Title: White House talks don’t include federal labor leaders
Article Snip: "...No one whose prime responsibility is to look out for the federal workforce was there, even though it is only federal workers who so far have been targeted in deficit reduction. And they could be called on to sacrifice more. ..."
Reference: www.washingtonpost.comTitle: Post in Hyper Drive on Effort to Cut Social Security and Medicare
Article Snip: "...The Washington Post is throwing all journalistic norms aside in its drive to cut Social Security and Medicare...."
Reference: www.businessinsider.comTitle: Federal retirees with pensions should keep some liquid assets
Article Snip: "...Your Thrift Savings Plan assets are what many call “the third leg” of retirement security: liquid financial assets that supplement your Social Security and pension income. You are entirely correct in your concern about converting your TSP assets..."
Reference: www.dallasnews.comTitle: Staying Educated on Social Security’s COLA Increase
Article Snip: "...known as COLA. This increase of 1.7 percent is the lowest increase since the 1970s, and will take effect in January of 2013..."
Reference: tellmenews.comTitle: $hrinking buyouts: An offer you can't refuse?
Article Snip: "...Since $25,000 buyouts were introduced in the 1990s, many feds hoped and assumed Uncle Sam would sweeten the kitty. Some have delayed retirement anticipating more generous buyouts. ..."
Reference: www.federalnewsradio.comTitle: Investments swell in TSP Roth funds
Article Snip: "...The number of Thrift Savings Plan participants with Roth accounts swelled to 51,354 in September, the board governing the plan said Monday...."
Reference: www.marinecorpstimes.comTitle: Federal retirement COLA of 1.7 percent announced
Article Snip: "...The increase, based on an inflation measure announced Tuesday, mirrors the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to be paid to Social Security beneficiaries. There are two main federal retirement systems: the Civil Service Retirement System, which..."
Reference: www.washingtonpost.comTitle: Medicare Open Enrollment Starts Today
Article Snip: "...The Medicare open enrollment period begins today. Learn more about the health and drug plans available...."
Reference: usa.govTitle: Federal Worker Retirement Claims Surge in September
Article Snip: "...OPM completed 12,563 retirement claims in September -- the most claims processed in a single month so far this year and 1,063 more than it expected to complete last month. The agency received 11,952 new claims in September, 4,952 more than it anticipated, and 2,979 more than it received in August. The backlog now stands at..."
Reference: www.nationaljournal.comTitle: APWU, USPS Negotiate Retirement Incentive
Article Snip: "...The APWU has negotiated a retirement incentive agreement that awards eligible full-time career employees a $15,000 payment in two installments, President Cliff Guffey has announced. The first installment will be $10,000; the second will be $5,000...."
Reference: www.apwu.orgTitle: Contracting world offers plenty of job opportunities
Article Snip: "...Do you have an itch to switch to the private sector — either because government does not suit you or because you want to keep working during your federal retirement? If so, check out the federal contracting world...."
Reference: federaltimes.comTitle: Budget office makes 2013 COLA prediction
Article Snip: "...civilian retired pay and Social Security. There had been discussion earlier this year that the annual COLA could be as high as 1.9 percent. However, a Sept. 12 statement from the nonpartisan budget office “assumes that the COLA effective on Dec., 1, 2012 would be..."
Reference: www.marinecorpstimes.comTitle: Federal workers' healthcare premiums to rise 3.4 percent
Article Snip: "...The average premium for federal employees will rise 3.4 percent next year, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced Thursday. The increase translates to an extra $2.75 per paycheck for individuals, or $6.39 for families. Federal workers' premiums went up 3.8 percent this year..."
Reference: thehill.comTitle: Best time to retire from USPS
Article Snip: "...Do the same dates hold true for postal workers as federal employees? To maximize my benefits, I believe ..."
Reference: federaltimes.comTitle: Federal employee pre-retirement information
Article Snip: "...Retirement benefits are among the important benefits of Federal employment. It’s never too early to start planning for your retirement. In this section of the OPM website, prospective Federal employees, current Federal employees, and HR specialists can find information about Federal retirement benefits. ..."
Reference: OPMTitle: The 0% Solution: Fed Strands Bank Savers, Retirees
Article Snip: "...Left out of the party once again are bank savers and U.S. retirees who live on fixed incomes, who once again lose out in the game of monetary musical chairs as low rates eat into their income -- just as they're paying more for critical commodities such as oil, gas, and groceries...."
Reference: www.thestreet.comTitle: Tax Issues You Could Face in Retirement
Title: Windfall Elimination Provision
Article Snip: "...The Windfall Elimination Provision affects how the amount of your retirement or disability benefit is calculated if you receive a pension from work where Social Security taxes were not taken out of your pay. A modified formula is used to calculate your benefit amount, resulting in a lower Social Security benefit than you otherwise would receive. ..."
Reference: www.ssa.govTitle: 10 Ways to Maximize Your Federal Benefits In The Middle of Your Career
Article Snip: "...it’s never too early to start thinking about how to prepare. It is even more important to make sure you’re doing the right things now, since there is still time to make a meaningful impact. You may even find that your eventual retirement does not have to be as far away as you thought...."
Reference: www.fedsmith.comTitle: Special Retirement Supplement (FERS Supplement) Fact Sheet
Article Snip: "...The special retirement supplement (also known as the FERS supplement) is unique to FERS. It substitutes for the Social Security part of your total FERS benefit until age 62, when most people become eligible for Social Security. The purpose of the supplement is to provide a level of income before age 62 similar to what you will receive at age 62 as part of a Social Security benefit... The eligibility requirements are..."
Reference: Federal Retiree