Benefits News 
Top News
- DoD to pursue commercial alternative to VA's VistA
- FedRAMP achieves another cloud security milestone
- OMB reworking financial systems to focus on outcomes, not inputs
- PHOTOS: Meet the 2013 Service to America Medal Finalists
- Causey: Today, everybody's a Sooner
- Star witness to stay mum for House hearing on IRS
- OMB director taps VanRoekel to lead management team
- Lew taps government retiree pension fund
- SBA starting new lending program for veterans
- New Apple devices cleared to join DoD IT networks
- Army prioritizes access to data in fight over intelligence IT system
- DoD upends slow approval process for mobile devices
- Senior execs' bonuses under fire at agencies
- Gould moves the needle on many of VA's toughest challenges
OPM announces same-sex domestic partner health plans
Ed Zurndorfer, a registered employee benefits consultant, joined the Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Amy Morris to discuss OPM's plan to allow domestic partners of federal employees to be added to federal health plans.
Finding feds' G-spot
For many federal workers there is one place you don't go, don't touch. It's their G-spot which, in this case, refers to the giant Group Plan, the FEHBP, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. So does the G-spot bring you pleasure or pain?
Pay freeze through 2015 part of Issa's super committee recs
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is getting into the mix of lawmakers making recommendations to the super committee. Its letter calls for cuts to federal retirements and workforce size.
One more year of pay freeze, contracting cuts in Senate committee recs
A Senate committee is recommending the super committee consider one more year of a federal pay freeze, increases to retirement contributions and a 15 percent cut to contracting at agencies.
Seniors carrying sex-crazed colleagues?
Is it fair that a healthy young couple must pay the same health premiums as an older family with lots of kids and major medical issues, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wonders. For that matter, should a healthy elderly couple have to subsidize two sex-crazed younger workers?
House Dems urge supercommittee to avoid more cuts to feds
House Democratic committee leaders are urging the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to avoid further cuts to federal pay and benefits.
Health insurance Open Season means 'homework' for feds
Federal benefits specialist Ann Vanderslice joined the Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Amy Morris to discuss the various plans the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.
Medicare: To B or Not To B — that is the question!
If William Shakespeare were alive today, and living in America, he would probably be retired or about to retire and facing the question of whether to purchase Medicare Part B or not, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. As in to be or not to be...
Civil service reform, COLAs and Medicare Part B
Host Mike Causey is joined by Federal Times editor Steve Watkins, and NARFE retired benefits director David Snell.
October 12, 2011
A dose of Medicare Part B with your FEHBP? Who gets a COLA in 2012?
David Snell is the retirement benefits expert with NARFE.
Uncle Sam's privates shrinking?
Are Uncle Sam's privates shrinking ... and if so, is that a good thing for you? Is grade creep changing the balance of power in your office, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wonders.
An update on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Chairman and CEO Craig Floyd will talk about events celebrating the organization's 20th anniversary.
October 7,2011
More feds doing life sentences
Although the number of retirement-eligible feds may be at an all-time high, government workers are holding on to their jobs. The retirement tidal wave — first forecast in 1999 — has yet to hit, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. So what's keeping you?
USPS proposal would oust FEHBP for single health plan
Host Mike Causey is joined on today's show by Susan R. Johnson, president of the American Foreign Service Association, and Federal Times senior staff writers, Stephen Losey and Sean Reilly.
October 5, 2011
Best health plan for the 'average' person
If you are a 5-foot-9-inch tall, 191 pound federal male, or a 5-foot-3-inch tall 163 pound G-woman, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey's column is for you. Otherwise read it at your own risk.
TRICARE health care info missing
The information was on computer tapes that weren't encrypted according to federal standards.
Analysis: More to choosing a federal health plan than premiums
Ed Zurndorfer, a registered employee benefits consultant, joined the Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Amy Morris for his perspective on what the changes mean for feds and what they should keep in mind when planning their finances for the coming year.
(Not so) confidential surveys
Have you ever taken a confidential attitude survey at your federal agency where you knew that your boss was looking over your shoulder? And making notes? According to some feds it happens all the time, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
OPM extends more benefits to feds in military families
Federal workers with a family member serving overseas in the military will be able to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for reasons including arranging childcare, attending military events and receiving counseling. The new rule goes into effect next month.
Military retirees to pay higher health premiums
Military retirees will pay slightly more for their health care starting Saturday, and more cost increases are on the way.
