Legislative Year Kicking Off
Although Congress has been in session since last week, the traditional Washington work year kickoff comes next Tuesday (January 20) …More
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersFamiliar Proposals Likely from White House
The Obama administration budget is expected to repeat several proposals it has raised for several years running regarding federal benefits: …More
More Proposals from Congressional Republicans
House Republicans meanwhile are expected to renew their push for several budget-related proposals that have been included in their own …More
Disciplinary Issues Likely to Arise
One change in law made last year on a bipartisan basis is seen as setting a precedent for further action …More
Several Long-Running Issues Still on Plate
Political leaders also could revisit several long-running issues, some of which have drawn bipartisan support. For example, a postal reform …More
Already Approved Changes Await Finalization
One change already enacted into law and put into effect—on paper, at least—is phased retirement, allowing retirement-eligible employees to ask …More
Auditors Look at the FEGLI Books
OPM auditors recently examined the books of the FEGLI program and while the report generally was positive it did find …More
Administration Seeks to Boost Employee Engagement
A memo from the White House and the heads of OPM and OMB seeks to improve employee engagement in the …More
Memo Outlines Possible Steps
Agencies are to review and analyze data “to identify areas/organizations of strength and weakness, gathering input from employees, and using …More
Reminder on Increases
Most federal employees work under a pay cycle whose ending date for the current biweekly period will be Saturday (January …More
Note Impact on TSP Investments
Employees may invest in the TSP by percentage of salary or by dollar amount per pay period. Regular investments continue …More
C Fund Leads Way in 2014
The large company stock C fund posted the highest return among TSP funds in calendar year 2-2014, up by 13.78 …More
Tighten Protections, OPM Tells FEHB Plans
OPM has ordered FEHB carriers to put in place a series of protections against fraud, waste and abuse such as …More
Proposal Would Guard Enrollees Against Dropouts
FEHB enrollees would be at no risk of losing their health insurance coverage if their plan drops out of the …More
Poll: Would a Standard 4-Day Federal Workweek Be Better?
If you had the option, would you prefer a 4-day (40 hour) federal workweek over the established 5-day week? Poll …More
New Year Brings New Finances
The arrival of the new year brings several changes in the financial pictures of federal employees and retirees, some due …More
TSP Investment Limits Bump Up
The investment limit on tax-favored retirement savings plans such as the TSP will rise to $18,000 from $17,500. That’s the …More
Social Security Tax Threshold Rises
The Social Security withholding “FICA” tax of 6.2 percent will apply to salary up to $118,500, up from $117,000. For …More
Other Social Security Figures Rising
For those drawing Social Security benefits, the earnings test applying to beneficiaries aged 62 through “full retirement age,” currently 66, …More
Order Finalizes 1 Percent Raise
President Obama has issued an executive order finalizing what has been evident for many months, that federal employees will get …More
Raise Doesn’t Extend to Some
Another provision of the budget measure specified that political appointees under the Executive Schedule are to have their pay frozen, …More
No New Localities, Again
For GS employees (and by extension, for wage grade employees) the raise will be paid across the board with no …More
Unusable Annual Leave Can Be Donated
Employees who will be unable to use all their “use or lose” annual leave by the time the current federal …More
Leave Policy in Closures Changed
OPM has reissued its guidance on agency operating status during weather emergencies, a guide officially only for the Washington, D.C. …More
Reminder about FSA Grace Period
Toward the end of the year, many federal employees become concerned about losing money in a health care flexible spending …More
OPM Describes Impact of Eligibility Change
OPM has put out guidance on the impact on other federal benefits for certain employees now eligible for FEHB coverage …More
Raise Set as Congress Wraps Up
Congress has adjourned for the year with one of its final actions having been to approve a budget measure that …More
Three Benefits Bills Completed
Just before adjourning the Senate approved a House-passed bill (HR-5771) that would increase the maximum subsidy many agencies pay for …More
Security Clearance Bill Passes Senate
The Senate also passed S-1744, which would make several changes to policies regarding security clearances, which are needed for many …More
OPM Dropping FEHB ‘Underserved’ Designation
OPM is dropping a long-standing policy of designating certain states as “medically underserved” in the FEHB program effective with the …More
