Mike Causey's Federal Report is the best way to stay up to date on the latest issues affecting federal pay, benefits, and retirement. Plus, Mike's funny. New Federal Report columns can be found each weekday morning right here on FederalNewsRadio.com. Bookmark Mike's homepage or have his columns delivered directly to your email.

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...

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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.

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Feds: Is Anybody Happy?

A lot of federal workers say that despite buyout offers and political attacks they can't retire because they can't afford it ... so is anybody happy? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says lots of workers, maybe the majority, like what they do and are proud of it.

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Holiday Tribute To Early G-Man

When Columbus discovered America (which was actually teeming with people) he was part government worker and part-contractor and his mission, at first, was a failure. So how come the holiday today?

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Cubicle or crypt? It's your call!

Is your cubicle at work likely to become your crypt, too? Are you a work-till-you-drop lifer? Seems that lots of feds are, but do you know what's keeping them on the job, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey ponders.

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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?

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Thanksgiving: Whose heads will roll?

The Thanksgiving turkeys delivered to the White House may have a much happier holiday than many federal workers, who could be getting a very big dose of bad news, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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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.

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(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.

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Is the honeymoon over?

Although most federal and postal unions supported President Barack Obama in the 2008 election, they are now asking Congress to protect them from a White House proposal to permanently trim take home pay, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Your new BFF, gym buddy and diet coach!

Is your health plan about to become your new Best Friend Forever? Your exercise enabler, your gym partner? It could all happen in January thanks to new affinity partnership programs that will be launched by a federal health plan near you, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Health premiums: Easy on the wallet

Can you stand a little good news? Do you remember how to react to it? The good news is that health insurance premiums in the FEHBP are only going up an average of 3.8 percent next year. That's almost half the increase in 2011. Check out what you will be paying next year, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Congressional Food Fight: Scraps For Feds

If Congress forces another government shutdown an estimated 20,000 will need to apply for $16.5 million in emergency loans, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Feds: Knights In Teflon Armor

What do modern federal workers have in common with St. Joan of Arc who was, by the way, burned at the stake? The answer, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says, is that both managed to maintain a good attitude during some very trying times.

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Buyouts about to jumpstart

Thanks to congressional inability to approve budgets, federal agencies must make decisions quickly on whether to offer buyouts and early retirements within the next few weeks, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Less Painful Pain Pills

Why is it that when many federal workers and retirees take a pill for a headache, sinus or their blood pressure they also feel a pain in the butt? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says its all about the high price of prescription drugs.

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Feds facing diet paycheck

The plan to require feds to pay more for their pensions is a blow to your take-home pay, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says, but it could have been — and may yet be — a lot worse.

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Praying For A Pay Freeze?

Things are looking pretty bad for federal workers and retirees. How bad, you ask? So bad, according to Senior Correspondent Mike Causey, that the best thing that could happen to you would be yet another pay freeze.

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Share-the-pain list out today

According to certain twisted history buffs, somebody in April, 1865, asked Mrs. Abraham Lincoln how the liked the play at Ford's Theater. Federal workers may appreciate the irony of that sick joke later on today, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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TSP: When More Is Not Necessarily Better

For lots of federal and military investors the old line, "don't fix it if it ain't broke" seems to mirror what they think of their Thrift Savings Plan, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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