Retirees
Maintaining membership in the NALC upon retirement costs little. At the same time, it provides significant benefits. It also contrasts sharply with the way most American unions view their retirees. The cost is minimal. Branch retiree dues are $2.50 per month for a total of $30.00 a year. In addition, upon attaining 50 years membership in the NALC, the NALC Constitution provides for gold card status, entitling the member to all the privileges of membership without payment of any dues.
The benefits are substantial. The National Retirement Department staff in Washington (202-393-4695, ext. 877) will provide assistance to members with retirement issues and problems related to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). That is a huge benefit, because OPM is the federal agency with authority over Civil Service Retirement System and Federal Employees Retirement System issues. While most retirements proceed without serious problems, some do not. The issues can be complex and OPM can be extremely difficult to contact. Moreover, even in cases where a retiree never needs assistance with OPM issues, if the retiree dies before his or her spouse, the National Retirement Department will assist the surviving spouse with the process of applying for survivor benefits. Assistance with post-retirement debt collection is another benefit of membership. The Postal Service sometimes claims, after an individual retires, that he or she owes it money. Sometimes the Postal Service is correct, but sometimes there is no legitimate debt. Correct or not, if the individual does not appeal the debt-collection notice, or do not properly appeal in accordance with complex appeal procedures, the Postal Service can and will turn the debt over to the U.S. Treasury. Once Treasury has the debt, it will add hefty penalties and interest changes and then begin collecting the money from the individual’s pension, Social Security benefits, tax return, etc.
There are many additional benefits. Continued health insurance in the NALC Health Benefit Plan. Direct assistance and representation before the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs for those who have suffered on-the-job injuries (especially important where the potential for a schedule award exists). You will continue to receive the Postal Record, the NALC’s monthly magazine.
Our retirees provide a conduit for the history and traditions of the letter carrier craft and NALC to new generations of letter carriers. In legislative battles key to the financial well-being of active as well as retired employees, there is strength in numbers, and the ranks of the NALC are larger with our retired members. Many retired members hold elected office at all levels of the NALC, bringing valuable experience to the representation arena.
To retain membership, the NALC Constitution requires retiring employees to complete NALC Form 1189, which authorizes OPM to deduct NALC dues from retirees’ pensions. See NALC Constitution Article 2, Section 1(e). A blank Form 1189 is sent automatically by the NALC Membership Department to retiring NALC members. The Branch also sends a blank Form 1189 to all retiring NALC members. When you receive this form fill out the top part then send it to Branch 6000.
Any questions call me at the branch at (631)-789-1616.
Be safe and keep smiling.
