Retirement News 
Top News
- Hagel: Accountability breakdown a leading factor in sexual assaults
- ODNI's Liberty Crossing complex closed Monday
- SES bonuses under fire at GSA, other agencies
- VA's Gould moves the needle on VA challenges
- Meet the 2013 Service to America Medal Finalists
- Causey: Saintly media vs. government devils
- White House wants to root out copycat programs - starting with STEM
- Treasury officials told of IRS probe in June 2012
- Obama appoints Danny Werfel acting IRS head
- In fight over intelligence IT system, Army prioritizes access to data
- House bill protects homeland security budget
- Intelligence Community free from furloughs
- OMB fuels the passion, synergy between mobile, open data
- GAO, OMB spar over whether to measure data center cost savings
- Agencies craving STEMM talent should bolster skills of persuasion
- DoD wants to know real costs of IT business systems
- Monday federal headlines - May 20, 2013
Fed retirement hike to pay for unemployment insurance
The $15 billion generated by the 2.3 percent more that new employees would pay for their retirement would help pay for the extension of unemployment insurance.
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.
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
Postal Service plan proposes own health plan, workforce cuts
The Postal Service's strategic five-year plan proposes cutting the workforce by 155,000 by 2016 and creating its own health benefit program for employees and retirees to return to financial stability.
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.
House to vote on federal pension changes separate from highway bill
The current language of H.R. 3813 increases the CSRS and FERS employees' contribution to their retirements by 1.5 percent over three years. For individuals not subject to mandatory retirement who choose to retire on or after Jan. 1, 2013, the FERS minimum supplement is eliminated. Currently, the FERS minimum supplement is paid to those qualifying employees who retire prior to age 62.
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)
Pay raise, increased retirement contributions in President's FY2013 budget request
President Obama's fiscal 2013 budget request released today ends the two-year federal pay freeze but increases contributions feds will have to make toward their retirement benefits.
Bill to cut federal retirement benefits saves $44B, CBO says
The House bill — H.R.3813 — would require federal workers to contribute 1.5 percent more of their salaries toward retirement over three years and end a supplemental payment for early retirees under the Federal Employee Retirement System.
Retirement applications tick up 24 percent in 2011
Experts have long predicted a federal retirement tsunami, and the steady uptick in retirement applications across 2011 appears to bear that out. Overall, 104,810 retirement applications were filed by federal employees in calendar-year 2011, according to numbers provided by OPM — a 24 percent increase over 2010 levels.
