S. 2251: Sen. Elizabeth Warren Introduces Bill Providing One-time Payment of $581 to Social Security Beneficiaries, Veterans

Title: Sen. Elizabeth Warren Introduces Bill Providing One-time Payment of $581 to Social Security Beneficiaries, Veterans

Article Snip: "...On Thursday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced S. 2251, the Seniors and Veterans Emergency Benefits Act. The bill would provide a one-time payment in 2016 to Social Security beneficiaries, veterans, and others of $581, or 3.9% of the average Social Security retirement benefit. The legislation would not only help current retirees, but also make an important statement about fairness. Last year the average CEO pay increase was 3.9%, while retirees and people with disabilities will be going without any cost-of-living adjustment in 2016..."

Reference: www.apwu.org
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), S. 2251,

Don’t Forget to ‘Turn On’ Your Benefits

Title: Don’t Forget to ‘Turn On’ Your Benefits

Article Snip: "...what steps federal employees need to take to receive their benefits after retirement. As with most questions in life, the answer can be complex. Once an employee determines they are eligible for retirement..."

Reference: www.govexec.com

FEHB and FEGLI Benefits on Retirement

Title: FEHB and FEGLI Benefits on Retirement

Article Snip: "...a larger question that readers keep asking me. “If I leave government on an immediate, postponed, deferred or disability annuity, will I be able to continue my Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage? And while you’re at it, I have the same question about my Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance coverage.”..."

Reference: www.fedweek.com
FEHB in retirement, FEGLI in retirement,

FAQ on Social Security COLAs: AARP shares what, when, how, why

Title: FAQ on Social Security COLAs: AARP shares what, when, how, why

Article Snip: "...COLAs currently understate the cost of living for the elderly, because they are based on increases in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which only measures the spending of families who make most of their income from wage earners or clerical workers. It excludes families whose main sources of income are pensions and Social Security..."

Reference: www.usatoday.com
2016 COLA (Social Security),

Mike Huckabee Speaks Out on Social Security

Title: Mike Huckabee Speaks Out on Social Security

Article Snip: "...Huckabee continued: And the government has squandered what they paid in, and there are some that think the answer to that is to just break the promises to Americans. I think that’s the wrong answer, because it isn’t workers’ faults that their money has been squandered..."

Reference: www.breitbart.com
Social Security

‘Where Can We Find Retirement Income Facts?’

Title: Feds Ask, ‘Where Can We Find Retirement Income Facts?’

Article Snip: "...Where can you find information about federal pensions? ...Where can I find info I need about my Social Security retirement income benefits?...How much should be put into the TSP?..."

Reference: www.fedsmith.com

The Thrift Savings Plan has huge advantages for participants.

Title: The Great Retirement Plan Every Federal Employee Should Use

Article Snip: "...the Thrift Savings Plan, or TSP for short. The TSP has many features that are similar to what a 401(k) offers, but it also gives federal workers key advantages over most 401(k) plans. Let's look more closely at the Thrift Savings Plan and what makes it such a great option for those who are eligible..."

Reference: www.fool.com
TSP

Will You Be Forced To Pay Into Medicare?

Title: Will You Be Forced To Pay Into Medicare?

Article Snip: "...Congress is considering a bill that would require postal retirees to enroll in Medicare Parts B and D or lose their Federal health insurance. Is this the future for all Federal retirees? Medicare is facing years of higher costs..."

Reference: www.fedsmith.com

Social Security Loopholes

Title: Social Security Loopholes

Article Snip: "...Had you simply saved and invested, you would probably be retiring as a multimillionaire. But because you were required to pay into Social Security, now you have to figure out how best to get back some of your money. Being aware of some Social Security loopholes will help you choose between options that differ by as much as a quarter of a million dollars ..."

Reference: www.emarotta.com

Federal Employee Retirement Funds Tank in August

Title: Federal Employee Retirement Funds Tank in August

Article Snip: "...The government securities (G) fund was the only option that ended the month in the black, scraping by with 0.18 percent growth for August. That fund – one of TSP’s most stable offerings – was up 1.33 percent for the year to date..."

Reference: www.govexec.com

Special Military Social Security Rate

Title: Special Military Social Security Rate

Article Snip: "...The information that follows applies only to active duty military service earnings from 1940 through 2001. This program adds to your overall income factor..."

Reference: militaryvetnews.blogspot.com
Social Security Income Factor, calculating social security, social security, Extra Earnings for Military Service,

10 secrets to get more from Social Security

Title: 10 secrets to get more from Social Security

Article Snip: "...There are more than 2,700 rules in Social Security's handbook. It's enough to make you want to give up on ever figuring out the best choices to make for your retirement. But if you do your homework and fully maximize your benefits..."

Reference: www.usatoday.com

Bernie Sanders wants to increase your Social Security check

Title: Can Bernie Sanders save retirement?

Article Snip: "...The self-described democratic socialist from Vermont – who is running for the Democrats' 2016 presidential nomination, although he is an independent – wants to not just preserve Social Security, but expand it. "We should not be talking about cutting Social Security benefits. We should be talking about expanding benefits to make sure that every American can retire with dignity," Sanders said recently in a statement accompanying a bill to increase Social Security benefits by $65 per month. ..."

Reference: www.usnews.com

Representative Payee Fraud Prevention Act of 2015 (S. 1576) is meant to protect federal retirees

Title: Bill Aims to Crack Down on Embezzlement of Federal Retirement Funds

Article Snip: "...federal workers rely on their savings and pensions which they worked hard for to retire with dignity,” said Heitkamp. “Most financial caregivers are loved ones who selflessly step in to manage the finances for retirees who are unable to do so, but we have heard about a few bad actors who are stealing that money from retirees. Such harsh actions deserve harsh punishments. Our bipartisan bill would help deter these activities by imposing criminal penalties on financial caregivers..."

Reference: www.fedsmith.com
Representative Payee Fraud Prevention Act of 2015 (S. 1576),

Voting record of every U.S. Representative and Senator on issues important to current and future retirees

Title: The Alliance Releases Annual Congressional Voting Record

Article Snip: "...On Tuesday, the Alliance released its annual report detailing the voting record of every U.S. Representative and Senator on issues important to current and future retirees. ..."

Reference: www.apwu.org

Possible Exemption: 10% penalty tax on early distributions from Thrift Savings Plan for qualified public safety employees

Title: HR 2146 - Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act

Article Snip: "...The proposed bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the exemption from the 10% penalty tax on early distributions from a government retirement plan for qualified public safety employees who have reached age 50, to expand the exemption to include specified federal law enforcement officers, customs and border protection officers, federal firefighters, and air traffic controllers who similarly have reached age 50. ..."

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
HR 2146

Senators Seek Clarity on Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board Programs’ Cyber Integrity

Title: Senators Seek Clarity on Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board Programs’ Cyber Integrity

Article Snip: "...recent reports suggest that the Board may have significant weaknesses in its networks,” the Senators wrote. The Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration has said that it has had difficulty accessing the Board’s networks in order to conduct a compliance audit, which is required by law. “Independent assessment is an essential part of any organization’s cyber risk management program,” the Senators wrote. “We urge you to allow the auditors to conduct the necessary penetration testing..."

Reference: www.hsgac.senate.gov

House decides not to screw-over federal workers yet: New budget proposal drops federal benefit cuts

Title: New budget proposal drops federal benefit cuts

Article Snip: "...The House budget included proposals to 10 percent through attrition and increase Postal Service employee contributions to their health insurance premiums as well as decreases the rate of return on the Thrift Savings Plan's government securities fund (G Fund) and encourages the elimination of the Federal Employee Retirement System annuity supplement. None of those proposals made it into the final version..."

Reference: www.federaltimes.com
House budget

Social Security Credit for Military Service

Title: Social Security Credit for Military Service

Article Snip: "...If you are a FERS or CSRS-Offset employee, the military-related Social Security time could increase the Social Security benefit you already stand to receive. In either case, be sure that military service time is included in any benefit payments if you are already retired or benefit projections if you are still actively employed...."

Reference: www.fedweek.com

Important Medicare Reminder! Three (3) months before your 65th birthday you should enroll in Medicare (If you qualify)

Title: Medicare

Article Snip: "...There are 2 main ways to get your Medicare coverage— Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO). Some people get additional coverage, like Medicare prescription drug coverage or Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). Learn about these coverage choices and 3 steps to help you decide how to get your coverage...."

Reference: www.medicare.gov