Virginia Federation of NARFE


Chapter 1827
Virginia Beach (Seaside)

Charter Date:  07/01/1981

Annual Chapter Dues: $6.00

Welcome to Chapter 1827 of the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees.  Our chapter, known as the Seaside Chapter, is located in beautiful Virginia Beach, VA.  We are one of 38 chapters in Virginia and currently have about 43 members from a wide variety of federal agencies.  Membership is open to current, former and retired Federal employees and their spouses and survivor annuitants.

We typically meet every month for either a formal business meeting or for some sort of activity.  We currently meet on the 1st Thursday of the months in January, March, May, October, and November.  These meetings are held at the First Baptist Church’s Social Hall (located at 401 35th Street, just a few blocks from the oceanfront boardwalk).  The business meetings are designed to share information and keep members abreast of nations, state, and other issues affecting our members, such as health insurance and potential changes in cost-of-living allowances.  Members are kept up to date on legislative developments, judicial actions, and regulatory changes affecting them.  The meetings also provide an opportunity for members to ask questions and seek guidance from other members who may have already had similar concerns.

The church social hall provides a comfortable and private atmosphere for our meetings and for socialization with fellow NARFE members.  The meetings usually last about an hour and a half and consist of a short program and business meeting, followed by light refreshments.  Our programs are varied and likely to be of interest to all active and retired Federal (CSRS and FERS) employees.  In the past such programs have included talks by an investigator for Virginia Beach Police Department\’s Forensic Service, the past President of Virginia\’s AARP, the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Virginia Beach speaking on wills and probate, and the City\’s Multimedia Services coordinator talking about VBTV and other City communication modes.  

Other gatherings are of a more social nature and can be held at various restaurants in the area, which help keep the get-togethers fresh and interesting.  Members are reminded of the location of each meeting via e-mail and telephone calls.

Seaside Chapter members have been also going a a group to tours of local attractions.  For example, in the past we have observed the glass-blowing exhibition at Norfolk\’s Chrysler Museum, gone to the Military Aviation Museum in Pungo, visited the Virginia Tech Agricultural Research Center and toured the Brock Environmental Center.  This is a friendly chapter and we also support Alzheimer\’s Research, by hosting an annual Spaghetti Lunch and other fundraisers.

Chapter Officers

President

1st Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Alzheimer’s Chair

Membership Chair

National Legislation

NARFE/PAC Chair

Service Officer

State Legislation

Joseph F. Murray

Nancy McWilliams

Lynne B. Pipis

Phyllis M. Brown

Anna Martin

Shirley L. Hopkins

Vacant

Kenneth C. Gimbert

Phyllis M. Brown

Nancy A. Craft

WHAT IS NARFE?
NARFE is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that was founded in 1921 by 14 federal employees. Its membership has grown to approximately 300,000 with more than 1740 local chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Panama, Philippines, and Puerto Rico. It is the only association dedicated to safeguarding the already earned rights and benefits of members and maintaining or improving them for the future. With pay freezes, sequestration, furloughs, efforts to reduce health benefits and future cost of living increases, and a general effort to downsize the federal workforce, NARFE representatives have been active in fighting back against attacks on members earned benefits as well as their reputation. NARFE has also been seeking changes in legislation that could help Federal retirees who also have contributed to the Social Security System. NARFE also provides members advice and assistance in resolving Federal retirement and health benefit matters. Our chapter is part of the grassroots effort to support the NARFE national agenda to help ensure a secure future for ourselves, our families, and others Federal employees.

NARFE Objectives:
·    Sponsor and support legislation to protect the earned benefits and general welfare of its members;
·    Oppose legislation which adversely affects member retirement and health benefit programs;
·    Foster public recognition and appreciation for government service;
·    Inform members about legislative issues which impact their lives, primarily retirement income and health care security;
·    Strengthen the political influence of current and future federal retirees through NARFE-PAC, a political action committee;
·    Work in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management to answer questions related to retirement benefits; and
·    Contribute to the well-being of local communities through volunteer service.

  • Up-to-date information on National and State legislative initiatives can respectively be found on www.NARFE.org .   Members wanting to be kept informed about key legislative issues may also sign up for  more e-mail notifications.

How to Join:

Chapter 1827 invites all active and retired Federal employees as well as their spouses or survivors of former Federal employees to attend our meeting at any time.  It you like what we are doing, come join us.  Blending our talents and experience we are working as proponents for you.  Your membership gives us a stronger voice.  There are opportunities to become involved in the planning and operation of the Chapter.  Our Chapter is a good choice for those who want the benefits of social contacts with other members, a desire to stay current on issues affecting them, and a wish to continue learning about interesting things.

When you enroll in NARFE, you join the National Association and the chapter nearest your home or another chapter of your choice.  You may transfer to a different chapter at any time.  The first year membership fee for retirees or individuals still employed is $48.00.  Convenient payment of annual dues is available through dues withholding.  The Seaside Chapter of NARFE invites eligible persons to join or transfer to our chapter.  If you would like more information about our chapter, please contact President Joe Murray at joeandsandi@verizon.net or telephone (757) 412-0583.   Membership Application Click Here

Need Help?
NARFE is here to help active and retired federal employees, their spouses and annuitants find answers to questions related to federal benefits. NARFE can help cut through federal bureaucratic red tape. NARFE maintains a list of articles and white papers on their national website www.NARFE.org providing answers to such frequently asked questions: 

Will your spouse be eligible for health benefits when you retire?

Buyouts can be attractive but what if you return to service?

How long do you have to wait to tap into your Thrift Savings Plan when you retire?

The following list of active links entitled “The Survivor Kit” is an example of important information that every Chapter member should have carefully filed away in an area at home that is easily accessible to their spouse and immediate family in event of one’s unexpected death.

THE SURVIVOR KIT: Essential Information
Helps gather information only – Do not send the forms to OPM
Steps for Immediate Survivors/Executors
Application For Death Benefits, Civil Service Retirement System. (CSRS)
Application For Death Benefits, Federal Employees Retirement System. (FERS)
 {Sample of death benefit forms only. Fill in the one that applies to you and file it away.
OPM will send an official numbered form later when needed.}

A NARFE Guide For Federal Employees and Annuitant
Be Prepared For Life’s Events

Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program (FE6)
Claim For Death Benefits 

This guide will help you organize your personal and financial information in one location so your survivors will have the information they will need to handle your affairs upon your death.

At the local Chapter 1827 level, Joe Murray serves as the initial point of contact to assist our chapter members who are active or retired federal employees or a spouse or annuitant who have questions about federal benefits. For example, he can provide a spouse the correct OPM contact data in the event of a member’s death. His contact information is 757-412-0583 or joeandsandi@verizon.net