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
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersOPM Cites Progress on Retirement Backlog
OPM says its average processing time on retirement applications is now 37 days and that 83.4 percent of new claims …More
Budget Allows for 1 Percent Raise
A budget measure that now is within days of final voting in Congress would allow a 1 percent across the …More
Other Major Bills Pending Final Votes
The Senate also plans to vote in upcoming days on two bills passed by the House last week. One is …More
Several Other Bills Down to Last Chance
One other bill (S-1691) set for late-session action would overhaulfor Border Patrol agents “administratively uncontrollable overtime,” a special form of …More
December 26 Day Off Granted
President Obama has issued an executive order granting most federal employees a day off on December 26, following a pattern …More
Time Off Order Raises Leave, Scheduling Issues
OPM meanwhile has issued a memo on various leave and work scheduling considerations that repeats long-standing practice in such situations. …More
Rankings Familiar in Best Places to Work Report
Several agencies that traditionally have been near the top in the annual Best Places to Work in the Federal Government …More
Student Loan Reimbursements Drop
Use of the student loan reimbursement authority, a recruiting and retention tool, fell sharply in 2013 due to restrictions on …More
Decision Time Near on Raise, Other Issues
Congress is pushing toward a scheduled adjournment for the year at the end of next week, piling up planned votes …More
FSA Enrollment Requirement Reminder
The open season is also the annual opportunity to enroll in the flexible spending account program, in which employees (but …More
OPM Previews Self Plus One Policies
OPM has issued proposed rules on the self plus one option that is to be available in FEHB starting in …More
No Official Word Yet on Extra Day Off
Although rumors are rampant in the federal workplace that President Obama will grant December 26 as a day off without …More
Guidance Issued on Communicable Diseases
OPM has issued guidance on personnel policies including use of sick leave and ad hoc telework for situations involving communicable …More
CBO Outlines Possible Benefits Changes
The CBO has issued one of its regular reports on how to reduce the federal deficit, once again including numerous …More
Holiday Speculation Under Way
As commonly happens at this time of year, federal employees are wondering whether they will get time off without charge …More
OPM Clarifies FEHB Children’s Coverage Issue
OPM has sent guidance to FEHB carriers regarding a rules change that was effective as of this year affecting eligibility …More
Some Medicare Rates Changing
During a separate open season that runs through December 15, Medicare enrollees can change coverage in that program, choosing among …More
Last Call for Catch-up Elections
Employees who are age 50 or above, or who will be before the end of the year, and who wish …More
TSP Gets Serious about Investment Window
The TSP is now actively looking into allowing participants to put some of their money in outside investment funds—an authority …More
Time for Key Decisions Running Short
Congress will take a recess next week and afterward has only two scheduled weeks of work before adjourning for the …More
Transit Subsidy Could Get One Last Look
One issue that has been largely dormant all year but that still may get late attention from Congress is the …More
Bill Would Impact Personal Electronic Accounts
The House has passed and sent to the White House a bill (HR-1233) on records-keeping policies that includes a provision …More
Severe Weather Policy Reminder
With severe winter weather potentially on the way, employees may want to re-acquaint themselves with dismissal and other policies that …More
One More Time on Affordable Care Act
With the annual benefits open season affecting FEHB under way, a misunderstanding seems to be continuing in the federal workforce …More
FLTCIP Expansion Proposed
Opposite sex domestic partners would become eligible for coverage in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program on the same …More
Decisions Await as Congress Returns
Congress is back in session for what is projected to be 15 working days spread over four weeks before adjourning …More
Numerous Bills Still Pending
Both chambers have passed numerous bills not taken up by the other, including a number of proposed restrictions backed by …More
DoD Bill a Candidate for Action
Congressional leaders hope to keep going the many-year string of enacting an annual DoD authorization bill, despite having made only …More
Leadership Changes Could Mean Policy Changes
In the new Congress that starts in January the leadership is set to change on the two main committees handling …More
