The 2024 elections are approaching quicker than you think, and the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) encourages all of its members to ensure they are registered to vote. The easiest way to check on your voter registration is to visit the non-partisan website, vote.org. There, you can verify your voter registration, register to vote, apply to vote by mail, and learn more about your state’s election laws.

The NPMHU highly encourages its members to enroll in vote by mail. Over the past four years, local election boards and the United States Postal Service (USPS) saw an increase in use of vote by mail. The 2020 elections saw USPS process and deliver 135 million ballots to and from voters; 610 million pieces of election mail; and, 4 billion pieces of political mail. USPS delivered 97.9% of ballots within 3 days and 99.7% of ballots within 5 days. While state regulations for vote by mail, also called absentee ballots, were expanded in 2020 due to the pandemic and public health concerns, due to popularity and demand, many states expanded access to these ballots. During the 2022 midterm elections, USPS delivered over 54.4 million ballots, of these 98.96% were delivered within 3 days and 99.82% were delivered within 5 days. As Mail Handlers, we are uniquely aware of the capabilities of the Postal Service to take extraordinary measures to ensure a secure and accurate vote.

Once again, the Postal Service will utilize local election mail task forces. These task forces, located in every postal facility across the country, will ensure all Mail Handlers and other postal employees know the extraordinary measures to get election and political mail out on time; identify best practices; and, recognize inefficiencies. The NPMHU has participated in these local task forces in both the 2020 and 2022 elections, and will work again to ensure the USPS will meet the needs of American voters.

Keep your eye out on any information and stand up talks regarding these task forces and how Mail Handlers will assist in processing election ballots.

WHAT DOES THE ELECTION MEAN TO MAIL HANDLERS?

As recent national elections have come down to voter turnout, it is imperative that every member of the Union participates in the democratic process.

Currently, polling for the presidential and congressional elections show that President Biden and former-President Trump are in a statistical tie to win. Additionally, the Senate is projected to be evenly split between the parties requiring tie breaking votes from the Vice President, and the House’s majority could easily go either way. It is an important reminder that it is the majority winner who set legislative and policy agendas. Under President Biden, the NPMHU saw the Postal Reform Act, legislation the Union worked on for over a decade signed into law. Additionally, he ushered the passage of the Infrastructure Bill, which brought infrastructure jobs to areas across the country and an influx of funding to local communities. The Biden Administration further expanded access for veterans’ healthcare; moved to cap the cost of insulin for the elderly; and, called for student loan forgiveness. The Trump campaign has already outlined what they hope another Trump Administration would accomplish with Project 2025. From this document, we’ve seen calls for reductions of Mail Handlers’ retirement benefits; threats against collective bargaining rights; and, undermining the abilities of federal agencies.

The Mail Handlers Union doesn’t vote party – we vote postal. When filling out your ballot, keep in mind which candidates would be best for your job, your benefits, and your family’s future.

POSTAL SERVICE HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM

FACT SHEET FOR USPS EMPLOYEES

The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 (PSRA) was signed into law in April 2022. Since then, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in conjunction with the Postal Service, has seen working to implement a new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, as required under the new law. PSHB is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and will be administered by OPM.

Coverage under the PSHB Program will be effective January 1, 2025. Below is a list of facts regarding the PSHB Program for active employees:

1. You are required to select a health insurance plan in the PSHB Program during the 2024 open season period, from November 11, 2024 – December 9, 2024.
2. PSHB plan options and premium information will be available in October 2024.
3. OPM will launch a new enrollment platform for health insurance. Information on how to make elections using the new system will be available prior to the 2024 open season.
4. If you are an active employee age 64 or older as of January 1, 2025, you ARE NOT required to enroll in Medicare Part B to continue your PSHB health insurance coverage once you retire. However, upon your retirement and entitlement to Medicare Part A (typically at age 65), you will have the option to enroll in Medicare Part B during a special enrollment period.

• • If you are the primary subscriber, your covered family members will not be required to enroll in Medicare Part B to stay on your PSHB plan; however, enrollment in Medicare Part B may reduce your overall costs for health care-related expenses and may provide better value for you and your family.

5. If you are an active employee under the age of 64 as of January 1, 2025, to continue your PSHB health insurance coverage in retirement, you WILL BE required to enroll in Medicare Part B after you retire and become entitled to Medicare Part A (typically at age 65).

• • If you are the primary PSHB enrollee, your covered family members will also be required to enroll in Medicare Part B when you retire, upon their entitlement to Medicare Part A, if they wish to remain covered by your PSHB insurance.

• • If you retire on or after January 1, 2025, and you are under 64, you WILL BE required to enroll in Medicare Part B when you become entitled to Medicare Part A (typically at age 65) to remain enrolled in a PSHB plan. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will mail you a notice when you are eligible to enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period. Your initial enrollment period starts three months prior to your 65^th birthday and ends three months after your 65th birthday. If you are the primary PSHB subscriber, your covered family members will also be required to enroll in Medicare Part B upon their entitlement to Medicare Part A, if they wish to remain covered by your PSHB insurance.

6. There are exceptions to the requirement to enroll in Medicare Part B as an annuitant. These exceptions will also apply to your covered family members. Annuitants may be responsible for providing proof of eligibility for the applicable exception(s) to the designated agency. These exceptions are:

• • You are residing outside of the United States and its territories. You are required to follow the policy and procedure set forth by the Postal Service to be eligible for this exception; or

• • You are enrolled in health care benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs; or

• • You are eligible for health services provided by Indian Health Services.

7. As a general rule, spousal and family member PSHB coverage is based on the primary enrollee’s eligibility. If the primary subscriber is required to enroll in Medicare Part B, dependent family members will also be required to enroll when they are eligible.

Looking Ahead

Benefits can change over time. Employees are encouraged to review available plans each year and stay abreast of health insurance options. Additional information will be communicated in the coming months. You can also visit or contact us via any of the following methods:

Online — https://liteblue.usps.gov - www.OPM.gov

Email — retirementbenefits@usps.gov

Mail — 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Suite 9670 Washington, DC 20260

Fax — 202-268-3337

Accessibility — Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339

You can also receive information and updates by signing up for our text messaging notifications by texting “PSHBP” to 39369

PSHBP Navigator Help Line — 833-712-PSHB (7742)

Also see USPS’ Guide to Understanding the PSHBP https://www.keepingposted.org/assets/pdf/guide-to-understanding-the-pshb-program.pdf