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Viewing your health package in HD

If you like watching HD programs on television you may love the HD feature Uncle Sam offers employees as part of their health insurance package, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. The open season is underway and benefits expert Jack Elliott thinks you should consider the HD/HSA combination.

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If Penn State were a federal agency ...

Charges of sexual harassment and crimes have rocked the Penn State football dynasty and the campaign of a successful businessman seeking the presidency. So how are things in your shop? Is it a problem where you work, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey asks.

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Not your typical holiday

Veterans Day is one of those odd holidays which, for many people, has almost lost its meaning. Lots of people are actually working today and for many, whether its a holiday or just another workday for them, the fact that it is not a Monday holiday is a mystery. Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says the key to the mystery are the numbers 11/11/11.

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Which is better: Too much or not enough?

For millions of current and future federal retirees Medicare Part B is the 800-pound gorilla in the room ... should you pay the money to keep it, or run away, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wonders.

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Is there life after work?

Once you take the oath of office to Uncle Sam there are only three ways out ... and if you take the smart one, you could be in for some big surprises, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Retiring? Think canned food and cash

So how long could you hold your breath underwater? If your income was cut 40 to 50 percent what would that do to your standard of living, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wonders.

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Washington knows how to shovel it!

When it comes to shoveling it, official Washington is years ahead of anybody else. Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says this applies to snow-day policy matters too.

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Snow shutdown: What could possibly go wrong?

What's the toughest decision the government's chief people person has to make? Here's a hint: It's usually triggered by a winter storm in the nation's capital, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Kim Kardashian's impact on teleworking

Washington's been hit with a series of shockers this year ranging from an earthquake followed by a hurricane and a heat wave followed a freak cold snap. Now we learn that Kim Kardashian's idyllic marriage has crumbled. Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says this could be the news that kickstarts the government's telework program.

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High-priced health plans ailing

After years of being asleep at the health-insurance switch, it appears that many federal workers and retirees are actually doing more than complaining about higher premiums, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Buyout bait: Tart or tasty?

Would you quit your job for a relatively small cash payment and a 0.3 percent raise?That's the choice facing thousands of federal workers this month, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Midlife crisis: Life or death?

Is it more important to provide insurance for your family after you've gone, or while you are still around but pretty much helpless? It's a dollars-and-sense option people should check out, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Does it pay to work?

Are you better off financially slogging it to work or sleeping in five days a week. Some people say that all things considered they would be better off as a retiree than as an office serf. So do the math, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Good time to watch your back

A picture is starting to form about what federal and postal workers can expect from Congressional budget-cutters. And as you probably suspected, it isn't pretty, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey.

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Long-term care: Your clock is ticking!

Saving money on long-term care insurance premiums is easy: All you need is to sign up a couple of weeks before a stroke or accident makes it impossible for you to dress, bathe, eat or get in and out of bed. If you don't know that horrible, magic moment, check out Senior Correspondent Mike Causey's column today.

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Everybody's got a price. What's yours?

Would you take a buyout if the boss offered you one? You might want to decide now because if and when an offer comes, it won't be on the table very long, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Playing Russian roulette with your health plan

Are you one of those federal workers that is unwittingly playing Russian roulette with your lifetime health coverage? Mike Causey says you should be aware of the so-called 5-rule to protect your health insurance coverage when you retire or take a buyout.

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The perfect storm for buyouts

Congress, the economy and the White House are all moving in a direction that is likely to create the perfect storm for widespread buyouts within the federal service, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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It's official: COLAs back in style

The 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment due most federal retirees in January could jump-start retirements in many federal agencies — especially if Congress decides to extend the current two-year freeze on federal salaries, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Jumpstarting a brain drain

Since the 1990s some experts have predicted a retirement tsunami, a brain drain that would take out some of Uncle Sam's best and brightest, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. So far they have been dead wrong, but is this the year? We'll know in a couple of months.

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