APWU: COLA Update For CSRS Retirees, FERS Retirees, and SS Recipients (8/19/14)

For CSRS retirees: (08/19/14) The 2015 CSRS retiree COLA is based on the third quarter (July, August, September) average CPI-W index in 2014 over the 2013 third quarter average.  After the second quarter of 2014, the third quarter of the 2015 COLA adjustment period, the quarterly index has risen by 1.7%. For FERS retirees: (08/19/14)…

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ARA Friday Alert: Alliance Members Honor 79th Birthday of Social Security

August 15, 2014 Our nation’s Social Security system celebrated its 79th anniversary on Thursday, and Alliance members commemorated the important event by throwing more than 30 birthday parties across the country with cake and balloons. Celebrations focused on the long term success of the Social Security system and the need to expand the program in…

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Retirement Claims Backlog Inches Back Up

The retirement claims backlog inched back up in July, after the Office of Personnel Management reduced the number of outstanding applications to its lowest point in years in June. OPM received 9,101 new retirement applications in July, over 1,000 more than expected. The backlog is now at 13,620 claims — 1,229 more claims than in…

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Postal Retirement Q&A August 2014 – Medicare Part B is a choice, not a requirement

Let’s begin this month with the Medicare saga….well we did everything that I TELL YOU ALL TO DO… when turning 65 regarding Medicare Part B, and so NOT surprising …. they still are “Encouraging” hubby to take Medicare Part B….in fact, it is SO personal….. to your insurance, that guess what…..they even make a PERSONAL…

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APWU: COLA Update For CSRS Retirees, FERS Retirees, and SS Recipients

For CSRS retirees: (07/22/14) The 2015 CSRS retiree COLA is based on the third quarter (July, August, September) average CPI-W index in 2014 over the 2013 third quarter average. After the second quarter of 2014, the third quarter of the 2015 COLA adjustment period, the quarterly index has risen by 1.7%. For FERS retirees: (07/22/14)…

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OPM Reduces Retirement Backlog to Its Lowest Point in Years

The Office of Personnel Management in June once again made progress on its retirement claims backlog, cutting the number of outstanding applications to the lowest point in years. OPM processed 8,787 claims in June, cutting the backlog by 15 percent since May to 12,391. This was in part due to about 1,400 fewer former federal…

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Postal Retirement Q&A July 2014

Please take the time to recognize our VETERANS on this 4th of July…to them we OWE SO MUCH!! June was a REALLY CRAZY month….busy, did a Rural Carrier State Convention on retirement…..So many questions….so little time, but one great group of employees. So I get a phone call this week and a postmaster is just…

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Pittsburgh Area Local violated LMRDA and APWU election rules (Updated: DOL letter added June 10)

THE LOCAL IS GUILTY AS CHARGED! UPDATED: Click Here for May 22, 2014 U.S. DOL Letter to APWU Pittsburgh Retiree Chapter President John P. Richards (letter added to this post June 10, 2014) That is the conclusion of the US Department Of Labor in a May 22, 2014 finding that evaluated the Local’s conduct in the…

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