Benefits News 
Top News
- OMB reworking financial systems to focus on outcomes, not inputs
- Lew taps government retiree pension fund to avoid default
- OMB taps VanRoekel to lead management team
- PHOTOS: Meet the 2013 Service to America Medal Finalists
- Hagel: Accountability breakdown was leading factor in sexual assaults
- Former IRS commissioner faces questions about Tea Party
- SBA starting new lending program for veterans
- New Apple devices cleared to join DoD IT networks
- Army prioritizes access to data in fight over intelligence IT system
- DoD upends slow approval process for mobile devices
- Senior execs' bonuses under fire at agencies
- Gould moves the needle on many of VA's toughest challenges
- Tuesday federal headlines - May 21, 2013
Feds: Is that a dust cloud or the Mongol horde?
What do you suppose 13th-century peasants thought just before Genghis Khan's boys rode into town? We can't be sure, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says, but it might be the same sort of unease modern-day federal workers have when Congress mounts its high horse ...
When should you retire?
Tammy Flanagan, senior benefits director at the National Institute of Transition Planning joins host Mike Causey to talk about what you should do to plan for your retirement.
March 21, 2012
Retiring and skydiving: Do it right the first time
What do skydiving and retiring have in common? Short answer is that many people only do each once, and it is a really good idea to do it right the first time, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Social Security and federal pensions
Federal benefits specialist James Marshall discusses how your benefits could be affected by Social Security.
March 19, 2012
GOP plan would open FEHBP to non-feds
Four senators introduced a bill that would add Medicare patients to the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan, as Medicare is gradually phased out. The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association tells feds to be wary of the bill.
Buyout season winding down
Uncle Sam's five-month buyout season is about to end. So if you were thinking about leaving with a $25,000 check, grab it while you can, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
SES mobility not 'musical chairs'
Host Mike Causey will talk career mobility with
Carol Bonosaro, president of the Senior
Executives Service. Federal Times Senior Writers
Stephen Losey and Sean Reilly will talk about
how pending legislation in Congress will affect
your pay and benefits.
March 14, 2012
Does happiness trickle down?
Ever seen the sign that reads: If Mama Ain't Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy? The bottom line, according to the book with the same title, is if the boss isn't pleased, everybody suffers, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. So how's that working out in your office?
Shuffling the SES deck
Is your top management dead in the water? Are your SES bosses living in silos and afraid to even look outside the boss? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know: Is shuffling the SES deck a good idea?
The Roth TSP - Part II
Registered investment advisor Jerry Cannizzaro talks Roth TSP with hosts Bob Leins and John Elliot.
March 12, 2012
Federal benefits changes often follow state, private-sector plans
State and local governments are either pulling back on pensions, or stopping them completely — and private sector employers have pretty much eliminated them. This could be a bad omen for federal benefits, some experts say, because changes to the federal workforce often follow provisions that have been put in place by the states or private companies. Tammy Flanagan, senior benefits director at the National Institute of Transition Planning, joined In Depth with Francis Rose to discuss the pattern.
It's time to use or lose flexible spending account money
March 15 is the last day federal employees can use money they set aside in their healthcare flexible spending account in November 2010.
Retirements, buyouts, and downsizing
NARFE's David Snell and Federal Times reporters Stephen Losey and Sean Reilly join host Mike Causey to talk about the issues affecting your job and retirement.
March 7, 2012
Life in the SES: Star track or Star Trek?
Members of the SES are under attack from politicians, think tankers and the media for their lack of mobility — more than half have never changed jobs. To which Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says: Let's consider the source, as in look who's talking ...
TSP funds post positive numbers in February
Thrift Savings Plan figures continued to climb in the early months of 2012, as all funds posted positive numbers for the month of February and for the year.
Unofficial quotas: Fact or fiction
Is there a silent and invisible quota system operating in your agency? If so, it could be costing some of the government's best and brightest money and hurt their future job opportunities, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
The new Roth TSP: Who should choose it?
Hosts Bob Leins and John Elliot talk about the plan with certified financial planner Joe Sullender.
March 5, 2012
Buyout barrage: Mixed blessing?
Buyouts are popping up all over the government. And even if you are not in the market, they may have an impact on your job, your promotion potential and, if you are planning to retire anyhow, how quickly you get your first full annuity payment, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Treasury's paperless initiative means no more paper benefit checks
Those who are already receiving paper checks for federal benefit payments have until March 1, 2013, to sign up for direct deposit or direct express.
Light at end of tunnel: Sunshine or trainwreck?
For federal workers traveling through the congressional tunnel: Is that light they see sunshine or an oncoming train wreck? Either way their journey isn't over by a long shot, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
