Pay & Benefits Watch
Bipartisan bill returns to help feds and postal workers close retirement gap
A bipartisan group is again pitching legislation that would allow some federal and postal employees who began their careers as temporary workers to contribute to their federal retirement accounts for those years.
Senate Dem reintroduces Equal COLA Act, and more
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
How new executive orders will impact FEHB coverage next year
Pay and benefits news you may have missed.
Can I afford an early retirement? 4 things to consider before making the leap
COMMENTARY | From return-to-office mandates to the reappearance of Schedule F, many feds may be finding themselves on a fast track to retirement whether they wanted it or not. But are they financially prepared? What planning should be done before considering an early federal retirement?
OPM unveils its major plans and policy goals for federal health care in 2026
The Office of Personnel Management's 2026 Federal Employees Health Benefits program roadmap focuses on cutting red tape for feds and retirees while staying committed to key health care priorities—here’s what it could mean for you.
Feds affected by L.A. fires are eligible for paid leave transfers
OPM is allowing federal employees to donate their paid leave time to fellow feds impacted by the ongoing wildfires in California, a practice becoming more commonly deployed during increasing natural disasters.
Congressional Republicans dial up multiple bills to cull telework flexibility
The 119th Congress has started early on reintroducing or debuting new plans to reduce telework capabilities at federal agencies.
The forgotten keys to agency performance: Senior Executives
COMMENTARY | To help agencies better address their performance management, it could be time to take a fresh look at senior executives, and how they are compensated.
VA omnibus bill including community care and pay waiver updates heading to Biden’s desk
A compendium of bills packaged into the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act features veteran educational assistance funding, community care improvements, increased funding for veteran homelessness providers and more.
OPM extends postal open season enrollment and beefs up customer service
The agency shifted its original deadline for U.S. Postal Service employees and beneficiaries to enroll in the new health insurance exchange to help provide “ample time” to make selections while offering additional customer support.
Last-minute advice for the 2025 open season
Things you need to consider before the annual window when federal employees can enroll in or make changes to their health benefits closes on Dec. 9.
Featured eBooks
Medicare Part D may benefit most federal annuitants next year
COMMENTARY | Not only are there more options to choose from, but there are also benefit changes that may make Part D more convenient and a better value, according to Kevin Moss of Consumers’ Checkbook.
OPM’s retirement backlog ticked up slightly last month, though other metrics improved
Statistics measuring the federal government HR agency’s performance in processing departing federal workers’ retirement claims remained stable following the backlog’s removal from OPM’s list of top management challenges.
Infertility benefit coverage from FEHB plans in 2025
Federal employees will have even more options for plans offering IVF coverage, including another national PPO plan.
Updated
OPM doesn’t have documented customer experience plans for the Postal Service’s open season, OIG says
The HR agency has developed contingencies if there is a surge of customer experience requests during the Postal Service Health Benefits System’s first open season, but a new report claims that those plans aren’t either defined or comprehensive enough for the multi-agency operation.
Why federal workers should consider an HSA
COMMENTARY | There is something exciting about having a health insurance plan that can reduce your taxes while also providing tax-free investment growth.
New bills want to provide Gold Star survivors with better benefits, make it easier for former feds to return
The Gold Star Spouse Healthcare Enhancement Act aims to provide fallen service members’ partners with lower health care costs for longer, while the Return USA Act looks to create an on-ramp for former employees to return to federal service.
A closer look at 2025 FEHBP premiums
Open Season is just a few weeks away, and costs are increasing this year. What does that mean for federal employees?
New bill eyes uniformed services benefits for public health corps reservists
The proposed legislation would provide reservists in a Health and Human Services component with health, education and leave benefits that are similar to other service members.
Why do employees want to be feds? Benefits are a big reason
In a 2023 OPM survey, 90% or more of federal employees said that the availability of health and retirement benefits are important to them.
