Oversight
Federal employees have fewer health insurance choices this year
As Open Season begins, choices are more limited than before as several plans leave the federal program or reduce their coverage.
Oversight
Senate passes bill to provide funding for Federal Executive Boards
Legislation would codify permanent funding and require agencies to detail senior staff to run the boards.
Pay & Benefits
New Calculations
Details on recent changes in how part-time service is treated and how retirees are affected if they return to federal service.
Oversight
Postal Service eyes options beyond layoffs and buyouts
Agency is looking at adding retail and other services to boost revenue.
Pay & Benefits
Job simulations could help agencies make better hires, report says
Tryouts also can help applicants decide whether they really want the position.
Pay & Benefits
Pay Puzzle
Uncertainty over the federal pay raise has put the Federal Salary Council in an unusual position this year.
Oversight
New alliance hopes to spur new talent in procurement field
Strategic Partnership on Acquisition Recruitment Coalition to focus outreach on university students.
Pay & Benefits
Legislators clash over health care reform’s impact on FEHBP
Republicans say bill could force feds out of their current insurance plans, while Democrats decry claims as scare tactics.
Pay & Benefits
DEA veteran to lead DHS drug enforcement
Selection of Grayling Williams signals commitment to interagency coordination.
Pay & Benefits
Critics call TSP mutual fund option risky
A proposal to allow feds to invest their retirement money into mutual funds is causing heartburn in some lawmakers and unions.
Defense
Army abruptly stops rollout of electronic dental record application
E-mails do not offer a reason for the delay, but the service might be considering fielding an internally developed system.
Pay & Benefits
OPM chief: ‘Cracks are showing’ in the General Schedule
Options for reform include extending bonuses to rank-and-file employees.
Pay & Benefits
Reagan Building’s day care center offers range of services to feds
A snapshot of Triangle Tots, one of 28 child care facilities in the Washington area that GSA oversees.
Pay & Benefits
Uncle Sam tends to federal families' well-being
The federal government is promoting a family-friendly workplace through popular day care facilities and a growing number of counseling programs.
Pay & Benefits
Most TSP funds slip in October
Despite some losses, all the funds are up since the beginning of 2009
Pay & Benefits
Hidden cost hikes aren’t new to federal benefits programs
Premium jumps in the long-term care insurance program are the latest example of stealthy rate increases.
Oversight
18,000 employees accept Postal Service buyout
The next deadline for the $15,000 voluntary separation package is Oct. 31.
Pay & Benefits
House health care tax provisions are friendly to feds
Democratic leaders propose raising revenue by taxing high-income individuals rather than insurers, who could pass on the cost through hikes in FEHBP premiums.
Pay & Benefits