NARFE's mission has remained the same since
1921, to protect and improve the retirement
benefits of federal retirees, employees and
their families.
Our current legislative agenda focuses on
enacting bills to:
Extend
the Premium Conversion rights that federal
and postal employees have to federal
annuitants, so that retirees too can pay
their Federal Employee Health Benefits
premiums with pre-tax dollars and save an
average $400 each year; and,
Repeal
the Social Security Government Pension
Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination
Program. (WEP), two provisions which can
substantially reduce the expected retirement
income of retired federal workers.
People who join NARFE know the most
effective means of change starts from
within. Each NARFE member's voice and
support carries twice its strength in making
a difference on Capitol Hill.
People who join NARFE know the only way to
make change is to pursue what is right and
just so that the only result is the outcome
they seek. People who join NARFE know
legitimate legislative change involves time,
money, dedication and the constant pursuit
of what is right and just. It is with this
in mind that NARFE has helped change the
future for the federal community.
Click here to
see how NARFE has influenced the federal
community.
Join us.
Become part of a powerful force today (Just
click "Join
us").
Information:
NARFE realizes that information is the most
powerful key in unlocking the potential of
your future. Federal employees, retirees and
survivor annuitants who are well informed
and actively involved in NARFE are the best
defense against the potential erosion or
stagnation of the future you've earned.
Federal benefits and insurance issues can be
complicated. The federal workforce knows how
difficult it can be to get information in
this era of shrinking human resource
personnel. Overwhelmed and understaffed,
personnel offices often do not have time to
help employees plan their futures one by
one. Retirees and survivors know how
difficult it can be to reach OPM.
NARFE provides the solution with the
resources you need. Members of NARFE have
access to a wealth of information through
our Web site, monthly magazine, newsletters,
NARFE staff, and volunteers located
throughout the country. Join forces with the
ultimate federal retirement guides and get
the answers you need.
Member Discounts:
Membership in NARFE
is not without privileges of its own. Earn
back your membership dues with valuable
savings on auto, long-term care, dental,
life, FEHBP and Medicare Supplemental
Insurance, and more! From car rentals, to
moving services, hotels, and travel offers,
get the most for your money through trusted
names you'll recognize. Start the advantages
of NARFE membership by joining today!
I Just Retired. What
Happens Now?
Your personnel office
prepares a "Certified
Summary of Federal
Service" which lists
your verified Federal
civilian and military
service. You should be
given an opportunity to
review and sign this
summary. Your personnel
office will also;
(1) certify your
Federal Employees' Group
Life Insurance coverage
to the Office of
Personnel Management
(OPM) if you are
eligible to continue
coverage into retirement
(2) forward any current
designation of
beneficiary for your
life insurance, or the
amount of your
retirement
contributions, to OPM
(3) process the
personnel action to
separate you from
Federal service (4)
complete the Agency
Checklist of Immediate
Retirement Procedures.
After your personnel
office completes all of
its actions, your
application and related
records are sent to your
payroll office. Your
payroll office will
authorize your final
salary payment from your
agency after you
separate for retirement,
and a lump sum payment
for any unused annual
leave.
Your
payroll office will also
certify your Individual
Retirement Record card,
which is the official
record of your current
service, pay rates,
unused sick leave, last
day of pay, date and
type of separation, and
other information used
by OPM to determine your
retirement benefits.
Payroll will then
complete the agency
checklist and certify
your basic pay for life
insurance, if necessary.
Your retirement
package is then
forwarded on a Register
of Separation and
Transfers to the OPM
Retirement Operations
Center, Boyers,
Pennsylvania16017. Some
Federal agencies are
transmitting retirement
information to OPM by
computer tape, which
allows OPM and your
payroll office to both
take needed actions. The
package should be
forwarded to OPM within
30 days of your
separation, although
this does not always
happen. If the package
is not forwarded,
contact your agency. OPM
cannot act until they
have your records.
Note that disability
applicants must have
their disability
approved before any of
the above separation
process can take place.
Preliminary information
will be sent to OPM with
your disability
application to complete
the disability finding
first. Receipt of a
retirement claim number
is part of the
disability process, and
does not mean that your
application has been
approved.
Shortly
after they receive your
application and register
of separation, OPM will
send you an
acknowledgement. This
will include a "CSA"
claim number. The claim
number is important
because it is the number
used by OPM to locate
your retirement file,
and records on their
computer.
OPM can
authorize interim
annuity payments to
provide you with an
income until work on
your retirement is
completed. OPM will send
you a notice informing
you of the amount,
usually between 85% and
95% of the regular
amount you will be due-
after deductions, such
as for health insurance.
Interim payments are
paid on the first of the
month for the previous
month. These payments
continue until work is
completed on your
retirement.
The
goal at OPM is to
complete your retirement
within 45 days of the
time they receive your
records from your
payroll office. If your
records have left your
payroll office, you can
check on the status of
your retirement by
calling 202-606-0500 in
the Washington D.C. area
or 1- 888-767-6738 toll
free outside of
Washington. Hearing
impaired can call
1-800-878-5707.
If you want to make
immediate changes to
your Federal or state
tax withholding, or
purchase savings bonds
by deduction from your
annuity, you can use
Annuitant Express. Have
your annuitant
identification card with
your CSA number, and
your Social Security
number handy. Then call
the toll free number
1-800-409-6528 on a
touch tone telephone.
You need to be ready to
indicate the exact
amount of Federal income
tax you want withheld
from your monthly
annuity, if this is the
change you want to make.
OPM is also making
the above services, and
others, available on the
Retirement Information
Office number
1-888-767-6738
(202-606-0500 in the
Washington D.C. area).
You will need a PIN
(personal
identification) number
to use this system. A
PIN can be obtained by
contacting the Office of
Personnel Management,
Retirement Services
Division, Room 1312,
Attention PIN,
Washington DC 20415.
Also see our
information on the
Thrift Savings Plan and
Social Security if these
will apply to you.
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