1. NARFE REGION X CONFERENCE
October 10 – October 12, 2017
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

2. Federal Benefits Information Tips and Resources
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

3. Steps to take when you get close to retiring
When you get within one year of retirement eligibility:
Confirm when you will be eligible to get a retirement benefit;
Decide when you want to retire;
Get information about other benefits to which you may also be eligible, such as TSP.
Have a fairly comprehensive picture of all sources of your retirement income and when each is payable.
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

4. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
Resources
Attend a pre-retirement counseling seminar
NARFE Webinars
Make an appointment with your personnel officer to review your Official Personnel Folder (OPF) to make sure all your records are complete and accurate, all dates of service and your insurance coverage is documented.
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

5. KEY THINGS TO CHANGE AFTER RETIREMENT
ADDRESS-OPM, SOCIAL SECURITY AND TSP
INSURANCE-FEHBP HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, OPEN SEASON OR LIFE EVENTS, FEGLI
ANNUITY BENEFITS-OPM
TSP-DISBURSEMENT
TAXES-RETIREES NO LONGER PAY MEDICARE OR FICA TAXES BUT RETIREES DO PAY TAXES
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

6. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
BENEFIT UPDATES
Social Security On-line Requirement –To access your SSA account on-line you must have a cell phone with text capability.
The agency said that it realized the new security layer might be an inconvenience for some people thus permitting calls to
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

7. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
BENEFIT UPDATES
Open Season Dates: Nov 13-Dec 11
Rates announced for 2018 in early October
COLA Announcement: Expected Mid- October
Medicare Part B Premium Increase–How much will depend on the COLA
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

8. COMMUNICATIONS WITH OPM
Calling Options when OPM lines are busy
Writing: OPM
(Reason for Contacting) Example: 1099R
Retirement Operations Center
P.O. Box 45
Boyers, PA
-The response time is unfortunately slow
On-Line-Service: On-Line is great for the types of actions it allows.
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

9. CALLING THE RETIREMENT INFORMATION OFFICE AT OPM
Preferred by most members-just pick up the phone and talk to someone. The best time to call is early : 7:45 EST
Big Picture- Millions of customers but OPM only has a few employees to take calls.
Important to limit request to OPM Benefits
Annuity
FEHBP
FEGLI
Tax Withholding
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

10. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
WRITING / ING OPM
A response is quicker when sent by certified mail so be patient
Specify on the outer envelope the subject
Use the PO Box 45 Boyers PA address
The letters go to a huge Work Station for processing
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

11. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
SERVICE ON-LINE
Do-it-yourself
Change your Federal and State Income Tax Withholding
Change your Mailing Address
Change your Password and go online often to keep it current
Request Duplicate Annuity Booklet with #
Set up a Checking or Savings Allotment
Sign up for Direct Deposit of your Payment
Update your Address/Opt-in to Receive Information Electronically
View/Print Annuity Statement/Verification of Income
View/Print 1099-R Tax Forms
View/Print Retirement Service Reference Information
Card (ID Card)
View/Print a Year-to Date Summary Of Payments
View/Print Verification of Life Insurance (FEGLI)
View the Status of Your Case while in Interim Pay
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

12. SERVICE ON-LINE OBTAINING A NEW PIN
2 Ways to get a new password on-line
By for those who have accessed their accounts within the past 15 months AND Set up personal security questions with OPM
By mail. It will take about 2 weeks to receive the new temporary password at the home address
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

13. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
LOG-IN
EX: CSA # OR CSF/W #
Log In ( See Using Services Online for Log in Help)
Claim Number:
CS # Must be 9 characters
Password:
Forgot Claim Number or Password?
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

14. OPM and NARFE RESOURCES
OPM.GOV
NARFE Experts are Available
Sign-up with OPM Listserve
Receive Benefits Administration Letters
NARFE’s Federal Benefits Institute Experts
Bridget Boel, Director-
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

15. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
Questions and Answers
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

16. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
NOTES
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association