The cost of living for retirees in CSRS is 2.5% this year effective with our January 1st annuity payment. FERS retirees receive 2.0% this year effective with the same monthly payment. This will help offset the $1.25 a month my NALC Health Benefit went up. Social Security also went up 2.5% for those FERS retirees who are sixty-two or over.
 

      By the time you read this we will all be joining the Postal Service Health Benefit plan. Those in southeast Michigan who were in Blue Care Network now realize their health plan will not be offered in the new PSHB. Your letter from OPM stated that they are putting you into the FEP Blue Cross plan. Hopefully, you made the switch to the best health plan which is the NALC Health plan. It has exceptionally low premiums, excellent coverage, and an extensive network of Cigna providers (nalchbp.org). Those of us who are in, or signed up for Medicare B during the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) which ended on September 30th also have the option of joining Aetna Medicare Advantage within the NALC Health Plan which offers $900 in reimbursement for both you and your spouse each year. Medicare B is projected to have a $12.00 per month increase next year (not released as of this article). The other change is that both retirees and active will see an effective date of January 1st for the new plan (instead of first day of the first pay period in the new year). My branch 4374 has over three hundred members in the NALC Health Plan and my next goal is four hundred members!!!

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Election 2024

 

      Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas were both elected to the Michigan Supreme Court and Elissa Slotkin survived a very close election to succeed Debbie Stabenow in the US Senate. We maintain both seats in the Senate for our Democrats but lose our majority in that body. It could be a rough 4 years for a President that knows very few norms about how to govern and very little about governing at all. Time will tell but, in my thinking, history will not grade him very highly in his turbulent presidencies. Despite our valiant efforts Kamal Harris came up short but did well for having only 107 days until election. She maintained the high road against the constant bullying of a man whose only concern is his own ego.

 

Thanks for the well wishes!

 

      It was a narrow escape, but my guardian angel was on the volleyball court that day. Maria Lauinger brought me back to life. As a former ICU nurse she jumped into action with CPR and administered the AED that started my ticker again. I will be forever grateful for her quick action that saved my life. No heart damage, no blockages, only an “electrical” problem that brought me to the floor. I am sincerely grateful for all the well wishes and cards and assure you I am stronger every day, and I will be back at volleyball!!!