FAQs
NARFE
Q: What does NARFE do?
A: The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) has been protecting and improving the earned benefits of federal employees, retirees and their families since 1921. NARFE is an advocate for both active and retired federal employees before Congress and the White House. NARFE sponsors and supports legislation to protect the earned benefits and general welfare of members. Membership totals some 175,000.
A: The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) has been protecting and improving the earned benefits of federal employees, retirees and their families since 1921. NARFE is an advocate for both active and retired federal employees before Congress and the White House. NARFE sponsors and supports legislation to protect the earned benefits and general welfare of members. Membership totals some 175,000.
MEMBERSHIP
Q: Why should I join NARFE?
A: In addition to NARFE’s legislative efforts on behalf of members and their families, NARFE membership includes: advance information on changes to your federal retirement, health and other employee and retiree benefits; an award-winning monthly magazine and exclusive Web site access; access to live and recorded webinars about employee and retiree benefits; special member discounts and eligibility for college scholarships and disaster relief grants
A: In addition to NARFE’s legislative efforts on behalf of members and their families, NARFE membership includes: advance information on changes to your federal retirement, health and other employee and retiree benefits; an award-winning monthly magazine and exclusive Web site access; access to live and recorded webinars about employee and retiree benefits; special member discounts and eligibility for college scholarships and disaster relief grants
Q: What are the requirements of membership?
A: Membership is open to civilians in any agency of the federal or the District of Columbia governments who contribute(d) to a federal retirement plan, under either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Included are current employees, former employees, retirees and their spouses, spouses and surviving spouses of those eligible to join NARFE, and former spouses who are legally eligible for a federal or survivor annuity. You don’t have to be retired to join NARFE. One out of every five new members is an active federal employee. There is no minimum age requirement.
A: Membership is open to civilians in any agency of the federal or the District of Columbia governments who contribute(d) to a federal retirement plan, under either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Included are current employees, former employees, retirees and their spouses, spouses and surviving spouses of those eligible to join NARFE, and former spouses who are legally eligible for a federal or survivor annuity. You don’t have to be retired to join NARFE. One out of every five new members is an active federal employee. There is no minimum age requirement.
Q: Can military retirees join NARFE?
A: Military service does not qualify for membership in NARFE. To find other organizations you could consider joining instead, see MilitaryLife.com for their extensive list of Military Associations.
A: Military service does not qualify for membership in NARFE. To find other organizations you could consider joining instead, see MilitaryLife.com for their extensive list of Military Associations.
Q: If I work(ed) for the U.S. Postal Service, can I join NARFE?
A: Yes, postal employees and retirees are eligible for NARFE membership.
A: Yes, postal employees and retirees are eligible for NARFE membership.
Q: How do I become a NARFE member?
A: To join other active and retired federal workers who are NARFE members, you can visit the NARFE website at www.narfe.org. Click on MEMBERSHIP at the top of the page and then the JOIN button on either the “Benefits of Joining NARFE” or “NARFE Perks” pages. Or you can contact Recruitment and Retention at 800-627-3394 or write to Recruitment and Retention to get started.
A: To join other active and retired federal workers who are NARFE members, you can visit the NARFE website at www.narfe.org. Click on MEMBERSHIP at the top of the page and then the JOIN button on either the “Benefits of Joining NARFE” or “NARFE Perks” pages. Or you can contact Recruitment and Retention at 800-627-3394 or write to Recruitment and Retention to get started.
Q: Can my spouse join NARFE?
A: Spouses are encouraged to join NARFE so that they can participate in activities of the Association, vote, hold office and become more knowledgeable about federal employee and retirement benefits.
A: Spouses are encouraged to join NARFE so that they can participate in activities of the Association, vote, hold office and become more knowledgeable about federal employee and retirement benefits.
DUES
Q: How much does it cost to join?
A: Active federal employees, retired federal employees, their spouses and survivor annuitants can enroll for $48.00 for the first year in lieu of national and chapter dues. Upon the anniversary date for renewal, these members will have the option of renewing for multiple years. The one-year rate is $48.00, plus one-year chapter dues of record; the two-year rate is $72.00, plus two years’ chapter dues of record; or the three-year rate is $102.00, plus three years’ chapter dues of record.
Q: What is dues withholding?
A: By signing an authorization form, retired members and survivor annuitants instruct the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to withhold 1/12 of their annual Association dues each month from their annuity. OPM will send the money to NARFE. This can be arranged for both national and chapter dues. Dues cannot be deducted from the paychecks of active federal employees.
A: By signing an authorization form, retired members and survivor annuitants instruct the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to withhold 1/12 of their annual Association dues each month from their annuity. OPM will send the money to NARFE. This can be arranged for both national and chapter dues. Dues cannot be deducted from the paychecks of active federal employees.
Q: Is life membership available? If so, how much does it cost?
A: Yes, national life membership is available. A member can pay for all future national dues with one payment or with four consecutive quarterly payments in the first year. The amount of dues is based on age. Members are invoiced each year for chapter dues. Read the NARFE Life Membership flyer for details and the dues structure. You can also contact Member Services at 800-456-8410 or write to Member Records to find out more information.
A: Yes, national life membership is available. A member can pay for all future national dues with one payment or with four consecutive quarterly payments in the first year. The amount of dues is based on age. Members are invoiced each year for chapter dues. Read the NARFE Life Membership flyer for details and the dues structure. You can also contact Member Services at 800-456-8410 or write to Member Records to find out more information.
Q: Can I pay dues over the phone or via the NARFE Web site?
A: Yes. Member Records at 800-456-8410 can respond to questions regarding billing, dues withholding, renewals or change of information. Dues also may be submitted via the NARFE website, www.new.narfe.org. Go to “FOR MEMBERS” and then “RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP.”
A: Yes. Member Records at 800-456-8410 can respond to questions regarding billing, dues withholding, renewals or change of information. Dues also may be submitted via the NARFE website, www.new.narfe.org. Go to “FOR MEMBERS” and then “RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP.”
Q: What else will I have to pay for as a NARFE member?
A: It’s your choice. You can donate to NARFE’s Alzheimer’s Fund, NARFE-PAC, the scholarship fund or other areas of interest. However, these are all voluntary contributions. None are required.
A: It’s your choice. You can donate to NARFE’s Alzheimer’s Fund, NARFE-PAC, the scholarship fund or other areas of interest. However, these are all voluntary contributions. None are required.
CHAPTERS
Q: Do I have to join a chapter?
A: No, chapter membership is voluntary. Members who do not join a chapter are categorized as National-only members. They pay NARFE association dues only. They are still supported by the federation for the state in which they reside, can attend their federation’s annual convention/meeting and can vote in national elections. They may occasionally receive updates from their state federation.
A: No, chapter membership is voluntary. Members who do not join a chapter are categorized as National-only members. They pay NARFE association dues only. They are still supported by the federation for the state in which they reside, can attend their federation’s annual convention/meeting and can vote in national elections. They may occasionally receive updates from their state federation.
Q: How are members assigned to chapters?
A: A member’s assignment to a chapter is usually based on the zip code of the member’s permanent legal residence. However, each member retains the right and option of belonging to any chapter. Check the NARFE Find a Chapter Tool, contact Member Records at 800-456-8410 or write to Member Records for answers to
questions about chapter assignment and transfer.
Q: Is there a chapter near me?
A: With more than 1,500 chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Panama, Guam, the Philippines and the Virgin Islands, it is likely that there is a chapter close to your home or workplace. Check the NARFE Find a Chapter Tool, contact Member Records at 800-456-8410 or write to Member Records to find a chapter near you.
A: With more than 1,500 chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Panama, Guam, the Philippines and the Virgin Islands, it is likely that there is a chapter close to your home or workplace. Check the NARFE Find a Chapter Tool, contact Member Records at 800-456-8410 or write to Member Records to find a chapter near you.
Q: How much are chapter dues?
A: Chapter dues are set by chapters and range from $2.00 to $20.00, with the average being about $6.00. As a chapter member, you have a voice in setting your chapter’s dues, based upon the programs developed within that chapter.
A: Chapter dues are set by chapters and range from $2.00 to $20.00, with the average being about $6.00. As a chapter member, you have a voice in setting your chapter’s dues, based upon the programs developed within that chapter.
Q: When I move, how do I find out if there is a chapter closer to my new home?
A: Check the NARFE Find a Chapter Tool, contact Member Services at 800-456-8410, or write to Member Services to locate area chapters and to register your chapter transfer.
A: Check the NARFE Find a Chapter Tool, contact Member Services at 800-456-8410, or write to Member Services to locate area chapters and to register your chapter transfer.
Q: If I have trouble reaching the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and need help with retirement issues, can NARFE help?
A: NARFE’s Federal Benefits Institute is staffed with skilled professionals waiting to assist you in resolving benefit and insurance problems. In addition, there are 122 service centers nationwide maintained by NARFE in federal agencies or on military installations. Chapters also have volunteer Service Officers ready to help. You can contact the Institute by filling out the online form on their web page.
A: NARFE’s Federal Benefits Institute is staffed with skilled professionals waiting to assist you in resolving benefit and insurance problems. In addition, there are 122 service centers nationwide maintained by NARFE in federal agencies or on military installations. Chapters also have volunteer Service Officers ready to help. You can contact the Institute by filling out the online form on their web page.