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TSP Changes Adopted in Tobacco Bill--Sick Leave Provisions for FERS Dropped in Final Legislation

FERS Sick Leave

Mitch Stewart
Army
Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:14 AM

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I'm truly disappointed in the removal of the FERS Sick Leave provision changes by the Senate. Guess I need to start calling in sick like some of those employees I can't rely on who keep a zero balance. You know, the ones that use it all up as fast as it hits the pay voucher, then want to request advance sick leave or leave without pay. Gee, I have a cough boss; feel a headache coming on..... Right, nice day to sit my well fed butt on the couch and watch TV or work in the garden.

Not that some employees don't have legit reasons, but every organization has some sub marginal employees with little value who would not last long on the civilian sector. Their long term goal is probably unemployment or relying on other social assistance programs. Better yet, let’s have them work for some Senator.

Get smart; approve the changes to FERS Sick Leave
or my response is sorry, I feel a cold coming on, might go home sick and use my 600 hours of sick leave, back in 3-4 months.

TSP Third Option

Retired
DHS USCG
Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:29 AM

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When will the third option (A survivor benefit that would allow spouses of deceased TSP participants to maintain TSP accounts) become effective if the President signs this legislation?

Above article

HR Specialist
OPM
Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:50 AM

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One unanswered question (among many) is whether the new legislation on permitting a TSP Roth IRA option will apply only - once put in place - to new contributions or if rollovers of existing TSP account balances to Roth IRAs will be an option. Fo estate planning purposes in particular, this will be an important issue for many TSP account holders.

Re: Above article

DOD
DOD
Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:05 AM
I'm speaking w/o authority here, but I think it is fairly safe to say that it would be new contribution....otherwise folks would have massive tax bills for their existing funds.

Re: Above article

Clown
Around
Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:50 PM
Roth is based on TAXED contributions. So IMHO I don't see rolling over the money you already put into TSP TAX FREE being allowed to roll over into Roth so you can take it out TAX FREE.

The Administration is going to try to tax you any way they can, and not let you off the hook twice.

Re: Above article

DoD Budget Analyst
NAVY
Thu Jul 2, 2009 10:52 AM
Clown Around - you are incorrect about Roths and the TSP. The TSP is a tax-deferred - meaning you'll pay taxes on your withdrawls at retirement. The Roth IRA or in this case Roth 401k - you pay taxes up front - aka - at your current level. It wouldn't make any sense to convert it if you've your earnings are pretty sizeable and you're older but if you're in your 20s/30s - this is a better option for people - especially now. Reason is that most TSP participants are down a fair amt in their accounts right now. If you convert over - you would have to pay taxes on all of it or if you convert a portion...whatever total amt you convert...you pay taxes on. So right now - your account is lower than it was probably 2 yrs ago...this is good if you want to convert. Then you won't have to pay taxes anymore on that money. Now go into the future 20 yrs...will we be at higher tax rates than what we are now? Chances are - YES. Mainly because of all this spending right now. SO the ROTH is good

So your sick? Go home....!

Federal Information Management Officer
EPA
Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:55 AM

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I have 42 years of federal service and have to reluctantly weigh in on this discussion. I do not know if this side of the issue has been addressed earlier. As a senior manager I have had many occasions over the years where a CSRS employee has come to work sick and I have strongly encouraged them to go home. They have often responded that they don't feel that bad and they don't want to. They further explain that they are saving thier "sick" leave for retirement. As a consequence the following weeks have shown a significant negative impact on productivity, because, everyone else is out because they "are" sick. If we are going to look at the issue of FERS employees taking leave when they are not sick, then we damn well better look at the recourse we have for administrative action against the CSRS people who see retirement dollars as more imporetant than the health of their fellow employees and office productivity. As others have said, "Where's the balance?

Re: So your sick? Go home....!

Attorney
DoD
Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:14 AM
Well, I agree that if somebody is genuinely sick, they ought to go home -- and if you are their supervisor, you ought to be able to order them to do so.

However, a lot of us are simply blessed with good health. I don't have a doctor and I seem to need only a couple of days per year when I am genuinely sick, but if I'm not sick, I'm not taking sick leave. As a result, I have accumulated so far about 1500 hours of sick leave since 1991. Good health runs in my family - my father retired from the IRS after 25 years and he had over 2000 hours of sick leave. However, he was under CSRS, so he received credit. So, yeah, I get a little miffed that FERS gives me no credit for my own productivity and taking care of myself. As things stand, I might as well plan on back aches and severe head aches a lot of the time during my last year. It's not right, but if that's the way they want it . . .

Re: So your sick? Go home....!

ACF Specialist
DHHS
Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:07 AM
I do not abuse sick leave. I will assure you though as my time draws closer to retirement "last 5 years" I will evaluate how much sick leave I have and I will be more liberal on taking off when I have aches, pains, etc. I won't wait until the last year and try to be off 1/2 the year. I will spread it out in a way as to not affect productivity and to ensure I have good health going into retirement.

FERS Sick Leave

Regional Vice President
Professional Aviation Safety Specialists
Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:01 AM

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Hopefully the FERS sick leave provision finds new life in another bill.

FERS SICK LEAVE

accountant
Air Force
Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:17 AM

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Very disappointed this did not go forward with the tobacco bill.

Tobacco Bill-Part time annuity changes

Internal Revenue Agent
Treasury IRS
Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:31 AM

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I would appreciate knowing if section 409, which recommended changes to the civil service annuity when an employee has part-time years of service was part of the bill that was approved. If it was, when will it be effective? Thank you

Total Comments: 22
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