Federal Benefits Could Be Under Scrutiny Again
November 25, 2014
A shakeup of the U.S. Congress in the wake of the 2014 mid-term elections could put federal workers’ pension benefits under the microscope again. Pensions and Investments, a money management publication, and other mainstream media outlets have been reporting on this issue since well before the election that turned the tide on Capitol Hill. In […]
FEHB Enrollment Begins
November 17, 2014
Open enrollment in the 2015 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program began November 10 and will run until December 8. Current federal employees, retirees and their families can select from a variety of plans throughout the country using the FEHB Program. As a federal employee, you are eligible for enrollment in the FEHB Program. Open season […]
Postmaster General Patrick R Donahoe is Retiring
November 14, 2014
Amid complex financial challenges facing the United States Postal Service, Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe announced today he will retire in February. Donahoe was appointed Postmaster General in October 2010. He will be succeeded by the agency’s chief operating officer, Megan J. Brennan, who will become the first female Postmaster General. “Pat was the calm […]
The $1258 Question When Choosing to Enroll in Medicare For Federal Employees
November 14, 2014
In 2015, Medicare Part B premiums will be $104.90 per month per person, or $1,258.80 a year. The good news is that’s unchanged from this year. The bad news is that feds who will turn 65 in 2015 will need to make a decision about whether or not to enroll in Part B and pay […]
Federal Workforce Increasingly Educated
November 11, 2014
According to new data gathered by the Office of Personnel Management, federal employees are continually looking for and taking advantage of opportunities to expand their education while building a career in public service. This year, OPM gathered information about the level of education government workers have attained, in addition to other types of demographic data. […]
New 2015 TSP Limits are Announced
November 11, 2014
The IRS recently announced the contribution limits for retirement investment accounts in 2015, including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). For next year, the elective deferral, annual contribution limit for TSP is $18,000, up $500 from 2014. The catch-up contribution limit for employees ages 50 and older is increased to $6,000 from $5,500. The increase in […]
USPS Gets OK to Test Market Grocery Delivery
November 4, 2014
As a postal service worker, you deliver mail. Now, you may be delivering groceries. The Postal Regulatory Commission approved a proposal from the United States Postal Service to test and develop a grocery delivery program, with hopes of scaling it to a nationwide market. In an Oct. 23 proposal, USPS explained its experimental product, called […]
Feds Trying to Retain STEM Employees with Higher Pay
October 27, 2014
The Office of Personnel Management is encouraging agencies to maintain and build a workforce of employees who specialize in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by offering them higher pay. In a recent memo, OPM Director Katherine Archuleta said that federal agencies have the authority to “provide additional direct compensation in certain circumstances” to support […]
Much Needed COLA for Federal Retirees for 2015
October 22, 2014
Looks like Federal Retirees are to Receive a 1.7% COLA for 2015, according to the new figures that was released this morning. This is a slight increase compared to the adjustment they received this year of 1.5%, but the same as 2013 when they received 1.7%. The annual COLA increase is based on the percentage increase in […]
Proposed Regulations Would Expand Financial Protection for Military Families
October 20, 2014
The Department of Defense is proposing changes to regulations that would close loopholes in the Military Lending Act (MLA) and help protect thousands of service members across the country. The proposed rule change would amend existing regulations in the MLA, including extending a 36 percent interest rate cap on short-term loans on a wide range […]
