Benefits News 
Top News
- Data breach puts DHS workers at risk of ID theft
- DoD to pursue commercial alternative to VA's VistA system
- Obama to nominate Tangherlini as GSA administrator
- PHOTOS: Meet the 2013 Service to America Medal Finalists
- House GOP panel moves on deep budget cuts
- OMB fuels synergy between mobile, open data
- IRS official Lerner: 'I did nothing wrong'
- OMB reworking financial system requirements to focus on outcomes, not inputs
- Retirement funds temporarily tapped to avoid debt limit default
- VanRoekel to lead OMB management team
- SBA starting new lending program for veterans
- New Apple devices cleared to join DoD IT networks
- Bonuses under fire at GSA, other agencies
- Wednesday federal headlines - May 22, 2013
The end is near, seriously!
Not to put a damper on things but you have less than two weeks to pick your health plan and less than a month until the end of the world. We can help you big time with the first deadline, but when it comes to the Mayan calendar warnings, you are on your own, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Feds with families hardest hit by proposed changes to workers' comp
Disabled federal workers with dependents would be among the hardest hit by proposed changes to federal workers' compensation benefits, according to an analysis by the Government Accountability Office. The Labor Department has proposed setting a uniform level of compensation — 70 percent of the pre-injury salary — regardless of dependents and further reducing benefits to 50 percent when employees reach retirement age. But in its report which simulated those proposed changes, GAO raised concerns about the effects on beneficiaries.
Jimmy Choo at Payless Shoes?
Wouldn't it be great if you could get Jimmy Choo shoes or Savile Row suits at Payless Shoes or Wal-Mart? The hitch is you can't, and it's a reality federal workers and retirees need to consider when picking their 2013 health plan, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Two's a couple, three's a family!
Whether your family consists of just a husband or you have 18 dependents, a family is a family as far as Uncle Sam is concerned. And that ticks off couples who resent paying the same health premiums as those charged a large family, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. Is that right?
New TSP rules help Hurricane Sandy victims
Under temporary rules issued by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, feds can continue to contribute to their Thrift Savings Plan. FRTIB will waive a rule that prevents contributions for six months after taking a hardship withdrawal.
Your other health plan option - failure
In inspirational movies, a heroic general often says things like, "failure is not an option." And that's silly, of course, because failure is always an option and that's especially true for millions of current and former federal workers - some of whom are sleepwalking their way through the health insurance hunting season, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Health insurance and the single life
When it comes to picking a federal health plan, two cannot live as cheaply as one - you want to be the Lone Ranger, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Aetna options for FEHB during Open Season
Tom Bernatavitz, senior vice president and head of federal plans for Aetna, talks about the federal employee health benefit options that his company is offering.
November 19, 2012
Health premiums - Some agencies provide missing link
What do the Office of Personnel Management, the General Services Administration and the Defense Intelligence Agency have in common? Although their missions are very different, they are among the 40-plus agencies that are shelling out time and money to make it easier for their employees to pick the best health plan for 2013.
Open season, Medicare part B, Petraeus, & sequestration
Federal health benefits expert Walton Francis
will
talk about FEHBP open season, and Federal Times
reporter Sean Reilly will discuss sequestration
and other issues affecting federal workers.
November 14, 2012
A guide to the federal health plans for Open Season
Walton Francis, editor of the Checkbook Guide to
the Health Plans for Federal Employee, answers
your questions about health care benefits and
costs.
November, 12, 2012
Tips for Open Season 2013
Benefits consultants Walton Francis and Ed Zurndorfer offer top tips for federal employees considering a new health plan. Open Season runs from Nov. 12 to Dec. 10.
Medicare Part B and the presidential election
NARFE's David Snell joins host Mike Causey to
talk about best health care buys for federal
retirees. Sean Reilly from the Federal Times
will discuss the presidential election and its
impact on feds.
November 7, 2012
Open Season with FSAFEDS
Bart Turney from FSAFEDS discusses the benefits of flexible spending accounts.
November 5, 2012
Air traffic controllers and more
Trish Gilbert, executive vice president of the
National Air Traffic Controllers Association,
joins host Mike Causey on today's show. Mike
will also talk about the upcoming elections with
writers from the Federal Times.
October 31, 2012
Open season means more than choosing health insurance
John Montague talks about life insurance and Sean Reilly discuses the U.S. Postal Service's finances and more this week on Your Turn.
Health, life insurance & a shrinking tax break
Health insurance is a must-have item for everybody. But there is more than health insurance at issue during the big benefits hunting season that kicks off Nov.12 and runs through Dec. 10. Sleep through it at your peril, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Medicare - all you need to know!
David Santana, health insurance specialist for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, gives an overview of the Medicare system.
October 22, 2012
OPM details 2013 health plan premium increases
Federal employees will see a slight increase — averaging 3.4 percent — in what they pay towards their 2013 health plan premiums.
Falling in love: It pays to go postal
There are certain times when it pays to go postal, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says ... Especially if you are a federal employee contemplating marriage or already one half of a "mixed marriage."
