Federal Report
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Time is running out for the president to make a decision on the status of the government on Monday, Dec. 24. Will it be a bonus holiday for feds as it often is, or is this a bad year to make such a call? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey's got the track record.
December 11, 2012 -
Usually when people say the end is near, they are either kidding or wrong. But if you are in the federal health program or would like to join up the end is near. As in today. Still looking for the best deal? Check out Senior Correspondent Mike Causey's "best buy" shopping list, especially if you are married to another federal worker.
December 10, 2012 -
Did you ever hear of the Nixon curse? Are you sick of having people push you to shop around for a health insurance plan? If so, rejoice, because Monday is the deadline for picking your 2013 health plan. After that, you won't have all those confusing options to kick around anymore for a long time, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
December 07, 2012 -
Uncle Sam is evolving rapidly in the high-tech and mobility world. But is that always a good thing? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know: Has it turned civil servants into workout superheroes or are they becoming 24/7 puppets?
December 06, 2012 -
Insurance expert Walton Francis will answer your questions and emails about federal benefits. December 5, 2012
December 05, 2012 -
The health-insurance hunting season ends next Monday. When shopping around, this is a case where it pays to go postal if you can, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
December 05, 2012 -
The next couple of weeks will be make or break time for federal workers and retirees as Congress flounders for a way to put the brakes on before the government goes off the infamous fiscal cliff. Among the endangered species: your future retirement benefits, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
December 04, 2012 -
For most federal workers and retirees going over the fiscal cliff in January isn't the problem du jour. If you or a family member gets really sick, or has a serious accident in the new year that is reality, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. That, rightly so, will be your No. 1 problem. And whether you come out of it alive and kicking or financially strapped could depend on what you do between now and next Monday.
December 03, 2012 -
Did you hear about the secret retirement- incentive plan in Congress? It would give you a cash buyout, and add five years to your age and years of service in order to boost your annuity. It is perfect in its simplicity except for one vexing detail - it's not true, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
November 30, 2012 -
Long before there was the Affordable Care Act, aka ObamaCare, there was the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, which actually became a model for the new health-care law, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
November 29, 2012 -
Walton Francis, author of the Consumer's Checkbook Guide to Federal Health Plans, will provide tips on what to look for when choosing your health benefits. November 28, 2012
November 29, 2012 -
Not to put a damper on things but you have less than two weeks to pick your health plan and less than a month until the end of the world. We can help you big time with the first deadline, but when it comes to the Mayan calendar warnings, you are on your own, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
November 28, 2012 -
Wouldn't it be great if you could get Jimmy Choo shoes or Savile Row suits at Payless Shoes or Wal-Mart? The hitch is you can't, and it's a reality federal workers and retirees need to consider when picking their 2013 health plan, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
November 27, 2012 -
Whether your family consists of just a husband or you have 18 dependents, a family is a family as far as Uncle Sam is concerned. And that ticks off couples who resent paying the same health premiums as those charged a large family, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. Is that right?
November 26, 2012 -
It's great to donate money to starving children overseas and to support charities, hospitals and rescue animals. But there are times when there is nothing wrong with turning inward and helping people, even fellow federal workers and retirees, closer to home, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. Like now...
November 23, 2012