Letter to the Editor
To the Editor:
Are you a current or retired federal employee? If so, this letter is to you.
Thanks in part to the efforts of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) members, the debt limit compromise (Public Law 112-25) passed by Congress and signed into law by the president does not make any reductions in the retirement, pay, or health benefits of federal employees and annuitants. Spending caps in the law, however, could affect active federal job security because agency budgets may be impacted. But the overall threat has NOT disappeared: Federal civilian retirement and health benefits continue to be vulnerable because the new law creates a bipartisan “Super Committee” of Congress with a mandate to cut spending by an additional $1.5 trillion before the end of this year.
NARFE president Joe Beaudoin said: “Federal employees and annuitants have been given a reprieve in the debt limit deal. This, in large part, is due to the success of NARFE’s advocacy and communications campaign, Protect America’s Heartbeat. Contacts with legislators, along with the face-to-face meetings conducted with lawmakers and letters to the editor which have been submitted, were key to this victory.”
NARFE members will continue to be asked to urge their lawmakers to defend the integrity of federal retirement and health benefits, especially those who are constituents of Super Committee members.
With the debt limit increase now law, Congress began their August/Labor Day recess a few days early. NARFE members are urged to conduct face-to-face meetings with each representative and both Senators and to find and attend town hall meetings conducted in person or by telephone.
If you’re a federal retiree or current employee and would like more information on NARFE, call 800-627-3394, or go to NARFE’s website at http://www.narfe.org.
Veronica Menges
NARFE, Wayne County Chapter 2218
Are you a current or retired federal employee? If so, this letter is to you.
Thanks in part to the efforts of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) members, the debt limit compromise (Public Law 112-25) passed by Congress and signed into law by the president does not make any reductions in the retirement, pay, or health benefits of federal employees and annuitants. Spending caps in the law, however, could affect active federal job security because agency budgets may be impacted. But the overall threat has NOT disappeared: Federal civilian retirement and health benefits continue to be vulnerable because the new law creates a bipartisan “Super Committee” of Congress with a mandate to cut spending by an additional $1.5 trillion before the end of this year.
NARFE president Joe Beaudoin said: “Federal employees and annuitants have been given a reprieve in the debt limit deal. This, in large part, is due to the success of NARFE’s advocacy and communications campaign, Protect America’s Heartbeat. Contacts with legislators, along with the face-to-face meetings conducted with lawmakers and letters to the editor which have been submitted, were key to this victory.”
NARFE members will continue to be asked to urge their lawmakers to defend the integrity of federal retirement and health benefits, especially those who are constituents of Super Committee members.
With the debt limit increase now law, Congress began their August/Labor Day recess a few days early. NARFE members are urged to conduct face-to-face meetings with each representative and both Senators and to find and attend town hall meetings conducted in person or by telephone.
If you’re a federal retiree or current employee and would like more information on NARFE, call 800-627-3394, or go to NARFE’s website at http://www.narfe.org.
Veronica Menges
NARFE, Wayne County Chapter 2218
Published: August 24, 2011
