Retirement
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Retirement benefits in the military have one thing in common with Social Security and Medicare: they're budget time bombs yet no one in Congress has the nerve to touch them. Still, numerous proposals for reforming military compensation have been put forth. One of the most comprehensive comes from the RAND Corporation. Beth Asch is a senior economist at RAND, and she joined Tom Temin on the Federal Drive with more on how to make military pay less costly and more equitable.
November 19, 2014 -
Health insurance premiums for white-collar federal workers or government retirees will run anywhere from $1,200 to nearly $6,000 next year. Wouldn't it be nice to save $1,000? asks Senior Correspondent Mike Causey.
November 19, 2014 -
Some new choices may be coming to your Thrift Savings Plan account, but you won't see those choices for a while. First, the TSP board wants to know the best way to offer those choices. Kim Weaver is director of external affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. On In Depth with Francis Rose, she explained what may become part of your TSP account.
November 18, 2014 -
In a bid to keep more people participating in the Thrift Savings Plan even after they leave the government, members of the plan's oversight board have approved a million-dollar-plus study of new investment options, including mutual funds that focus on real estate, emerging markets and socially responsible companies.
November 17, 2014 -
We "winter weenies" in the D.C. area got some revenge last week as those winter warriors in the Midwest succumbed to an early cold blast. But our time is coming!
November 17, 2014 -
Open season 2014 is underway. Feds who turn 65 next year are facing a decision — whether or not to enroll in Medicare Part B. If they enroll, they'll be paying an additional $1,200 on top of what they already pay for Federal Employees Health Benefits Program coverage. Tammy Flanagan, senior benefits director for the National Institute of Transition Planning, tells In Depth with Francis Rose about the pros and cons of enrolling in Part B.
November 14, 2014 -
The USPS' ability to carry our its duties and remain financially self-sustaining continues to be at risk, according to a recently released GAO performance audit. Conducted over the past year, GAO's report found that the agency is projecting "unsustainable" losses through 2020.
November 14, 2014 -
Holy Open Season! Senior Correspondent Mike Causey takes a look in the mirror and finds a run in his superhero tights.
November 14, 2014 -
Cold temperatures have arrived and with them, the season to think about holiday plans. But you should also start thinking about your investment strategies for 2015 and beyond. Art Stein is a certified financial planner and investment manager. He has long experience with federal employees and their particular concerns. Stein joined Tom Temin on the Federal Drive with some advice for dealing with the Thrift Savings Plan and other matters.
November 13, 2014 -
It's your usual good news/bad news situation when it comes to open season for feds choosing which health plans make the most sense and save the most money for them, says Senior Correspondent Mike Causey.
November 13, 2014 -
Open season is upon us. That's the annual period when federal employees get the chance to change their health plans. Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says the vast majority of them -- 96 percent -- don't take advantage of this opportunity and may be losing out on considerable savings.
November 12, 2014 -
Health plan expert Walton Francis says that about half of all federal employees are paying too much for heath care. Now that it's Open Season, feds have a chance to turn that around.
November 10, 2014 -
In a letter to the Congressional Budget Office director, Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) expressed their interest to revamp the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). NTEU president Colleen Kelley said the reforms would simply raise costs for federal workers.
November 07, 2014 -
The predicted "tsunami" of federal retirees may or may not come. Regardless, if you're planning to retire, you should still take steps to ensure financial security while your retirement is processed, says Federal News Radio's Mike Causey.
November 07, 2014 -
Turbo-charged customer service and some more customized services may be available to Thrift Savings Plan investors in the future. Greg Long, the executive director of the TSP, says the TSP may provide these services -- since they see participants taking all their money out of their accounts when they retire. Federal News Radio Reporter Emily Kopp tells In Depth with Francis Rose what Greg Long is most worried about.
November 06, 2014