Pay & Benefits

Biden signs windfall elimination provision repeal into law

The Social Security Fairness Act ends both the WEP and the government pension offset, increasing the Social Security checks for more than 2 million retired public servants.

Pay & Benefits

Thrift Savings Plan funds end the year on the downswing

Only one of the portfolios within the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program finished December in the black.

Pay & Benefits

Your guide to pay and benefits during a shutdown

Congress has just hours to reach an agreement to fund the government past midnight Friday, after President-elect Trump and his confidante Elon Musk scuttled a bipartisan deal earlier this week.

Pay & Benefits

More! on the windfall elimination provision and government pension offset

Many Civil Service Retirement System retirees are hoping for an early Christmas present from Congress.

Management

Biden gives federal employees Christmas Eve off

Amid the potential of a government shutdown fueled by budget uncertainties on Capitol Hill, the president issued an executive order on Thursday giving federal employees Dec. 24 off. 

Pay & Benefits

Bill to repeal windfall elimination provision clears a key Senate hurdle

The Senate voted 73-27 to invoke cloture on the Social Security Fairness Act, clearing the way for a final vote to pass the bill later this week.

Pay & Benefits

VA omnibus bill including community care and pay waiver updates heading to Biden’s desk

A compendium of bills packaged into the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act features veteran educational assistance funding, community care improvements, increased funding for veteran homelessness providers and more. 

Pay & Benefits

No expansion of military IVF coverage included in the final defense policy bill

Congress is expected to vote to approve the package during the next two weeks, before both chambers leave town for the holiday break.

Pay & Benefits

Open season and tax savings

Monday is the last day to enroll in or make changes to your benefits for 2025. What are you doing this weekend?

Pay & Benefits

Last-minute advice for the 2025 open season

Things you need to consider before the annual window when federal employees can enroll in or make changes to their health benefits closes on Dec. 9.

Pay & Benefits

Nearly every TSP fund rebounded in November

Only one of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program lost value last month.

Pay & Benefits

Medicare Part D may benefit most federal annuitants next year

COMMENTARY | Not only are there more options to choose from, but there are also benefit changes that may make Part D more convenient and a better value, according to Kevin Moss of Consumers’ Checkbook.

Pay & Benefits

Feds find open season 'unpleasant'—but may miss thousands in savings

Federal enrollees have until Dec. 9 to make changes to their health coverage ahead of substantial premium increases.

Pay & Benefits

Infertility benefit coverage from FEHB plans in 2025

Federal employees will have even more options for plans offering IVF coverage, including another national PPO plan.

Pay & Benefits

GSA issues update to rules governing relocation expense reimbursement following real estate lawsuit

A recent deal to settle multiple lawsuits against the National Association of Realtors has changed how real estate agents are compensating, necessitating a tweak to how agencies reimburse federal workers who must relocate for work.

Pay & Benefits

Most TSP funds took a tumble in October

Only two portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program ended last month in the black, ending a three-month run of gains.

Pay & Benefits

An employee group is miffed by the new Postal Service insurance program’s Medicare Part D coverage

OPM said that they were restricted in how they provide prescription drug benefits to Medicare-eligible enrollees in the new Postal Service Health Benefits Program, but at least one employee association disagrees.

Updated Pay & Benefits

OPM doesn’t have documented customer experience plans for the Postal Service’s open season, OIG says

The HR agency has developed contingencies if there is a surge of customer experience requests during the Postal Service Health Benefits System’s first open season, but a new report claims that those plans aren’t either defined or comprehensive enough for the multi-agency operation. 

Pay & Benefits

Revisiting the WEP and GPO

How the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset cause substantial, and often, unfair reductions in Social Security benefits for CSRS retirees.

Pay & Benefits

Why federal workers should consider an HSA

COMMENTARY | There is something exciting about having a health insurance plan that can reduce your taxes while also providing tax-free investment growth.