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UPMA Retired- The Backbone of the UPMA
UPMA RETIRED, FALL LUNCHEON
OCTOBER 1, 2025
DER DUTCHMAN RESTAURANT
our Retiree's Fall Luncheon was another success. The tables were full of happy retirees enjoying another exquisite lunch provided by the Der Dutchman Restaurant. enjoy the following photos.
Thanks to everyone who joined us at Der Dutchman for lunch on Wed! It was so great to see
you, and we appreciate the good turnout! This has become one of my favorite days of the year! The fellowship and the food are the best! But the best this year may have been the repeat performance by
Beth the rapper!
One question at our meeting concerned having health insurance providers available
to answer questions. It was discussed, but because everyone's situation is so different and insurance has become quite complex with many providers, it was determined to be impossible to provide
accurate and sufficient information.
The USPS sends a Retiree E-Newsletter which gives much information as well as
notification of upcoming webinars. The email address is benefitsandwellness@usps.com .
You can also access information at http://www.keepingposted.
National President Charley Peters does a good job of communicating current
information on UPMA Gold email (to register for GOLD send an email to Linda Carter at upmagold@gmail.com )
The 2026 PSHB plans and premiums are available on opm.gov, including info on dental and vision plans.
NARFE is also a good source.
Most plans have agents available for phone calls, and I have found webinars to be
very informative also.
It's a lot, I know, but think of what is at stake. I would definitely encourage
all to review their insurance benefits and possibly compare other options rather than just keep what you had before. Plans change from year to year, and you may get an unwelcome surprise if you
don't!
Have you ever heard of Jack Henry? I have alerts on my Signature FCU credit
card and I recently received an alert from a Jack Henry while I was traveling. To avoid being hacked, I try to never open any email from unknown senders. So to verify, I called Signature to check it
out, and yes, they do use this company to help prevent fraud. So, if you get any message from Jack Henry concerning your credit card use it is likely legit. It's good to know my card is monitored to
protect me! And the Signature agents are always very responsive and helpful!
Hope you are enjoying our extended summer weather!
Stay well,
Sara
Meeting minutes Fall Retiree Luncheon October 1, 2025
Pre-meeting entertainment provided by Beth (the rapper) Parish
Call to order at 1:08
Pledge led by Sara Kreitzer
Last meeting minutes approval. Motion to waive the reading by Jay Van Horn, 2 nd by Earl
Mottashed. Motion passed. No corrections or additions. Minutes approved.
Treasurer’s report by Tracie Gebhart. Report will be filed for audit.
Vice President Sara Kreitzer: After 40+ years the Social Security Act finally passed. UPMA
members have been trying since around 1990. Membership – asking retired members to be
available to visit non-member offices. UPMA is offering even more to members now with the
new KSA team that is helping members with their eCareers. Reminder that as of Jan 1, 2026
Deb Justice will be our vice president so expect the newsletter from her. Please provide
updated email address if you wish to receive the newsletter.
President Lou Stuckey: Lou is a co-chair for the chapter convention at Dublin Embassy Suites.
Due to low attendance the days have changed to Friday evening through Sunday morning. We
are still trying to get Ohio districts to allow a training day on Friday for active members.
Lou introduced Ohio’s new editor Cheryl Judge. Cheryl is very excited and plans to change it up
a bit. She wants to reach out to new members.
Lou introduced Mari Beth Kirkland, executive assistant to the UPMA national president. Mari
Beth spoke about her new job responsibilities. UPMA has a new merchandise shop. The new
career development team has already helped over 600 members. President Tony is trying to
get the finances in order and has already saved over $600,000 plus, $150,000 on the
newsletter. National convention will be at El Conquistador in Puerto Rico Aug 1-7, 2026. The
2027 convention will be in Salt Lake City Utah. Legislative and the Membership Academy will
be combined next year. UPMA has almost 5000 new members this year. Mari Beth stated that
retirees are the rock of UPMA and always have been.
Lou congratulated Cheryl Judge, Mari Beth Kirkland and Laura Reese on being 1 st time retirees
attending this meeting.
Lou introduced Laura Reese, Ohio UPMA acting president. Laura said retired members are a
huge support. The national office is keeping more from the chapter dues but they are working
on a restructure that will give money back to the chapters again. There is still an incentive for
signing new members. New retirees get 6 months free but if they do not complete an 1187R
they will fall off as members. CMR reps are very busy. Legislative Summit is March 22-25,
2026. PAC is so important. UPMA has become known as one of the most bi-partisan groups.
Ohio has raised $8647 YTD for PAC, mostly from our chapter convention. Please plan to attend
next year. “Come join the fun”.
Lou – Fewer active members are attending events. Retirees always outnumber the actives.
Even on Ohio’s Board we have retirees serving as officers. There were only about 10 Ohio
members at national convention this year. She was impressed with the new PMG. He seems to
have a good plan. If everything goes as planned the PO should be fine.
Lou presented Vice President Sara Kreitzer with a card in appreciation of her years serving us so
well as VP.
We had a ticket raffle for PAC of a bank made with a PO box door donated by Earl Mottashed
and made by Joe Kreitzer. A 2 nd bank was auctioned off with Jay Van Horn being auctioneer.
Raising a total of $195 for PAC.
Rita Schemmel reminded us of the scholarships. There are 2 from the active chapter and 1 from
the retired chapter given each year. Encourage everyone to apply. March 17, 2026 will be next
year’s deadline.
Motion to adjourn by Judy Anderson Knitz, 2 nd Betty Wilson.
Adjourn at 2:35pm
Respectfully submitted,
Tracie Gebhart
UPMA Retired Secretary/Treasurer
Why are UPMA Retired monthly dues increasing to $10.00 by 1/1/2028?
At the 2025 National Convention in Dallas, members approved a bylaws amendment to gradually raise retiree dues from $5.73 per month to $10.00 per month over a 3-year period ending December 31, 2028. Beginning in 2029, dues may only increase once per year, and by no more than the COLA increase.
This change was necessary because over the past nine years dues were raised only four times, while retiree membership has declined by over 5% per year and operating costs have continued to rise. Retiree dues help support expenses such as the UPMA Leader magazine, computer systems, national convention costs, legislative advocacy, and retiree services from the National Office as well as maintenance and utilities for the National Office in Alexandria VA.
It is also important to note that when a member retires, they receive six months of free membership, with full benefits, before paying dues — an added cost absorbed by the National Office. To cover the true costs of retiree services and operations, it is estimated that $118 per member per year is needed (this estimate was put together 3 years ago but never acted on). The dues adjustment ensures UPMA can continue to serve and represent all retirees effectively.
Charles R Peters, UPMA Retired National President
SOCIAL SECURITY DISCONTINUES PAPER CHECKS:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will no longer issue paper checks for benefit payments. This change is part of a broader government-wide initiative to modernize payment systems and enhance service delivery. By moving to electronic payments exclusively, we aim to improve efficiency, security, and ensure beneficiaries receive their monthly benefits promptly. People who currently receive paper checks have two convenient options to receive their Social Security payments electronically:
Direct Deposit: Beneficiaries should enroll in direct deposit with their financial institution. Payments can be deposited directly into your checking or savings account.
Direct Express® Card: For people without a bank account, the Direct Express card is a prepaid debit card designed specifically for federal benefit payments.
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) 2025: From OPM.gov
Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) annuitants and survivors and eligible Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirees and survivors will receive a COLA effective December 1, 2024. The increase will be reflected in your January 2, 2025, payment. CSRS annuitants will receive a 2.5% COLA and eligible FERS annuitants will receive a 2.0% COLA.
Click on this Link to the Federal Retirement Newsletter:
https://www.myfederalretirement.com/ira-contirbutions-secure-act/
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