Continue Your APWU Activism, Become a Retiree Member!

APWU family, an important part of our fight to protect and secure our hard-earned benefits and to help to preserve the Postal Service includes the continued growth of the APWU Retirees Department. Retiree members are an asset to the APWU at every level, as mentors and as a support system. It is our collective efforts that will help us achieve our goals. Retiree members participate in social, political, legislative, and educational activities for the dual purposes of improving retirees’ quality of life and reaching out to help those who are less fortunate. Retiree members also assist APWU local and state organizations. So, continue your APWU membership by joining the Retirees Department.

Members join the Retirees Department for numerous reasons: to stay abreast of issues related to retirees and to bring awareness to retiree issues; to help protect the rights of future retirees by supporting legislative issues important to retirees and working people; to share knowledge and experience where needed; and to work within the labor movement at the local, state, and national levels; and to protect our voice and vote by securing more rights for retirees.

Additional benefits of joining the Retirees Department include access to the Voluntary Bene t Plan programs, including a free $5,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Policy, and access to the APWU Health Plan. Retirees also come together to establish APWU Retiree Chapters, which are independently chartered bodies of the APWU that are organized and democratically led by APWU retiree members.

May is Older Americans Month (OAM)

When OAM was established in 1963, only 17 million Americans living at that time had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Historically, OAM has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended our country. Every president since John F. Kennedy has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. The APWU National Executive Board (NEB) also issued similar annual proclamations.

The 2024 OAM theme, Powered by Connection, recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. Staying connected plays a vital role in supporting independence and aging in place by combatting isolation, loneliness, and other issues. Below are some ideas for how you can participate in Powered by Connection, which can be found at: acl.gov/oam.

• Share facts about the mental, physical, and emotional health benefits of social connection and how it contributes to overall well-being.
• Promote resources that help older adults engage, like community events, social clubs, and volunteer opportunities.
• Connect older adults with local services, such as transportation, that can help them overcome obstacles to achieving or maintaining meaningful relationships.
• Encourage partners to host a connection-centric event or program, focused on older adult mentors to youth, peer-to-peer support, or similar efforts.
• Challenge professional and personal networks to prioritize meaningful social connections and share the benefits.
• Inspire older adults to share what connection means to them.

Your APWU dues stop when you retire from the USPS and are no longer on their rolls. You can join the Retirees Department online at apwu.org/retiree-online-join. Retiree Department dues are just $3.00 per month deducted from your annuity. ■

REMEMBER: Do Your Part, GOTV - Get Out the Vote 2024

Vote-by-Mail is essential in 2024. Starting with your primary elections, if you have the chance to Vote-by-Mail do so to protect the integrity of your voice. Retiree voices, senior voices will only be listened to when we VOTE.