MSPB: Designated Beneficiary Can Not Overcome Minor Child Entitlement to Annuity
The MSPB affirmed the Office of Personnel Management’s decision to deny a lump-sum payment of retirement contributions to an adult designated beneficiary due to the existence of a minor child entitled to monthly annuity payments.
Federal Insurance Expert Demystifies Open Season
Tune in this week for Open Season tips from Walton Francis, insurance expert and author of the Consumers’ CHECKBOOK Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees.
Lawmakers Call For Review Of Political Appointee Conversions To Civilian Jobs
Four committee chairmen, two from the House and two from the Senate, have written to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to request a review of political appointee conversions to career federal civil service positions.
Carefully Planning Retirement & Health Costs
It’s never too early to research and plan your retirement–including the possibility of a need for long term care. This week, we're giving you the insider tips on retiring like a pro, plus why you should consider adding long term care to your benefits package.
Post Paris, Refugee Issue Threatens Government Funding
Last month, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham (R), chairman of the Senate appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the State Department and refugee issues introduced legislation (S. 2145) to provide an additional $1 billion in FY2016 funding to bolster refugee resettlement efforts.
Federal Level of Employees with Disabilities Reaches High
Last month, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a report that announced the level of disabled workers in the federal government is higher than it has been in the 34 years that the statistic has been tracked.
Tenth Circuit Finds Kansas Anti-Subrogation Regulation Preempted by Federal Law
An anti-subrogation regulation in Kansas preventing insurers from issuing policies containing subrogation clauses came into conflict with the Federal Employees Health Benefit Act (“FEHBA”), but the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that federal common law preempted the Kansas regulation.
MSPB Finds Army Partially Out of Compliance with Order
The MSPB canceled the two indefinite suspensions of a former Army aircraft mechanical parts worker and ordered the agency to pay the employee back pay with interest and other benefits.
What Benefits will You Need in Retirement?
Take control of your long term care benefits this Open Season. Learn about their “virtual benefits fair,” why it’s never too early to sign up for long term care, and what packages Long Term Care Partners provides.
Lawmakers Target IRS Employee Bonuses, Hiring Practices
Congress recently introduced two new pieces of legislation specifically targeting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) workforce.
Board Denies Army Appeal of Whistleblower Reprisal Holding
A former Army Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist was removed from her position on April 5, 2012, based on 25 specifications of Conduct Unbecoming a Federal Civilian Employee.
White House, Congress Strike Two Year Budget Deal
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has passed both chambers of Congress, setting up a confrontation with the White House, which appears ready to follow through on its veto threat after acquiescing in prior years.
Why PLI was Necessary after 39 Years as an “Outstanding” Federal Employee
I was the lucky one – I had professionally liability insurance from FEDS. Here’s my story. I was accused of wrongdoing as part of the GSA "scandal.” At the time I had nearly forty years with the federal government and was the longest serving senior executive in the agency.
Army Settles Whistleblower Reprisal Case after OSC Investigation
After a U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) investigation, the Army recently settled a whistleblower retaliation claim filed by an Army civilian infection control analyst at Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Reporter Roundtable Discusses Hot Workforce Topics
Who better to provide insight into big issues facing the workforce other than those covering it? Tune in this week to for a roundtable discussion with reporters covering the federal beat.
Fiscal Conservatives, Defense Hawks, White House Battle Over Pentagon Funding Policy
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has passed both chambers of Congress, setting up a confrontation with the White House, which appears ready to follow through on its veto threat after acquiescing in prior years.
FLRA Denies Agency Exceptions to Arbitrator Award Cancelling Subjective Performance Elements
An Office of Personnel Management senior accountant, through her Union, grieved her annual performance rating of “exceeds fully successful” both overall and in two critical elements of her performance plan.
Lawmakers, Employee Groups Rally To Prevent Medicare Premium Hikes For Federal Retirees
Absent congressional action, in 2016 federal and postal retirees may see their Medicare Part B premiums increase dramatically – the premium increase could be as much as 52 percent, raising payments from $104.90 to $159.30 per month.