Joe was elected Director of Retires in 2006. A position he has held for 16 years and was recently re-elected in 2022. Joe began his postal and Union career in 1965. Joe saw many changes within the Postal Service and Union at the beginning of his career. With just 5 years on the job, the carriers went on strike and Joe was right there with them. After the strike joe continued his postal career as a changed man. He volunteered for many things that would benefit the carriers of Branch 36 and was elected Shop Steward by his fellow carriers. In 2000, Joe was selected by then President Orapello to work at the Letter Carrier’s Credit Union. Joe held that position full time until 2012 when he switched to a part time position. In 2006, President Charlie Heege selected Joe to become the Director of Retirees. Thanks to all the members who voted in the 2022 election, Joe was re-elected to the position of the Director of Retirees where he continues to assist Branch 36 carriers in life after the Post Office.

Big Changes in 2026

Social Security and Medicare changed in important ways on January 1st. Here is a look at a few major updates:

1. Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Inflation ticked up in recent months, resulting in a 2.8% COLA for 2026 for people receiving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments. That’s an increase from a 2.5% COLA in 2025. The Social Security Administration estimates that the average retirement benefit will rise by about $56 a month from $2,015 to $2,071.
2. Medicare premiums. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B covering doctor visits and outpatient treatment, increased almost 10 percent to $202.90 up from $185 in 2025. The Part B deductible rose to $283 from $257 before services were covered. The Part A inpatient is now $1,736 up from $1,676.
3. Tax relief. A new tax break for people 65 and older will reduce taxable income by as much as $6,000 for eligible taxpayers ($12,000 for couples). That deduction is phased out for people with earnings over $250,000.
4. Social Security earning text. Social Security applies an earnings test to beneficiaries who have not yet reached full retirement age, now between 66 and 67. In 2026, beneficiaries who will not reach their FRA during the calendar year will have $1 withheld from their Social Security payment for every $2 in work income above $24,480 fup from $23,400 in 2025.
5. Qualifying for benefits. The first step in qualifying for Social Security Retirement benefits is having at least 40 Social Security credits. You accumulate up to four credits a year by paying Social Security taxes on the money you earn. For at least $1,890 in taxable work income, you’ll get one Social Security credit. The threshold per quarter was $80 lower.

Effective January 1st, all newly received optional retirement applications will be processed through the new Online Retirement Application, also known as ORA. Federal disability retirement requests are not yet supported by the new online system and will continue to use the current application process. To initiate the optional retirement application process, you may contact the Human Resources Share Service Center at (877) 477-3273 and select option 5. You will be required to provide a valid personal email address to start your retirement application. Once your retirement eligibility is confirmed, you will receive an email with instructions for completing the online application and the required documentation. If you submitted an optional retirement application prior to January 1st, regardless of your retirement date, you do not need to resubmit it.

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