OPM Retirement Processing Backlog

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'

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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?

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

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?

 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

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