The Federal Retirement News and Reference Source

Federal Retirement Cuts Bill Passes House Panel

2012-02-10T19:04:00.000-06:00

Title: Lawmakers insert federal pension provisions in highway bill

Article Snip: "...a high-five average salary calculation for annuities rather than the current high-three average pay calculation. The current Federal Employees Retirement System-defined benefit pension is calculated by taking the retiree's three highest salaries and dividing it by years of service and a variable pension accrual rate. ..."

Reference: www.govexec.com
Federal Retirement

Federal agencies offering buyouts or early outs continues to grow

2012-01-21T11:11:00.000-06:00

Title: A new wave of federal workers is poised to emerge

Article Snip: "...Meanwhile, the roster of federal agencies offering buyouts or early outs continues to grow. In fiscal 2010, OPM gave 14 agencies permission to offer buyouts. Twelve were allowed to offer early retirements. In fiscal 2011, OPM gave 12 agencies permission to offer buyouts and twelve were allowed to offer early retirements...."

Reference: www.bizjournals.com
Federal Employee Buyouts, early outs,

Retirement services backlog being addressed

2012-01-20T19:09:00.000-06:00

Title: OPM tackles retirement backlog with more staff, better technology

Article Snip: "...The Office of Personnel Management is trying to tackle its retirement services backlog with more staff and upgraded technology. ..."

Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com

State Department warns that "concrete steps" must be taken...

2012-01-20T18:57:00.000-06:00

Title: US mulls closing embassy in Syria as security worsens

Article Snip: "... State Department warns that "concrete steps" must be taken, expresses concern about "deteriorating security situation in Damascus"; US official: Syrian gov't doesn't ..."

Reference: www.jpost.com

Federal Employee COLA Update

2012-01-09T18:02:00.000-06:00

Title: 2012 outlook eases slightly with COLA’s return

Article Snip: "...After two years of no increases, COLAs are back. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 3.6 percent...."

Reference: federaltimes.com

Federal retirement question

2012-01-02T09:05:00.000-06:00

Title: Four retirement options

Article Snip: "...Q. I am a 58-year-old letter carrier covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System with 27½ years of s..."

Reference: federaltimes.com

Federal Retirement Estimate

2011-12-28T09:25:00.000-06:00

Title: Federal Ballpark E$timate®

Article Snip: "...The Federal Ballpark E$timate can be used by employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), CSRS-Offset, or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) who plan to retire under the voluntary age and service rules. The current version does not perform estimates for..."

Reference: www.opm.gov
Federal Ballpark E$timate®

Attack on Federal Retirement Benefits: H.R. 3630

2011-12-16T12:05:00.000-06:00

Title: House Republicans Attack Postal and Federal Retirement Benefits

Article Snip: "...The House of Representatives voted 243-193 on Dec. 13 to pass the so-called “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011,” which would cut take-home pay for postal and federal workers by increasing their contributions to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The bill also would slash unemployment benefits, place unreasonable burdens on unemployed workers, and cut vital healthcare programs...."

Reference: www.apwu.org
H.R. 3630, Federal Retirement Benefits, Postal Retirement,

Reducing Federal Pensions

2011-12-09T22:38:00.000-06:00

Title: New House Republican bill takes aim at fed pensions, pay

Article Snip: "...increasing the contribution federal employees pay toward their retirement, and reducing pensions for new employees...."

Reference: www.federaltimes.com
Federal Pension cuts,

Postmaster General seeks to move retirees to Medicare

2011-11-30T00:26:00.000-06:00

Title: Postmaster general: Retirement benefits bankrupting agency

Article Snip: "...requirement isn't sustainable. He's also seeking to move retirees to Medicare...."

Reference: Postal Early Retirement

Lawmakers seek more oversight over Social Security Disability Checks

2011-11-26T19:43:00.000-06:00

Title: Lawmakers seek Social Security check protections

Article Snip: "...Fourteen Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee want more scrutiny of how the Social Security Administration oversees benefit checks..."

Reference: Social Security Newsgroup

Postal Employee Retirement Community

2011-11-26T19:32:00.000-06:00

Title: Neither rain nor heat nor gloom of night stops folks from living large at the unofficial retirement community of the National Association of Letter Carriers.

Article Snip: "...With an efficiency renting for under $75 in 1964, Nalcrest [Florida] was nirvana for postal retirees. It remains a bargain: A one-bedroom rents for only $305, and dinners at Jay Bee's II, the town's only restaurant, average $6. ..."

Reference: nationalgeographic.com

Federal retirement Policy changes on the way?

2011-11-25T19:00:00.000-06:00

Title: How the supercommittee’s failure will impact federal employees

Article Snip: "...Newly hired employees after the transition point would get only the defined contribution plan. That would be a very major change in federal retirement policy …..."

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Rep. Issa, Federal Retirement Changes,

Federal Employment Opportunities in Michigan

2011-11-19T10:56:00.001-06:00

Title: 11 tips for landing one of the more than 200 federal jobs advertised in Michigan

Article Snip: "...Even with the U.S. government laying off thousands nationally every week, the federal jobs website is still advertising 204 federal jobs in Michigan. ..."

Reference: www.mlive.com
federal employment

Federal Employee Retirement Processing Backlog Grows

2011-11-16T10:04:00.000-06:00

Title: OPM: Problem of late pension payments getting worse

Article Snip: "...The Office of Personnel Management's backlog of pending retirement cases has grown 58 percent since Director John Berry first pledged to solve the problem more than a year ago...."

Reference: www.federaltimes.com
Federal Employee Retirement Processing,

USPS Retirement Funding Issue

2011-11-11T23:27:00.000-06:00

Title: Bishop signs letter saying post office faces big pension burden

Article Snip: "..."No other public or private business in America" except for the U.S. Postal Service must fund 100 percent of employee retirement and retirement health costs in advance. ..."

Reference: www.politifact.com
usps retirement

TSP Summary

2011-11-11T23:18:00.000-06:00

Title: U.S. Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Aug. Summary

Article Snip: "...the federal employee retirement thrift investment plan summary for Aug., according to the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. ..."

Reference: www.bloomberg.com

Report says Federal Employees way underpaid

2011-11-08T18:39:00.000-06:00

Title: Federal government says its employees are 25 percent UNDERPAID compared to private sector workers

Article Snip: "...federal employees 26.3 percent underpaid compared to private sector workers in similar jobs. The gap has grown 2 percentage points since last year..."

Reference: www.dailymail.co.uk
Federal employee pay,

Chained CPI offers more cuts to the working class

2011-11-05T19:10:00.000-05:00

Title: Debt panel likes ‘chain' COLA; ‘Tricare Prime' cut offered

Read more: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/11/05/1893461/debt-panel-likes-chain-cola-tricare.html#ixzz1csX2LZk5

Article Snip: "...If that CPI were already in use, military retirees, disabled veterans and social security recipients would be getting a 3.4 percent COLA in January rather than the planned 3.6 percent hike, government price data show...."

Reference: www.thenewstribune.com

Federal Employee: Best day to retire

2011-10-31T10:45:00.000-05:00

Title: The Best Day to Retire From Now Until 2020

Article Snip: "...One of the biggest reasons that employees choose to retire around the end of the year is to cash in a large amount of use or lose leave. Assume we have an employee..."

Reference: www.fedsmith.com
best day to retire,

Federal Employee Buyouts Galore

2011-10-25T11:16:00.000-05:00

Title: Everybody's got a price. What's yours?

Article Snip: "...Currently buyouts are available at Agriculture, Air Force, ATF, U.S. Courts, Education, FTC, GAO, GPO, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Library of Congress, the USPS, SBA, Smithsonian and the TSA. ..."

Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com
Federal Buyouts, Early Retirements,

Federal employee retirement systems cumulatively face $5.7 trillion in unfunded liability

2011-10-25T00:35:00.000-05:00

Title: The Worst Pension Gap

Article Snip: "...The Federal Employees Retirement System was created in 1986 to take the place of the old Civil Service Retirement System. Civilian federal employees hired prior to 1984 remained in the old system, while..."

Reference: www.governing.com
Federal employee retirement systems

Federal Health Care Tip

2011-10-24T10:50:00.000-05:00

Title: Playing Russian roulette with your health plan

Article Snip: "...If you are a federal or postal worker who is close to retirement, thinking about taking a buyout, likely to be laid off or are involved in a shaky marriage, listen up: Your lifetime health insurance benefits may be in danger. ..."

Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com
Federal employees health care

Federal retirees to get 3.6 percent COLA increase

2011-10-19T10:41:00.000-05:00

Title: Federal retirees to get COLA increase

Article Snip: "...an increase of 3.6 percent for most, following the announcement Wednesday of Consumer Price Index figures through September...."

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
2012 COLA, Federal Retirees, Federal Retirement COLA,

2012 COLA for Social Security will be 3.6 percent

2011-10-19T10:16:00.000-05:00

Title: Social Security benefits to rise 3.6 percent

Article Snip: "...Social Security retirement benefits for about 55 million people will go up by 3.6 percent next year, the first cost-of-living increase since 2009, the U.S. Social Security Administration said on Wednesday...."

Reference: www.reuters.com

2012 Social Security COLA

2011-10-18T01:23:00.000-05:00

Title: Social Security: seniors to see COLA increase in 2012

Article Snip: "...The exact size of the COLA is yet to be determined, but it should be somewhere between ..."

Reference: www.csmonitor.com
2012 COLA amount,

Lawmaker wants to extend Federal worker retirement age

2011-10-15T10:22:00.000-05:00

Title: Lawmaker urges end to early federal retirement

Article Snip: "...Federal workers, including members of Congress and congressional employees, would not be able to receive their pensions until age 62 under Duncan's proposal...."

Reference: www.govexec.com
Federeal Retirement

Eligibility for the special retirement supplement

2011-10-12T13:24:00.000-05:00

Title: Supplement eligibility

Article Snip: "...Q: I am 57 with four years of military buyback and 18 years of uninterrupted federal service. I am confused about eligibility for the special retirement supplement...."

Reference: Federal Times
Social Security special retirement supplement (SRS)

More attacks on working class by GOP reps

2011-10-12T01:45:00.000-05:00

Title: Lawmaker urges end to early federal retirement

Article Snip: "..."There are many thousands of federal employees who are retiring in their 50s and even in their late 40s," Rep. John Duncan Jr., R-Tenn., said in a letter last week to members of the congressional super committee...."

Reference: www.govexec.com
anti-working class

Federal Retiree COLA could be near 4 percent

2011-10-03T09:37:00.000-05:00

Title: Federal retirees could receive COLA boost for first time since 2008

Article Snip: "...The COLA for federal retirees and Social Security and Supplemental Security Income recipients could be nearly 4 percent as of Dec. 1, based on the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics...."

Reference: www.govexec.com
Federal Retiree COLA, 2012 COLA, Federal Employee COLA 2012, Dec. 2011 Federal COLA, 2011 Federal Retiree COLA,

GAO buyouts and early retirements

2011-10-03T09:27:00.000-05:00

Title: Top federal watchdog faces budget cuts

Article Snip: "...agency is offering buyouts and early retirement offers to long-serving employees; 37 have accepted the offers, a spokesman said. The buyouts and early retirement were first offered before the budget debate began...."

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Federal Employee Buyouts, early retirement offers,

FERS Disability Retirement May Not Provide Adequate Benefits

2011-09-26T23:31:00.000-05:00

Title: FERS Disability Retirement Benefits for Federal Government Physicians May Not Fully Protect Against Loss of Income

Article Snip: "...illustrate how the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) works in providing disability benefits, and why the benefits provided may be inadequate...."

Reference: www.digitaljournal.com

Are Federal Employees next?

2011-09-25T10:30:00.000-05:00

Issa's 'Postal Destruction' Bill Passes House Subcommittee

Title: Postal Bill Would Authorize Layoffs, Force Out Senior Employees First

Article Snip: "...employees who are eligible for retirement must be laid off before employees who are ineligible, and dictates that retirement-eligible employees with the longest service must be separated first. The new language also forbids the payment of severance pay to retirement-eligible employees. ..."

Reference: www.apwu.org
destruction of the American working class, Attacks on Federal Workers, Layoffs, retirement, Rep. Issa,

What should you ask yourself before retiring?

2011-09-23T06:56:00.001-05:00

Title: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself About When You Can Retire

Article Snip: "...The "traditional" retirement age is 65. This has gone by the wayside to some extent in that the age to receive full Social Security benefits continues to increase...."

Reference: usnews.com

What is the "traditional" retirement age?, Social Security Benefits,

Deficit plan would bang Federal Workers and Federal Retirement fiercely

2011-09-23T06:19:00.000-05:00

Title: Deficit reduction pain for federal employees could be worse, some say

Article Snip: "...the version of the fiscal 2012 budget resolution the House passed included a recommendation that would require federal employees to pay for half the defined benefit they receive with their pensions at retirement...."

Reference: GovernmentExecutive.com
Deficit reduction, Federal Budget, federal worker pension plan, Federal Employee Retirement, Federal Worker Retirement,

Rick Perry no friend to Social Security

2011-09-23T06:08:00.000-05:00

Title: Obama's proposal to trim back military benefits draws fire

Article Snip: "..."The real issue is, in writing his book, Gov. Perry pointed out that in his view that Social Security is unconstitutional, that this is not something the federal government ought to be involved in, that instead it should be given back to the states."..."

Reference: hamptonroads.com

OPM: Retirement planning for the federal employee

2011-09-21T21:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Planning for Retirement

Article Snip: "...It’s never too early to start planning for retirement in order to ensure it goes smoothly. Here you will find information to help ensure your retirement starts well. ..."

Reference: www.opm.gov
Retirement planning for the federal employee

2012 cola for federal retirees

2011-09-21T11:06:00.000-05:00

Title: Retirement menu: Filet & cabernet or dog food & Dr. Pepper?

Article Snip: "...a 3-plus percent COLA for retired feds is likely in 2012. Also, a growing number of agencies are offering buyouts...."

Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com
Federal Employee COLA 2012, 2012 Retired Federal Worker COLA,

Social Security COLA update

2011-09-21T10:54:00.001-05:00

Title: Proposal Would Cut Raises For Retirees

Article Snip: "...result in lower cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for Social Security beneficiaries,” says the report, which adds: “Moving to a chained index should be viewed as a cut in benefits.”..."

Reference: smartmoney.com
cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), chained index,

Army Material Command offers buyouts

2011-09-21T01:48:00.000-05:00

Title: Buyouts beginning at Army

Article Snip: "...The Army Materiel Command today said it is offering $25,000 buyouts to 33 civilian employees in its headquarters to help it meet its mandated cuts of at least 1,223 civilian positions. ..."

Reference: federaltimes.com
Federal Employee Buyouts, Federal Employee Early Retirement,

FERS Disability Benefits for Physicians

2011-09-20T01:05:00.001-05:00

Title: FERS Disability Retirement Benefits for Federal Government Physicians May Not Fully Protect Against Loss of Income

Article Snip: "...Summary of Summary of FERS Disability Benefits for Physicians: When a government physician suffers a total disability and meets the eligibility requirements set forth by FERS, that individual may be eligible to receive a taxable benefit equal to 60% income replacement during the first 12-months of disability and 40% for all subsequent years (until early retirement age)...."

Reference: www.digitaljournal.com
FERS Disability Benefits for Physicians

Fellows Program Accepting Applications

2011-09-20T00:58:00.000-05:00

Title: Federal Government's Premier Fellows Program Accepting Applications

Article Snip: "...The Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF), run by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), attracts and selects the best candidates to develop a cadre of new government leaders, and can lead to a career in government...."

Reference: www.opm.gov
Fellows Program

Federal Employees fear retirement cuts

2011-09-19T11:05:00.000-05:00

Title: Feds plan their exits: Interest surges in retirement seminars

Article Snip: "...Many federal employees nearing retirement view the high-five reform as a double whammy. First, it would reduce their pensions by factoring two lower salaries into their pension calculation. Second, a high-five average salary would be further tamped down by pay freezes in effect this year and next..."

Reference: www.federaltimes.com
Federal Employee Retirement,

Obama to protect much needed Social Security and Medicare

2011-09-17T22:18:00.000-05:00

Title: Obama Plan Won't Include Changes to Social Security

Article Snip: "...President Barack Obama's new deficit-reduction proposal will leave out changes to Social Security, and may exclude any increase in the Medicare eligibility age, people familiar with the discussions said Wednesday...."

Reference: wsj.com
Social Security, Medicare,

Changes in Medicare and Social Security programs on the way?

2011-09-13T11:42:00.000-05:00

Title: A Bipartisan Move to Tackle Benefits Programs

Article Snip: "...would support slowly increasing the eligibility age for Medicare to 67 from 65 and changing the formula for cost-of-living increases in Social Security to a less generous one that some economists consider more accurate. ..."

Reference:
Social Security, Medicare,

2012 Federal Employee COLA Update

2011-09-09T11:03:00.000-05:00

Title: Retiree COLA Roller Coaster: Going Up

Article Snip: "...government retirees are cautiously looking forward to a cost of living adjustment of around 3.3 percent in their January checks. That COLA, if it holds up, would be the first inflation-catchup federal, ..."

Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com
2012 COLA, Federal Retirement COLA, Federal Employee COLA 2012,

Chained CPI may harm seniors

2011-09-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Changes To Inflation Formula Will Clip Social Security Benefits, Study Says

Article Snip: "...the new inflation measure may not deliver to seniors the income protection they need in retirement, especially on the costs of health care...."

Reference: bnet.com
COLA 2012

Federal default would hurt...

2011-07-30T16:17:00.001-05:00

Title: Federal default would hurt county
Article Snip: "...roughly 14,000 federal retirees the National Federation of Federal Employees said live in the county. In all, active federal workers and retirees bring..."
Reference: www.hometownannapolis.com

federal employee organizations want debt ceiling concerns answered

2011-07-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Administration ducks employees’ default questions
Article Snip: "...How will the assets of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund and the G-Fund of the Federal Employees’ Retirement System be impacted..."
Reference: www.washingtonpost.com

Medicare cuts and and costs increase

2011-07-07T17:45:00.000-05:00

Title: Crowley reports on Medicare plan cuts
Article Snip: "...According to Crowley’s report, costs for an average Medicare beneficiary would increase by $520 in the 2012 federal fiscal year (from October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012)...."
Reference: www.queenscourier.com
Medicare cuts,

AARP recognizes benefit cuts in Social Security may be unavoidable

2011-06-27T22:28:00.000-05:00

Title: For AARP, A 'Monumental' Shift On Social Security?
Article Snip: "...AARP recognizes benefit cuts in Social Security may be unavoidable in the future. But it wasn't something the organization wanted to see highlighted on the front page of a major newspaper...."
Reference:
AARP

Bachmann for President ...if you don't mind more attacks on Social Security and Medicare

2011-06-27T22:13:00.000-05:00

Title: Bachmann formally announces presidential bid in Waterloo, Iowa
Article Snip: "...hypocrisy and shameless self-promotion. Her support for ending Medicare and 'weaning' people off Social Security is proof enough that Michele Bachmann would be a terrible President,” said Martin..."
Reference: hometownsource.com

3.5% Federal Retiree COLA for Jan. 2012?

2011-06-20T10:25:00.000-05:00

Title: Retirees Eye 3.5 Percent Raise!
Article Snip: "...federal, military and Social Security retirees are looking at a possible January cost of living adjustment of 3.5 percent..."
Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com
2012 COLA, Federal Retiree COLA

Federal Employee Retirement Now On The Line

2011-05-17T10:05:00.000-05:00

Title: Federal Workers Facing More Cuts
Article Snip: "...In March, Senate Republicans Richard Burr and Tom Coburn introduced legislation that would entirely eliminate pensions for government employees. They would still collect Social Security and hold 401k-style accounts. The White House is unlikely to back such an aggressive plan..."
Reference: www.kctv5.com
FERS, Federal Retirement,

OPM Retirement Processing Backlog

2011-04-27T01:22:00.000-05:00

Title: About That OPM Retirement Processing Backlog
Article Snip: "...The Office of Personnel Management is making progress on reducing the backlog in finalizing retirement applications. The time it takes to process a retirement action has improved by roughly..."
Reference: www.fedsmith.com
OPM Retirement Processing

Voters Angry Over Attempts to 'Dismantle Medicare'

2011-04-27T00:51:00.000-05:00

Title: House G.O.P. Members Face Voter Anger Over Budget
Article Snip: "...In central Florida, a Congressional town meeting erupted into near chaos on Tuesday as attendees accused a Republican lawmaker of trying to dismantle Medicare while providing tax cuts to corporations and affluent Americans. ..."
Reference: www.nytimes.com
Dismantle Medicare

Rubio wants to raise Social Security age again

2011-03-31T23:24:00.000-05:00

Title: Marco Rubio kicks off media blitz with talk of raising the retirement age for Social Security
Article Snip: "...Indeed many of the reforms are controversial, particularly Social Security. Rubio raised that possibility on the campaign trail last year and then-Gov. Charlie Crist tried to make it an issue but did not get traction...."
Reference: www.tampabay.com

Postal Service Early Retirement Incentive of $20,000 offered

2011-03-23T19:02:00.000-05:00

Title: 2011 Special Incentive Offer FAQs
Article Snip: "...What are the basic details of the 2011 Special Incentive Offer? On March 23, 2011, the Postal Service announced a Special Incentive offer for the following targeted groups: Career non-bargaining employees assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Field Units, including PCES and attorneys Career non-bargaining employees assigned to Area Offices, including PCES Career non-bargaining employees assigned to District Customer Service Offices (the offer includes PCES in closing districts only)..."
Reference: usps.gov

Will I be eligible for Social Security special retirement supplement?

2011-03-16T21:23:00.001-05:00

Title: Will I be eligible for Social Security special retirement supplement?
Article Snip: "...I am a federal employee with 31 years of service. Civil Service Offset, with 10 years CSRS and 21 years in FERS. ..."
Reference: federaltimes.com

Golden years losing luster

2011-03-13T10:19:00.000-05:00

Title: Golden years losing luster
Article Snip: "...Social Security benefits will replace just 28 percent of a recipient's preretirement income in 2030, on average, down from 39 percent in 2002, according to the Center on Retirement Research. The drop will result largely from the increased Medicare payments and higher income taxes Social Security recipients will have to pay...."
Reference: www.bendbulletin.com
Social Security, Retirement,

Postal Early Retirement 2011

2011-03-10T00:55:00.000-06:00

Title: Postal Service to cut 7,500 positions this month, 30,000 by end of year
Article Snip: "...Postal Service will use attrition and early retirement offers to reach that number and is weighing whether to use buyouts ..."
Reference: Federal Times via postalearlyretirement.blogspot.com
USPS Early Retirement Offers

Postal Service aid plans would jeopardize federal retirement funds, watchdog says

2011-03-05T11:10:00.000-06:00

Title: Postal Service aid plans would jeopardize federal retirement funds, watchdog says
Article Snip: "...the financial soundness and integrity of the trust funds would be severely compromised," McFarland said in a 56-page report on the issue. Lawmakers are likely to highlight the conclusions during a House oversight subcommittee hearing scheduled for Wednesday on the Postal Service's finances. ..."
Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Postal Retirement

How to prevent a delay in your Federal Retirement

2011-03-01T10:13:00.000-06:00

Title: How a Typo Could Delay Your Retirement from Federal Service
Article Snip: "...The SF 50, or Standard Form 50, is the official form the government uses to calculate your retirement. Your SF 50s determine your retirement eligibility and your federal pension...."
Reference: FedSmith.com

Watch federal policy as retirement looms

2011-02-26T10:17:00.000-06:00

Title: Watch federal policy as retirement looms
Article Snip: "...that is why everyone who anticipates a pension should be concerned...."
Reference: www.desmoinesregister.com
Federal Retirement

Social Security Prepares For Possible Government Shutdown

2011-02-23T08:22:00.000-06:00

Title: Social Security Prepares For Possible Government Shutdown
Article Snip: "...Democrats and Republicans continue to disagree on budget cuts, and without a compromise, many government agencies will be forced to close their doors...."
Reference: newsone.com

Social Security is not part of the problem

2011-02-19T07:15:00.000-06:00

Title: Reid wants no cuts to Social Security
Article Snip: "..."Social Security has contributed not a single penny to the deficit. So we can talk about entitlements as long as you eliminate Social Security," said Reid, D-Nev. "Because Social Security is not part of the problem we have in America with the deficit." ..."
Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Social Security

Federal Retiree Tax Hikes?

2011-02-12T18:12:00.000-06:00

Title: Higher federal withholding is taking a bite out of retirees' annuity checks
Article Snip: "...The suddenly shrinking checks have hit retirees generally, not just those who were employed by the federal government. On Thursday, the IRS posted information on "Why Employees and Retirees May See Changes in 2011 Payments and Withholding." ..."
Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Federal Retirees

Postal Early Retirement Site Launced

2011-02-08T09:49:00.000-06:00

Title: USPS RIF and VER Informational Website Announced
Article Snip: "...In the event of RIF and/or VER, all relevant information – including timelines and guidance - will be posted on the Organizational Changes Website as soon as details are finalized. Watch for internal communications such as LINK articles and stay tuned to this website for any and all HR-related updates...."
Reference: Postal Early Retirement 2011
Postal Early Retirement

Retired federal employee sentenced to 23 months in prison for health care fraud

2011-01-31T10:31:00.000-06:00

Title: Retired federal employee sentenced to 23 months in prison for health care fraud
Article Snip: "...also ordered him to pay $253,727 in restitution to Blue Cross & Blue Shield which provided coverage to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program...."
Reference: www.nj.com
Federal Employee Fraud, Fawzi Saleh,

Plans to slash veterans disability benefits

2011-01-29T09:24:00.000-06:00

Title: VFW vows to defeat Bachmann plan to slash veterans benefits
Article Snip: "...would cap increases to VA healthcare spending, and reduce disability compensation to account for Social Security Disability Insurance payments — in other words, an offset...."
Reference: www.dailykos.com

Will Obama Back Social Security Changes in State of the Union?

2011-01-22T09:04:00.000-06:00

Title: Will Obama Back Social Security Changes in State of the Union?
Article Snip: "..."When Lindsey Graham supports raising the retirement age for people across South Carolina, including those whose jobs take a physical toll on their bodies, that shows that he's a fundamentally out-of-touch politician," PCCC co-founder Stephanie Taylor said in a statement. "We hope President Obama will strongly pressure Republicans on this issue during his State of the Union address." ..."
Reference: www.cbsnews.com

Federal Retirement Fraud

2011-01-07T11:24:00.000-06:00

Title: Woman gets probation for cashing dead father’s federal retirement checks
Article Snip: "...Due to the statute of limitations, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Michelland couldn’t prosecute her for the full amount, $167,352.07, sent to that account — or all that the government sent after Throckmorton’s death: $361,616.86...."
Reference: www.marconews.com
Federal Retirement Fraud

Are you a retired military veteran with a combat story?

2011-01-07T10:38:00.000-06:00

Title: Share your story with 'Real Combat Life'
"'Real Combat Life' wants you to share your real combat stories. Please support this site by sharing your story with other veterans. For a limited time, until their supply runs out, they are giving away free t-shirts if they select your story. Thanks 'Real Combat Life' for your support of vets!"
Reference: Military Veteran News
Real Combat Stories

Medicare To Gain 7,000 New Baby Boomers Per Day In 2011

2011-01-02T10:19:00.000-06:00

Title: Medicare To Gain 7,000 New Baby Boomers Per Day In 2011
Article Snip: "...According to AARP (American Association for Retired Person's), 70 million individuals are estimated to be Medicare beneficiaries over the next 20 years, compared to 45.2 million in 2008...."
Reference: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Medicare beneficiaries

National Guard employment and fed annuity

2010-12-31T10:18:00.000-06:00

Title: National Guard employment and fed annuity
Article Snip: "...Q: I’m over 50 years old and in a Federal Employees Retirement System law enforcement position with more than 22 years of..."
Reference: federaltimes.com
Federal Retirement News

Disabled fed workers' comp better than retirement

2010-12-31T10:13:00.000-06:00

Title: Disabled fed workers' comp better than retirement
Article Snip: "...Would you rather receive up to 75 percent of your salary tax free for the rest of your life as workers' compensation or up to 60 percent of your salary as your retirement...."
Reference: www.chicagonow.com
Federal employee disability, Federal employee and workers compensation

Baby boomers near 65 with retirements in jeopardy

2010-12-27T23:12:00.000-06:00

Title: Baby boomers near 65 with retirements in jeopardy
Article Snip: "...Starting in January, more than 10,000 baby boomers a day will turn 65, a pattern that will continue for the next 19 years...."
Reference: www.msnbc.msn.com
Baby Boomer Stats,

Federal Employees and the ROTH Retirement Plan

2010-12-27T08:38:00.000-06:00

Title: Federal Employees and the ROTH Retirement Plan
Article Snip: "...it authorized the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) to add a Roth 401(k) feature to the TSP..."
Reference: Federal Employees
Federal Employees Retirement

Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans – Top Rated Announced

2010-12-20T22:17:00.000-06:00

Title: Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans – Top Rated Announced
Article Snip: "...The top rated Medicare advantage prescription drug plans have been announced. Inland Empire Health Plan i.e. IEHP Medicare DualChoice (HMO SNP) is one..."
Reference: businessservicenews.com
Medicare part d

Could You Retire Without Social Security?

2010-12-20T01:50:00.000-06:00

Title: Could You Retire Without Social Security?
Article Snip: "...This week's landmark tax deal sharply changes the financial outlook for Social Security. That has huge implications for your retirement. And most people don't have a clue what's coming. ..."
Reference: wsj.com
social security,

Federal Employee Retirement Resources

2010-12-15T00:02:00.000-06:00

Title: Federal Employee Retirement Resources
Article Snip: "...FDIC, Retirement calculator, retirement programs, TSP, FERS, CSRS..."
Reference: www.usa.gov
federal employee retirement

2011 Best Date to Retire

2010-12-14T00:56:00.000-06:00

Title: Best Date to Retire in 2011
Article Snip: "...many people are curious about the best day to retire in 2011. Well, the best day to retire in 2011 is..."
Reference: www.fedsmith.com
Best date to retire in 2011, Best date to retire in 2012

Extra $250 for those on Social Security blocked

2010-12-08T23:16:00.000-06:00

Title: Republicans block extra $250 for those on Social Security
Article Snip: "...The measure would have provided the one-time payment to 54 million Social Security recipients in lieu of an annual cost-of-living adjustment...."
Reference: www.latimes.com
Social Security Stimulus,

Medical evidence needed for disability retirement applications under FERS or CSRS

2010-12-08T11:06:00.000-06:00

Title: Medical Evidence for Disability Retirement
Article Snip: "...here are some questions that must be answered by the medical documentation you include with your application in order to be granted disability retirement by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)..."
Reference: http://www.federal-law.com/medical-evidence-for-disability-retirement via postal-newsgroup.blogspot.com
federal disability retirement

Tax break and how YOU are going to pay for it

2010-12-07T11:05:00.000-06:00

Title: Payroll Tax Cut: A Short Primer
Article Snip: "...the government would have to borrow to make up the lost revenue to the Social Security trust fund. The plan's detractors say it would undermine the program and likely become permanent..."
Reference: wsj.com
Social Security

Your nest egg is a lot skimpier than it should be. Here's what you can do now.

2010-12-06T10:56:00.000-06:00

Title: Retiring in 10 Years? Uh-Oh.
Article Snip: "...Imagine this scenario: You're only five or 10 years from when you hope to retire—but your portfolio looks like it needs another lifetime to bulk up. What do you do?..."
Reference: wsj.com
Retirement

Feds' pensions, health plans safe from cuts, for now

2010-12-03T13:39:00.000-06:00

Title: Feds' pensions, health plans safe from cuts, for now
Article Snip: "...cuts to federal employee salaries and benefits were among the recommendations that the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform did not approve today. The commission needed 14 votes to pass the strategy to reduce the federal deficit, but received only 11. ..."
Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com
federal employee salaries

Federal Workers Rage Over Obama's Pay Freeze

2010-11-30T11:17:00.000-06:00

Title: Federal Workers Rage Over Obama's Pay Freeze
Article Snip: "...Clemmens, who works for the Social Security Administration, said she voted for Obama but won't again. "I can't wait until I retire," the life-long government worker..."
Reference: foxnews.com
Federal Pay Freeze

FEHB and Retirees

2010-11-30T01:38:00.000-06:00

Title: From budgets to benefits
Article Snip: "...it is specified in the FEHB law that only two rating categories are defined - self and family. Because FEHB covers retirees, in addition to active employees and their families, the premiums for a self plus one (or married) category have been determined by OPM actuaries to be more costly than the family category for FEHB...."
Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
FEHB and retired Federal Employees

Cutting Social Security highly unpopular

2010-11-12T09:07:00.000-06:00

Title: 85% of voters polled are opposed to cutting Social Security
Article Snip: "..."The Deficit Commission does not speak for the American people. Our poll clearly shows that all voters, even conservatives, don't want to see any cuts to Social Security...."
Reference: www.democracyforamerica.com
social security cuts

Cut federal spending and freeze pay and employment levels

2010-11-11T19:28:00.000-06:00

Title: Deficit reduction panel leaders say cut federal spending and freeze pay and employment levels
Article Snip: "...The co-leaders of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform proposed cutting defense budgets, freezing military noncombat pay and federal civilian pay for three years, and reducing federal employment levels by 200,000. ..."
Reference: www.asmconline.org

Rand Paul pushes budget cuts for Social Security, Medicare

2010-11-08T10:31:00.000-06:00

Title: Rand Paul pushes budget cuts for Social Security, Medicare
Article Snip: "...Social Security, Medicare and defense should also be "on the table." "You have to look at entitlements," he said...."
Reference: www.nydailynews.com
Social Security cuts, Rand Paul, Medicare cuts,

Don't Forget Medicare

2010-11-05T12:12:00.000-05:00

Title: Don't Forget Medicare
Article Snip: "...If you're a retired federal employee over 65 and enrolled in Medicare, then it becomes the primary payer unless..."
Reference: www.govexec.com
retired federal employee and medicare,

OPM to increase interim annuities for new Fed retirees

2010-11-03T11:18:00.006-05:00

Title: OPM to increase interim annuities for new Fed retirees
Article Snip: "...Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry pledged Wednesday to increase new retirees' interim annuity payments — even if it means some will temporarily be overpaid...."
Reference: www.federaltimes.com
Federal Retirement, Federal Employee Retirees, Interim Retirement Annuities, OPM,

Regional Medicare costs rise sharply

2010-10-26T00:24:00.000-05:00

Title: Regional Medicare costs rise sharply
Article Snip: "...seniors are facing a dizzying array of Medicare plan choices with premium costs that have risen sharply -- nearly tripling in at least one case...."
Reference: www.buffalonews.com
Medicare Increase, Medicare Premium,

FERS Annuity Supplement

2010-10-21T21:45:00.000-05:00

Title: FERS Annuity Supplement
Article Snip: "...FERS annuity supplement is paid in addition to gross monthly Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) annuity benefits. It represents what you would receive for your FERS civilian service from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and is calculated as if you were eligible to receive SSA benefits on the day you retired. Eligibility for the annuity supplement continues until ..."
Reference: www.opm.gov
FERS Annuity Supplement, social security,

Seniors Protection Act of 2010 (H.R.5987)

2010-10-19T22:28:00.000-05:00

Title: H.R.5987 -- Seniors Protection Act of 2010 (Introduced in House - IH)
Article Snip: "...To ensure that seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who receive Social Security and certain other Federal benefits receive a one-time $250 payment in the event that no cost-of-living adjustment is payable in 2011. ..."
Reference: thomas.loc.gov
2011 COLA, Seniors Protection Act of 2010 (H.R.5987),

Shots hit Pentagon; temporary lockdown

2010-10-19T10:39:00.000-05:00

Title: Shots hit Pentagon; temporary lockdown
Article Snip: "...did not know whether there was any connection between Tuesday's incident and Monday's discovery of bullet holes in windows at the National Museum of the Marine Corps ..."
Reference: www.washingtonpost.com

No Social Security COLA expected for 2011

2010-10-10T11:16:00.000-05:00

Title: No Social Security COLA expected for 2011
Article Snip: "...The government is expected to announce this week that more than 58 million Social Security recipients will go through another year without an increase in monthly benefits...."
Reference: www.google.com

Federal Disability Retirement

2010-10-03T12:08:00.000-05:00

Title: Ten Dos and Don'ts in filing for Federal Disability Retirement Benefits
Article Snip: "...Once a medical condition or disability impedes, prevents, or otherwise impacts a career goal, the perspective changes. The laws which govern the attempt to file for, and obtain, Federal Disability Retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS..."
Reference: www.fedsmith.com