FLTCIP Election Period Set to End
September 30 marks the close of the “enrollee decision period” in the FLTCIP long-term care insurance program. That opportunity was …More
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Still No Resolution on Budget Extension to Avoid Shutdown
With just more than two weeks left before the end of the current fiscal year September 30, political leaders have …More
No Word Yet on Shutdown Preparations
OMB and agencies have not yet put out guidance to employees regarding the potential for a partial government shutdown in …More
Glimmer of Hope for Boosting Federal Raise Arises
While it has seemed virtually certain for months that federal employees will receive a 1.6 percent raise in January—under current …More
Another Try Underway on VA Disciplinary Changes
The House is scheduled to vote this week on HR-5620, under which most VA employees would receive only 10 days …More
USAJOBS Update Stresses Understanding Eligibility
On the 20th anniversary of the USAJOBS site, OPM has updated the site, including adding information specific to current federal …More
Expansion of Disabled Veteran Leave Proposed
A newly offered bill (HR-5957) seeks to expand the upcoming “disabled veteran leave” authority to include FAA employees not covered …More
GSA Finalizes Charge Card, Other Travel Policies
GSA has issued final rules on several issues affecting federal employees who travel on official business. One seeks to further …More
FEHB Premium and Plan Offerings Announcement Ahead
The annual announcement of premiums and plan offerings in FEHB for the upcoming plan year—that is, calendar year—likely will be …More
Expect Cost Saving Provisions, Other Changes in the FEHB
Earlier this year in its annual “call letter’’ OPM once again emphasized cost-saving steps in the FEHB including: tighter management …More
Premium Policy Change Proposed for Unpaid Leave
OPM meanwhile has proposed rules that could require employees who enter leave without pay status in certain situations to continue …More
Decisions on Locality Component of Raise Pending
President Obama’s late-August recommendation to split a January 1.6 percent federal pay raise–which under his order will be paid by …More
New Localities Still a Possibility
Another issue to be decided is whether the administration will follow through on the council’s recommendation of last year to …More
All TSP Funds Except F Fund Gain in August
All TSP funds posted gains in August except the bond F fund—which fell by 0.11 percent—paced by the small company …More
Pay Order Repeats 1.6 Percent Raise Plan
As expected, President Obama has issued an order setting a 1.6 percent average GS pay raise to take effect by …More
Congress Needs to Fund Federal Agencies Past September 30th
Congress returns from its summer recess next week to a full plate of unfinished business, starting with the need to …More
LTC Premium Hike to Get Attention
One employment-related issue almost certain to will get early attention in Congress is the pending increase in FLTCIP premiums effective …More
DoD Authorization Bill is a Key Priority
One measure that Congress has passed annually for many years is the DoD authorization, which needs to clear a House-Senate …More
Bills Targeting USPS, VA Also Pending
Congress also seems likely to return attention to two agencies that have been the focus of reform proposals, the VA …More
Other House and Senate Proposals Remain on Plate
Other issues that have made at least some progress legislatively in the House, Senate or both include proposals to: extend …More
Down to the Wire on Pay Raise Order
Today is the deadline for President Obama to issue an expected order setting a federal pay raise for January by …More
FSA Claims Blackout Period Ending
The “blackout” period in the FSAFEDS flexible spending account program, triggered by a change in carriers in that program, is …More
Preparations Beginning for FEHB Benefits Open Season
OPM has told agencies to begin preparations for the federal benefits open season that will run from November 14 through …More
Some FEHB Open Season Benefits Developments Routine, Others Not
The open season is an annual event, although this year it follows several unusual developments in benefits. Premium rates for …More
Test Project for Boosting TSP Participation Could Expand
A Labor Department pilot project for increasing participation in the TSP by its employees produced some positive results and is …More
Test Showed What Moves Employees to Invest
While agencies routinely urge their employees to take full advantage of the TSP—as does the TSP itself—the presentation says the …More
We’re Watching Out for Burrowing In, OPM Warns Agencies
OPM has told agencies that it is keeping a close watch out for conversions of political appointees converting to career …More
Much Attention Paid to Burrowing In, but Impact Limited
The OPM memo is the latest in a series of moves focused on burrowing in, which can occur at any …More
Disclosure of Alleged Error Not Deemed Whistleblowing
Alleging that an agency made an erroneous decision is not necessarily protected by the Whistleblower Protection Act, a federal appeals …More
Changes in Rate-Setting Possible
As before, the rates are set according to industry data on properties meeting certain fire safety standards that fall within …More
