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RETIREMENT LIFE MARCH 2011, Volume 87, Number 3

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

30 Questions &Answers

38 NARFENews

47 Out &About

50 For the Record: TSP Investments, COLAChart

DEPARTMENTS

8 Budget Battle BeginsWith Debt LimitVote

14 Two House Freshmen to Lead FederalWorkforceSubcommittee

16 Private Medicare Plans Not Harmed by HealthReform Law

18 NARFE Community MournsTucsonTragedy

19 Civics 101: CensusTallied, Redistricting Begins

NARFE ResourcesNARFE-PACCoupon . . . . . . . .22

LifeMembershipApplication . . .36

NARFE-FEEACoupon . . . . . . .38

Silver Circle Coupon . . . . . . . . .40

MembershipApplication . . . . . .43

Alzheimer’s Coupon . . . . . . . . .47

NARFEMember Perks . . . . . . .48

visit us online at www.narfe.org

Cover design by Jim Richards

COLUMNS6 Message From the

National President

24 Managing Money

26 LiveWell

28 Alzheimer’s Update

36 Report From theRegions

SPECIAL SECTION44 2011 Federation

Conventions

45 NARFE ScholarshipApplication

20 NARFE-PAC: Defending Federal Benefits.With federal employees and retirees facingthe “fight of a generation” to preserve theirpay and benefits, the launch of NARFE-PAC’sannual campaign couldn’t be more timely.

COVER STORY

NARFE Launches National Campaign in ResponsetoAttacks on Federal Employees and Retirees

4 MARCH 2011 | NARFE

NARFE MAGAZINEVolume 87,Number 3

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

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

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

NARFE for the Visually Impaired

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

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

REGIONALVICEPRESIDENTS

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

NARFE (ISSN 1948-4453) is published monthly by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), 606 N.Washington St.,Alexandria,VA 22314.Periodi-cals postage paid at Alexandria,VA, and additional mailing offices.Members:Annual dues includes subscription. Non-member subscription rate $45. Postmaster: Send addresschange to: NARFE Attn:Member Records,NARFE 606 N.Washington St.,Alexandria,VA 22314.To ensure prompt delivery,members should also forward changes of address withoutdelay.Because of the volume involved,NARFE cannot acknowledge nor be responsible for unsolicited pictures and manuscripts, although every reasonable precaution is taken.All submissions become the property of NARFE.Contents of this magazine are copyrighted © 2011.Advertisements in the magazine are not endorsements of products and/orservices by NARFE,unless officially stated in the ad.We shall accept advertising on the same basis as other reputable publications: that is,we shall not knowingly permit a dis-honest advertisement to appear in NARFE,but at the same time we will not undertake to guarantee the reliability of our advertisers.

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

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

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

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

REGIONV RichardG. Thissen(Iowa, Kansas,Minnesota,Missouri,Nebraska, NorthDakota and SouthDakota)Tel: 573-365-5679E-mail: [email protected]

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s How toContactNARFE ...

If you want to:• Join NARFE

Call (toll-free):

800-627-3394 or800-456-8410

Or go to:www.narfe.org

If you want to:• Change your address• Check yourmembership status• Find out dues owed• Provide a death notification

Call (toll-free):

800-456-8410E-mail:

[email protected]

If you want to:•Add your e-mail address to yourrecord (to receive GEMS e-mailmessages,the Legislative HotlineandNARFENewsWatch):

Call (toll-free):

800-456-8410E-mail:

[email protected]:memberrecords@narfeorgIf you want to:• Hear the Legislative Hotline

Call (toll-free):

877-217-8234

If youwant to:• Getmaterials to recruit newmembers:

Call (toll-free):

800-627-3394E-mail:

[email protected]

For any otherNARFEmatter:Call NARFEHeadquarters

703-838-7760E-mail:

[email protected]

Time is running out. Geological experts predict theworld’s supply of tantalizing tanzanite will disappear in

a matter of just a few years. Maybe sooner. High-end retailersare raising prices on this rare stone. And gem dealers are ina mad scramble to secure their claim before it’s too late. Let them scramble. Our buyer recently secured a huge cache of beautiful raretanzanite, the precious stone loved for its vivid violet-bluecolor. Today you can own over 1 carat of this rare stone(1,000 times rarer than diamonds) in our spectacular Tanzanite Cluster Ring with a suggested retail of $795

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Now that we are nearingthe end of winter andlooking forward tospring, a number ofevents are scheduled to

take place. NARFE will be holding its bian-nual Legislative Training Conference March5-8 in Arlington, VA, not far from NationalHeadquarters.This conference presents a great opportu-

nity forNARFEmembers tomeet and discussissues facing the federal community and getthe tools they need to become advocates onbehalf of all federal employees and retirees.Since Congress will be in session during thistime, NARFE members attending the confer-ence also will have the opportunity to meetwith their members of Congress on CapitolHill onMarch 8.These congressional visits comeat a crucial

time because March will be a pivotal monthfor the budget process. Congressional budgethawks intend to use a vote on raising the na-tional debt limit to push proposals for drasticspending cuts. As a result, it ismore importantthan ever thatNARFE continues tomeetwithmembers of Congress and their staffs toworkon your behalf to influence these decisions.All NARFE members should continue to

stay informed on our latest advocacy effortsand contact their congressional delegation toexpress their views. OnMarch 8, as our con-ference delegates go to Capitol Hill, we areasking NARFE members to call their ownmembers of Congress. See p. 10 of this issue

to see how you can participate in this effort.As we observe NARFE’s 90th anniversary

this year, it is important to remember whyNARFE was founded: “To support legislationbeneficial to current and potential federal an-nuitants and to oppose legislation contrary totheir interests.”NARFEhasnever soughtmorethan what federal workers were promisedwhen we first began our careers in publicservice. Federal workers and retirees want todo their part to balance the budget, as long asthey are not singled out. Unfortunately, his-torically that has not been the case.To combat the unfair and untrue attacks

on federal employees and retirees, NARFE islaunching a national campaign, “ProtectAmerica’s Heartbeat.” Turn to p. 38 to learnmore and to speak out against cuts to federalpay and benefits.The National Executive Board (NEB) also

will be meeting in early March, and theschedule of federation conventions begins inApril. NARFE National Officers and someHeadquarters staff will be attending approxi-mately 30 state federation conventionswherewewill have the opportunity to discuss the is-sues affecting the Association and the federalcommunity. The complete schedule of 2011state federation conventions appears in thisissue on p. 44.NARFE has many outstanding, dedicated

members in our organization and, because ofyou, we are able to be as successful as we are.Let’s keep working together so that we cancontinue to protect our earned benefits.

Time Marches On

A Message From theNational President

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Joseph A. [email protected]

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The fight to defend the earned retirement, pay and

health benefits of federal workers and annuitants is

likely to reach a fever pitch in March, as budget hawks

in Congress will insist on unprecedented spending cuts

in exchange for their votes for a needed increase in the federal debt limit.

� The national debt is estimatedto reach the statutory limit,controlled by Congress andcurrently at $14.025 trillion,some time betweenMarch 31andMay 16,according toTreasury SecretaryTimothyF.Geithner.

� Congress has raised thestatutory debt limit 10 timessince 2001.Since 1962,Congress has enacted 74measures that have alteredthe limit on the federal debt,according to the Congress-ional Research Service (CRS).

� A statutory limit hasrestricted total federal debtsince 1917,whenCongresspassed the Second LibertyBond Act,which helpedfinance theUnited States’entry intoWWI,the CRSstates.

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

The federal debt is the cumulativeamount of money the federal govern-ment has borrowed from the publicthrough the sale of notes and bondsand debt the government owes to itself.Federal law limits borrowing authorityto a specific amount. When the limit isreached, a new limit must be enacted.

In a letter sent to the new Congressin January, Treasury Secretary TimothyF. Geithner warned lawmakers aboutthe dire consequences of allowing thenational debt limit to expire in springor early summer. “Even a very short-term or limited default would have cat-astrophic economic consequences thatwould last for decades,” he wrote.

TRUST FUND BORROWINGAbsent congressional action, Gei-

thner could be forced to borrow fromthe federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)G Fund or from the Civil Service Re-tirement and Disability Fund (CSRDF).A federal law, which NARFE helpedwrite, requires that the TSP G Fundand the CSRDF be reinvested andmade whole for any interest lost once a

new debt limit becomes law. Paymentof federal annuity checks to retireesand survivors and the disbursement orvalue of TSP G Fund accounts are un-affected by this “borrowing.”

Geithner’s warning was in responseto the suggestion by some freshmenHouse members that hitting the debtlimit might not be such a bad thing.However, House Speaker John A.Boehner, R-OH, said in November thatRepublicans would need to deal withthe debt limit “as adults.” He added,“Whether we like it or not, the federalgovernment has obligations, and wehave obligations on our part.”

At the same time, House MajorityLeaderEric I.Cantor,R-VA,madeclear inJanuary that colleagues in his party are“simply not going to accept an increasein the debt limit without serious cutsand reforms.”

To demonstrate their seriousnessaboutbudget reductions, on January25,theHousevoted256-165 toadopta res-olution (H. Res. 38) requiring BudgetCommittee Chairman Paul D. Ryan, R-WI, to assume that “nonsecurity”

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spending would be at or below the levels provided in fiscalyear (FY) 2008 (about $55 to $60 billion in cuts) when he setsa discretionary spending limit for the remainder of FY 2011.Discretionary spending pays for the day-to-day operationof government and is approved each year through the en-actment of appropriations legislation. In the December 2010lame-duck session, Congress provided spending authorityfor 2011 only through March 4.

The Republican Study Committee (RSC), a caucus ofmore than 100 Republican House members, proposed inJanuary that spending be reduced even further – by $100billion in FY 2011 and by $2.5 trillion over the next 10 years.In addition, the RSC plan would extend President Obama’spay freeze on federal employees from two years to five, cutthe civil service work force by 15 percent through attritionover a decade, and prohibit federal workers from servingas union officials on government time.

BUDGET ENFORCEMENT REFORMSBeyond reductions, Cantor and Deputy Majority Whip

KevinBrady,R-TX, said theywere consideringusing thedebtlimit vote as leverage to secure budget enforcement reforms,including a statutory spending cap. Such reforms could besimilar to theGramm-Rudman-HollingsBalancedBudgetActof 1985. That law required automatic spending cuts (calledsequestration) when the deficit exceeded a set of deficit tar-gets. In 1985, the federal civilian retirement annuity cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) was denied by the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings sequestration order.

Similarly, in January, Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, R-UT, and 20cosponsors introduced a balanced-budget constitutionalamendment. The measure, which would require two-thirdsapproval of the House and Senate and ratification by three-

fourths of the states, requires that federalspending in any year not exceed total rev-enue, caps federal spending at 20 percentof the gross domestic product and re-quires the president to submit a balancedbudget.

In1997,whenCongress last tried toap-prove the amendment, the House of Rep-resentatives approved the measure, butthe Senate fell one vote short of the 67votes needed to send the amendment tothe states for ratification.

NARFE supports efforts to balance thebudget and reduce thenational debt; and,over the years, federal workers and annu-itantshavegivenconsiderably toward thiseffort. Nonetheless, NARFE believes thata statutory spending cap and a balanced-budget amendmentareunnecessary sinceCongress alreadyhas theauthority tocon-trol spending. Further, NARFE also is con-vinced that these are ill-conceived pro-posals because they would require Con-gress to indiscriminately reduce spendingfor good and bad programs alike.

By DanAdcock,Legislative Director.Legislative CounselAlan Lopatin

contributed to this article.


LegislativeReport

STORYHIGHLIGHTS� The fight to defend federal pay and benefits couldbegin thismonthwith a vote to raise the debt limit.

� House Republican lawmakers say that no increase inthe debt limit will be acceptedwithout budget cutsand reforms.

FederalWorkers andRetirees:Now Is theTime toFIGHT BACK!Thefight todefend theearned retirement,pay andhealthbenefits of fed-

eral workers and annuitants is happening now.OnTuesday,March 8,some 300NARFE officers and activists are sched-

uled to descend on Capitol Hill to meet with their lawmakers as part ofNARFE’s biannualNational LegislativeTrainingConference. Addyour voiceto theirs.Call your lawmakers onMARCH8.Just follow these steps:

CALL 866-220-0044 (toll-free) to reach the U.S. Capitolswitchboard and ask for your representative and senators by name orsupply your ZIP code.Once connected to your lawmaker’s office,NARFEmembers should say:• Federal workers and retirees have already sacrificed pay and benefits.• Don’t single us out bymakingmore cuts to the retirement and health

benefits we earned through years of serving the public.Whether you leave a recordedmessage or speak to a staff person,re-

quest that your lawmaker respond in writing to your phone call.For thatreason,be sure to leave yourmailing address.Only contact yourown representative and two senators.Lawmakerswill

disregard yourmessage if you are not a voting constituent.Federal workers and retirees have already sacrificed somuch.Don’t let

Congress slash the retirement andhealth benefits youhaveearned! Pick upyour phone onMarch 8.

CUTANDSAVEFORACTIONONMARCH8

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U.S. + Canadian Rockies 14 Days Travel with other NARFE members departing June 29, 2011 from $1548*

2" ��"��"�$��"��!�� !��!"��+��$��)�� $��!�� !��!"�2��3��&��!��%��+��)-��/��4�-��!��"$�+��5)�3��"�4"��$��2��3��"��#��*��+��"��"�2� �3��-��"��*��#��)��"��#��"��$��""� ")�"��*�!��%�� 64��/��7��&��6��.��!&��-7��.��"��"��#��"*��"��"��"��!�� !�4��+��-��/��"�!(�� "*�.�-�4��"��*�63"��1��!"�1��12�&&��18��%*7��"��"��-��/��+�� )*�2��&&��*�2��&&��#��"*��"��"*�2�#�.��*�8��%"��*�8��%"��#��"*��!"�+��(��9�"�.�"��*��"��1��!��"��"�� "�-��+��"��!"�+��"��"*��2��!�+��(��*��"��!�� !��!��,��"�*�2+-��/��!"��3��%�� :��"��)��"��#��!"�#"��"��%"��&��!"�+��"��!�� &�� !��%��"-�� !��#��("��"��"*��!"�#�)*�)��!"�,��+��""��)�.��("&��"��!"��"��"��!�� !��!"��-�11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111�

Alaska Cruise And Pacific Northwest Vacation with Yellowstone National Park!

15 Days Join other NARFE members departing September 10, 2011 from $1998* 9��"��;1��)��"��"��+��"�#��!�#��&��'��$�� ;1��)��&��!#"��#��!��4�-�� %�#��&�)��"��"�&�� !�$��!"��)��&��"��"�("&��"�(�� !"�&��"1��"��-��"<�8��"��*��*�:"��!��*��%"��,��"��2�)*��/��*�2-+-��&�"��!"��"��"��"��"��!�� "��4��-��%"��#��)��"��#��"��*��,��"��$�8��3��"*��)�� $��!<��!"�,�"��"*�4��("��"*��"-��11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111�

Greece & the Aegean Islands 13 Days Join other NARFE members departing September 14, 2011 from $1448*

Designed for the first time visitor – See all the highlights in one vacation!

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*Prices per person, based on double occupancy, includes taxes, airfare is extra, call for details.

It’s time to travel: featuring YMT’s autumn departures!

�� 14 Days Join other NARFE members departing October 4, 2011 from $1448*

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15 Days Travel with other NARFE members departing October 9, 2011 from $1698* ��.�,�;��7�,��9�,��.�,�;��*��"��%��"��%��'��!��)�,��'��)��;�&��%�4��,��*��.��"��(��.�,�*�%!��<��%��,��"�� !!��%�� !�%!��!�� !��,��%��&��,��(��,��%!��,��,��,��'��(��)�,��""�� %��!��%!��.�� %��"��0�,��1��=��"��;��'��=��"��,��%��,��>��"��?@ �"��%��(��!��0�,�� -�� !��!��A� �.�,�+��,�� +��*��"� �(��/�+�� (�/��.�,�� 12�� %"��.�,�;��%��:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::�

Hawaii Cruise & Tour 12 Days Travel with other NARFE members departing October 14, 2011 from $1698*

��,��*��"��"��! �.�0&��%��;��B:��!��8�� (��/�*�� *�,��/�8�� *�,��/�.�,��,�� 8��/��.�!��!��C��#��$��+��6�-��*��!��;(�� !��%��"��D@��::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::�::::::::::::::::�

Hawaiian Kings Tour 15-Days Join other NARFE members departing November 3, 2011 from $1728*

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*Prices per person, based on double occupancy, includes taxes, airfare is extra, call for details.


LegislativeReport

Two first-term members of Congress have beennamed to head the House subcommittee withjurisdiction over issues affecting federal em-ployees and retirees. Rep. Dennis A. Ross, R-FL,

and Rep. Justin Amash, R-MI, will serve as chairman andvice chairman, respectively, of the Subcommittee on theFederal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy.

Reps. Ross and Amash were appointed by Rep. Darrell E.Issa, R-CA, chairmanof the fullCommitteeonOversight andGovernment Reform. “Congressman Ross is committed tohelping lay the foundation for a 21st-century federal workforce that getsmoredonewith less andno longergrows itselfat the expense of private-sector job creation,” Issa said.

Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, D-MA, was appointed ranking mi-nority member of the subcommittee. Lynch is the formerchairman of the Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce,Postal Service, and the District of Columbia. The name andjurisdiction of the subcommittee were altered slightly in theformation of the new subcommittee.

While it is unclear what initiatives and legislation thesubcommittee will pursue under this new leadership, thechairman and vice chairman issued statements regardingtheir appointments:

“The work of this subcommittee is especially importantduring this time of massive debt and bloated government,”said Ross, who represents most of Polk County, part ofOsceola County and the suburbs of Tampa in HillsboroughCounty. “Taxpayers are right to demand a federal bureau-cracy that utilizes transformational technologies and work

force innovation to reduce the size, scopeandcost of the fed-eral footprint. As a small business owner for over 20 years, I

know it is time we bring some good old-fashioned American entrepreneurialcompetitiveness to the federal workforce. I look forward to thechallengeandwelcome the opportunity.” Ross, whograduated with a bachelor’s degree fromAuburn University and earned a law de-gree from Samford University, was afounding partner of a small law firm thatspecialized inworkers’ compensationde-

fense and first- and third-party insurance defense. He servedin the Florida House from 2000-2008.

Amash, who represents Barry, Ioniaand Kent counties, including the cities ofGrand Rapids and Forest Hills, high-lighted concerns about the size of thefederal work force and the level of itspay. “As the unemployment rate hit 10percent nationwide and nearly 15 per-cent in Michigan, the federal work forcecontinued to grow and see its wages in-crease. Americans suffering through thisdeep recession deserve to know whether their tax dollarsare being spent wisely,” said Amash, who earned a bach-elor’s degree and a law degree from the University ofMichigan, worked as a business lawyer and served in theMichigan House in 2009-2010. At 30 years of age, Amash isthe youngest member of the GOP’s freshman class.

By JohnHatton,Legislative Specialist

Two House Freshmen to LeadFederal Workforce Subcommittee

STORYHIGHLIGHTS�Two freshmenmembers of Congress will head theHouse subcommitteewith jurisdiction over federalemployee and retiree issues.

� Rep.DennisA.Ross,R-FL,will be the chairman ofthe Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce,U.S.Postal Service and Labor Policy.

� Rep.JustinAmash,R-MI,will serve as vice chairman.� Both legislators have issued statements criticizingthe size of the federal government.

Rep. Dennis A. Ross

Rep. Justin Amash

Senate: StatusQuoSen.Joseph I.Lieberman,I-CT,remains chairmanof the

SenateCommitteeonHomelandSecurity andGov-ernmentalAffairs,andSen.DanielK.Akaka,D-HI,remainschairmanof theSubcommitteeonOversightof Govern-mentManagement,theFederalWorkforce,andtheDistrictof Columbia. Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-ME, remains therankingminoritymemberof the full committee.Atpresstime,itwasunknownwhowould serveas rankingminoritymemberofthesubcommittee.

Concerns about the future of private MedicareAdvantage plans have not materialized, ac-cording to a recent report published by theKaiser Family Foundation. Payment reforms

made to the program as part of the new health care lawhave not had the detrimental effect that critics anticipated.

Medicare Advantage (MA), or Medicare Part C, is aMedicare health plan choice provided by private health in-surance carriers. MA plans are required to offer coveragethat is as generous as traditional Medicare, which includesinpatient (Part A) and outpatient (Part B) care. Some MAplans cover additional benefits, including prescription drugcoverage (Part D), vision, hearing, dental, and health andwellness programs. Beneficiaries in the private MA plans fre-quently pay some out-of-pocket costs through premiums,co-pays or deductibles.

Medicare pays MA plans to provide all Medicare-coveredbenefits and, since 2006, has done so through a “biddingprocess.” The plans submit bids to Medicare that estimatehow much it will cost the plan to cover each enrollee forMedicare-covered services. Medicare establishes a max-imum amount, or a benchmark, that will be paid to the MAplans for providing Medicare Parts A and B. If the MA plan’scosts are higher than the Medicare benchmark, enrolleespay the difference. If the MA plan’s costs are lower than thebenchmark, Medicare pays the plan 75 percent of the dif-ference, a supplemental payment known as a rebate. Thisamount is to be used towards providing additional bene-fits or lowering enrollees’ out-of-pocket costs.

In 2010, approximately 25 percent of Medicare benefi-ciaries were enrolled in an MA plan. Most federal annuitantsenroll in traditional Medicare because the program’s cov-erage coordinates better with Federal Employees HealthBenefits Program benefits than MA plans.

The supplemental payment, or rebate, was the cause ofcontroversy during the debate over health care reform. TheMedicare Payment Advisory Commission announced that,in 2010, the payments to private plans were on averagehigher than traditional Medicare costs. In an effort to rein incosts and bring MA expenses closer to the average costs ofcovering Medicare beneficiaries, the health reform law (Pa-tient Protection and Affordable Care Act) gradually phases

down payments to MA plans. In 2011, payments to MAplans will remain at 2010 levels but will be reduced in 2012and 2013 so that the benchmarks are closer to traditionalMedicare costs per enrollee. Additionally, starting in 2012,plans that receive high quality marks will receive bonuspayments. Even with the bonus payments, total paymentsto MA plans will be capped at current levels.

Opponents of the change argued that MA plans wouldleave Medicare because they would not be able to remaincompetitive or offer the additional benefits. According tothe Kaiser Family Foundation, MA premiums for 2011 havenot jumped substantially, and benefits have not tended toerode. While there are fewer plans available, the decreaseof approximately 13 percent is largely a result of policiesthat predate enactment of the health reform law, accordingto a story in The Washington Post. Many of the plans left theMA program as a result of the effort of the Centers forMedicare & Medicaid Services “to merge or eliminate small,neighboring health plans with similar benefits,” the articlestated.

Changes to the program as a result of health care reformare not expected to be seen until the 2012 Open Enrollmentperiod, at the earliest.

To learn more, access the Kaiser Family Foundation re-port at www.kff.org (click on Medicare in the left panel, thenclick on “Medicare Advantage 2011 Data Spotlight: PlanAvailability and Premiums – October 2010”); or go to TheWashington Post website, www.washingtonpost.com, andsearch for the story “Medicare Advantage provision goingsmoothly so far,” by Amy Goldstein; Monday, November 29,2010.

By Sarah Holstine,Legislative Specialist

LegislativeReport


Private Medicare Plans Not HarmedBy New Health Reform Law

STORYHIGHLIGHTS� So far,the new health care reform law has notadversely affected privateMedicareAdvantageplans,according to a report by the Kaiser FamilyFoundation.

� Federal payments to the plans will remain at 2010levels in 2011 andwill be reduced in 2012 and 2013,prompting concern that the plans would leaveMedicare.

Not long ago, I walked out of a famous German museumwith one of Europe’s most precious stones in my pocket.

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NARFECommunityMournsTucsonTragedyWhen a gunman shot Rep.Gabrielle Giffords,D-AZ,mem-

bers of her staff and constituents during a“Congress onYour Corner” event inTucson, the NARFE community was re-minded thatmembers ofCongress and their staffs also aremem-bers of the federal family.In addition toGiffords,13 otherswerewounded,and six people

were killed.U.S.District Judge JohnM.Roll andGiffords’ commu-nity outreach director Gabriel Zimmerman were among thosekilled. TwootherGiffords staffers,district directorRonBarber andPamSimon,were injured.VernPall,legislative chair for theArizonaFederation,described

Giffords as“very supportive of NARFE legislative goals.”In his role as Giffords’ district director, Barber traveled

throughout the community andwas“easy to work with and sup-portive of NARFE goals,” Paul said.He added that NARFE hastemporarily lost a NARFE supporter on Capitol Hill,and he saidthat his chapter and the ArizonaFederation“wish her a speedy recovery so she can return toher duties inCongress.”All NARFEmembers echo that wish.

By Sarah Holstine,Legislative Specialist

Last summer, members of Chapter 55 in Tucscon, AZ, metwith Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ District Director Ron Barber(third from left) to discuss NARFE issues. Pictured, from left,are Vern Pall, legislative chair; Etta Bryant, president; Barber;Shirley Beene, 1st vice president; and June Berkey, publicrelations chair.

LegislativeReport

NARFE | MARCH 2011 19

The Constitution empowers Congress to carryout the census in “such manner as they shall byLaw direct” (Article I, Section 2). That constitu-tional requirement has been satisfied, and the

numbers are in: According to the 2010 Census, the U.S. pop-ulation has grown by almost 10 percent, to nearly 309 mil-lion people, in the 10 years since the last census.

Based on each state’s current population, 12 of the 435voting congressional districts in the House of Representa-tives will be reassigned. Texas, the state that experienced thegreatest population growth, will gain one-third of thoseseats.

The Census Bureau map, below, shows the requiredreapportionment of Congress. (Election Data Services’ pro-jections of changes in congressional delegations, which ranin the February 2010 issue of NARFE magazine, came veryclose to the actual results.)

Now, citizen commissions and legislatures will draw newmaps for Congress and other legislatures.

The Census Bureau provides more information on itswebsite at http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/. Fora historical table of state-by-state information, usehttp://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-data-text.php.

By Christopher Farrell,Legislative Representative

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

STORYHIGHLIGHTS�As a result of the 2010Census,12 of the 435 votingcongressional districts in theHouse ofRepresentatives will be reassigned.

�Eight states will gain seats (TX-4,FL-2, AZ-1,GA-1,NV-1,SC-1,UT-1,WA-1).

�Ten states will lose seats (NY-2,OH-2,IL-1,IA-1,LA-1,MA-1,MI-1,MO-1,NJ-1,PA-1).

Census Tallied, Redistricting Begins

Change from 2000 to 2010

State gaining 4 seats in the House

State gaining 2 seats in the House

State gaining 1 seat in the House

No change

State losing 1 seat in the House

State losing 2 seats in the House

AK1

WA10

OR5

CA53

NV4

ID2

MT1

WY1

UT4 CO

7

AZ9 NM

3

ND1

SD1

NE3

KS4

OK5

TX36

MN8

IA4

MO8

AR4

LA6

WI8

IL18

IN9

MI14

OH16

KY6

TN9

MS4

AL7

GA14

FL27

SC7

NC13

VA11

WV3

PA18

ME2

NH2

VT1

NY27

HI2

MA 9

RI 2

CT 5NJ 12

DE 1MD 8

U S C E N S U S B U R E A UHelping You Make Informed Decisions

U.S. Department of Commerce

Apportionment of the U.S. House of RepresentativesBased on the 2010 Census

Total U.S. Representatives: 435

Numbers represent reapportionedtotals of U.S. Representatives.

leverage to extract massive spending cuts in exchange fortheir votes to increase the debt limit. Fortunately, this is afight that we believe we can win, and NARFE’s Political Ac-tionCommittee (PAC) is oneof themost important tools thatwe can use to protect our earned benefits.From its creation in 1982 through the successful 2009-

2010 election cycle, NARFE-PAC has served as the federalemployees’ and retirees’ defense fund.NARFE-PAC remainsthe only solicitation that directly supports our coremission– protecting the earnedbenefits of active and retired federalemployees. NARFE-PAC is designed to complement even

more powerful tools – members’ voting power, grass-rootsaction and professional advocacy.

VOLUNTARY BUT CRUCIALMost of NARFE-PAC’s voluntary donors make relatively

small, often-repeated contributions toNARFE-PAC, allowingdonations to bepooled into substantial contributions to con-gressional candidates whose records show them to be sup-porters of federal employees, retirees and their survivors.NARFE-PAC- qualifying donors ($20 per election cycle)weartheNARFE-PAC lapel pin as a badge of honor. NARFE-PAC’s


March is traditionally “NARFE-PAC Month,” and never before has the timing of the

kickoff of our fundraising effort beenmore critical. It is clear thatwe are in for “the fight

of a generation” to defend our earned retirement, pay andhealth benefits. Indeed, Con-

gress soon will be required to increase the limit on the amount that the U.S. Treasury

can borrow to honor the government’s obligations. In fact, this could provide budget hawks with powerful

NARFE-PAC:Defending Federal Benefits

ByChristopherFarrellLegislativeRepresentative


In deciding whether a candidatewill receive a contribution fromNARFE-PAC, the essential ques-tion is whether supporting this

candidate will benefit the interests ofNARFEmembers as federal employeesand retirees. A number of factors de-termine the answer to this question.First, is the candidate supportive of

NARFE’s agenda of protecting theearned compensation of federal em-ployees and retirees? The candidate’svoting record is the best indication ofthis. Candidates canmake broad state-ments in support of federal employeesor even co-sponsor bills that have littlechance of reaching the floor for a vote,but it’s their votes that count themost.

To assess a candidate’s voting record,NARFEkeeps track of howmembers ofCongress vote on issues important totheAssociationandpublishes thesekeyvotes in the October edition ofNARFEmagazine in congressional electionyears and posts the information on theNARFEwebsite.Another important factor is how

54,533 contributors during 2009-2010donated $1,345,160.59. The averagecontributionwas $24.67. These specialmembers are NARFE’s everyday he-roes.

NARFE-PAC PROCESSFrom its inception,NARFE-PAChas

observed both the letter and the spiritof the Federal Election Campaign Actand ensuing Federal ElectionCommis-sion regulations. PACs were institutedas away to reformcampaignfinancingafter the Watergate investigation re-vealed the practice of deep-pocketedinterests deliveringbags of cash to can-didates and their campaign commit-tees. Like all PACs, NARFE-PAC com-plies with the transparency require-ments of current law, even as the U.S.SupremeCourt ruling in the 2010Cit-izens United case allows other organi-zations to provide huge sums to fa-vored campaigns.

FAIR, EVIDENCE-BASEDNARFE-PAC uses a rules-based

process to initiate consideration, weighevidence and render a verdict. NARFE-PACrequires a request inwriting fromaqualifiedcongressional candidate, orhisor her campaign committee. TheNARFE office informs the federation

NARFE-PAC coordinator, a person ap-pointed by the federation president, ofthe request and seeks an informed rec-ommendation from NARFE membersin the state or district. TheNARFE-PACcoordinator acts as a jury foreman,mar-shallingempirical evidence, suchascur-rent andhistorical voting records, com-mittee or leadership assignments, ac-cessibility toNARFE activists and otherfactors (see story, below). The NARFE-PAC coordinator passes the consideredopinionof the jury toNARFELegislativeDepartment staff for the considerationof the NARFE-PAC Committee,NARFE’s fourNational Officers.

SUCCESSFUL CYCLENot every candidate earning

NARFE-PAC financial support won aseat in the 112th Congress (2011-2012), but 83 percent did. Federationpresidents and NARFE-PAC coordina-tors have been provided with detailed

information on their federations’ con-tributions and disbursements.

HOW TO HELPNARFE-PAC contributions and

face-to-face meetings (sometimes thesame event; see sidebar, p. 22) are thetwo best ways NARFE influencesmembers of Congress. These twopaths make your professional advo-cates more effective when repre-senting NARFE interests. Both giveNARFE clout onCapitol Hill. As is saidof missionary work, some NARFEmembers give by going and others gobygiving.Use theNARFE-PACcouponon p. 22. Give generously to earn andwear the new NARFE-PAC lapel pin.Speak out at every chapter and con-ventionmeeting in support ofNARFE-PAC.Clip theNARFE-PACcoupon thatruns each month and place it withyour checkbook. The annuity you savemay be your own.

NARFE-PACMaterials AvailableA ttention district and chapter NARFE-PAC officers: The Legislative De-

partment is eager to send you NARFE-PAC supplies! We have 2011-2012NARFE-PAC pins,table-top posters and brochures.Much of thematerial is avail-able on the NARFE Leadership and Legislative Department Home Pages on theNARFE website. Or contact the Legislative Department at [email protected] withsubject line“NARFE-PACMaterials Request”;or write toNARFE LegislativeDe-partment, Attn: JohnHatton,606N.WashingtonSt., Alexandria, VA22314-1914.Please include your name and address in any request.

Supporting Candidates Who Support NARFE:How NARFE-PAC Donation Decisions Are Made

much influence a candidate will haveon issues affecting NARFEmembers. Isthe candidate amember of a key com-mitteewith jurisdiction over NARFE is-sues, such as theHouse Committee onOversight and Government Reform,and thus hasmore influence on theseissues? Or does the candidate hold aleadership position to expedite passageof friendly legislation or block an un-friendly bill?Has the lawmakerworkedbehind the scenes to help NARFE ac-complish a legislative goal?Then, how accessible and receptive

is the candidate toNARFE, both locallyand nationally? Even if a candidate hasclout, itmaynot help if he or she eitherdoes not support theNARFE agenda ordoes not listen to it. Conversely, somelegislators whose views tend to clashwithNARFE’s positionsmaybeparticu-larly open to hearing our argumentsand concerns, and be at least willing todiscuss compromise solutions. TheopinionsofNARFEmembers andadvo-cates within a congressional district orstate are particularly important in de-termining howwilling themember of

Congress is toworkwithNARFE.Also, how competitive is the candi-

date’s election? If NARFE-PAC’s contri-butioncouldbe thedifferencebetweenelecting someonewho supports our is-sues and someone who does not, thatcontributionhasa lotmoreweight thaninanelection that isnot competitive, allelsebeingequal.And itmaygowithoutsaying thateven if a candidatewouldbeNARFE’s ideal legislator, a losing candi-date is not going to prove very helpfulto our interests. Conversely, sometimes

knowing that a candidatewhosupportsouragenda, is receptive toourmembersand is influential on our issues has aneasy re-electionmakes the decision tooffer aNARFE-PAC contribution easy.NARFE-PAC is an important tool to

amplify the voice of NARFE’s unitedmembership. Using its resources effi-ciently to support candidateswho sup-portNARFE’s interest in protecting thebenefits earned throughpublic serviceresults in the strongest voice.

By John Hatton,Legislative Specialist


Please send check, money order or creditcard information to:

Attn: Budget & FinanceNARFE

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

Card Type: � Mastercard � VISA� Discover � AMEX

Card #

Expiration Date

Name on Card (Print)

Signature Date

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

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

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

Please circle: Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms.

Name

Address

City, State, ZIP

NARFE Membership #

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

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

AttendingCandidateFundraisersMany candidates,especially incumbents,try to raise all ormost of their

campaign funds inWashington,DC.Some candidates,especially chal-lengers, raisemuch ormost of their campaign funds in the areawhere theylive andwould represent. NARFE-PAC is eager to haveNARFEofficers andactivists – recruitedambassadors–attend fundraisersof candidatesapprovedby thepreviously described“jury”process.Whenever a candidate’s campaign committee solicits a NARFE-PAC

contribution in conjunctionwith aWashington,DC,event,we request de-tails of any events planned to occur in the candidate’s state or district. At-tending a local event brings NARFE visibility and legitimacy. A well-se-lected NARFE ambassador,perhaps a federation congressional district li-aison, will likely have more opportunity to speak to a candidate than ispossible at an event inWashington.Local events are balanced withWash-ington-based fundraisers,which offer face-to-face contact between candi-dates and incumbents and NARFE national officers and Legislative De-partment staff.

By Christopher Farrell,Legislative Representative

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Inherited Roth IRAs

R ecent columns have fo-cused on beneficiaryrules for spouses andnonspouses who inherit

traditional individual retirement ac-counts (IRAs). While many of the samerules apply toRoth IRAs, therearea fewdifferences and nuances that you andyour beneficiaries should be aware of.But before we get into the beneficiaryrules, it would be helpful to know thebasics of a Roth IRA in order to under-stand and appreciate the rules thatapply to Roth IRA beneficiaries.

For starters, asopposed to traditional,deductible IRAs, contributions toaRothIRAaremadewithafter-taxmoney, butall earnings and distributions are tax-free if certain conditions are met. An-other difference is that Roth IRAs arenot subject to required minimum dis-tributions (RMDs), which traditionalIRA owners must begin at age 70-1/2.

Furthermore, because of the or-dering rules for distributions, Roth IRAowners are permitted to withdraw theircontributions at any time without in-curring taxes or penalties. However, ifthe distribution is not considered qual-ified, the Roth IRA owner will be re-quired topay taxes (andpossiblypenal-ties) on any earnings distributed. Asstated in Internal Revenue Service (IRS)publication 590, Individual RetirementArrangements,aqualifieddistribution isany payment or distribution from yourRoth IRAthatmeets the following rules:

1. It ismadeafter thefive-yearperiodbeginningwith thefirst taxableyear forwhich a contribution was made to aRoth IRA set up for your benefit; and

2. The payment or distribution is:• Made on or after the date you

reach age 59-1/2;• Made because you are disabled;• Made to a beneficiary or to your

estate after your death; or• Meets the requirements listed

under “First home” under “Exceptions”in Chapter 1 (up to a $10,000 lifetimelimit).

In layman’s terms, the five-year rule

is satisfied beginning January 1 of thefifth taxableyear after theRoth IRAwasestablished (a Roth IRA established in2010willmeet thefive-year ruleon Jan-uary1, 2015).YouhaveuntilApril 15 toestablishaRoth IRA for theprevious taxyear, so the time could be less than fivefull years. For example, for a 2010 RothIRA established on April 15, 2011, thefive-year rule will still be met on Jan-uary 1, 2015. Also note that, once thefive-year rule ismet foroneRoth IRA, itis considered met for all Roth IRAs.However, note that each Roth IRA con-versionmust satisfy a separatefive-yearrule.

Beneficiaries also may take tax-freedistributions from an inherited RothIRA, but, again, only if they are deemedqualified. Specifically, the tax treatmentof a Roth IRA for beneficiaries is:

• The 10-percent early withdrawalpenalty for distributions made prior toage 59-1/2 does not apply to benefici-

aries. But it does apply to a spouse whoelects to treat the inherited Roth IRA ashis or her own. (Recall that the same istrue for a spouse electing to treat an in-herited IRA as his or her own.)

• If the five-year requirement hasbeen satisfied (which carries over fromthe deceased IRA owner), beneficiariescan withdraw earnings tax-free, even if

the beneficiary is under age 59-1/2. AswithRoth IRAowners, beneficiaries arepermitted to withdraw, at any time, anycontributions that the deceased ownermay have made to the Roth IRA.

You may be asking, “How do I knowwhendistributionsare considered tobecoming from contributions and whendistributions are considered to becoming from earnings?” The IRS hasprovided specific rules stating that thefirstmoneycomingoutof aRoth IRA isconsidered to come from contributions(this is why contributions can be with-drawn at any time without taxes orpenalties). After all contributions havebeen withdrawn, the next money with-drawn comes from any conversionsthat may have been made. Finally, anyremainingmoneydistributed is consid-ered to come from earnings.

While there are no RMDs for RothIRA owners, Roth IRA beneficiaries arerequired to take distributions:

By Mark A.Keen,CFP®

ManagingMoney

BENEFICIARIESmay taketax-free distributionsfrom an inherited RothIRAbut only if they aredeemed qualified.

1. By the end of the year containingthe fifth anniversary of the accountowner’s death; or

2. Over the life expectancy of thebeneficiary, starting no later than De-cember 31 of the year following theyear that the account owner died.

If a beneficiary fails to take the firstdistribution by December 31 followingthe year of the owner’s death, the rulerequiring a complete distribution ofthe account balance within five yearswill become effective.

As with traditional IRAs, nonspousebeneficiaries cannotbecome theownerof an inheritedRoth IRA. Instead, aben-eficiary must maintain the inheritedRoth IRAasabeneficiary IRA, andheorshe is not permitted to make contribu-tions to the inherited Roth IRA or com-bine it with any existing Roth IRAs thatthe beneficiary may already have es-tablished. However, a spousal benefi-ciary may elect to treat the inheritedRoth IRAashisorherown.Bydoing so,the spouse is treated as though he orshe were the original owner and, there-fore, subject to all the same rules as anyotherRoth IRAowner. Forexample, thespouse would be able to make contri-butions (assuming the spousemeets el-igibility requirements), he or she wouldnot have to take RMDs, and he or shewouldbe subject to the10-percent, pre-age 59-1/2 early withdrawal penalty.

Roth IRAscanbeagreat tool forpro-viding your beneficiaries with tax-freeincome.Makesure theyunderstand therules to maximize the potential.

Mark A. Keen, CFP®, is president andowner of Bennett Financial Advisors inFairfax,VA, and an investment adviserrepresentative and registered repre-sentative of The Strategic FinancialAlliance, Inc. (SFA). Securities and advi-sory services are offered through SFA.E-mail: [email protected].


“Well, I finally did it. I finally decided to enter the digital age and get a cell phone. Mykids have been bugging me, my book group made fun of me, and the last straw waswhen my car broke down, and I was stuck by the highway for an hour before someonestopped to help. But when I went to the cell phone store, I almost changed my mind.�e phones are so small I can’t see the numbers, much less push the right one. �ey allhave cameras, computers and a “global-positioning” something or other that’s supposedto spot me from space. Goodness, all I want to do is to be able to talk to my grandkids!�e people at the store weren’t much help. �ey couldn’t understand why someonewouldn’t want a phone the size of a postage stamp. And the rate plans! �ey were complicated, confusing, and expensive… and the contract lasted for two years! I’d almostgiven up when a friend told me about her new Jitterbug phone. Now, I have the convenience and safety of being able to stay in touch… with a phone I can actually use.”

�e cell phone that’s right for me. Sometimes I think thepeople who designed this phone and the rate plans had me inmind. �e phone fits easily in my pocket, but it flips openand reaches from my mouth to my ear. �e display is largeand backlit, so I can actually see who is calling. With a pushof a button I can amplify the volume, and if I don’t know anumber, I can simply push one for a friendly, helpful operatorthat will look it up and even dial it for me. �e Jitterbug alsoreduces background noise, making the sound loud and clear.�ere’s even a dial tone, so I know the phone is ready to use.

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

Call now and get a FREE GIFT. Try Jitterbug for 30 days and if you don't love it, justreturn it. Why wait, the Jitterbug comes ready to use right out of the box. �e phonecomes preprogrammed with your favorite numbers, and if you aren’t as happy with it as I am you can return it for a refund of the purchase price. Call now, the Jitterbug product experts are ready to answer your questions.

IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: All rate plans require the purchase of a Jitterbug phone and a one-time set up fee of $35.00. Coverage and service is not available everywhere. There are no additional fees to call Jitterbug’s 24-hour U.S. Based Customer Service. However, for calls to an Operator in which a service is completed, minutes will be deducted from your monthly balance equal to thelength of the call and any call connected by the Operator, plus an additional 5 minutes. Rate plans do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges. Prices and fees are subject to change. Savingsare based on marketing materials from nationally available cellular companies as of June, 2010 (not including family share plans). The full price of the Jitterbug Phone will be refunded if it is returned within 30 days of purchase, in like-new condition, and with less than 30 minutes of usage. A Jitterbug Phone purchased from a retail location is subject to the return policy of that retail location. The Jitterbug phoneis created together with worldwide leader Samsung. Jitterbug is a registered trademark of GreatCall, Inc. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and its related entities. Created together with worldwide leader Samsung. Copyright © 2010 by firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Doctors and older adultsmay view fear and anx-iety as normal, given thecircumstances of aging.

But developing an anxiety disorder latein life is not anormalpart of aging.Anx-

iety caused bystressful events,such as losing aloved one ormoving, is anormal part of life.An anxiety dis-order is differentbecause it is aworry or fear thatlasts a long time

and can worsen if not treated.Six basic types of anxiety disorders

are:1. Generalized anxiety disorder

(GAD) – excessive worry about health,money and family problems, even ifeverything is fine.

2. Social phobia – fear of being em-barrassed or judged by others that in-terferes with everyday activities.

3. Panic disorder – sudden, unex-plained attacks of terror often with thefeeling of a pounding heart.

4. Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) – constantly reliving thetrauma of a terrifying event in flash-backs of images, sounds, smells or feel-ings triggered by ordinary events.

5. Obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD) – the uncontrollable need tocheck things over and over, or repeatedthoughts (obsessions) and rituals (com-pulsions) that interfere with daily life.

6. Specific phobias – intense fear ofsomething that poses little or no realdanger, such as heights, tunnels, dogs

or the sight of blood.Health professionals may have diffi-

culty distinguishing between anxietycaused by adapting to difficult lifechanges and a true anxiety disorder.Older adults may ex-press anxiety inphysical terms, suchas feeling dizzy orshaky, rather thanin more psycholog-ical terms, as doyounger adults.Symptoms of ananxiety disordermay be missed be-cause older adultsmay have moretrouble answeringcomplex screeningquestionnaires ifthey have reducedcognitive abilities ormemory problems.

Risk factors foranxiety disorders in-clude:

• Female gender;• Being single, di-

vorced or separated;• Low education level;• Difficult childhood experiences;• Physical limitations in daily activi-

ties;• Having several chronic medical

conditions; and• Medical problems (depression,

stomach problems, hyperthyroidism,heart disease, breathing problems,Parkinson’s disease, balance problemsand diabetes).

Symptoms may include:1. GAD – uncontrolled worries, in-

ability to relax, fatigue, headaches andmuscle aches, trouble concentrating,

sweating, trembling or twitching.2. Social phobia – anxiety about

being with other people, worry aboutbeing embarrassed or meeting otherpeople, blushing, heavy sweating,trembling and nausea.

3. Panic disorder – attacks of fearwith sweating, feeling weak or faint,dizziness, feeling flush or chilled, tin-

gling or numb hands, nausea, chestpain or difficulty breathing.

4. PTSD – flashbacks, easilystartled, emotionally distant,

loss of enjoyment, depres-sion, irritability, aggressive

or violent behavior.5. OCD – obsessive

thoughts aboutgerms, intrudersorvi-

olence, andcompulsivebehaviors, such aswashinghands, lockingandunlockingdoorsorcounting, for an houror longeronmostdays.

6. Specific phobias –irrational, extreme fearof anobjector situationbringsonapanicattackor severe anxiety.

In older adults, antidepressantmedications are commonly pre-

By Marilyn S.Radke,M.D.

LiveWell

ToLearnMore

For more information, write tothe National Institute on

Aging,Building 31,Room 5C27,31CenterDrive,MSC2292,Bethesda,MD20892; orcall theNational Insti-tuteonAgingInformationCenterat800-222-2225;or visit thewebsite atwww.nia.nih.gov.

Anxiety Disorders

ONE TYPE of anxietydisorder includes

specific phobias,suchas intense fear of

heights or the sightof blood.


scribed to treat GAD and panic dis-order. Examples include fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), ven-lafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine(Cymbalta). Benzodiazepines are atype of antianxiety medication some-times used to treat GAD, panic dis-order and social phobia in olderadults. Examples include clonazepam(Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan) and al-prazolam (Xanax). Other antidepres-sants, such as tricyclics ormonoamine oxidase inhibitors, andother antianxiety medications, suchas buspirone (Buspar), also may betherapeutic.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)is a type of psychotherapy used intreating OCD, social phobia and PTSD.The cognitive part helps people tochange the thinking patterns that sup-port their fears. The behavior parthelps people to change the way theyreact to anxiety-provoking situations.Cognitive behavioral therapists alsoteach relaxation exercises, such asdeep breathing, to relieve anxiety.

Exposure-based behavioral therapyis used in treating specific phobias. Thepersongraduallyencounterspicturesortapes of the object or situation that isfeared. The therapist provides supportandguidanceuntil the person is able toencounter the feared situation face-to-face.

If you have anxiety, see your physi-cian for evaluation. If you are diag-nosed with an anxiety disorder, find amental health professional who iswilling to use psychotherapy and med-ication as needed, and with whom youfeel comfortable. The two of youshould work as a team to treat youranxiety together.

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

Regain the use of your second floor or basement today!

Millions ofAmericanshave beentrapped on the first floorof theirhome…until now.Introducing Easy Climber™, the dependable and easy-to-installsolution to stay safe in the home you love.Your doctor has told you to stop climbingthe stairs in your home for health reasons.Your kids are worried you’ll fall on thestairs. Even you are concerned that you’lltrip and fall. Until now, your optionswere limited. You could try and sell thehome you love in this shaky economic environment and move into a one-storyhome. Now, thanks to an innovativecompany specializing in developing products for Boomers and Beyond™,there’s a better way. The Easy Climber™lets you take back your second floor oryour basement, providing you with yearsof safety and security.

Your home is where you raised yourchildren, and is your most valuable investment, and adding Easy Climber™can enhance its value. Why spend a lotfor installation when this system has been designed to be installed by almost anyone, with only a drill and a screw-driver, in a matter of hours. You’ll get thesatisfaction of knowing the job was doneright… not to mention the money you’llsave. We’ll include a helpful booklet towalk you, or someone you trust throughthe simple installation process, and ourhelpful product experts will be standingby to help you at anytime.

If you or someone you love lives in a home with more than one floor, the staircase can be more than an

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It has been an honor and a privi-lege to serve as chair of theNARFE-Alzheimer’s NationalCommittee for the last four years.

President Joseph A. Beaudoin asked meto continue for an-other two years,and I am happyand honored tocontinue to serveNARFE in this po-sition, as wellas continuing asthe Alzheimer’scoordinator forRegion V.

Let me introduce the 2010-2012National Committee members, mostof whom also are continuing in theirroles: Dorothy Gruver, Region I; JamesBoyle, Region II; Peggy Harrell, RegionIII; Jane Rodgers, committee vicechair and coordinator for Region IV;Helen Landry, Region VI; Nancy Gold-camp, Region VII; Dr. George Ra-jewski, Region VIII; Gen Boguslawski,Region IX; and Clara Weston, RegionX. We are pleased that Mary AnnBlaisdell has agreed to be a co-coordi-nator with Dorothy Gruver in RegionI, helping with the anticipated in-creased travel duties.

It’s always hard to lose valuableand long-standing members likeLeonora Sicular from Region III.Leonora served on the committee for12 years, in addition to being theFlorida Federation Alzheimer’s coor-dinator. She will be missed on the Na-tional Committee and in Region III,but we are happy that she will remainon our team by continuing her re-sponsibilities for the Florida Federa-

tion. Thank you, Leonora!My three personal goals for the next

two years are to raise awareness of thisdisease among our members and, ul-timately, through our members to thepublic; reach our goal of $10 million in2012; and report positive progress onfinding the cause of, and ways to pre-vent, treat and cure, Alzheimer’s dis-ease, particularly from the scientists wehave selected to support with our dol-lars.

A big thanks to NARFE memberswho have given so generously of theirtime and resources to this importantNARFE program – and not just for thepast four years but for the past 25!

Congratulations to the Alzheimer’sAssociation (and the thousands of ad-vocates who communicated with theirmembersofCongress) onenactmentofthe National Alzheimer’s Project Act(NAPA), which was signed into law onJanuary 4. Once implemented, NAPAwill ensureournationhaswhatDepart-

ment of Health and Human ServicesSecretaryKathleenSebelius calls an “ag-gressive and coordinated nationalstrategy” to confront the present andrapidly escalating Alzheimer’s crisis.

The recent death of R. SargentShriver, who was diagnosed with Alz-heimer’s disease in2003, also spotlightsefforts to increase Alzheimer’s aware-ness. Shriver’s daughter, journalist andformer First Lady of California MariaShriver, has worked to educate peopleabout Alzheimer’s, first as the author ofthechildren’sbookWhat's Happening toGrandpa, then as an executive pro-ducer of the HBO documentary series“The Alzheimer’s Project” and most re-centlywith the releaseofThe Shriver Re-port: A Woman’s Nation Takes onAlzheimer’s, in partnership with theAlzheimer's Association.

Barb L. Pretzer is chairman of theNARFE-Alzheimer’s National Com-mittee. E-mail: [email protected].

Alzheimer’sUpdate

By Barb L.Pretzer

Our Work Continues on All Fronts

Members of the 2010-12 NARFE-Alzheimer’s National Committee pose for a photo. Back row,left to right: Lauren Fritz and Lynne Carey (Alzheimer’s Association); George Rajewski (RegionVIII); James Boyle (Region II); Clara Weston (Region X); Gen Boguslawski (Region IX); BarbPretzer, chair (Region V); Front row, left to right: Jane Rodgers, vice chair (Region IV); HelenLandry (Region VI); Dorothy Gruver (Region I); and Nancy Goldcamp (Region VII). Not picturedare Mary Ann Blaisdell (Region I co-coordinator) and Peggy Harrell (Region III).

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As many know, famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens

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TSPANNUITYQUESTION:I purchased aThrift Sav-ings Plan (TSP) annuity to provide a50-percent survivor’s benefit for myspouse.My spouse died recently,andmyTSP annuity has decreased.Is thiscorrect?Response: The amount of the monthlypayment while you and your joint an-nuitant are alive and the amount of thepayment to the survivor depend onwhether you choose a 100-percent or a50-percent annuity. Most people thinkthat electing a 50-percent survivor’sbenefit, which you did, means thattheir annuity will remain the same iftheir spouse predeceases them. This isnot true. The amount of the monthlypayment to the survivor –whether thesurvivor is you or your joint annuitant– is cut to 50 percent of the monthlyannuity payment made while both

you and your joint annuitant werealive. For example, if yourmonthly an-nuity payment is $600while both youand your joint annuitant are alive, itwould be reduced by half, to $300 permonth, when either you or the jointannuitant dies. If, therefore, yourspouse predeceases you, your annuitywill be reduced by 50 percent.

MEDICARE ENROLLMENTQUESTION: I plan to enroll inMedicare Part A. I now have BlueCross/Blue Shield (BC/BS) health in-surance and will be eligible forMedicare Part B within one year. Isthereanyfinancial advantagetohavingboth in light of the fact that I wouldneedtopaymore than$1,300 in insur-ancepremiums forMedicarePartB inaddition to my existing BC/BS pre-mium? If the advantage would beworthmore than the $1,300 per yearfor the Medicare Part B premium,please explain this advantage.Response: It is wise to start investigatingthismatter a fewmonthsbe-fore you turn age 65.Most people ask a lotof questions and do alot of research beforemaking this decision.It is not an easy one tomake, especially if youarein good health.Wehave a doc-ument on our website,MedicareandFederalHealthBenefits,whichdescribes the pros and cons of enrollinginMedicarePartB. (Go towww.narfe.org,sign in as a member and go to the firstlink under Retirement Benefits on theMembers Home Page.) We think youwill find this document extremelyhelpful inmaking your decision.We recommend that everyone en-

roll inMedicare Part A, which is free ofcharge. However, if you enroll in PartB, you should continue coverage

under the Federal Employees HealthBenefits Program (FEHBP). Thismeansthat you would continue to payFEHBP premiums and also would payMedicare premiums, which are$115.40 permonth in 2011.Since you have BC/BS, Standard,

you would not have to pay your an-nual year deductible, co-pays or coin-surance amounts with Medicare PartB. Therefore, you would have little, ifany, out-of-pocket expenses, except forprescription drug coverage. Granted,you would save more than $1,300 peryear if you do not take Part B immedi-ately. You would be able to enroll inPart B during the annual enrollmentperiod from January throughMarch ofeach year. However, you would haveto pay a 10-percent penalty for each12months that you postpone enrolling.

SS CREDITSQUESTION: I do not have my 40credits to qualify for a Social Securitybenefit but am very close.Howmuchdo I have to earn in 2011 to get onecredit?Response: You would have to earn

$1,120 to receive onecredit in2011. If youearnfour times that amount,or $4,480, at any timeduring the year, youwould gain fourcredits for thisyear. The max-

imumcredit youcan receiveeachyear isfour.

SURVIVOR’S HEALTHCOVERAGE

QUESTION: I am a retired federalemployee.Myspousedied in2000,andI remarried in 2006.I have family cov-erage under the Federal EmployeesHealth Benefits Program (FEHBP)and would like to ensure that my

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

Questions &Answers

QA&RETIREES


spouse is able tocontinueFEHBPcov-erage aftermydeath.Response: There are two requirementsthatmustbemet foryour spouse tocon-tinueFEHBPcoverageuponyourdeath.First, youmust elect a survivor’s benefitfor your spouse. Second, your spousemustbecoveredunderyourhealthplanupon your death. Retirees have twoyears from the date of the remarriage toelect a survivor’s benefit. Therefore, it istoo late for you to elect a survivor’s ben-efit for your spouse, if you haven’t al-ready done so. You may continue tocover your spouse under your FEHBPplanuntil yourdeath, and thenheor shewouldbe eligible for conversion to apri-vate plan through your FEHBP plan.

SUSPENDED FEHBPCOVERAGE

QUESTION: If an annuitant diesduring his or her suspended enroll-ment in theFederalEmployeesHealthBenefitsProgram(FEHBP),would thesurvivor be eligible to re-enroll in theFEHBP?Response: As long as the annuitantwasenrolled in family coveragewhenhe orshe suspended the FEHBP coverageandmade arrangements to leave a sur-vivor’s annuity, the survivor could re-enroll in the FEHBP. You have two im-portant things to remember. First, yourspouse must be covered under yourFEHBP family plan when you suspendyour health coverage, and you musthave elected a survivor’s benefit foryour spouse. Therefore, if you sus-pended your self-only FEHBP plan,your spouse is not eligible to reinstatethe insurance upon your death.

SS&WEPQUESTION: I am retired and cur-rentlyhave29Social Security credits.Iam thinking of returning to work so Ican get my 40 credits. I was covered

under the Civil Service RetirementSystem (CSRS) when I retired.WillmySocialSecuritybenefitbereduced?Will myCSRS annuity be reduced

when I start receiving Social Security,and howmuchdo you think Iwill get?Response: The good news is that yourCSRS annuity will not be reduced.However, your Social Security benefitwill be reduced by the Windfall Elimi-nation Provision (WEP). You should beprepared for a drastic reduction in yourSocial Security benefit. SomeCSRS em-ployees actually receive less than $100because of theWEP.We cannot tell how much you

would receive in Social Security bene-fits. You need to contact the Social Se-curityAdministration at 800-772-1213.Pleasenote that, if youwere covered

by the CSRS Offset when you retired,

your annuity would be reduced. CSRSOffset employees are those employeeswho separated from the governmentand returned towork after 1983.

ANNUITY’STAX-FREEPORTION

QUESTION:Will the Office of Per-sonnelManagement (OPM) calculatethe tax-freeportionofmyannuityandincludethe informationonmy1099-R?I don’t understandwhy this is referredto as tax-freemoney.Response: For most retirees, OPM pro-vides the amount of your annuity thatwas tax-free on the CSA 1099-R, whichyou receive each year. But to use thatamount in filing your returns, you needto get a copy of Publication 721, TaxGuide toU.S.Civil ServiceRetirementBen-efits. You can download this guide from

the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) web-site at www.irs.gov. You also can requesta copy by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040. This publication includes the for-mula to use to compute the amount ofyour annuity that would be tax-exempt. You will have to calculate thisdeduction and claim it on your tax re-turn.You paid taxes on your retirement

contributions before they were placedin the retirement fund. The IRS usesyour contribution to compute the tax-exempt portion of your annuity. TheIRS refers to this deduction as the tax-freeportionofyourannuity. But it isnotreally “tax free” because you alreadypaid taxes on your contributions.

CANCEL SURVIVOR’SANNUITY?

QUESTION: I retired in 1995 underthe Civil Service Retirement System(CSRS) and elected a survivor’s ben-efit formywife.Since then,our finan-cial status has improved to the pointwhere a survivor’s benefit would nolonger be necessary. Can it be can-celled and the full pension restored?Response: Youmust make the decisionto provide a survivor’s benefit for yourspouse at retirement, unless you aren’tmarried at retirement. If youaremarriedat retirement, you are required to pro-vide the full survivor’s benefit for yourspouse, unless your spouse consents toless than full benefits.You can’t go back to the Office of

Personnel Management and ask tocancel the survivor’s benefit unless themarriage ends in divorce or death.

SELFVS.FAMILY COVERAGEQUESTION: My husband and I arecivil service retirees. In addition toMedicare, we have Blue Cross/BlueShield, Standard.We currently haveself-only coverage for each of us. Is

there any advantage to changing tofamily coverage?Response:Thereareadvantages anddis-advantages to having a self-only plan.The catastrophic limit (point at whichyou would no longer have to paymostout-of-pocket expenses) is per policy. Ifyou have family coverage, and the limitis $4,000 per year, both party’s expenseswould count toward this limit. If youhave two self-only policies, each personwouldhave tomeethis orherown limit.Another thing to consider is the

cost. Family coverage costs $431.60permonth (2011), while self-only is$187.18 per month ($374.36 total forboth). If you have Medicare Parts Aand B, it is unlikely that your out-of-pocket expenses would ever reach thecatastrophic limit.

SS&WEPQUESTION: In the January issue ofNARFE magazine (p. 44), there is aquestion on Social Security and theWindfall Elimination Provision(WEP).The last paragraph of the re-sponse confused me.My situation isthis: I am age 69. I retired under theCivil Service Retirement System andamreceivingmypension.IwaiteduntilI was of full retirement age and thenapplied forSocialSecurity,which Ihavebeenreceiving for several years.It is re-duced to roughly half by the WEP.When I retired fromthegovernment,I immediately beganworking in a full-time job. In the response, NARFEstated that“...theWEPdoesnotapplyuntil after you retire.Therefore, you

would receive your full Social Securitybenefit until you retire.” By“retire,”did youmean from the government,which I already have done?Or did youmean retire totally from working,which I do not intend to do formanyyears to come? If it’s the former,thenthings seem to be correct.However,ifyou meant the latter, then why am Inowbeing hitwith the WEP?Response: Youmust be an active federalemployee when you apply for your So-cial Security benefit to avoid theWEP.Once you retire from the governmentand begin receiving your Social Secu-rity benefit, you are subject to theWEP.

SS BENEFIT COMPUTATIONQUESTION:I would like to computemyownSocial Security benefit.Couldyougivemesomeguidanceonhowtodo this?Response: There are two publicationsthat should help you to compute yourownbenefit.One isYourRetirement Ben-efit: How It Is Figured, which can befoundon theSocial SecurityAdministra-tion (SSA) website at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10070-09.pdf.Employees covered under the Civil

Service Retirement System (CSRS) orthe CSRS Offset, or who transferred tothe Federal Employees RetirementSystem,may be subject to theWindfallElimination Provision. The other publi-cation isWindfall EliminationProvision,which also can be found on the SSA


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

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

Questions &Answers

ACTIVEEMPLOYEES

website at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10045.pdf.The SSA also has an online calcu-

lator that gives estimates based onyour actual Social Security earningsrecord at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator/.For more information or to request

copies of these publications, call theSSA at 800-772-1213.

FERS FIREFIGHTERQUESTION: I know a firefighterunder the Federal Employees Retire-mentSystem(FERS)whowants tore-tire after 20 years of service andmovetoanoncoveredposition.He is age45.Is this possible?Response: If the employee has 20 yearsof covered service as a firefighter underFERS, he would be eligible for a specialretirement benefit at age 50,whether ornot he stays in this position until thatage. If he thenmoves into anoncoveredposition, his retirement coveragewouldchange to regular FERS (K), and hewould no longer be paying the extraone-half percent for special retirementdeductions. If he were to move into anon-FERS firefighter position, he alsowould no longer be subject to themandatory separationprovisions. So, hecan decide to retire at age 50 (with 20years of FERS firefighter service and anadditional five years of regular FERSservice), or he can continue to work aslong as he wants.The important thing to remember

is, he must move directly to a non-FERS firefighter position, with nobreak in service, and continue toworkuntil at least age 50.

PART-TIME PENALTYQUESTION: I am under the CivilService Retirement System (CSRS).Canyouexplainwhatthepart-timean-nuitypenalty is? Iworkedfull timefrom


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March 1980 to September 1995.SinceOctober 1995,I havebeenpart time.Response: The combinedbasic annuityof a CSRS employee who has part-timeservice on or after April 7, 1986, is thesumof two separate computations. Youwould receive full-time service creditfor the period prior toApril 7, 1986, andthe Office of Personnel Management(OPM)would look at your entire careerand use the high-three period for anythree consecutive years thatwould pro-duce the highest salary for you. A post-April 6, 1986, basic annuitywould thenbe computed using the employee’sservice from April 7, 1986, through thedate of separation. The result of thissecond computationwouldbe proratedto reflect the difference between full-time and part-time service. The periodafter April 6, 1986, would include thefull-time average salary butwould pro-rate the service by thenumber of hoursactually worked over the total numberof full-time hours. Therefore, youwould not receive 2 percent of yourhigh-three income for your part-timeservice. OPMwould use the prorationfactor.

LUMP-SUMANNUAL LEAVEQUESTION: I am under the CivilService Retirement System and planto retire on December 31, 2011, thelastdayof the leaveyear.I havecarried240 hours of annual leave over into2011.I also do not plan to use the an-nual leave that I accrue for 2011 sothat I can receive a lump-sum pay-mentof annual leave. Would I bepaidfor the entire amount of annual leavethat I haveon thebookswhen I retire?Response: Yes. Youwouldbe paid for allof the annual leave as long as you retirebefore the beginning of the 2012 leaveyear. For example, you decide to carryover your 240 hours. You accrue addi-tional annual leave andhave100hours

of leave to use or lose at the end of theyear, which you do not use. Youragencywould pay you for 340hours ina lump-sum annual leave payout. Youwould not forfeit your annual leaveun-less you do not retire until after the2012 leave year begins.

DEFERANNUITY?QUESTION:I am under the FederalEmployees Retirement System(FERS) and will reach my minimumretirement age (MRA) in July 2011. Iwill have 20 years of service.I plan totakeadeferredannuityatage60. WillI be eligible to receive coverage underthe Federal Employees Health Bene-fits Program (FEHBP) at age 60,withthe government picking up a portionof the premium?Will my sick leave be used in the

computation for a deferred annuity(i.e.,receiving 50 percent of sick leavedays toward the retirement formula)?Response: Under FERS, you would beable to postpone (different from de-ferred) receiving your annuity until age60 and would avoid any reduction forage in your annuity because you sepa-rated at your MRA with 20 years ofservice. Yes. Youwould be eligible to re-enroll in the FEHBPas long as youwerecovered for five years immediately pre-ceding your separation date. The gov-ernmentwould continue to pay its por-tion of the FEHBP premium, and youwould be required to pay only the em-ployee portion of the premium.Yes. Youwould be eligible to use 50

percent of your sick leave to extendyour length of service, whichwould in-

crease the amount of your annuity.

SERVICE COMPUTATIONDATEQUESTION:I was hired by a federalagency in August 2002 and was re-called to active duty in January 2003.Itook military leave until I resignedfrom the agency in 2006. I was thenhiredby another agency inDecember2007,and I bought backmilitary timefor retirement purposes.In June 2010,I changed jobs and amnow employedby the Department of the Navy.Ac-cording to theNavy’sEmployeeBene-fits Information System (EBIS), I ameligible for retirementonApril 8,2011.Also according to EBIS, my servicecomputation date is October 9,2001.Yet,according towhat I readabout theFederal Employees Retirement Sys-tem, a minimum age of 62,with fiveyears creditable civilian service, is re-quired for retirement.AmIeligible forretirement?Response:Mostpeoplearenotaware thatthe service computation date appearingin their records is the service computa-tion date for leave accrual purposes. Itmay ormay not be your service compu-tation date for retirement purposes. Youmust have five full years of civilianservicebefore youqualify for anannuityfrom the Office of Personnel Manage-ment.Even ifyoubuybackyourmilitaryservice, the service isn’t creditable for re-tirement purposes until you satisfy thefive-yearcivilianservice requirement.Forexample, youmayhavepurchased threeyearsofmilitary timeandhavefiveyearsof civilian time, and retire at age 62witheight years of service.

Questions &Answers

NARFE now offers an online retirementcalculator and other financial planningtools formembers only.Find outmoreabout this newmembership benefit onp.39 or at www.narfe.org.

Check with your human resourcesoffice and find out howmuch civiliantime you actually have. Normally,agencies place employees on leavewithout pay for military purposes andthen give the employee the option ofbuying back themilitary servicewhenthe employee returns to a civilian po-sition. Once you buy back your mili-tary service, it is not converted tocivilian service for the purpose ofmeeting the five-year civilian serviceprovision. You appear to be very closeto having your five years of civilianservice. However, you need to haveyour human resources office verifyyour civilian service before you applyfor retirement.

REINSTATE FEHBP?QUESTION:If a retiree cancels his or

her retirement coverage under theFederal Employees Health BenefitsProgram (FEHBP) in order to be cov-ered under the spouse’s FEHBP cov-erage, can the retiree reinstate thecoverage once his or her spouse re-tires? Iwouldhavenobreak inFEHBPcoverage. Asa familyunit,wecansavemoremoney in taxes this way. Then,once my wife retires, she can switchback to self-only coverage.Would thisbe a qualifying life event (QLE) thatwould allowme to reinstatemy ownFEHBPcoverage in retirement?Response: Retireesmarried to active fed-eral employees often have their cov-erage through their spouses in order tobenefit from the tax-free premiums.Once the spouse retires, both husbandand wife can each elect a self-onlyFEHBP plan or continue family cov-

erage. An active employee who partici-pates in premium conversion (tax-freepremiums) is limited to changing to aself-only plan during Open Season un-lessheor she experiences aQLEoutsideof Open Season. A retiree may pick upa self-only plan when the retiree’sspouse changes to self-only or duringOpen Season. You and your spouseshould coordinate changing your planssimultaneously so that neither of youloses coverage.

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


Order your copy of NARFE’s 90th Anniversary Book today!Clip and mail to: NARFE 90th Book, 606 N. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1914

Name __________________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________

City__________________________________________State ______ZIP ___________

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

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

Card # _________________________________________________________________

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

Name on card (print) ____________________________________________________

Signature ____________________________________________ Date_____________

Number of Books

____ x $10 = __________(includes shipping & handling)

Tax (if applicable) =_______Virginia residents must add 5% tax($0.50 per book)

Total cost = ______________

MAIL ORDER ONLYNO PHONE ORDERS

Make checks payable to NARFE

Celebrating 90 Years of Service

1921-2011

Only$10

Presenting NARFE’sLimited Edition

90th Anniversary Book


Report From the Regions

Regaining StrengthBy Ronald P. BowersRegion II RegionalVice [email protected]

InNovember, I attendedmyfirstNational Executive Board (NEB)meeting as a newmember. Themain business of themeeting

concerned themost critical problemfederal retirees and employees are

facing today – thelikelihood that theywould be singled outand subjected tosomeunfair treat-ment under proposalsto reduce the federaldeficit.

Recent issues ofNARFEmagazinehave included excellent coverage on

these proposals prepared by ourLegislativeDepartment. TheNARFEwebsite, www.narfe.org, offers quickand easy access to the latestinformation. And theGEMS systemprovides uswith urgent updates andaction alerts. Signing up for GEMS iseasy: Go to theNARFEwebsite, sign inas amember, and click on “JoinGEMS” in the left panel on theMem-bersHome Page. You also can callMember Records at 800-456-8410.The NEB has six new regional vice

presidents (RVPs) and fourcontinuing RVPs this term. There is arenewed spirit for getting to work onNARFE processes andmethods tochange them, where needed, in orderto regain our strength by reversingthe loss inmembership.In addition, new committees have

been formed to develop andaccomplish some of these changes. Avery important one is the BylawsReviewCommittee, reported in theJanuary issue ofNARFEmagazine(also see story on p. 42). In 2006,NARFEArticles of Incorporationwereupdated to be consistent with theDistrict of ColumbiaNon-Profit Cor-porationAct, which containsmanyspecific rules for nonprofit organiza-tions. Now, the Bylaws, originallywrittenmore than 60 years ago andamended in piecemeal fashion, can berevised to reflect the current needs ofNARFEwhile being consistent withthe law. The result should be avaluable aid in our being able toworktogether to fulfill the Association’sprimarymission – to protect ourearned right to retirement security. �

Membership Information(Active NARFE members)

Member Number:_______________________(New members) Membership is open to civilians inany agency of the federal or D.C. (before Oct. 1, 1987)governments eligible for a federal annuity.

Check one:� Retiree � Active federal employee� Spouse � Former federal employee� Former spouse � Survivor

Payment Information� Single payment or �Quarterly Installments (4 payments)

Life Membership fee amount: $____________

� Credit card � Check or money order (payable to NARFE)

CCrreeddiitt CCaarrdd IInnffoo:: �� MasterCard �� Discover �� Visa �� AMEX

Card Number:______________________________ Exp. Date:_____/_____

Name on Card: (print) ___________________________________________________

Signature: __________________________________________ Date:______________

NARFE National Life Membership Application

Mail application and payment to: NARFE, Attn: Member Records, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Life Membership Fee ScheduleAges Single or Quarterly

Payment Installments30-39 $1,796 $450.2540-40 1,408 353.2551-55 1,127 283.0056-60 960 241.2561-65 801 201.5066-70 653 164.5071-75 514 129.7576-80 392 99.2581-90 251 64.0091-100+ 127 33.00

Thank you for becoming a National Member for Life. You will receive a membership card, certificate and special lapel pin. Please allowsix weeks for processing. Dues payments & gift contributions to NARFE are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.

CCoonnttaacctt IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn

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

Street Address Apt./Unit

City/State/ZIP

E-mail Address

Date of Birth

Recruiter’s ID # (if applicable)

Chapter Number (call 800-456-8410 for chapter information)

National Life Membership offers a hedge against future dues increases and affirms a member’s ongoing support of NARFE’smission to serve federal employees and retirees. National dues are paid for life; applicable chapter dues are billed annually.

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NARFENews

NARFE-FEEAPROGRAM FUND CONTRIBUTION FORM

YOUR CHARITABLECONTRIBUTION IS TAX

DEDUCTIBLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.

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

Please mail coupon and check to:

FEEA3333 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 300

Lakewood, CO 80227

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

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

Name

Address

City State ZIP

Dear NARFE Members,The last several months have not been easy for federal

employees and retirees. The image of the federal workerhas been tarnished by unwarranted criticism and held upfor scrutiny as never before.New legislators are calling for cuts to our pay and ben-

efits, demanding we reduce the size of government byslashing waste and changing “business as usual” in Wash-ington. Attacks from biased think tanks and media outletsclaim that federal employees are partially to blame for ournation’s dire economic situation and can afford significantcuts.But, as you know, the degree to which current or retired

federal employees contribute to the nation’s deficit is beinggreatly overblown. Cutting our pay and benefits ultimatelywould have little effect on reducing the deficit.

We believe that the time to defend the earned retire-ment, pay and health benefits of federal workers and an-nuitants is now! That is why NARFE is launching an ag-gressive national campaign in response to the attacks onfederal employees: “Protect America’s Heartbeat.” To learnmore and speak out against cuts, go to www.ProtectAmericasHeartbeat.org.

America’s public servants protect the heartbeat of thisgreat country. Every day, they perform duties that ensureAmerica remains a land of opportunity and freedom —caring for our veterans, ensuring seniors receive the re-sources they need to live in dignity, investigating and pre-venting threats to our security, supporting America’s mil-itary, and conducting research that improves our healthand our defense.America’s public servants have answered the calls of

their fellow Americans for greater government accounta-bility and restraint in spending. Federal workers have al-ready given up pay raises for the next two years – we havedone our part at this point. Changes to current retiree ben-efits are being considered that would have a devastatingimpact on thousands of retirees and their families.Congress must not slash the retirement and health ben-

efits that federal workers have earned. Join NARFE as wework to protect America’s heartbeat. Go to www.ProtectAmericasHeartbeat.org to tell Congress

to protect our earned benefits and to learn more about howNARFE is fighting for America’s federal public servants.

Joseph A. Beaudoin, National President

A SPECIAL MESSAGE

NARFE Responds to Attacks on Federal Workers and Retirees!


NARFE Announces Members-Only Online Retirement Planning Calculator

In an effort to provide memberswith the latest tools to plan theirretirement, NARFE, in partnership

with Economic Systems Inc., is an-nouncing the availability of a mem-bers-only, online retirement benefitscalculator and financial planner.“eSeminar Plus,” developed by Eco-

nomic Systems, is believed by many re-tirement experts to be the best available.Previously, the program was availableonly to federal agencies, but NARFEmembers can now have a six-monthsubscription to the program for $29.95.“We are thrilled to be able to offer

this outstanding service to our mem-bers,” said NARFE National PresidentJoseph A. Beaudoin. “NARFE members,active and retired, can benefit tremen-

dously from Economic Systems’ onlineretirement calculator and financialplanning eSeminar.” The online modules consist of:• Federal Retirement Benefits for

Employees: An easy-to-use federal re-tirement calculator that allows em-ployees to estimate their federal retire-ment annuity, Social Security and ThriftSavings Plan benefits. • Financial Benefits Maximizer: A

self-service financial planning tool inwhich employees or retirees can developcalculations to project their household’sfinancial future. A complete financialplanner, it goes beyond federal benefitsto include other savings and invest-ments, as well as expenses, to determineyour current and future financial status

and the extent to which you may meetyour retirement income goals.• eSeminar: An employee self-

service retirement and financial plan-ning seminar. eSeminar enhances yourawareness of federal retirement-relatedtopics, as well as provides importantpersonal financial management infor-mation in an easily navigated format.“Economic Systems Inc. is very ex-

cited to be allied with NARFE,” said Dr.George Kettner, president of the FallsChurch, VA, company. “We share withNARFE the common goal to help federalemployees better understand their ben-efits and prepare for retirement.”To subscribe to eSeminar Plus, go to

www.narfe.org and click on the eSem-inar Plus link. �

REGION IConnecticut . . . . . .156Massachusetts . . . .380Maine . . . . . . . . . . .118New Hampshire . .123New York . . . . . . ..838Rhode Island . . . . . . .78Vermont . . . . . . . . . .44Total . . . . . . . .1,737

REGION IIDist. of Columbia . .196Delaware . . . . . . . .150Maryland . . . . . . .1,567New Jersey . . . . . .488Pennsylvania . . . .1,058Total . . . . . . . .3,459

REGION IVIllinois . . . . . . . . . . .665Indiana . . . . . . . . . .332Michigan . . . . . . . . .449Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . .601Wisconsin . . . . . . .359Total . . . . . . . .2,406

REGION VIowa . . . . . . . . . . . .340Kansas . . . . . . . . . .253Minnesota . . . . . . .480Missouri . . . . . . . . .439Nebraska . . . . . . . .163North Dakota . . . .125South Dakota . . . . .108Total . . . . . . . .1,908

REGION VIIArizona . . . . . . . . .451Colorado . . . . . . . .614New Mexico . . . . .193Utah . . . . . . . . . . . .109Wyoming . . . . . . . . .57Total . . . . . . . .1,424

REGION XKentucky . . . . . . . . 243North Carolina . . . 550Tennessee . . . . . . . . 361Virginia . . . . . . . . 1,794West Virginia . . . . . 162Total . . . . . . . . 3,110

REGION VIIICalifornia . . . . . . .1,518Guam . . . . . . . . . . . .13Hawaii . . . . . . . . . .157Nevada . . . . . . . . . .156Philippines . . . . . . . . .0Total . . . . . . . .1,844

REGION IXAlaska . . . . . . . . . . .101Idaho . . . . . . . . . . .122Montana . . . . . . . . . .82Oregon . . . . . . . . . .238Washington . . . . . .687Total . . . . . . . .1,230

REGION VIArkansas . . . . . . . . .207Louisiana . . . . . . . .207Oklahoma . . . . . . .343Panama . . . . . . . . . . . .9Texas . . . . . . . . . .1,060Total . . . . . . . .1,826

REGION IIIAlabama . . . . . . . . .453Florida . . . . . . . . .1,319Georgia . . . . . . . . .702Mississippi . . . . . . .185Puerto Rico . . . . . . .73South Carolina . . . .293Total . . . . . . . . . .3,025

FOREIGN43

2010 Recruitment ResultsIn 2010, NARFE recruited 22,012 new members; this compares with 23,323 recruited in 2009.

– Jacqueline Johnson-Bryant, Recruitment and Retention Assistant


Silver Circle Contribution Form

Yes! I want to be a member of the NARFE Silver Circle. Enclosed is my Silver Circle contribution of $_____

• For a contribution of$25 or more, you willreceive a Silver Circlepin, and your namewill be listed in NARFEmagazine with othercontributors.

• For a contribution of$1,000 or more, yourname will be placedon the “Wall ofFame” at NARFEHeadquarters.

ID # ____________________________________________________________________(ID # may be found on your NARFE magazine label or your NARFE membership card)

Name ____________________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________

City ____________________________________ State ___________ ZIP _____________

� My check is enclosed (please make check payable to NARFE Silver Circle)

� Please charge my credit card

Card type � Mastercard � Visa � Discover � AMEX

Card # _________________________________________________

Expiration Date_____________________________________________

Name __________________________________________________

Signature ___________________________________________ Date ___________________

� Installment PlanWall of Fame 12-month

installment plan

Clip this contribution form and mail to: NARFE Silver Circle, NARFE, 606 N.Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314Silver Circle contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Silver Circle donations totaled$99,444 as of January 15, 2011.Donors from October 16, 2010-

January 15 are listed here with theirchapter numbers. For a minimum contribution of

$25, members receive a Silver Circlepin and have their names published inNARFE magazine. Members who do-nate $1,000 or more have their namesengraved on the Wall of Fame at NARFEHeadquarters. To date, 35 membershave given at the $1,000 level.

To become a member of theNARFE Silver Circle, see the couponbelow.

ARIZONASANDRA HEADEN 1395CALIFORNIABRIAN Q. ROBBINS 0003 LYMAN J. LADNER 0052MARY C. TAYLOR 0065SHIRLEY HERBEL 1028MICHAEL PRINGLE 1317 GEORGIA JAN D. SATTERFIELD 1033

MARYLANDFREDRIC D. FORNEY 0251MAINESUSAN S. HYDE 2169MONTANAB. C. BURRIS 2056 NORTH CAROLINACAROL PRICE 1894WILLIAM H. PRICE 1894

TENNESSEEELLIS R. MCCOWAN 1956 TEXASDONALD L. WEBB 1273 WASHINGTONARTHUR N. GILMORE 0181GARY SHILLING 1801 WISCONSINLEROY PEPPER 0044

Silver Circle Nears $100,000

SILVER CIRCLE ($25 OR MORE)

ALFRED JAMES DUMASFORMER VIRGINIA

FEDERATION PRESIDENT

Passages

Alfred J. Dumas, former Virginia Federation president, died December 25,2010, at the age of 105 in Fairfax, VA. Dumas was a graduate of GeorgeWashington University in Washington, DC, and had a long and distinguishedcareer in the Postal Service, including serving as special assistant to the Post-master General. Upon retirement, he became active in NARFE, serving aspresident of the Virginia Federation of Chapters.

WALL OF FAME ($1,000 OR MORE)

DOROTHY H. SMITH, CHAPTER 1936, MARYLAND

FEDERATION CONVENTIONS

Federation convention seasonstarts in April. See p. 44 for a listingof all of the federation conventionsthat will take place in 2011.

2011 Scholarship ApplicationSee pp. 45-46.

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NARFE Premier Federal Credit Union belongs to members of NARFE. The credit union supports NARFE in various ways, such as paying the first year of membership dues for over 4,500 active and retired federal employees to date. Look for future announcements as to how NARFE will be using its credit union, NARFE Premier Federal Credit Union, to benefit NARFE members!

Join NARFE Premier Federal Credit Union today and make your financial goals a reality.

The delegates at the 2010NARFE National Conventionin Grand Rapids, MI, adopted a

resolution to have a committee preparea complete revision of our Bylaws. Thismeans that the committee is preparingto submit to the 2012 Convention inReno, NV, two new documents: a set ofBylaws and the corresponding StandingRules.It makes sense to have the docu-

ments in the best condition possiblewhen they are presented to the con-vention. This means that all sugges-tions for improvements of the currentdocuments should be communicatedto the Bylaws Review Committee now.

Your suggestions can be sent by e-mailto [email protected] or sent via postalmail to National Secretary ElaineHughes at NARFE Headquarters forforwarding to the committee.It is expected that a draft of the re-

vised documents will be available forcomment some time this year. The finaldraft will be included in the materialssent to the delegates in advance of theconvention.The proposed revised Bylaws and

Standing Rules will be presented to thedelegates at the convention for theiradoption. It is expected that this willtake place on the Monday of conven-tion week. The revised documents willbe presented, article by article, sectionby section, for review and possibleamendment. There will be votes on the

amendments but not on any part of theproposed documents at that time.There will be a single vote to adopt

the revised Bylaws and Standing Rules.It will be taken at the same time that of-ficers are elected, usually on Wednesday.No amendments to the current By-

laws and Standing Rules will be consid-ered at the convention. This is justcommon sense. If the committee, withyour input, has done its job well, the re-vised Bylaws and Standing Rules will beadopted. Therefore, any effort appliedto the current Bylaws and StandingRules would be a waste. In addition,with the vote being on Wednesdaymorning, should the revision not beadopted, there would not be time at theconvention to deal with amendmentsto the current documents. �

Bylaws Revision: Your Input Is Needed NowBy Paul Lamb, NARFE Parliamentarian


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

JoinJoin NARFENARFE Today!Today!

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

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

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

*Prior to October 1, 1987

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

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

Who can join? To apply:

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

1.

2. � Also enroll my spouse __________________________

3. � Please enroll me in NARFE chapter ______________

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

Per Person Enrolling Payment

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

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

The first year membership fee includes national and chapter dues.

Credit Card Information:Card type: � MasterCard � VISA

� Discover � AMEX

Card no. ___________________________________________

Expiration Date ________________

Name on Card (Print) ________________________________

Signature ____________________________ Date __________

Choose all that apply: � Retiree� Spouse� Survivor

� Active employee� Former spouse� Former employee

NARFE Member Records606 N. Washington St.

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

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

Street Address Apt./Unit

City/State/ZIP

Phone Number

E-mail Address

Date of Birth

Spouse’s Date of Birth (if applicable)

Recruiter’s Membership and Chapter Number

Contact Information:

(MM) (YY)

1Q

MAIL TO:

full name

AL Alabama Prattville April 19-21AK Alaska Anchorage April 9-10AZ Arizona Tucson May 1-3AR Arkansas Morrilton May 20-21CA California Ontario April 16-18CO Colorado Loveland May 13-15DE Delaware Dover June 1DC District of Col. Washington, DC April 9FL Florida Altamonte Springs May 3-5GA Georgia Macon May 19-20HI Hawaii Honolulu April 7-8ID Idaho Coeur d’Alene May 18-20IL Illinois Quincy May 18-20IN Indiana Indianapolis April 19-21IA Iowa Clear Lake May 18-20KS Kansas Junction City April 10-12KY Kentucky Lexington April 12-14LA Louisiana Baton Rouge April 25-27MD Maryland Bowie May 2-3MA Massachusetts Marlborough May 12-13MI Michigan East Tawas June 1-4MN Minnesota Fergus Falls May 24-26MS Mississippi Louisville April 8-10MO Missouri Hannibal April 27-29NE Nebraska Lincoln May 1-3NV Nevada Reno May 9-11NJ New Jersey Atlantic City April 12-13NM New Mexico Las Cruces April 14-16NC N. Carolina Carolina Beach May 4-6ND N. Dakota Fargo May 4-6NH New Hamp. Dover May 18OK Oklahoma Midwest City May 12-14OR Oregon Portland May 1-3PI Philippines TBD TBDPR/VI Puerto Rico/VI San Juan October 15SC S. Carolina Hickory Knob St. Pk. April 11-13SD S. Dakota Brookings May 9-11TN Tennessee Nashville April 17-19TX Texas Galveston April 28-May 1UT Utah Salt Lake City May 18-20VT Vermont Berlin May 19VA Virginia Richmond April 24-27WA Washington Spokane May 15-17WV West Virginia Bridgeport May 16-18WI Wisconsin Wisconsin Rapids May 2-4

NOTE: Connecticut, Maine, Montana, New York, Ohio, Panama,Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wyoming do not have conventionsthis year.

FEDERATION CITY DATES

FEDERATION CONVENTIONS 2011

21 3 4 5 6 7

98 10 11 12 13 14

1615 17 2019 21

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

18

22 23 24 25 26 27

1110 12 13 14 15 16

1817 19 2221 23


20

24 25 26 27 28 29

AK/MS

AK

28


1 2 3 4

AL / IN

NJ

TX

NC / ND

MN

NH

LA

MAY

APRIL

JUNE

30

43 5 6 7 8 9



National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association2011 Scholarship Application

All NARFE Scholarship Applications for the 2011 competition must be postmarked by April 30, 2011.Photocopies of this application are acceptable. Please do not fold or bind any pages with staples.

Please check each box to ensure that your application packet is complete:� Essay Topic: “In President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address in 1961, he stated: ‘Ask not what your country cando for you – ask what you can do for your country.’ With this in mind, and if you were inspired to consider a career infederal service, what type of service would you prefer and why?” (Essay must be typed, double-spaced, and notexceed two pages.)� Written recommendation/character reference from a teacher or counselor. Recommendation must be submittedtogether with application package.� Full transcript including fall/winter 2010 grades. All applicants must have a cumulative grade point average(GPA) of at least 3.0 on an unweighted 4.0 scale. (Report cards and photocopies are acceptable.) � Check here if transcript is being mailed separately by the school. If checked, must be postmarked by April 30, 2011.� List and briefly describe awards and/or community service activities (not to exceed two pages).� Copies of American College Testing (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Testing (SAT), or other entrance examinationscores as applicable. � Your e-mail address (your application receipt will be sent to this e-mail address; please add “[email protected]” to your address book). If you do not provide an e-mail address, please include one stamped, self-addressedenvelope in your application packet.Please note: All materials submitted with the application will become the property of FEEA and will not be returned underany circumstances. If needed, make a copy of the information for yourself before mailing.

Please complete the following. Incomplete applications and applications sent to NARFE Headquarters will not be considered.

Student’s Name:

Complete Home Address:

_________________________

Home Telephone: ( )

E-mail Address:

Applicant’s Grade Point Average. (Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average [GPA] of

3.0 on an unweighted 4.0 scale):

College or University (planning to attend): (Must be a college freshman by fall/winter 2011)

If taking college courses while in high school, please indicate Yes ____ No ____

NARFE Member’s Name:

Relationship to Applicant: � Father � Mother � Grandfather � Grandmother

NARFE Member No.: Chapter No:

Member’s Complete Home Address:

Telephone: E-mail address:

All of the above materials (except transcript – if necessary) must be mailed, unfolded, in thesame 9” x 12” (or larger) envelope postmarked no later than April 30, 2011, to:NARFE Scholarship Award, 3333 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80227

NO STAPLES OR PAPER CLIPS, AND DO NOT FOLD

�C

ut A

long

Dot

ted

Lin

e �


2011 NARFE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES

• Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and stepchildren of ALL current NARFE mem-bers are eligible to apply. Applicant must be a high school senior planning to attend collegefull time by fall/winter 2011. A total of 60 scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded.

• All applications must be postmarked by April 30, 2011.• All applicants must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on anunweighted 4.0 scale. Provide full transcript, including fall/winter 2010 grades. Photocopiesare acceptable. If mailed by school – still must be postmarked by April 30, 2011.

• Provide copies of American College Testing (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Testing (SAT), orother entrance examination scores as applicable.

• All applicants must provide a written recommendation/character reference from a teacher orcounselor. Recommendation on school letterhead must be submitted with application package.

• All applicants must list and briefly describe awards and/or community service activities on aseparate page. Provide enough information so the selection committee will know what youdid, but do not exceed two pages.

• Applicants should provide an e-mail address (your application receipt will be sent to this e-mailaddress; please add “[email protected]” to your address book). If you do not provide an e-mail address, include a stamped, self-addressed # 10 envelope with your application. Qualifiedapplicants will be notified by August 31, 2011. Incomplete applications will not be acknowledged.

• All applicants must submit a typed, double-spaced essay not to exceed two pages on thetopic: “In President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address in 1961, he stated: ‘Ask not what yourcountry can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.’ With this in mind, and if youwere inspired to consider a career in federal service, what type of service would you prefer andwhy?”

• Please do not bind any pages withstaples or paper clips.

• Please mail all materials (except tran-script, if necessary) in one package,unfolded, in a 9” x 12” (or larger) enve-lope postmarked by April 30, 2011.

The NARFE Scholarship Program is adminis-tered by the Federal Employee Education &Assistance Fund (FEEA) and is made possibleby your tax-deductible contributions to the NARFE/FEEA Scholarship Fund, 3333 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80227. (To donate, see form, p. 47.)

�C

ut Along D

otted Line �

For more information,obtain a copy of NARFE publication F-105

A Guide toNARFE’S ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPAWARDS PROGRAMTo get your copy, send an e-mail [email protected]; download it fromthe NARFE Web site, www.narfe.org;or call Headquarters and ask for theOffice of the National Vice President.May also be ordered using the F-18.

A Guide To

NARFE’SANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

PROGRAM

INVESTINGIN

OURFUTURE


Out &AboutWith the Chapters Visit our online gallery at www.narfe.org.

Click on NARFEmagazine.

Officers of Chapter 1159 in Annandale, VA, metwith Rep. Gerry Connolly at an open house in hisCapitol Hill office to mark the start of the 112thCongress. At left, Frances Hudson, 2nd vp member-ship; right, Mary Lou Vroman, legislation chair.

Chapter 1804 in Lewiston, ME, honored founding member Vi Dumais for herservice since 1981. Pictured, from left, are: Doris Hamel, membership; ClaireBreton and Roland Metayer, legislation; Dumais; Richard St. Amand, president;Joanne Morse, secretary; and Martha Robinson, program coordinator.

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 FloorChicago, IL 60601-7633

SUPPORT ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH

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

Name _______________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________

City _______________________________ State _________ ZIP______________

Chapter number _______________________

NARFE members contributedfor Alzheimer’s research:

$9 Million Fund

$8,967,899**Total as of December 31, 2010

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

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

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

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

Card Number: __________________________________________________________

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

Name on Card: (print) ___________________________________________________

Signature:_________________________________________ Date: _______________

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

Celebrate NARFE’s 90th

NARFE has 90th Anniversary merchandise for sale:• 90th Anniversary Book, NARFE: Celebrating 90

Years of Service, 1921-2011, $10. See order form, p. 35.• 90th Anniversary PowerPoint Presentation, $5;• 90th Anniversary Lapel Pin, $3. To order the PowerPoint Presen-

tation and Pin, go to www.narfe.org, click on Leadership at the topof the page, then click on NARFE90th Anniversary Merchandise.

Chapter 1554 in Fallon, NV, sponsored an “Angel Tree Family” offour, providing food, toys, games, clothing and more. Picturedare, from left, Mary Lou Lancaster, secretary/treasurer; JudyScherr, membership chair; and Claud Butler, president.


NARFEPerks

TRAVEL

NARFEPerks are designed to provide NARFEmembers with a quality option in their search for

commonly used 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.

NARFEINSURANCESERVICES1-800-233-5764

Insuranceplansdesignedandadmin-istered exclusively for NARFEmembers.Call for information onWhole and TermLife,Hospital Indemnity, Accidental Injuryand Death Plan, Dental Plan andCancerCarePlan. For information on LongTermCare call the Long Term Care Unit at 1-800-358-3795.

GEICO: 1-800-368-2734NARFE members with good driving

records may be eligible for quality auto-mobile insurance fromGEICO.Askaboutthe NARFE discount now available tomembers in many states. Call today foryour free, no-obligation rate quote. Besure to mention that you’re a NARFEmember!• Discount amount varies in some states• Discount not available in all states or inall GEICO companies• One group discount applicable perpolicy.

NARFEMEMBERHOMEBENEFITS1-800-666-9203

http://narfe.myhomebenefits.com• Earn thousands in cash-back re-

wards when you buy or sell a home*• Shop competitive mortgage rates,

receive discounts on closing costs, plustakeadvantageof yourVALoanBenefits

•Receivepreferredpricingon intere-sete moving services with the nation’smost trusted moving company – AlliedVan Lines!*State restrictionsapply.Call or visitwebsite for details.

BEKINSVANLINES1-800-456-6832 (M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.CT)

[email protected] NARFE

members will re-ceivediscountedpricing for all interstateshipments. Discount will apply topacking andmoving services and valua-tion protection. All intrastate shipments,locals and international moves will becompetitive in cost based on your geo-graphical location. Mention you are aNARFE member and transportationagreement #00930.

.

INSURANCEMOVING SERVICES

Exquisite Europe

2-for-1 Cruise Fareswith Free Airfare!

Now is your chance to take a 6-starLuxury cruise for less than youmightexpect to pay for a similar stateroomor

cruise on apremiumcruise line.Offer ends March 31, 2011.

1-800-607-4538www.NARFEtravel.com

SINCE 19741-800-423-3226

Medical Air Services Association hasbeen the industry leader inprepaidemer-gency assistance services formore than30 years. NARFEmembers have experi-encedMASA’s “peace ofmind” servicessince 2001. Now NARFE members areentitled to even more: air ambulancetransportation,helicopter transportation,groundambulance, vehicle return,mortalremains transport, andmuchmore!CallMASAToday. ItCouldSaveYourLife!

EMERGENCY SERVICES

VACATION RENTALS

Endless VacationRentals®As a member of NARFE, you will re-

ceive 10%off the “Best Available Rate”at vacation rental properties booked atwww.evrentals.com/narfeorbycalling1-877-670-7088, prompt 3, and providingpromotion code 20672 at time ofbooking.

HEARINGBENEFITSTRUHEARING

The TruHearing program can saveyou hundreds of dollars:

• Free hearing screening• 45-day,money-back guarantee• 3-yearwarranty• Free one-year supply of batteries• 1,400 hearing professionalsnationwide

• 12-months, no interest financing(available upon approved credit)

Call to schedule your appointment877-360-2442

Operators availableMon-Fri9 a.m.-9 p.m. (East Coast time)

NARFE’S OFFICIAL CREDIT UNIONAs a member of NARFE, you have

the privilege of joining NARFE PremierFederal Credit Union, which has beenserving members since 1935. We offerextensive services at competitive ratesto members nationwide. Your savingsare federally insured to at least $250,000andbackedby the full faith andcredit ofthe United States Government.

For more information, call 800-328-1500, e-mail [email protected] or visit us at NARFEpremierfcu.org.

CHOICEHOTELS INTERNATIONALWith 6,000hotels in theUnitedStates

and throughout the world, Choice Ho-tels®offerssomething foreveryone.JointheChoicePrivileges®rewardsprogramandearnpointswitheveryqualifyingstaytoward free nights, Airline Rewards, giftcards and more. As a NARFE member,receive 20%off your next stay at partici-patinghotelswhenyouuseSpecialRateID00801967.Thisoffer issubject toavail-ability andcannot becombinedwith anyother offer. Advance reservations re-quired. To book, visit choicehotels.comor call 800-258-2847.

WYNDHAMHOTELGROUPAs a member of NARFE, you will re-

ceive up to 20%off the “Best AvailableRate”atparticipating locationswhenyoutravel. Bookonline or call andgive agentyourspecialdiscount ID number,#20672,at time of booking to receive discount.Whether you are looking for an upscalehotel, anall-inclusive resortor somethingmore cost-effective, we have the righthotel for you... and at the right price. Sostart saving now. Call our specialmember-benefitshotline1-877-670-7088and reserve your room today at one ofthese fine hotels: WyndhamHotels andResorts®, Days Inn®, Ramada World-wide®, Super 8®, Wingate By Wyn-dham®, Baymont Inns and Suites®,Hawthorn Suites® By Wyndham, Mi-crotel Inns and Suites®, HowardJohnson®, Travelodge® and KnightsInn®.

HOTELS

ALAMO/NATIONALCARRENTAL

1-800-354-2322—www.alamo.comWelcome to Alamo Country. Where

NARFEmembers get unlimitedmileageand year-round discounts off Alamo’salready great rates. Book with yourtravel agent or Alamo®. Be sure to re-quest I.D. Number 262544 and RateCode BY (A-1 for weekend rentals) atthe time of reservation. (Same IDnumber and code applies to NationalCar Rental.)

AVIS: 1-800-331-1441The employees/owners of Avis offer

guaranteed low rates and quality serv-ices to members of NARFE. MentionID# A991900.

CAR RENTALS CREDIT UNION

CREDIT CARD

Bank of America now offers the offi-cially approved credit card program forNARFE, featuring the Platinum Plus®MasterCard®withWorldPoints. This isthe only credit card that helps supportNARFE every time you use it to make apurchase–at no additional cost to you.

Call toll-free 1-866-438-6262UseNARFE’s full name, not NARFE.Use priority code: UABEWD.


HEALTH SCREENING

LIFE LINE SCREENINGLife Line Screening, America’s

leading provider of community-basedpreventive health screenings, will con-duct the following screenings usingstate-of-the-art ultrasound technologyin your neighborhood:

1. Stroke/Carotid Artery2. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm3. Atrial Fibrillation4. Peripheral Arterial Disease.Youwill receive a confidential written

reportwithin21days.LifeLineScreeningand NARFE encourage you to sharethese test resultswithyourdoctor.All fourscreeningscost just$135.Toscheduleanappointment,pleasecall 1-800-324-9906and give the operator code number:BKHN075 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/NARFE.

Coverage may vary and may not beavailable in all states.

NARFEGENERAL STORE

OrderNARFEnamebadges andapparel, including jackets, baseball

caps, polo shirts and T-shirts!SeeMEMBERPERKS

on theNARFEWeb site, or go to:www.narfegeneralstore.com.Toll-Free Phone: 877-866-0102

Fax: 301-371-6824

NARFEMERCHANDISE

You may notice that there areno returns displayed for theL2010 Fund. That is because,

as scheduled, it was merged into theL Income Fund onDecember 31, 2010.The L2050 Fund, which started on Jan-uary 31, has a very aggressiveweighting in stocks for thosewhohavea long time horizon.Although the equity funds fell

sharply on January 28 because of theunrest in Egypt, the declines were notenough to wipe out the strong gainsachieved earlier in the month. In fact,the Egypt-related declines lasted onlyone day as investors chose to focus onimproving economic fundamentals inthe United States and abroad.

Tracey Ray is chief investment officerof the Thrift Savings Plan.


Track theTSP in NARFE

For theRecord

L2010 MergedAtYear’s End

ByTracey Ray

Thrift Savings Plan Investments*

*This chart is provided as a service to NARFE members who enrolled in the Thrift Savings Plan whileemployed by the federal government. Retirees are not eligible for enrollment. These returns are netof the effect of accrued administrative expenses and investment expenses/costs. Percentages in ( ) arenegative. Source: tsp.gov.

Month G Fund F Fund C Fund S Fund I Fund2010 February 0.24% 0.38% 3.11% 4.89% 0.06%

March 0.27% (0.11%) 6.04% 7.39% 6.28%April 0.28% 1.07% 1.58% 4.82% (2.35%)May 0.28% 0.85% (7.99%) (7.51%) (11.20%)June 0.24% 1.56% (5.24%) (6.90%) (1.75%)July 0.23% 1.07% 7.01% 7.00% 10.78%August 0.22% 1.28% (4.51%) (5.59%) (3.14%)September 0.17% 0.17% 8.92% 11.47% 9.81%October 0.18% 0.36% 3.80% 4.48% 3.63%November 0.17% (0.57%) 0.01% 3.00% (4.84%)December 0.20% (1.05%) 6.68% 7.38% 8.12%

2011 January 0.24% 0.13% 2.37% 1.23% 2.41%Last 12 Months 2.76% 5.23% 22.18% 33.90% 16.57%

Month L Income L 2020 L 2030 L 2040 L 20502010 February 0.74% 1.61% 1.94% 2.18%

March 1.43% 3.75% 4.52% 5.15%April 0.50% 0.76% 0.94% 1.05%May (1.50%) (4.98%) (6.07%) (6.97%)June (0.61%) (2.34%) (2.98%) (3.47%)July 1.81% 4.82% 5.80% 6.60%August (0.63%) (2.29%) (2.88%) (3.33%)September 2.00% 5.54% 6.77% 7.76%October 0.92% 2.29% 2.78% 3.16%November (0.05%) (0.49%) (0.56%) (0.64%)December 1.49% 4.08% 4.96% 5.67%

2011 January 0.63% 1.35% 1.57% 1.75% NALast 12 Months 6.89% 14.40% 17.17% 19.32% NA

TheConsumer Price Index for UrbanWage Earners andCler-ical Workers (CPI-W) increased 0.2 percent in December2010. To calculate the 2012 cost-of-living adjustment

(COLA), the indices of July, August and September 2011 will be av-eraged for a third-quarter determinant, whichwill be comparedwiththe 2008 third-quarter base of 215.495 (because of price deflationin the past twomeasurement years, the 2008 third-quarter averageis still the point of comparison). The December index of 215.262 isdown 0.1 percent from the base.Benefits awardedunder the Federal Employees’ CompensationAct

(FECA) to individuals suffering work-related injuries or illnesses areadjusted according to each calendar year’s percentage change in theCPI-W. Because December’s index is 1.7 percent higher than theDe-cember 2009 base index of 211.703, FECA beneficiaries will receivea 1.7 percent COLA in 2011, beginningMarch 1. �

December Index Up SlightlyThe chart below tracks the CPI-W, the monthly infla-tion change, and the cumulative percentage gain forthe next CSRS and Social Security COLA.

CPI-W MONTHLY % CHANGE% CHANGE FROM 215.5

October 2010 214.6 +0.1 -0.4November 214.8 +0.1 -0.4December 215.3 +0.2 -0.1January 2011FebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptember

Are you concerned about beinghelpless in anemergency?Are youand yourloved onesanxiousabout whatwould happen if you wereunable to get to a phone?Have you consideredmoving out of thehome you love andinto some kind ofassisted livingbecause ofthese worries?If you answered “yes” toany of these questions, you are not alone. Millions of seniors are concerned about their safety.There are products out there that claim to help, but they are difficult to use and even more difficult to afford. Why mess withcomplicated installations and longterm contracts when there’s a product that’s simple, reliable andaffordable? The productis the Designed For Seniors® Medical Alarm.Read on and we’ll explain why every senior in Americashould have one. Whatwill you do in case of an emergency? If youhave a Designed For Seniors® Medical Alarm,all you do is push a button, andyou’ll immediately get the help youneed, quickly and reliably. That’sbecause it has been “designed for

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Documents

November 06-NARFE-1-9/5