NARFE Chapter 4 NewsLetter Page 1

NARFE NEWSChapter 4, San Diego, California

Volume 68, No. 1 Web Site: http://www.NARFESanDiego.Org Jan/Feb 2016http://www.facebook.com/NARFESanDiego

Jan 11 , Mon, 1 0 AM Exec Board

Jan 11 , Mon, 1 PM General Members: 201 5 Tax Information from H&R Block

Feb 8,   Mon, 1 0 AM Exec Board

Feb 8, Mon, 1 PM General Members: St Paul’s Senior Services

General Membership Meetings are normally held on the second Monday of

each month at 1 pm in the War Memorial Building, 3325 Zoo Dr. , San Diego,

921 01 . Check the website for any updated information.

It’s hard to believe that 2015 is over and we’reheading into 2016. I want to take this opportunity towish everyone a Happy New Year and to thank each ofyou for continuing to be part of the NARFE family.

I hope all of you have had a wonderful holiday and agreat 2015. Our annual Holiday Luncheon was wellattended with a lot of great food, camaraderie, andentertainment by Gary Burt. The luncheon was onceagain catered by Ranch Events and the food wasexcellent and enjoyed by all. Highlights were theinstallation of the 2016 Executive Board, and presen­tation of toys for the US Marine Corps’ Toys­for­TotsProgram / Drive to USMC SGTs Miramontes and Rin.

Please extend congratulations to your 2016 Officersand Directors. Our names and contact information areprinted on the back page of this newsletter. I speak forall of us when I say we are privileged to serve you forthe upcoming year. Please feel free to contact us withyour questions and concerns, or if you just want to talk.

I am truly thankful to each of you for continuing tosupport NARFE and San Diego Chapter 4, and forbeing members year after year. I look forward to seeingyou at our meetings in 2016. Support NARFE’sLegislative efforts and plan to participate in theupcoming NARFE National Convention scheduled forAugust 2016 in Reno, NV.

I would also like to take this opportunity topersonally thank Dianne Egan for being a truly

awesome secretary. As the new President of Chapter 4she kept me on track, and always provided accurateand professional advice. Her years of dedication asSecretary for Chapter 4 will be a hard act to follow, butwe have full confidence in our 2016 Secretary, FultonMartin, who has been our newsletter editor for the pastseveral years and has agreed to help Chapter 4 byserving as our secretary. Please take a moment to speakwith both of them and thank them for their service toChapter 4. Thank you Dianne! Thank you Fulton!

In other news: The House elected Rep. Paul Ryan, R­WI, as the 54th Speaker of the House of Representativeson October 29th. Ryan won the full House election with236 votes, more than the 218 needed to win. Ryan’ssuccession marks the end of John A. Boehner’s, R­OH,five­year tenure as Speaker, and 25­year career as amember of the House. Rep. Kevin Brady, R­TX,replaces Ryan as chair of the House Ways and MeansCommittee, which holds jurisdiction over tax andSocial Security legislation, including GPO and WEPrepeal.

The House was in recess December 21 – January 4,and the Senate was out December 21 – January 8. TheHouse and Senate have released their 2016 schedules:since 2016 is an election year, congressional recesseswill be longer and more frequent. For example, a sevenweek recess is currently scheduled for August becauseof the Republican and Democratic NationalConventions.

CALENDAR

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

NARFE Chapter 4 NewsLetterPage 2

We are all aware that for each and every one of us ithas been a challenging year. For the last year, NARFEhas been part of the solution, and has managed to fightback several attacks on our basic earned benefits.

I think it is important to note that our actions throughthe year, whether it is emails, phone calls and/ordiscussion with our fellow NARFE members, friends,family and neighbors—helps our legislators makedecisions not to use federal employee’s retirementbenefits as a “bank” for unrelated legislation. It is afight worth fighting, and it is a tribute to all of us andour tenacity and dedication that we continue to besuccessful. Thank you all!

Connie Vickers, President, 619­477­8628

LEGISLATIONThe Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

announced the launch of an online verification centerto assist individuals whose background informationrecords were stolen in the second OPM data breach,which was announced this summer. The government­run online verification center is designed to assistindividuals who believe their data was stolen but havenot received a notification letter, and individuals whoreceived a notification letter but lost the PersonalIdentification Number (PIN) that was included in theletter. This new system is only for those impacted bythe background investigation breach, not the first databreach that involved personnel files. Notification lettersare still being mailed to affected individuals, so OPM isasking those who believe their data was stolen in thesecond breach to wait a few more weeks beforerequesting information through the verification center.To date, letters have been sent to nearly 18 million ofthe 21.5 million affected. The online verification centeris accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, andwill be available through December 2018 via OPM’sCybersecurity Resource Center. Alternatively,individuals can request the information by calling theverification center at 866­408­4555 Monday throughFriday, 9 AM to 9 PM ET.

PROGRAMSOn January 11th we will have James Marsh and two

staff members from H&R Block, discussing what isnew and what has changed for 2015 taxes. Payattention to this talk and you may pay less in taxes!

On February 8th Mary Johnson will discuss thevarious services offered to seniors at St. Paul’s. Overthe past 55 years, St. Paul’s Senior Services, a full­service, nonprofit retirement community, has providedhomes and care to generations of San Diego’s seniors.Learn about the services and programs that St. Paul’soffers.

SAVE Benefits Act Introduced in House: OnDecember 1, Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D­IL,introduced HR 4144, the House companion bill to theSeniors And Veterans Emergency (SAVE) Benefits Act,S. 2251, to make up for the lack of a cost­of­livingadjustment (COLA) in 2016. Originally introduced inthe Senate by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D­MA, the SAVEBenefits Act would provide a one­time “emergency”payment of $581 in 2016 to those receiving SocialSecurity or veterans’ benefits. Instead of a directpayment, federal and state government retirees who donot collect Social Security benefits would receive arefundable tax credit worth $581. (A tax credit is usedinstead of a direct payment for administrative reasons.)Some will recall that this was how the payment wasprovided to federal and state government retireeswhen a one­time payment was made in 2009. NARFEsupports the House and Senate legislation. The SAVEBenefits Act action letter has been updated to includeHR 4144. Send this letter, urging your senators andrepresentative to cosponsor this important piece oflegislation.

Roland Saulnier, VP Legislation, 619­579­1080

MEMBER SERVICESRetired and Survivor Annuitants under the Civil

Service Retirement System (CSRS), the FederalEmployees Retirement System (FERS), and SocialSecurity Annuitants will be receiving no increase intheir annuity in 2016.

Your FEHBP for 2016 takes effect January 1, but theincrease/decrease in monthly/bi­weekly premiumdeduction will begin on February 1, 2016.

Medicare Part B covers a portion of the cost ofphysicians’ services, outpatient hospital services,certain home health services, durable medicalequipment and other items. The Standard Premium forPart B in 2016 will be the same as 2015’s. The Premiumfor those who do not receive Social Security will be$121.80.

W2, 1099R, and 1099INT Forms will be mailed nolater than January 31, 2015.

Using NARFE Capitol Hill toll­free phone number (1­866­220­0044) you may ask to speak to your Senator orRepresentative and be switched to the appropriateoffice. It is very important that we let them know howwe want them to vote on legislation that would affectcurrent and retired employees / spouses. Also, calltoll­free 1­877­217­8234 to receive information oncurrent legislation that affects NARFE. You can be surethat legislation to be voted on in 2016 will affectcurrent Federal Employees / Annuitants / SurvivorAnnuitants.

NARFE Chapter 4 NewsLetter Page 3

WELCOME TO CHAPTER 4New chapter 4 members:

Melissa Burke, William S Clydesdale, JoyceDicicco, Bernie V Julio, Dennis Mattison, Ronald NMello, and Irene Shaffer.

Kenn Anderson, VP Membership, 619­226­4108

GOODY TABLE

The “Goody Table” proceeds help pay expensesof our delegates to conventions. Help keep thisevent a success by donating some “goodies.”Thanks to our recent donors: Mary Arveson, KathyBaron, Anne Blanchard, Corey Cook, Pearl Davis,Merlynne & Bill Doll, Susan Goldfarb, BarbHumphreys, Reeta Hunt, Joyce Jablonowski, EdJahn, Kerry Leiser, Sharon Nelson, Evelyn Novia,Elizabeth Skelding, France Swezey, Linda Vasquez,and Connie Vickers.

Anne Blanchard, Ways & Means, 619­357­5266

CONDOLENCESDeceased Members:

Gaetano Avila, Robert L Chelius, N June Dohse,James E Justice, Jorie Mark, Marilyn J Owens, VanM Parker, Richard N Shultz, Catherine Watson, andGlenn W Wood.

Condolences on the Loss of a SpouseJim Carney for the loss of his wife, Noriko.

Donate any unused sympathy or get well cards toCarol Weiss, who can use them when sending outget wells or condolences. Bring the cards to any ofour meetings and Carol will gladly collect themfrom you.

Carol Weiss, Sunshine, 619­303­7942

HUMORThe college football coach said: “You guys line up

alphabetically by height.”

MEET & GREETOur first Meet & Greet of the new year is scheduled

for January 18th from 5 to 7 pm at the 94th AeroSquadron (8885 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92123). Youcan get an Early Flight Dinner from 4 to 6 PM, plus the94th provides really good (free) bar food. Noreservations required. This is an opportunity to meetyour peers and discuss why we are members ofNARFE.

Elizabeth Skelding, Meet & Greet Chair, 858­576­0882

WOULD YOU LIKE $10?If you are a retired Federal Employee, all you need to

do is sign up for dues withholding and you will receivea check for $10. Dues Withholding is the painless wayof paying your dues ($3.34/month), and no more billsfrom Headquarters. Contact me at a chapter meeting,or email me at Kenn.Anderson@Cox.Net.

Kenn Anderson, Membership, NARFE Chapter 4, 619­226­4108

NARFE POLITICAL ACTIONCOMMITTEE (NARFE-PAC)

January 2016 has started the second half of the 2015 /2016 Congressional cycle. Members of the House andSenate are working on bills to complete thisterm—some of these bills affect Federal Employees andRetirees. We must be aware of old and new bills thatare brought up on the floor, and there are severalindependent groups cooperating with each other. Thedynamics have changed, as there is a new HouseSpeaker.

Candidates are requesting funds to assist theirprimary election committees. The collection of NARFE­PAC funds should continue to grow to ensuresufficient funds are available to candidates that are infavor of our earned benefits. Out of our 1400 Chapter 4members, we had 125 members contribute to the PACfund from Jan. 1 – Sept. 30, 2015. Chapter 4 BoardMembers and NARFE­PAC are grateful to those whocontributed. Remember, you can contribute at themonthly meeting or by using the contribution form inthe magazine.

Make 2016 a Good Year for Chapter 4.

Martin Kocher, NARFE­PAC Chair, 619­448­7552

Merlynne and I hope you all had a very MerryChristmas and Happy New Year.

Bill Doll, Chapter 4 Service Chair, 619­460­7992

NARFE’s STRATEGIC PLANNARFE’s Strategic Plan (SP) to Secure the Future of

NARFE is a 50 page document developed by ourNational Executive Board, SP Team and SP Committeeusing the Future Of NARFE (FON) Committeerecommendations. A discussion this document isprovided on our website<www.NARFESanDiego.org>.

NARFE Chapter 4 NewsLetterPage 4

Our General Meetingsare normally held on the2nd Monday of eachmonth at 1 PM in the WarMemorial Building, 3325Zoo Dr, San Diego. Seethe CALENDAR forcurrent meeting dates.

Change of address,Contact:

Kenn Anderson, PO Box3541 , San Diego, CA

921 63 orKenn.Anderson@Cox.Net

NARFE NEWSA Non-profit Newsletter Published by SAN DIEGO CHAPTERNUMBER 4, INCORPORATED, NATIONAL ACTIVE AND

RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

SAN DIEGO CHAPTER 4NAT ACTIVE AND RETIRED FED EMPLOYEESPO BOX 3541 , SAN DIEGO, CA 921 63-1 541

NON-PROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PAID

SAN DIEGO, CA

PERMIT NO. 167

COMMITTEE CHAIRSALZHEIMER Elizabeth Skelding 858­576­0882NARFE­PAC Martin Kocher 619­448­7552NEWS EDITOR Fulton Martin 619­630­4309NEWS PUBLISHR VacantPROGRAMS Ed Jahn 858­453­2881PUB RELATS VacantSUNSHINE Carol Weiss 619­303­7942SVC OFFICER Bill Doll 619­460­7992SVC OFFICER Connie Vickers 619­477­8628WAYS & MEANS Anne Blanchard 619­357­5266WEBMASTER VacantWELCOME Vacant

Jan/Feb2016

CHAPTER 4 WEB SITENARFE San Diego Chapter 4 is on the World­Wide­

Web. You can find the latest information about thedoings of both your local chapter and NationalHeadquarters by pointing your browser to<NARFESanDiego.Org>. Make sure to bookmark thesite!

Also, if you have an email address and would like toreceive the Chapter 4 Newsletter via email, pleasecontact Kenn Anderson at <Kenn.Anderson@Cox.Net>or 619­226­4108.

CHAPTER 4 EXECUTIVE BOARDPRESIDENT Connie Vickers 619­477­8628VP LEGISLAT Roland Saulnier 619­579­1080VP MEMBERS Kenn Anderson 619­226­4108SECRETARY Fulton Martin 619­630­4309TREASURER Ed Jahn 858­453­2881FIN SEC Bob Humphreys 858­278­0414DIRECTOR Horacio Baca 619­448­8579DIRECTOR Sandy Wetzel­Smith858­880­9045DIRECTOR Martin Kocher 619­448­7552DIRECTOR Elizabeth Skelding 858­576­0882

Email: info@NARFESanDiego.org

Website: www.NARFESanDiego.org

NARFE News is a non­profit newsletter published bySan Diego Chapter Number 4, Incorporated, NationalActive and Retired Federal Employees.