Oversight
As veteran disability claims soar, unaccredited coaches profit off frustration with the VA system
Austin, Texas-based VA Claims Insider says it has helped hundreds of thousands of clients. It has also touched off complaints and investigations.
Pay & Benefits
Most feds will have a few extra hours of paid leave this year, thanks to a calendar quirk
The Office of Personnel Management on Monday warned that many federal workers should plan to take slightly more time off to avoid forfeiting “use it or lose it” annual leave hours.
Workforce
A gender equity group still wants better protections for feds who need abortion care
One year after the Dobbs decision, President Biden signed a new executive order potentially expanding contraceptive access for federal workers, but a gender equity group at the Justice Department says more needs to be done.
Pay & Benefits
Draft spending bill cuts telework and bans transgender care for feds, but preserves 5.2% pay raise plan
A House subcommittee's fiscal 2024 spending bill does nothing to override the president’s planned average pay increase for federal workers next year, but it is riddled with policy riders.
Pay & Benefits
The 'Pay Cliff' That Could Cripple the Federal Government's Firefighting Workforce
A federal employee union said Wednesday that without a permanent boost to federal wildland firefighters’ pay and benefits, agencies will see a “mass exodus.”
Pay & Benefits
Why Every Federal Employee Should Consider a Health Savings Account
The annual HSA contribution limit is increasing in 2024. Here are some of the benefits of having one.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Wants to Do More for Federal Workers' Wellness
An initiative to “revitalize” employee assistance programs across the federal government eyes a more comprehensive approach to promoting federal employees' wellness.
Pay & Benefits
Fed Health Care Changes and the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Some over-the-counter and out-of-network coverage may be different now that the pandemic emergency is over.
Pay & Benefits
Fight the Long-Running FEHBP Abortion Ban, Gender Equity Group Urges House Democrats
The Department of Justice Gender Equality Network said the Hyde amendment unfairly makes women’s health care decisions more costly and traumatic, even when covered by exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the health of the mother.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Prison Employees Ask the Supreme Court to Review COVID Hazard Pay Case
Attorneys for nearly 200 U.S. Bureau of Prisons workers in Connecticut said a federal appellate court effectively made it impossible for any federal worker to qualify for hazard pay related to “virulent biologicals” with its interpretation of federal regulations.
Pay & Benefits
Congressional Dems Reintroduce Bill to Revamp Federal Firefighter Pay and Benefits
The Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act would ensure federal wildland firefighters make at least $20 per hour, among other things.
Workforce
OPM Highlights Mental Health Resources for Feds
The federal government is setting up a new listserv to provide federal employees with mental health information, events and tools to boost mindfulness.
Pay & Benefits
Feds Could Soon See Better Child Care Options Under a New Executive Order
A plan to revamp federal employees’ access to child care came Tuesday as part of a broad effort by President Biden to improve the affordability of care services for children and adult family members, as well as boost care workers’ compensation.
Oversight
A Bill Would Repeal an Expensive Tax Rule For Public Servants
Rep. Abigail Spanberger joins the podcast to discuss her plan to put money in feds' and retirees' pockets.
Pay & Benefits
Spanberger Touts Feds’ Support for Repeal of Controversial Tax Rule Affecting Retirees
More than 2,500 people responded to an informal survey about the windfall elimination provision and government pension offset conducted by the lawmaker’s office within the first 48 hours of its posting.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Starts the Process of Booting USPS Employees to a New Health Care Program
Health care premiums will likely go down for feds across the board as Medicare absorbs more costs, Biden administration predicts.
Workforce
Improved Fertility Coverage from FEHB Plans Is Coming
Kevin Moss joins the podcast to discuss what's in the recent Office of Personnel Management annual carrier call letter.
Pay & Benefits
Feds Can Expect to See Improved Fertility Coverage from FEHB Plans in 2024
Compared to existing fertility benefits, this is a significant expansion.
Pay & Benefits
How Changes to Medicare Part D Will Impact Federal Annuitants
The new reforms might be worth giving it a second look, one expert says.
Pay & Benefits
Bill to Boost Federal Firefighters’ Retirement Benefits is Back
Rep. Gerry Connolly’s legislation would include mandatory overtime hours in calculations to determine federal firefighters’ pension benefits.
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