Pay & Benefits

Proposal to end federal health plan is off the table

Watered-down provision would apply to members of Congress and Capitol Hill staffers, but not to federal employees.

Pay & Benefits

Key players debate how to lower prescription drug costs for feds

Allowing OPM to negotiate a single drug benefit for FEHBP enrollees was among proposals discussed during private meeting on the Hill.

News

Buyouts at the Smithsonian

Pay & Benefits

Bill could offset Medicare premium increases for federal retirees

Legislation affects those in the Civil Service Retirement System who do not receive Social Security payments.

News

Chaffetz v. TSA

Pay & Benefits

Committee leader scales back proposal to end FEHBP

Modified language would allow, but not require, federal employees to leave the government’s plan; GOP senator continues to advocate stronger version.

News

Cost of administering the TSP to increase in 2010

Introduction of a Roth option and other reforms will require more resources, plan director says.

Oversight

GAO says State Department needs to revisit hardship pay

Reports find that despite efforts, department still needs to fill posts in dangerous areas as well as beef up officers' foreign language skills.

Pay & Benefits

Proposal would end federal health benefits plan

Amendment to health care reform bill would require civil servants to move to state-based health exchanges starting in 2013.

Pay & Benefits

Charitable giving touted as a way to improve feds’ image

OPM director says the Combined Federal Campaign has the potential to showcase the generosity of civil servants.

Pay & Benefits

People People

The Census Bureau has lessons to offer other agencies when it comes to hiring.

Pay & Benefits

Telework increasing steadily but slowly, OPM says

Participation rate has yet to reach 10 percent, according to a new report.

News

Lynch Staying Put

Pay & Benefits

Berry: OPM is ahead of schedule on security clearance reforms

Personnel chief is confident about meeting a 2004 intelligence law mandate for reducing processing times.

Defense

Labor group opposes Senate pay-for-performance language

Coalition claims provision in Senate’s fiscal 2010 Defense authorization bill contains loopholes that would create a “refried version” of NSPS.

Pay & Benefits

Back in Session

After a not-so-relaxing August recess, lawmakers return to a full docket of bills related to the federal workforce.

Defense

TSA workforce reform bill takes another step forward

Supporters say the legislation would put airport screeners on par with other federal employees, while critics argue it could jeopardize security.

Defense

Defense opposes cuts in funding for civilian Air Force personnel

Pentagon officials also object to authorization bill language that could result in the repeal of a controversial pay-for-performance system.

News

The Race is On

Defense

VA is on call to administer swine flu vaccinations

Department will immunize as many as 180,000 civilian federal employees once a vaccine is available.