What Will Eat Up YOUR Retirement Dollars

Are you Impacted by the GPO and WEP? You may be if...

You or your spouse work(ed) as a public employee in a job that is not covered by Social Security, such as some educators, police officers, firefighters, or federal workers.

You supplemented your education income by working part-time or during the summer in a job where you earned Social Security.

You worked in a state where your job was covered by Social Security before moving to a state where you don't earn Social Security.

Legislative Matters
NEA's Legislative Action Center connects you with the on-line tools to lobby Congress and State Legislators -- today -- from your desktop computer. You can send your representatives an e-mail, become a cyber-lobbyist, and join our campaign to modernize America's schools.

Beware of Aging Savings Bonds
If you have a number of old Savings Bonds collecting dust, don't assume they're also collecting interest. According to the U.S. government, some $6 billion in savings bonds are no longer earning interest.

Check the issue dates. After 20 to 40 years, depending on the kind of bond, savings bonds actually stop earning interest. If the savings bond is no longer earning interest, you can cash the bond at any redemption agent -- including most banks. If you have Series E bonds, you may be able to exchange them for current Series HH bonds. For more information, contact http://www.savingsbonds.gov/

Medicare Questions
Do you have questions or concerns about Medicare, Medicaid, or MediGap? Are you unsure about your coverage or interested in the latest legislation affecting your coverage? You can get your answers quickly if you have a telephone or computer. You can call the Health Care Financing Administration (HFCA), in at 800/633-4227 or visit http://www.medicare.gov/ You can also contact the Medicare Rights Center at 212/869-3850. Another resource: the United Seniors Health Cooperative, 800/637-2604. To report Medicare fraud or questionable charges, call 800/477/8477.

Social Security
Want more information? Click now to read the brochure: Social Security Government Pension Offset, published by National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Medicare
On Capitol Hill: Fighting for your right to Medicare. What were the changed proposed for the Medicare program? What about the proposed change in eligibility age? What's the status of these proposed changes?