Pay and Benefits News

• Senate Dems lay out shutdown possibilities

  In today’s Federal Newscast, Senate Democrats said more than 300,000 federal employees will be furloughed if Congress can’t come to a deal on seven remaining appropriation bills.

  Federal Newscast
  December 13, 2018
• New hats, or off with their heads?

  Congress is considering whether to give feds a 1.9 percent pay raise in January. And the president has yet to decide or at least announce his decision whether to give nonemergency federal workers a bonus holiday on Christmas Eve.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 13, 2018
• Federal benefits expert Tammy Flanagan answers Medicare questions

  If you’re one of 10,000 people who will turn 65 years old today, you’re probably at least thinking of retiring. For federal employees this brings complicated choices about healthcare insurance options.

  Federal Drive
  December 12, 2018
• Shutdown game of chicken: What’s in a word?

  Could the likelihood of a government shutdown or a coast-to-coast barrier depend on what we the U.S. decide to call it? Some so-called Washington experts think it might work.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 12, 2018
• Balancing worklife, cash flow and sanity

  Consider the tens of thousands of federal workers are wondering and many are asking if they are going to get the day before Christmas Eve off with pay. An equal number of federal workers also are wondering if there is going to be a partial shutdown.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 11, 2018
• Sleepwalking through another open season

  Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says the health insurance open season ends today at close of business, which is bad news if you don’t like comparison shopping, but good news if you found the perfect plan for you and yours at a good price.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 10, 2018
• OPM: Retirement backlog drops despite increase of claims

  More retirement claims were processed in November than in the two months prior, but OPM still has work to do as 2019 approaches.

  Retirement
  December 07, 2018
• The question is: To (Medicare) B or not to B?

  Finding the best deal among 20 to 30 health plan options can be tough for young or healthy federal workers. But it is a real, albeit vital chore for those with less money and more medical problems.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 07, 2018
• Health insurance after you’ve gone

  Ever think what your spouse will do for health insurance after you’ve gone? He or she has been part of your family plan and they can continue coverage for life, provided you elect a survivor annuity for your spouse.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 06, 2018
• When health premiums and your budget collide

  When low premiums are a must it’s hard to beat the federal employee health benefits program. Uncle Sam pays the lion’s share of the premium and there are some bargains in the program, if you know where to look.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 05, 2018