The Social Security Trust Fund has been off-budget since Fiscal Year 1986. NARFE members have resolved at the last several national conventions to seek off-budget status for the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. It is believed that off-budget status would provide a better understanding of the fiscal stability and financial obligations of the trust fund. Rep. Bilirakis has introduced H.R.572, which would accomplish this. There is no companion Senate bill at this time. Congress and the Administration continue to propose cuts in federal retirement benefits, even though the annual statement of the CSRDF shows that the Fund receipts are well in excess of benefit outlays. NARFE therefore believes that the cost, assets, investments, and obligations of an off-budget trust fund would eventually result in better fiscal planning and retirement security for the Government, its employees and its retirees. Action Needed We need additional co-sponsors for this bill. Click on Co-Sponsors of H.R.572 to determine if your representative has co-sponsored H.R.572. If not, click on Co-Sponsors of H.R.82 to determine if your representative co-sponsored the previous bill, then members should be urged to write requesting co-sponsorship, using the appropriate Sample for language they can use. Note:The co-sponsorship for this bill has declined in each of the last several congresses. The 104th congress had 151, 105th-127, 106-93. We need to redouble our efforts if we are to get this bill passed. If your representative is a co-sponsor, have your members write a short letter thanking your Representative for the co-sponsorship.