May 21, 2012


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Panel questions VA on faulty mental health data

The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs said VA’s measurement data for assessing how long vets wait to get mental health care services is flawed, and the panel wants an explanation.


Federal Benefits Q&A

Question: “I am retired Civil Service Retirement System and military. My wife is retired under the Federal Employees Retirement System. I currently have a survivor’s benefit for her under the military and civil service. Will she have any reduction of any Social Security or anything when I pass on? Will there be any reduction of her Social Security when she starts to draw it at 62?”


OPM issues final rules for new Pathways programs

The Office of Personnel Management this month rolled out final regulations for the programs the administration announced last year to provide a path into federal service for students, recent college graduates and professionals.


Insight by Mike Causey: Under the microscope

Feds have taken lots of shots in the past couple of years but, except for the pay freeze, damage has been light. So is it going to get worse before it gets better? Mike Causey, normally an optimist, says there may be a new round of trouble and bad press ahead as the summer travel season gets underway.


Senate panel advances domestic partnership benefits bill

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee last week approved legislation that would entitle federal employees in same-sex domestic partnerships to the same benefits now available to married federal employees


OMB tells agencies to cut travel, conference expenses

The Office of Management and Budget on May 11 released a memorandum to agency heads that lays out tighter spending policies for travel and conferences.


Informed Investor: Understanding survivor benefit elections: Part I

An important decision a retiring employee must make is whether or not to provide a survivor annuity. In the first of four columns discussing survivor annuity benefits, this week’s column focuses on spousal survivor annuity benefits for married CSRS/CSRS Offset employees. The column also covers such annuities for former spouses of those employees.


Thrift Savings Plan Share Prices

Prices as of May 16, 2012.


Special counsel pushes for Hatch Act reforms

The top official at the agency responsible for enforcing the laws that prohibit government employees from participating in partisan political activity last week told members of a House panel that those laws are outdated and badly in need of revision.


Opponents slam bill to take 5% more from fed paychecks

A move led by the House GOP to compel federal employees to contribute an additional 5 percent of salary to retirement is drawing strong criticism from federal employee organizations and fed-friendly lawmakers.


Panel OKs hikes in Tricare pharmacy co-pays

The House Armed Services Committee turned back the administration’s call to include new and increased Tricare fees in the defense authorization bill the panel passed this month, but the bill does increase some pharmacy co-pays.


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Kristi Dougherty, General Manager
Phil Piemonte, Managing Editor
Sherkiya Wedgeworth, Online Managing Editor
Nathan Abse, Writer
Mike Causey, Columnist
Edward Zurndorfer, Columnist

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