The Proposed Federal Benefit That Won’t Die

A proposal to allow federal employees under the FERS system to get credit for unused sick leave did not get through the legislative process last year and was recently eliminated in new legislation during the legislative process. The proposal is back again though in a bill that has an assortment of new, improved benefits for portions of the federal workforce.

Pay Parity and Your 2010 Pay Raise

Congress says it approves the idea of pay parity between federal employees and military personnel but doesn’t indicate how much should be approved for a possible pay raise in 2010. Will federal employees be asked to take a lower raise in the midst of rising unemployment and low inflation? Also, federal retirees are on track to go without a COLA increase.

Looking Out for Your Best Interests? Congress, Tobacco and Changes to the TSP

A new bill to change the regulation of tobacco has passed the House. Embedded in this legislation are changes to the Thrift Savings Plan. If Congress sees an advantage in changing a program with billions of dollars at stake and some small portion of those billions represent your personal financial future in retirement, you may want to pay attention.