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.
October20236 stories
- Medicare Advantage Plans Designed Exclusively For Federal EmployeesWith Medicare Advantage plans becoming additional options in the FEHB program, it’s important to understand the basic facts before you make changes to your coverage in retirement.
- Should You Replace A FERS Survivor Annuity With Life Insurance?Though this topic has been mentioned in another article, it deserves further discussion: should you elect “No Survivor Annuity” on your federal retirement application and use a...
- What Your TSP Beneficiaries Need To KnowLet’s start with an important question: do you recall who you listed as your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) beneficiary should you pass away?
- Will Your Spouse Need FEHB Coverage In Retirement?If your spouse will depend on your FEHB coverage in retirement it’s important to understand what will happen to their benefits if you pre-decease them.
- Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Private Life InsuranceAs you get closer to retirement, it’s important to understand that your FEGLI premiums increase as you age especially after you turn age 50.
- Life Insurance: Understanding The BasicsIf you’re considering purchasing a private life insurance policy to help out your family in the event of your death, it’s important to understand the basics and analyze why you...
August20233 stories
- Understanding The Social Security Break-Even PointAs a FERS participant, you’re eligible to collect Social Security retirement benefits because you’ve paid into the program through taxes deducted from your paychecks.
- Bereavement Leave for Federal Employees ExplainedBereavement leave is perhaps the only official leave from work we all dread having.
- You Can’t Assume You’ll Be Eligible For The FERS SupplementAs a FERS participant you may be counting on the FERS Supplement as added income if you’re planning on retiring before age 62.
July20232 stories
- Your Online Social Security StatementFor FERS and CSRS Offset employees who are eligible for Social Security, your personalized Social Security Statement provides crucial retirement-planning information.
- Your Short-Term Disability Options Under FERSAs a federal employee, if you were unable to work for a month or longer due to an illness or injury that’s not work related, you would have to rely on your paid sick leave to...
June20233 stories
- An Important To-Do List Before You Get MarriedIn the days leading up to your wedding there’s a million things to do.
- Understanding Survivor Benefits For FERS EmployeesAs a FERS participant, your survivors are eligible for a number of federal benefits in addition to your annuity.
- Why FERS Annuitants Get A Reduced Cost Of Living AdjustmentAffectionately known as the Diet COLA, FERS retirees get a reduced Cost Of Living Adjustment when consumer prices increase by 3% or more.
April20233 stories
- 3 Considerations When Choosing an FEHB Health Plan in 2023As a federal employee, you may have many concerns when approaching your retirement period.
- When You Retire, Do You Really Need Medicare Part B?As with all aspects of planning your retirement, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question: should I enroll in Medicare Part B when I’m eligible at age 65 if I’m...
- FEGLI Option B Gets Expensive After Age 50The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program is the largest group life insurance program in the world covering over 4-million Federal employees, retirees and...
February20231 story
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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