Federal Retirement Benefits Under Siege: Act Now!

LISTEN UP, FEDERAL EMPLOYEES! Your retirement benefits are under attack, and it's time to fight back! Today, NALC President Brian L. Renfroe participated in a Capitol Hill roundtable focusing on provisions set to be included in the budget reconciliation package that targets federal and postal employees' retirement benefits. And let me tell you, the news is not good.

Renfroe laid it out plain and simple: "Our members are public servants who provide an essential service for every single American household and business. Our members go into public service because it's a good, stable job with reliable benefits. Cutting retirement benefits and increasing what we have to pay for them is unconscionable, and let's call it what it is—a pay cut."

The proposed cuts are nothing short of a disaster. Here's what's on the table:

- Increasing the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) contribution rate for existing employees up to 4.4 percent.

- Cutting retirement benefits by eliminating the FERS special annuity supplement.

- Reducing annuity payments by calculating a retiree's annuity based on their high-five salary average (instead of three).

These changes will hit your wallet hard. For those currently paying 0.8%, the increase will come in two stages: a 1.8% increase in calendar year 2026, followed by another 1.8% increase in calendar year 2027. That's a whopping 3.6% increase in just two years! And for those paying 3.1%, there will be a 1.3% increase in 2027. This is a pay cut, plain and simple.

But the pain doesn't stop there. Eliminating the FERS special annuity supplement will create an income gap for early retirees, forcing them to rely solely on their FERS annuity and any personal savings until they reach the age of 62. This could lead to a significant reduction in their standard of living during this period. And let's not forget the social implications. Federal retirees, especially those in critical roles, have often made significant sacrifices and contributions to their careers. The elimination of the FERS supplement could be seen as a breach of the implicit contract between the government and its employees, potentially leading to decreased morale and job satisfaction among current federal workers.

And the worst part? These proposals are pay and benefit cuts for postal employees that won't make a dent in the deficit. It's an attack. Plain and simple.

So, what can you do? You need to take action now! Contact your representatives and ask them to oppose these cuts to postal retirement benefits. The budget reconciliation process allows Republican leaders in Congress to pass these provisions with a simple majority and bypass Democratic opposition. The House is expected to vote on the full reconciliation package by the end of the month. Don't let them get away with this!

Remember, your retirement benefits are not a gift. They are earned. And you deserve better than this. So, stand up, speak out, and fight for what's right. Your future depends on it!