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As the Federal Employees Health Benefits program open season continues (through December 13), those making coverage changes should be sure …More
Guidance on Job Seeking Issued
The Office of Government Ethics recently issued a memo regarding ethical requirements applying to federal employees who are seeking outside …More
L Fund Preparations Progressing
The Thrift Savings Plan expects to have its planned new
TSP Bill Has Hopes
A similar back and forth occurred on plans (S-2479 and HR-4324) to end the twice-yearly open seasons in the Thrift …More
Dental-Vision Bill Stalled
During the lame-duck session Congress was unable to achieve final passage of proposals (HR-3751 and S-2657) to create a standalone …More
Contracting Language Dropped
In other action on the catchall spending bill, House and Senate members dropped language
Pay Raise Moves Ahead
The 3.5 percent January 2005 federal pay raise, which has been working its way through Congress for most of this …More
FSA Health Care Account Limit is $4,000
The annual maximum on a health care flexible spending account is $4,000, not the $3,000 reported in last week
Key Interest Rate Set
The interest rate the government uses for various purposes related to federal retirement programs
How Social Security Benefits Are Calculated
For a look at how Social Security benefits are calculated and the effect of reductions such as the windfall elimination …More
Earnings Test Limit Rising, Too
Also in 2005, the threshold is increasing for the earnings test, which applies to those who draw Social Security benefits …More
Social Security Thresholds Changing
Those covered by the Social Security system
Experts
The simple fact is that some people aren
Vision-Dental, Whistleblower Bills Also Pending
Also on the short list of legislation that could reach a final vote is a plan (HR-5295 and S-2657) to …More
TSP Bill Could Reach Vote
Several other measures affecting federal employees also might see action during the lame-duck session. Among these are proposals (HR-4324 and …More
Contracting Out Also on Table
Among the other issues still pending on the Transportation-Treasury bill is the direction of the contracting out program under Office …More
Raise Issue Might Be Left to Next Year
Congressional leaders are hoping that the lame-duck session will be a brief one. They want to finish action on budget …More
Unfinished Business Awaits Congress
Congress returns to work this week for a lame-duck session focused mainly on finishing work on the spending bills for …More
All Five Funds Positive
All five Thrift Savings Plan investment funds returned gains in October, with the international stock (I) fund up 3.94 percent, …More
Work Progressing on DoD, DHS Systems
Meanwhile, the Defense Department continues to work to issue proposed rules on its new
Some Benefits Changes in DoD Bill
The DoD bill also carries some changes in benefits policy, including a government-wide provision that extends from 18 to 24 …More
Base Closing Process Moving Ahead
The DoD bill also keeps on track the current base closing process, which is on schedule to produce Pentagon recommendations …More
DoD Bill Could Set Precedent
President
Summary of Federal Workforce Flexibility Act
The OPM memo also summarized the bonus and compensatory time provisions of the law, as well as certain other changes, …More
Guidance Coming on Travel Comp Time, Too
Another major provision of the new law allows federal travelers to receive compensatory time off for time spent on official …More
Policy Guidance Coming
The law gives the Office of Personnel Management authority to issue regulations to carry out the changes, potentially including rules …More
Changes Coming on Bonuses, Travel
While President Bush has signed legislation
Military Figure a More Reliable Indicator
Under a separate pay law for the military, the starting point for raises for uniformed personnel is a half percentage …More
