Return to Article: Federal pay and benefits provisions missing from Senate bill
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83930
It appears the Senate is more concerned about giving people a lot of money for their clunkers than they are about the FERS employees who would like a little extra in their retirement plan. Where is the priority here? Is it more important to remove gas guzzlers from the highway than it is to do something meaningful for loyal federal workers? It would probably be cheaper to allow us FERS employees to get credit for our unsused sick leave, don't you think? We're never going to eliminate gas guzzlers from the highways, so put your money to help those who have earned a little extra in their retirement check.
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82457
Too many folks yapping about inequity between FERS and CSRS. Both have things the other doesn't. CSRSers want matching TSP contributions which really would add up to big bucks. FERSites think they are getting screwed because they don't get credit for unused sick leave. The potential amount to be gained for the latter, whether cashed out or added to the retirement computation, is no where near the amount that could be realized from TSP matching contributions. It is easy to look over the fence and declare the other guy's grass greener and sweeter to eat. But first, do the analysis and look at the bigger picture. You'll feel less like a victim and appreciate the things you have.
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82040
I am with Mary Farr - does not seem right that if I died my husband could still collect his SSN benefits and my CSRS but if he dies before me and I retire I cannot collect his SSN. Where is the fairness in this. Does not make sense that I could collect his while I work but if I retire I can't. Also, should not reward people who have children with parental pay just because they have a child or adopt one! Can't see much equality any more for anything. Too many rights groups and people who think they should get something for nothing
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82008
I agree with Tip Off - my first reaction to this was "Here we go again". I really feel like I'm being jerked around. I don't think than anyone in the House or Senate has any intention of passing the sick leave provision or any other benefit related issue that was in the House bill and is "missing" from the Senate version.
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81996
NSPS is a nothing but a huge waste of everybody's time. Objectives are passed down from upper management with little or no input from employees. Upper management gets a disproportional share of the payouts and plays favorites with the left-overs. NSPS is the best example of why we don't need the government running Health Care!
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81916
Returning from a tour in Turkey, I was 67. Women, if you are working and your husband/ex-husband has retired, you can receive a portion of his SS. Nice huh. BUT when you retire and really need it you cannot receive it. A friend put me wise to this, not an agency/SS.
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81888
I came into Federal Service a little later and still have a lot of time before I retire. I was not given a choice between the two retirement systems. My understanding from other employees nearing retirement, is that the government set up the new system to save money. They did not plan for employees to become chronically sick during their last few years in service to spend down their leave before the exit. Since this is the norm and pretty much expected, the cost to the government is now much higher to the government. The government is now in the postion to stop waste. The smart thing to do is to let an employee to accumulate sick leave and take it with them compared to paying 100% full wage for each hour on leave. Of course we can argue the right and wrong of playing hooky, but we all know that will not stop the behavior of a retiree spending down their sick leave before exit.
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81840
Plz don't forget your SS for your spouse at 62 years old! Also, 25 years with FERS will net you 100's of thousands in the TSP. You can withdraw 4% annually and with your other income (from list above) you should be rolling in the dough !! FERS is WAY better of a system than CSRS !! FERS people have plenty of money...unless they're idiots. Also, remember to have your home and all other bills totally paid off before started to take your "terminal sick leave" during the last couple of years !!
Big Jake (retired 2008)
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81805
That is why I'm taking my sick leave and mental health days now, whether I need it or not!
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81791
Go to senate.gov and write to your senators. I just did.
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81779
gman has it right when he speaks of "changing rules in the middle of the game". You cannot cry about being a poor FERS employee compared to CSRS because you KNEW what the rules were when you signed up! If FERS gets additional benefits then CSRS should get additional benefits to approximately match them. Stop whining!
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81769
The fix for NSPS will go quickly, other than including ALL CS and WG in the program and terminating the deadwood, that's all they need to tweak. Right now the program has been a huge success other than the forecasted poor performers who complain. The good folk love it
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81768
FERS employees were given the government matching portion on TSP investment whereas CSRS employees got sick leave credit and no matching on our TSP. The portability of FERS was the reason that this new system was adopted in the first place. It was always stated that CSRS was better if you stayed until retirement. You are getting just what you signed up for.
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81767
What happen to the bill to exempt health pay premiums from taxable income for retired civilians? Haven't heard anything since the beginning of the year
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81758
Gman - You need to compare apple to apple NOT apple to orange. CSRS receive credit for their unused sick leave. FERS receive nothing for their unused sick leave. You already have a good plan while FERS has to work 56 years to receive 56 percent of their high-3 (unless their 62 then they receive 61.6 percent of their high 3). CSRS employees who worked and retire after 30 years of service receive 56 percent of high-3. Although you are not receiving matching contribution, you are still ahead of the game as far as retirement benefit is concern. So, why are you whining?
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81754
Once again I am amazed by the lack of knowledge long-time employees have about their own retirement benefits. FERS has three parts. You can't compare it to CSRS without considering TSP. If someone has been getting the full government matching, then most FERS retirees should do as well or better than a similar CSRS retiree. This is especially true if the retiree has had non-goverment social security credits.
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81753
JOHN; You are correct, I thought it said excluded...having said that I would like to think I am educated, talented and hardworking and not the "favorite". Or at least that's what I tell myself. Long live NSPS!
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81751
What is the problem with the Senate? As a FERS employee with 25 years I will realize about 40% previous pay in retirement, when combining SS and Annuity. This is opposed to CSRS who will get 50% for the same amount of time AND be able to get something for their sick time.
I think I feel a permanent severe cold coming on!
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81750
I was in favor of NSPS, even tought the courses, until it destroyed my career, due to favoritism. I was a Manager/Supervisor of the year, DLAMP, yada, yada, yada; until I went to the NWC and became a burden to the command and fell from favor. Under NSPS my senior rater rewrote my objectives to the point that they were not even close to alignment to the Commander's and were not even close to meeting S.M.A.R.T. criteria. I was forced to request accomodation to a YA-02 Term Position after receiving a letter from our Civilian Personnel Office requsting voluntary retirement. They were volunteering me to retire. NSPS is what it was advertised to be.
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81743
Re the previous post, the following is from ohmygov.com:
"Feds can blame Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). After wrangling over dozens of amendments in the massive bill, a legislative maneuver by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to push the Lieberman amendment was blocked by DeMint.
DeMint's office said several senators were concerned that the amendment was not relevant to the bill, which is called the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act and has the primary purpose of giving the FDA certain authority to regulate tobacco products. But it really might be a case of sour grapes - DeMint's office also objected that the Democratic leadership had kept other amendments from consideration."
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81740
I applaud this effort to right the wrong in equality for federal employees for FERS sick leave and locality pay. Although attempts have been made in the past, this maybe the real thing - just a few steps away - need the Senate to include it and President to agree.
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81737
Joe Lieberman I-CT was the senator who took it out of the Tobacco Bill when it went to the U S Senate for a vote.
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81731
What about the Bill to allow FERS employees to re-deposit FERS retirement contribution they withdrew from previous federal employment?
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81730
Hey Vet, the senate bill INCLUDES the same directive to fix NSPS or it will be scarapped. To me it says NSPS is not necessarily here to stay. It is still a wait and see if it will be forced down our throats. Hopefully we'll be able to rectify this unpopular change that was snuck into another NDAA in the "middle of the night" behind out backs. Glad to see the law makers are finally listening to us. Here's hoping all is successful.
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81729
Vet: "The House also included a provision that would force the Pentagon to demonstrate whether its pay-for-performance system could be reformed, or else dismantle it within one year. The Senate has included similar language in its version." Means ?
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81728
You all miss the point entirely. It isn't about fairness or what the CSRS retirees get. It is about what the terms of your retirement plan were/are when YOU accepted federal employment or (voluntarily) transferred from CSRS to FERS. It's not a secret that FERS was developed to cut retirement costs and it wasn't an oversight that sick leave is treated the way it is under FERS. To whine about every inequity of federal employment, especially when it was your responsibility to read and understand what you signed just reflects today's "entitlement" mentality. Be thankful you have a good paying job with decent benefits and security. Of course, you always have the option to seek employment in the private sector and take your retirement savings with you.
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81726
Speaking as a long time CSRS employee, I think that this was one of the benefits of staying with the CSRS system instead of switching to FERS. If this is granted to FERS employees then CSRS employees should receive the government contribution to TSP just like the FERS folks receive. To me its like changing the rules in the middle of the game.
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81725
I am extremely disappointed that, as a FERS, soon to retire employee, will not be afforded the same privileges as CSRS retirees when it comes to counting unused sick leave towards retirement annuities. So much for not taking every minute of sick leave as it was earned. I guess the loafers in the Federal Government had it right...Take what you get, when you get it, or "use or lose".
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81722
NSPS can stay after extensive overhaul. Basically, it has to meet basic public law, to pull in all DoD employess, which it currently fails to do. There are many other features that are failures; the main one being it is not a pay for performance system in practice, only in name. The most cost effective method would be to dismantle it. Either way is fine with me.
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81720
Letting retirees work part without reducing annuities after retirement seems like a win-win situation. Keep knowledge in the agencies in training new employees. Less funding needed then rehiring annuitants under a contract or incentive agreement. Saving thousands to millions of dollars in the long run. Isn't that what it is all about?
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81717
The reason why these benefits cannot be implemented is that it would cost a little bit of money. Right now all tax dollars are going to government bailouts of fat cat CEO led corporations and war expenses (and follow on veteran expenses) in the Middle East. Someone has to be held accountable, hence the House & Senate shuffle on these paltry FERS benefits. It's just too bad for you FERS wage slaves, but before you CSRS folks get too smug, Congress might just decide that to achieve additional savings, your benefits might be downsized to the FERS level.
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81714
I believe that "Vet" misread the article regarding NSPS. The Senate version included similar language to the House version regarding NSPS. Apparently Vet is a favorite in his organization....
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81705
Yes Yes NSPS is here to stay. We must now move forward and pull all of DoD under NSPS. Sorry Dems.
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81703
Call, email, or write your senators to get this measure to allow workers under the Federal Employees Retirement System to count unused sick leave toward their retirement annuities into the 2010 Defense Authorization Bill!! CSRS employees get this credit. This is WRONG!!! They need to scrap that parental leave boondoggle that's way too generous and unnecessary and get this measure into this bill and passed!!!
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81697
I don't know about the rest of you but I feel like I'm just being teased...
The pendulum seems to be picking up speed!
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81695
And the Social Security offset remains in place for those of us who worked second jobs in the private sector. Our benefit remains only half what the private industry retirees draw, even when we pay in equal amounts. Congress should eliminate the Federal pension offset or refund us half of what we paid into Social Security on our second.
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81694
So this is the second time this year that a bill has included these provisions and they have been removed in the Senate, the real question is who is the Senator who is against this change?
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