Pay & Benefits

Medicare Part D may benefit most federal annuitants next year

COMMENTARY | Not only are there more options to choose from, but there are also benefit changes that may make Part D more convenient and a better value, according to Kevin Moss of Consumers’ Checkbook.

Pay & Benefits

OPM’s retirement backlog ticked up slightly last month, though other metrics improved

Statistics measuring the federal government HR agency’s performance in processing departing federal workers’ retirement claims remained stable following the backlog’s removal from OPM’s list of top management challenges.

Pay & Benefits

Infertility benefit coverage from FEHB plans in 2025

Federal employees will have even more options for plans offering IVF coverage, including another national PPO plan.

Updated Pay & Benefits

OPM doesn’t have documented customer experience plans for the Postal Service’s open season, OIG says

The HR agency has developed contingencies if there is a surge of customer experience requests during the Postal Service Health Benefits System’s first open season, but a new report claims that those plans aren’t either defined or comprehensive enough for the multi-agency operation. 

Pay & Benefits

Why federal workers should consider an HSA

COMMENTARY | There is something exciting about having a health insurance plan that can reduce your taxes while also providing tax-free investment growth.

Pay & Benefits

New bills want to provide Gold Star survivors with better benefits, make it easier for former feds to return

The Gold Star Spouse Healthcare Enhancement Act aims to provide fallen service members’ partners with lower health care costs for longer, while the Return USA Act looks to create an on-ramp for former employees to return to federal service. 

Pay & Benefits

A closer look at 2025 FEHBP premiums

Open Season is just a few weeks away, and costs are increasing this year. What does that mean for federal employees?

Pay & Benefits

New bill eyes uniformed services benefits for public health corps reservists 

The proposed legislation would provide reservists in a Health and Human Services component with health, education and leave benefits that are similar to other service members.

Pay & Benefits

Why do employees want to be feds? Benefits are a big reason

In a 2023 OPM survey, 90% or more of federal employees said that the availability of health and retirement benefits are important to them.

Pay & Benefits

Employees at Latin American aid agency vote to unionize 

Workers at the Inter-American Foundation almost unanimously voted to join the American Federation of Government Employees last week amid claims of no in-house human resources and an undermanned staff. 

Pay & Benefits

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. 

Pay & Benefits

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.

Pay & 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. 

Pay & Benefits

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. 

Pay & Benefits

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.

Pay & Benefits

Federal government needs better oversight of TSP’s records system

A GAO report found that the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board did not ensure that acquisition management practices were fully enforced when it modernized the system that oversees its 401(k)-style retirement savings program.

Pay & Benefits

Retiree Annuity Supplement: The icing on your retirement cake

This extra money can provide an income bridge until federal retirees are eligible to start Social Security.

Pay & Benefits

OPM details emergency leave transfer for feds affected by Hurricane Beryl

The federal government’s HR agency is allowing federal employees to donate their paid leave to those impacted by the storm that has caused an estimated $28 billion-$32 billion in damages and economic effects in the U.S. alone. 

Pay & Benefits

OPM wants agencies to tally their senior executive needs

The federal government’s HR agency has requested biennial projections for the number of SES and scientific professionals that agencies will likely need through 2027.

Pay & Benefits

The importance of a federal employee 'love letter'

COMMENTARY | This gesture of love and care for your beneficiaries can be a great resource after you are gone.