Scroll down to see previous announcements.

14 Jan 2024

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

The mailing address for all National AREA and AREA Scholarship Fund payment and correspondence has changed.

The new address is:
National AREA & Scholarship Fund
2303 RR 620 S Suite 160-105
Austin TX 78734

31 Oct 2023

The Exchange Retirement Benefit Communications survey will be released soon. 

Please note the following:

  • Watch your mail for a postcard from the Exchange.  This is your invitation to participate in the survey.  The address on file with Northern Trust will be utilized. 
  • If you have an email on file with Northern Trust, you will also receive an invitation by email.
  • Each person receiving an invitation should only complete the survey once. 
  • The QR code and link to the survey will be included on the postcard and in the email from The Exchange instead of posted to the National AREA Facebook group or on the website, https://aafesretired.org, as previously indicated.

You will have about 2 weeks to reply, so watch your mail and respond promptly.  Your feedback is important.

25 Oct 2023

Retirees are eligible to donate through the CFC Campaign and have the donation count towards the Exchange goal.

In uncertain economic times, the work done by charities and nonprofits—and the individuals who support them—is more vital than ever.

The Exchange invites associates worldwide to participate in this year’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) from Sept. 18 through Dec. 31.

Through CFC, associates may make one-time or recurring monthly contributions to an eligible charitable organization. Contractors and retirees can also donate. To search for an eligible charity, visit cfcgiving.opm.gov/offerings to search by organization name, cause, location and more.

Donations can be given via credit card, debit card or bank account transfer. Volunteer hours worked for eligible charities of your choice may also be counted as contributions.

To donate, visit cfcgiving.opm.gov to create an account, select a charity and choose donation amount. When creating an account, use the six-digit CFC Office Code “LTREUU” when prompted to ensure the pledge is tied to the Exchange.

The Exchange has set a goal of $25,000 in pledges for 2023.

“The CFC is the best way for Exchange associates to show their support for causes that mean the most to them,” said Exchange Vice President of Administration Tom Ockenfels. “Exchange associates have been incredibly generous in the past. We encourage everyone to find a charity that resonates with them and pledge whatever they can to help reach our goal.”

The CFC is the world’s largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, providing government employees an opportunity to improve Quality of Life for all.

In 2022, $72.6 million was pledged by military, federal and postal personnel worldwide to charities of their choice, including a 3.1% increase in number of donors—the first such increase since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information and a history of the campaign, visit opm.gov/combined-federal-campaign.

14 Oct 2023

From Exchange HQ:

Be on the lookout for an Exchange Retirement Benefit Communications survey. The Exchange and AREA will reach out through retiree, survivor and beneficiary email addresses on file. Please check your email for the survey during the next two weeks. We will also provide a hyperlink and QR code for the survey on this site. Your feedback on retirement benefit communications is important to us. Your answers will remain anonymous.

NOTE: You can review/change your email address through Retiree Self-Service (Click on link in menu bar.)