2016 NARFE National Convention Legislative Update August 30, 2016 Jessica Klement Legislative Director
Agenda Where have we been? Where are we now? What Has NARFE Done for Me Lately? Protect America s Heartbeat NARFE in the News NARFE-PAC
Where have we been? Contributions from the federal community to date. $120 Billion!
Where have we been? House FY16 Budget Eight provisions totaling $318 billion in cuts to federal community including: FEHBP premiums increases 6% increase in retirement contributions for current feds A decrease in the rate of return on the TSP s G Fund Two-Year Budget Agreement Reached Without Targeting Feds FY16 and FY17 budget deal offset sequestration without offsets to the federal community Less stress on budget debate during 2016
Where are we now? 114 th Congress (2015-2016) - What is NARFE Facing? Presidential and Congressional Election Year Politicking Fighting attacks on federal pay and benefits, including FEHBP Maintaining current benefits should be considered a victory
114 th Congress (2015-2016) NARFE s Top Legislative Priorities Windfall Elimination Provision Reform U.S. Postal Service Reform Medicare Hold Harmless Long Term Care Premiums
114 th Congress (2015-2016) WEP Reform The Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act (H.R. 711) Does not repeal the WEP but reduces the penalty For individuals who turn 62 prior to 2017: Exact penalty reduction, not to exceed 50%, will be determined by SSA Penalty reduction would not be retroactive For individuals turning 62 in or after 2017: Replaces current formula with a new, fairer formula Money saved through improved enforcement would determine reduction in penalty
114 th Congress (2015-2016) WEP Reform Where is it now? July 13 Committee mark up scheduled Chairman Brady unveiled a substitute bill eliminated enforcement provisions NARFE letter in opposition to substitute Relief for current WEP-affected individuals would have been sharply reduced Committee pulled bill from consideration NARFE continues to support original bill
114 th Congress (2015-2016) U.S. Postal Service Reform Senate legislation (ipost Act, S. 2051) Cuts to injured workers compensation now prospective Removed the possible elimination of FERS benefit for new postal employees Mandatory Medicare Part B enrollment for all postal retirees and spouses Does not include automatic enrollment Way around the prefunding requirement without making more difficult political decisions NARFE Opposes
114 th Congress (2015-2016) U.S. Postal Service Reform House legislation (H.R. 5714) No cuts to injured workers compensation (FECA) Mandatory Medicare Part B enrollment for all postal retirees and spouses Includes automatic enrollment 3-year transition where USPS pays part of the Part B premiums Most likely vehicle for reform Possible action in September or lame duck NARFE Opposes
114 th Congress (2015-2016) Medicare Hold Harmless Provision What happened in 2015? 2016 = 0% COLA Medicare Premiums were slated to increase 15% Those held harmless do not incur increase But those not held harmless must pay the ENTIRE increase in premiums Instead of a 15%, they were facing a 52% increase Nov. 2015 two-year budget deal limited premiums to 15% for those not held harmless (plus $3 surcharge)
114 th Congress (2015-2016) Medicare Hold Harmless Provision 2017 Scenarios 1. No COLA Provisions in budget deal remain in place Likely small increase for those not held harmless 2. Small COLA (0.2%) $104.90/month + $ of COLA for those held harmless About $149 per month for those NOT held harmless Absent congressional action Full COLA would have to be at least 1.5% to avoid hold harmless situation
Called for congressional committee hearings Met with OPM and LTCP to get answers Created devoted website with FAQs Dedicated claims reps assigned to NARFE members Evaluating policy options moving forward Hearings possible Legislation uncertain Premium stability and affordability Special NARFE member-only webinar on September 9 at 2pm ET 114 th Congress (2015-2016) Long Term Care Insurance Premiums
What Has NARFE Done For Me Lately? None of the $318 billion in cuts proposed in the House FY16 budget were signed into law Prevention of 52% increase in Medicare Part B premiums Senate failed to pay for highway with TSP changes FEHBP self plus one option now available TSP participants protected from bad advice Flawed postal bills remain stalled Chained CPI hasn t moved forward Extended identity theft protection for those impacted by OPM data breaches Federal retirees have not paid for deficit reduction
Protect America s Heartbeat What is Protect America s Heartbeat (PAH)? NARFE s political power and influence lies with our grassroots strength Bottom up, not a top down, approach to advocacy Designed to increase NARFE member engagement in protecting their benefits One Third of Our Advocacy Stool
Protect America s Heartbeat Why does NARFE have PAH? All Politics is Local Grassroots Advocacy Shows: Personal Commitment to an Issue Local Importance of an Issue Momentum for an Issue Constituents are Voters and Voters Elect Members Silence = Acceptance
Protect America s Heartbeat How do NARFE members participate in PAH? Write Your Members of Congress Attend Town Halls Make Phone Calls Utilize Social Media Stay up-to-date: Read the PAH Daily Clips Read the weekly Legislative Hotline Participate in Campaign Activities Represent NARFE at Community Events www.narfe.org/heartbeat
Legislative Conference Sunday, March 12 Wednesday, March 15 Great for long-time advocates and firsttimers looking to learn more Hilton at Alexandria Mark Center Shifted Schedule Two days of trainings with one day on Hill Hill day now on Wednesday when more members of Congress will be in town Registration available October 1
NARFE in the News 2013-2014 699 total press clips including 512 articles in top tier national media 177 letters to the editor
NARFE in the News 2015 753 Total Press Clips 50 Top Tier Publications 5 Reporter Briefings 2 Op-Eds from President Thissen 20 Letters to the Editor from NARFE members 6 Reporter Interviews with NARFE Members 2 National Television Appearances 4 Local Television Appearances
NARFE in the News 2016 124 Total Press Clips 12 Top Tier Publications 6 Reporter Briefings 1 Op-Ed from President Thissen 54 Letters to the Editor from NARFE members 1 Reporter Interview with NARFE Members 1 Local Television Appearance
Importance of NARFE-PAC NARFE-PAC helps defend YOUR earned pay and benefits by: Electing members of Congress who support the federal community Building strong meaningful relationships with members of Congress Helping our supporters rise to leadership positions, which can influence the congressional agenda
NARFE-PAC by the Numbers
2015-2016 Election Cycle Goals Raise $1,000,000: $1,011,113.33 Contribute $525,000 to candidates: $331,000 Increase Sustainers by 25%, 50%, x 100%: 112% x x Attend 30 in-state fundraisers: 45
2015-2016 Disbursements Candidates (as of 8/16): $331,000 Non-Candidate Committees: $140,000 All disbursements follow a consultative process with NARFE federations NARFE voting record is key All info available on NARFE website
NARFE-PAC Giving Levels Sustainer: monthly credit card contribution of $10+ Gold: $250+ Silver: $100-249 Bronze: $50-99 Basic: $25-49
NARFE-PAC Breakfast Join us for a special breakfast to thank top NARFE-PAC contributors! Guest speaker: pollster Mark Bunge Wednesday, August 31, 7 8:30 am Criteria to attend Gold level supporter Sustainer $100 contribution at convention
QUESTIONS? NARFE Legislative Department 703-838-7760, ext. 201 leg@narfe.org 28