Pay & Benefits

What to know when your child ages out of federal health coverage

Children can stay on a parent’s FEHB or PSHB plan until 26, but understanding the 31-day extension, conversion options and Temporary Continuation of Coverage is key to avoiding gaps.

Pay & Benefits

What to expect while you’re expecting (your retirement benefit, that is)

The OPM director uses his weekly updates to detail efforts to replace paper applications, guide employees through the Online Retirement Application system, and address delays and data issues in retirement processing.

Pay & Benefits

Democrats introduce bill to ease TSP withdrawals, loans during shutdowns

The Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act would clarify that lapses in appropriations qualify federal workers to take a hardship withdrawal from the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program and eliminate the associated 10% penalty in those instances.

Pay & Benefits

TSP funds continue to tick upward in September

For a second consecutive month, all of the funds in the Thrift Savings Plan increased in value.

Management

The end of the ‘Fork in the Road’

A new online retirement system, coupled with record summer claim volumes, has created delays and confusion for federal employees transitioning to annuitant status, even as OPM works to streamline processing and reduce errors.

Pay & Benefits

All TSP funds were back in the black in August

The Thrift Savings Plan’s international investments rebounded last month after lagging behind other portfolios in July.

Pay & Benefits

Bill would give all workers federal-level retirement benefits

A sweeping proposal could extend Federal Employees Retirement System–level pensions to the private sector, reshaping how Americans plan for retirement.

Pay & Benefits

As Social Security turns 90, lessons from the past can guide its future

From hurricane preparedness to policy reform, history shows how learning from past challenges can shape a stronger Social Security system moving forward.

Pay & Benefits

TSP funds post mixed returns in July

While domestic investments in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program posted gains last month, its international fund faltered.

Workforce

Senate panel advances bills to protect whistleblowers, fix CBP workers’ retirement benefits

More than 1,300 CBP officers spent more than a decade contributing toward their retirement annuities for which they were not eligible, due to a mistake the agency made in 2008.

Pay & Benefits

How to avoid Medicare Part B late enrollment penalties

Planning to retire soon? Here’s what to know about timing your Medicare enrollment to steer clear of costly penalties.

Pay & Benefits

Bipartisan Senate bill would boost pay, alleviate grueling schedule for federal firefighters

New legislation would shorten federal firefighters’ work week from 72 hours to 60 and would ensure their overtime work is properly compensated via the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Pay & Benefits

Why federal retirements are spiking this year

A sharp rise in retirement claims may be tied to fear instead of planning. If you're eyeing the exit, make sure you're not rushing into something you'll regret.

Pay & Benefits

What’s really going on with Social Security? Here’s what the latest numbers say

Benefits won’t disappear in 2033, but the clock is ticking. Here’s what federal retirees need to know.

Pay & Benefits

TSP funds continued their upward swing in June

Each of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program gained value last month.

Pay & Benefits

All provisions targeting federal worker benefits, unions stricken from Senate reconciliation package

The Senate parliamentarian previously ruled that most of the proposals aimed at cutting federal employees’ retirement benefits and civil service protections violated a rule to ensure reconciliation bills are budgetary in nature.

Pay & Benefits

Retired and confused about Medicare Part B? You’re not alone

From late penalties to premium reimbursements, here’s what every retired fed should understand about enrolling in Medicare Part B—and how it works with your FEHB plan.

Pay & Benefits

Tax-free…or not? Avoid these 4 Roth TSP mistakes

Not all money in a Roth Thrift Savings Plan account is automatically tax-free, and there are several things to consider before making a withdrawal to avoid tax and other penalties.