Relationship Between FEHB, Medicare
In most cases, Medicare becomes the primary payer and Medicare becomes the secondary payer for annuitants who are eligible for …More
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersStructure of Benefit at Issue
Key questions arising as Congress considers the Medicare prescription drug benefit issue will be whether participation in a Medicare prescription …More
Medicare Premium Issue Arises
An effort under way in Congress to begin prescription drug coverage in the Medicare program, has raised the question of …More
Opposition Building to Alternative Personnel Provisions
During the early rounds of hearings on the proposed Homeland Security department, which eventually could absorb some 170,000 federal employees …More
Broader Contract Authority for New Agency Proposed
A provision in the administration’s proposal for a new Homeland Security department could give that agency wider latitude in using …More
Pay Amendment Passes Panel
Language to set a January 2003 federal pay raise of 4.1 percent in law has been put in a key …More
Latest COLA Count Unchanged
The inflation index used to set the January 2003 federal retirement cost-of-living adjustment was unchanged in May. Through eight months …More
Timing Question Still Up in Air
Although sponsors of the TSP catch-up bill hope to gain enactment soon-either by passing the bill on its own or …More
TSP Catch-Up Bill Clears Hurdle
Backers of legislation (HR-3340 and S-1822) to allow Thrift Savings Plan participants age 50 and older to make catch-up investments …More
Key Provisions of Reform Bill
Voinovich’s proposal contains numerous additional provisions affecting policies ranging from training to senior executive recertification requirements, among many others. For …More
Broader ‘Demonstration Project’ Authority Sought
The Voinovich civil service reform plan also would broaden the authority for agencies to conduct “demonstration project” tests of alternative …More
Revised Civil Service Reform Bill Offered
A revised civil service reform plan has been offered in the Senate, with prime sponsor Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, hoping …More
Proposal Sparks Controversy
Federal unions and some House Democrats active in civil service issues say they will oppose the personnel proposal for Homeland …More
Transition Period Seen
Administration officials say that at the outset, employees of agencies that would be absorbed into Homeland Security if it is …More
Homeland Security Personnel Plan Unveiled
The Bush administration has formally proposed exempting employees of the proposed new Homeland Security Department from many standard civil service …More
Pay, Annuity Withholding Available
Another difference between the early enrollment period and the open season is that while premiums could not be withheld from …More
Some Changes in Offerings
The open season offers some different options than those available during the early enrollment opportunity that ran in March-May. The …More
LTC Open Season About to Launch
The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program open season begins next Monday (July 1) and runs through December 31, offering …More
Relief Authorized for Employees in Fire Areas
The Office of Personnel Management has told agencies that they may excuse from duty without charge to leave or loss …More
Controllers Not ‘Inherently Governmental’
The White House has issued an executive order (No. 13180) stating that air traffic control positions are not “inherently governmental” …More
Official Time a Testy Subject
The subject of official time is a crucial one to employee unions, who say they need such time in order …More
Legislation Would Limit Official Time
Federal employees would be able to spend no more than 25 percent of their time on “official time”-time spent performing …More
Other Authorities Also Would Be Extended
The Senate’s DoD authorization bill also would extend by one year the buyout authority at the Energy Department, which otherwise …More
Use of Buyouts at DoD Expected to Continue
The Defense Department, one of the handful of agencies that still has authority to offer its employees buyout payments of …More
Working with Those with Disabilities
The Office of Personnel Management has put out guidance for federal employees on working with colleagues who suffer from various …More
Appropriations Process Will Set Raise
Although the DoD measure is a key bill in the annual raise process, the final raise figure for January 2003 …More
Senate Vote Pending on Key Raise Bill
The Senate could vote at any time on its version of the fiscal 2003 Defense Department authorization bill (S-2514) that …More
The Best Way to Find a Federal Job?
Tens of Thousands of federal employees have already signed up for a comprehensive federal job search engine that allows you …More
Unions Stake Positions on New Agency
Federal unions have said that in the drive to create a new Homeland Security Department, political leaders should take the …More
TSP Catch-Up Bill Hits Snag
Meanwhile, legislation (HR-3340 and S-1822) to allow TSP investors age 50 and older to make special “catch-up” investments over and …More
