2022 COLA RELEASED TODAY: from Pat Harkin and others 10/13/2021
The 2022 federal retiree cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be 5.9 percent for those under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and 4.9 percent for those under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The announcement of the 2022 COLA follows the release today of the September inflation numbers which increased by 0.4 percent.
The last COLA for federal retirees near this figure was in 2009, when CSRS retirees received 5.8 percent and FERS retirees received 4,8 percent. In 2021, the COLA for both CSRS and FERS retirees was 1.3 percent.
Social Security cost-of-living increases are calculated based on the annual change in the third quarter consumer price index for workers. The federal government’s Civil Service Retirement System also calculates enrollees’ annual annuity increases on that basis, meaning retirees who are enrolled in CSRS will see a 5.9% increase to their annuity payments next year. FERS retirees will receive a 4.9% increase to their annuities.
CANDIDATE
FOR NATIONAL PRESIDENT RETIRED
James Dillard-Candidate for
UPMA National President Retired
Listed below is my agenda for the future of UPMA
Why Should You Vote for Me!
LEADERSHIP: I will be a strong advocate for Retired Postmasters and Managers on the Executive Board and at the National Convention as your UPMA National Retiree President.
TRANSPARENCY: To promote transparency and accountability, all members will be invited to attend all scheduled executive board meetings. My agenda will allocate time for the members to address the board.
MEMBERSHIP: Is declining at an alarming rate and this will be a major focal point as your representative. I will appoint a committee to introduce new technology along with creative thinking to increase membership. Working together with Chapter Presidents will help bring in new retirees. Membership is the lifeblood of the organization.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: I will explore ways to reduce the budget and pass those savings on to the Retirees.
MILITARY SERVICE: I volunteered to serve in the United States Marine Corp and served a Tour of Duty in Vietnam. My military background will enable me to make critical decisions that will strengthen the entire organization.
EXPERIENCE: My membership with UPMA started long before NAPUS/League merger. Enrolled as an active member in 1986 and served as the Sergeant-at-Arms in the Mississippi Chapter. Served two terms as Mississippi Chapter Retiree Vice President. One of the most unforgettable moment in my postal career occurred when my fellow Postmasters selected me as Postmaster of the year in 2014. My first National Convention was in 1999 and I am proud to have attended 21 consecutive National Conventions before the Covid-19 pandemic. I am honored to have served as National Chair/Co-Chair, Sergeant-at Arms National for 19 uninterrupted years. I am currently serving my 2nd term as your National Vice-President of UPMA Retirees and I am prepared to serve as your next President.
If you cannot find it in your heart to vote for me, I ask that you Pray for me and each other. Thank you, James
LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT: from Gerri Swarm
Will you be attending the 2021 Legislative Summit, September 26-29? It is time to reserve your room at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington VA 22202, 800-233-1234. Use group code PSTI when making your reservation. The room rate of $179 will be honored until August 15, 2021, or until the room block is sold out, whichever comes first. Visit the UPMA website for the Summit registration form and to reserve a room online. (Note the room rate; registration forms and web postings are being corrected. The hotel link is correct.)
HR 82, Windfall Elimination Provision 5/3/21
We finally have a chance at repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). We need everyone in the organization to put this on Facebook and SHARE, SHARE SHARE!
For Teachers, Postal Workers, State and County workers now is the time to tell your congressman to represent you and support the passage of HR 82.
Many will not know anything about the WEP until they get ready to retire and then it’s to late. The WEP in short says you can’t draw 100% of 2 Federal or State pensions. So the Federal Gov’t will reduce your Social Security by 2/3rd. Lets look at the math. You turn 65 and you receive a letter from Social Security that says you will draw $1200.00 a month. But oh, wait then they find out you worked for the Federal, State or County government and they will reduce that $1,200.00 to $396.00 and then you have to take Medicare out of that, a further reduction.
HR 82 will not eliminate the WEP, just refigure the penalty.
I’m an old retired Postmaster. I remember, I think it was Dale Goff NAPUS President 2007 that said “Let us do together what we cannot do alone”. Please show me that Postmasters still take care of their own and lets see this go viral.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/117/hr82/summary
MAKING PLANS FOR NATIONAL CONVENTION: from Gerri Swarm
Members all over the country are making plans to travel to Ohio in August! There are already 725 folks registered for the 2021 UPMA National Convention in Sandusky, Ohio! With the lower registration fees that have been extended until June 15, 2021, and the four waterpark wristbands per room, and free parking for those who drive, the OHIO Chapter is expecting a bumper crowd! Get your registrations in early to assist Ohio in making detail plans just for your arrival. Here is the registration form, or you can register on line at https://www.unitedpma.org/registration . Just remember that first timers and single day registrations cannot register on-line, but must print and mail the registration form for the discount.
Retiring ?
PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT: Bill Tierney
The link below is an older article, but still very timely. Once you open the link, the additional links on the right side are current with tons of good info for FERS and CSRS employees who plan to retire in next few years. Many thanks to Bill Tierney for providing the information.
https://fedretire.net/connect-to-opm-retirement-services-online/
HANG ON A LITTLE LONGER: from OPM.gov
We are currently experiencing high call volumes and longer than normal wait times on the Retirement Information Office Toll Free number (888-767-6738). Our highest call volume is on Monday and Tuesday mornings. If you would like to minimize your wait time, consider calling the Retirement Information Office outside of these hours. Our hours are Monday - Friday 7:40AM EST to 5:00PM EST. As long as you are in queue at 5:00PM, your call will be answered. Also, consider using our Customer Support Center at www.opm.gov/support/retirement/, contacting us via email at retire@opm.gov, or our self-service tool Services Online at www.servicesonline.opm.gov.
RETIRING? Copied www.myfederalretirement.com
Federal retirement expert, Ed Zurndorfer, outlines actions that FERS-covered employees retiring in late December 2020 or CSRS/CSRS Offset-covered employees retiring in early January 2021 should consider performing to make sure their transition into retirement is as financially beneficial and smooth as possible. Click here for the Checklist for Federal Employees Retiring in Late December or Early January
OR NOT RETIRING: copied www.myfederalretirement.com
Keep track of your 2021 leave with this handy calendar downloadable in PDF. 2021 Federal Leave Chart / Record / Calendar
EMERGENCY 2021 COLA PROPOSED BY LAWMAKERS:
copied www.myfederalretirement.com
In response to the Social Security Administration's announcement of a 1.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2021, two lawmakers have introduced emergency legislation
calling to increase the amount of next year's COLA. If passed, the proposed bill (HR 8598) would provide a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income to
recipients in 2021. The annual COLA also affects the annuities of federal retirees in the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
"Social Security is our country's number one financial security program, and, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are depending on it now more than ever," said House Ways and
Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B Larson (D-CT). "Seniors are seeing a rise in food, medical, housing costs and more, and a 1.3 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) is just not
enough during these difficult times." According to The Senior Citizens League, while COLAs averaged 3 percent between 1999 and 2009, over the past decade the annual COLAs have averaged just 1.4
percent. Larson introduced the legislation along with Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR). Free subscriptions are here
USPS RETIREE E-NEWSLETTER: info from Bill Tierney and other sources
As part of the Postal Service's effort to keep us updated on information and resources that may be valuable to us as a retiree, the Postal Service offers a Retiree E-Newsletter. The electronic newsletter will include important information needed as a retiree that relates to benefits, wellness, financial education, and more. It is free! Here is the link to sign up: Sign up now ». And here is a link to view past issues: View past issues.
During the Retiree meeting held at the Legislative Summit, several questions arose pertaining to Medicare reimbursements, dental and vision insurance, choosing the right health plan.. "Checkbook" is provided by the www.keepingposted.org newsletter as a tool to help select the right health plan for your needs and in your Zip Code. Here is the link that provides information, and helps you rank the plans for you and your family, compare plans by total out-of-pocket costs, quality, catastrophic limits, and more: Go to Checkbook Guide to Health Plans. You may be required to register. If so, enter your name as the name you used at last office before retirement. Enter the office that you retired from. Enter your email address. Here is another link to give detailed information on dental and vision insurance: https://www.keepingposted.org/health-benefits.htm.
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