Welcome to the website for the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), Hawaii State Federation (HISF).
- Chapter information is accessed via the "Chapters" tab/link and websites with links:.
Oahu: 570 Kailua, (closed Jan/2020, click to view Aloha notice)Kauai: 1513 KauaiHawaii: 1563 Big Island (Hilo); 1802 Kailua KonaMaui: 1745 Maui
Aloha Newsletter
Feb 2019, v43, no1
Click link above to viewHISF-NARFE 2019 State Convention
https://vimeo.com/336254399 (vimeo), 29 mins
This holiday season, your tax-deductible donation gives reassurance and hope to the
millions of families facing Alzheimer’s — while also advancing critical research to end the disease.
There's still time to get your last minute donations in! Spread the word that Walk to End Alzheimer's funds are collected until Dec. 31 and will count toward the overall goal of $14 million.
| Give the Gift of NARFE Membership | ||
NARFE membership makes a great gift for the holidays! |
Capture the image that conveys your interpretation of the phrase “Greetings from the USA” and submit it to the 2021 NARFE Photo Contest. Winning photos will be featured in the 2022 NARFE Calendar. Submissions will be accepted from now through April 2, 2021.
All NARFE members in good standing, except for those who are professional photographers, are eligible to enter, even if they’ve already had a photo appear in past calendars.
- Photos must be horizontal and size 8 x 10 or 8-1/2 x 11.
- Each member is limited to five photo entries and must put the following information on a piece of paper taped to the back of each photo: photo title, member name, address, chapter number (if applicable), email address and phone number.
- No photos of children or pets, please.
- Photos sent by email will not be accepted. No Polaroids. Photos will not be returned.
By entering the contest, you grant NARFE a nonexclusive license to use your photo in perpetuity in any medium, including editing, publishing, distributing and republishing it in any form. Entrants retain the copyright to their images. NARFE assumes no liability for any misuse of copyright.
Photos for the 2022 calendar will be selected and winners notified by the end of June 2021.
Send photos to NARFE Photo Contest, Attn: C. Marwitz, NARFE, 606 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314.
NARFE_FEEA SPECIAL AWARD FOR FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS. Last year, FEEA launched the Bill Bransford First-Generation Scholarship with help from the Bransford Family and the law firm of Shaw, Bransford and Roth. We are pleased to announce this $7,500 scholarship is available again this year for first-generation college students who are the children of eligible federal employees or are federal employees themselves.* |
The FEEA 2021 scholarship application is now available.Information, instructions and application form can be accessed via links below.
.Submission deadline - Thursday, March 25, 2021.
The 2020 NARFE-FEEA scholarship window for applications closed on March 25, 2020.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM UPDATE - At this time, all eligible 2020 FEEA Scholarship Program applicants have been notified of their final status. All other eligible students should have received an email via the Smarter Select system notifying them they were not selected for an award this year.
Congratulations to our National Officers who will be serving their second terms:
- Ken Thomas, National President
- Kathryn Hensley, Secretary-Treasurer
The voting results are posted to the NARFE website at www.narfe.org. (Note: Member login required to view results). Nationwide, 13,411 (7.43%) of the 180,522 distributed ballots were returned for the election/count.
Incoming - Region VIII Vice President (Note - Not part of the current election process)
- Robert Ruskamp, (Nevada State Federation President)
Several proposals were to increase revenues and the amount to be retained by headquarters to run its operations.
The adopted/rejected bylaws changes that will impact federations and chapters are:
B-2009 - Adopted (91%) - Allows for two or more states to merge federations.
B-2011 - Adopted - Changes the National Officers and RVP terms to begin Jan 1 instead of Nov 1.
B-2020 - Adopted (68%) - Annual membership dues will increase from $40 to $48.
The new dues withholding and 2 or 3 years renewal amounts are:
Dues withholding - $ 42 per year (if applicable, add chapter dues)
2-years renewals - $ 92 (or $46 per year)
3-years renewals - $126 (or $42 per year)
B-2021 – Rejected (66%) - Membership dues rebate to the federations remains unchanged at 10%.
S-2005 – Adopted (79%) - Reduces the new member dues rebates to chapters from ⅓ to 1/6 .
With the increase in annual membership dues to $48 and the drop to 1/6, the new rebate
amount shall be $8 instead of $16. (The HI State Federation had recommended rejection.)
NEB-01 - Adopted (74%) - Cuts RVP salaries by 50% and no COLAs for the entire NEB, effective
November 1, 2022. (The HI State Federation had recommended rejection.)
NARFE Advocacy September 2020
Hawaii State Federation Video Conference- - - - - - - - -
Thursday, 10 Sep. 2020
Hawaii State Federation Video Conference with Jesse Isleman
Point of Contact for HI Sen. Brian Schatz
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HISF Members on conference: President Joyce Matsuo; 1st VP/ Past President John Priolo; Larry Enomoto (Host-Leeward/Waikiki Chapters)
Issues and Concerns on the attached.
1. Locality Pay for Retirees – Lead Joyce Matsuo: Per Isleman, he heard from COLA attorney several months ago. No language was added to the defense appropriations bill. There will likely be a Continuing Resolution and not much else this congressional year. Perhaps next year; issue is still on their plate.
2. Medicare Part B premiums – Lead Joyce Matsuo: We asked that our delegates be prepared with last minute legislation to protect federal/USPS retirees who do not receive SSA benefits from anticipated Part B increased premiums for 2021. While SSA beneficiaries are protected under the “hold harmless provision”, we need similar permanent language for non-SSA retirees. If not in the Medicare law, we need language under Medicare law to cover all other Part B participants to include retired teachers, fire fighters and police officers. Iselman will check with Mitch Heidenreich from Rep. Ed Case’s office on possible language.
3. Use of CPI-E – Lead John Priolo: Pointed out that CPI-E provides 0.25 – 0.5% more than the current method and is a more accurate measure of the spending of seniors.
4. Federal Employees Health Benefits Program - Lead Joyce Matsuo: Does the universal health coverage proposal impact our FEHBP? Sen. Schatz supports FEHBP continuation and will monitor any related actions.
5. Postal Reform – Lead Joyce Matsuo: Locally, USPS service was not impacted by the “attack” on the USPS – no overtime, removal of sorting machines, etc. Per Isleman, Sen. Schatz supports S. 2965 and will keep pushing for bi-partisan legislation to ensure that what happened will not happen again.
6. Social Security Offsets – Lead John Priolo: Per Isleman, the Administration proposal to not collect the social security payroll tax that would defund the Social Security trust fund will not pass. Deferment of the payroll tax for remaining 2020 also is not likely to pass as it only defers payments to next year – there is no forgiveness of taxes.
HISF Members on conference: President Joyce Matsuo; 1st V.P. John Priolo; 2nd V.P. Roy Matsuo, Past 1st V.P. Larry EnomotoIssues and Concerns on the attached.
1. Locality Pay for Retirees – Lead Joyce Matsuo - not included in DoD appropriations. Per Heidenreich not much interest in a stand alone bill. Joyce to follow up with involved parties.2. Medicare Part B premiums – Lead Joyce Matsuo – Per Heidenreich Rep Case not on the proper committees but will keep an eye on it; perhaps a bill in the lame duck session.3. Use of CPI-E – Lead John Priolo – Per Heidenreich Rep Case is concerned about the impact on Hawaii retirees. John pointed out that CPI-E provides 0.25 – 0.5% more than the current method and is a more accurate measure of the spending of seniors.4. Federal Employees Health Benefits Program – Lead Joyce Matsuo – Per Heidenreich Rep. Case supports FEHBP continuation and will monitor any related actions.5. Postal Reform – Joyce Matsuo Lead – per Hiedenreich – Rep. Case cco-sponsored and voted for H.R. 2382 which passed the House as well as the $25B for USPS which also passed the House.6. Social Security Offsets – Lead John Priolo – Per Heidenreich Rep. Case cosponsored H.R. 141 and noted that the administration proposol to not collect the social security payroll tax is not in the House passed Heroes bill and will insure Medicare solvency.
Reported by OPM and USPS for f/y 2019
Rev 9/4/2020
Federal Employees | 22,998 | Federal Annuitants | 18,942 |
USPS Workers | 2,416 | Survivor Annuitants | 6,018 |
Locality Pay Consideration for Retirees (retired in 1994 through 2009) in Hawaii, Alaska, and the U.S. Territories.
The Federal Employees Pay and Comparability Act established Locality Pay, commencing in 1994, which counts towards retirement, for federal employees in the 48 contiguous states. In 2009 federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii and the Territories began a 4 year phase in to Locality Pay at 25% per year. Those who retired prior were not included.
Update – In March 2019, we worked with our Hawaii (and Alaska) House congressional delegates to submit a request for appropriations language for the next fiscal year directing OPM to re-calculate pre-2010 retirees’ annuities if locality pay was included in their high-3 years’ earnings. We learned that a similar request was submitted by the former COLA Class Attorney and accepted with OPM’s report due in 90 days. Status is unknown at this time.
We continue to work with the Hawaii and Alaska DC staff members to introduce legislation in both the House and the Senate.
Each year that nothing is done, pre-2010 federal retirees incur an $18+ million pension loss amount.
2. Medicare Part B premiums
While employed, all federal and US Postal Service employees pay the same Medicare withholding taxes as those in the private sectors who are covered by Social Security. As retirees, we receive the same annual COLA adjustments as SSA beneficiaries. As participants in Part B coverage, we all belong to the same risk pool.
Yet, in years of -0- COLA adjustments, those of us not covered by Social Security must pay annual Part B premium increases while SSA recipients do not. The “hold harmless provision” is found only in SSA law. Each year of -0- or minimal COLA adjustments, legislation needs to be passed to minimize the entire premium increase for non-SSA recipients.
Request each of our congressional delegates introduce permanent legislation to provide the same “hold harmless provision” to federal annuitants and their survivors, and also to non-SSA beneficiaries as state/local government teachers, police officers, and firefighters.
3. Fair COLA for Seniors Act H.R. 1553 – This bill requires that Social Security and federal retirement programs use the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) to calculate cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to retirement benefits. Request support of this bill.
4. Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP) – The program has been in existence since 1959, covering federal employees, annuitants, and their dependents. It is the largest employer-sponsored health insurance program in the nation. Health insurance experts consider the FEHBP a model program. Its framework needs to be preserved and protected, especially in light of current discussions on universal health care.
5. Postal Reform. NARFE supports the following:
- maintain 6 days’ delivery per week (H. Res. 60);
- keep small post offices open;
- relieve the burden on the USPS to prefund over 10 years its future
retiree health care obligations that are estimated to accrue over the next 75 years (H.R. 2382 passed the House/S. 2965);
- allow OPM to refund monies to the USPS on the condition that the reduction in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund would not result in the reduction of federal annuities paid to retirees and survivors; and
- keep USPS employees and retirees under the Federal Health Benefits Plan.
- not allow USPS to create its own health benefits plan that would require all retirees to enroll in Medicare Part B in order to retain their health plan coverage.
6. The Social Security Offsets - Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and
Government Pension Offset (GPO)
The WEP applies to CSRS retirees who receive a federal annuity and who worked in non-government jobs, earning Social Security benefits. Their Social Security benefits are reduced by their government annuity.
CSRS retirees whose spouses receive Social Security benefits are entitled to receive spousal SSA benefits. However, their SSA benefits are reduced by 2/3 of their federal annuity.
NARFE works to repeal or reform these Social Security offsets:
H.R. 141 and S.521 – the Social Security Fairness Act of 2019 would fully eliminate the WEP and GPO.
H.R. 3934/S. 3401 and H.R. 4540, propose a reduction in the WEP penalty.
On Friday, July 3, a NARFE staff member who had been on site at NARFE headquarters alerted us that he or she had tested positive for COVID-19.
Due to our staggered work schedule and mask-wearing/hand-washing mandates, very few people were at risk of being exposed. Nonetheless, in accordance with CDC and Virginia Department of Health protocols regarding the transmission of COVID-19, we have closed the headquarters building through July 16 (reopening on July 17) and communicated with our staff about next steps to take.
Since the original pandemic closure in March, NARFE operations have become more flexible and agile. Employees with the ability and capacity to work from home will continue to do so through the closure; some staff will be furloughed for the period.
We look forward to continuing to serve our members and the entire federal community. Some operational functions, as before, will be limited. For instructions on reaching NARFE National Headquarters during the closure, please visit the NARFE Operation Status page on the web
Tele-Talk Story with Rep. Ed Case – 4/8/2020
Summary (by Joyce Matsuo)
Rep. Case spoke for about 30 minutes on the stimulus package and what Congress is contemplating for the near future. He opened the “floor” to questions which came in from the phone que. There were too many questions and you did not know where you stood in the que. I was unable to ask my questions. Below is a quick summary of this session.
- Reviewed the US and HI statistics – we are to continue and strengthen mitigation efforts because it works. If you are not infected, save n95 masks for the medical workers and first responders. HI now requires general face mask when in public. Use them even though they are not n95 quality as they do help in the mitigation.
- He sees the economic safety net in 3 stages: (1) Survival mode which we are in now with emphasis to keep small business survive; (2) Regaining some stability – getting to the downside of the curve and get back to our base; and (3) Recovery.
As part of stages 2 and 3 – perhaps we will need to isolate infected persons and create safe zones for others.
- Stimulus packages:The first package was to fund scientific research for a vaccine and test kits. The second supplemented unemployment claims, paid family/sick leave, and food stamp program. The third, CARES Act, provided $500 billion for grant/loans to small businesses and $350 billion paycheck protection to keep their employees on the payroll even though not actually working – e.g. airlines employees and $300 billion for individual relief payments; $126 billion to hospitals and for PPEs.
- Individual relief payments: About 161 million individuals will be eligible for these payments. About 50% of the public are to see payments next week.
- CARES II Act is being drafted now.
Some questions –
1. When do you think tourism will resume?
When should HI lift restrictions? Criteria?
Tourism is in dire straits, survival mode right now. Tourists need to feel safe and the public needs to feel safe. Do we isolate risks? This situation might last at least a year, before a vaccine is developed. No criteria as yet.
Do we take temperatures of travelers at the airports? The 5-minute Abbott covid test equipment was ordered for Hawaii but only a few was received or on its way. .
2. How can non-profits better engage with the government to support those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers?
CARES includes non-profits in their assistance programs.
3. Status of SBA loan applications? A revised application form just came out and is confusing us.
The turnaround time for applications is 3-4 days but this is not happening consistently. Was this time period realistic? If you have a relationship with the bank, you will probably get helped faster. (His office is available to assist.)
4. Why was the Inspector General on the oversight committee for the $2 trillion CARES Act fired? The President appointed his own IG.
IGs are appointed positions. CARES requires an oversight commission to prevent government fraud, waste and abuse. The commission is to do its work.
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Follow up to be e-mailed to Case’s office:
1. Will Hawaii get the 5-minute test kit and/or other fast-testing kits?
Lt. Gov. recommendation that everyone be tested for COVID-19. Have our congressionals pushed extra hard to get more 5-minute test equipment and other quick testing to all our residents very soon. Our Dept. of Health is Not doing a good enough job to protect us!
2. Can you verify that all individuals to include federal retirees will be receiving the $1200?
The information to date on how the tax relief payments would go out does not provide the same procedures for federal/USPS retirees as for SSA and RRB recipients.
The government will use SSA/RRB-1099 data and tax returns for 2018 or 2019 to identify eligible persons and send out payments. SSA recipients whose income are too low to require filing tax returns do not have to file anything and should be receiving relief payments through their SSA-1099 forms.
Can the government use our OPM-generated F1990-R for federal/USPS retirees to get the tax relief payments to federal/USPS retirees with low incomes who are not required to file annual tax returns?
This would alleviate having to file what the IRS is calling “simple returns” in order to get their share of the tax relief payments.
Tax relief payouts are to terminate at the end of 2020.
QUESTION: Can my grandchild be covered by my Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Self Plus One or Self and Family enrollment?
ANSWER: Your grandchild may be eligible for FEHB coverage if he/she meets the eligibility requirements for foster children. The requirements are:
- the child must be under age 26 (if the child is over age 26, he/she must be incapable of self-support due to a disability that existed before age 26);
- the child must currently live with you;
- the parent-child relationship must be with you, not the child's biological parent;
- you must currently be the primary source of financial support for the child; and
- you must expect to raise the child to adulthood.
For your grandchild to be covered under your FEHB enrollment, you must sign a certification stating that your grandchild meets all the requirements and that you will notify your employing office (if employed) or OPM (if retired) if the child moves out of the home or stops being financially dependent on you. Submit this certification to your employing office or OPM, who will then determine whether your grandchild meets the requirements. If approved, your employing office or OPM will notify your FEHB plan that your grandchild should be added to your enrollment.
NARFE is a membership association of active and retired federal and USPS employees and their survivor annuitants. Like other union and employees’ associations, NARFE fights for active employees’ pay and benefits but it is the only organization that works to protect our earned retirement benefits. Join NARFE today.
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Scam Alerts: 1. SCAM ALERT – NEW MEDICARE CARD
Starting 4/1/18 Medicare will start a year-long project to replace all current Medicare cards for beneficiaries to convert to alphanumeric ID numbers. Currently, the ID number is your social security number. The new cards will be mailed out from April 2018 to April 2019. You don't need to request it or do anything. Medicare does not charge for cards or want your personal information over the phone. DO NOT give out any information over the phone or to anyone who comes to your home.
Example of the new Medicare cards  WHAT'S THE SCAM? Somebody from "MEDICARE " will call to tell you that you are getting a new Medicare card. But until it comes you will need a temporary card. Fee for the card is between $5-50 dollars. They want personal information, bank account or credit card so they can process your temporary card. THINGS TO REMEMBER: Medicare will never call you unless you ask them to. Medicare does all communications by mail unless you ask them to call. Ditto for anybody saying they "work with Medicare to make sure you get everything you are entitled to" .
If it has happened to you or your friends or loved ones and personal info has been given out immediately take action to protect yourself against identity theft. 2. IRS Warns Taxpayers, Tax Pros of New Email Scam Targeting Hotmail Users WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers and tax professionals of a new email scam targeting Hotmail users that is being used to steal personal and financial information.The phishing email subject line reads: “Internal Revenue Service Email No. XXXX | We’re processing your request soon | TXXXXXX-XXXXXXXX”. The email leads taxpayers to sign in to a fake Microsoft page and then asks for personal and financial information. The IRS has received over 900 complaints about this new phishing scheme that seems to exclusively target Hotmail users. The suspect websites associated with this scam have been shut down, but taxpayers should be on the lookout for similar schemes. Individuals who receive unsolicited emails claiming to be from the IRS should forward it to phishing@irs.gov and then delete it. It is important to keep in mind the IRS generally does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. For more information, visit the “Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts” page on IRS.gov. The IRS reminds tax professionals to be aware of phishing emails, free offers and other common tricks by scammers. Tax professionals who have data breaches should contact the IRS immediately through their Stakeholder Liaison. See Data Theft Information for Tax Professionals. |
Kaneohe Chapter Vice President Receives Congressional Gold Medal
Upper Left - Federation President John Priolo and Dr. Ernest HarrisUpper Right- First Lady Dawn Ige, Senator Brian Schatz, Dr. Ernest Harris and Betty Jo HarrisLower Front - Sandra Kawate, Grace Kramer, Dr. Ernest Harris, Betty Jo Harris, Audrey Choy and Lucy IgeLower Back - John Priolo, Marvin Iseke, Virginia Rolland and Kathryn Tsumura
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Dr. Ernest J. Harris, Kaneohe Chapter 1681, Vice President, received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest congressional honor given to a civilian, in a presentation at Washington Place on Saturday, November 12, 2016 for his service as a member of the Montford Point Marines. He was among the first wave of African Americans who volunteered to become U.S. Marines at Monford Point, North Carolina. He was grateful that as a result of his military service , he was able to receive financial support for a college education under the GI Bill.Dr. Harris earned a Bachelors degree in Chemistry with a minor in Zoology from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a Master's degree in Entomology from the University of Minnesota and a PhD in Entomology from the University of Hawaii.He worked for the USDA in Hawaii for 40 years and was recognized for his work on eradication of the fruit fly, in over 20 countries and has published over 120 peer-reviewed papers.The Hawaii Federation is extremely proud of his accomplishments and along with his wife Bettyre Jo and their children Mark, Tanya and Greg.
Relocated Notices and Alerts (click on topic below to view)
