The annual cost-of-living adjustment will be the smallest since 2017 for CSRS / FERS annuities and Social Security benefits more…
Articles
House Passes Bill to Protect Federal Employees Returning to Offices Amid COVID-19
The legislation would require each federal agency to publish online a plan to reopen a federal office building at least 30 days prior to the return of federal employees more…
All Federal Employees Can Carry Over Unused Leave Under Proposed Legislation
If passed, the Federal Worker Leave Fairness Act allow all federal employees to carry over the leave they have accrued when a national pandemic prevents employees from taking time off of work more…
A Low COLA and Higher Medical Costs Could Mean Double Whammy for FEHB and Medicare Premiums
Federal benefits expert, Ed Zurndorfer, explains the double whammy to federal retirees of a low COLA and higher medical costs — and how there may be some relief in Congress that could minimize the problem more…
Bipartisan House Group Urges Administration To Allow Payroll Tax Deferral Opt-Out
43 House members wrote to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin asking that the federal workforce be allowed the flexibility to opt in or out of the payroll tax deferral created in an August 8 executive order more…
Upcoming Oct. 15 Deadline for IRAs and Taxes
Federal benefits and tax expert, Ed Zurndorfer, discusses the upcoming deadline for withdrawing excess 2019 IRA contributions, recharacterizing 2019 IRA contributions, and filing 2019 federal income tax returns on extension more…
More Federal Employees Subject to Mandatory Payroll Tax Deferral than Originally Anticipated
The IRS informed NTEU that the taxes are deferred if the gross salary is less than $3,999 after several pre-tax deductions are subtracted out, including health insurance premiums and deductions for flexible spending and health savings accounts more…
Understanding Your Future Long-Term Care Needs — Part III
Not every individual can qualify for long-term care insurance, its premiums can be unaffordable, and benefits paid may not be deployed as soon as the insured needs them. Federal benefits expert, Ed Zurndorfer, discusses some alternatives more…
TSP to Increase Automatic Enrollment Contribution to 5%
The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board is amending its regulations to increase the automatic enrollment percentage from 3 percent to 5 percent of basic pay for all participants who are automatically enrolled in the TSP on or after October 1, 2020 more…
Understanding Your Future Long-Term Care Needs — Part II
One way for paying for long-term care expenses is having long-term care insurance. Federal benefits expert, Ed Zurndorfer, outlines the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP): who is eligible, how to apply, the benefit choices, and the options for paying premiums… more…