Pre-Packaged Long-Term Care Options for Federal Employees
Long-term care is the kind of care that you would need to help you perform daily activities if you had a chronic illness or disability. It also includes...
Federal Employee Sick Leave Benefits
In addition to annual leave, federal employees also accrue sick leave. Employees may use sick leave for their own personal medical needs; to care for a family...
Taking the First Step in Getting Your Kids into College
Before enrolling your new student, make appointments to visit the colleges or career schools you're considering. Bring a list of questions to ask school...
The Federal Employees Retirement System
The Federal Employees Retirement System, or FERS, became effective January 1, 1987. Almost all new employees hired after December 31, 1983, are automatically covered by FERS. Certain other Federal employees not covered by FERS have the option to transfer into the plan. FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan including the following components: 1. Social Security [...]
Another sequestration casualty: OPM to cut pension overtime
Monday, the Office of Personnel Management announced that it has suspended all overtime for its employees working on processing federal retirees’ pensions. Associate Director of Retirement Services Ken Zawodny said the steep budget cuts known as sequestration forced OPM to suspend overtime for employees in his division. The overtime suspension took effect Sunday, April 28th, [...]
Beware of Local “Emergency Centers” Not Authorized by TRICARE
TRICARE beneficiaries may have noticed new kinds of “Emergency Centers” popping up in their area. It may seem like a tempting health care option but, free-standing emergency rooms (ER) that are not affiliated with a hospital may not be TRICARE-authorized. If a provider, such as a free-standing ER, is not authorized then TRICARE is prohibited [...]
34 Ways to Reduce College Costs
Spring has sprung. Those April showers will be bringing May flowers, and parents all across the country are starting to panic about paying for college in the fall. According to George Jefferson, an Education Specialist with CompleteSchools.com and his article entitled 34 Ways to Reduce College Costs, there are many ways to lower those college [...]
Travel by Train? Yes, You Can.
When most people think about traveling for work, flying and car rentals are what come to mind. But there are other options, including traveling by train. How does it work? Read on… Classes of Train Accommodations Available 1. Coach-class – The basic class of accommodations offered by a rail carrier to passengers that includes a [...]
