Welcome to the USGS Retirees’ Organization!
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the Nation’s long-standing premier natural science agency. The mission of the USGS Retirees’ Organization’s is to help USGS retirees stay in touch with one another and the USGS. Membership is open to all USGS retired and current employees!
We (re-) introduce retirees to prospective friends from across the Nation and across the generations- all of whom are part of the USGS family, all of whom share an ethos of science in the public service, and all of whom celebrate what you did through your career with the USGS for yourself, your family, your community, and the Nation. Join Us!
-
We are looking forward to the 2025 USGS Retirees Reunion in Tuscaloosa this week, but sad that so many of our members will not make it. This reunion, we are trying something new. We will be streaming parts of the Reunion so that more of you can be a part of it.
Member Business Meeting and two guest speakers
Tuesday, Sept 30, 8:15 – 11:30 am, CentralBill Werkheiser – Associate Director for Water Resources Mission AreaRodney Knight – Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region
Banquet, Speaker portion only, after dinner
Wednesday, Oct 1, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, CentralChris Smith (GA) - USGS Response to Hurricane HeleneChad Wagner (NC) - Federal Priorities Streamgage Network
See below for links to the meetings. The Tuesday Google Meet is limited to 100 participants. The Wednesday Zoom is limited to 100 participants.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USGS Retirees' Reunion 2025 Member's Meeting
Tuesday, September 30 · 8:15 – 11:15 am
Time zone: America/Chicago
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/jfr-pzsp-wgv
Guest Speakers will be:
Bill Werkheiser and
Rodney Knight -- Acting SER RD
==================================================
You are invited to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Tuscaloosa Retirees' Reunion 2025 Banquet
Time: Oct 1, 2025 7:00 - 9:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84328353809?pwd=OtXwoQjazVgPRlyxPClkBbZTW14y5g.1
Meeting ID: 843 2835 3809
Passcode: usgs
Guest Speakers will be:
Chris Smith (GA) -- USGS Response to Hurricane Helene
Chad Wagner (NC) -- Federal Priorities Streamgage Network
-
Watch the presentation here
-
SSA Announces March 2025 Retroactive Payments and New/Higher Monthly Benefits for Millions of Federal Retirees
Two big changes:
1. Many federal retirees, especially those under the CSRS system that also have Social Security Benefits from non federal work, will see both increases in their monthly benefit and a catchup payment covering 1-1-24 to Feb. 2025 The catchup payments mostly came out in early march, but often the explanation of benefits letter did not come until later in March. If you do not see it and are a CSRS retiree with >=40 quarters of SS covered work, contact your local SSA office.
and 2. If you never applied for Social Security because you knew WEP/GPO would erase any earnings [say based on your spouses benefits], then you must apply for SS benefits. This is important because the later you apply, the later your benefits start. Even though the repeal includes pay retroactively to January 2024, it is unclear whether this applies to those who never applied.
See The Social Security Fairness Act of 2024 ends WEP and GPO
-
The recent turmoil surrounding the firing and now rehiring of USGS probationary employees and plans for initiating a major reduction in force (RIF) have greatly disheartened the members of the USGS Retirees Organization. Some of our retired friends formerly from the USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Center have prepared a well-organized document that provides practical information about employee rights and next steps.
Current Events
Mount St Helens, Spirit Lake Reflection. May 19, 1982, All USGS Disciplines