I don't know if this is still in effect, but here is how it was years ago when I was a clerk and wnated mail handler insurance. I paid the MAIL Handlers union a lump sum as an associate member in order to have mail handler insurance. I did this for two years. THE ASSOCIATE MEMBER DUES WERE i THINK were less than $200.00 a year, but this was back in the early 80's, or I could have taken out a monthly allotment using form 1187. I chose the lump sum payment.