2013 Federal Employees Almanac

Table of Contents

  • By Almanac Staff
  • January 03, 2013
Chapter 1: Pay | Chapter 2: Insurance | Chapter 3: Retirement | Chapter 4: Post-Retirement | Chapter 5: Leave and Other Benefits | Chapter 6: Thrift Savings Plan | Chapter 7: Divorce, Legal Separation, and Annulment
Chapter 8: Employment Procedures and Policies | Chapter 9: Downsizing Policies | Chapter 10: Agency Roles and Responsibilities | Chapter 11: Travel, Transportation, and Relocation | Chapter 12: Postal Service | Chapter 13: Resources and References | Chapter 14: Taxes
 

Welcome to the 60th year of the Federal Employees Almanac!

As always, we have worked with our federal employment and benefits experts to bring you a single source of detailed information on your life as a federal employee. You’ll find everything you need to know in the 2013 Federal Employees Almanac, including updated pay tables, a leave chart, and per diem rates. You will also see new details on each of the federal insurance programs, including dental and vision plans, long-term care options, and pre-tax health and dependent care accounts. We’ve also included the most updated policies on leave, hiring, promotions and other key areas of interest for federal workers.

The Federal Employees Almanac owes its accuracy and comprehensiveness to the invaluable contributions of some of the top experts in the federal benefits and employment field. Our thanks go out to Reginald M. Jones, former director of retirement and insurance policy at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), for his work on this and previous Almanacs. Thanks also go to Ed Zurndorfer for his updates to the Taxes chapter and to Connie Lightner for her input to the U.S. Postal Service chapter.

Throughout the coming year we will update the web version of the Almanac with policy updates and legislative changes – if you haven’t already, consider adding the Web Live edition to the print copy you hold in your hands, so you can stay on top of federal employment changes as they happen. Visit our FedStore at www.FederalDaily.com for more information on the Web Live edition.

We’re proud to have served the federal community for the past 60 years and look forward to your comments and feedback on our publications. Best wishes for 2013!
 

Chapter 1 -- Pay

Main Federal Pay Schedules and Systems * General Pay Computation Procedures * Annual Pay Adjustments * Other Pay Increases, Allowances or Actions * Pay Flexibilities * Overtime Pay * Premium Pay * Severance Pay * Flexible Spending Accounts * Deductions from Pay * Section 11 -- 2012 Pay Tables and Schedules

Chapter 2 -- Insurance

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program * Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program * Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program * Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program

Chapter 3 -- Retirement

Retirement Systems: General Description  * Employee Contributions * CSRS and FERS: Service Credit Rules  * Computation of CSRS and FERS Benefits  * Early Retirement  * Disability Retirement * Alternative Form of Annuity: Lump-Sum Benefit * Specific Annuity Rules Applying to Special Groups  * Social Security Benefits

Chapter 4 -- Post-Retirement

Overview * Survivor Benefits * Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) * Re-Employment of Annuitants

Chapter 5 -- Leave and Other Benefits

Paid Time Off * Other Authorized Uses of Leave  * Leave Sharing  * Unpaid Leave  * Federal Employees' Compensation Act (Workers' Compensation Benefits) * Disability Retirement vs FECA Benefits * Unemployment Compensation * Medicare


Chapter 6 -- Thrift Savings Plan

General TSP Rules and Procedures * TSP Investment Options and Fund Performance * TSP Loans and In-Service Withdrawals * Post-Service Withdrawals from TSP Accounts * Leaving Your Money in the TSP * Death Benefits * TSP Materials and Contacts

Chapter 7 -- Divorce, Legal Separation, and Annulment

Benefits Impact of Divorce * Impact on Retirement Benefits * Impact on Health Insurance Coverage * Impact on Life Insurance Coverage * Impact on Thrift Savings Plan Accounts * Garnishment for Child Support or Alimony * References

Chapter 8 -- Employment Procedures and Policies

Hiring and Placement  * Work Scheduling  * Evaluation and Advancement * General Employment Policies * Separation Before Retirement Eligibility * Labor-Management Relations * Alternative Personnel Practices * Veterans' Employment Benefits * Senior Executive Service

Chapter 9 -- Downsizing Policies

Reductions-in-Force and Furloughs * Career Transition Assistance * Buyouts (Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments)

Chapter 10 -- Agency Roles and Responsibilities

Office of Personnel Management * Equal Employment Opportunity Commission * Merit Systems Protection Board * Office of Special Counsel * Office of Government Ethics * Federal Labor Relations Authority * Alternative Dispute Resolution and Settlements

Chapter 11 -- Travel, Transportation, and Relocation

Federal Travel and Transportation Policies * Relocation Allowances * Travel and Relocation Payment Appeals * Per Diem

Chapter 12 -- Postal Service

Postal Organization * Labor Unions and Employee Organizations * Postal Pay * Postal Employee Benefits * Workplace Policies * Union Bargaining

Chapter 13 -- Resources and References

Office of Personnel Management * General Government Information * Union, Trade, and Professional Groups

Chapter 14 -- Taxes

New Income Tax Provisions Affecting Taxpayers *  Individual Income Tax Rates * Taxation of Federal Payments and Benefits  * State Tax Treatment of Civil Service Annuities


  • ToC_2013

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