Convention is just a few months
away. There are hundreds
of things that chapters,
federations and National Headquarters must do to prepare for it. Now is
the time to start planning. Deadlines will
have to be met. Delegates need to be selected and funds allocated to help defray
the cost of attending
the National Convention. If your chapter does not plan to
send a delegate, a proxy should be
designated. Over the next several
months, chapters will be provided
with information about the 2008 National Convention, the actions they
need to take and due dates.
At every National Convention, a
number of issues are debated on the
floor. These issues may range from a
proposal to amend a provision in the
Association’s Bylaws to a proposal to
change a policy of the National
Executive Board or an operating
procedure at National Headquarters.
The method used to have an issue
debated on the floor at the
convention is to submit a proposal for
change by a resolution. A special form
is provided for this purpose. By now,
you already may have received
guidance from the Office of the
National Secretary on preparing
resolutions for the 2008 National
Convention. More specific information will be provided later on the
process for submitting a resolution.
I need the help of federation and
chapter secretaries. They often are the
ones who prepare and submit
resolutions and other documents for
the National Convention. Once
documents are received, do not wait
until the deadline to complete and
mail them to Headquarters. Obtain
the information you need to complete
the document as soon as possible. If a
form or document is lost or misplaced,
call the Office of the National
Secretary for another one long before
Passages
WALTER COOPER
FORMER WEST VIRGINIA FEDERATION PRESIDENT
alter Cooper,83,who served as West Virginia Federation president
from 1987 to 1989, died Sept. 1. A World War II veteran, he also
served as federation legislative chair and NARFE-PAC chair. In addition to
his federation activities,he was president of Chapter 950 in Beckley,WV. He
is survived by his wife,Barbara;a son and daughter-in-law;and a grandson.
W
ETHEL H. DESOE
MASSACHUSETTS FEDERATION EXECUTIVE SECRETARY EMERITUS
E
thel H. Desoe, 90, who was known as “executive secretary emeritus”
of the Massachusetts Federation for her many years of service, died in
October.She also served as secretary of Chapter 484 in Northampton,MA.
After retiring from the Department of Defense, she got her bachelor’s degree at the age of 79 and a master’s degree in education at 83 and became
a substitute teacher.She was profiled in NARFE magazine in July 2003.
46
the deadline for submission.
The National Convention provides
opportunities for you to meet and
interact with chapter members from
across the nation. You will be able to
share ideas on the efforts your chapter
makes to carry out the goals and
objectives of NARFE. More important,
it gives you an opportunity to
participate in the deliberations on the
floor of the convention. If you have
not attended a National Convention
before, I assure you that it will be a
great experience.
A Resolution Book will be sent to
chapter secretaries and all known
delegates at least two months prior
to the National Convention. I
encourage you to read and study
carefully all of the resolutions prior
to attending the convention. Your
chapter also should discuss the
resolutions at a meeting. By doing so,
you will be informed on what the
issues are and how best they may be
disposed. In addition, you will be in a
better position to debate an issue on
the floor of the convention. I look
forward to meeting you at the
National Convention. ■
Advertiser Index
Bose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Clark Enterprises 2000 . . . . .28-29
Dream Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
First Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31,33,39
Haband . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,60
Healthy America . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Hearing Help Express . . . . . . . . . . .9
IndependenceVillage . . . . . . . . . . .35
Listen Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
NARFE Insurance Services . . . . . .19
NARFE Premier FCU . . . . . . . . . .59
Premier Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . . .17
RedstoneVillage . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Your Man Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Out & AW
bout
ith the Chapters
Members of Chapter 482 in Downey, CA, pose for a photograph
outside WPMD radio at Cerritos College after being interviewed for
a broadcast. Pictured, left to right, are: Bob Knerr, president; Bob
Harmon, public relations and membership chair; Ouida Norris,
secretary; and Ken Marcy, liaison for the city of Downey.
The Sunshine Clowns, including Melinda M. Atwater, seated left,
wife of past National President Frank G. Atwater, entertained at
a recent Florida District 9 meeting.The meeting featured
speakers on Alzheimer’s and global warming. Region III Regional
Vice President Robert S. Harrell also attended.
Chapter 631 in Woodbury, NJ, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a
buffet dinner.
Chapter 2219 in Wayne County, OH, sold sandwiches at a local
grocery store as a fundraising and public relations event.
Pictured, left to right, are: Dave Menges, Helena Schloneger, John
Madding and Richard Becker. Also participating, but not in the
picture, were Vickie Menges and Pat Schaffter.
Officers of William J. Ryan Chapter 424 in Dover, NJ,
met with U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-NJ, to
discuss WEP-GPO repeal legislation. Pictured, from
left: Ed Gabel, 2nd vp; Rep. Frelinghuysen; Doris
Ryan, secretary; and Dr. Jerry Rubin, 1st vp.
Chapter 1377 in Minot, ND, celebrated National Meeting Month
with a spaghetti and meatball dinner, attended by 40 members.
Pictured, from left: Emanuel and Diane Heupel and Merland O.
“Mert” Indergaard.
47
Photos by Margaret Carter
NARFE News
Restructuring Panel Meets
Members of a committee appointed by National President Margaret L.
Baptiste to discuss restructuring NARFE for the 21st century met
November 1 and 2 at Headquarters in Alexandria,VA. They are, from left,
seated: Ann Collins, immediate past president of the Virginia Federation;
Charles Anderson, Wisconsin Federation president; and John Sheely, West
Virginia Federation president; standing: Chuck Brodigan, immediate past
president of the Oregon Federation; and Darlene Freeman, Iowa
Federation president.
At HQ: Inside Budget and Finance
A
s its name suggests, follows:
total of $2,808,158.
• Wachovia (CD): $251,254;
NARFE’s Budget and
• The Building Fund. Originally cre• The Vanguard Group: $363,059;
Finance Department is
ated for the purchase of NARFE’s Head• Smith Barney Inc.: $ 655,901;
responsible for putting
quarters building, it is now used for
• Banc of America Investment
the Association’s budget together
building maintenance. Why haven’t
Services: $1,657,148.
every fall, with a budget review in the
the monies in this fund been depleted?
Board-Designated Funds:
summer. This is not, however, all that
Several years ago, NARFE began trans• The Contingency Fund. To be used ferring $5,000 on a monthly basis from
the department does. We also perform
a wide range of accounting duties, only when NARFE is unable to func- the Operating Fund to the Building
process the payroll, and work with au- tion on the monies in the Operating Fund in the form of “rent.” Additionally,
ditors who examine NARFE’s financial Fund, it is managed by Banc of America some members send contributions to
books between March and May each Investment Services and, as of the end help keep this fund alive, and others
of the third fiscal quarter of 2007, had a generously leave money to this fund in
year.
their wills. The total assets in
We work diligently to mainthe Building Fund, as of the end
tain and manage NARFE’s mulof the third quarter of 2007,
tifaceted assets with various fiwere $253,695. They are in a
nancial institutions. These asmoney market account at Bank
sets consist of:
The Operating Fund. This
of America.
fund takes care of the daily oper• The Life Membership Trust
Fund. To ensure that they last
ations of NARFE. The monies
as long as the lifespan of the
from this fund come largely
youngest life member, monies
from membership dues. Other
are invested in a high-yielding
revenue sources include magabut conservative portfolio at
zine advertising, royalties, inSmith Barney, Inc. As of the end
vestments and fundraising (calof the third quarter of 2007, this
endars, cards, the Silver Circle
fund
had $1,761,627 in total asProgram). NARFE also has insets.
come from seminars, congressional directories and labels. A
Temporarily Restricted
Staff members in NARFE’s Budget and Finance Department pose
checking account at Bank of
Funds:
with NARFE National Treasurer Richard C. Ostergren, standing left.
America takes care of the daily Seated, from left to right: Patricia Blackwell, accounts payable data
Temporarily
Restricted
entry; LaJuadon Jackson, funds accountant; Cynthia Weldon, execu- Funds are not controlled by the
needs of this fund.
As of the end of the third tive secretary; and Tayo Coker Polson, Budget and Finance manag- National Executive Board
er; standing: Ostergren; Gloria Washington, accounting technician;
quarter of 2007, the income- Ebony Ledbetter, assistant; Rustom Vania, Budget and Finance
(NEB). They are comprised of:
earning investments were as director; and Veronica Clemons, accounting supervisor.
• The NARFE-Alzheimer’s
48
Photos by Margaret Carter
Wrap It Up, We’ll Take It!
At their November 14-16 meeting at NARFE Headquarters, members of the NARFE National Executive Board (NEB) had the opportunity to
see the latest NARFE marketing “vehicle,” a Washington, DC-area Metrobus with a “wrap” promoting the Association. The graphic used on
the bus wrap also appears in the Washington area on Metrobus waiting shelters, inside Metrobuses and inside Metro subway cars. The NEB
enjoyed breakfast onboard the Metrobus, courtesy of the bus-advertising company, before getting down to business. In left photo, Board
members are, left to right: Charles W. Saylor, Joseph A. Beaudoin, Lanny G. Ross, Russ Boor, Tom Johnson, Robert S. Harrell, Forney A. Lundy,
Richard G. Thissen, Augie Stratoti, Jerry D. Hatfield, Margaret L. Baptiste and Richard C. Ostergren.
Fund. All Alzheimer’s-related expenses
are reimbursed by the Alzheimer’s
Foundation. These show up as revenues in the financial statements. All
contributions NARFE receives for this
fund go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association and are not treated as income.
• The NARFE-PAC Fund. NARFE
must adhere strictly to Federal Election
Commission regulations.
We reconcile all dues payments
made through the mail, the Web site
and in-house. We also reconcile dueswithholding payments, as well as all
non-dues income. We pay our vendor
invoices in a timely manner and monitor
departments to make sure that their
spending is in line with the budget.
We also send 10 percent of each
member’s dues to the corresponding
federation. We mail checks to chapters
for chapter dues collected on behalf of
the chapters, along with $2 recruitment
finder’s fees. To make our work easier,
we encouraage more chapters and federations to sign up to have their funds
sent by direct deposit.
Dues-withholding also makes our
work easier. It is also possible to pay
your dues through your bank’s Internet bill-payment service. Simply
make sure you enter your membership
ID number so that we are able to identify you. This is something to look at if
dues-withholding does not appeal or
apply to you.
You don’t hear from us very often,
but now that you know the work we
do, we hope you’ve grown to know us
better.
By Tayo Coker Polson,
Budget and Finance Manager
NARFE NATIONAL LIFE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
ZIP:
Date of Birth:
Amount: National $
+ Chapter $
=Total $
Payment Type: ❑ Check/Money Order ❑ Credit Card
Credit Card: ❑ Mastercard ❑ VISA ❑ Discover ❑ AMEX
Card#:
Name on Card (Print):
Exp:
Signature:
Recruiter ID# (if applicable):
Date:
Please Mail Life Membership
Application and Payment to:
Attn: Member Records
NARFE
Alexandria, VA 22314
Thank you for becoming a
National Member for Life. You
will receive a membership card,
certificate and special lapel pin.
Please allow six weeks for processing.
See Reverse for More Information.
Dues payments & gifts or contributions to NARFE are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.
49
Congratulations!
Chapters Celebrate 50th Anniversaries
T
he following chapters are celebrating their 50th anniversaries this year. NARFE
congratulates members of the chapters for carrying on the traditions of those members
who established these chapters so long ago. We look forward to their continued success
in serving NARFE.
50
REGION I
Brattleboro VT Chapter 659
REGION II
Philadelphia Center Square PA
Chapter 664
REGION V
Oskaloosa IA Chapter 687
Hannibal MO Chapter 683
Poplar Bluff MO Chapter 694
West Plains MO Chapter 695
REGION IX
Mid-Columbia OR Chapter 675
REGION III
Leesburg FL Chapter 662
Pine Belt MS Chapter 670
REGION VI
El Dorado AR Chapter 673
Twin Lakes AR Chapter 674
Cherokee Hills OK Chapter 656
New Braunfels TX Chapter 672
REGION IV
Jefferson IL Chapter 688
Louis Joliet IL Chapter 655
Wausau WI Chapter 689
REGION VIII
El Cajon Valley CA Chapter 669
1. For current NARFE members:
Membership # _________________
2. For new members:
Membership is open to civilians in any agency of the federal
or D.C. governments eligible for a federal annuity.
Please check one:
❑ Current employee
❑ Retiree
❑ Former employee
❑ Spouse
❑ Former spouse
❑ Survivor
3. I choose to join Chapter # ___________. I understand that if I
don’t choose a chapter, the nearest one will be assigned.
Please call 1-800-456-8410 for further information.
1S
50
Please Note:
• Chapter membership dues are added to the initial
payment for both single or quarterly installments
paid by new members. For current members, chapter
dues will continue in the usual cycle.
•
REGION X
Burke County NC Chapter 696
Hickory NC Chapter 692
High Point NC Chapter 668
Marion NC Chapter 667
Peninsula VA Chapter 682
Williamsburg VA Chapter 685
LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEE SCHEDULES
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004
Ages
30-39
40-50
51-55
56-60
61-65
66-70
71-75
76-80
81-90
91-100
Single or Quarterly
Payment
Installments
$1,320
1,015
783
664
557
452
373
292
197
107
$331.25
255.00
197.00
167.25
140.50
114.25
94.50
74.25
50.50
28.00
“A life member, who was or is a Chapter member at
the time that a National Life membership was or is
purchased, shall maintain membership in a Chapter.
Failure to do so shall result in suspension of Chapter
membership rights and privileges.”
Silver Circle Donors
S
ilver Circle donations totaled more than $50,000 as of November 15. Names and chapter numbers of donors from October 16-November 15 are listed here. Previous donors were acknowledged in the September through December 2007
issues. To donate, see the form below. ■
SILVER CIRCLE ($25 OR MORE)
ARIZONA
WYLMA J.ADE 0295
DOUGLAS G. GRAY 1234
CHARLES J. BECKMAN 1485
CALIFORNIA
MYRTLE MILLER 0046
GEORGE J. CALLORI 0053
RALPH P.WAREHAM 0053
CLAIRE RAINS 0065
LORNA B. KENNEY 0073
CHARLINE B. GAJDOS 0188
MICHAEL WONG 0511
ALBERT MAUS 0531
COLORADO
MARTHA M. HYMEL 1039
CONNECTICUT
FRANK A. DEBARTOLOMEO
0222
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
LOUIS DI CROCE 2000
LLOYCE ANN WEST 2052
FLORIDA
MARY A. JEHLE 0109
MANUEL CAMUNAS 0242
ALFRED C.TILLOTSON
0553
ALFRED M. RODGERS 1140
GEORGIA
SANDRA WOOD 1033
HAWAII
EMAMUEL N. SPROAT 0570
LORRAINE TENJOMA 1657
IDAHO
GENEVIEVE BOGUSLAWSKI
1025
ILLINOIS
RUSSELL C. HEIDER 2202
IOWA
JOY BRIDENSTINE 0148
DARLENE J. FREEMAN 0148
KANSAS
EDWARD P. CALL 0366
BRENDA MYERS 1995
KENTUCKY
MARTHA M. SMITH 1262
BARBARA SHEPHERD 1760
LOUISIANA
ORANGEL FRANCOIS 0041
JEANNE OKAMOTO 0041
REZETTE A. JENKINS 0099
MARYLAND
LOUISE M. BEAUREGARDMEYERS 0251
CONSTANCE B. PRICE 0258
ANNE BURK GREEN 1127
CHARLES MCGUIRE 1887
D.THOMAS LONGO MD
2274
MINNESOTA
KENNETH K. NEITZEL 0150
MISSOURI
W. JEAN BRAND 0312
JERRIS C.WADDELL 1926
NEW JERSEY
RITA B. MCEVOY 1000
CHARLES BEAUDOIN 1066
NEW YORK
PHILIP R. BOUSQUET 0439
DOLORES J. GIBSON 1203
MARGARET MUCELL 1203
NORTH CAROLINA
JANE G.VOLCKMANN 0211
HENRY W. DAMERON 1785
NORTH DAKOTA
DAVID A. HANSON 0119
KENNETH W.THOMPSON
1863
OHIO
JANICE SONNENBERG
0235
HELEN F. DODSON 0265
THEODORE C. RYNDA 1927
OKLAHOMA
BENJAMIN RUSSEL
BECKHAM 0183
HILDA M. BECKHAM 0183
PENNSYLVANIA
CHARLES E. GRIFFITHS 0413
ARTHUR RITZMAN 0458
MARIA I. RITZMAN 0458
ADA BELLO 0664
VERONICA SEMANICK 1371
M. JONES 1695
RHODE ISLAND
NORMAND JOHNSON
0013
SOUTH CAROLINA
ESTHER L. CRANDALL 0072
TENNESSEE
ANITA A.WAUGH 0152
HENRY KROLIKOWSKI 0204
TEXAS
RICHARD K. ALEXANDER
1320
VIRGINIA
BRUCE BIRNBERG 0893
GEORGE YIP 0893
WASHINGTON
ROMIE STOLTZ 1006
WISCONSIN
NENA GOLETZ 0094
WAYNE E. SHIRLEY 1581
GERMANY
ROBERT VESPA 4044
PUERTO RICO
SANTOS CLAUDIO 0252
Silver Circle Contribution Form
❏ New option!
Wall of Fame 12-month
installment plan
51
Letters
Lobbying
Y
our article on our lobbyists
(NARFE magazine, November 2007, p. 30) and especially comments by former Congressman Mica were excellent. As legislative coordinator of my chapter, I
find it difficult to convince members to
write/communicate with their members of Congress regardless of party affiliation.
I once met with my Republican congressman, had an accompanied ride in
the trolley to the Capitol, walked past
the tourists, witnessed the Honorable
Gerald Ford debate with great passion,
all the while being a registered Democrat and enjoying every minute.
Andre Peloquin,
Miami, FL
Newsletters
I
n his column in the October issue of
NARFE magazine (p. 24), National
Vice President Bill Austin proposed
REMINDER:
It’s not too early to
begin planning for
the 2008 NARFE
National Convention
in Louisville, KY. See
details on pp. 22-26.
using the U.S. Postal Service
“Click2Mail” service for printing and
mail delivery of NARFE newsletters.
The newsletter can be composed or uploaded online, as can the address database. Once complete, the newsletter is
mailed by the post office.
I propose a cost-saving alternative to
“Click2Mail.” As newsletter chairman
for Virginia Federation Area II, repre-
senting five NARFE chapters with
1,200-plus members, we use the services and bulk mail permit of a direct
mailer, which eliminates the costly
$170 annual maintenance non-profit
mailing fee, required to use
“Click2Mail.” I simply provide the
newsletter and address database to the
direct mailer, and he prints and takes it
to the post office for mailing. Direct
mail service is just as efficient in production and mailing costs as
“Click2Mail.” Average mailing and
printing cost for a recent four-page
newsletter was 33 cents.
Other areas and chapters in Virginia are also using the services of a direct mailer. For more information on
using this cost-saving alternative,
please contact me at vanarfe@
aol.com, or contact the direct mailer
directly: Printersmark Inc., 6010-F N.
Crestwood Avenue, Richmond, VA;
phone, 1-804-288-4455; e-mail,
[email protected].
Dick Edwards,
Virginia Beach, VA
Photo Contest Entries Due February 15
A
ttention camera buffs:
Submit your entry now
for the 2009 NARFE
Photo Contest Calendar.
No photos of pets or children, please.
We will accept prints only (no Polaroids).
Photos should be horizontal to best
fit the format of the calendar.
All entries must be postmarked on
or before February 15, 2008.
You must be a NARFE member to
enter, and only the work of amateurs
will be accepted. Any photo submitted
becomes the property of NARFE.
52
Please limit your submissions to no
more than five photos, so send us the
ones you consider your best.
Do not re-submit photos you
entered in previous contests. Members whose photos were used in previous NARFE Photo Contest Calendars are not eligible to enter this contest again.
Send your photos to NARFE Headquarters, Photo Contest, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. If you
have any questions, call NARFE PR,
703-838-7760, ext. 369 or e-mail
[email protected].
Be sure to include your name, address, chapter number and phone
number with your submission. ■
NARFE Resources
How to Contact Us . . . . . . . . . . . .6
NARFE-PAC Coupon . . . . . . . . .18
Alzheimer’s Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
NARFE-FEEA Coupon . . . . . . . . .36
Membership Application . . . . . . . .44
Life Member Application . . . . . . . .49
Silver Circle Coupon . . . . . . . . . .51
NARFE Perks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Do You Belong to the
RIGHT CHAPTER?
NARFE
has more than 1,500 chapters nationwide.
Are you attending the one closest to you? If you are unsure
which chapter is most convenient for you, find out by calling
1-800-456-8410. We can help you locate the nearest chapter,
based on your ZIP code.There may even be more than one chapter
in your vicinity, giving you a choice of chapters.
If a member-prospect fails to specify a chapter on the new-member
application, NARFE assigns him or her to the closest chapter.
NARFE wants to hear from you directly about your decision to transfer
to a new chapter.
If you need a chapter transfer because you have relocated, call us so that
we can update your mailing address, as well.
NARFE Member Request for Chapter Transfer
NARFE ID #
Spouse ID #
Name:
Name:
Address:
Address:
This is to request and authorize National Headquarters to
transfer chapter affiliation
From Chapter #:
Mail to:
To Chapter #:
Member Records
Effective Date:
NARFE Headquarters
Signature:
606 N.Washington St.
Spouse’s signature:
Alexandria,VA 22314-1914
NARFE Perks
NARFE Perks are designed to provide NARFE members with a quality option in their search for
commonly-utilized products and services. NARFE makes no guarantee on any products and services listed
below and encourages its members to shop and compare before making a decision on any financial matter.
MOVING SERVICES
INSURANCE
NARFE INSURANCE SERVICES:
NARFE MEMBER
HOMEBENEFITS
1-800-823-0646
http://narfe.myhomebenefits.com
Allied Van Lines and NARFE have
teamed up to offer NARFE members and
their families the finest in relocation services at the lowest possible cost. Receive:
• Preferred Rates on Full Service
Moving. Move with Allied Van Lines, the
world’s most trusted mover, and receive
discounted rates on interstate (state-tostate) moving and personal property
valuation protection.
• Home Buying & Selling Rewards.
Get up to $1,000 (or more) when you
buy or sell a home through the program.
• Home Financing Rewards. Finance or refinance your home and receive a $300 member reward.
Call for a free estimate or visit our Web
site for more details! Serving you is our
goal, as you have served our country.
1-800-233-5764
Insurance plans designed and administered exclusively for NARFE members.
Call for information on Whole and Term
Life, Hospital Indemnity, Accidental Injury
and Death Plan, Dental Plan and Cancer
Care Plan. For information on Long Term
Care call the Long Term Care Unit at 1800-358-3795.
GEICO: 1-800-368-2734
NARFE members with good driving
records may be eligible for quality automobile insurance from GEICO. Ask about
the NARFE discount now available to
members in many states. Call today for
your free, no-obligation rate quote. Be
sure to mention that you’re a NARFE
member!
• Discount amount varies in some states
• Discount not available in all states or in
all GEICO companies
• One group discount applicable per
policy
BEKINS VAN LINES
1-800-456-6832
(M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT)
All NARFE members will receive
discounted pricing
for all interstate shipments. Discount will
apply to packing and moving services
and valuation protection. All intrastate
shipments, locals and international
moves will be competitive in cost based
on your geographical location. We are
proud to be part of the NARFE family of
service organizations. Bekins looks forward to assisting you with your moving
needs. Please mention you are a NARFE
member and wish to move under the
NARFE transportation agreement
#00930.
54
THE FEDERAL LONG TERM
CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM
The future can be full of questions.
Give it some answers.
There’s no better way to prepare for
the future than by planning for the unexpected. One day, you or a loved one
may need long term care. By preparing
for that possibility now, you can help reduce the financial strain on those you
care about most. Contact us today to
learn more about the Federal Long Term
Care Insurance Program.
1-800-LTC FEDS (1-800-582-3337)
(TTY 1-800-843-3557)
www.LTCFEDS.com
TRAVEL
CRUISE SALE
Book ANY 2008 NCL cruise
departing after February 1st and
receive all of the following:
• The Lowest Rate — Save up to 50%
off brochure rates!
• $50.00 Shipboard Credit on any cruise
or CruiseTour!
• Onboard Coupon Book — worth up
to $300 in onboard savings!
(Some coupons require a purchase to receive
free accompanying product.)
CALL TODAY TO SAVE ON YOUR
NEXT VACATION!
1-800-607-4538
Web Site: www.NARFEtravel.com
OTHER SERVICES
IDENTITY CHECK PRINTERS
Identity Check
Printers now offers
officially-licensed
bank checks and
accessories featuring the NARFE
logo. Choose from
three check designs, each with coordinating address labels and Identity Cards. A printed leather
checkbook cover featuring the NARFE
logo is also available. Support NARFE
with every check you write. Order today!
Visit www.identitychecks.com or call tollfree 1-800-874-5910. Use OFFER CODE
9KG482 and receive FREE standard
shipping on your order.
NARFE•MART: 1-800-294-0875
(202) 333-0900
NARFE’s exclusive provider of
NARFE merchandise; including jewelry,
pins, plaques and name badges. Call
for a product listing.
HOTELS
CAR RENTALS
CREDIT UNION
CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL
Choice Hotels International® is proud
to offer NARFE members discounts at
over 4,000 hotels in 40 countries. Members may receive a 20% discount at participating hotels or rates at or below per
diem, whichever discount is the greater.
Choice brands include: Comfort Inn®,
Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®,
Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, Econo
Lodge® and Rodeway Inn®. This offer is
subject to availability. Advance reservations are required. To make reservations call
800-258-2847 and mention ID #00801967.
ALAMO RENT-A-CAR
1-800-354-2322 — www.alamo.com
Welcome to Alamo Country. Where
NARFE members get unlimited mileage
and year-round discounts off Alamo’s
already great rates. Book with your
travel agent or Alamo®. Be sure to request I.D. Number 262544 and Rate
Code BY (A-1 for weekend rentals) at
the time of reservation.
HERTZ
WYNDHAM HOTELS GROUP
Members can now save 10% off bestavailable rates at over 6,000 participating
hotels. Whether you are looking for a
luxury hotel, an all-inclusive resort, or
something more budget-conscious, we
have the right hotel, in the right place, for
the right price. To receive discounted
rates, NARFE members must use
Member Benefits ID #20672 and the
specified toll-free numbers. Advance
reservations required.
1-800-654-3131 — www.hertz.com
Hertz is proud to be a preferred car
rental partner of NARFE. As a member
of NARFE, you will receive discounted
rates, unlimited mileage for most
rentals, special offers, upgrades and fee
waived #1 Club Gold program enrollment. Remember to include your
NARFE Corporate Discount Number
252137 when making reservations.
AVIS: 1-800-331-1441
The employees/owners of Avis offer
guaranteed low rates and quality services to members of NARFE. Mention
ID# A991900.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Days Inn
CREDIT CARD
Bank of America now offers the
officially approved credit card program
for NARFE, featuring the Platinum Plus®
MasterCard®. This is the only credit
card program that helps support NARFE
every time you use it to make a purchase–at no additional cost to you.
Request yours today!
Call toll-free 1-866-438-6262
Use source code FAAHZ8
CD AND MONEY
MARKET ACCOUNTS
Wingate
Ramada
Howard Johnson
Travelodge
Knights Inn
Baymont
AmeriHost Inn
877-670-7088
Super 8
800-889-9706
NARFE’S OFFICIAL CREDIT UNION
As a member of NARFE, you have
the privilege of joining NARFE Premier
Federal Credit Union, which has been
serving members since 1935. We offer
extensive services at competitive rates
to members nationwide. Accounts are
insured by NCUA up to $100,000.
For more information, call 1-800-3281500 / 703-914-8700 (DC metropolitan
area), e-mail jparish@narfepremierfcu.
org, or visit our Web site at www.
narfepremierfcu.org.
Wyndham
866-854-1604
SINCE 1974
1-800-423-3226
Medical Air Services Association has
been the industry leader in prepaid emergency assistance services for more than
30 years. NARFE members have experienced MASA’s “peace of mind” services
since 2001. Now NARFE members are
entitled to even more: air ambulance
transportation, helicopter transportation,
ground ambulance, vehicle return, mortal
remains transport, and much more!
Call MASA Today. It Could Save Your Life!
Bank of America: 1-800-414-4229
Add strength and stability to your
savings portfolio by opening a NARFEsponsored Certificate of Deposit (CD) or
Money Market account offered by Bank
of America. Receive High Yields and the
security of FDIC insurance up to
$100,000 per depositor. For every
NARFE-sponsored deposit with Bank of
America, the bank will make a contribution to NARFE for the advancement of
programs and services at no additional
cost to you. Use source code HA029.
55
For the Record
CPI-W Up Slightly in October
Personal Milestones
T
Only member 50th wedding anniversaries are accepted for publication.
Submit names (both first names),
wedding anniversary and chapter
name/number/state by mail to NARFE
Headquarters,ATTN: Anniversaries, or
by e-mail to [email protected].
he Consumer Price
The chart below tracks the CPI-W, the monthly
Index for Urban Wage
inflation change, and the cumulative percentage
Earners and Clerical
gain for the next CSRS and Social Security COLA.
Workers (CPI-W) rose 0.2 perCPI-W
MONTHLY
% CHANGE
cent in October, according to the
% CHANGE FROM 203.6
Bureau of Labor Statistics. The
October
204.3
+0.2
+0.3
CPI-W for October went up to
204.3. October’s CPI-W begins
the compilation of monthly inflation cial Security recipients will receive a 2.3
figures that will determine next year’s percent adjustment; FERS retirees over
cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). 62 will receive a 2.0 percent COLA.
Compared to the new 2007 thirdBenefits awarded under the Federal
quarter base index of 203.6, the CPI-W Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA)
has risen 0.3 percent.
to individuals suffering work-related
Millions of retired Americans re- injuries or illnesses are adjusted acceiving federal civilian and military recording to each calendar year’s pertirement and Social Security benefits will centage change in the CPI-W. The Ocreceive a COLA in their January 2008 re- tober index is 3.6 percent higher than
tirement checks. CSRS retirees and So- the December 2006 base of 197.2. ■
Thrift Savings Plan Investments*
Month
G Fund
2006 December .34%
.43%
2007 January
February
.34%
March
.42%
April
.42%
May
.34%
June
.42%
July
.50%
.33%
August
September .41%
October
.41%
November .33%
Last 12 Months
4.80%
F Fund
(.54%)
.00%
1.53%
.00%
.53%
(.70%)
(.27%)
.80%
1.23%
.78%
.86%
1.88%
6.25%
C Fund
1.42%
1.53%
(1.95%)
1.09%
4.43%
3.52%
(1.70%)
(3.10%)
1.54%
3.76%
1.58%
(4.20%)
7.76%
S Fund
.11%
3.14%
(.26%)
1.09%
2.51%
4.40%
(1.53%)
(4.57%)
1.38%
2.97%
2.83%
(5.65%)
6.03%
I Fund
3.11%
1.31%
.18%
2.57%
3.76%
2.54%
.20%
(2.39%)
(.71%)
5.36%
4.49%
(3.72%)
17.54%
Month
L 2040
2006 December 1.31%
1.53%
2007 January
February (.64%)
1.34%
March
3.28%
April
May
2.79%
June
(.92%)
July
(2.52%)
August
.90%
September 3.45%
October
2.37%
November (3.36%)
9.66%
Last 12 Months
L 2030
1.18%
1.42%
(.49%)
1.16%
2.95%
2.52%
(.80%)
(2.13%)
.88%
3.09%
2.09%
(2.94%)
9.09%
L 2020
1.17%
1.22%
(.38%)
1.08%
2.58%
2.15%
(.54%)
(1.75%)
.80%
2.68%
1.84%
(2.33%)
8.70%
L 2010
.90%
.89%
(.14%)
.89%
1.76%
1.53%
(.20%)
(.92%)
.73%
1.78%
1.29%
(1.21%)
7.50%
L Income
.63%
.63%
.16%
.62%
1.08%
.92%
.08%
(.23%)
.61%
1.13%
.82%
(.44%)
6.15%
*This chart is provided as a service to NARFE members who enrolled in the Thrift Savings Plan while
employed by the federal government. Retirees are not eligible for enrollment. Source: tsp.gov.
These returns are net of the effect of accrued administrative expenses and investment expenses/costs.
Percentages in ( ) are negative.
56
Kurt and Dolores Auffarber, 50, Greater N.
Houston Chapter 828 Texas;
William and Ramona Bossert, 50, Minot
Chapter 1377 North Dakota;
Jerry and Elizabeth Boyd, 50, Greater N.
Houston Chapter 828 Texas;
Edward (Eddie) and Rosalie Cobos, 50,
Ventura County Chapter 190 California;
James and Annerose Cochrane, 50,Vancouver
Chapter 131 Washington;
Tom and Cadie Davison, 50, Bryan-College
Station Chapter 607 Texas;
Milo and Barb DeJong, 50, Pheasant Chapter
899 South Dakota;
Carl and Mildred Eichinger, 50, McLeanGreat Falls Chapter 489 Virginia;
George and June Gemberling, 50,Yuba-Sutter
Chapter 1255 California;
Daniel and Sue Grant, 50, Jefferson County
Chapter 444 New York;
Carl and Dorothea Hamilton, 50, Napa
County Chapter 281 California;
Edward G. and Katherine Henschel, 50,
Kinzua Chapter 1778 Pennsylvania;
Floyd and Marilyn Jensen, 50, Pine Chapter
1746 Minnesota;
William and Mary Knipple, 50,Western
Chapter 2069 Connecticut;
Gerald and Joan Lavery, 50, Parkersburg
Chapter 174 West Virginia;
Charles and Rosemary March, 50, Marshall
Chapter 1580 Minnesota;
Walter H. and Wanda J. McClune, 50, Capitol
City Chapter 1119 Colorado;
Theodore J. and LaVerne Robinson, 50,
Sunflower Chapter 1160 Kansas;
Herman and JoAnn Ruhlmann, 50, New
London Chapter 158 Connecticut;
Donald and Joan Seavey, 50, Daytona Beach
Chapter 58 Florida;
Richard and Ruth Sievert, 50, Pheasant
Chapter 899 South Dakota;
Jimmie and LaRue Stephens, 50,Azalea City
Chapter 1044 Georgia;
Manny and Phyllis Strumpf, 50, Robert &
Elsie Resnick Chapter 1552 Florida.
At Last!
Past Times & Present Pursuits
THEWAY WE WORKED
Photo courtesy of Joseph Lieberson
It Was a Dirty Job
This 1967 photo shows soil
testing in the Punjab
Province of Pakistan.
Joseph Lieberson, a member of NARFE Chapter 581
in Gaithersburg, MD, is on
the left of the Pakistani
workers. At the time, he
was a 25-year-old economist working with the U.S.
foreign aid program to
improve agricultural production in Pakistan. In
100-degree heat, soil samples were dug each day
and sent to a laboratory
for testing—which could
take months to complete.
By testing the soil, problems (such as too much
salt) were identified, and
then materials were
applied to solve the problems. Now, 40 years later,
soil can be quickly tested
in the field by electro-magnetic devices, or at the
office by computer processing of satellite images.
Saluting the CCC: The Statue Fund
I
n the midst of the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC) provided
desperately needed work for
millions of Americans and improved federal and state lands
and parks. Robert L. Griffiths
worked in a CCC camp in Oxford, NY, and later had a 30year career in federal service.
Thirty years ago, Griffiths
co-founded the National Association of Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni. To mark
the 75th anniversary of the
CCC this year, the alumni group is
sponsoring the placement and dedication of CCC memorial statues in places
where the program left its imprint.
Griffiths is helping to raise money to
fund the $20,000 bronze
statues, which depict a young
CCC worker. He seeks
“modest” tax-deductible donations from those who served,
their families and others. “Out
of the four million young
Americans, reserve military officers, foresters, education advisors and others who served,
probably only a hundred
thousand survive,” Griffiths estimates. “They are all in their
80s and 90s and a few over 100. I am 90.”
“I am sure many CCCers are or were
NARFE members, like myself. I also sus-
pect many family members also belong.”
To contribute to the statue fund,
make out a check to CCC Statue Program and send it to Griffiths at 12415
Woods Rd., Wilton, CA 95693.
Tell us about your “Pursuit.” Write to
NARFE magazine, Attn: “Pursuits,”
NARFE, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314; or e-mail, [email protected].
Did you know that...
...You can pay your NARFE
dues through electronic bill
pay from your bank.Call
NARFE HQ for details.
57
MACROSTIC by JAMIEFEN
Brain Game & Bookend
HOW TO SOLVE:
Transfer the clue answers into the grid using the number under
each letter. Two answers may share the same number. The receiving square shows which clue provides its content. Words
emerge between the black squares, continuing from line to line.
If you guess emerging words, insert the extra letters found back
into the answers. When all the clues are solved,the grid reads as a
paragraph whose title is the first letters of the clue answers
reading downward.Hint: This Macrostic contains information relevant to a NARFE event in 2008.You may not know the answers,
but you can work them out by solving other clues.If you get stuck,
peek at a few answers to regain your momentum.(Solution,p.24.)
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
A 38 161 15 143 46 115 156
Buildings that house relics related to a theme; e.g., answers to clues D, E, F, I, K.
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
C 25 79 16 95 3
90
With no apparent use of energy.
__
D 90
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
100 155
40 124
__
55
__
30
__
104
__
__
153 140
__
98
__
11
__
44
__
75
__
__
48
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
J 13
R
14
KP 15
17
E 18
P 19
FT 20
KQ 21
B
22
E 23
133 160
69
98
CP
42 165 118
__
32
T 33
AE 39
FT 40
DG 41
M 42
48
D 49
P 50
J
I 57
T 58
JT 59
F
66
J 67
E
76
R
D 27
F 28
IP 29
F 30
34
EF 35
P 36
D 37
Q
43
G 44
51
EP 52
60
FI 61
68
I 69
77
CP
45
G 53
J 46 AM 47
O 54
F 55
62
KK 63
FJ 70 CK 71
G 72
P
J 78
O
79
C 80
F
88
J 89
94 MR 95
C 96 DK 97
I 98
102
P 103
111
I
K 104
112
D 105 MP 106
O 121
128 LT 129
N
J 146
F5
F
DK
56
N 64
P 65
F 161 AF
P 82
D 83
IN 84
G 92
IO
R
CT
L
DK
F
M 85
B
93
Q
J 100 DJ 101
R 109
J 110 PQ
115 AE 116
L 117
P 118
F
M 126 ES 127
T
G 131
J 132
141
F 163
P 25
I 108
130
148
CJ
107
T 124
S 149
D
B
16
99
F 123
162
EQ
S 81
P 122
H 155
I 24
O 90 CD 91
DF
N8
A
M 75
L
154
H7
P 73 NQ 74
F 140 CJ
Q 147
P6
F
T 113 OP 114 FH
119 MT 120
I 145
CK 31
38
86 KR 87
159 C 160
36
4
26
152 O 153 CJ
156
E 164
D 125
K
P 133 FK 134
Q 142
IR
B 135
R
150
D 151
AJ 157 KP 158
G 165
G
143 AJ
FJ 166
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
H 6 114 154 136
_ _ _ _ profit is the difference between revenues and costs. (British)
51
__
47 114
__
27
G 71 135 164 52 43 91 130 40
Favorite of children; may come with a wafer or a cone. (3, 5)
You’ll Be Inspired!
n New Year’s Eve 1985, Paul Berger had good reasons to be looking forward to the year ahead—at
36,he was happily married,had just completed his MBA
and had a good job with the District of Columbia government. All that changed when he suffered a
stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side
and without speech. Although he retired on
disability,“that didn’t stop me from living a full
life, returning to school, finding a new job
(losing other jobs along the way), traveling
(getting lost in a coal mine in Wales), volunteering and supporting NARFE,” he says.
Today, he gives talks to stroke survivors and caregivers, and has written a book about his personal
journey,“How to Conquer the World With One Hand ...
and an Attitude.” The book, which won an award from
the National Council on Communicative Disorders,has
just been released in audio form. Order it (print or
audio) on his Web site,www.strokesurvivor.com.
58
DJ 12
144
122 161 54
4 39 60 31 139 162 59 19
If you sew, so shall ye reap reward from a visit here. (10, 8, 6)
O
EK 3
O 11
P
I
D
By James Cowie, [email protected]
__
29
__
70 159
__
E 34
2 163 17 115 38 67 65 22 126
The “greatest,” not just local son. Has his own clue A. (8, 3)
34
K2
P 10
136 H 137 KR 138 M 139
150 82 96 26 166
Example of A, paying homage to a famous inventor (6, 6, 5).
F 87
K 1
9
__
B 8
85 134 21
One can auction items over the Internet using this.
__
1
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
I 92 60 28 111 144 68 149 23 158 97 107 56 83
Here you can study the fruits of pure and applied minds, similar to the honoree
of clue D. (7, 6)
J 131 100 153 140 58
__
69
__
__
165
__
__
11
__
99
12
50 145 109
66 16 143 88 156 45 77
Take this for a cruise on the Ohio River. Invokes the aura of a key figure re: the
Declaration of Independence. (3, 6, 2, 9)
K 20
1
__
96
137 55
__
103
__
14
__
70
__
86
__
157
__
75
__
30
__
2
62 62 101 133
You are not batty to visit here. May help to win a home run contest. (10, 7)
L 33 128 116 147
Acceptable, to indicate agreement.
__
__
__
__
M 46 105 84 41 138 119 125 74 94
A gallery named after one of the most-wanted men in the U.S. in the last decade.
N 73
7 63 83 129
The main reason why poachers kill elephants.
__
__
O 92 152 53 120 78 89 113 10
Sounds like it would feature racehorse paintings, but this example of A has more
to offer. (5, 3)
__
P 81
__
__
18
__
__
44
__
__
28
__
72
5
__
110
__
__
__
__
__
14 105
__
__
__
__
__
__
49
__
__
64 113 121
35 132 51 151 9
24 102 117 61 157 3
There is one at the airport and another downtown. Useful for travelers. (7, 11, 6)
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
Q 73 65 146 20 93 141 110
The worship of craven images.
37
R 86 137 142 13 108 149 76 94 106
Gallery with name describing a crusading English king.
S 126 80 148
Expertise of the Supreme Court..
__
__
__
T 39 57 32 123 25 119 127 58 112 19 128
Most likely to be of more interest to adventurous grandchildren than the
delegates. (7, 4).
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january - National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

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