News from Your Ohio Chapter

2027 OPEN SEASON: from Michael Silvestri

Open Season for 2027 runs from Monday, November 9, 2026, to Monday, December 14, 2026, 2026. For more information: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/open-season/ or https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/pshb/

HEALTH BENEFITS INCREASE INCREASE: from Bill Tierney

OPM announce today the average increase for health benefits will be 8.2%, while an increase, it is less than the FEHB increase in 2027 which is 10.9%.

2026 OPEN SEASON: OPM.gov

Open Season starts on November 9 and ends on December 14, 2026. Please note: The Federal Benefits Open Season ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on Monday December 14, 2026 for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS). Open Season for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) and Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHB) ends at 11:59 pm, per the location of your electronic enrollment system, on Monday December 14, 2026.

2027 PSHB RATES ANNOUNCED: Info gleaned from OPM.com and others

Federal employees and retirees in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program will once again see health insurance premiums rise next year, but not as much as previous year. For the 2027 plan year, enrollees in the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program will see an average enrollee share increase of 8.2%, with Open Season running from November 9 through December 14, 2026

The 2027 Premium Charts attached provide information on biweekly and monthly premiums, including the total premiums, the amount the government pays, and the change in the enrollee’s portion of the premium compared to last year. The Excel spreadsheet is large; retirees must scroll all the way to the right to see monthly contributions. All PSHB plans offer Self Only, Self Plus One, and Self and Family enrollment types. In some cases, the enrollee share of premiums for the Self Plus One enrollment type will be higher than for the Self and Family enrollment type. Enrollees who wish to cover one eligible family member are free to elect either the Self and Family or Self Plus One enrollment type. The monthly maximum government contribution remains at 72% weighted average and is the same across all Postal labor unions and management associations, except for USPS non-career employees or where specified otherwise in a collective bargaining agreement. 

MAJOR 2027 PROGRAM CHANGES & REQUIREMENTS:

Obesity Management: Carriers must require intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) to qualify for GLP-1 weight-loss drug coverage.

Gender-Affirming Care: Insurance coverage for mid-treatment gender-affirming care ends in 2027 (retaining mental health counseling options).

Medicare Part B: Remains a mandatory requirement for postal retirees aged 65 and older to maintain PSHB eligibility.

FSA Card Option: Eligible members can select a new FSAFEDS Visa card for point-of-sale expense handling.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/pshb/premiums/#:~:text=In 2027%2C the employer contribution,in a collective bargaining agreement.

UPMA Discount and Savings Program! 

I want to share some exciting news about a new benefit available to all active, retired, and associate UPMA members. Introducing the new UPMA Discount and Savings Program! This initiative was developed through a collaborative effort led by a committee that UPMA Retiree President Louise Nix assembled that consisted of Rosa Gonzales, Charlie Peters, Kathy Frame, and myself to help you save money on many everyday products and services that you may already be using.

Getting started is simple! Just visit the UPMA national website at www.unitedpma.org and click on the "Membership" tab, then select "UPMA Discount and Savings." You will need to create an account by entering your email address and selecting a password. Once logged in, enter the company code “UPMAPerks”, and you’ll be able to access a variety of perks designed to save you money.

This is yet another valuable benefit of being part of UPMA, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of it. If you have any questions, please feel free to call 1-800-331-6483.


Earl Husbands
UPMA National Membership Director

PMG ADDRESSES STATE OF USPS TO CONGRESS:

PMG David Steiner testified before the House Oversight Committee with a warning that the USPS faces a critical financial crisis and could run out of cash by early 2027. To read the prepared statement: 

https://news.usps.com/2026/03/18/pmg-testimony-to-house-committee-available/

Artificial Intelligence (AI) summarized the PMGs statement to Congress:

As of May 2026, Postmaster General David Steiner has warned Congress that the USPS faces a critical financial crisis and could run out of cash by early 2027. Testifying before the House Oversight Committee in March, Steiner urged lawmakers to consider financial assistance, increase the $15 billion borrowing limit, and enact pension reforms. Key Takeaways from 2026 Testimony:

---Cash Shortage: Without legislative intervention or significant changes, the Postal Service projects running out of cash by February 2027.

---Legislative Requests: Steiner is seeking to increase the USPS's $15 billion borrowing limit, which has not changed since the 1990s.

---Pension Reform: The USPS urges a recalculation of Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) obligations and changes to retiree health benefit funding to save an estimated $\$6.3$ billion in FY 2026.

---Operational Changes: Steiner indicated the need for ongoing cost reductions in transport and labor, alongside potential increased pricing.

---Sustainability: Steiner stated the "status quo is not sustainable," and that the agency is moving away from "short-term band-aids" toward long-term solutions.

---Steiner highlighted that despite the financial challenges, the agency continues to meet the mandate of six-day delivery to over 170 million addresses. He also questioned whether the public is aware that USPS services they rely on could fail without action. As a public institution with obligations that differ from those of private carriers, he said he is “not sure that the American public is aware that the Postal Service is at a critical juncture.”

Social media policy reminder

The Postal Service wants employees to remember they're prohibited from speaking on behalf of the organization on websites, blogs and social media without permission. Under the organization's policy, 363 Social Media Policy, employees must receive written permission from the Postal Service social media team and the appropriate vice president before establishing any online accounts that represent the Postal Service. Failure to follow this policy could result in corrective action, including removal from the Postal Service. The policy does not infringe on employees' ability to have their own social media presence or personal accounts. However, it is recommended that employees note in their personal account profiles that they don't speak on behalf of the organization. Employees also should not post while on the clock. This includes videos and "selfies" in the plant, Post Office, vehicle or other official workplace area. Employees are expected to conduct themselves during and outside of working hours in a manner that reflects favorably upon the Postal Service. The social media team conducts routine audits of sites that claim to represent the Postal Service. Unverified sites are routinely removed, and employees conduct addressed. 

THERE’S AN APP FOR US! 

President Louise confirmed it, and I finally got it! UPMA/UPMAR has an app in the APP Store, any you can add it to your iPhone! Created by Earl Husbands in the UPMA National Office, it is designed for all mobile phones. Just search for UPMA in your App Store, scroll down until you find our icon, download….. and there it is right on your home screen and useable with just a swipe or two! 

Often time we receive calls at the UPMA National office from members asking how to create an account on the UPMA National website to have full access that only your UPMA membership will bring. To make this process easy and straightforward for everyone, I have put together simple instructions that will guide you step-by-step.  Please follow these instructions:

1) Click on this registration link Registration

2) Enter your first and last name

3) Enter any 1 of the following 3 things.  Either your USPS Employee ID Number (EIN) if you are an active member, your Civil Service Annuity (CSA) if you are a retired member, or your UPMA Member ID number which is listed below.

We appreciate your UPMA membership! Your involvement is very much appreciated. Please feel free to contact your National Office with concerns, questions or ideas to enhance our website.  

Earl Husbands
UPMA National Membership Director
(703) 683-9027 (Office)