Fagaga Esau, President

National items for Branch 4837 stewards and carriers — developments since the last digest. OIG white paper on alternative retirement models On Oct 6, 2026, the USPS Office of Inspector General released RISC-WP-27-001, a comparative analysis (with Segal) of USPS pension funding through FY 2044 under the current hybrid defined-benefit plus TSP model versus four alternatives. Status quo is projected to remain underfunded (unfunded liability cited around $101B in FY 2024; pension

National update for letter carriers. One development since Friday: two new USPS Inspector General audits put arrow key accountability under the spotlight, right after the Handbook M-41 Arrow Key revisions. OIG audits flag arrow key lapses (Las Vegas and Baltimore) On Sep 30, 2026, the USPS Office of Inspector General released a mail theft audit of two Las Vegas, NV, post offices (Report 26-101-R26). It found that keys recorded as verified in RADAR, the system offices use for

Here is today’s national update for letter carriers. One material development since yesterday: NALC posted Handbook M-41 revisions tied to Arrow Keys and closed a related national interpretive dispute. Handbook M-41 Arrow Key revisions; M-02022 closes MDD-TR scan dispute On Oct 2, NALC reported that after Article 19 talks, USPS provided final revisions (Sep 24) to Handbook M-41, City Delivery Carriers Duties and Responsibilities—Sections 261.2 (Receipting for Accountable Item

National NALC news for Thursday, Oct 1, 2026, compiled for Branch 4837 members. Open Season dates and 2027 premiums OPM set Federal Benefits Open Season for Nov 9 – Dec 14, 2026. For the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) plans, the average enrollee share goes up 8.2%. Plan brochures arrive in early November. One plan is ending: UHC Choice Plus Primary Postal East. If you're in it and don't choose a new plan, you'll be moved to FEP Blue Focus. Adding family members will re