NPMHU Local 317 - Huntsville | Local Branch President Maria T. Boucher Retires

  Local Branch President Maria T. Boucher Retires

The long-serving Huntsville Branch President for Alabama NPMHU Local 317 has recently retired. President Maria T. Boucher, served the Huntsville facility selflessly, being overwhelmingly reelected by the local membership numerous times. In her positionas president, she was responsible for the administration and ajudication of all uion matters for the local, bringing about positive change and solid representation of NPMHU members. Additionally, she served as a Mail Handler Equipment Operator and Group Leader. She will be greatly missed. NPMHU and its members wish Maria a wonderful and long-lived retirement. Thank you President Boucher!

Reference: NPMHU Local 317




 

NPMHU Call to Action | FERS Retirement

  NPMHU Call to Action

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The week after our productive legislative conference, the House of Representatives voted on its budget reconciliation bill, H.R. 1. As we discussed during the conference, there were several provisions in the bill that targeted FERS benefits. Because of collective lobbying and grassroots efforts, the language for across the board increases to employee contributions and moving from a high-3 to a high-5 were not included in the in final bill voted out of the House. However, calls to eliminate the FERS Supplement and tying union membership to FERS contribution rates remain.

The FERS Supplement provides a bridge for those who qualify for retirement before they reach Social Security age. The elimination of the supplement puts those approaching retirement in the next few years at a financial disadvantage.

Every employee within the Postal Service and the federal government has the right to choose whether or not to join a union. Besides the payment of dues, there is no other financial requirements. However, H.R. 1 calls for new employees who elect union representation to contribution an additional 5% to their FERS benefits – bringing the total to 9.4%. This would create a financial burden for those starting their postal careers, not to mention would put them at an extreme disadvantage when it comes to job protections.

The Senate will now review the language and we need to ensure Senators understand how detrimental these changes are.

Our call to action has been updated, and I ask you use the following link to contact your Senators and let them know how harmful these provisions are. Please share the link with your members and encourage them to do the same.

https://npmhu.quorum.us/campaign/121771/

Thank you for your time and attention.

In Solidarity,

Katie Maddocks Legislative & Political Director
National Postal Mail Handlers Union

Reference: NPMHU via NPMHU 317

More Reading: List of Alabama Senators

 

NPMHU President Hogrogian Joins Members of Congress to Speak Out on Cuts to FERS

  NPMHU President Hogrogian Joins Members of Congress to Speak Out on Cuts to FERS

"...Retirement benefits for most Mail Handlers are currently under attack with the budget reconciliation package calling for increases to employee contributions with no corresponding increase to benefits; changing annuity computation from “high 3” to “high 5” average salary; eliminating the FERS supplement for those who are eligible to retire before they qualify for Social Security; and, tying FERS contribution rates to union membership for new hires.

NPMHU and these groups have been educating members of the House on how these changes would be devastating to Mail Handlers, and all postal and federal employees. ..."

Reference: www.npmhu.org




 

NPMHU/USPS | One Time Retirement Incentive

  NPMHU/USPS | One Time Retirement Incentive

RE: One Time Retirement Incentive (pdf)

The NPMHU and the USPS have reached an agreement on the terms of a One Time Retirement Incentive. The parties have agreed that the Postal Service will make lump sum incentive payments totaling $15,000 (less applicable taxes and deductions) to eligible full-time career employees who choose optimal retirement or retire pursuant to a Voluntary Early Retirement (VER). Part-time career employees shall be eligible for a prorated amount based on their paid hours. Attached is the January 13, 2025, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which sets forth the terms of this agreement.

To be eligible to retire under a Voluntary Early Retirement (VER), there are minimum age and service requirements. The requirements are:
• At least age 50 with at least 20 years of creditable Federal service OR
• Any age with at least 25 years creditable Federal service.
• An employee must have at least 5 years of creditable civilian service to be eligible for an early voluntary retirement.

More detailed information will be widely circulated to all eligible mail handlers, directly from the Postal Service, during the coming weeks.
Although we are pleased to provide this opportunity to the membership, please be advised that the NPMHU neither encourages nor discourages anyone from taking this opportunity. Retirement is a very important and personal decision, and mail handlers should proceed very cautiously to evaluate what this offer means to them personally.

Reference: NPMHU via NPMHU 317 NOTE: APWU/USPS is Offering the Same




 

What happens to my federal basic life insurance (FEGLI) at 65?

  What happens to my federal basic life insurance (FEGLI) at 65?

When you turn 65, your federal basic life insurance (FEGLI) will automatically begin to decrease by 2% per month until it reaches 25% of its original value, at which point it becomes free and remains at that level for the rest of your life; this is considered the "75% reduction" option, which is the standard unless you choose to reduce it by 50% or keep the full amount with continued premium payments.

Reference: www.opm.gov




 

Postal FEHB enrollees feel ‘angst’ as OPM builds USPS-only (PSHB) health insurance marketplace

  Postal FEHB enrollees feel ‘angst’ as OPM builds USPS-only (PSHB) health insurance marketplace

"A USPS retiree told OPM that, “When I made my decision to retire, I was never told that someday I’d be forced into a different insurance plan that might cover less and cost me more.” “We base our decision to retire on what’s available to us at the time and should never be forced to accept anything less,” the retiree wrote...The agency is creating the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program as a separate entity from the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program, as required under the Postal Service Reform Act signed into law last year. ...Dimondstein, however, said there’s been some “angst” among current retirees..."

Reference: Postal News Group
 

Retirement Planning | Create your personal 'My Social Security Account' to estimate future benefits, or manage the benefits you already receive

  Retirement Planning | Create your personal my Social Security Account to estimate future benefits, or manage the benefits you already receive

"A free and secure my Social Security account provides personalized tools for everyone, whether you receive benefits or not. You can use your account to request a replacement Social Security card, check the status of an application, estimate future benefits, or manage the benefits you already receive. ...Create your account here"

Reference: www.ssa.gov
 

How does LWOP impact USPS retirement?

  How does LWOP affect USPS retirement?

"... of nonpay status in a calendar year is creditable service (5 U.S.C. 6303(a) and (f) and 8332(f)). The service computation date must be adjusted by the amount of nonpay time in..."

Reference: www.opm.gov
 

Considering Retirement Now or in the Future? An Informative Resource for Retirees and Future Retirees

  Considering Retirement Now or in the Future? An Informative Resource

"...The Federal Retirement News and Reference Source is an informative resource for retirement information. Providing retirement news snippets from various sources for federal employees, postal employees, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who receive Social Security . Your resource for retirement living, investment, employment, health care, and retirement leisure. - Stay Informed!..."

Reference: Federal Retirement News and Reference Source  

5 Tips to a Quicker Retirement

 

Achieving your financial goals in a shorter time frame.

5 Tips to a Quicker Retirement

"...If you’re under the Federal Employees Retirement System, keep working. At least until you qualify for Social Security retirement, the 1.1 percent FERS annuity calculation factor and cost of living adjustments..."

Reference: www.govexec.com  

If you are a postal employee nearing retirement you should use eRetire to properly prepare

  If you are a postal employee nearing retirement you should use eRetire to properly prepare

"...Are you contemplating a retirement from the United States Postal Service (USPS)? Retirement is one of the most important decisions most of us will face in life. There are so many questions we must ask ourselves prior to making this move ...or deciding we are not ready to do so yet. The USPS makes the decision easier for us by..."

Reference: Federal Retirement News  

Important changes to TSP withdrawal options

  Important changes to TSP withdrawal options

Did you realize that a new law has been passed that pertains to TSP withdrawal options. Although please note the law has been passed, but the new options are not yet available and it could take up to two years for them to become available. One important change is: Currently, when you take a withdrawal, the money comes from your traditional and Roth balances on a pro rata basis. For example, if 80% of your account is in your traditional balance and 20% is in Roth, any withdrawal you take will be 80% traditional and 20% Roth. Under the new rules, you can still use this method, but you’ll also have the option to take your withdrawal only from your Roth balance or only from your traditional balance. These options will be available for all types of withdrawals. Read the TSP Q&A relating to the changes at: https://www.tsp.gov/PDF/formspubs/tspfs10.pdf

Reference: NPMHU 317  

House Budget is an attack on FERS employees more so than CSRS, cuts G Fund rate, ends SRS, raises employee contributions again

  House advances 2018 budget resolution with federal retirement cuts

"...elimination of supplemental payments (SRS) to employees who retire before age 62; A switch to a defined contribution pension plan for new federal employees; reduce the G fund’s rate of return ..."

Reference: federal-employees.blogspot.com