NEREA - Navy Exchange Retired Employees Association

VERY IMPORTANT NEWS

Dear NEXCOM Retiree:

Many of us are efficient in our daily lives and have kept good records during our working years, but most of us leave very inadequate and/or incomplete information regarding our economic and personal affairs when we die, causing additional grief and problems for our beneficiary/surviving spouse. When and how your benefits will be paid and how your estate will be settled subsequent to your demise is your responsibility. We urge you to you use the below guidelines to prepare a checklist and share it with your beneficiary and/or surviving spouse. This checklist will be invaluable to your beneficiary when you pass. You should, store this information in a safe place so it will be available for possible revisions by you and later by your family.

WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU HAVE WITH NEXCOM?

.
If you enrolled for basic and special life insurance policies during your NEXCOM employment (money you elected to have survivor benefits deducted from your monthly retirement check, your beneficiary should be advised of this benefit and the monthly dollar value. (Some restrictions may apply if the beneficiary is under 60 years of age at the time of your death.)

Is the name you originally selected as the beneficiary to receive your retirement annuity, basic and special life insurances, still valid? You can call or write to NEXCOM (at phone number/address shown below) to verify that the name of your beneficiary/surviving spouse is current, and if not current, provide a person of your choice at this time.

WHO SHOULD BE NOTIFIED?
Discuss and provide a list for your beneficiary of the organizations that should be notified in the event of your untimely death. This list should include but not limited to:

• NEXCOM/ John Hancock (for retirement annuity)/ Bank/ Credit Unions/Investment firms/
Mortgage company/Local Social Security office./ Private sector Health or Life Insurance
Companies.

NEXCOM will help:
For insurance information, reporting your death or obtaining benefits information, your beneficiary can contact

NEXCOM:
Toll free phone number: 1-888-639-2363
Mailing address: Navy Exchange Service Command, Retirement Section, Department HR, 3280
Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach , VA 23462-5724
If you have any questions or doubts concerning your earned benefits, call NEXCOM and they will gladly answer
any questions you have concerning your benefits.

NEXCOM HAS PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING ADVICE FOR ALL NEXCOM RETIREES AND NEREA RECOMMENDS THAT THIS INFORMATION BE GIVEN TO YOUR BENEFICIARY OR SURVIVING SPOUSE.

“Retirees and/or beneficiaries should contact NEXCOM Human Resources Group on the toll free number, 1-888-639-2363 for all benefit plan issues. Notification on the toll free number enables the most efficient and effective processing of entitlements due to the retiree and /or beneficiary.

NEXCOM HR will notify the insurance carriers and forward appropriate forms to you for completion"

The above comments related to your NEXCOM retiree benefits are not intended to be all inclusive of action(s) that should be taken to assist you and/or your beneficiaries. Remember, it is your responsibility to provide NEXCOM with all applicable information relating to your NEXCOM retirement benefits.

Join NEREA.

The Navy Exchange Retired Employees Association (NEREA) is providing this information as a courtesy to all NEXCOM
retirees worldwide. NEREA members receive a newsletter quarterly. Won’t you join us ? If you want to join over 2,000 of
your fellow NEXCOM retirees, please complete the NEREA dues coupon on the last page of this newsletter and with a dues
check made payable to NEREA and forward it to the address indicated on the coupon.. For membership processing accuracy,
please write ‘new’ on the coupon to depict new membership. Dues are $10.00 annually and the $5.00 one time admin fee for
new members has been waived!

IN ADDITION TO YOUR NEXCOM BENEFITS CONSIDER:

• Do you have a will? Have circumstances changed that may necessitate a change be made to your original will? This may require professional assistance to ensure any changes are legally acceptable. Does your beneficiary, spouse or a responsible family member know where your will, or at least a copy, is located and have legal access to it?

• Have you discussed with your beneficiary or family members your wishes concerning funeral arrangements, such as which Funeral Home do you prefer? If you prefer a wake has the number of viewing days and/or evenings been discussed? Cremation? Type of service such as church, funeral home or grave site (cemetery).

• If you served in the military or retired from the military you may want to consider burial in a Veterans Cemetery, which will also include your spouse. For information concerning internment in a Veterans Cemetery, go to their website National Cemetery Administration, and click on the state or the eligibility link In some instances you may be eligible for financial assistance. For burial allowance information call 1-800-827-1000. It is suggested this be done as soon as possible since the process may take several days. Your military honorable discharge document will be required.

• If you were employed or retired from a private sector company, they should be advised in the event of possible financial gain due you, such as unused accrued vacation/sick leave, company stock, etc.

• Do you have bank account(s) or personal property such as real estate, automobile(s), boat, etc. in your name only, (which is not part of your will,) which could create a problem in the event of a probate hearing? Consider amending your will to preclude any
legal problems.

• It is suggested you visit the website of the www.Funerals.org a 50 state non- profit organization that can probably answer any question or assist in resolving most problems that occur when there is an untimely death.

• If you had selected to have survivor benefits deducted from your monthly retirement check and unfortunately your beneficiary dies, then NEXCOM need to be notified so that the survivor benefit deduction can be discontinued.

Be prepared, PLEASE!

For more information, Click below:

RETIREE BENEFITS – HR NEXCOM

NAVSUP INFORMATION BULLETIN

Minutes of the NEREA Board of Directors meeting – September 7, 2011

The quarterly meeting was held in the NEXCOM Headquarters in Va. Beach, Va.

Members present: Bill Harper (president), Herb Friedland (vice president), and Tom Cunningham (treasurer). Directors: John Brown, Mario Canu, Nancy Collette, Bob Elszy, Rudy Godfrey, George Horey, Peter Peugeot, Ron Tolson and J. Van Heiningen. Ex-Officio: Bill Butler, Pat Byrne and Bill Ferguson. Barbara Rath (secretary) and Jane Hoffmann (director) were absent.

A. The meeting was called to order by Bill Harper at 7:05 PM and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
George Horey lead a special prayer for the 9/11 terrorist attacks victims and families.

B. The minutes from the June 7, 2011 meeting were approved by all.

C. Bill Harper gave recognition to Bill Ferguson for all he has done in support of NEREA. Bill Ferguson is moving to Florida, and will continue to be an ex-officio member. Everyone stood and applauded BIll Fergeson. We will miss him very much.

D.  Art LaValle, Trustee Chairman to our Pension Fund, handed out copies of “Fund Return Table Review” for the
period ending July 31, 2011.  On a separate sheet were the results for August 2011.  As of present the fund is viable
and well funded.   He shares that the market continues to be volatile, but he looks forward to see a positive return
in our portfolio by the end of the year.   George Horey thanked Art for all he and the trustees do for our retirement
fund.

E.  Bill Harper reminded all that the HRALA Luncheon is going to take place on December 1, 2011 at the Sheraton
Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, VA.  All agreed to have the next EBOD meeting on 12/1/11 to coincide with attending
the HRALA event.
Bill Harper also announced that the Special Information Check List , prepared by Bill Ferguson this summer, is
going to go to all retirees with the October 1st checks mailing from John Hancock.

Upcoming 2012 Convention in New Orleans:  After a brief discussion about the menus offered by two N.O.’s local
restaurants, it was decided that the “Mulate’s” restaurant will be the location for our convention banquet.  Bill will
continue to negotiate with MRP group on the menu.

F.  Bill Butler spoke about the Congressional DoD proposed changes affecting DeCA and Exchange Services.
Studies and proposed budgets are being requested.  No decisions are made on this yet.  Bill Butler advised that we
need to be vigilant, alert and proactive for changes that are going to affect our pension plan.  Many questions are
unanswered at this time.  Bill Butler suggests that we compile a list of questions to the pension trustees regarding
our concerns and present them at our next quarterly meeting.  He will prepare a POAM to the NEREA Finance
Committee.

G. Tom Cunningham gave treasurer’s report.  As of 7/31/11 the savings account balance is $31,271.44. Checking
account balance as of 8/31/11 is $1,864.20.  Tom presented a report showing the trend on enrollment and the drop
on dues paying members.  He also presented a detailed POAM for the Membership Committee.  George Horey
suggested again that NEREA needs to be represented at the “retirement seminars” given by NEXCOM HR to
potential retirees before their retirements come in effect, so they have a better understanding of what can offer.

H.  George Horey gave the Scholarship Fund report.  Nine scholarships were awarded by August 2011. He says that
donations are down.  As of 8/12/11 the bank balance is $9,273.32.  George acknowledged Bill Ferguson’s efforts
in contacting over 200 companies soliciting donations.  The response has been very poor, and only $700.00 have
been raised.  George Horey will continue to chair the Scholarship Fund until June 2012.  Bill Harper will be taking
nominations to replace George Horey as Scholarship Fund Chairman.

I.  Pete Peugeot reported on the Nominating Committee findings.  Most “A” category BOD members agreed to stay
another term.  George Horey opted to become the 4th Ex-Officio member, so his position is open.  The committee
recommended Jim Kautz (who indicated his desire to serve a 2-year term) to the EBOD, and this was approved by

all.

J.  Bill Harper opened the discussion regarding the issuance of the newsletter on PDF form, thus saving in mailing
the hard copies.  Ron Tolson reported that there is no way possible to restrict the e-mailing to just those who pay
dues.  It was decided and agreed upon to send the newsletter on PDF form to all those retirees who have an e-mail
address.  Ron Tolson will coordinate to establish an e-mail roster to make this happen.  Pat Byrne is to contact
Glenna Skinner to assist in this endeavor.

K.  John Brown spoke again about the advantage of investing our savings, instead of just sitting at the bank
earning very little.  Mario Canu is to work on this.  It was mentioned that NFCU could yield us a 2% interest on
investment.  Mario Canu, J. VanHeiningen, and Tom Cunningham are to work on this together.  Mario is to go out
and investigate different institutions to see where the best yields on CDs are.  A motion was made for Mario to get
estimates on $10,000 and $15,000 and it was approved by all.  The details of the findings are to be presented at the
next meeting.

L.  There was a suggestion to change the current bank we are doing business with.  The EBOD approved for Tom
Cunningham to look into changing banks.

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM

Next meeting is on December 1, 2011

Nancy Collette, recorder for:

Barbara Rath - Secretary

TOP

TREASURER'S TIDBIT

Dues payments are 200 less this August as compared to August 2010.

TOP

MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS Winter 2011

Do you have a friend or neighbor that is a NEX or Coast Guard retiree, and not a member of NEREA? If yes, share your newsletter with them and encourage them to join with us?

We are still looking to highlight NEREA members that have been enjoying retirement the longest with a brief article in a future newsletter. If you retired in the 70’s or 80’s (or before), please drop us a note, include a little of your NEX history and a picture or two.

74 new NEX retirees are now members of NEREA as a result of their 2011 September through November retirements. Enjoy your retirement.

Please take a moment and note the year printed behind your name on the address label of this newsletter. If you see a 2010 printed behind your name , it’s time to pay your 2011 dues. If you see a 2009, a $20.00 check will bring your dues current for 2011. If you see 2011, you are current and if you see a 2012 you are paid a calendar year in advance

TOP

********************************************************************************************

Every year NEREA receives letters from many NEX retirees asking basically two questions. (1) Do I owe dues and if so how much, and (2) Why doesn’t NEREA send out notices when dues are owed! Let’s take #2 first. To send out dues notices to all NEREA members, postage alone would be approximately $1,000, plus the printing and labor involved. Now for #1: As for dues owed information, you receive that information four times a year when you receive the quarterly NEREA NEWS newsletter. On the back page in your mailing address there will be a figure after your name and it will look like this; Mary M. Retiree-09. The 09 indicates your dues are paid through the year 2009. If it was -07 or -08, it would be years 2007 and 2008, respectively, and also would mean you are in arrears in your dues. Dues are $10.00 annually, and are due in January each year.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT Every year NEREA reviews all member’s dues status. Your dues are very important to the Association. Without your dues there would be no quarterly NEREA NEWS, and, in addition, 25% of your dues goes to the NEREA Scholarship Fund and is used to financially assist a youngster of a retiree on his or her way to their first year of college. When a member’s dues are in arrears, (remember your mailing label will reflect your current dues status) the member is subject to being dropped from the NEREA Association as well as the mailing list. The question becomes “How can NEREA continue its Newsletter mailings to those members that are no longer paying dues?” Please don’t let that happen to you. If you are behind on your dues please make an effort to get them current by 1 October before the annual dues survey is conducted. NEREA needs you and you need NEREA as it is the only association that watches out for the Navy Exchange retiree.

QUESTION 1:
Is the retiree required at date of retirement to elect his/her spouse for Survivor Benefits or is there a grace period after retirement that the decision can be made, and if so, how long?

ANSWER:
A married retiree is not required to elect a survivor benefit. However, the decision to elect or waive the spouse survivor benefit must be made before the retirement benefit becomes payable.

QUESTION 2:
If a retiree had elected a 10% reduction in his/her annuity to provide a Survivor Benefit to their spouse, and they are subsequently divorced and the retiree remarries, can the new spouse be eligible for Survivor Benefit?

ANSWER:
Yes. If a retiree divorces and remarries, he/she may elect a survivor benefit to the new spouse providing he/she notifies NEXCOM within one year of the remarriage.

QUESTION 3:
To the above question, what happens to the 10% monies deducted prior to divorce?

ANSWER:
The retiree's annuity is restored to its full amount including accumulated cost of living adjustments. There is no refund for the 10% reduction withheld prior to the divorce.

QUESTION 4:
If a retiree has named his spouse the beneficiary for Survivor Benefits and the 10% reduction has been taken from his annuity for several years and spouse dies before the retiree what happens to the 10% that has been deducted over the years.

ANSWER:
See Answer to Question 3 above.

QUESTION 5:
If a retiree was not married at the time of official retirement date and had never named a Survivor Benefit and subsequently married years later will the spouse be eligible for Survivor Benefit?

ANSWER:
Yes. A retiree who marries after the retirement has one year from the date of his/her marriage to elect the survivor benefit.

QUESTION 6:
Does the Survivor Benefit beneficiary have to be the retirees' spouse, or can another person be named?

ANSWER:
A single retiree may elect a survivor benefit to a named person with an insurable interest. The retirement benefit is reduced by 10% with an additional 5% reduction for each full five years by which the named person is younger that the retiree.
A married retiree can only elect a survivor benefit to his/her spouse.




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		LATEST NEWS VERY IMPORTANT NEWS Dear NEXCOM Retiree: Many of us are efficient in our daily lives and have kept good records during our working years, but most of us leave very inadequate and/or incomplete information regarding our economic and personal affairs when we die, causing additional grief and problems for our beneficiary/surviving spouse. When and how your benefits will be paid and how your estate will be settled subsequent to your demise is your responsibility. We urge you to you use the below guidelines to prepare a checklist and share it with your beneficiary and/or surviving spouse. This checklist will be invaluable to your beneficiary when you pass. You should, store this information in a safe place so it will be available for possible revisions by you and later by your family. WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU HAVE WITH NEXCOM? . If you enrolled for basic and special life insurance policies during your NEXCOM employment (money you elected to have survivor benefits deducted from your monthly retirement check, your beneficiary should be advised of this benefit and the monthly dollar value. (Some restrictions may apply if the beneficiary is under 60 years of age at the time of your death.) Is the name you originally selected as the beneficiary to receive your retirement annuity, basic and special life insurances, still valid? You can call or write to NEXCOM (at phone number/address shown below) to verify that the name of your beneficiary/surviving spouse is current, and if not current, provide a person of your choice at this time. WHO SHOULD BE NOTIFIED? Discuss and provide a list for your beneficiary of the organizations that should be notified in the event of your untimely death. This list should include but not limited to: • NEXCOM/ John Hancock (for retirement annuity)/ Bank/ Credit Unions/Investment firms/ Mortgage company/Local Social Security office./ Private sector Health or Life Insurance Companies. NEXCOM will help: For insurance information, reporting your death or obtaining benefits information, your beneficiary can contact NEXCOM: Toll free phone number: 1-888-639-2363 Mailing address: Navy Exchange Service Command, Retirement Section, Department HR, 3280 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach , VA 23462-5724 If you have any questions or doubts concerning your earned benefits, call NEXCOM and they will gladly answer any questions you have concerning your benefits. NEXCOM HAS PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING ADVICE FOR ALL NEXCOM RETIREES AND NEREA RECOMMENDS THAT THIS INFORMATION BE GIVEN TO YOUR BENEFICIARY OR SURVIVING SPOUSE. “Retirees and/or beneficiaries should contact NEXCOM Human Resources Group on the toll free number, 1-888-639-2363 for all benefit plan issues. Notification on the toll free number enables the most efficient and effective processing of entitlements due to the retiree and /or beneficiary. NEXCOM HR will notify the insurance carriers and forward appropriate forms to you for completion" The above comments related to your NEXCOM retiree benefits are not intended to be all inclusive of action(s) that should be taken to assist you and/or your beneficiaries. Remember, it is your responsibility to provide NEXCOM with all applicable information relating to your NEXCOM retirement benefits. Join NEREA. The Navy Exchange Retired Employees Association (NEREA) is providing this information as a courtesy to all NEXCOM retirees worldwide. NEREA members receive a newsletter quarterly. Won’t you join us ? If you want to join over 2,000 of your fellow NEXCOM retirees, please complete the NEREA dues coupon on the last page of this newsletter and with a dues check made payable to NEREA and forward it to the address indicated on the coupon.. For membership processing accuracy, please write ‘new’ on the coupon to depict new membership. Dues are $10.00 annually and the $5.00 one time admin fee for new members has been waived! IN ADDITION TO YOUR NEXCOM BENEFITS CONSIDER: • Do you have a will? Have circumstances changed that may necessitate a change be made to your original will? This may require professional assistance to ensure any changes are legally acceptable. Does your beneficiary, spouse or a responsible family member know where your will, or at least a copy, is located and have legal access to it? • Have you discussed with your beneficiary or family members your wishes concerning funeral arrangements, such as which Funeral Home do you prefer? If you prefer a wake has the number of viewing days and/or evenings been discussed? Cremation? Type of service such as church, funeral home or grave site (cemetery). • If you served in the military or retired from the military you may want to consider burial in a Veterans Cemetery, which will also include your spouse. For information concerning internment in a Veterans Cemetery, go to their website National Cemetery Administration, and click on the state or the eligibility link In some instances you may be eligible for financial assistance. For burial allowance information call 1-800-827-1000. It is suggested this be done as soon as possible since the process may take several days. Your military honorable discharge document will be required. • If you were employed or retired from a private sector company, they should be advised in the event of possible financial gain due you, such as unused accrued vacation/sick leave, company stock, etc. • Do you have bank account(s) or personal property such as real estate, automobile(s), boat, etc. in your name only, (which is not part of your will,) which could create a problem in the event of a probate hearing? Consider amending your will to preclude any legal problems. • It is suggested you visit the website of the www.Funerals.org a 50 state non- profit organization that can probably answer any question or assist in resolving most problems that occur when there is an untimely death. • If you had selected to have survivor benefits deducted from your monthly retirement check and unfortunately your beneficiary dies, then NEXCOM need to be notified so that the survivor benefit deduction can be discontinued. Be prepared, PLEASE! For more information, Click below: RETIREE BENEFITS – HR NEXCOM NAVSUP INFORMATION BULLETIN Minutes of the NEREA Board of Directors meeting – September 7, 2011 The quarterly meeting was held in the NEXCOM Headquarters in Va. Beach, Va. Members present: Bill Harper (president), Herb Friedland (vice president), and Tom Cunningham (treasurer). Directors: John Brown, Mario Canu, Nancy Collette, Bob Elszy, Rudy Godfrey, George Horey, Peter Peugeot, Ron Tolson and J. Van Heiningen. Ex-Officio: Bill Butler, Pat Byrne and Bill Ferguson. Barbara Rath (secretary) and Jane Hoffmann (director) were absent. A. The meeting was called to order by Bill Harper at 7:05 PM and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. George Horey lead a special prayer for the 9/11 terrorist attacks victims and families. B. The minutes from the June 7, 2011 meeting were approved by all. C. Bill Harper gave recognition to Bill Ferguson for all he has done in support of NEREA. Bill Ferguson is moving to Florida, and will continue to be an ex-officio member. Everyone stood and applauded BIll Fergeson. We will miss him very much. D. Art LaValle, Trustee Chairman to our Pension Fund, handed out copies of “Fund Return Table Review” for the period ending July 31, 2011. On a separate sheet were the results for August 2011. As of present the fund is viable and well funded. He shares that the market continues to be volatile, but he looks forward to see a positive return in our portfolio by the end of the year. George Horey thanked Art for all he and the trustees do for our retirement fund. E. Bill Harper reminded all that the HRALA Luncheon is going to take place on December 1, 2011 at the Sheraton Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, VA. All agreed to have the next EBOD meeting on 12/1/11 to coincide with attending the HRALA event. Bill Harper also announced that the Special Information Check List , prepared by Bill Ferguson this summer, is going to go to all retirees with the October 1st checks mailing from John Hancock. Upcoming 2012 Convention in New Orleans: After a brief discussion about the menus offered by two N.O.’s local restaurants, it was decided that the “Mulate’s” restaurant will be the location for our convention banquet. Bill will continue to negotiate with MRP group on the menu. F. Bill Butler spoke about the Congressional DoD proposed changes affecting DeCA and Exchange Services. Studies and proposed budgets are being requested. No decisions are made on this yet. Bill Butler advised that we need to be vigilant, alert and proactive for changes that are going to affect our pension plan. Many questions are unanswered at this time. Bill Butler suggests that we compile a list of questions to the pension trustees regarding our concerns and present them at our next quarterly meeting. He will prepare a POAM to the NEREA Finance Committee. G. Tom Cunningham gave treasurer’s report. As of 7/31/11 the savings account balance is $31,271.44. Checking account balance as of 8/31/11 is $1,864.20. Tom presented a report showing the trend on enrollment and the drop on dues paying members. He also presented a detailed POAM for the Membership Committee. George Horey suggested again that NEREA needs to be represented at the “retirement seminars” given by NEXCOM HR to potential retirees before their retirements come in effect, so they have a better understanding of what can offer. H. George Horey gave the Scholarship Fund report. Nine scholarships were awarded by August 2011. He says that donations are down. As of 8/12/11 the bank balance is $9,273.32. George acknowledged Bill Ferguson’s efforts in contacting over 200 companies soliciting donations. The response has been very poor, and only $700.00 have been raised. George Horey will continue to chair the Scholarship Fund until June 2012. Bill Harper will be taking nominations to replace George Horey as Scholarship Fund Chairman. I. Pete Peugeot reported on the Nominating Committee findings. Most “A” category BOD members agreed to stay another term. George Horey opted to become the 4th Ex-Officio member, so his position is open. The committee recommended Jim Kautz (who indicated his desire to serve a 2-year term) to the EBOD, and this was approved by all. J. Bill Harper opened the discussion regarding the issuance of the newsletter on PDF form, thus saving in mailing the hard copies. Ron Tolson reported that there is no way possible to restrict the e-mailing to just those who pay dues. It was decided and agreed upon to send the newsletter on PDF form to all those retirees who have an e-mail address. Ron Tolson will coordinate to establish an e-mail roster to make this happen. Pat Byrne is to contact Glenna Skinner to assist in this endeavor. K. John Brown spoke again about the advantage of investing our savings, instead of just sitting at the bank earning very little. Mario Canu is to work on this. It was mentioned that NFCU could yield us a 2% interest on investment. Mario Canu, J. VanHeiningen, and Tom Cunningham are to work on this together. Mario is to go out and investigate different institutions to see where the best yields on CDs are. A motion was made for Mario to get estimates on $10,000 and $15,000 and it was approved by all. The details of the findings are to be presented at the next meeting. L. There was a suggestion to change the current bank we are doing business with. The EBOD approved for Tom Cunningham to look into changing banks. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM Next meeting is on December 1, 2011 Nancy Collette, recorder for: Barbara Rath - Secretary TOP TREASURER'S TIDBIT Dues payments are 200 less this August as compared to August 2010. TOP MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS Winter 2011 Do you have a friend or neighbor that is a NEX or Coast Guard retiree, and not a member of NEREA? If yes, share your newsletter with them and encourage them to join with us? We are still looking to highlight NEREA members that have been enjoying retirement the longest with a brief article in a future newsletter. If you retired in the 70’s or 80’s (or before), please drop us a note, include a little of your NEX history and a picture or two. 74 new NEX retirees are now members of NEREA as a result of their 2011 September through November retirements. Enjoy your retirement. Please take a moment and note the year printed behind your name on the address label of this newsletter. If you see a 2010 printed behind your name , it’s time to pay your 2011 dues. If you see a 2009, a $20.00 check will bring your dues current for 2011. If you see 2011, you are current and if you see a 2012 you are paid a calendar year in advance TOP ****************************************************************************************** TOP DOD Retiree ID card approved Navy Exchange retirees can now be issued the standard DoD Common Access Card (CAC) Identification Card. This ID card will facilitate retirees accessing DoD installations and MWR facilities and should resolve the problem many retirees have getting on base. Any Navy Exchange System retiree can get a CAC card – regardless of years of service with the Exchange System. The CAC card can be used for base access and access to MWR facilities. Retirees with shopping privileges must still present the Exchange shopping card to access base exchanges. Dependents of retirees cannot receive CAC cards at this time, and DoD has noted that the CAC ID card does not guarantee base access and access to MWR facilities. Installation Commanding Officers have the discretion to restrict access for reasons such as local demand, facility capacity, and security concerns. To get a CAC card, retirees must go to a DoD CAC issuing office, with 2 forms of identification, at least one of which must be a photo ID. A list of all DoD CAC issuing offices and telephone numbers is on the internet at: www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/owa/home Many CAC sites strongly prefer and may require that appointments be made on-line ahead of time. Internet links to the appointment scheduling system of most CAC sites are at: https://es.cac.navy.mil Because this process is very new, and different CAC offices may have different requirements, it is recommended that retirees call ahead of time to verify the appointment and ID requirements - especially if traveling a long distance to get the ID card. In the unlikely event a retiree is not in the CAC office database necessary to issue an ID card, they can contact Susan Mirabella in NEXCOM Human Resources for assistance at 757-440-4767. TOP NOTE: IMPORTANT DUES INFORMATION Every year NEREA receives letters from many NEX retirees asking basically two questions. (1) Do I owe dues and if so how much, and (2) Why doesn’t NEREA send out notices when dues are owed! Let’s take #2 first. To send out dues notices to all NEREA members, postage alone would be approximately $1,000, plus the printing and labor involved. Now for #1: As for dues owed information, you receive that information four times a year when you receive the quarterly NEREA NEWS newsletter. On the back page in your mailing address there will be a figure after your name and it will look like this; Mary M. Retiree-09. The 09 indicates your dues are paid through the year 2009. If it was -07 or -08, it would be years 2007 and 2008, respectively, and also would mean you are in arrears in your dues. Dues are $10.00 annually, and are due in January each year. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT Every year NEREA reviews all member’s dues status. Your dues are very important to the Association. Without your dues there would be no quarterly NEREA NEWS, and, in addition, 25% of your dues goes to the NEREA Scholarship Fund and is used to financially assist a youngster of a retiree on his or her way to their first year of college. When a member’s dues are in arrears, (remember your mailing label will reflect your current dues status) the member is subject to being dropped from the NEREA Association as well as the mailing list. The question becomes “How can NEREA continue its Newsletter mailings to those members that are no longer paying dues?” Please don’t let that happen to you. If you are behind on your dues please make an effort to get them current by 1 October before the annual dues survey is conducted. NEREA needs you and you need NEREA as it is the only association that watches out for the Navy Exchange retiree. TOP DID YOU KNOW?** SURVIVOR BENEFIT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS QUESTION 1: Is the retiree required at date of retirement to elect his/her spouse for Survivor Benefits or is there a grace period after retirement that the decision can be made, and if so, how long? ANSWER: A married retiree is not required to elect a survivor benefit. However, the decision to elect or waive the spouse survivor benefit must be made before the retirement benefit becomes payable. QUESTION 2: If a retiree had elected a 10% reduction in his/her annuity to provide a Survivor Benefit to their spouse, and they are subsequently divorced and the retiree remarries, can the new spouse be eligible for Survivor Benefit? ANSWER: Yes. If a retiree divorces and remarries, he/she may elect a survivor benefit to the new spouse providing he/she notifies NEXCOM within one year of the remarriage. QUESTION 3: To the above question, what happens to the 10% monies deducted prior to divorce? ANSWER: The retiree's annuity is restored to its full amount including accumulated cost of living adjustments. There is no refund for the 10% reduction withheld prior to the divorce. QUESTION 4: If a retiree has named his spouse the beneficiary for Survivor Benefits and the 10% reduction has been taken from his annuity for several years and spouse dies before the retiree what happens to the 10% that has been deducted over the years. ANSWER: See Answer to Question 3 above. QUESTION 5: If a retiree was not married at the time of official retirement date and had never named a Survivor Benefit and subsequently married years later will the spouse be eligible for Survivor Benefit? ANSWER: Yes. A retiree who marries after the retirement has one year from the date of his/her marriage to elect the survivor benefit. QUESTION 6: Does the Survivor Benefit beneficiary have to be the retirees' spouse, or can another person be named? ANSWER: A single retiree may elect a survivor benefit to a named person with an insurable interest. The retirement benefit is reduced by 10% with an additional 5% reduction for each full five years by which the named person is younger that the retiree. A married retiree can only elect a survivor benefit to his/her spouse.