Federal retirees learn student-debt can be docked from Social Security

Title: Feds Dock Social Security for Unpaid Student Loans

Article Snip: "...thousands of retirees are learning that defaulting on student-debt can threaten something that used to be untouchable: their Social Security benefits...

According to government data, compiled by the Treasury Department at the request of SmartMoney.com, the federal government is withholding money from a rapidly growing number of Social Security recipients..."

Reference: socialsecuritynewsgroup.blogspot.com

Medicare part B and FERS retiree

Title: FERS retiree and Medicare part B

Article Snip: "...I was 50. I elected survivor benefits for my spouse, who is 14½ years older than I am. She was 64 when I retired. I elected to remain in FEHB. Additionally, I did not stop working, as I took a job with a private firm before my retirement date and had medical benefits with that firm, in addition to my FEHB coverage. When my spouse was eligible to receive Medicare Part B ..."

Reference: federaltimes.com

Boost Social Security Checks

Title: How to Boost Social Security Checks

Article Snip: "...certain complex strategies that can help pad a married couple's retirement savings with tens of thousands of dollars of additional income. Don't make your claiming decision lightly..."

Reference: socialsecuritynewsgroup.blogspot.com
social security,

Special hiring authorities to deal with emergency situations

Title: Hurricane guidance issued to federal workers, agencies

Article Snip: "...Special hiring authorities to deal with emergency situations allow agencies to shortcut the often lengthy standard federal hiring process, to create temporary positions, and to rehire federal retirees without the usual reduction in pay to offset the value of their annuities...."

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com

Applying for immediate retirement under the Federal Employees Retirement System

Title: Applying for immediate retirement under the Federal Employees Retirement System

Article Snip: "...Applying for immediate retirement under the Federal Employees Retirement System is a Paperback book from the U.S. Government. Get it now. Find out how to apply for retirement, when to apply for retirement, ..."

Reference: federalretiree.blogspot.com

Unemployed Forced to Early Social Security

Title: Forced to Early Social Security, Unemployed Pay a Steep Price

Article Snip: "...Keany lives in a tiny mobile home, barely getting by on little more than $1,082 a month from Social Security..."

Reference: socialsecuritynewsgroup.blogspot.com

Estimate the amount of the special retirement supplement

Title: Special retirement supplement

Article Snip: "...You can estimate the amount of the special retirement supplement by using the following formula..."

Reference: federaltimes.com
special retirement supplement

OPM contractor mails federal retirees post cards with social security numbers visible

Title: OPM contractor accidentally exposes retirees' Social Security numbers

Article Snip: "...OPM realized what had happened Oct. 29 and began trying to recover them. Because of other errors in the data files, the postcards were mailed to government agencies — and not to the retirees, as intended — in 150-card stacks. The IG report said that all but 650 postcards were found at those agencies...."

Reference: www.federaltimes.com

Early retirement buyout incentive for postal mail handlers

Title: Mail Handlers to be offered retirement incentive

Article Snip: "...The monetary incentives included in the MOU will be available (with certain restrictions) to all Mail Handlers who are currently eligible for regular retirement, voluntary early retirement, and all other employees who may wish to separate from the Postal Service. Any Mail Handler wishing to participate in this retirement incentive offer must do so no later than July 2, 2012..."

Reference: National Postal Mail Handlers Union
Early retirement incentive, Mail Handler Buyout, Postal Buyout Incentives, Postal Retirement Incentive, Voluntary Early Retirement (VER)

Social Security Benefits & Taxes

Title: Social Security Benefits & Taxes

Article Snip: "...paying income taxes on your “contributions” you are ready to retire and collect the benefits—only to find out that they may be taxable! It doesn’t seem fair, does it? Well, here’s how..."

Reference: socialsecuritynewsgroup.blogspot.com
income taxes, social security benefits

$20,000 early retirement incentives to 21,000 postmasters

Title: Postal Service drops plans to close thousands of post offices, proposes reduced hours

Article Snip: "...“If the House bill came to the floor, there would have been an uprising in both parties,” said Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), who has joined forces with Rep. Michael G. Grimm (R-N.Y.) in fighting the closures...."

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
early retirement incentives

Rep. Issa feels returning Postal Service money is a bailout

Title: GOP lawmaker calls Senate postal bill a '$33 billion bailout'

Article Snip: "...Senate bill would return some of the money that the USPS overpaid into its retirement fund, and require some of that money to be used to pay for the early retirement of thousands of USPS workers. It also delays for two years plans by the USPS to start closing offices...."

Reference:
S. 1789, Rep. Issa, Postal Buyout Incentives, USPS early Retirement,

Postal retirement incentives for about 100,000 in near future?

Title: Congress to make key vote on post office closures Tuesday

Article Snip: "...Postal Service to recoup $11 billion in retirement benefits already paid for future retirees and direct that money toward incentives for about 100,000 employees to retire in the near future. ..."

Reference: www.mitchellrepublic.com
Postal retirement incentives, USPS early Retirement,

Pension reform and the Postal Service

Title: Senate, letter carriers consider Postal Service pension reform

Article Snip: "...the Senate began considering the 21st Century Postal Service Act, which would allow for cash buyouts up to $25,000 among incentives to get as many as 100,000 postal employees to retire early. The previous pension overpayment is because of a federal law requiring it to prefund ..."

Reference: www.pionline.com

Thrift Savings Plan--essentially, the 401(k) plan for federal government workers

Title: The Government's Retirement Plan Has Appeal, and a Few Holes, Too

Article Snip: "...In a recent survey, 86% of the government workers who participate in the Thrift Savings Plan--essentially, the 401(k) plan for federal government workers--said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the plan. ..."

Reference: morningstar.com
TSP, Federal Employee Retirement,

Maximize your Social Security Benefits

Title: The Impact Of Claiming Age On Monthly Social Security Retirement Benefits: How Knowledgeable Are Future Beneficiaries?

Article Snip: "...For example, very few knew the number of years of highest earnings that are used to calculate benefits...."

Reference: www.aarp.org
The Impact Of Claiming Age On Monthly Social Security Retirement Benefits: How Knowledgeable Are Future Beneficiaries?

Would Postal plan destroy the FEHBP for all federal employees?

Title: Democrats skeptical of USPS push to sponsor own healthcare program

Article Snip: "...“In destroying the FEHBP, the USPS would disrupt the health insurance of 8 million Americans..."

Reference: thehill.com
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), Threat To FEHBP, destroy the FEHBP,

Interior Department is developing a plan to cut almost 5,000 jobs

Title: Interior Department planning for 7% staffing cut

Article Snip: "...The Interior Department is developing a plan to cut almost 5,000 jobs by September 2013, according to a memo this week from a top agency official, but a spokeswoman for the Office of Management and Budget downplayed the likelihood that the plan will take effect...."

Reference: www.federaltimes.com
federal job cuts, Department of Interior, Interior Department,

Federal agency plans to grant buyouts and early-outs

Title: IRS offers targeted buyouts to employees in enforcement divisions

Article Snip: "...The early retirements and buyout offers will be offered to employees in three enforcement areas..."

Reference:
www.federalnewsradio.com

Possible Postal Buyout Incentives and Early Retirements as USPS Announces Mail Processing Plant Closures

Title: Huntsville Mail Processing Facility located on Wall Triana to Close

Article Snip: "...Postal officials also stated that the U. S. Postal Service is also considering early retirement programs and possible buyout incentives to reduce the number of postal employees...."

Reference: Rocket City