GA-RASCOE

Are you looking forward to retirement? Webster’s New World Dictionary defines retirement as "a withdrawing to a secluded place" or "to take out of circulation." Don’t count on either of those reflecting retirement for the majority of retirees. Ask almost any retiree you meet and you will hear that they are busier now than before retirement.

Your NASCOE/GACOE organizations’ mission is to make things better for you as an employee while you are working. And after working 25 or 30 years you expect that you will have certain benefits when you retire. The last few years have proven that you cannot always count on this without further work.

                                                                        What Is RASCOE?

In 1994, a group of retired ASCS employees organized the national Association of Retired ASCS Employees. The purpose of RASCOE is to promote the welfare of the association’s members by alignment with other organizations and active lobbying to maintain the integrity of retiree benefits.

RASCOE objectives are: (1) Colas without delay and being treated the same as other retirees receiving government supported retirement benefits, (2) Continuation of Health Insurance as now available, (3) Continuation of Medicare substantially in the manner as now authorized, (4) Seek legislation to amend the Social Security laws GPO and WEP provisions to enable retirees to receive full benefits earned, and (5) Repeal of the Premium Conversion Bill.

Any ASCS/FSA retiree becomes a member by paying association dues. Any member of a State retiree organization, which is affiliated with the National organization, shall be a member of the National organization. Anyone wishing to show support for RASCOE may be an Associate member by paying dues. National dues are $20.00 for each fiscal year (July 1- June 30).

An annual meeting is held in conjunction with the annual NASCOE Convention.

Benefits available through JM Marketing include: (1) Cancer Insurance, (2) Long Term Care Insurance, (3) Dental Insurance, and (4) "SPECS" Vision Plan.

What Is GA-RASCOE?

On June 13, 1997, a group of retirees met in Macon, GA, and decided to organize Georgia retirees. Thus following guidelines set by the National association; it was decided that we would be known as GA-RASCOE. Robert Graham was elected as the first President. A Constitution and By-Laws was written to provide for a President, Vice-President, and Secretary and a copy mailed to retirees.

An annual meeting is held each year in conjunction with the GACOE Convention.

Our State association meets the requirement to be an affiliate of the National association, therefore, the purpose and objectives are the same as RASCOE.

Membership in the State association is open to any ASCS/FSA retiree upon payment of dues and a supporter of the purpose of GA-RASCOE. An Associate member is any person upon payment of established dues who has a friendly interest in GA-RASCOE. State dues are $10.00 for each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).

We invite all retirees and friends to join our association. Currently, dues are $20 National and $10 State for a total of $30, due and payable as of July 1 each year. Dues may be submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer of GA-RASCOE.

Employees currently pay health insurance premiums on a "before tax" basis. Retirees do not have this benefit. You can help us by contacting your Representatives and asking them to urge passage of H.R. 1110 and S. 773, Premium Conversion Bill, if they haven’t already done so. Please continue to talk with your Representatives about H.R. 82 and S. 206 pertaining to repeal of GPO and WEP.

We, in GA-RASCOE, encourage you employees (especially those of you near retirement age) to join our organization. Employees and retirees working together in both organizations can accomplish more things. GA-RASCOE is ready to assist employees and retirees in any way that we can. If you have a question, contact one of the following officers:

                     President                             Vice-President                     Secretary-Treasurer

June Faulk                            Carolyn Powell                     Grace Clower

                    17 Picketts Lake Way W.    1526 Cecil Road                    2929 Sandra Drive

                    Acworth, GA 30101             Nashville, GA 31639             Snellville, GA 30078

                    770-974-0548                      229-686-2245                      770-972-9989

                    ksfaulk1@bellsouth.net                                                       graceclower@bellsouth.net