NARFE Chapter 151

Note there will be no meeting in July.  Our next regular meeting will be the Chapter 151 annual picnic on Friday, August 6th at the Speedway Moose Lodge, which is located at 4917 W. Vermont St., Indianapolis, IN.  The picnic will be from 12:30 PM to approximately 3:00 PM.  See a map to the Speedway Moose Lodge below.  Click here for a printable map to the Speedway Moose Lodge.  Click here for the August 6th picnic flyer.

Chapter 151’s special guest speaker at the June 4, 2021 meeting was Harry Tunnell, Ph.D., Director-IT Clinical Trial Operations,  Medicines Development Information and Digital Solutions at Eli Lilly and Co. and Adjunct Lecturer, Human-Computer Interaction, at IUPUI.  Artificial Intelligence or AI is the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior.

Dr. Tunnell explained that AI is embedded in everyday life via internet commerce, such as Amazon, Uber, and Netflix.  This weak AI consists of machine learning and computer algorithms.  Weak AI is used today.  Strong AI is what we see in science fiction movies, or a cohesive conversation with a computer. Currently, when we talk with Alexa or Siri, which have weak AI, they can make associations based on what we say, but we can’t have a real conversation. It is still good, though.

An algorithm is composed of a series of instructions, data is put in, and then the data goes through processes like a decision tree.  Another term frequently heard is metadata, which is data about data or information about information.  It describes the data.

Machine learning models get data, clean, prepare, and manipulate data, train the module, test the data, and make improvements.  For these models to be effective, data must come from a variety of sources.   A growing area of focus in the field of AI is diversity of AI team members in terms of gender, race, and ethnicity as everyone brings different life experiences.  Diversity allows for more comprehensive data can be picked and labeled correctly for the models, so they can be better.

Dr. Tunnell concluded by stating that Cybersecurity is the next big field. There are currently not enough people working in that area and Cybersecurity is a good field to go into now.

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Harry Tunnell, Ph.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Persons 12 years or older can now register for the COVID19 vaccination.  (Please note that anyone younger than 18 must receive the Pfizer vaccine.  It is the only vaccine to receive Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA for that age group. Proof of age will be required at the time of vaccination.  Anyone younger than 18 years old must make an appointment at a site that offers the Pfizer vaccine.)  Go to www.ourshot.in.gov.  Click on the red horizontal bar in the middle of the screen that says “Click here to find a vaccination site and register.”  After clicking on the red horizontal bar, click on one of the vaccination sites listed and there will be a link that says, “Click here to register”.  Also, you may register by calling the number 2-1-1.

 

Click here for the Chapter 151 June/July 2021 bulletin.

Click here for the Chapter 151 May 2021 bulletin.

Click here for the Chapter 151 April 2021 bulletin.

Click here for the Chapter 151 March 2021 bulletin.

Click here for the Chapter 151 February 2021 bulletin.

Click here for the Chapter 151 January 2021 bulletin.

Click here for the Chapter 151 November 2020 bulletin.

Click here for the Chapter 151 October 2020 bulletin.

Click here for the Chapter 151 September 2020 bulletin.

Click here for the Chapter 151 August 2020 bulletin.

 

 

 

NO MEETING IN JULY

August 6, 2021 - Chapter 151 Annual Picnic

September 3, 2021 - Chapter 151 Members' Meeting

 

Chapter 151 President

 

 

 

 

   

    

 

    

 

Are you one of the more than 1.9 million retirees whose Social Security benefits are reduced each month by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)?  Or are you a widow or widower who receives a federal annuity but is prevented from collecting full Social Security benefits earned by your spouse due to the Government Pension Offset (GPO)?  Join NARFE’s advocacy effort to have these unfair provisions repealed.

 

Visit NARFE’s Legislative Action Center to send a message to your Senators urging them to cosponsor?the Social Security Fairness Act, S. 1302, companion legislation to House bill, H.R. 82.  This legislation would fully repeal the?WEP and the GPO.  Click here for for a link to NARFE's Legislative Action Center.

 

Thanks to those who have already sent messages to their Representatives to cosponsor H.R. 82, the bill’s cosponsors now stand at 136.  We are pushing to increase the bill’s cosponsors to 290 because House rules stipulate that any bill with 290 cosponsors will receive a vote on the House floor.  So, if you have not already done so, please also send a message to your Representative and urge him or her to cosponsor the bill.  Let’s keep building on this momentum to secure a vote on this legislation in the 117th Congress.   The WEP affects government retirees who collect both a federal annuity from their government jobs and Social Security benefits from private employment.  Meanwhile, the GPO prevents government retirees who receive a federal annuity from collecting full Social Security spousal benefits.  In this situation, Social Security spousal or survivor benefits are reduced by two-thirds of the federal retiree’s government annuity.  Often, this leaves widows and widowers with no spousal benefits at all. For more information about the provisions, please consult NARFE's WEP/GPO brief.  Click here for a copy of NARFE's WEP/GPO brief.

 

This article, dated April 27, 2021, was authored by Evan Dean on NARFE's website at www.NARFE.org.

 

The emails sound legitimate: a NARFE officer asks that you buy a Walmart gift card to help a charity, or a relative urgently needs you to send a digital gift card from Amazon to help cover family expenses.

Unfortunately, these requests were sent by scammers trying to steal from you. That’s because gift cards are like cash: If you buy a gift card and someone uses it, you probably cannot get your money back.

How Scammers Operate
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has found that that gift cards continue to be the most common form of payment used when consumers report losing money to most scammers. About one in four people who tell the FTC they lost money to fraud say they paid with a gift card. In fact, gift cards have topped the list of reported fraud payment methods every year since 2018.

Most often, consumers that use gift cards to pay a scammer are drawn in by an imposter scam, such as someone pretending to be a NARFE officer or your cousin. They might say they’re in serious trouble with the government and must buy “electronic vouchers” to avoid arrest. They may play on your generosity, requesting gift cards to on behalf of a nonprofit or religious institution. Some people say scammers posing as businesses promised special promotional pricing for phone or TV service if they paid for the first three months with a gift card. Others thought they were buying gift cards to evaluate a retailer as a “secret shopper.”

Whenever someone demands to be paid with a gift card, that’s a scam.

What You Can Do
If you think you’ve been targeted by scammers, click here to report what happened to the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/.

If you paid someone with a gift card by giving them the numbers on the card, keep the card and your receipt, and report it to the card issuer immediately.

To learn more about spotting and avoiding gift card scams, see www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/paying-scammers-gift-cards.

This article by, dated April 27, 2021, was authored by Evan Dean  on NARFE's website at www.NARFE.org.

 

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is one step closer to stable leadership under the Biden administration, following years of continuous turnover at the top. On April 22, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing considering Kiran Ahuja, President Biden’s nominee for OPM director. Ahuja previously served as OPM chief of staff during the Obama administration and is currently the chief executive officer of Philanthropy Northwest.

Ahuja also testified that remote and telework options would be some of her top priorities if confirmed as OPM director, following questions on the subject from Lankford. Ahuja noted that the entire country is rethinking work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the federal government should, too. Expanded remote and telework programs, she said, provide advantages for both the government and its employees, including savings on locality pay and physical office space, and new job opportunities for individuals that live outside of an urban center, along with improved work-life balance.

Ranking Member Rob Portman, R-OH, noted complaints from federal employees that not enough is done to address poor performers. Ahuja said that poor performance is usually caused by a lack of employee engagement and a “mismatch of skills and talents,” and OPM needs to better support and train managers to focus more on supervision and performance management guidance. Portman also indicated he wanted to work with Ahuja on cybersecurity issues, as well as long-standing GAO-identified high-risk areas, like strategic human capital management.

If confirmed, Ahuja would replace OPM’s Acting Director Kathleen McGettigan and would be the seventh person to hold the director position since 2017. Ahuja’s nomination is scheduled to be voted on this week by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. If approved, the nomination will move to the full Senate for a vote.

This article, dated April 27, 2021, was authored by Evan Dean on NARFE's website at www.NARFE.org.

 

NARFE’s Centennial received Congressional bipartisan congressional recognition with House and Senate resolutions congratulating NARFE on its 100 years of defending and advancing the earned pay and benefits of the federal community. The bipartisan show of support is a testament to the work of NARFE and its members.

In the Senate, Senator Ben Cardin, D-MD, introduced the resolution. He said “Our civil servants make possible the daily work of government, and NARFE for generations has delivered valuable guidance, timely resources, and powerful advocacy relating to the earned pay and benefits of federal workers.” NARFE President Ken Thomas thanked the legislators.

For additional information, please see the May 2021 issue of NARFE magazine from which information in this article was taken in an article authored by Ross Apter.

 

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NACL) will be holding its Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive in a different format this year. Rather than leaving bags of food in their mailboxes the second Saturday in May, postal customers are urged to visit the website, www.nalc.org/food to find a local foodbank that needs their financial support and make a donation.

Retired NARFE members, their spouses, and annuitant survivors have the option to have their annual NARFE membership dues deducted from their annuities each month.  One-twelfth of total dues is automatically deducted from your monthly annuity.  The monthly deduction is determined by the following formula:  ($42 NARFE dues ÷ 12) + (Chapter dues - if applicable ÷ 12) = total monthly deduction

Complete the Dues Withholding Application. Send no payment. It may take 60 to 90 days before auto-deduction starts.  Click here for a printable version of the NARFE Dues Withholding Application (form DW-2).

 

June 4:  Chapter151 Member Meeting

June 14:  Flag Day

June 19:  Juneteenth Day

July 1:  National Postal Worker Day

July 4:  Independence Day

July 21:  National Junk Food Day

July 25:  National Hire A Veteran Day

August 6:  Chapter151 Annual Picnic

August 26:  National Dog Day

September 3:  Chapter 151 Monthly Members' Meeting

 

NARFE-PAC, the political arm of NARFE, works to defend earned pay and benefits by building strong relationships between NARFE and members of Congress. NARFE-PAC is a vehicle for NARFE members to pool their resources and contribute to our supporters in Congress as well as to campaign committees and leadership PAC. A strong NARFE-PAC ensures that our voice is being heard. Listed below are the new goals for the 2021-2022 election cycle, which will be here before we know it.

• Raise $1.85 million

• Disburse $1.35 million in political contributions

• Send NARFE members to 120 local Fundraisers

Donations to NARFE provide necessary funds to support NARFE’s critical legislative efforts to preserve and protect the earned benefits of the federal community and to develop dependable resources and tools to help NARFE members fully understand, manage, and make the most of their benefits.

Donations to NARFE and NARFE-PAC are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.  If you would like to contribute to NARFE-PAC, there is a form in the monthly NARFE magazine that you can complete and send in to make contributions or Click here for a printable version of the NARFE PAC Contribution Form or Click here for a link to contribute on line.  Mail the completed form along with your check (made payable to NARFE-PAC) to:

 

Effective January 1, 2021 the National dues of $40 per year increased to $48. Our annual Chapter dues of $10.00 remained the same.    Therefore, Chapter 151 members who will remit a dues renewal payment after January 1, 2021 will owe the amount as follows:

 

To All Our chapter 151 members celebrating a birthday during June 2021.

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Congratulations and Happy anniversary to all Chapter 151 members celebrating a wedding anniversary during June 2021.

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This year, NARFE commemorates its centennial, celebrating 100 years of representing and serving the federal workforce. Over the past century, NARFE has scored countless victories in preventing various proposals by many administrations and Congress to cut the earned pay and benefits of federal employees and retirees, such as unfair Medicare increases. NARFE was founded in 1921 and our own Chapter 151 was founded 69 years ago.  For the first quarter century, the association had no chapter structure.  It was not until 1947 that NARFE’s constitution was amended to permit the chartering of chapters in local communities.  The first three chapters were chartered in Washington D.C., Kansas City, KS., and Los Angeles, CA. Chapter 0001, in the District of Columbia and Chapter 0002 in Kansas are still active today.

America’s federal community totals nearly 5.2 million federal and postal employees, retirees and their survivors. Nearly 2.8 million of these are current federal employees working in every community across America. Over 85% of the federal workforce is employed outside of the Washington D.C. area. Federal employees and retirees are the backbone of America’s middle class and represent our country’s best and brightest.

NARFE, with your help, will continue to fight for your earned pay and benefits in the future. Let’s do all we can to encourage eligible federal employees to join and strengthen our outreach.

For additional information, please see the January/February and April 2021 issues of NARFE magazine from which information in this article was taken or www.narfe.org.

 

A bill was passed in Indiana that provides Federal Civil Service retirees receiving compensation under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) a tax deduction of up to $8,000 effective for tax year 2015 and a tax deduction of up to $16,000 effective for tax year 2016 and thereafter on Indiana State income taxes. The retiree(s) must be at least sixty-two (62) years of age before the end of the applicable taxable year. The Civil Service Annuity Deduction is under "Other Deductions". The code for this deduction is "601". Refer to the IT-40 Full-Year Resident Individual Income Tax Booklet, which can be obtained from the Indiana Department of Revenue website at www.in.gov/dor/, regarding requirements and procedures for claiming this deduction. The booklet also provides examples on how to calculate the amount of deduction that may be received. Click on "Tax Forms" (on the top of the screen). Under "Individual Income Tax Forms", click on "Download Here" (in the blue box). Then click on "IT-40 Booklet" and click on "Open" at the bottom of your screen, when prompted. Instructions regarding the deduction are on page 18 of the IT-40 Full-Year Resident Individual Income Tax Booklet under "Line 11 - Other Deductions".  Also, you may Click here to directly access the IT-40 Full-Year Resident Individual Income Tax Booklet (2020).  If you feel you were entitled to take the deduction, but inadvertently failed to take it, you may be able to file an amended return in order to receive the deduction. Consult with your tax advisor and/or the Indiana Department of Revenue.

Click on the images below for an enlarged view.

Indiana State Capital Building

   

 

Indiana State Flag

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for the Pop Quiz on Federal Benefits, as described in the October 2020 Chapter 151 bulletin.

 

Members often contact the NARFE Federal Benefits Institute when they have difficulty reaching the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).  However, many of the questions involved can be answered by going on-line at www.servicesonline.opm.gov.  There is no need to wait on hold; you can do it yourself.

Some of the things that you can do online include:

   Change your federal and state income tax withholding.

   Change your mailing address.

   Set up direct deposit of your payment.

   Set up a checking or saving allotment.  

   Request a duplicate annuity booklet.

The first step in using the online system is to create an account and create a password as you do with all online accounts. You will also need your claim number, which can be found on documents from OPM, such as your annuity statement, 1099R tax statement, your retirement benefit booklet and the Retirement Services Reference Card that was sent to you when you retired.  

The Retirement Center can also be reached at 1-888-767-6738.

Information for this article was taken from an article by James Reeves in the May 2020 NARFE Magazine.

 

The NARFE Membership Application Form has been revised.  Click here to view and print the revised form.

 

Please contact Ella Johnson, Membership Chairperson at (317) 837-6862 or ejohnson6999@sbcglobal.net with any information regarding the death of any Chapter 151 member.  Please provide Ella with the member’s name and address, date of death, NARFE ID# (if known) and information about name of spouse, and funeral services information (if known).

 

The NARFE Federal Benefits Institute is a member-only resource designed to help NARFE members take charge of their federal benefits and guarantee a secure future.  To attend the live events, access the on-demand sessions, benefits briefs, and other free resources visit www.narfe.org/federalbenefitsinstitute.

 

At NARFE headqurters, experts are available to answer questions and to assist in helping with a variety of benefit matters.

Call NARFE at:

800-456-8410

Option 2

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I am attaching a link to the NARFE Life Membership Program Brochure in response to a question from one of our Chapter 151 members regarding this program.  Click here for a printable version of the Life Membership Program Brochure.  As stated in the brochure, NARFE Life Membership offers a payment option to current members that allows a one-time payment (or installments) for payment of the National Dues that would be paid in full during the one year commencing with the application submission.  The Chapter Dues would continue to be paid annually.

If you have any trouble printing a copy of the brochure, or have further questions, please contact Membership Chairperson Ella Johnson at (317) 837-6862 or at ejohnson6999@sbcglobal.net.

Ella Johnson Membership Chair

 

 

 

  

An elevator speech is simply a summary – or the best possible way to present NARFE and the value of membership within a limited amount of time. We seldom have the luxury of a relaxed, extended discussion with a potential NARFE member. Instead, it is the hurried pitch to busy attendees of a health fair or a brief, chance encounter with a newly discovered co-fed. A clear, highly focused elevator speech makes certain that the limited time is used most wisely.

The best speech will be based on answering four key questions:

•     What is NARFE?

•     What does NARFE do?

•     What are the benefits of NARFE membership?

•         Why should I join?

The following benefits can be used to demonstrate the value of NARFE as you tailor your speech to your audience.

NARFE is the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. It is the only organization solely dedicated to protecting and preserving the pay and benefits of all federal workers and retirees.

 NARFE has two primary roles:

•         Your Legislative Voice. In-house, influential lobbyists advocate on Capitol Hill on behalf of the federal community.

•     Your Information resource. NARFE provides clear information and trusted guidance on complex federal benefits issues.

 As a member of NARFE, you receive:

•     NARFE Magazine — the primary source of information and guidance on critical legislation and benefit issues.

•     Access to a team of federal benefits specialists for answers to complex benefits questions.

•     Free access to webinars and online resources to help you make the most of your federal  benefits.

•     Legislative alerts on issues that impact the federal community. NARFE’s online Legislative Action Center gives you easy access to your member of Congress.

•     Member-only discounts on many products and services that you use regularly. NARFE members also are eligible for disaster relief grants, and family members may qualify to compete for college scholarships.

When you join NARFE, you will help protect your earned pay and benefits; get trusted answers to complex pay and benefit questions; and support the federal community.

 

NARFE Chapter 151 - Indianapolis, IN meets on the first Friday of each month at 12:30 PM, except for the month of July.

Meetings are held at the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 39 Hall, located at 2211 East 54th Street, Indianapolis, IN  46220 (approximately one block west of Keystone Avenue).  See map and picture below.  Click here for a printable map to the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 39 Hall.  Masks are required and social distancing will be practiced.

For those interested in joining us for lunch, we will be ordering carry out lunch from the Pawn Shop Pub at 11:00 AM.  So Please be at the National Association of Letter Carriers Hall by 11:00 AM.  Masks are not required while eating or drinking.

The August meeting is the Chapter 151 annual picnic held at a time and place to be announced.  The December meeting is the Chapter 151 annual holiday luncheon held at a time and place to be announced.

Contact Chapter 151 President John Triplett at john-triplett@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions.

Click on the images below for enlarged views of the map to the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 39 Hall and a picture of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 39 Hall.

National Assn. of Letter Carriers

                         

National Assn. of Letter Carriers