Description: The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) is a century-old membership organization that advocates for the pay, retirement, health and survivor benefits of federal civilian employees and retirees. NARFE provides education, counseling and policy advocacy to protect and advance earned federal benefits and to represent the federal community before Congress and federal agencies. Type: Nonprofit membership association (organized as a 501(c)(5) labor/organization for federal employees and retirees) Policies: Advocacy to protect and enhance federal pay and pensions, preserve and improve retirement systems (CSRS/FERS), defend federal health and life insurance programs (FEHB/FEGLI), oppose cuts or privatization of earned benefits, seek fair COLAs and repeal of policies disadvantaging public servants (e.g., GPO/WEP), and defend merit-based federal workforce protections; grassroots lobbying and education for members and lawmakers. Funding: Primarily funded by membership dues and program revenues, supplemented by donations, sponsorships, publications/advertising revenue and investment income; maintains a separately funded member-supported political action committee (PAC) for federal candidate contributions. Affiliates: NARFE-PAC; a national structure of state/territory federations and local chapters (hundreds to over a thousand chapters); routinely collaborates with other federal employee unions, retiree advocacy groups and coalitions on shared legislative priorities.
