Arthur Stein, a financial planner and former federal manager, told The Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Emily Kopp Wednesday that FERS has been a boon for feds, both young and old.
The new Federal Employees Retirement System is suddenly not so new. It turned 25 this year. And next to Social Security, it is the dominant federal retirement program. So how did FERS happen, and why? Check out Senior Correspondent Mike Causey's column.
Tom Trabucco, the former long-time director of external affairs for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, said legislative changes to the federal retirement system made by Congress a quarter-century ago actually succeeded in achieving its goals and serve as a reminder of what can be accomplished when something big needs to be done and key leaders step up to the line.
The Thrift Savings Plan, the federal-employee 401(k), rolled out in 1987. Through the years, it's picked up some new fund options. In this interactive chart, track annual returns of all 10 TSP funds since their inception.
The Federal Employees Retirement System, which overhauled federal pensions, turned 25 years old this year. But, the history of the federal retirement structure extends farther back than that. In this timeline, follow the key events that led to the creation of FERS.
The Office of Personnel Management received fewer retirement claims in November than in any month since February this year, according to new data from the agency. But this is likely just the calm before the storm, according to OPM projections, which anticipate a wave of retirement claims in January.
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.
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
Under temporary rules issued by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, feds can continue to contribute to their Thrift Savings Plan. FRTIB will waive a rule that prevents contributions for six months after taking a hardship withdrawal.
Benefits consultants Walton Francis and Ed Zurndorfer offer top tips for federal employees considering a new health plan. Open Season runs from Nov. 12 to Dec. 10.
Federal-employee groups and veterans organizations say a legislative proposal that would result in lower cost-of-living adjustments for federal and Social Security retirees is a non-starter. Moving to a "Chained" Consumer Price Index method of calculating inflation would curtail future benefits for Social Security retirees, including federal employees and veterans, opponents of the proposal say.
NARFE's David Snell joins host Mike Causey to talk about best health care buys for federal retirees. Sean Reilly from the Federal Times will discuss the presidential election and its impact on feds. November 7, 2012
The U.S. Postal Service will not be offering any new buyouts in the near future, according to Anthony Vegliante, the agency's chief human resources officer. USPS offered three different buyouts in 2012. In an exclusive interview with Federal News Radio, Vegliante said the Postal Service will drop to around 500,000 employees by the end of January due to multiple consolidation efforts at the agency.
For the fourth straight month, the number of federal employees filing for retirement has outstripped the Office of Personnel Management's expectations, according to new data released by the agency. OPM also beat its projections for processing retirement claims.
Trish Gilbert, executive vice president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, joins host Mike Causey on today's show. Mike will also talk about the upcoming elections with writers from the Federal Times. October 31, 2012