Pay & Benefits
HHS expands health benefits eligibility for 9/11 responders under new rule
The interim final rule, published on the 23rd anniversary of the terror attack, opens eligibility for the World Trade Center Health Program to resolve coverage gaps for Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, responders.
Lack of guidelines scuttled VA’s goal to expand access for substance use disorder treatment
The department’s inspector general found that despite budgeting to hire more than 1,000 substance use disorder treatment staff at its medical centers, it only netted 310 new employees in the first year.
Lawmakers file discharge petition to repeal controversial tax rule affecting federal retirees
The Social Security Fairness Act has broad bipartisan support both in Congress and among federal employee unions.
Are you financially prepared for retirement?
If you haven’t started, consider making a retirement plan. Now.
The sunsetting of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act: What federal employees need to know
COMMENTARY | Learn about the potential changes and start planning now to mitigate any adverse effects on your financial situation.
All TSP portfolios posted modest gains in August
Each of the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program’s investment options gained value for the second straight month.
Biden formally announces 2% average pay raise for feds in 2025
The president each August must declare an “economic emergency” to prevent large automatic increases to locality pay from taking effect, in accordance with the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act.
OPM reminds agencies to grant feds leave to vote
Federal workers are entitled to up to four hours of paid administrative leave to go to the polls, thanks to an executive order signed by President Biden in 2021.
Thank goodness for survivor benefits
Even if you have never had a job where you paid into Social Security, you may still be eligible to receive benefits.
House subcommittee wants VA to put more of a spotlight on its veteran employment program
In a field hearing of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, House members pressed for more insights and potential exposure of the Veteran Readiness and Employment program.
House lawmakers plan to force a vote on bill to kill provision that cuts some feds' retirement pay
The Social Security Fairness Act would abolish two tax provisions that reduce retirement benefits for some federal workers.
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Senator says rule to stem Head Start employee turnover could bar children from early education
The HHS rule would require wage and benefit increases for Head Start staff, but Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., claimed the proposed changes would reduce funded, if vacant, slots in the education program.
Slam the Scam, again
Some tips for avoiding scams and resources for help if you become victim to a scam artist.
Feds in Iraq will continue to receive special premium pay, OPM says
Due to an ongoing national emergency in the country dating back to the 2003 war, civilian employees in Iraq will be able to waive the premium pay cap through December, according to a recent memo from the HR agency.
GSA: Per diem rates for federal workers will increase this fall
The amount of money federal agencies will reimburse employees for traveling expenses will increase for both lodging and for meals and incidentals beginning in October.
Retirement planning issues for women
There are five retirement challenges that many women face when planning for their future.
Focusing on the pay gap undermines the commitment to equity
COMMENTARY | The pay gap, as the Office of Personnel Management has defined it, is an artificial number comparing the average pay of men and women. This comparison pits men and women against each other, argues one observer.
How to decide if Medicare Part D is right for you
Although most federal annuitants might benefit from keeping Part D, there are three instances where you could benefit from opting out.
Soon feds may be able to file health insurance claims online
A new Biden administration initiative to crack down on “unnecessary headaches” for consumers will include plans for employees on the Federal Employees Health Benefits and Postal Service Health Benefits plans to submit out-of-network claims online, alongside other updates.
Managing your Social Security benefits
Wondering when you should start receiving your Social Security benefits, how much it might be and if the Social Security trust fund will run out of money? We answer those questions, and more.
