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
This is not a drill!
After years of false alarms about benefit cuts and a brain drain, things are starting to happen, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. The federal retirement program may be the next casualty.
Estate planning
Estate planning specialist Marc Levine provides tips on how to prepare for your family's financial future.
April 30, 2012
Reports indicate federal workers' comp long overdue for update
The federal workers' compensation program has long targeted by agency inspectors general, who have cited the program's lack of oversight and susceptibility to improper payments Some members of Congress also argue the program's benefit structure, which hasn't been meaningfully updated since the mid-1970s, has led to widespread inefficiencies.
Pensions to feel bipartisan bite
For years, federal and postal workers have benefited from congressional gridlock. Efforts to cut benefits, or force people to pay more for them, were often blocked by partisan wrangling. But where your pension is concerned, the good old days may be over, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Wall Street or Walmart: What's in your future?
Feds who retire with special skills and top-secret clearances often move into top jobs on Wall Street, with credit card companies or even back in government, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. But for those stripped of their clearances, life after Uncle Sam may mean a security guard job at a box store ...
How to know if you'll be happy in retirement
Career coach Mike Townshend talks about what feds should think about as they plan for their retirement.
April 23, 2012
The Incredible Shrinking Postal Service
Even if you never, or hardly ever, go to a Post Office there's a good chance you went there Tuesday to mail your taxes, and get an SOS from some worried postal employees, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
The TSP program and the new federal employee
Economist Dave Redden joins host John Elliot to talk about investment options for federal employees.
April 16, 2012
Economist: Roth TSP a good deal for young feds
Economist Dave Redden tells For Your Benefit that young people just starting in the federal service stand to gain the most from tax-free funds in retirement.
Saving big bucks, the GSA scandal, and more
Allan Roth of CBS MoneyWatch and Federal Times reporters Andy Medici and Steve Losey join host Mike Causey on today's program.
April 11, 2012
OPM making changes to FEHBP - Is that good news?
In a recent letter to insurers, the Office of Personnel Management requested some changes to federal health plans. Brace yourselves: It's mostly good news. The Federal Drive talked to health-benefits expert Walt Francis to get the details.
Support grows for Domestic Partnership Benefits bill
Twenty senators — all Democrats — have signed on in support of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, which would extend health-care benefits to same-sex, domestic partners of federal employees.
Are you better off now than you were two years ago?
Thanks to the two-year pay freeze and two years of higher health premiums many federal workers today are taking home less money than they were in 2010, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. Some alert feds are also curious as to whether Congress has plans to extend their pay freeze until 2013, 2014 or maybe even until 2015.
Swing-dancing feds: One step forward, two steps back
When you think of federal workers, the term "swinger" isn't the first thing that pops into your head. But after some of the changes politicians want to make, anything could happen.
OPM: 10 new plans coming to FEHBP in 2013
The Office of Personnel Management will add 10 new health plans to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan starting in 2013.
Senators concerned over TRICARE fee increases
The Pentagon is telling lawmakers military retirees' share of health care costs is going to have to increase if it's going to meet the budget targets Congress and the President handed over with last year's budget control act.
Retirement and SES mobility
Host Mike Causey will talk federal retirement with the NITP's Tammy Flanagan. Senior Executives Association President Carol Bonosaro will talk about a new report that looks at the mobility of members of the Senior Executives Service.
March 28, 2012
GOP caucus budget cuts feds' retirement, health benefits
The Republican Study Committee, a caucus of House conservatives, laid out a budget blueprint that increases federal employees' pension contributions and incentivize feds to enroll in lower-priced health plans.
Social Security
Lester Austin, public affairs specialist at the Social Security Administration, answers your Social Security questions.
March 26, 2012
Living on 1/3 of your income
Thinking about retiring in the next couple of years? Well, here's something to think about, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says: How long and how well could you live if your income was cut by more than 60 percent for months at a time?
