Transcript Document

Who is
Looking Out
for Your
Retirement
Benefits
?
NARFE…
• Founded in 1921 by 14 federal
workers.
• Now a major force on Capitol Hill
and across the nation.
•Highly respected legislative voice
for federal workers and retirees.
NARFE is…
…nearly 350,000 strong, representing 3.5
million federal employees and retirees.
… the only association of federal workers
and retirees united to preserve and improve
the economic security and well-being of
federal employees and their families in
retirement
FEDERAL RETIREMENT
BENEFITS ARE NOT A GIFT
Benefits are earned
through long term
government service and
your contributions
NARFE Goals:
• Protect income security
•Protect health benefits
•Receive fair and equal
treatment
LEGISLATION IS A
MAJOR FOCUS
“Everything we gain, everything
we lose, is by act of Congress.”
NARFE is highly respected
Because of:
• A Top legislative staff
• Close contact with
Congress and OPM
• Nationwide network of
legislative activists
NARFE has helped to
bring you:
• Survivor Benefits (1950s)
• Creation of the Federal
Employees Health Benefits
Program (1960s)
•Thrift Savings Plan and Federal
Employee Retirement System
(1980s)
•Long Term Care (1990s)
Preserving Your
Retirement Benefits
NARFE will:
• Sponsor and support needed legislation
• Oppose adverse legislation
• Foster public recognition
• Cooperate with other organizations to
accomplish goals
Preserving Your
Retirement Benefits (2)
•Inform members about relevant issues –
•Retirement income, health care
benefits, taxation and COLAs.
•Strengthen political influence through
NARFE-PAC.
•Partner with OPM to answer questions
about retirement.
SOME CURRENT ISSUES
FOR 110th CONGRESS:
•Repeal or modify Government
Pension Offset (GPO)
•Repeal or modify Windfall
Elimination Provision (WEP)
•FEHBP Premium conversion for
Annuitants Tax Equity
Why are these important?
(GPO and WEP in place since 1983)
•GPO prevents retirees from collecting
both federal annuity and any Social
Benefit based on spouse’s work
• GPO affects 401,200 S.S. beneficiaries –
•75% women
•42% widowed
•85% lost entire benefit
Why are these important?
(GPO and WEP in place since 1983)
•WEP causes loss of up to 50% of retiree
S. S. benefits
• WEP affects 971,300 S.S. beneficiaries –
•2/3rds were Men
•20% had paid into S.S. for at least
21 years.
Holding the Line
•Actions to reinstate or add new benefits
are important, but –
•Our first legislative priority is to prevent
any loss of current benefits.
•So far, NARFE has been successful in
fending off attempts to cut back or curtail
funding of our current benefits.
“Harbingers of things to
come”:
Pensions:
Defined pension benefits almost unheard
of today
•In 1980, 80% of workers had them, now
only 33%
•Could generate “envy factor”
Health Care:
•Private health care programs hard hit,
and FEHBP one of few fee-for-service
options left.
OTHER NARFE PROJECTS
•Alzheimer’s Research (over $7.3 million)
•Federal Employees Education and
Assistance Fund (FEEA)
•Scholarship Fund (60 $1,000
scholarships)
•NARFE-PAC
WHO CAN BELONG?
•Active employees
•Former employees
•Retirees
•Survivors
•Spouses
•Former spouses
“Civilians who are or will be eligible to
receive an annuity or survivor annuity
from the federal retirement programs”
WHO DETERMINES
NARFE ISSUES?
•Grass Roots
•Chapters
•Federation convention of delegates
•National convention of delegates
•Focus on issues
•Political, but non-partisan
WHERE CHAPTERS ARE:
•1476 Chapters in US, Panama, Philippines
and Puerto Rico
MEMBER BENEFITS:
•Effective voice in Washington DC
•NARFE monthly magazine
•Liaison with Office of Personnel
Management
•Insurance
•Perks
•Social contacts
The
Magazine
The Web Site
www.narfe.org
Legislation
Q & A NARFE Magazine
Current Federal Employee Info
Retirement Tips
Insurance Benefits
Member Discounts
NARFE: A key source for
answers on retirement issues
•Most chapters have a Service Officer
•State Service Centers
•Online assistance through
www.NARFE.org
•Procedures re annuity checks
•Insurance – FEGLI and FEHBP
•Notification of death
•Survivor benefits
All services provided without cost to user!
WHAT DOES IT COST TO
BELONG?
•As of January 1, 2008
•Membership dues are $33 the first year
which includes chapter dues
The following year dues are $29
plus chapter dues
Options include “Bill Pay” &
“Dues Withholding”
Protect Your Benefits
Through
NARFE!