Benefits news
DailyFED's benefits section reports changes to the insurance programs federal employees and retirees rely on: FEHB premiums and plan changes, Open Season dates, FEGLI, FEDVIP and FSAFEDS, the Postal Service Health Benefits program, and Medicare rules that affect federal retirees.
January20244 stories
- Providing A Survivor Benefit For A Non-SpouseThough a non-spouse doesn’t qualify for the FERS survivor benefit, if someone else is financially dependent on you, there’s another option: an Insurable Interest Survivor Benefit.
- The OPM Rules For Designating A BeneficiaryWhen you pass away, your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) become valuable assets of your estate because they’re exempt from probate...
- How Your Life Insurance Needs Change Over TimeWhen you first started working for Uncle Sam, you were automatically enrolled in the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Basic Plan with the ability to increase...
- How Unused Sick Leave Can Increase Your PensionYou may be surprised to learn that, prior to 2009, FERS employees lost their unused sick leave at the end of each year.
December20234 stories
- Free Healthcare Services Under Medicare Part BThere are a number of reasons to consider coordinating your FEHB coverage with Medicare Part B (outpatient services) when you become eligible at age 65.
- What You Need To Know About The FERS 10% BonusWhat You Need To Know About The FERS 10% Bonus If you’re thinking about working longer than your Minimum Retirement Age (MRA), you may want to consider pushing your retirement...
- 2024 Brings Higher Medicare Part B Premiums & DeductiblesAs a federal employee, you become eligible for Medicare Parts A and B on your 65th birthday.
- The Latest Long-Term Care Statistics: Can You Cover The Cost Without Insurance?According to the OPM, only 267,000 federal workers out of the 11-million eligible currently carry FLTCIP to cover the cost of Long Term Care (LTC) in a facility.
November20239 stories
- Have You Calculated All The Deductions From Your FERS Pension?Many federal retirees are surprised to learn how much is deducted from their monthly FERS annuity (pension).
- Have You Developed A Strategy For “Turning On” Your Social Security Benefits?Back in the good old days, everyone became eligible for Social Security at age 65 and starting your benefits was a straightforward decision.
- Spousal Survivor Benefits: FERS, Social Security & The TSPWhen planning your FERS retirement, calculating your surviving spouse’s income after you pass away is a crucial component of your financial strategy for the future.
- The Maximum Taxable Earnings Cap For Social Security Has Increased For 2024When planning your FERS retirement, it’s important to understand how the Social Security Maximum Taxable Earnings Cap affects you during your working years and down the road...
- Understanding The Coordination of FEHB & Medicare CoverageWhen you’re working for Uncle Sam and covered under FEHB, it may not make sense to enroll in Medicare when you’re eligible at age 65.
- Did You Know Long Term Care Premiums Are Tax Deductible?Since FLTCIP premiums are set to increase significantly as of January 1, 2024, you may want to consider purchasing long term care (LTC) insurance from a private-sector insurer.
- Tips For Increasing Your Monthly FERS Pension In RetirementFor FERS participants, your monthly annuity (pension) is a source of income you can count on in retirement.
- FLTCIP Premium Increase Set To Take Effect on January 1, 2024If you’re enrolled in the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP), you may have already received notification from the administrators of the program, Long Term Care...
- Money-Saving Tips For FEHB Open SeasonWhen this year’s FEHB Open Season kicks off (November 13, 2023 through December 11, 2023), the vast majority of federal employees will not make any changes to their healthcare...
October20233 stories
- How FEHB & Medicare Work Together In RetirementAs you know, on your 65th birthday you become eligible for Medicare Parts A and B.
- Is It Time For A Beneficiary Check-Up?If you can’t remember who you chose as your TSP or FEGLI beneficiary, it’s time for a beneficiary check-up.
- Pros & Cons Of Long Term Care InsuranceAt the end of the day, the pros and cons of purchasing Long-Term Care (LTC) insurance depend entirely on your personal situation - from your finances to your overall health and...
What we cover here
- FEHB premiums. OPM's yearly premium announcement, reported the day it posts.
- Open Season. Dates, plan changes, new and departing plans.
- FEGLI and FEDVIP. Rate and program changes.
- Medicare. Part B, IRMAA and how changes affect FEHB retirees.
- PSHB. News for Postal Service employees and retirees.
The rules behind the headlines
- How FEHB works and keeping it in retirement
- Open Season, step by step
- FEHB and Medicare at 65
- FEGLI life insurance
Compare every plan's premium on the FEHB premiums page, or weigh Part B with the FEHB vs Medicare tool.
When the news affects your coverage
A premium jump or a plan leaving your area can force a decision. A Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC®) can help you think through your options before Open Season closes. Get matched with an FRC, free.
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