Feb. 6, 2012 — On Jan. 24, Rep. Dennis Ross, the chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy, introduced H.R. 3813, the Securing Annuities for Federal Employees Act. But it probably comes as little surprise that Ross’ measure, were it to become law, would in fact threaten the retirement benefits of federal workers—including postal workers.
Ross’ proposal calls for entirely eliminating the defined benefit component government workers receive under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Instead, under the Ross plan, FERS annuitants would be entitled only to the benefits earned through both Social Security and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
“Ross’ bill is a blatant attack on federal pensions,” NALC President Fredric Rolando said, “yet another front in the war on the middle class being pursued by the right-wing faction that now dominates the national Republican party.”
The Office of Personnel Management estimates that the annual FERS defined benefit pension is around $13,000 and makes up about 40 percent of a federal worker’s total annuity. “FERS is a modest benefit component, part of a sensible approach to retirement security that’s been in place for a quarter-century,” Rolando said.
“We usually think of FERS as a three-legged stool,” he said, “with the defined benefit component and the TSP designed to complement Social Security.”
Since the TSP can make or lose money in the stock market, Rolando said, federal workers already are somewhat exposed to risk. “So putting workers’ retirement security at further risk by taking away the guaranteed pension portion of FERS makes no sense at all,” he said.
The Thrift Savings Plan operates much like the 401(k) accounts in which many private-sector workers participate. Like the TSP, 401(k)s rise and fall with the stock market—which is why the 2008 stock market crash revealed the danger of placing too much faith in a 401(k) account: Millions of private-sector workers—many of whom were months away from retiring—lost as much as 40 percent of their 401(k) investments in that crash.
Ross argues that, since defined-benefit pensions are disappearing from the private sector, it makes sense to take them away from government workers as well.
“Congressman Ross seems to think that it’s OK to take away a large chunk of a federal worker’s retirement benefit and replace it with something that’s subject to the whims of a volatile stock market,” Rolando said. “That’s exactly backward.”
In a message to the NALC e-Activist Network, Rolando encouraged letter carriers to contact the members of Ross’ subcommittee and encourage them to oppose the bill. At last report, H.R. 3813 has yet to garner even one co-sponsor.
B.S. Nobody has “mobilized”.The 2 issues that concern carriers:FERS Pension attacks by Congress and Early Retirement.NALC has done NOTHING about these 2 issues.
TAKE ROSS’s PAYCHECK NOW !!!!!!!
HR 3813 DOES NOT eliminate your FERS Annuity; it ELIMINATES the Special Social Security Annuity SUPPLEMENT from Minimum Retirement Age until you are 62 years old.The NALC is misinforming you;read HR 3813 yourself.Disclaimer: I am a career-long member of NALC. BTW, this bill should be OPPOSED by all Federal employees….both CSRS and FERS…..since it attacks retirement benefits for both CSRS and FERS…..however,moreso attacks FERS…..READ IT YOURSELF….BECOME INFORMED ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON ……ACT NOW……DON’T RELY ON THE UNION, RELY ON YOURSELF!
One post here says Ross is the reason he (the poster) favors abortion. How about justifiable culling of the herd, so to speak, strictly in the name of weeding out the sick and mentally injured in the herd? You have to be a mean spirited asshole to the point of insanity to actually want to take workers’ retirements away from them while your own retirement is guaranteed, thanks to being a Congressman.
It’s unbelievable that anybody would vote for shit like Issa or Ross. It just shows you how stupid the GOP voter is. And let’s hear it for the scabs. Pay your fucking dues instead of stealing your job security from your fellow union workers. I wish like hell we could have closed union shops again to stop these thieves from stealing their job with its retirement, benefits and union representation from me and other union members. A scab is no better morally than some meth skank who goes around robbing liquor stores. You’re taking what you’re getting in terms of benefits for free while the rest of us pay for that benefit package. You’re a fucking crook and a cheapskate to boot.
At least we should be able to get rid of the Federal requirement that scabs are entitled to union representation. That is not fair. Maybe we can’t stop them from working, but I say a scab doesn’t deserve the benefit of a grievance process. If they screw up at work, they ought to have to handle the situation by themselves, and if they get fired, since they won’t pay their fair share for a steward to step in and save that scab’s job, that’s just tough shit.
Why is APWU against early outs? Why did they support Issa in his 09-10 re-election bid and why did they contribute COPA money to Issa? Isn’t this more a, “Save the union” push than anything else? USPS is doomed and APWU can grieve itself into kingdom come but, in the end, politicos will go with the $ interests. Face it…when did you ever think to see so many UPS & FedEx trucks at USPS back docks where the public can’t see? The fat lady is about to sing!
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Postal reform is a hot topic in Congress as the Senate prepares to vote on the 21st Century Postal Service Act, and APWU President Cliff Guffey is urging union members to contact their senators and let them know: Senate bill 1789 is only acceptable in its current form.
As lawmakers review the bill, Guffey is asking union members to let their senators know that S. 1789 must be passed.
Call Your Senators:
202-224-3121
(Capitol Switchboard)
[Click here for direct #s]
Tell them you Support
S. 1789 as it is currently written
The U.S. Senate soon will likely debate the 21st Century Postal Reform Act (S. 1789), bill designed to ‘save” the U.S. Postal Service by offering Early Retirement Incentives.
As president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, I understand the budgetary and market challenges facing the USPS. In fiscal years 2007-10, it had an operational profit of $611 million delivering the mail, and customer satisfaction and on-time delivery are at record highs.
S. 1789 should not be dramatically restructured, it will save America’s postal network. Rather, it will assure the survival of a venerable institution based on the Constitution, and not upset the livelihoods of the people, communities and businesses throughout Missouri and the United States that depend on a strong, reliable service. Instead of enacting shortsighted, destructive policies, Congress should approve this bill ,S.1789.
Fredric V. Rolando is the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers
incentives to be combined.
1. 50,000 cash.
2. 5 years added on to your FERS retirement.
3. Max out 80% on your CSRS retirement.
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Call Your Senators:
202-224-3121
(Capitol Switchboard)
[Click here for direct #s]
Tell them you Support
S. 1789 as it is currently written
The U.S. Senate soon will likely debate the 21st Century Postal Reform Act (S. 1789), bill designed to ‘save” the U.S. Postal Service by offering Early Retirement Incentives.
As president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, I understand the budgetary and market challenges facing the USPS. However, these issues don’t result from an outdated organization. Despite the economic problems our country has confronted for the last several years, the Postal Service has done quite well. In fiscal years 2007-10, it had an operational profit of $611 million delivering the mail, and customer satisfaction and on-time delivery are at record highs.
S. 1789 should not be dramatically restructured, it will save America’s postal network. Rather, it will assure the survival of a venerable institution based on the Constitution, and not upset the livelihoods of the people, communities and businesses throughout Missouri and the United States that depend on a strong, reliable service. Instead of enacting shortsighted, destructive policies, Congress should approve this bill ,S.1789.
Fredric V. Rolando is the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers
incentives to be combined.
1. 50,000 cash.
2. 5 years added on to your FERS retirement.
3. Max out 80% on your CSRS retirement.
* NOTE: Remember you can choose combines of the three.
GOOGLE……….U.S. SENATE………Choose your “SENATOR HOME” State. Look for the area in which to write and send your comments.
The U.S. Senate soon will likely debate the 21st Century Postal Reform Act (S. 1789), bill designed to ‘save” the U.S. Postal Service by offering Early Retirement Incentives.
As president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, I understand the budgetary and market challenges facing the USPS. However, these issues don’t result from an outdated organization. Despite the economic problems our country has confronted for the last several years, the Postal Service has done quite well. In fiscal years 2007-10, it had an operational profit of $611 million delivering the mail, and customer satisfaction and on-time delivery are at record highs.
S. 1789 should not be dramatically restructured, it will save America’s postal network. Rather, it will assure the survival of a venerable institution based on the Constitution, and not upset the livelihoods of the people, communities and businesses throughout Missouri and the United States that depend on a strong, reliable service. Instead of enacting shortsighted, destructive policies, Congress should approve this bill ,S.1789.
Fredric V. Rolando is the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers
“APWU & NALC members have done a great job of getting the word out to legislators about our concerns: Keep up the good work ,support S-1789”
— Cliff Guffey, President
Call Your Senators:
202-224-3121
(Capitol Switchboard)
[Click here for direct #s]
Tell them you Support
S. 1789 as it is currently written
updated
GOOGLE……….U.S. SENATE………Choose your “SENATOR HOME” State. Look for the area in which to write and send your comment.
I wrote ” I work for the U.S.P.S. and I do not oppose S1789 in it’s current form”. This bill offers three types of incentives not to be combined.
1. 50,000 cash.
2. 5 years added on to your FERS retirement
3. 5 year added on to your CSRS retirement.
* NOTE: Remember you can only choose one of the three.
I like almost all of 1789 except the part where they would take away your postal annunity and reduce retirement to social security and TSP only, is that what you want? Of course we want the early out offer of cash and service credit, but, what about a monthly check to retire on? Don’t you want that too? Before you people start downing the Unions, you’d better take a better look, Remember your TSP is invested in the stock market which means it’s subject to huge losses, if that happens, then all you have is social security, who can live on that? I for one need the monthly check, and the carriers need Saturday delivery in order to prevent massive lay offs, so lets just sit tight and wait for the best reform possible, 1789 is not it, it’s close but is missing the retirement check. I want to reitre so bad I can taste it, if the right one comes along, I’m gone, but I do care about the health and future of the Postal Service, my daughter works there and has to support her family and reitre someday too. We have to look out for more than just ourselves.
They call that cut and paste, the APWU and NALC are lying about mobilizing, they are good at lying but not good at promoting the best interests of their members.
Educating people to the propaganda by the Unions is key, we have enough of that from management.
APWU has been having intense secret meetings to find a way to put a stop to USPS’ early out contemplations.It’s obvious that the APWU doesn’t want its older senior lemmings to leave cause junior employees are not exactly breaking down doors to join the APWU. A certain regional coordinator was heard to say that if another early out takes place together with the loss of jobs that is taking place at a dizzying rate…that this will spell the death knell of the APWU.
So, save yourselves some money right now by filling out that PS Form 1188 and pocket that dues money along with the impending dues assessment that’s coming round the bend! The party’s over, my friend
Every senator and congressmen in congress that think like Ross need to be voted out of office! Now he wants to totally do away with FERS pension being paid in by their employers; that’ s a slap in the face! Does he want to do away with his retirement program! How in Gods name did these people get voted in office? Do any of them even care about the rest of working americans? How are the people after rtirement suppose to maintain a decent living in their old age? Shame on every senator or congressmen who think like him, whether it be a repiblican or democrat! What is this country coming too. Down with the 1 perccentals!
joe watusi do you mind if i touch this up a bit?
(incentives not to be combined.
1. 25,000 cash.
2. 2 years added on to your FERS retirement
3. 1 year added on to your CSRS retirement.
* NOTE: Remember you can only choose one of the three.)
——————————————————————————-
incentives to be combined.
1. 50,000 cash.
2. 5 years added on to your FERS retirement.
3. Max out 80% on your CSRS retirement.
* NOTE: Remember you can choose combines of the three.
GOOGLE……….U.S. SENATE………Choose your “SENATOR HOME” State. Look for the area in which to write and send your comment.
Done…
“At last report, H.R. 3813 has yet to garner even one co-sponsor.”
comes as little surprise.
It’s because of people like Ross that I’m in favor of abortion.
NALC and APWU- your dues, that is why we hate all Postal
bills that offer Early Retirements, we need your dues.
What is this?, The Postal Unions telling Congress not to help the US Post Office,
it is the Unions dictating to Congress, yet Congress listens not to those they serve.
The Bill S- 1789 in the United States Senate, was to help to salvage what is left of the US Post Office, and offer Early Retirements to workers, so as to avoid a Reduction in Force and layoffs, the NALC, APWU, and the Mail handlers Unions have basically doomed any legislation to keep the Post Office solvent, the bottom line is Union dues for the Bigwigs in these Unions.
The Craft Workers, not management ,should be offered the Early Retirements.
APWU & NALC
Call Your Senators:
202-224-3121
(Capitol Switchboard)
[Click here for direct #s]
Tell them you Support
S. 1789 as it is currently written
S-1853 does not offer Voluntary Early Retirements, no mention of Incentives
The Money will go to the USPS Management, tell Senators you will Support bills with the
Early Retirement options and incentives, the NALC and APWU do not speak for us any more.
Cut what is there and paste this or something else to your Senators.
GOOGLE……….U.S. SENATE………Choose your “SENATOR HOME” State. Look for the area in which to write and send your comment.
I wrote ” I work for the U.S.P.S. and I do not oppose S1789 in it’s current form”. This bill offers three types of incentives not to be combined.
1. 25,000 cash.
2. 2 years added on to your FERS retirement
3. 1 year added on to your CSRS retirement.
* NOTE: Remember you can only choose one of the three.