Early Marker Set for 2010 Raise
An early marker has been set for the January 2010–not 2009–general schedule pay raise, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics …More
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersFEDVIP, FSA Coverage Also Affected
In general, those eligible for FEHB also are eligible under the Federal Dental and Vision Insurance Program, whose carriers are …More
Some Dropouts, Some Additions
There will be slightly fewer plans in 2009 as in 2008, with six plans dropping out: United HealthCare of Georgia, …More
Familiar Contributors to Increases
OPM officials say that the reasons for the increase in FEGB premiums are largely the same as those that have …More
Open Season Coming Up
Starting next Monday (November 10) and running through December 8 the government is conducting its annual benefits open season enrollment …More
Guidance Issued on Comp Time in Lieu of Overtime
OPM recently released guidance on the issue of compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay. For a closer look, …More
Some Patience Needed on Pay Rates
Although Congress enacted a 3.9 percent January 2009 average general schedule pay raise and the measure was signed into law …More
Different Ceilings Apply to Some
Although the 240 hour (30 day) leave carryover limit applies to most federal employees, there are special rules in certain …More
Commuting Tax Breaks Increased
The tax-free maximum for public transit subsidies will increase next year to $120, the IRS has announced. The subsidy program …More
Other Investment Patterns Emerge
The data, prepared by the TSP for the October meeting of its governing board, also showed that about 15 percent …More
Interfund Transfer Restrictions Show Effect
Although TSP investors made more than 166,000 interfund transfers in September, that number actually is well below the more than …More
TSP Investors Get More Conservative
TSP investors shifted more of their money toward more conservative allocations during September, part of a months-long trend that has …More
Expert’s View: The Voluntary Contributions Program
There’s a program that can help CSRS employees earn additional annuity when you retire, writes benefits expert Reg Jones. "Not …More
DoD Bill Signed
President Bush has signed into law the annual DoD authorization bill (P.L. 110-417), which requires the government to produce a …More
System Upgrade Proves Not So EZ
OPM has canceled a main contract on its "RetireEZ" project, which involves automating many retirement-related functions with a goal of …More
CRS Summarizes Benefits for Former Presidents
The Congressional Research Service has issued a report on benefits for former Presidents. For a closer look, go to https://www.fedweek.com in …More
TSP Limits Increasing
The IRS has announced that investment limits on tax-favored retirement savings plans such as the TSP will rise in 2009. …More
Most Medicare Rates Also Increasing
Meanwhile, many rates under the Medicare program also are increasing for 2009. The premium paid by the large majority of …More
Social Security Figures Also Affected
Meanwhile, several figures important in the Social Security program also are being adjusted for 2009. Earnings subject to the 6.2 …More
COLA, Raise Are Two Separate Things
The annual COLA announcement always sets off a round of confusion in the federal community involving raises and COLAs. The …More
COLA the Highest in Recent Years
The 5.8 percent COLA that most federal retirees and survivor beneficiaries will receive with their January 2009 payments will be …More
Expert’s View: A False Premise
Some retirees seem to be suffering from a misunderstanding about how the election of a survivor annuity works, writes benefits …More
OPM Launches Hiring Initiative
OPM has announced a new hiring initiative designed to address widespread frustrations experienced both by applicants—including current federal employees wishing …More
Non-Foreign Area COLAs Stay in Place
Another of the final administration initiatives was to replace the "non-foreign area" cost-of-living adjustment paid to employees outside the contiguous …More
Contracting Out a Mixed Bag
The year also produced a mixed bag of results on an issue of long-running conflict between the White House on …More
TSP Ideas Advance to a Point
Also as part of the tobacco policy bill, the House approved language that would have made several important changes in …More
Other Retirement Proposals Also Stall
Also stalling after clearing a House committee was a proposal to allow federal retirees to participate in the "premium conversion" …More
Short-Term Disability Insurance Idea Dropped
Among the last major Bush administration initiatives for federal personnel was a proposal unveiled earlier this year to create a …More
