These are both uncertain and frightening times for those who are employed by the federal government. We are reaching out to offer our Upper Peninsula Federal community another “tool in their toolbox” as we grapple with daily threats coming from the current administration.

We are NARFE, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. Since our founding in 1921, the association’s mission has been to protect the integrity of the nonpartisan, merit-based civil service and to defend and advance the earned pay and benefits of America’s civil servants. We are the only organization solely dedicated to the general welfare of all Federal workers and retirees. NARFE is a 501(c)5 organization funded by member dues. It is not a department of the federal government

NARFE can provide Federal employees and retirees (as well as former Federal employees, spouses, former spouses and surviving spouses) with vital and current information that can help navigate these uncertain times. Federal retirement, health care, life insurance, compensation and other benefits for current and retired Federal employees are complex and often changing. NARFE members have access to the NARFE Federal Benefits Institute with experts who are available for personalized, one-on-one help with a variety of federal benefit matters. NARFE webinars, training conferences, magazine, online benefit resource library, and individual counseling services all offer in-depth expertise on key issues. Recent NARFE webinars include “Stay or Go: Considering the Deferred Resignation Offer, Retirement Options and Potential Options” and “Know Your Rights and Obligations Following Trump Executive Orders.” Our monthly NARFE magazine recently featured an article on Involuntary Separations and “Preparing for a Revived Schedule F”. We also offer concrete actions that feds can take to affect legislative changes. Local gatherings enable us to connect with one another for support and information sharing, including guest speakers on a variety of subjects, not only those related to government service.

NARFE Chapter 1900 represents almost the entire Upper Peninsula and we invite all federal employees and retirees to join us. You can go to NARFE.org (or Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn) for more information and to join. You are also welcome to email me at narfe1900.scty@gmail.com. Please consider joining us. Together we are stronger.