Volume 10, Number 1 / Spring 2026
GM Retirees Chapter President’s Message
Dear GM Retirees,
Thank you for being part of our community of General Motors retirees who support the National Retiree Legislative Network also known as nrln.org.
With the recent turning of clocks ahead for many of us, it also can be a reminder that time is moving forward. I recently picked up a new GM vehicle and, while the salesperson was walking me through the features on the vehicle, I also found my mind going back in time to the work that was going on during my GM career that has become standard. So when the salesperson showed me the remote start is now two clicks, and the auto liftgate can be customized to lower height (so as not to crash into your garage door or vice versa), talked about OnStar features and privacy, and device charging pads built in, a stream of people working on those developments in their early stages ran through my mind. I’m sure many of you may have been key in some of those advancements. Plus, you all have your own memories of things you worked on, projects you were a part of, and the feeling you get when you see the results in a vehicle on the road.
In our decades of working at GM, there were times that it felt like those years would last forever and now they’re in the rearview mirror. The things that were part of our compensation were generous and we built our futures on them. Then we experienced big changes leading up to the bankruptcy in 2009 and afterwards.
That’s where NRLN comes in. While the past can’t be changed, we certainly want to hold on to what we have as retirees to see us and our loved ones through the years. NRLN is paying attention for us to be sure we are aware of and have a voice in any changes being contemplated to retirement plans, insurance programs, payouts and especially Social Security. NRLN works on the front lines of legislation and policy to safeguard the quality of life we’ve earned and held onto. Their efforts are vital, and I encourage you to learn more about their work, continue to support NRLN financially, and share their message with family and friends who may want to support their advocacy.
Check out the NRLN website news (www.nrln.org) related to retiree issues. For most of us, the best thing we can do to be part of the solution is to click on the Action Alert from NRLN to explain issues and simplify contacting our elected officials to express our concerns.
The NRLN Legislative Agenda includes issues that affect retirees, like income security (e.g., Social Security) and healthcare security (e.g., Medicare). The agenda is revised annually and as new issues arise. Also, NRLN provides a “Report Card” feature on Congress where you can see if your Senators or Representative support bills that help retirees. The 2026 NRLN Legislative Agenda includes protecting retirees in pension risk transfers, continued funding of Social Security, limiting overpayment clawback provisions, protecting Medicare, reducing prescription drug costs, and other important work.
Where large companies continue to seek to reduce their costs for retiree benefits, and government action or inaction threatens Medicare and Social Security, retiree associations like ours can provide a voice for individual retirees and NRLN puts that voice to work. If we don’t speak up for ourselves, who will?
While I’m honored to serve in this role, I believe that a more recent retiree—someone closer to GM’s current business landscape—may be well-positioned to lead our chapter into the future. With that in mind, we welcome nominations, whether of yourself or someone you know (with their consent, of course). NRLN President Bill Kadereit and NRLN VP of Communications Ed Beltram would be glad to speak with anyone interested in learning more about the role and its impact. Send an email to nrlnmessage@msn.com.
Thank you for your continued support of the NRLN and for being part of a community that values the well-being of retirees. I wish you and your loved ones good health and the retirement years you deserve.
Sincerely,
Darla Freeman
President, General Motors Retirees Chapter – NRLN
National Retiree Legislative Network – General Motors Retirees Chapter Online Contributions
Become an NRLN / GMRC Individual Member…
Greetings! I trust you're doing well. Allow me to confidently remind you about the NRLN's efforts towards safeguarding your retirement. By making an annual contribution, you're investing in your future and supporting their initiatives. Your contribution, regardless of the amount, can make a significant impact. So, let's take action!
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National Retiree Legislative Network – General Motors Retirees Chapter Contributions Form
The NRLN is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. Contributions are not tax deductible.
- Click here to access a PDF copy of the General Motors form.
- Complete the form, then print,
- Mail this form with your check or money order (no cash please) for $25, $50, $75 or more (any amount will be appreciated) payable to:
NRLN, Inc.
P.O. Box 18757
Washington, D.C. 20036-8757.
Why the NRLN / GMRC Is Relevant to GM Retirees
GM terminated health care at age 65 but added $300/month per retiree or surviving spouse to pensions, replaced pensions with lump sums or Prudential annuities, life insurance was reduced to $10,000 for retirees of record on 8/1/2009 and as of 1/1/2014 life insurance was terminated for all other current and future retirees. Here is what’s left to protect:
Social Security – The NRLN is lobbying for the passage the Social Security 2100 Act. It would ensure funding the program for the next 75 years and change the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) from the current CPI-W pegged to urban wage earners’ living expenses to CPI-E (Elderly) based on older Americans’ spending patterns, including medical costs.
Medicare – The NRLN is lobbying to add a low out-of-pocket cap to original Medicare. Far too many seniors in original Medicare are forced to go without critical health care because they cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs. With this additional benefit, original Medicare would be on a more level playing field with Medicare Advantage plans which are required to have an out-of-pocket cap. The NRLN is also advocating that vision, hearing and dental benefits be added to Medicare.
Immunizations for Seniors – The NRLN is supporting passage of the Protecting Seniors Through Immunizations Act that would provide Medicare beneficiaries access to all recommended vaccines at no additional cost. Some immunizations are covered under Medicare Part B without any out-of-pocket costs, while some vaccines covered under Medicare Part D require significant out-of-pocket costs.
Trust Act – The NRLN is opposing the TRUST Act which would create “rescue committees” for Social Security and Medicare that would operate outside of the regular order of Congress, behind closed doors, and the committees’ recommendations would be fast-tracked for votes without amendments on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. Funding needs to be increased for the Social Security Trust and Medicare Trust, but the policies should not be made without public Congressional hearings and behind closed doors.
Inpatient Rule – The NRLN is lobbying for passage of the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act which would fix an arbitrary Medicare rule that patients who receive hospital care on “observation status” do not qualify for the benefit of skilled nursing care, even if their hospital stay lasts longer than three days and even if their care team prescribes it. Under current Medicare policy, a beneficiary must have an “inpatient” hospital stay of at least three days for Medicare to cover skilled nursing care. Patients on “observation status” are either forced to return home without the treatment they have been prescribed, or, as often happens, they believed they were an “inpatient” and are unexpectedly billed astronomical amounts after their stays in a skilled nursing facility.
Prescription Drugs – We are lobbying for bills to reduce the price of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to do competitive bidding, end pay-for-delay and other brand name drug makers’ tactics that keep generics off the market and support importation of less expensive drugs that meet FDA safety standards.
Telehealth – Telehealth has been a critical lifeline for millions of retirees who needed care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NRLN is lobbying to make sure that telehealth coverage for Medicare beneficiaries is made permanent.
Taxes – The NRLN advocates legislation to amend the tax code to eliminate federal and state taxes on all Social Security income and/or allow a tax credit for taxes withheld.
