Oversight

COVID-19 Widows Struggle to Get Benefits as Social Security Offices Remain Closed

The closure of Social Security offices during the pandemic has made getting survivors benefits difficult for the spouses and children of those who’ve died during the pandemic. More than 90 percent of those seeking survivors benefits are women.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: Feds Can Save on Their Health Care

Kevin Moss joins the podcast to discuss how a high deductible health insurance plan with an health savings account can benefit public servants,

Pay & Benefits

TSP Proposes Regulations Ahead of Mutual Fund Window Launch

The federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program will let enrollees participate in mutual fund investments as soon as this summer.

Pay & Benefits

Democrats, Employee Groups Rally Around Social Security Reform Bill

Legislation with nearly 200 sponsors would change how annual cost of living adjustments are calculated, temporarily eliminate the controversial Windfall Elimination Provision, and restrict the agency’s ability to close field offices.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: Annual Leave and Essential Feds

Erich Wagner joins the podcast to discuss OPM's decision letting some feds carry over unused annual leave that exceeds the typical cap in January.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Director Reaffirms that Essential Feds Will Have Annual Leave Restored Due to COVID-19

Federal employees deemed essential to combatting the pandemic will again be able to carry over unused annual leave that exceeds the typical cap in January.

Pay & Benefits

Biden Signs Wildland Firefighter Pay Reform Into Law as Part of Infrastructure Package

Some federal wildland firefighters could see up to a $20,000 increase in base pay, and their positions will shift to a new “wildland firefighter” occupational series.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: Open Season Tips and Tricks

Consumers’ Checkbook's Kevin Moss joins the podcast to discuss feds and health insurance choices.

Pay & Benefits

OPM to Propose Expanding Dental and Vision Benefits to More Federal Workers

In a new proposed rule, OPM would extend eligibility to temporary and part-time workers, as well as federal firefighters and other “intermittent” first responders.

Pay & Benefits

Bill to Provide Paid Family Leave for Feds Could Cost $20 Billion By 2027

Officials with the Congressional Budget Office warned that the actual price tag of providing feds with up to 12 weeks of paid family leave could vary widely from their estimate, depending on how much the new benefit is used.

Management

GovExec Daily: Preparing Your Finances For the Next Shutdown

Financial analyst Clark Kendall joins the show to discuss how public servants should get ready for potential furloughs.

Pay & Benefits

Feds Will Pay 3.8% More Toward Health Care Premiums Next Year

Cost growth stems largely from specialty drugs, treatments for chronic illnesses and the COVID-19 pandemic, insurers said, although federal workers will be impacted less than employees of other large organizations.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Announces Leave Transfer Program for Feds in Four States Following Hurricane Ida

Feds in Louisiana, Mississippi, New York and New Jersey could be able to take extra time off to recover from the storm.

Pay & Benefits

Feds to Receive Administrative Leave for Vaccinations

New guidance from the White House Safer Federal Workforce Task Force simplifies the process for federal employees to receive leave to get themselves or family members vaccinated.