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.
Benefits
Gov't auditors: FRTIB security lacking
Government auditors contend that the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board has “significant holes” in its security system, leaving account holders vulnerable to hackers.
Benefits
Bill would extend law enforcement retirement to FPS officers
The union that represents Federal Protective Service officers cheered a bill sponsored by an Indiana lawmaker that would extend law enforcement retirement coverage to those employees.
Benefits
OPM releases new leave guide for childbirth, adoption
The Office of Personnel Management last week released a new online guide that details employee leave policies related to having a baby, adopting a child or becoming foster parents.
Benefits
VA medical malpractice award highest in state's history
A medical malpractice lawsuit in New Hampshire will cost the Department of Veterans Affairs more than $20 million, making it the largest individual personal injury judgment in the state’s history.
Benefits
VA extends program to care for traumatic brain injury
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it has awarded 20 contracts that will extend its assisted living pilot program for veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Benefits
New alliance will enable feds to earn degrees at deep discount
The Office of Personnel Management said it has entered an agreement with an online education provider to give federal employees more affordable access to post-secondary education resources.
Benefits
Scammers targeting Tricare beneficiaries
The Defense Health Agency is warning Tricare beneficiaries to beware of phone solicitors attempting to gather their personal information.
Benefits
Unclaimed TSP assets hit $88M
Thrift Savings Plan participants have abandoned accounts containing hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars in recent years.
Benefits
Troops need to use excess ordinary leave by end of FY 2015
Defense Department officials are advising service members that they will automatically lose any accumulated ordinary leave in excess of 60 days on Oct. 1, the beginning of the 2016 fiscal year.
Benefits
VA touts disability claims processing progress
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it has hit a "major milestone" in its effort to speed up decision-making and trim its backlog of disability claims.
Benefits
Senate approves budget resolution; feds targeted
The Senate approved a budget resolution in the wee hours Friday morning that would trim the federal workforce, require higher federal pension contributions, and alter federal health care benefits.
Benefits