Pay Raise to Take Effect But Changes Lie Ahead
A pay raise averaging 2 percent for general schedule employees takes effect at the start of the first full pay …More
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersMileage Reimbursement Rising
The standard mileage reimbursement rate for federal employees using their own vehicles for official travel rises from 36 to 37.5 …More
COLA Count Drops
Through two months of the counting period for the January 2005 federal retiree cost-of-living adjustment, the count stands at a …More
COLAs Pro-Rated for Some
The COLA payments are pro-rated for those who have not been retired for a full year-that is, the annuity must …More
Retiree COLA Reminder
Federal retirees will receive cost-of-living adjustments in their January payments, with those retired under CSRS getting 2.1 percent and those …More
Home Sale Tax Change Applies to Foreign Service
A tax change for military personnel under a recently signed measure (P.L. 108-121) applies to foreign service members as well. …More
Some Additions and Deletions on the Way
Other recommendations from the Pay Agent include dropping in 2005 Kansas City, Orlando and St. Louis as separate localities and …More
Groundwork Laid for Future Pay System Changes
A recent report by the President’s Pay Agent lays the groundwork for changes in 2005 in the general schedule locality …More
Status During Gap
For those who changed plans during the open season and who need medical care before the effective date of a …More
EHB Enrollment Reminder
There is a difference between how active employees and retirees are treated for purposes of determining coverage and premiums at …More
New Year Brings New Finances
The arrival of the new year brings several changes in the financial pictures of federal and postal employees and retirees, …More
FEGLI Rate Reminder
As previously announced, rates for Option B coverage under the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance will rise effective January 1 …More
No Action on Medicare Drug Benefit Required
Although the recent enactment of a prescription drug benefit in the Medicare program has drawn widespread interest among federal retirees-most …More
Medicare Rates Increasing
Premiums for Medicare Part B coverage-generally covering physicians’ services-will rise in 2004 from the current $58.70 a month to $66.60 …More
Earnings Test Limits Also Rising
The allowable limits for those drawing Social Security benefits but continuing to work-called the earnings test-also are rising slightly in …More
Social Security Earnings Thresholds Rising
Earnings of up to $87,900 will be taxable for Social Security purposes in 2004 for those subject to Social Security, …More
CBO Looks at Baby Boomers’ Retirement
With the “Baby Boom” generation approaching retirement, the Congressional Budget Office has issued a report examining a variety of factors …More
Carry-Overs Not Enacted
The use-or-lose feature of FSAs-a requirement of the tax code-has drawn criticism as encouraging wasteful year-end spending on the one …More
Remember FSA Use or Lose Feature
Federal employees who are currently enrolled in flexible spending accounts for the 2003 plan year should remember that the plan …More
HSAs to Carry Several Advantages
HSAs will allow enrollees to put in annually pre-tax amounts of up to $2,600 for individuals and up to $5,150 …More
New Health Savings Account Considered
The Office of Personnel Management is exploring whether and when a new type of tax-advantaged account created by the recently …More
End of TSP Open Season Coming Up
December 31 marks the end of the current open season in the Thrift Savings Plan for those not yet participating …More
Latest on Raise Situation
The Office of Personnel Management has published a fact sheet that runs through the raise situation, including the status of …More
DHS System Still on Drawing Board
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security-which a year ago received many of the same authorities over personnel policies that DoD …More
What Can Change, What Can’t
The DoD briefing paper summarizes what can and can’t change under the national security personnel system. What can be changed …More
Some Phased in, Some Left Out
The paper also notes that under the law, the initial implementation “may include up to 300K (300,000) employees in any …More
DoD Reforms to Take at Least Two Years
Implementation of the recently approved “national security personnel system” for the Defense Department will occur “over at least two years” …More
Expert’s View: Taking a Refund
If you separate for federal service for reasons other than retirement, you can get a refund of the contributions you …More
December 26 Holiday Granted for Most
Federal agencies will be closed and most employees will be excused from duty without charge to leave on Friday, December …More
Overtime Rules Allowed to Proceed
A legislative attempt to block proposed revisions in overtime rules for private sector employees that could spill over into the …More
