This disparity continues into retirement. Politicians find it difficult to withstand public pressure amid misconceptions that federal workers are overpaid and receive too generous retirement packages. Federal retirement benefits, which employees contribute to and work for, are not a gift. These benefits are earned through long-term, honorable government service and employee contributions. Delayed COLAs, pay freezes and other benefit changes have cost federal workers and retirees billions of dollars over the past decade.
Few benefits are as valuable to employees and annuitants as health insurance.
This includes supporting candidates for public office who understand and act on issues important to federal workers and retirees. Some members, however, receive retirement benefits from independent agency plans such as the Foreign Service Retirement System, Tennessee Valley Authority Retirement System, Federal Judiciary Retirement System, Central Intelligence Agency Retirement System, and over 40 others. Federations Federations bring chapters together. The purpose of the federation is to promote the objectives of the association within its respective area. In an advisory role, federations provide support and advise chapters in such areas as membership training, legislative action, membership development, public relations, retirement benefits and direct state legislative efforts.