Mileage Rate Could Rise
Federal employees using their personal vehicles on official business could be reimbursed at a rate of 48.5 cents per mile …More
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersTSP Stock Funds Have Good Month
All three stock-oriented TSP funds posted substantial gains during October, with the small company (S) fund leading the way with …More
Status Report on Retirement Systems Modernization Project
OPM has released a status report on its retirement systems modernization project, which is designed to replace the traditional paper-dependent …More
Dental Plans More Complicated
On the dental side, there are five national carriers from which to choose—two of which have high and standard options—and …More
FEDVIP Open Season Also Coming
Also during the same open season period will be the initial sign-up opportunity for the new Federal Dental and Vision …More
Open Season Also Affects FSAs
During the same open season period, employees will be able to sign up for flexible spending accounts for the 2007 …More
Expert’s View: What to Look for This FEHB Open Season
The overall small increases in FEHB premiums for 2007 ought not to be used as an excuse for ignoring the …More
Open Season Coming Up
Starting on Monday (November 13) and running through December 11 is the annual open season for enrolling in the FEHB …More
ECI Used as Starting Point
In recent years the ECI figure alone has effectively become the starting point for annual raise deliberations, and locality pay …More
Early Marker Set for 2008 Raise
An early marker has been set for the January 2008—not 2007—federal pay raise, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported …More
FEHB Underserved Areas Redefined
OPM has revised the list of medically underserved areas for FEHB program purposes. States on that list are deemed to …More
Expert’s View: CSRS vs. FERS
Federal employees often wonder if they are in the best retirement system, writes benefits expert Reg Jones. “As with most …More
Several Other Bills Signed
Also signed were: P.L. 109-313, a GSA reorganization act that includes a provision allowing agencies to rehire federal annuitants into …More
DoD Authorization Bill Signed
President Bush has signed into law, P.L. 109-364, the 2007 DoD authorization measure which: requires DoD to produce by March …More
Payments Also Concentrated by Occupation, Grade
Recruitment incentive payments were concentrated in engineering, architecture, health care and intelligence occupations, while retention payments were concentrated in health …More
Incentive Payments Concentrated at a Few Agencies
DoD was by far the largest user of recruitment, retention and relocation incentives in the government in calendar year 2005, …More
OPM’s Guidance on Developing Leaders
OPM recently issued guidelines to agencies on leadership development, noting survey data showing a need for improvements in that area. …More
Hearing Set in NSPS Case
The federal appeals court for the District of Columbia Circuit has set December 11 to hear oral arguments in a …More
Court Retains Oversight of DHS Case
A federal judge who issued an injunction against the labor relations, disciplinary and appeals rights parts of the alternative personnel …More
Expert’s View: MRA Plus 10
One of the most interesting provisions in the act establishing the FERS retirement system was the one allowing employees to …More
Social Security Figures Also Affected
Meanwhile, several figures important in the Social Security program also are being adjusted for 2007. 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
Differences for CSRS, FERS Retirees
While about two-thirds of active federal employees are covered by the FERS system, the large majority of retirees are drawing …More
3.3 Percent COLA on High Side
The 3.3 percent COLA that most federal retirees will receive starting with their January payments is down from the 4.1 …More
TSP Investment Limit Rising in 2007
The maximum amount that actively employed TSP participants can invest in the savings program will rise to $15,500 in calendar …More
Other Features Differ, Too
Among other special features of FEDVIP described in the guidance are the requirements for the differing types of enrollment, how …More
Pre-Tax Payment of Premiums Mandatory
As in FEHB, premiums for FEDVIP plans will be deducted from pay for active employees on a pre-tax basis, but …More
OPM Issues Guidance on FEDVIP
OPM has put out guidance on the upcoming Federal and Dental Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), which will have its initial …More
Different Way of Dividing Raise Suggested
The council considered, but made no recommendation on, an alternative way of dividing up the money among localities that would …More
Raise Looks Like 1.7 Plus Locality Amount
Meanwhile, the salary council—made up of agency and union representatives and pay experts—is working on the assumption that the January …More
