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.
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.
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.
Changes in Legislation Requiring Mandatory Medicare is an Improvement But Not the Solution Says NARFE
The House version of a postal reform bill in Congress is better than the Senate version according to NARFE, although it thinks neither is ideal. What effect do these bills have on enrollment options in Medicare, and which federal retirees would be impacted?
Accelerate the Tax Efficiency of Roth TSP Distributions
The author describes a technique known as the “The Back Door Roth TSP Withdrawal” federal employees can use to accelerate their tax benefits in retirement.
Reforming Retiree Health Insurance May Start with Mandatory Medicare, But May Not End There
A House Committee hearing last week looked at reforming the health benefits for postal employees in an effort to deal with the Postal Service’s massive and ongoing financial losses. Could moving postal workers to Medicare ultimately force other federal employees onto this system as well?
What is Worse Than No COLA? A Small COLA
What are the prospects for a cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2017 and what are the implications for federal retirees? The author looks at the current situation.
House Budget Committee Releases 2017 Budget Proposal
The House Budget Committee has released its FY 2017 budget proposal. Unlike past budgets, this one lacks some of the direct targeting of federal employees through proposed cuts, but it still includes some proposals that are applicable to federal workers. Here is a summary of these proposals.
CMS Publishes Final Medicare Part B Premium Rates For 2016
After months of speculation and debate, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published the official rates for Medicare Part B premiums beginning in January 2016.
