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
VA moves to standard forms to speed up processing
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it now requires veterans seeking disability benefits to use standardized claim and appeal forms to speed up application processing.
Benefits
House-passed budget resolution hits feds in pocketbook
The House on a 228-199 vote approved a budget resolution that proposes a range of changes affecting federal employee compensation, including cuts to healthcare and retirement benefits.
Benefits
VA alters Veterans Choice 40-mile rule
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced this week that it will revise the way it calculates the distance between a veteran’s residence and the nearest VA medical facility in order to expand eligibility for its Veterans Choice program.
Benefits
OPM instructs FEHB insurers on self-plus-one plans
The Office of Personnel Management last week directed insurers who offer FEHB coverage to make sure that rates for the new "self-plus-one" coverage slated to debut with the 2016 plan year are lower than rates for self-and-family coverage.
Benefits
VA changes method for determining eligibility
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it eliminated net worth as a factor in determining a veteran's eligibility for VA health care.
Benefits
Tricare announces compound screen drug screening
Tricare said that its pharmacy contractor, Express Scripts, on May 1 will begin to screen all ingredients in compound drug claims to make sure they are safe and effective, and covered by Tricare.
Benefits
DOD personnel agency warns of alleged scam
Personnel officials warned Defense Department civilian workers about a company that allegedly is using misleading ads related to the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program as part of a sales scam.
Benefits
Three Ways for Military Spouses to Find a Federal Job on a Military Base
Most military spouses know about USAJOBS and will look there for federal jobs that might be in the geographic location of their next duty station. What many spouses do not know is that there are two other sources of federal jobs to consider.
Benefits