The National Active and Retired Federal Employees
Association (NARFE) is not a union, it is an association which is
solely dedicated to the preservation of the earned retirement
benefits of the retired federal employee and future federal
retirees. It sponsors and supports legislation beneficial to
present and future civilian retirees and vigorously opposes those
that would be detrimental. Nearly 50,000 federal retirees live in
Oklahoma (over 3400 in District One) and have benefited from the
efforts of NARFE both Nationally and on the State level.
Membership is open to any person who is or will be eligible to
receive an annuity or a survivor annuity from any of the civilian
retirement programs of any agency of the government of the United
States or of the District of Columbia without regard to race,
color, creed or national origin. Any current employee regardless
of length of service qualifies for NARFE membership.
NARFE's effectiveness in fighting unfavorable changes in the
civil service system is directly dependent upon the size and
unity of its national membership. We need to recognize as a
political fact of life that our elected representatives, both
national and state, respond to numbers, unity of purpose and PAC
contributions. Personal complacency is something we cannot
afford, if we are to maintain our earned retirement benefits.
We in Tulsa Day-Lite Chapter 2184 believe that every federal
retiree, eligible employee and Spouse should be a member of NARFE
and one of its Chapters. Ordinarily, to join NARFE Tulsa Chapter
2184, the National dues are $29.00 for one year, $52 for two
years or $74 for three years and our Chapter dues are $12.00,
however, NARFE has developed a first year membership for both
National and Chapter of only $33.00. Current federal employees
can join NARFE for $25 for one year; $45 for two years or $60 for
three years. However, a new member can join by signing a DW3
(Green Form) and have dues withheld $2.75 a month the first year
and $3.05 a month for each succeeding year.
For this, a person receives a monthly magazine, NARFE MAGAZINE,
and a monthly Newsletter which keep you well informed on items of
concern to a federal retiree. The cost of NARFE MAGAZINE to a
non-member is $33.
Chapter 2184 meets monthly on the first Wednesday at 10:30 A M at
the Martin East Library, 26th and South Garnett, Tulsa, OK.
Visitors are always welcome and all federal retirees and federal
employees are welcome to join and are needed. At the present
time, our meetings in July and December consist of a catered
luncheon that is free to all members.
Now is the time to review and make changes in federal and state
income tax withholding for the tax year, 2007. OPM has simplified
the process for both state and federal withholdings. OPM can be
contacted directly to have state income tax withheld for
Oklahoma. While you may now use the new toll-free retirement
information line for almost any transaction, we strongly suggest
that you use the tax line for all tax transactions,
1-800-409-6528.
District One has Service Officers in each Chapter who are
dedicated and experienced volunteer members who have been
appointed to serve. These Service Officers can: help in taking of
proper actions to obtain and retain annuities and survivor,
health and federal grouplife insurance benefits; assist with
problems involving programs amnaged by OPM; help expedite paper
work for such items as death benefits, change in marital status
and federal income tax withholding; and help obtain information
about programs of other agencies such as social security,
veterans administration and other services for senior citizens.
NARFE activists using the F-18, "Requisition for Printed
Supplies" can request one updated Legislation Pamphlet. The
L-1, "Social Security Government Pension Offset" and
"Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision. They can
also be ordered by using NARFE's Internet Address, www.narfe.org.The new
pamphlet, F-104 CSRS or FERS, saying NARFE is for all, can be
ordered from the same site. (Choose "Forms" from the
left side memu.)
Due to the good work of NARFE activists, NARFE supported legislation in both the House and Senate on Premium Conversion (H.R. 1110 and S. 773) . H.R. 1110 sponsor, Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), added 10 bipartisan cosponsors to Premium Conversion on June 5th for a total of 189. In recent days, the Senate sponsor of Premium Conversion legislation, Sen. John Warner (R-VA), has added four bipartisan cosponsors. They are: Pat Roberts (R-KS), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY). S. 773 now has 36 cosponsors.
The legislation woule allow civil service and military retirees to pay monthly health care premiums with pre-tax dollars. It also would permit active duty military personnel to apply a pre-tax rebate when purchasing Tricare supplemental insurance. The effort faltered last year because of concerns about its potential multi-billion dollar cost and whether such a tax break should be extended to all retirees, not just those who worked for the government. According to a congressional estimate last year, premium conversion saves the typical federal employee about $435 a year.
CHAPTER MEMBERS SHOULD CONTACT OUR CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS AND ASK THEM TO COSPONSOR THESE BILLS!
Write or call 1-202-224-3121 or call toll free at 1-800-985-8762.
OPM issued personal identification numbers (PIN) to annuitants in
October, 1997. If yours is lost, misplaced, unknown or never
received, you can request a PIN by writing to OPM, RETIREMENT
SERVICES DIVISION, ROOM 1312, ATTN: PIN, WASHINGTON, DC 20415.
When you receive your PIN, you should call 1-888-767-6738 (during
non-business hours) to select your own customized PIN. (Highly
Recommended.)
The 1-888-767-6738 (TOLL FREE) NUMBER IS A VERY QUICK AND
EFFICIENT WAY TO NOTIFY OPM OF THE DEATH OF AN ANNUITANT.
Many of our members have direct deposit of their annuity checks.
This is good but members should be reminded that it is very
important to keep their address up to date. Many important
notices are sent throughout the year to the address OPM has on
file. If you have moved,members must let OPM know their new
address immediately. Call 1-888-767-6738.
For information email to: xscdmp@aol.com
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