Starting in 2017, hundreds of thousands of retired federal workers in the U.S. who receive civil service pensions will be paying significantly more for their Medicare Part B premiums compared to their fellow retirees who receive Social Security benefits.

Thus, instead of receiving a 0.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment, the civil service retirees will be receiving a cut in their pensions. A bill has been introduced in Congress (H.R. 6428) to help reduce this disparity.

This bill is strongly supported by the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). The purpose of NARFE is to organize thousands of active and retired federal employees to advocate for their fair treatment by legislatures. NARFE is divided into hundreds of chapters throughout the U.S. There are two chapters in Kitsap County: Chapter 181 that meets in Bremerton, and Chapter 881 that meets in Poulsbo.

As the U.S. moves into 2017 with a new administration, the fate of federal retirees is uncertain. If new laws are proposed that are potentially detrimental to these retirees, it will be important to have a strong advocacy organization, like NARFE, to fight for their rights.

If people are interested in becoming a member NARFE, they can contact narfe.org to join, and they can join a local NARFE chapter and attend quarterly meetings. For example, Chapter 881 in Poulsbo meets at Vinland Lutheran Church the third Thursday of March, June, September, and December at 11:30 a.m. A potluck lunch is served.

Bruce McCain

Suquamish