AFSA continues to discuss with Assistant Secretary Carpenter of the Diplomatic Security Bureau ways in which unescorted access can be restored, beginning with retirees who have business in the Department. Limited deductions from annuities. Unlike Civil Service retirees, Foreign Service annuitants may not make allotments for the Combined Federal Campaign, Medicare premiums or association dues. AFSA President Adair met in October with the Department's Chief Financial Officer, who was amenable to upgrading computers to enable more allotments and willing to seek the necessary funds in FY2002. Obstacles to use of retirees as rehired annuitants.
Bureaus find the rehiring process too complex.
Security clearance renewals take too long. The new AFSA database of retirees ready to work, and the ability to expedite temporary clearances, should make rehiring easier as bureaus become used to it. Lack of toll-free number and Web site hamper the office's responsiveness to inquiries. Also, the availability of a toll-free line in the retirement accounts division and the automated Annuitant Direct system facilitate resolution of many annuity problems. Retirees as an outreach resource.