Retirement
Get your House in order
Feds, now may be your chance to make yourself heard by your member of Congress.
Employee Policy
House passes Ryan budget
The House on April 10 passed the fiscal 2015 budget resolution sponsored by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).
Benefits
GAO finds faulty tracking of biological implants at VA
The origin of some of the tens of thousands of biological implants used last year in procedures at the Department of Veterans Affairs was never properly recorded.
Employee Policy
Labor says postal reform proposals do not acknowledge USPS gains
A hearing held this week by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to examine the Obama administration's proposal for reforming the U.S. Postal Service served to highlight how closely that proposal generally tracks plans being proposed in Congress.
Employee Policy
Student loan repayment benefit not widely used
While the House Republicans' budget blueprint would end the student loan repayment benefit for federal employees, agencies appear to be investing less in that fringe benefit in any event.
Pay
Senate panel advances mass transit benefit bill
The Senate Finance Committee on April 3 approved a measure that would restore employee mass transit benefits for two years.
Benefits
VA trims disability claims backlog
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it has reduced the backlog of pending disability compensation claims by 44 percent over the past year.
Benefits
Tricare walk-in customer service ends
Tricare issued a reminder to beneficiaries that walk-in service at its customer service centers will cease April 1.
Benefits
Veteran employment rises in 2013
The unemployment rate among veterans who have served on active duty since September 2001 decreased last year to an annual average of 9 percent, according to new figures released by the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Employee Policy
VA discontinues yearly income reporting requirement
The Department of Veterans Affairs has dropped its annual requirement for most veterans enrolled in its health care system to report income information.
Benefits
OPM chief says law has reined in FEHB rate increases
The Affordable Care Act is improving care and lowering costs for the millions of beneficiaries enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta told attendees of an annual conference of health insurance carriers.
Pay
Senate panel cool on trimming military compensation
Senate legislators appear reluctant to let the Defense Department target military pay and benefits as part of the budget cuts imposed by Congress.
Benefits
Air Force opens applications for training
Air Force appropriated fund civilian employees this month can begin applying for intermediate and senior developmental educational opportunities, the Air Force Personnel Center announced.
Benefits
More vets employed in 2013
The unemployment rate among military veterans who have served on active duty since September 2001 dropped last year to an annual average of 9 percent.
Benefits
Telework: Snowstorms boost participation
Federal employees are teleworking more this year than last, with inclement weather—together with existing laws and initiatives—driving participation rates to new highs.
Employee Policy
Vets to get new health ID card
The Department of Veterans Affairs last week said it would begin the phased rollout this month of a new secure health identification card.
Benefits
SSA to use VA disability rating to expedite claims
The Social Security Administration this week debuted a new initiative to speed up Social Security disability claims for veterans who have a 100 percent permanent and total (P&T) disability compensation rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Benefits
Tricare for Life pharmacy pilot begins in March
Beneficiaries of Tricare for Life soon will be getting letters notifying them of a new pharmacy pilot program.
Benefits
Labor leader says fight will continue against proposed FECA change
The head of the National Treasury Employees Union said her group would keep on fighting legislative efforts that would result in cuts to federal workers’ compensation insurance payments for some beneficiaries.
Benefits