I Fund Leads in August
The international stock (I) fund led among the Thrift Savings Plan funds in August, gaining 3.23 percent, while the bond …More
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersOPM Report on Emergency Preparedness
The Office of Personnel Management has released results of a survey it conducted in April asking agencies what they have …More
Enrollment Might Not Be Good Deal, Says Report
The CRS report said that if a separate risk pool were created, “premiums for the new group could potentially be …More
FEHB Buy-In Idea Examined
A recent Congressional Research Service study examined a proposal that has been raised numerous times on Capitol Hill and by …More
FEHB 2006 Premium Announcement in Offing
New rates and coverage terms under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program are typically announced in early September, in preparation …More
Expert’s View: How ‘Quirky’ Offset Works
CSRS Offset is one of those quirky hybrids, writes federal benefits expert Reg Jones. “If you are covered by CSRS …More
Agencies Typically Win at MSPB
According to the Merit Systems Protection Board’s annual report covering fiscal 2004, the board dismissed slightly more than half of …More
Government-Wide Reforms Could Get Attention
There could be hearings this fall, in the House at least, on the Bush administration’s proposal to extend government-wide many …More
Bill Contains ‘Soft Landing’ Provisions
Both the House-passed version of the bill (HR-1815) and the pending Senate version would extend by four years, through fiscal …More
DoD Authorization on Table
The Senate is expected to soon take up the Defense Department authorization (S-1042), which has been pending a Senate vote …More
OPM Sends Out Guidance on FEGLI Provisions
OPM has sent guidance to agencies on carrying out FEGLI open season elections, noting that there are various complications—such as …More
Retirement Angles Exist in Coverage
Employees who elected higher coverage in the open season but who have since cannot continue the newly elected coverage into …More
Reminder on Prior FEGLI Elections
Higher coverage elections made during the open season conducted last fall in the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance program will …More
Expert’s View: Buying Back Military Time
There are two sets of rules that govern whether you are required to make a deposit in order to get …More
Other Agencies Also Face Restrictions
Meanwhile, contracting restrictions also are in several other spending bills, including: HR-2360, the Department of Homeland Security appropriation, both versions …More
DoD Provisions Also in Works
Further, the House version of the Defense Department appropriations bill (HR-2863) includes the 10 percent/$10 million requirement and the most …More
Contracting Issues Also Pending
The administration also opposes language added to the House bill in floor voting to send the Office of Management and …More
Familiar Provisions Retained
Both versions of the bill also contain language that has been part of the annual Transportation-Treasury bill for many years. …More
Pay Issues Also on Table
Both the House and Senate versions of the bill set the January 2006 federal pay raise at an average 3.1 …More
Key Issues Face Congress
As Congress returns to work next week from its August recess, lawmakers will face a range of decisions on federal …More
Special Rates Can Be Abolished
Also for the most part, special rates continue from one year to the next, but in some cases they are …More
Annual Special Rate Review Under Way
The Office of Personnel Management has kicked off the annual process of determining raises for “special rate” employees—white-collar employees paid …More
Expert’s View: Delays in Retirement Processing
The three players involved in assuring that you can transition smoothly from employment to retirement are you, your agency, and …More
No Domestic Partner Coverage, Either
OPM also rejected suggestions that it broaden the definition of “qualified relative” to include domestic partners of federal employees; OPM …More
Stronger Appeal Process also Rejected
Similarly, some commenters requested that OPM hear appeals of insurability decisions made by the carrier. OPM said it believes the …More
OPM Rejects Requested Changes to LTC Insurance Program
The Office of Personnel Management has rejected several changes recommended by individuals who commented on draft rules governing certain aspects …More
When Is It Time To Go? By John Grobe
How can we tell when it is time to move on in our careers? Sometimes we feel that we would …More
COLA Count Jumps in July
Following a 0.5 point increase in July in the consumer price index measure used to set federal retiree cost-of-living adjustments, …More
Start of Vision/Dental Benefits May Be Delayed
The Office of Personnel Management has raised the possibility that the startup of the vision and dental benefits package for …More
Report Also Describes Benefits
The CRS report also describes the benefits that come with base closings, such as transition assistance and early retirement and …More
