Pay & Benefits

Federal Employees Have a Good Chance of Getting Christmas Eve Off This Year

Presidents have historically granted feds a vacation day on Dec. 24 to make a four-day weekend in years when Christmas falls on a Tuesday.

Benefits

House budget proposal pushes civil pension reform

A budget resolution calls for federal employees to contribute more to pension plans.

Pay & Benefits

Feds Petition President for Paid Holiday on Christmas Eve

When Christmas last fell on a Friday in 2009, Obama gave employees a half day off on Dec. 24.

Benefits

Congress votes to ensure funding for VA hospitals

The Senate passed a bill July 30 to permit the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue funding health care for veteran facilities and services under the VA's Community Care program.

Benefits

VA to host major events focused on women vets

The Department of Veterans Affairs said it will hold a series of one-day events in major metro areas to provide women veterans with an overview of the services and benefits available to them.

Benefits

Extended APWU-USPS labor talks fall through

The American Postal Workers Union and the U.S. Postal Service ended contract negotiations on May 27 without coming to an agreement, the parties announced.

Benefits

Bill lets vets go local for care not offered by nearest VA facility

The Senate last week passed a bill that amends the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 to allow a veteran to use local health care when a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility within 40 miles driving distance does not offer the care the vet requires.

Benefits

Workers' comp again in the bull's eye

A House panel on May 20 held a hearing to examine possible reforms to the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), which many in Congress and the administration alike believe is designed in a way that encourages beneficiaries to stay onboard even when their disability has passed.

Benefits

Bill would reform pricing methods for FEHBP drug benefits

Employee groups are throwing their support behind a bill that aims to impose better cost controls on Federal Employees Health Benefits Program prescription drug benefits.

Benefits

Alaskan USPS employee sentenced in disability fraud

A U.S. Postal Service employee working in Anchorage, Alaska, was sentenced last week to two-and-a-half years in prison for faking disabilities and collecting federal disability payments.

Benefits

Veterans service groups sue VA over new filing procedure

Two veterans service organizations filed a joint lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs in hopes of compelling VA to alter a new claims submission procedure.

Benefits

Free smoking cessation program open to Tricare beneficiaries

Tricare beneficiaries looking for an opportunity to quit smoking may be eligible to participate in a new research study that could help them do just that.

Benefits

Legislation seeks to lower FEHB drug costs

A House member sponsored a bill that would cut the costs of prescription drugs to help lower premiums for federal employees and retirees.

Benefits

White House supports some changes in military compensation

President Obama on April 30 notified Congress of his support for 10 of the 15 recommendations issued by the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission in January, but maintained that the remaining ones require further study.

Benefits

VA course helps local healthcare providers treat vets

As it expands access to care through community healthcare providers, the Department of Veterans Affairs also has launched a training initiative to prepare those providers to address veterans' needs.

Benefits

Veterans Choice Program change now in effect

The Department of Veterans Affairs said it has finalized its previously announced change to how it calculates eligibility to participate in the Veterans Choice Program.

Benefits

Senator urges colleagues to protect feds in budget conference

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) is urging the leaders of the Senate Budget Committee to protect federal pay and benefits during the budget resolution conference with the House.