This is the fourth or fifth years this event has occurred. The Postal Service employees over 113,000 veterans.
SALUTE TO VETERANS:
FREE COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018
THE US MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY
OC Fair & Event Center,
88 Fair Drive,
Costa Mesa, CA
Except For Hefty New Hit To Highest Earners
Ashlea Ebeling Forbes Staff Retirement I write about how to build, manage and enjoy your family’s wealth. Credit: Getty Royalty Free
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced Medicare Part B premiums for 2019, and the base premium increases modestly from $134 to $135.50 a month. Yet high earners are still getting used to a big bump in income-related surcharges that kicked in this year. And the very highest earners are facing another big increase for 2019. That means that the wealthiest senior couples will be paying over $11,000 a year in Medicare Part B premiums. Part B (the base and the surcharge) covers doctors’ and outpatient services.
The CMS announcement comes just after yesterday’s Social Security Administration’s COLA announcement: a 2.8% cost of living adjustment for 2019. The average Social Security benefit for a retired worker will rise by $39 a month to $1,461 in 2019. The small increase in Part B premiums mean most retirees will get the benefit of the Social Security COLA (Part B premiums are deducted from monthly Social Security checks).
While most Medicare recipients will pay the new $135.50 standard monthly premium, an estimated 2 million (3.5%) will pay less because of a “hold harmless” provision that limits certain beneficiaries’ increase in their Part B premium to be no greater than the increase in their Social Security benefits.
Then there’s the 5% of Medicare recipients who have to pay income-related surcharges. The graduated surcharges for high-income seniors kick in for singles with modified adjusted gross income of more than $85,000 and for couples with a MAGI of more than $170,000. An individual earning more than $85,000, but less than or equal to $107,000, will pay $189.60 in total a month for Part B premiums in 2019, including a $54.10 surcharge. That’s barely up from 2018: $187.50 total in a month, including a $53.50 surcharge.
By comparison, the wealthiest retirees – singles with $500,000 of income and couples with $750,000 of income — will see a 10.3% increase in their income-related surcharge from $294.60 in 2018 (when they were part of the greater-than-$160,000/$320,000 group) to $325 in 2019. Total premiums for this group will be $460.50 a month in 2019 ($11,052 a year).
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information for 2019
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 67 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2019.
The 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 62 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2019. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2018. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits.)
The maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $132,900.
The earnings limit for workers who are younger than “full” retirement age (age 66 for people born in 1943 through 1954) will increase to $17,640. (We deduct $1 from benefits for each $2 earned over $17,640.)
The earnings limit for people turning 66 in 2019 will increase to $46,920. (We deduct $1 from benefits for each $3 earned over $46,920 until the month the worker turns age 66.)
There is no limit on earnings for workers who are “full” retirement age or older for the entire year.
Medicare Information
Information about Medicare changes for 2019, when announced, will be available at www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries receiving Medicare, Social Security will not be able to compute their new benefit amount until after the Medicare premium amounts for 2019 are announced. Final 2019 benefit amounts will be communicated to beneficiaries in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.
Your COLA Notice
In December 2018, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security.
This is a secure, convenient way to receive COLA notices online and save the message for later. You will still receive your COLA notice by mail this year, but in the future you will be able to choose whether you receive your notice online instead of on paper. Be sure to choose your preferred way to receive courtesy notifications so you won’t miss your secure, convenient electronic COLA notice.
Online notices will not be available to representative payees, individuals with foreign mailing addresses, or those who pay higher Medicare premiums due to their income. We plan to expand the availability of COLA notices to additional online customers in the future.
Remember, our services are always free of charge. No government agency or reputable company will solicit your personal information by email or request advanced fees for services in the form of wire transfers or gift cards. Avoid falling victim to fraudulent internet “phishing” schemes by not revealing personal information, selecting malicious links, or opening malicious attachments. You can learn more about the ways we protect your investment, personal information, and my Social Security.
History of Automatic Cost-Of-Living Adjustments (COLA)
The purpose of the COLA is to ensure that the purchasing power of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is not eroded by inflation. It is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the last year a COLA was determined to the third quarter of the current year. If there is no increase, there can be no COLA.
The CPI-W is determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the Department of Labor. By law, it is the official measure used by the Social Security Administration to calculate COLAs.
Congress enacted the COLA provision as part of the 1972 Social Security Amendments, and automatic annual COLAs began in 1975. Before that, benefits were increased only when Congress enacted special legislation.
Beginning in 1975, Social Security started automatic annual cost-of-living allowances. The change was enacted by legislation that ties COLAs to the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).
The change means that inflation no longer drains value from Social Security benefits.
Special Note not sure how much Medicare B will increase.
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/premiums/ web site for 2019 health plan rates for both retirees (non-postal) and current postal workers (postal).
Open Season to Change Health Plan is from Nov 12, 2018 – Dec 10, 2018.
The history of our local is very important. These were our local Presidents, and all worked full time for the union:
Our local has been very active through the year with the Orange County Labor Council now the Orange County Labor Federation, the California State APWU organization and the regional and national union.
Members of our local have also served in other union capacities.
Matt Ogorek – APWU Hospital Plan Representative (appointed position)
Bobby Donelson – Western Region Maintenance NBA, National Maintenance Representative at Large, and National Assistant “A” Maintenance Director. In addition, Bobby also served as a SCF Representative for the California State APWU.
Lenny Trujillo – San Francisco Region Clerk NBA.
Bruce Bailey – Western Region MVS NBA and California State MVS Director.
Richard Shepard – – Western Region Maintenance NBA and California State Maintenance NBA.
Mike Stinson, Frank Townsend, Richard Cantu, Walter Lovett, Kevin Cole, Bonnie Nelson, Isabelle Bailey, Bruce Bailey, Bobby Donelson, Richard Shepard, and Roosevelt Smith all have served as delegates to the Orange County Labor Council now the Orange County Labor Federation.
Bobby Donelson served National Rank and File Bargaining Committee two different time.
Bonnie Nelson, Ralph Lefter, Richard Cantu, and Bobby Donelson served the National Convention Constitution Committee.
This little bit of history is so our newer officers and members can know something about our local union. I sincerely hope I did not miss anyone.
I was honored to serve at two different times as your local president and had two long time Southwest Coastal Area Local members working with me – Frank Townsend and Mike Stinson, as well as the support of the Southwest Coastal Area Local Executive Board.
One local accomplishment when Frank Townsend, Mike Stinson, and I along with the 2005-2011 Executive Board Members obtained was to purchase a local union office for our members without carrying a mortgage payment.
This has saved the local thousands and thousands of dollars over the year.
The membership in the Southwest Coastal Area Local increased to our peak of approximately 2300 members and then excessing, abolishment, early retirement, and automation caused our local to decrease to its current level of approximately 1400 members.
The Southwest Coastal Area Local was 45 years old on August 1, 2018. We were formed as an area local in 1973. Prior to that time each Postal Installation was a separate local union.
The Southwest Coastal Area Local Retiree Chapter will be 14 years old on Monday, September 10, 2018.
The history of our local is very important
Bobby Donelson bd62748@aol.com 2045 So. June Place Anaheim, CA 92802 Phone: 714 750-3656 Cell: 714 206-2931 Postal Reorganization Act -Public Law 91-375 – August 12, 1970 Southwest Coastal Area Local Chartered – August 1, 1973 Southwest Coastal Area Local Retiree Chapter Chartered – September 10, 2004
“We are not the Enemy”
https://swcalretirees.org/
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All locals should affiliate with their local labor federation and their state labor federation and most of all pay per capita on all members not a portion.
From: APWU WEB Page – The Importance of AFL-CIO Federation Affiliation
Affiliating with the AFL-CIO state federations and AFL-CIO Central Labor Councils isn’t just the right thing to do — it is essential in our fight to save the United States Postal Service and to protect our jobs.
Affiliation gives local leaders and members an opportunity to meet and interact with labor allies. Wherever our members live and work, each APWU affiliate needs to be an active participant — a real member — of the AFL-CIO local labor councils and state federations.
The APWU National Executive Board shows our support for the labor movement by fully participating with the AFL-CIO in Washington DC and by encouraging support for state federations and CLCs.
The APWU currently pays national “per capita dues” for 100 percent of our members to the national AFL-CIO. And in an effort to help more APWU locals and states to affiliate with state federations, as well as ease the financial burden, the NEB unanimously passed a resolution at the 18th Biennial National Convention that reads: The National APWU will refund to APWU affiliates 50 percent of the per capita tax paid to a state AFL-CIO Federation by all APWU affiliates that are affiliated with their AFL-CIO State Federation. [Click here to download the State Federation Dues Rebate Request Instructions and Form – PDF]
http://www.apwu.org/sites/apwu/files/resource-files/AFL- IO%20Affiliation%20Rebate%20Form%2Cpdf.pdf
For more information and to become a member of your state federation or Central Labor Council, call the AFL-CIO Office of State and Local Affiliates at 202-637-5280, or complete an Application for Affiliation PDF] http://www.apwu.org/sites/apwu/files/resource-files/afl-cio-stateandlocalaff-affilform.pdf and submit it to your state federation or Central Labor Council.
Together we can make a difference and provide a better future for labor in this country.
What are State Federations?
AFL-CIO state federations bring various unions together at the state level to work collectively on organizing new members, education, mobilizing current members, creating a powerful voice for working families. State federations make up the backbone of the labor movement’s efforts to ensure that economic, education, health care and other policies benefit working families.
What do they do?
State labor federations give working families a voice:
· On the job. Working together through “state feds,” local unions support one another’s organizing campaigns and contract bargaining. Coordinating with a network of local labor councils located in communities throughout each state, state feds turn out large groups of working people to support union members and challenge anti-union, anti-worker employers. State feds forge alliances that build statewide support for union members’ efforts to win positive changes on the job and retain past gains.
· In state and federal political campaigns. State feds endorse candidates for state and federal office, and coordinate the union movement’s statewide political mobilization efforts, including voter registration, worksite leafleting, and neighborhood canvassing.
· In state and federal government. State feds provide working families with the information and opportunities they need to make their voices heard by state legislators and by members of Congress. State feds engage union members in developing and promoting an agenda for good, secure jobs; job safety, adequate investments in such working family needs as education, health care, and retirement security; and against job-killing proposals like privatization of government services.
· In the economy. State feds give working families greater power to shape their economic well-being by mobilizing working people for social and economic justice, for fair treatment on the job, and for pro-worker government policies. They also link local unions with the educational resources of the AFL-CIO, giving members the opportunity to learn more about today’s economy, why it favors the wealthy over working people – and what they can do about it.
How are they structured?
More than 30,000 local unions make up the 51 state federations (including Puerto Rico). While participation by locals in the semi-autonomous organizations chartered by the AFL-CIO is voluntary, the national labor federation strongly encourages all unions to build stronger state labor movements through full affiliation and participation.
State labor federations are comprised of local union unions and other eligible subordinate bodies of the national and international unions that are affiliated with the AFL-CIO. Certain eligible unions may affiliate by receiving a charter through the Solidarity Charter Program. Other unions may receive a certificate of affiliation as a direct local affiliate through the Unity Partnerships Program, and local associations of the National Education Association may join by receiving a certificate of affiliation through the AFL-CIO/NEA Labor Solidarity Partnerships.
Representatives of state federations serve on a national advisory committee appointed by the AFL-CIO president. The State Federation and Central Labor Council Advisory Committee meets twice a year to consider and recommend initiatives and programs to the federation. State federations are governed by elected, full-time executive officers and executive boards representing affiliated local unions.
What are Central Labor Councils?
AFL-CIO central labor councils bring different unions together in communities to work collectively on organizing new members, educating and mobilizing current members, and creating a powerful voice for working families. CLCs comprise the grassroots network of the labor movement’s effort to ensure that economic, education, health care and other policies benefit working families.
What do they do?
Central labor councils give working families a voice:
· On the job. Working together through CLCs, local unions support one another’s organizing campaigns and contract bargaining. With “Street Heat” rapid-response teams, CLCs turn out large groups of working people to support union members and challenge anti-union, anti-worker employers. CLCs forge community alliances that build support for union members’ efforts to win positive charges on the job and retain past gains.
· In local and state politics. CLCs endorse candidates for local office, make recommendations on state legislative candidate endorsements, and coordinate the local union movement’s political mobilization efforts, including voter registration, worksite leafleting, and neighborhood canvassing.
· In local and state government. CLCs provide working families with the information and opportunities they need to make their voices heard by local elected leaders and state legislators. CLCs engage union members in developing and promoting an agenda for good, secure jobs; job safety; adequate investments in such working family needs as education, health care, retirement security; and against job-killing proposals like the privatization of government services.
· In their communities. An extensive network of community services staffers and volunteers works through CLCs to help union members in need of emergency assistance during family crises and natural disasters, plant closings and economic hardships. CLCs strengthen communities in additional ways by linking labor with community and religious groups to tackle shared concerns, like supporting high-road economic developments that create good-paying jobs and ensuring an adequate local revenue base for essential services such as education.
· In the economy. CLCs give working families greater power to shape their economic well-being by mobilizing working people for social and economic justice, for fair treatment on the job and for pro-worker government policies. CLCs also link local unions with the educational resources of the AFL-CIO, giving members the opportunity to learn more about today’s economy, why it favors the wealthy over working people — and what they can do about it.
How are they structured?
More than 30,000 local unions make up the 525 local labor councils across the nation. While participation by locals in the semi-autonomous organizations chartered by the AFL-CIO is voluntary, the federation strongly encourages all unions to build stronger local labor movements through full affiliation and participation.
Local labor federations are comprised of local unions and other eligible subordinate bodies of the national and international unions that are affiliated with the AFL-CIO. Certain eligible unions may affiliate by receiving a charter through the Solidarity Charter Program. Other unions may receive a certificate of affiliation as a direct local affiliate through the Unity Partnerships Program, and local associations of the National Education Association may join by receiving a certificate of affiliation through the AFL-CIO/NEA Labor Solidarity Partnership.
Representatives of central labor councils serve on a national advisory committee appointed by the AFL-CIO president. The State Federation and Central Labor Council Advisory Committee meets twice a year to consider and recommend initiatives and programs to the federation. CLCs are governed by elected executive boards, with officers serving part-time or as volunteers in most small and medium-size communities. In larger cities, CLCs have full-time officers and staff.
Below are two sets of endorsement. One is the Southwest Coastal Area Local November 2018 Endorsements and the other is the California Labor Federation Endorsements.
This came from the letter carriers
July 16, 2018
House resolution introduced on USPS privatization
Today, a group of 10 bipartisan representatives introduced a House Resolution (H. Res. 993) calling on Congress to take all appropriate measures to ensure that the Postal Service remain an independent agency of the federal government and not be subject to privatization.
The bipartisan resolution was introduced by Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Stephen Lynch (D-MA). Other original cosponsors will be Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Paul Cook (R-CA), Brian Mast (R-FL), Don Young (R-AK), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Dave Loebsack (D-IA) and Marcia Fudge (D-OH).
The resolution’s introduction comes in response to the recent Office of Management and Budget (OMB) government reorganization and restructure plan titled “Delivery Government Solutions in the 21st Century.” While the report takes direct aim at numerous agencies, it calls for privatizing the Postal Service.
“NALC commends our bipartisan friends in Congress for their immediate action to push back against this ill-conceived idea that will adversely impact the constituents they represent and the letter carriers who serve them seven-days-a-week,” said NALC President Rolando.
“Privatization of the Postal Service will inevitably increase costs and limit service for locations not deemed profitable, which is just the tip of the iceberg. Privatization will also threaten the standard of living of letter carriers and all postal employees.” continued Rolando.
“Just as NALC laid out for the White House Postal Task Force, we believe that sensible financial reforms are the way forward – not burning down the barn at the behest of private shippers.” Rolando said. “We encourage all members of Congress to cosponsor this important bipartisan resolution and oppose any effort to privatize this public institution based in the Constitution.”
NALC encourages all letter carriers to contact their members of Congress to become cosponsors on this resolution.
It is beneficial to review the attached APWU
Hatch Act Document.
Meeting will be Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 2:00PM at the local union office located at 1251 N. Tustin Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92807.
The SWCAL Retiree Chapter meets at 2 PM on Saturday, July 28, 2018.
All meetings are at the local union office – 1251 N. Tustin Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92807.