The administration will seek to lift the caps that apply to total compensation, salary plus awards. Image: William Sawalich/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe Biden administration has released further details of the plans it outlined in its recent budget proposal regarding federal employee pay and benefits that would require changes in the law rather than only administrative action.
The summary came in a “budget justification” document for the Office of Personnel Management as the administration continued to roll out specifics of its fiscal 2024 budget proposal.
For example, on the issue of “pay compression”—the bunching of upper-level salaries within a relatively narrow range—it says the administration will seek only to lift the caps that apply to total compensation (salary plus performance awards and other cash payments) for the SES and equivalent high-level systems. Unless that concept is expanded, that could prove to be a disappointment to GS employees in the uppermost levels of that system whose salaries are limited by a separate cap that now applies in more than half of the GS localities.
Other proposals that would require changes in law include:
* Raising the lifetime limit on student loan reimbursements from $60,000 to $100,000.
* Raising the age cutoff for covering children under the FEDVIP vision-dental insurance program from 22 to 26 to bring it in line with the cutoff for coverage under the FEHB.
* Ending the current requirement that FEDVIP carrier contracts be at least seven years in length and allow them for as little as one year, as a way to encourage the entry of new carriers.
* Limiting cost-sharing for insulin under the FEHB to $35 a month, to bring it in line with a cap now applying under Medicare.
* Requiring that FEHB carriers cover three primary care visits and three behavioral health visits each year without charging a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible-related fee.
Further specifics would be left to the legislative language that the administration has yet to send to Congress.
Deferred Resignation Periods about to End for Many; Overall 12% Drop
Retirement Surge Likely as Deferred Resignation Periods End
Senate Rejects Bills to Defer Shutdown; Familiar Process Lies Just Ahead
Senate Bill Would Override Trump Orders against Unions
Report Describes Impact of Shutdown on Employees, Agencies
TSP Adds Detail to Upcoming Roth Conversion Feature
See also,
How to Handle Taxes Owed on TSP Roth Conversions? Use a Ladder
The Best Ages for Federal Employees to Retire
Best States to Retire for Federal Retirees: 2025
