Pay & Benefits Watch

How to use the ‘Bucket Strategy’ to optimize your retirement savings

COMMENTARY | There are ways to strategically withdraw money in retirement to make your funds last longer.

  • Austin Costello

Put the telework debate to rest by focusing on productivity

COMMENTARY | Civil servants say telework improves productivity, but Congress wants data to prove it. Here’s one way OMB can reconcile the differences.

  • Rob Hankey

OPM’s unfulfilled recommendations include health insurance benefits changes, IG says

The agency is making progress on implementing IG recommendations, but three of its top yet-to-be-completed recommendations included changes that would prevent improper and inaccurate payments within the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.  

  • Carten Cordell

L Funds: A Love Affair

COMMENTARY | For these “set it and forget it” funds, “setting it” may require a bit more work than matching your birth year to the “right” fund.

  • Lisa Whitley

The pitfalls of single-solution financial advisors

COMMENTARY | There is an increasing trend of companies advertising themselves as financial advisors or benefits centers targeting federal employees. Here’s how to find a holistic financial planning partner.

  • Austin Costello

Health Savings Account contribution limits to rise in 2025

Federal employees looking for ways to save on out-of-pocket healthcare costs might benefit from using a high deductible health plan with an HSA.

  • Kevin Moss

OPM tweaks its final rule for the postal health benefits plan

The federal HR agency posted its final rule for establishing the Postal Service Health Benefits program on Monday, clarifying language on Medicare Part B enrollment and other details.

  • Carten Cordell

Are Consumer Driven Health Plans the right FEHB plan for you?

These are one of the lowest cost FEHB plan types for both active federal employees and annuitants.

  • Kevin Moss

Are High Deductible Health Plans the right FEHB plan for you?

For most federal employees, HDHPs will be the cheapest FEHB plan type. Here’s how they work.

  • Kevin Moss

Estate planning for federal employees: Maximize benefits and minimize taxes

Make sure to review and update your estate plan regularly to reflect changes in your financial situation and personal circumstances.

  • Austin Costello

Here's what federal employees need to know about their dental benefits

Navigating your dental benefits shouldn't be like pulling teeth

  • Kevin Moss

What USPS annuitants need to know about the Medicare Part B special enrollment period

Some postal annuitants may be able to avoid paying a penalty.

  • Kevin Moss
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DOD, other agencies could better transition service members to civilian life

GAO officials said the Defense, Veterans Affairs and Labor departments could better collaborate to provide more at-risk veterans “warm handovers” to help transition them from military service to civilian life.

  • Carten Cordell

OPM taps insurance carriers to service new USPS benefits exchange

The federal HR agency conditionally selected 32 carrier applications to provide health coverage to U.S. Postal employees, annuitants and family members starting in 2025. 

  • Carten Cordell

Employee groups air their disappointment with Biden’s 2% raise proposal

Multiple groups representing federal employees expressed their displeasure this week at the White House’s proposed pay raise, noting that it falls both behind the cost of inflation and military compensation.

  • Carten Cordell

Will your future income rocket your Medicare premiums?

As a federal employee with FEHB, should you also take Medicare Part B at age 65? Here are a few things to consider before making the decision.

  • David Setia

OPM wants to entice more AI talent with new benefits guidance

The HR agency unveiled new pay and benefits flexibilities to help snag in-demand workers with expertise in artificial intelligence technology. 

  • Carten Cordell

The Postal Service Health Benefits program, prescription coverage and Open Season 2025

The federal health care enrollment period is months away, but you can start preparing now.

  • Kevin Moss

10 years on, OPM keeps its pay freeze in place for senior officials

With budget negotiations ongoing, OPM officials said that the pay rates for the vice president and other senior political officials will remain frozen until at least the expiration of the latest continuing resolution.

  • Carten Cordell

TSP and Required Minimum Distributions

Rules around these mandatory withdrawals changed under the Secure 2.0 Act.

  • Neil Cain

Secret Service overtime pay locked in through 2028

The House passed legislation Monday to extend overtime pay authority for agents providing protective services through the next presidential election cycle after it was slated to lapse last month. 

  • Carten Cordell