Staying Active, Organized

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(This article appeared in the November/December 2009 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)

Judy Beard, Director

What are APWU retirees doing these days? Retirement is a lustrous and valuable two-sided coin. It is a stage on which to enjoy the liberties of free time and leisure, of relaxation and pleasure. Retirees are seizing the day! They are joining book clubs and bowling leagues, playing golf and bridge, crafting quilts and scrapbooks, beginning gardens and making long put-off repairs.

Some retirees are continuing their education, attending art workshops, computer classes, language courses, and music lessons, even finishing off degree programs. Almost all are taking care of loved ones, spending time with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and more time with their own children. In retirement, they finally get the time to see the world by traveling and vacationing, all the while discovering distant communities.

Closer to home, retirees are involved with churches and religious communities, and volunteer thousands of hours to mentoring youth. In addition to keeping active and having fun, retirees are keeping abreast of legislative issues that impact their lives and the lives of their families and former co-workers.

From fighting for Social Security fairness, to supporting the Employee Free Choice Act and opposing legislation such as S. 1507, APWU retirees set their priorities and continue the fight for what is right for postal workers. Perhaps most importantly, they are active in their union as retiree members in local retiree chapters, staying in touch with union brothers and sisters. One thing is for sure, staying busy improves quality of life: Ask any retiree.

Obligations to Self

But on the other side of that retirement coin are important responsibilities and personal obligations. Retirees must balance their leisure with taking care of personal business, including organizing records, such as the paperwork completed upon retirement.

If you are not yet organized, take the time to get organized now. Start by seeing to it that all records are in one place; this will be helpful to you, your loved ones, and the person designated as the trustee of your estate.

What documents should you keep in a safe place? Pension information; bank account and savings statements; homeowner’s deeds; insurance policies and stipulations; wills/trusts; and medical information.

The APWU can help with Vital Papers - a booklet to assist you in organizing your records. Get organized today: It will make it easier to spend the rest of your life enjoying retirement.

Attention: ‘Early-Outs’

Are you taking the Postal Service up on the retirement incentives? Don’t forget to complete an application to continue APWU membership as a retiree.

APWU Retirees Department dues are only $3 per month. As a member, you maintain the support and representation you enjoyed as an active, working union member. You have a voice on key legislative issues that impact your annuity.

As an APWU Retiree, you will be able to take advantage of member-only benefits such as the APWU Health Plan the Voluntary Benefits Plan (www.voluntarybenefitsplan.com), the Accident Benefit Association (www.apw-aba.org) and the offerings of the AFL-CIO Union Privilege program (www.unionplus.org). And it is the only way you can continue your critical COPA contributions. To obtain an APWU Retiree application, call 202-842-8584 or click here for information about joining. To download an application, click here.

(Note: Membership options and requirements are outlined in Article 3, Section 4 of the union’s Constitution and Bylaws.

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