Pay and Benefits News 
Top News
- Congress pressures agencies to speed up office consolidations
- Data breach puts DHS workers at risk of identity theft
- DoD chooses interoperability over integration for new e-health system
- Obama to nominate Tangherlini as GSA administrator
- House GOP panel moves on deep budget cuts
- OMB fuels synergy between mobile, open data
- IRS official Lerner: 'I did nothing wrong'
- Accountability breakdown leading factor in DoD sexual assaults
- 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
- Meet the 2013 Service to America Medal finalists
A look at the clearance job market in 2013
Evan Lesser, founder and director of ClearanceJobs.com, will talk about the big issues affecting federal workers with security clearances.
December 14, 2012
Bonus Holiday/Fiscal (Cliff's) Notes
Feds have more than the usual year end issues on their plate at 2012 draws to a close, according to Senior Correspondent Mike Causey. There is the fast-approaching fiscal cliff, the dangers of sequestration, maybe a bonus pre-Christmas holiday and, of course, the end of the world. Check it out, if you dare.
Couple navigates FERS-CSRS retirement divide
As part of the special series, FERS: 25 Years Later, Federal News Radio welcomed to its studios a retired federal couple, Neil Schiff and Linda Habenstreit who represent the federal retirement divide. When Schiff retired from the FBI's Office of Public Affairs, he was a FERS enrollee. His wife, a long-time public affairs specialist in the Agriculture Department's Foreign Agricultural Service, was covered by CSRS.
'Twas the Day Before Christmas
Finally, an opinion poll we can believe in: We asked feds if they wanted and thought they deserved to get the day before Christmas as a bonus holiday. No margin of error nonsense here, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. The answer is yes, yes and again, yes.
In deficit talks, fed groups fear alternatives could cut benefits
Many in government are worried about the threat of sequestration, the across-the-board budget cuts set to take effect in January unless Congress and the White come up with an alternative deficit-cutting plan. But federal employee groups and sympathetic lawmakers are also concerned about such alternatives -- if they contain changes to federal employee pay or compensation. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and a slate of federal-employee unions and groups are warning of such proposals in the deficit talks to replace sequestration.
FERS pioneers examine past, present and future of retirement fund
In the 25 years since the Federal Employees Retirement System went into effect, much has changed when it comes to federal retirement. Tom Trabucco, the former longtime director of external affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, and Judy Park, the former legislative director of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Association, joined Your Turn with Mike Causey for a look back at the creation of FERS and how it has evolved over the years.
FERS for dummies
The new Federal Employees Retirement System is suddenly not so new. It turned 25 this year. And next to Social Security, it is the dominant federal retirement program. So how did FERS happen, and why? Check out Senior Correspondent Mike Causey's column.
Fight for federal retirement overhaul offers lessons for today's fiscal challenges
Tom Trabucco, the former long-time director of external affairs for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, said legislative changes to the federal retirement system made by Congress a quarter-century ago actually succeeded in achieving its goals and serve as a reminder of what can be accomplished when something big needs to be done and key leaders step up to the line.
Bonus holiday clock is ticking
Time is running out for the president to make a decision on the status of the government on Monday, Dec. 24. Will it be a bonus holiday for feds as it often is, or is this a bad year to make such a call? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey's got the track record.
How to deal with holiday stress
Lifestyle coach Patti Hudson talks about maintaining a positive outlook during the holidays.
December 10, 2012
Your health plan and the Nixon curse
Did you ever hear of the Nixon curse? Are you sick of having people push you to shop around for a health insurance plan? If so, rejoice, because Monday is the deadline for picking your 2013 health plan. After that, you won't have all those confusing options to kick around anymore for a long time, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
FEHBP open season part 2
Insurance expert Walton Francis will answer your questions and emails about federal benefits.
December 5, 2012
Health premiums: It pays to go postal
The health-insurance hunting season ends next Monday. When shopping around, this is a case where it pays to go postal if you can, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
New inflation gauge would cut benefits, hike taxes
Tweaking the way the government measures inflation sounds like an obscure method to help reduce budget deficits, but over time it would lead to significantly lower Social Security benefits while increasing taxes, mainly on low- and middle-income families.
A last-minute and very real pension threat
The next couple of weeks will be make or break time for federal workers and retirees as Congress flounders for a way to put the brakes on before the government goes off the infamous fiscal cliff. Among the endangered species: your future retirement benefits, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
TSP bounces back in November
After a dull October, funds in the Thrift Savings Plan bounced back in November with all funds posting modest gains for the month. The TSP's performance in November marks a return to a mostly strong year for feds' 401(k)-style retirement-savings plan after a bit of a backslide last month.
Insurance options to consider as Open Season draws to a close
Benefits consultant Walton Francis offers top tips for federal employees considering a new health plan. Open Season runs from Nov. 12 to Dec. 10.
Reality check: Shop or drop this Open Season
For most federal workers and retirees going over the fiscal cliff in January isn't the problem du jour. If you or a family member gets really sick, or has a serious accident in the new year that is reality, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. That, rightly so, will be your No. 1 problem. And whether you come out of it alive and kicking or financially strapped could depend on what you do between now and next Monday.
Changes coming in 2013 to flexible spending accounts
As federal employees weigh health plan options during Open Season, federal benefits consultant Ed Zurndorfer advises feds not overlook flexible spending accounts.
Secret retirement bonus plan
Did you hear about the secret retirement- incentive plan in Congress? It would give you a cash buyout, and add five years to your age and years of service in order to boost your annuity. It is perfect in its simplicity except for one vexing detail - it's not true, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
