Benefits
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Looking for something to take your mind off the pending pay freeze extension? If so, consider the prospect of higher taxes, lower take-home pay and higher health insurance premiums, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
September 14, 2012 -
The report found federal employees work on average of 38.7 hours a week, compared with 41.4 hours per week in the private sector. That difference adds up to 3.8 fewer weeks per year feds work.
September 13, 2012 -
With pay frozen and pensions threatened, federal workers and retirees have been waiting for the next shoe to drop — the what's-next moment. But it could be good news for a change, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says, like changes to your health insurance package.
September 06, 2012 -
Jenny Mattingley hosts of roundtable discussion of legislation pending in Congress that affect federal workers. August 24, 2012
August 24, 2012 -
Studies have shown that Direct Deposit via ACH use in the U.S. is approximately 75 percent. Direct Deposit is simple, safe, smart, and environmentally friendly, so why are a quarter of Americans still receiving paper checks? In many cases, the answer is surprising - it's because the employer doesn't offer it. Two-thirds of small businesses in the United States don't offer Direct Deposit to their employees. Small businesses in the United States are growing - paying 43 percent of total U.S. private payroll - and these employers have customized needs. More work is needed to help them better understand the role Direct Deposit can play in simplifying their business practices and creating an employee benefit. Panel representatives will discuss this "last mile" in Direct Deposit adoption, efforts to engage small business owners and employees, and what opportunities exist for them in participating in Direct Deposit via ACH.
August 15, 2012 -
Are the experts doing all those federal pay studies working from the same database and on the same page? Or are they even on the same planet, which would explain why you are either overpaid 50 percent in one study or underpaid at least 20 percent in another, says Senior Correspondent Mike Causey.
August 07, 2012 -
August is hot in DC, Atlanta, Houston, St. Louis and Cincinnati and lots of other places too. But those of us inside the Beltway get a break you don't...that's because for the next month...until after Labor Day, tens of thousands of the people who at times make this such a toxic town are away — back with the folks who sent them here in the first place.
August 06, 2012 -
A recently announced consent decree between Capitol One and the Justice Department is the most sweeping settlement as the Justice Department ramps up enforcement of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
August 03, 2012 -
The Government Accountability Office compared an existing socially responsible investment stock index to the stock portfolio of the federal Thift Savings Plan and discovered several barriers existed for feds hoping to adopt a more socially conscious approach to their retirement planning.
July 27, 2012 -
Thanks to the 800-pound gorilla in the room, both federal workers and retirees may suffer a cut in take-home pay next year, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
July 24, 2012 -
The Office of Personnel Management is planning changes to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, by proposing to allow children up to age 26 to stay covered by their parents' FEHBP plans. The rule would also apply to children of same-sex domestic partners enrolled in the program. In a separate final rule published in the Federal Register, OPM announced child-care subsidies provided by agencies would also be expanded to include the children of same-sex domestic partners. That rule goes into effect Friday.
July 20, 2012 -
Janet Kopenhaver, Washington representative for Federally Employed Women, will talk about the impact of some bills pending in Congress that affect federal employees. July 18, 2012
July 18, 2012 -
Rep. Scott Rigell's (R-Va.) asked the Navy to postpone its layoff dates for a year. The Navy is laying off 3,000 sailors to help balance its force profile.
July 13, 2012 -
The agency will organize incoming claims into one of three categories based on the difficulty in solving them as part of an effort to increase efficiency. The Veterans Benefits Administration also is seeking other ways to reduce the number of backlogged cases such as new training for employees, said VA's Allison Hickey, the undersecretary for benefits.
July 11, 2012 -
Senior Correspondent Mike Causey once again turns over to longtime reader, Dennis S., who spent a long time with Uncle Sam and a lot of time in the private sector. He says both the government and the private sector have their upsides and downsides. But he thinks its important to appreciate what you've got and live in the moment.
July 02, 2012