Dr. Sudershan Narula, Co-Chair of the nominating committee announced the results of the 2026 AFICS/NY Governing Board elections at the Annual Assembly on 29 May 2026. The eleven candidates who were voted onto the Governing Board, in alphabetical order were: 1. ALIPUI, Nicholas (incumbent) 2. BHATIA, Renu 3. DELLA ROCCA, Robin (incumbent) 4. FUENTES CONTE, Pilar (incumbent) 5. KASPER, Ingrid 6. LEGASPI, Maria Aurita (Marita) 7. PAWLIK, Regina 8. POZENEL, Jay (incumbent) 9. ROT

Click here to play a video recording of the assembly. Play Video On Friday 29 May 2026 the Association of Former International Civil Servants, New York, (AFICS/NY) held its annual assembly from 3pm to 6pm in conference room 1 at UN Headquarters. Follow the links below to find copies of the presentations. Gallery of photos Please send us any feedback or comments you may have.

On 21 May 2026, AFICS New York and the United Nations Health and Life Insurance Section held a webinar about the United Nations Headquarters administered health insurance plans for the year starting on 1 July 2026. Here is a link to the recording of the whole webinar. And here is a link to a pdf of the presentation.

AFICS New York is looking for members to participate in a focus group looking at the new website. Let us know whether the new website meets your needs, is easy to use and helps you find the information you are looking for. We will organize the session at your convenience, participation can be in-person or online and we expect the session to take between 60 and 90 minutes. To sign up for the focus group please use this form. Date and timing, to be determined.

The Ageing Smart Committee is pleased to share two free online programs offered this May by the New York Public Library on estate planning and planning for your legacy. These timely sessions focus on key aspects of end-of-life planning—an important but often overlooked area—and may be of particular interest to members of our community. We encourage you to take advantage of these informative offerings and to share them with family and friends. The Library also hosts a wide

The United Nations – particularly the UN Volunteers (UNV) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has lost one of its pioneer women leaders, Dr. Brenda Gael McSweeney, former Executive Coordinator of UNV and former UN Resident Coordinator & UNDP Resident Representative, who died in her hometown of Needham, Massachusetts, on 11 March 2026 at the age of 82. Dr. McSweeney’s career with the United Nations spanned more than thirty years. She served in senior roles acro

The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) has announced that, in accordance with the provisions of the UNJSPF Pension Adjustment System and based on consumer price index data published by the UN Statistics Division, there will be a 2.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the US dollar track with respect to periodic benefits. The increase will be effective 1 April 2026, and the initial month’s COLA adjustment will be reflected in April pension benefits, pay

We would like to make you aware of the UN Staff 1% for Development Fund, to which you can contribute the cost of just three cappuccinos a month to help people in the developing world build better lives. Since 1984 its New York Branch aims for staff to contribute up to 1% of their salary towards development, to encourage Member States to contribute at least 0.7% of their GDP for that purpose. We issue microgrants of up to $ 5,000 per community project in the fields of educatio

AFICS/NY is pleased to be able to provide the End-of-Life Guidance for Retirees End-of-Life Guidance for Beneficiaries The attached letter from Jay Karia, Co-Chair Health Insurance Committee AFICS/NY Dr. Sudershan Narula, Co-Chair Health Insurance Committee AFICS/NY and Deborah Landey, President AFICS/NY explains.

As in previous years, the United Nations Health and Life Insurance Section (HLIS) is coordinating the Annual Enrollment Campaign for all health insurance plans administered by UN Headquarters. The campaign will run from 1 to 30 June 2025 . Changes go into effect on 1 July 2025 .

We are delighted to announce the creation by the United Nations Health and Life Insurance Section (HLIS) of a hotline for retirees regarding their health insurance matters . AFICS/NY has been strongly advocating for the past couple of years for such dedicated service for retirees, especially for the additional capacity to provide it. AFICS/NY was informed by HLIS that it has established a dedicated telephone line that retirees can call with any questions concerning ASHI (A

The UN's Health & Life Insurance Committee (HLIC) has reported that some eligible retirees are not being reimbursed for their Medicare Part B premium as they have not submitted the required documentation to the Health & Life Insurance Section (HLIS) . Retirees are urged to verify that they are being reimbursed for Medicare premiums paid by them directly, or through deductions from their Social Security payments . Anyone having problems on Medicare Part B premium reimburse

The UNJSPF announced on 3 March 2025 that in accordance with the UNJSPF Pension adjustment system and based on CPI (consumer price index) data from the Monthly Bulletin of Statistics (MBS) published by the UN Statistics Division, there will be a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the US dollar track of periodic benefits for this year, effective 1 April 2025. You can read more about this announcement here.

First the good news, The Cost-of-Living Adjustment for US dollar track in April 2024 is 3.4% UNJSPF provides more information on this, here. The FAFICS proposal to the Pension Board, advocating an inflation adjustment for Small Pensions, received strong support from the Board during its Seventy-sixth session (21-22 February 2024). The CEPA agreed to provide background information and suggestions to remedy the lack of inflation adjustments to small pensions. The financial

In his letter to all FAFICS associations, President Jerry Barton describes key takeaways from the Vienna Council Session, held in Vienna, Austria, from 14 to 17 July 2025 with a focus on priorities and implications for FAFICS member associations.

Annalena Baerbock, President-elect of the General Assembly at its eightieth session addresses delegations after her election. Former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock was elected President of the General Assembly’s 80th session on 2 June. Her appointment comes as the regional group that includes Western Europe takes its turn at the helm of the world body. She assumes the role at a challenging time, with ongoing conflicts, faltering development goals, mounting financia

Kenya Airways is delighted to offer an exclusive promotion of up to 10% for members of the Association of Former International Civil Servants of New York (AFICS/NY). Click here for details

September 1925 - January 2026 It is with deep sadness that AFICS/NY announces the passing of Mr. George Floyd Saddler, former President of AFICS/NY (1994–2001), former President of FAFICS, and an Honorary Member of the AFICS/NY Governing Board. Mr. Saddler celebrated his 100th birthday in September 2025. He will be remembered with great respect and appreciation by his colleagues and friends in the AFICS/NY and FAFICS communities. A memorial service will be held on April 18 at

Volunteering offers retired individuals a unique opportunity to enrich their lives while making a positive impact on their communities. Beyond simply filling time, volunteering provides deep psychological, emotional, and social benefits. It fosters meaningful connections across diverse backgrounds and nurtures empathy and understanding. This post explores how volunteering helps retired people find purpose, build relationships, and appreciate the rich diversity of society, ult

27 December 2025 Dear Family, Friends, and Former Colleagues of our Father, We would like to invite you to a memorial event that the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are organizing to commemorate the life and career of our dear father in recognition of his over three decades of distinguished service and enduring contributions to the United Nati