The Foreign Service Journal, January 2009

CLASSIFIEDS J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 9 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 65 A F S A N E W S A FSAmembership dues have been raised in accordance with the AFSA bylaws by 4.8 percent for most membership categories. Dues will remain at the 2008 rate for retirees with an annuity of less than $25,000, and for surviving spouses. This increase is 1 per- cent less than the 3rd-quarter Consumer Price Index published by the Depart- ment of Labor and used by the Social Se- curity Administration to calculate the 2009 Cost of Living Adjustment in- creases. The new dues rates will take ef- fect on Jan. 1, 2009. Members paying dues via payroll deduction or annuity deduction will see a small, automatic in- crease in the amount deducted from their paychecks and annuities. Mem- bers who pay annually will be billed the new rate on their regularly scheduled re- newal date. Membership dues account for ap- proximately 75 percent of AFSA’s total income. This revenue provides the as- sociation with a stable and predictable financial base, which allows AFSA to continue offering excellent member services and benefits. The boxes below indicate the new dues rates for 2009. Rates for Active-Duty Members CATEGORY NEW ANNUAL NEW BIWEEKLY FS 7, 8, 9 $86.70 $3.35 FS 6, 5, 4 $163.95 $6.30 FS 1, 2, 3 $286.50 $11.00 SFS $370.55 $14.25 Rates for Retiree Members CATEGORY NEW ANNUAL NEW BIWEEKLY ANNUITY UNDER $25,000 NO CHANGE NO CHANGE ANNUITY OF $25,000-50,000 $100.00 $8.35 ANNUITY OF $50,000-75,000 $133.60 $11.15 ANNUITY OVER $75,000 $167.20 $13.95 SURVIVOR ANNUITY NO CHANGE NO CHANGE 2009 AFSA Dues Rates ROLAND S. HEARD, CPA • U.S. income tax services • Practiced before the IRS F IRST C ONSULTATION F REE 1091 Chaddwyck Dr. Athens, GA 30606 Cell: (706) 207-8300 E-mail: RSHEARDCPA@bellsouth.net WWW . ROLANDSHEARDCPA . COM TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES ATTORNEY, FORMER FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER: Extensive experience with tax problems unique to the Foreign Service. Available for consultation, tax planning and preparation of returns: M. Bruce Hirshorn, Boring & Pilger, P.C. 307 Maple Ave. W, Suite D, Vienna, VA 22180. Tel: (703) 281-2161. Fax: (703) 281-9464. E-mail: mbhirshorn@boringandpilger.com EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS REP- RESENTING FS officers in grievances, performance, promotion and tenure, finan- cial claims, discrimination and disciplinary actions. We represent FS officers at all stages of the proceedings from an investi- gation, issuance of proposed discipline or the initiation of a grievance, through to a hearing before the FSGB. We provide ex- perienced, timely and knowledgeable ad- vice to employees from junior untenured officers through the Senior FS, and often work closely with AFSA. Kalijarvi, Chuzi & Newman. Tel: (202) 331-9260. E-mail: attorneys@kcnlaw.com LEGAL SERVICES ATTORNEY WITH 28 years’ success- ful experience SPECIALIZING FULL-TIME IN FS GRIEVANCES will more than double your chance of winning: 30% of grievants win before the Grievance Board; 85% of my clients win. Only a private attorney can adequately develop and present your case, including necessary regs, arcane legal doctrines, precedents and rules. Call Bridget R. Mugane at Tel: (301) 596-0175 or (202) 387-4383. E-mail: fsatty@comcast.net Free initial telephone consultation. WILLS/ESTATE PLANNING by attor- ney who is a former FSO. Have your will reviewed and updated, or new one pre- pared: No charge for initial consultation. M. Bruce Hirshorn, Boring & Pilger, P.C. 307 Maple Ave. W, Suite D, Vienna, VA 22180. Tel: (703) 281-2161. Fax: (703) 281-9464. E-mail: mbhirshorn@boringandpilger.com PROFESSIONAL TAX RETURN PREPARATION: Forty years in public tax practice. Arthur A. Granberg, EA, ATA, ATP. Our charges are $95 per hour. Most FS returns take 3 to 4 hours. Our office is 100 feet from Virginia Square Metro Sta- tion. Tax Matters Associates PC, 3601 North Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22201. Tel: (703) 522-3828. Fax: (703) 522-5726. E-mail: aag8686@aol.com LEGAL SERVICES