The Foreign Service Journal, December 2012

52 DECEMBER 2012 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS BY JANET HEDRICK, DIRECTOR OF MEMBER SERVICES In accordance with AFSA bylaws, AFSA has increased dues for 2013 by 1.7 percent for all individual membership categories. This increase will provide the association with a stable and predictable income source, which allows AFSA to continue offering excellent member services and benefits. This modest adjustment, just pennies per pay period, correlates to the 3 rd quar- ter Consumer Price Index increase published by the Department of Labor used by the Social Security Adminis- tration to calculate the 2013 Cost of Living Adjustment increases. Active-duty and retired members paying dues via payroll and annuity deduction will see a small, automatic increase in the amount deducted from their paychecks and annuities. Those paying annually will be billed the new rate on their regularly scheduled renewal date. n AFSAMembership Dues Adjustment in 2013 ACT I VE- DUTY* Category 2013 Annual 2013 Bi-Weekly SFS $384.40 $14.80 FS 1, 2, 3 $297.20 $11.45 FS 4, 5, 6 $170.15 $6.55 FS 7, 8, 9 $89.95 $3.45 RET I REE * Category 2013 Annual 2013 Bi-Weekly Annuity under $25,000 $66.05 $5.50 Annuity of $25-50,000 $103.75 $8.65 Annuity of $50-75,000 $138.55 $11.55 Annuity over $75,000 $173.45 $14.45 Retiree Spouse $51.85 $4.32 ASSOC I ATE * Category 2013 Annual Associate Membership $106.60 Retired Associate $65.25 Since 1924 the foreign affairs community has relied on AFSA, the voice of the For- eign Service. By joining AFSA, you will be adding to the col- lective strength of the only organization dedicated specifically to preserving and enhancing the integrity of the U.S. Foreign Service. Whether you are an active-duty member of the Foreign Service, a retiree, a FS spouse, or someone inter- ested in learning more about diplomacy and foreign affairs, membership in AFSA offers a wide variety of benefits. To learn more, please go to www.afsa.org/become_a_ member.aspx o r contact Janet Hedrick, director of member services, a t hed- rick@afsa.org. n Keep Your Membership Active or Become an AFSAMember *Dues for 2013 reflect a small increase of 1.7 percent for all individual membership categories.