Pay and Benefits News 
Top News
- Hagel: Accountability breakdown a leading factor in sexual assaults
- PHOTOS: Meet the 2013 Service to America Medal Finalists
- SES bonuses under fire at GSA, other agencies
- Next-gen Apple devices cleared to join Defense IT networks
- VA's Gould moves the needle on many of VA's toughest challenges
- ODNI's Liberty Crossing complex closed today
- 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
- Hagel makes 'difficult choice,' civilian furloughs to begin July 8
- Obama appoints Danny Werfel acting IRS head
- House bill protects homeland security budget
- Intelligence Community free from furloughs
- OMB fuels the passion, synergy between mobile, open data
Friends-of-feds hard to come by
When you were little, you may have had an invisible friend, maybe a pet, a pretend brother or sister who loved you unconditionally or a superhero who defended you against bullies and monsters. Now that you are a grown-up federal worker you've graduated to new friends: invisible politicians.
OPM continues cutting retirement backlog as claims fall below expectations
For the third straight month, the Office of Personnel Management received fewer federal retirement claims than projected, according to monthly federal retirement data. OPM also met its processing goals for the month and the longstanding backlog of claims has fallen by 21 percent since January.
Feds with phobias
If you ask the typical federal/postal worker what his or her greatest job-related fear was, many would answer they are afraid Congress will change their retirement rules and base their benefits on their highest five-year average salary. Yet the likelihood of losing the current high-three system is small compared to other, more real threats, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
OPM offers Fourth of July tips for financial freedom in retirement
But the Office of Personnel Management is prodding federal employees to also think about financial freedom — especially in retirement. As part of its Retirement Readiness Now series, OPM compiled a list of four things feds should do to start getting a handle on their future retirement. Tammy Flanagan, the senior benefits director at the National Institute of Transition Planning, discussed the tips on In Depth with Francis Rose.
The good old days weren't always so good
Senior Correspondent Mike Causey turns the column over to reader Doc frrom the Energy Department, for today's guest columnist. He's been in the private sector too, and worked overseas for Uncle Sam. And he says the good old days sometimes weren't all that good.
Fortunate feds: Job stability, retirement and health benefits
Senior Correspondent Mike Causey once again turns over to longtime reader, Dennis S., who spent a long time with Uncle Sam and a lot of time in the private sector. He says both the government and the private sector have their upsides and downsides. But he thinks its important to appreciate what you've got and live in the moment.
DoD civilians, others can now make Roth TSP contributions
After a two-month delay, all civilian employees at the Defense Department, as well as several other agencies, can now contribute to the recently rolled-out Roth option for their Thrift Savings Plans.
Mass-transit subsidy not in highway bill, but not dead yet
A tax break for mass-transit riders is not part of the transportation reauthorization bill Congress passed Friday.
Long, hot summer for feds
Democrats control the White House and the Senate, while Republicans call the shots in the House. So what impact has divided government had on federal workers? Some people think things could be a whole lot worse if one party ran all three operations at the same time, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Fed benefits spared in highway, student loan deal
Congress passed a bill Friday to overhaul federal highway programs and extend student loan interest rates. Federal employees' retirement benefits appear to be spared in the deal. The legislation also allows the Department of Transportation to avoid furloughing 3,500 employees and halting hundreds of thousands of constructions projects.
Have you lost it yet?
Today's guest column is from Tony, an IRS employee in San Diego. He says he's loved his time with Uncle Sam, but because Congress is on the warpath against feds he can't wait to retire ... Sound familiar?
Financial planning & long term care
Host Mike Causey will talk estate planning with attorney Tom O'Rourke, and long term care with Paul Forte and Mary Lou McGuiness of Long Term Care Partners.
June 27, 2012(Encore presentation July 4, 2012)
Way, way, way off the Beltway
Although its hard for some D.C. folks to believe, there is life "Beyond The Beltway." Sounds like a pretty good life at that. Check out this first hand report from revenue agent Linda Heeney in far off Montana.
Is a government job real work?
Is having a government job the same as real work on the outside? Some folks think Uncle Sam is a soft touch, so we checked with a fed who's also spent time in the private sector. He says working outside the government is very much like working inside. Check out his report...
The Voluntary Contribution Program
Hosts Bob Leins and Tammy Flanagan discuss the Voluntary Contribution Program and its relation to both the Roth IRA and the Roth TSP.
June 25, 2012
What makes feds tick?
Did you ever wonder what makes feds tick? You may have yourself figured out, but what about your coworkers and feds in other agencies? Starting today we may get some real insights, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
The Friday-faithful feds
Federal offices are wastelands in Fridays in summer, right? Wrong. Turns out Friday is business as usual and some folks find it the most productive day of the week, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. And we've got the emails to prove it.
House committee remains mum on federal pay raises
The Financial Services and General Government spending bill seeks to cut $2 billion from the president's request. The bill says nothing about granting feds a pay raise in 2013. The House committee follows the lead of Senate appropriators, which also remained silent on the issue.
Millionaires tighten (money) belts
Members of Congress, nervous about the economy and the upcoming November elections, have volunteered to tighten their own money belts. But in the process they may have turned thousands of top-paid federal workers into identify-theft targets, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
TSP, pay freeze and agency cutbacks
Portions of last week's interview with TSP Executive Director Greg Long about the TSP hack attack will be re-aired this week. Also, Steve Watkins and Sean Reilly from the Federal Times join host Mike Causey to talk about the status of legislation pending in Congress that affects federal workers.
June 20, 2012
