The Importance of Keeping Current

(This article appeared in the January/February 2006 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)

Doug Holbrook, Director

The Retirees Department receives many inquiries from people who are having problems receiving annuity checks, Federal Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) information, 1099R tax forms, and other important retirement benefit documents.

We also field complaints that our retired members are not receiving copies of this magazine and other correspondence from the union.

All too often, we are able to determine that these problems arise because retirees neglect to inform the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the APWU when they relocate.

The union keeps our active membership database current in several ways, including by periodically incorporating updates from the USPS Address Correction System, so we rarely have a problem knowing how to reach you while you are employed. The same is true for OPM — it knows where to find anyone working for a government agency.

Once you retire, however, all bets are off. Both the union and OPM will continue mailing important documents to your last address of record. So, whenever you relocate, permanently or temporarily, please remember to notify both OPM and the APWU of your change of address. Here are the toll-free numbers to call:

OPM Annuitant Inquiries: 888-767-6738

APWU Retirees Department: 877-279-8669

(When contacting OPM you must provide your Civil Service Annuity number. This seven-digit number is issued to you upon retirement, and you need it whenever you change addresses, make changes in your health insurance coverage, or change an allotment. Retirees can find their CSA numbers on any documents received from OPM.)

Key Legislation

Additional co-sponsors are needed to help force House votes on a pair of bills that would correct serious inequities affecting the income of retired postal and federal workers.

The Social Security Fairness Act of 2005 (H.R. 147) would repeal the so-called Windfall Elimination Provision of a 1983 law that lowers Social Security benefits for CSRS annuitants. This bill would also eliminate the Government Pension Offset of a 1977 law that prevents many retirees from collecting the full amount of their Social Security benefits if they are receiving a CSRS survivor annuity.

The second bill, H.R. 994, would allow postal, federal and military retirees to pay healthcare insurance premiums on a pre-tax basis, which would save many of us $250 to $600 a year.

Both bills are co-sponsored by an overwhelming majority of representatives, but additional efforts are needed to help break a political logjam and convince House leaders to allow the legislation to reach the floor.

Contact your representative to demand that Congress act soon on this legislation.

New Local Chapters

Welcome to APWU’s two newest retirees chapters: Richmond , VA , and Fayetteville , NC . Retirees chapters always make a real contribution to their locals and their communities.

If your local does not have an organization for its retirees, we will help you form one upon the request of the local president.

For more information, call the Retirees Department at 202-842-8585 or 877-279-8669.