Pressure on Your Benefits Expected
In 2016 there was more than the usual amount of activity regarding federal insurance benefits and less than usual regarding …More
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersGroups Back Improved Death Benefits
A coalition of unions and professional groups representing federal employees and retirees is supporting legislation to boost death benefits for …More
FEDVIP Open Season Extended Through Wednesday
OPM has extended the open season for enrolling in the FEDVIP vision-dental insurance program or for changing coverage through midnight …More
Pay Raise Increase: Obama Orders Boost in Average from 1.6 to 2.1 Percent
President Obama has issued a decision boosting the average federal pay raise in January to 2.1 percent from the 1.6 …More
Deadline Approaches for Bill to Keep Agencies Funded
In what has become a common scenario, Congress is continuing to work on a temporary budget measure to keep agencies …More
DoD Budget Measure Impacts Buyouts, Administrative Leave, More
The compromise version of the annual DoD authorization bill (S-2943)—passed last week by the House and pending a final vote …More
Congress Signals Willingness to Change Veterans Preference Rights
As earlier announced, the DoD authorization bill doesn’t contain an original Senate provision to limit veterans preference in competitive service …More
Benefits Open Season About to End
Next Monday (December 12) is the last day of the current open season for electing or changing coverage in the …More
Remember, FSAs Require Re-Enrollment
The open season ending December 12 represents the annual opportunity to enroll in the flexible spending account program, in which …More
FEHB Family Coverage Rules Changes Proposed
OPM has proposed rules allowing removal of eligible family members from FEHB coverage in certain circumstances, a change it says …More
Limited Exception Made to Children’s FEHB, FEDVIP Eligibility
OPM has issued interim rules effective immediately allowing the children of a same-sex domestic partner to be covered under FEHB …More
Trump Transition Team Brings On Familiar Faces; Changes Coming on Capitol Hill
The transition team for the incoming Trump administration has assigned several familiar persons to key roles. Linda Springer, OPM director …More
Long-Term Care Premium Hike Getting Scrutiny
Hearings in the House are to be held today (November 30) on the sharp increases in Federal Long-Term Care Insurance …More
Last Train for Budget, Other Issues to Ride Is About to Leave the Station
Ambitions for moving legislation in the post-election session are waning, leaving as the two main remaining pieces of business the …More
Federal Pay Raise Message Formally Carves Out Locality Pay for 2017
President Obama has issued a message to Congress formalizing an earlier stated intention to divide the expected 1.6 percent federal …More
NARFE Reaches Alzheimer’s Research Funding Goal
The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association has reached a goal set at its 2014 convention of a cumulative …More
OPM Proposes to Beef Up Veterans Preference
OPM has proposed rules to strengthen veterans preference for excepted service positions, in part clarifying and formalizing policies already in …More
Benefits, Employee Rights Issues on Table as Trump Transition Picks Up Pace
While most of the focus on the presidential transition so far has been on structuring the transition team and identifying …More
Limits on Employee Awards Boosted
In what amounts to something of a going-away present to federal employees, the Obama administration has raised the cap in …More
Agency Spending Decisions Likely to Be Kicked into New Year
Republican leaders have stated their intent to pass another stopgap funding measure for the government extending only through March. By …More
Bills, Rules Move in Last-Chance Push
As the current Congress nears its end, members are trying to push numerous bills over the finish line rather than …More
Inauguration Day to Be Holiday for Some
Federal employees working in or close to Washington, D.C. will get Inauguration Day, January 20, as a paid day off …More
Sometimes It’s Best to Turn Down Even an Allowable Gift
Revisions to ethics rules taking effect January 1 contain guidance for employees when acceptance of a gift would be allowable …More
Hiring Freeze in the Works, but How Would It Work?
The Donald Trump campaign listed a federal hiring freeze as a top priority, but a week after the election, many …More
Much of Government Could Be Exempt from Hiring Freeze
One issue regarding the incoming Trump administration’s planned federal hiring freeze is whether it would be total or whether it …More
Turnover Rates Could Be a Consideration
The incoming Trump administration’s plan to generally freeze federal hiring has turned attention to federal turnover. Federal employment data are …More
VA Reform Named a Top Priority
The Trump transition team has signaled that his administration will pursue changes in VA personnel policies—such as shortened disciplinary processes …More
Few Changes Likely among Congressional Panels After Election
The election produced little turnover among congressional leaders on civil service issues for the 2017-2018 Congress. The chairmen and ranking …More
Short Working Time Remaining for Congress
Congress is back in session this week after recessing since late September but mainly to deal with organizational issues; it …More
New Medicare Rates Set; Cost to Be Higher for Some
The Medicare program has announced rates for 2017, with a $109 monthly Part B premium (for physicians and related services), …More
