Ozark Empire Chapter Newsletter

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This months words from the Chapter President - December 2025

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Welcome to December! As of this writing, my hope is that your Thanksgiving was everything you hoped it would be.

Your Executive Board met on November 17, and information regarding the discussion at that meeting will be presented to the membership after the new year. Members of the current Board agreed to stay on in their respective positions for 2026 (except Anthony Willis). Given this, the bylaws do not require a membership vote this year. If anyone is interested in holding a position on the Board beginning in 2027, or assuming Anthony’s position for the remainder of his term, please notify one of the Board members. It is never too early to volunteer.

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026 will be 2.8%. This applies to military retirement pay, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), a veteran’s base monthly benefits and any additional compensation for dependents, TDIU, or Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), as well as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). All military and VA increases should be seen on December 31, 2026, since Jan. 1 is a holiday.

The 2026 Social Security COLA is also 2.8%. This increase will begin with benefits payable in January 2026 for most Social Security beneficiaries and in December 2025 for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. The average retiree is expected to see a monthly increase of about $56. Notification letters will be sent out this month.
If you haven’t done so already, make sure to check out MOAA’s web page. If you go to the upper right corner of the main page and click on the three (3) horizontal lines, there will be a drop-down box where you can make selections to get information. If you click on “Advocacy” you will then be able to select “Legislative Action Center” from another dropdown grouping. From this page you will be able to see priority issues and sign up to get notifications, as well as being afforded the opportunity to send pre-formatted letters to your respective legislators. Please sign up as MOAA needs your voice.

We would love for you to attend our dinner on Friday, Dec. 12. Note the time change-social hour begins at 6:00pm and the entertainment begins at 6:30pm. For our enjoyment we will, once again, host the Barber Shop singers this year.

May you have a very Merry Christmas and we will see you in the New Year!

Please mark your calendars for a very important Chapter business meeting and discussion early next year, regarding the future welfare of our Ozark Empire Chapter. More details in the next newsletter.

For all who are Premium or Life members of MOAA, a free Survivor’s Planning Guide is available for download. It can be obtained at www.moaa.org

As always, our newsletter is freely available on the chapter website, www.OEMOAA.org as well as via email to all members. If anyone wishes to receive this newsletter via US Mail, please make that known to a Board Member or the Newsletter Editor, and we will be happy to accommodate.

Becky Hutchings, President