Article Snip: "...USPS understands that employees have many questions, so here are a few things to know: • The law establishes the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, which..."
Reference: NPMHU Local 317Wednesday, April 13, 2022
New postal reform law creates Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program for employees, postal retirees and others
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Retirees on fixed incomes struggle to deal with inflation
Title: Retirees on fixed incomes struggle to deal with inflation
Article Snip: "......"
Reference: www.theday.comSunday, March 20, 2022
2023 Social Security COLA Estimated at 7.6% as CPI Keeps Rising
Title: 2023 Social Security COLA Estimated at 7.6% as CPI Keeps Rising
Article Snip: "...consumer price index release showing that prices over the past year through February have risen by 7.9% — the largest increase since since January 1982, and 0.8% from January to February, are just the beginning, as that number doesn’t include commodity price jumps due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the extraordinary jump in energy prices..."
Reference: www.thinkadvisor.comThursday, March 10, 2022
Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, H.R. 3076 Passes Senate
Title: Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, H.R. 3076 Passes Senate
Article Snip: "... aligns retiree healthcare with the best practices in the private sector that lower premiums for NPMHU members and our fellow postal employees as well as safeguarding benefits..."
Reference: NPMHU LOcal 317Friday, February 11, 2022
Inflation: The Destruction of the FERS Retiree
Article Title: Is 2022 the start of big time inflation?
Article Excerpt: "...Almost all current federal workers, plus a growing number of new retirees, are under the FERS program. There is a permanent battle between FERS (with its generous 5% employer match to the TSP and Social Security coverage) and CSRS retirees who start off with much higher annuities (which they help finance) than FERS retirees. The fly in the ointment for FERS employees is their diet-COLA system. Under it, FERS retirees get the same COLA as CSRS retirees UNTIL it exceeds 2%. So for example if a CSRS Social Security COLA is 6%, FERS retirees would get 5%. Imagine the impact on a FERS annuity over a period of extended inflation What if, as some experts project, we are entering a period of high inflation? One that lasts for years. It’s happened before. Some say it may already be happening again. ..."
Reference Source: federalnewsnetwork.com
Biden to propose 4.6 percent pay raise for federal employees, the biggest hike in 20 years
The forgotten aging population. If you have already served your purpose you are useless in the eyes of the Biden administration. Postal service, federal retirees and everyone on social security left out of Biden monetary increases as inflation takes a heavy toll and erodes what little they have to survive on.
Biden to propose 4.6 percent pay raise for federal employees, the biggest hike in 20 years
'...WASHINGTON — Federal employees and military service members would receive average raises of 4.6 percent next January under...'
Reference: www.msn.com
Tags: The forgotten many, Social Security, Destruction of the elderly, Creating more inflation,
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Why claiming Social Security online could be the easiest approach for retirees
Title: Why claiming Social Security online could be the easiest approach for retirees
Article Snip: "...recent data from the Center for Retirement Research shows many Americans are passing up the simplest approach to claiming Social Security benefits and are needlessly complicating their efforts. The data revealed that just about half of all retirees are filing for their benefits online, a number that has held steady since 2013...."
Reference: tulsaworld.comAre Social Security Recipients Being Cheated Out of Nearly $5,000?
Title: Are Social Security Recipients Being Cheated Out of Nearly $5,000?
Article Snip: "...Social Security benefits are not keeping up with inflation. ...despite the massive COLA raise in 2022, retired workers will keep losing out due to the decline of purchasing power in today's red-hot high inflationary environment. “To put it in perspective, for every $100 worth of groceries a retiree could afford in 2000, they can only buy $68 worth today,” Mary Johnson, the Social Security policy analyst for The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), said in a statement..."
Reference: nationalinterest.orgThursday, January 27, 2022
Baby Boomer Retirements Outpace Predictions
Title: Baby Boomer Retirements Outpace Predictions
Saturday, January 22, 2022
Social Security offices, closed in the pandemic, are expected to reopen in March.
Title: Social Security offices, closed in the pandemic, are expected to reopen in March.
Article Snip: "...The national network of Social Security customer service offices, which were closed nearly two years ago at the start of the pandemic, is on track to reopen on ..."
Reference: www.nytimes.comWhen Should a Federal Employee Apply for Social Security Benefits?
Title: When Should a Federal Employee Apply for Social Security Benefits?
Article Snip: "...wonder if they will reach their life expectancy. This group firmly believes that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Although 62 year olds are rarely called young..."
Reference: www.fedweek.comFriday, January 14, 2022
No More Surprise Medical Bills: 5 Things To Know about the No Surprises Act Taking Effect
New Year. New Law. Beginning January 1, 2022, new federal protections will shield millions of consumers from surprise medical bills. Surprise medical bills – unexpected bills from an out-of-network provider, out-of-network facility or out-of-network air ambulance provider – is common among those with private insurance. Nearly one in five patients who go to the emergency room, have an elective surgery, or give birth in a hospital receive surprise bills, with average costs ranging from $750 to $2,600 per episode.
Learn about how the No Surprises Act can protect you from surprise medical billing. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Why is My 2022 COLA Less Than I Was Expecting?
Title: Why is My 2022 COLA Less Than I Was Expecting?
Article Snip: "...My FERS annuity with the 2022 COLA is increasing less than 4.9% in January. Why is that?..."
Reference: www.fedsmith.comSunday, January 9, 2022
You’re Retired and Like to Be Alone. Is It a Problem if You Self-Isolate?
Title: You’re Retired and Like to Be Alone. Is It a Problem if You Self-Isolate?
Article Snip: "...“Loners have gotten a bad rap,” said Katharine Esty, Ph.D., a retired psychotherapist in Concord, Mass. “There’s nothing bad about doing things alone. It only becomes unhealthy when people become lonely, which is different.” She describes loneliness as feeling subjectively unhappy with your relationships or lack thereof. Someone who embraces solitude—and keeps busy and stimulated by fulfilling activities—can spend most of their time alone but never experience the distress of loneliness. ..."
Reference: www.barrons.comRunning from Biden states...
Title: Everyone Is Moving to Florida. What That Means for Financial Advisors and Their Clients.
Article Snip: "...“Jacksonville, Orlando, Sarasota—you can name any market in Florida, and it’s one wealth managers want to be in,” says Thomas Carroll, president of the firm that manages more than $9 billion and is among . In..."
Reference: www.barrons.comYour ex-spouse could inherit your money. How to avoid this and other estate-planning mistakes
Title: Your ex-spouse could inherit your money. How to avoid this and other estate-planning mistakes
Article Snip: "...there are ways your ex could inadvertently inherit your money if you’re not careful. ..."
Reference: www.cnbc.comWednesday, January 5, 2022
Southern Conservative States Rank Best Overall for Retirees
Title: The best and worst states for retirement 2021
Article Snip: "...Georgia 1, Florida 2, Tennessee 3..."
Reference: www.bankrate.comTuesday, January 4, 2022
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Retirement Benefits
Title: Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Retirement Benefits
Article Snip: "...many federal employees plan their transition from employee to annuitant. Let’s take a look at various federal retirement benefits to highlight an important feature or recent update and a pro tip to help you maximize each benefit. ..."
Reference: www.govexec.comMonday, December 27, 2021
25 Things to Do When You Retire
Title: 25 Things to Do When You Retire
Article Snip: "...After decades in the workforce, retirees finally get complete control over how they spend their time. There are many terrific things you can do with your time and energy in retirement. ..."
Reference: usnews.comWhat Is the Average Retirement Income in 2021 and How Do You Compare?
Title: What Is the Average Retirement Income in 2021 and How Do You Compare?
Article Snip: "...The U.S. Census Bureau reports the average retirement income for Americans over 65 years of age as both a median and a mean. In the most recent data from 2019, the figures were as follows: Median retirement income: $47,357 Mean retirement income: $73,288 ..."
Reference: www.personalcapital.comThursday, December 23, 2021
20 Ways To Pay Less at Costco
Title: 20 Ways To Pay Less at Costco
Article Snip: "...One of the best ways to save money on groceries when shopping at Costco is to buy meat in bulk. You can portion it out and freeze it for later use. So, the next time you shop at the retailer, you'll save money on food...."
Reference: www.gobankingrates.comHow to Coupon, According to People Who Save Thousands Every Year
Article Snip: "...If you don’t use coupons, you’re spending way more than you should. These tips will turn your next shopping trip into a savings extravaganza...."
Reference: Readers DigestExperts warn retirees to plan for higher inflation
Title: Experts warn retirees to plan for higher inflation
Article Snip: "...Financial advisers are recommending retirees adopt investments that protect against inflation as rising living costs put ..."
Reference: www.morningstar.com‘This is a tough time to be on a fixed income’—the grim inflation outlook and what retirees can do
Title: ‘This is a tough time to be on a fixed income’—the grim inflation outlook and what retirees can do
Article Snip: "...The nonpartisan Senior Citizens League received more than 200 emails recently “with many retired and disabled senders describing the dire situations they face as rapidly rising inflation makes it impossible to pay the bills,” the group said in a statement. “This is a tough time to be on a fixed income,” said Lisa..."
Reference: www.msn.comFriday, December 17, 2021
12 Best Senior Dating Websites to Find Love in 2021
Title: 12 Best Senior Dating Websites to Find Love in 2021
Article Snip: "...Peruse top-rated online dating sites to find the right senior match. ..."
Reference: usnews.comThursday, December 16, 2021
How To Enjoy Retirement on a Budget
Title: How To Enjoy Retirement on a Budget
Article Snip: "...An enjoyable, stress-free retirement is the end goal for many workers, but once you ride off into the sunset, you’ll still have to plan your finances. Without a regular source of income, except perhaps a pension or Social Security, you’ll have to..."
Reference: www.gobankingrates.comWednesday, December 15, 2021
The 5 Ways To Maximize Your Retirement Income From Social Security
Title: The 5 Ways To Maximize Your Retirement Income From Social Security
Article Snip: "...“When is the best time to take Social Security?” “How Can I maximize my Social Security benefits?” “Are Social Security Benefits taxable?” “Can you help me choose the best time to start receiving Social Security?” The list of Social Security questions goes on and on..."
Reference: www.forbes.comTuesday, December 14, 2021
COLAs and Timing Federal Retirement
Title: COLAs and Timing Federal Retirement
Article Snip: "...For FERS employees who aren’t eligible for a COLA during their first year or more on the annuity roll, their first COLA after becoming eligible will be for the full amount, no matter in which month that eligibility occurs . ..."
Reference: The Federal News Group2 Easy Ways to Estimate Your Retirement Savings Goals
Title: 2 Easy Ways to Estimate Your Retirement Savings Goals
Article Snip: "...Some people might feel overwhelmed and won’t know where to start when calculating what they’ll need to save for retirement. But there are two really simple approaches that everyone can use to get a fairly good idea of what their retirement number should be. ..."
Reference: www.crossroadstoday.comMonday, December 13, 2021
This New Retirement Research Is Wrong
Title: This New Retirement Research Is Wrong
Article Snip: "... a million-dollar portfolio should only be relied on for $33,000 in annual income. That is a sad ending for a seven-figure nest egg! Scary, too. This $33,000 salary isn’t..."
Reference: www.forbes.comSunday, December 12, 2021
Are metaverse stocks safe enough to include in your retirement portfolio?
Title: Are metaverse stocks safe enough to include in your retirement portfolio?
Article Snip: "...The metaverse is now considered to be the next big trend in the technology sector. Broadly speaking, the concept of a metaverse involves creating immersive experiences for users in virtual reality worlds or in some combination of physical and virtual worlds using technologies such as video, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). We are seeing many technology giants as well as newcomers racing to grab a share..."
Reference: www.usatoday.comSaturday, December 11, 2021
Thinking about retiring in 2022? Here are 3 reasons to reconsider that plan.
Title: Thinking about retiring in 2022? Here are 3 reasons to reconsider that plan.
Article Snip: "...counting down the weeks or even days until you're able to tender your resignation. But not so fast. There are certain pitfalls you might encounter if you opt to retire in the coming year. Here are a few reasons why 2022 could end up being an awful time to bring your career to an end..."
Reference: www.usatoday.comFriday, December 10, 2021
Goldman Sachs Says Young U.S. Workers Are Plotting Early Retirements
Title: Goldman Sachs Says Young U.S. Workers Are Plotting Early Retirements
Article Snip: "...A survey signals that younger employees may also need more realistic expectations about how much money they’ll need in later life. ..."
Reference: www.bloomberg.comThursday, December 9, 2021
Interested in retiring early? 3 lessons from people who retired in their 30s
Title: Interested in retiring early? 3 lessons from people who retired in their 30s
Article Snip: "...For many, the prospect of working a 9 to 5 job for the next 30+ years seems monotonous and disheartening. FIRE or ‘financial independence, retire early’ is a solution to that issue. People who follow FIRE save and invest more than 50% of their annual income in the hopes that their investments will yield enough money to retire in their 30s or 40s. ..."
Reference: www.cnbc.comMonday, December 6, 2021
Don’t Get Surprised by Taxes in Retirement Published: December 6, 2021
Title: Don’t Get Surprised by Taxes in Retirement
Published: December 6, 2021
Article Snip: "...The taxation of retirement income is somewhat different than the taxation of income derived from working. These changes are primarily due to how taxes are withheld on retirement income. Not only will we look at the taxation of TSP income, we’ll also take a look at how your federal annuity and Social Security are taxed. ..."
Reference: www.fedweek.comTuesday, November 16, 2021
Unusual PostalEase Activity Triggers Precautionary Measures
Title: Unusual PostalEase Activity Triggers Precautionary Measures
Article Snip: "...The NPMHU was advised that CISO and Postal Service management investigated and took precautionary measures to prevent further activity as soon as it became aware of the unusual log-in issue. CISO monitors daily for suspicious activity to protect employee accounts and information. The USPS will contact affected employees directly. Impacted employees will receive the following message from the USPS: Your PostalEase account has been placed in a hold status, pending a password reset. To initiate a password reset, you will need contact 1-877-477-3273, Option 5. ..."
Reference: www.npmhu.orgTuesday, November 9, 2021
Should I Take Medicare or Just Keep FEHB?
Title: Should I Take Medicare or Just Keep FEHB?
Article Snip: "Are federal employees better off with Medicare or FEHB in retirement? These are some considerations..."
Reference: www.fedsmith.comFriday, October 15, 2021
Social Security Announces 5.9 Percent Benefit Increase for 2022
Title: Social Security Announces 5.9 Percent Benefit Increase for 2022
Article Snip: "...The 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2022..."
Reference: www.ssa.govFriday, September 24, 2021
When Do I Begin Receiving the FERS Annuity Supplement?
Title: When Do I Begin Receiving the FERS Annuity Supplement?
I just received my first interim FERS payment. When can I expect to begin receiving the supplement?
Article Snip: "...so when will I see the supplement? You will only begin receiving the Annuity Supplement when your..."
Reference: www.fedsmith.comFour Rules for Picking a Retirement Date
Title: Four Rules for Picking a Retirement Date
Article Snip: "...there are some rules for picking a date that are handy to know. Rule No. 1: Look at the..."
Reference: www.govexec.com