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  Ann, long term care insurance is priced based on various factors which include your age at purchase, how much insurance you want to purchase, the length of coverage, and inflation protection. It is more like life insurance than health insurance since you can purchase the amount of insurance you think you need and can afford. There is "underwriting" for enrollees that may limit the enrollment to those without pre-existing conditions that might result in needing long-term care or for those who are already receiving it. This was considered a necessary feature to keep the policy competitive with those sold in the private market. During the open season and when an employee is first hired, they only need to answer 5 underwriting questions. Outside of an open enrollment, there are more health related questions that must be answered.

  Tammy Flanagan Posted January 25, 2008 7:59 AM
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  Patricia, if you choose a series of monthly payments as your option for TSP withdrawal, you will be permitted, on an annual basis, to elect a new dollar amount for the following year. If you choose the "life annuity" option you may not change your election. These are two separate choices.

  Tammy Flanagan Posted January 25, 2008 7:53 AM
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  Patricia, if you choose a series of monthly payments as your option for TSP withdrawal, you will be permitted, on an annual basis, to elect a new dollar amount for the following year. If you choose the "life annuity" option you may not change your election. These are two separate choices.

  Tammy Flanagan Posted January 25, 2008 7:52 AM
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  Is there any move afoot to change the acuumulated sick leave balances of FERS employees? I heard rumors that some kind of payback system was being looked at. Akin to the CSRS personnel.

  HJ Posted January 24, 2008 3:11 AM
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  Is there any plan's in the work's to allow us to purchase our health insurance for myself and spouse, instead of the present family only option. They let us do it with our dental plans. It just makes since to me.

  Estel Brown Posted January 22, 2008 10:19 AM
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  Why are long-term care providers allowed to limit the years of care they will provide based on a person's health status? They should be just like our regular health care where everyone gets the same level of care as long as they need it regardless of their health.

  Ann Employee Posted January 18, 2008 3:58 PM
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  Does anyone have info on how to return to gov. employment either as an employee (part-time), or as a consultant? I am planning retirement this year but desire to work parttime.

  James A. Fairley Posted January 18, 2008 1:51 PM
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  I find it disappointing that the media is not pressing Presidential candidates about the subject of pensions. Is there any better time than now, while the stockmarket tanks, to ask them about their views on "a new and better retirement system based on individually owned, privately invested accounts"?

  G Pap Posted January 18, 2008 9:53 AM
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  Tammy: I feel better about my upcoming retirement thanks to your columns and the important information you provide to us in easy to understand language.

  Thank you and keep up the good work! You are just special!

  Frank Gonzalez Posted January 18, 2008 7:46 AM
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  TSP Question: If one retires at 62 and chooses to take a monthly payment from their TSP account for 4 years to supplement income, can they lower the monthly payment in 4 years at age 66 when the SS kicks in? Also, can you continue to leave the money in the market to grow or does it become stagnant at time of retirement?

  Patricia Haynes Posted January 18, 2008 7:46 AM