Benefits News 
Top News
- IRS to pay $70M in bonuses, Grassley says
- Small companies won't feel effect of lowered contractor pay cap
- Senators push Tangherlini for assurances GSA is improving
- As VA works to eliminate one backlog, one more might emerge
- BRAC-like commission proposed to hunt down government cost savings
- Sequestration claims another conference: DHS's GFirst cyber event
- Postal Service closing Capitol Hill post offices in 'symbolic' move
- Senators seek cost cuts for F-35 fighter jet
- Fed pens new furlough song
- Web guru Dorris brings new life to government websites
- EPA CIO Jackson returning to private sector
- Navy strikes enterprise licensing deal with Oracle
- Contractors with security clearances lack path to report problems
- NSA leak case gives vendors reason to reevaluate personnel
- 8 contract executives guilty of 8(a) contracting fraud
- Whistleblower suit leads to $12M false claims settlement by SAIC
Obama signs payroll tax cut extension into law
The administration estimates that for a worker earning 50,000 a year, the tax holiday means $80 a month in extra take-home pay. For better-paid employees, the bonus could total $2,200 a year.
Secrets of the TSP
Host Mike Causey will talk about the Thrift
Savings Plan with Tom Trabucco, director of
external affairs for Federal Retirment Thrift
Investment Board. Federal Times Reporters
Stephen Losey and Sean Reilly also join the show
to discuss how Congress is changing your federal
benefits package.
February 22, 2012
Prescription merger will deliver 'value' to government, company says
Mary Rosado, the vice president of federal government affairs at Express Scripts, joined In Depth with Francis Rose to discuss a proposed merger between prescription managers.
The worst is (probably) yet to come
Congress hit future federal workers with a new higher pension tax. For current workers, there is no change but that could have been a warning shot across the bow, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Will prescription-manager merger lead to higher TRICARE costs?
John Coster, the senior vice president of government affairs at the National Community Pharmacists Association, joined In Depth with Francis Rose to discuss how a merger between two pharmacy benefit managers could lead to higher TRICARE costs.
Congress targets federal workers for savings
Federal workers have become the go-to targets as Congress, and the White House, search for ways to lower the deficit, pay for tax cuts and put off looming reductions to defense spending.
Companies stick agencies with retirement bill
Tom Schatz, president of Citizens Against Government Waste, says the government is paying for private employees' retirements has been a legitimate business expense for years under cost-accounting standards.
Life in the bullseye. So, what's next?
After 18 months of inactivity and extended vacation, Congress exhibited a blinding burst of speed last week before it left on yet another vacation. The bad news is that the action it took was aimed at future federal workers and you, well into your career, may be next, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Preparing for retirement
Career coach Mike Townshend talks retirement planning with host Bob Leins.
February 20, 2012
It could have been worse. Really?
Federal workers who have been paying attention to the various plans to have them finance unemployment benefits, highways and tax cuts must be confused, if not in a state of shock, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. Could it be that the only people who are happy are those who haven't been paying attention?
GOP senators unveil new Medicare overhaul plan
Two Republican senators unveiled a Medicare overhaul Thursday that features an accelerated transition to private health insurance for many seniors, a gradual increase in the eligibility age, and higher premiums for middle-class and upper-income retirees.
New feds' pension contributions increase under payroll tax cut deal
Federal pension contributions would increase under a compromise deal to extend a payroll tax cut and pay for jobless benefits through 2012.
OPM defends yo-yo effect of pay, benefits proposals
Director John Berry said the proposition in the 2013 budget request to increase pay by 0.5 percent and increase the contributions employees pay to their retirement by 0.4 percent is "responsible" and "protects the benefit." OPM also would have to figure out how best to meet its mission with a flat budget next year. Berry said his top priority is reducing the backlog of retirement claims.
Congress to feds: We feel your pain
Over 20 bills affecting federal employees' pay, benefits, and pensions have been introduced by members of Congress in the past year. Federal employees tell Federal News Radio those are the kinds of things directly affecting their morale and motivation. What does Congress think about that? Federal News Radio asks both Republicans and Democrats as part of our series, "Managing Morale."
Congress plays tug-of-war over federal benefits
Federal Times Editor Steve Watkins, Senior Writer Sean Reilly,and NARFE Legislative Director Julie Tagen will discuss how government employees will be affected by proposed cuts to the federal budget.
February 15, 2012
Federal unions claim sneak attack in unemployment insurance deal
Two federal unions, the American Federation of Government Employees and the National Treasury Employees Union, say lawmakers removed the increase in federal employee contributions from the payroll tax extension, but added it to the unemployment insurance extension, which is part of the overall deal. The unions say if the provision becomes law, feds would see a pay decrease while everyone else would see an increase.
Feds as reluctant swingers
When you think of federal workers, the term "swinger' isn't the first thing that pops into your head. But after some of the changes politicians want to make, anything could happen.
Option to put unused leave toward TSP part of House bill
The provision — part of a larger transportation bill — would allow retiring federal employees to put their unused annual leave toward their TSP.
A look ahead at estate planning
Estate planner Marc Levine discusses possible changes to tax laws that could affect estate plans.
February 13, 2012(Encore presentation April 9, 2012)
Updated: DoD to quadruple TRICARE fees for higher-earning retirees
The personnel proposals included in the 2013 Defense Department budget include hikes to healthcare fees, cutbacks in both uniformed and civilian personnel. DoD also plans to save money through continued efficiencies and plans to increase the acquisition workforce.
