Potential Government Shutdown – How Federal Workers Can Prepare
September 28, 2023
Federal agencies are signaling an impending government shutdown. If realized, it would begin this Sunday, September 28th 2023, putting millions of federal employees and military personnel either on furlough or required to work without knowing when your next paycheck might arrive. The longer it lasts, the heavier the burden on federal workers, their families, and […]
Terminating Federal Workers With Disabilities
December 22, 2022
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that aims to guarantee equal opportunities and to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in areas such as public transportation, employment, and state and local government services for individuals with disabilities. However, there is often a stigma associated with certain types of disabilities, such […]
Federal Retirement Benefits on the Chopping Block in the FY19 Budget
February 28, 2018
There has been a lot of talk about federal retirement benefits lately. After months of debate and partisan fighting over benefits cuts, both sides passed a plan to protect federal benefits and avoid significant cuts to current and retired employees last November. Congress had finally reached an agreement for the 2018 proposed budget, and everyone employed […]
How the OPM Retirement Claims Backlog Will Affect Your Benefits Access
September 1, 2017
The Office of Personnel Management is currently fighting against a backlog of applications and claims for retirement benefits. While the backlog tends to peak at the start of the year, spikes in applications or attempted enrollments can add to the backlog each month. July was a particularly bad month for OPM retirement claims, as the […]
Congress Approves VA Reform Bill
June 21, 2017
A Newly Passed VA Bill Could Mean Big Changes for Federal Employees On June 13, 2017, the House passed a bipartisan bill to reform the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs in a 368 – 55 vote. This bill, the S.1094 – Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, originated in the […]
House Approved Amendment to Restore USPS Service Standards
June 24, 2016
House appropriators have heard the public’s outcry for improved U.S Postal Service service standards. Early July they approved an amendment that would restore the service standards of 2012. This amendment was proposed by U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and adopted in accordance with the fiscal 2017 financial services appropriations bill. While a giant stride forward, […]
Obama Nominates NEW OPM Chief
November 18, 2015
Beth Cobert may become the new head of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management if President Obama has his way. The president has nominated the now acting director of OPM to officially take over the agency and become OPM director. Ms. Cobert became acting director following the resignation of former OPM director Katherine Archuleta. Ms. […]
Former IRS Chiefs Warn Congress about Budget Cuts
November 18, 2015
Seven former IRS commissioners are begging Congress to halt additional cuts to the agency’s budget. In a November letter to U.S. House and Senate leaders, the former commissioners pointed out that the agency’s budget has been cut by 17 percent since 2010 — a $1.2 billion reduction. “None of us ever experienced, nor are we […]
Rate Changes on the Horizon for FEGLI Participants
November 4, 2015
Come January, you might see your Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance deduction on your paycheck rise or fall depending on the plan you are enrolled in. Older workers and retirees will be the hardest hit. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management recently issued a notice in the Federal Register informing federal workers and federal retirees […]
Rare FEGLI Enrollment Opportunity Offered Next Year
November 4, 2015
Federal workers will be offered a rare opportunity to enroll in, or modify, government-sponsored life insurance. The question we must raise though is…..is it worth it? More on that in a moment. According to a notice in the Federal Register, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management will hold a Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance open […]
