The Bureau of Human Resources (HR) and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) are pleased to announce a new procedure for the issuance of identification cards to retirees.

Starting August 4, 2008, DS will issue all retiree ID cards. These cards will look like other State Department badges. Retirees with the new cards will have the same privileges as those with the current retiree ID card:

* A retiree ID card, exclusive of any other form of ID, can be used to obtain a HST/SA-1 Retiree Visitor Pass (RVP);
* As currently in practice, the RVP provides a retiree with limited unescorted access to HST’s Foggy Bottom and 1st floor service areas, as well as the 3rd floor Library during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, except holidays;
* The same privilege applies at SA-1’s HR/RET offices, Medical suites and service areas.
* Retirees can continue to sign in their legal spouse and or dependant(s). User instructions are printed on the back of the RVP.

Retirees who have in their possession an HR/RET-issued retiree ID card may go directly to HST DSIS Office in Room B-237, to complete Form DS-1838, at which time they will be processed for and issued the new retiree ID card.

Retirees without an HR/RET-issued retiree ID badge must complete Form DS-1838 at the Office of Retirement (HR/RET), 2401 E Street NW, Room H-620, SA-1, Columbia Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20522. A retirement counselor in HR/RET must sign off on the form to certify your status as a retiree. Then, you will be able to be processed for and issued the new retiree ID card from the DSIS office in HST, Room B-237.

Retirees must provide two forms of identification to the DSIS officer (Note: ID’s that are typically used are a valid (not expired) DOS Personal ID Card, a state driver’s license and/or U.S. Passport). The ID card will be issued with an expiration date of 5 years.

2) COLA JUMPS TO 5.7-PERCENT IN JUNE

Foreign Service retirees, whose annuities and Social Security benefits are increased each year by the cost of living adjustment or COLA, will be interested to know that the COLA increased 1.1 percent to 5.7 percent in June. The COLA is based on changes in the consumer price index from the third quarter of one calendar year to the next. Retirees have accumulated 5.7 percent toward the 2009 COLA with three months remaining in the counting period. Cost of Living Adjustments sustain the value of federal annuities, survivor annuities, and Social Security payments by adjusting these payments to keep pace with inflation. July consumer price indices will be released on Thursday, August 14.

3) SENIOR LIVING FOUNDATION “PLANNING FOR CHANGE” SEMINAR

The Senior Living Foundation of the American Foreign Service is pleased to announce that it will host its “Planning for Change” seminar on September 18, 2008 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm with a reception immediately following. The event will be held at the Beacon Hotel located at 1615 Rhode Island Avenue, NW in Washington, DC. This year’s invited speakers are experts in the fields of Prescription Medication Concerns for Seniors, Medicare and Social Security, as well as Wills and Trusts. The series of informative discussions will explore many areas in which understanding and advanced planning make all the difference.

If you would like to attend the “Planning for Change” seminar or for more information, please contact the Foundation at 202-887-8170 or via e-mail at info@slfoundation.org. Space is limited so make sure to RSVP today!

4) INVITATION TO WETA ROADSHOW OF WASHINGTON WEEK & NATIONAL JOURNAL WITH GWEN IFILL

AARP and WETA 26 are inviting AFSA Retirees to a live taping of public television’s longest-running news and public affairs program, the Washington Week and National Journal with Gwen Ifill. The event will be on Friday, September 5, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. at the George Washington University Lisner Auditorium. Guests must be seated by 5:30 p.m. Taping begins at 5:45 p.m.

This taping includes a Washington Week Extra - an additional half-hour Special, featuring a Q&A session with the live audience.

This free event is open to the public, but reservations are required. For tickets, please call 703-998-2691 or e-mail lcircle@weta.com.

5) ELDERHOSTEL PROGRAM SEEKS SPEAKER

AFSA's Elderhostel Program is currently looking for a speaker who is available to speak on the issue of France in the 1960s, specifically the de Gaulle years, the student riots, and the Algeria War. AFSA/Elderhostel is participating in a program in Boston, MA on December 5 where we will pair a retired Foreign Service Officer with a retired CBS journalist who was stationed in Paris during this time. The program will consist of both speakers discussing this time period from the viewpoints of the U.S. government and the press, with ample time for audience Q&A.

We have an obvious preference for an FSO who was posted in Paris at this time. While we would also prefer someone who is somewhat local to the New England region, Elderhostel is willing to pay for our speaker to travel to Boston for this event. In addition, the speaker will receive a $200 honorarium. The plan is to repeat this program in Washington, DC sometime in early 2009. If you have an interest in participating in this program, please contact AFSA's Elderhostel Program Coordinator, Asgeir Sigfusson, at asigfusson@usaid.gov.

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