2017 Medicare Part B Premiums Announced
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced the premiums for Medicare for 2017.
Medicare
Stay informed on Medicare topics that matter to federal retirees, including how Medicare Parts B and D coordinate with FEHB coverage, annual premium and deductible changes, and the impact of IRMAA surcharges on retirement income. Explore clear explanations of enrollment decisions, cost considerations, and policy updates that affect federal retirement planning. This section provides timely analysis to help federal retirees understand how Medicare choices interact with FEHB, OPM guidance, and long‑term healthcare costs in retirement.
Simultaneous Membership in Medicare and FEHB
The author says that money is being wasted by the government to encourage retired federal employees to have both Medicare and FEHB coverage, something that he says isn’t necessary.
0.3% COLA Increase for Federal Retirees and Social Security Recipients in 2017
There will be a COLA increase of 0.3% for federal retirees and Social Security recipients in 2017.
FEHB After Retirement: What Changes Can You Expect?
The Federal Employees Health Benefits program is one of the best benefits available to federal employees and retirees, and it can be carried into retirement after leaving federal service. The author describes some of the changes one can expect when carrying FEHB into retirement.
Groups Urge Lawmakers to Combat Rising Medicare Part B Premiums
Numerous organizations recently sent a letter to lawmakers urging them to find a way to ease the burden of expected rising Medicare part B premiums in 2017 to help retirees.
Federal Employees and Retirees Face Hard Choices With Rising Premiums
Federal employees and retirees will face a series of difficult decisions over the next month as they think about funding their benefit contributions in the midst of rising costs.
The Problem with Self Plus One
The “self plus one” option under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program has proven to be quite costly. The author looks at how high some of the premiums are and the possible cause.
Understanding How Medicare Coordinates with FEHB
The author explains Medicare’s four parts and how they overlap with the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.
NARFE Responds To Proposed Postal Reform Legislation Requiring Mandatory Medicare
The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association has sharply criticized plans by the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform to require postal retirees, their spouses and survivors to enroll in Medicare Part B or forfeit their coverage in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
The Current State of the Social Security Trust Funds
The Social Security Board of Trustees has released its latest report on the health of Social Security. The report says that the trust funds should enable paying scheduled benefits until 2034, but the author notes it doesn’t actually say the trust fund will last until then.
