Pay & Benefits Watch

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.

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.

Employees at Latin American aid agency vote to unionize 

Workers at the Inter-American Foundation almost unanimously voted to join the American Federation of Government Employees last week amid claims of no in-house human resources and an undermanned staff. 

Lack of guidelines scuttled VA’s goal to expand access for substance use disorder treatment

The department’s inspector general found that despite budgeting to hire more than 1,000 substance use disorder treatment staff at its medical centers, it only netted 310 new employees in the first year. 

The sunsetting of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act: What federal employees need to know

COMMENTARY | Learn about the potential changes and start planning now to mitigate any adverse effects on your financial situation.

House subcommittee wants VA to put more of a spotlight on its veteran employment program

In a field hearing of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, House members pressed for more insights and potential exposure of the Veteran Readiness and Employment program.