Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Adult Children or Former Colleagues May Benefit

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein has shared the following information about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Since our members have adult children or former colleagues who may benefit, we ask that you spread the word in the public servant community about this loan.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program forgives the remaining balance on federal direct student loans following 120 months of qualifying payments for certain public service employees – including those who work for governments, 501(c)(3) organizations, and other nonprofits providing certain public services, including military service, law enforcement, public education, and public health.

A current, but temporary, PSLF waiver announced by the U.S. Department of Education makes it possible for millions of public service workers to receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify – thereby reducing or potentially eliminating student loan debt. For example, under the waiver:

  • Past periods of repayment will now count whether or not you made a payment, made that payment on time, for the full amount due, or on a qualifying repayment plan;

  • Borrowers with an FFEL Program loan, Perkins Loan, or other federal student loans can benefit by consolidating their loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan and receive credit for periods of repayment pre-consolidation; and

  • You are eligible for forgiveness, even if you are not employed by a qualifying employer at the time of application.

The deadline to take advantage of this opportunity is currently set for October 31, 2022.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Governmental Retirees Association Hosts NCRGEA Executive Director as Speaker

NCRGEA Executive Director, Tim O’Connell, was one of the guest speakers at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Governmental Retirees Association meeting this week. The program agenda also included informative presentations by the Charlotte Metro Police Department and the Charlotte Fire Department.

CMGRA meets the last Tuesday of every other month so if you are a retired public servant, consider joining them at their next meeting!

NCRGEA announces partnership with AMBA to provide more benefits to members.

The North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees’ Association (NCRGEA) is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA) to provide members with more benefit opportunities. Our goal is to provide all members access to the supplemental benefits they need to fully secure and enjoy their retirement while working to attract more members and strengthen the collective voice of NCRGEA at the General Assembly. With nearly 40 years of experience and more than 80 partner associations across the country, AMBA is a nationwide company with expertise in meeting the needs of active and retired public sector employees. AMBA specializes in analyzing retirement benefits, identifying any gaps in coverage, and negotiating with a wide variety of A-rated insurance carriers. In the coming weeks and months, AMBA will send information directly to NCRGEA members, so watch your mailboxes and your email inboxes for these and other announcements about our new partnership:
    • A comprehensive yet tailored menu of benefits available exclusively to NCRGEA members.
    • New educational services for members, including free individual benefit reviews by licensed professional representatives committed to serving the best interests of NCRGEA members.
    • Webinars and seminars conducted across the state by NCRGEA and AMBA, to educate members on a wide variety of topics and to provide more opportunities for members to get together, renew acquaintances, meet new friends with similar backgrounds and experiences, and simply have fun!
We are excited about this partnership and the opportunities it presents. Although information about the new benefit programs will be sent to you directly, you need not wait to begin exploring the opportunities. AMBA has 130 trained staff members to provide information, answer questions, and help enroll new members. You may call 833-784-2184, visit myambabenefits.info/ncrgea online, or learn more about available policies here.