TSP Two-step authentication mandatory before the end of 2019

Snippet of Article: "...(December 4, 2019) All TSP participants must have validated contact information and use two-step authentication to log into My Account before the end of 2019. You can avoid interruption to your account access by adding these security features in your My Account Profile Settings now. Download instructions (pdf)PDF file. Two-step authentication helps protect your account against fraud. This login process is more secure because it means that online access to your account requires something you know (your account number or username and password) and something you have (the one-time code you receive in your email or on your phone). Someone who tries to log into your account fraudulently won’t be able to gain access without the code. We recommend that you include at least one contact method on your account that will stay with you through career, such as a personal email...."

Source: www.tsp.gov

TSP, Two-Step Authentication Requirement,

Census Fails Key Recruiting and Hiring Tests as It Gears Up for 2020 Count

Snippet of Article: "...The failures were so severe they “present a risk to the successful completion of the 2020 Census program,” according to the Commerce Department’s inspector general..."

Source: www.govexec.com

Census 2020

Postmaster General Megan Brennan Announces Retirement

Snippet of Article: "...The NPMHU congratulates Postmaster General Megan Brennan on her pending retirement and thanks her for her 33 years of service to the United States Postal Service..."

Source: NPMHU 317

Postmaster General Megan Brennan

New Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) withdrawal options now available

Snippet of Article: "...all participants now have more options when seeking to withdraw retirement savings from their TSP accounts. For a detailed summary of the new withdrawal options, read our updated fact sheet, Questions and Answers about Changes to TSP Withdrawal Options PDF file. For information about in-service withdrawal options, visit the “In-Service Withdrawals” section of tsp.gov and download our updated booklet, In-Service Withdrawals PDF file. For information about post-separation withdrawals, visit the “Withdrawals After Leaving Federal Service” section of tsp.gov and download our updated booklet Withdrawing from Your TSP Account PDF file...."

Source: www.tsp.gov

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP),

2020 Social Security Benefits to Increase 1.6%

Snippet of Article: "...recipients of Social Security benefits, is a downgrade from the 2.8% increase some federal retirees received in 2019, and the 2% boost they saw in 2018. The annual COLA is based on the percentage increase in the average Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)..."

Source: www.govexec.com

COLA (Social Security), COLA (FERS Retiree vs CSRS Retiree),

Federal Workers Face Another Huge Health Insurance Increase in 2020

Feds face 5.6% health insurance hike

Snippet of Article: "...Feds are facing a steep increase in insurance premiums under the Federal Employees Health Benefits plan in 2020. The Office of Personnel Management announced Oct. 2 that federal workers and retirees enrolled in the FEHB program..."

Source: fcw.com

Bankrupting Federal Retirees, Healthcare Costs, Destruction of America's working class, FEHB 2020,

Local, federal officials conducting law enforcement operation across North Alabama

Snippet of Article: "...The Huntsville Police Department says it is working with federal authorities, including the Drug Enforcement Agency and FBI, on part of a federal law enforcement operation..."

Source: www.waaytv.com

DEA, FBI,

College professor spends nearly $190K in federal grants on strip clubs, sports bars

Snippet of Article: "...Dr. Chikaodinaka D. Nwankpa misused $189,062 of government grants from July 2007 through April 2017 while working at Drexel University, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The university has agreed to pay back the money..."

Source: www.usatoday.com

Federal Grants,

Sen. Warren wants to increase Social Security benefits my making wealthy pay fair share

Expanding Social Security

Snippet of Article: "...We need to get our priorities straight. We should be increasing Social Security benefits and asking the richest Americans to contribute their fair share to the program. For years, I’ve helped lead the fight in Congress to expand Social Security. And today I’m announcing a plan to provide the biggest and most progressive increase in Social Security benefits in nearly half a century. My plan: Increases Social Security benefits immediately by $200 a month — $2,400 a year — for every current and future Social Security beneficiary in America. Finances these changes and extends the solvency of Social Security by nearly two decades by asking the top 2% of families to contribute their fair share to the program..."

Source: medium.com

Retirement News: When Do I Stop Paying Social Security Tax?

When Do I Stop Paying Social Security Tax?

Snippet of Article: "...Whether you're salaried or self-employed, you must generally contribute throughout your entire working life. There are, however, a few exceptions..."

Source: www.investopedia.com

Possible Relief from Social Security cuts for certain retirees (WEP)

Social security relief for federal retirees, and other bills to watch after August recess

Snippet of Article: "...Lawmakers have been trying for more than a decade now to address the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), a complicated relic from a 1983 law that reduces Social Security benefits for..."

Source: federalnewsnetwork.com

Thrift Savings Plan User? This is the Only Cheat Sheet You’ll Need

Snippet of Article: "...because you have access to a great investment program: the Thrift Savings Plan. This TSP Cheat Sheet covers your investment options and costs, and provides helpful tips in guiding your very own 401(k)-style investment plan to success..."

Source: www.doughroller.net

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP),

Federal, military, social security retirees inching toward 2020 COLA

Snippet of Article: "...For most retirees, the COLA is a big deal. For some it is financially critical. Health insurance premiums paid by most federal, postal and military retirees are almost certain to go up next year. The new premiums will be made public in November and retirees will have the option to switch to less expensive, but in many cases equally good, plans. But the fact is most don’t. Only a small percentage of workers or retirees change plans each open season. Even though experts say 30% or more should. For retirees the picture is grim. While many should be in less expensive HMOs or the standard option of a plan with multiple choices, most avoid HMOs. Many, if not most, are still in the high option of the plan they were in when they retired, even though its premiums — because it is top-heavy with older, sicker customers — have gone through the roof..."

Source: federalnewsnetwork.com

2020 COLA, FERS, CSRS, federal health insurance,

Pentagon May Have Released Weaponized Ticks That Helped Spread of Lyme Disease: Investigation Ordered

Snippet of Article: "...The amendment was put forward by Rep. Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey, who was "inspired" by several books and articles claiming that the U.S. government had conducted research at facilities such as Fort Detrick, Maryland, and Plum Island, New York, for this purpose. One of the books that Smith refers to—called Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons..."

Source: www.newsweek.com

Corporate Welfare is Destroying the Working Class Taxpayer

Welfare for the Well-Off: How Business Subsidies Fleece Taxpayers

Snippet of Article: "...Some of the most subsidized recipients of public assistance are not welfare queens housed in public tenement apartments. They are not even poor or ailing at all. Far from it. America's most costly welfare recipients today are Fortune 500 companies. In 1997 the Fortune 500 corporations recorded best-ever earnings of $325 billion, yet incredibly Uncle Sam doled out nearly $100 billion in taxpayer subsidies. These welfare payments come in every conceivable shape and size: government grants, sweetheart business deals arranged by the Commerce Department, cut-rate insurance, low-interest loans, a protective wall against foreign competition, exclusive government contracts, and a mind-boggling maze of special interest loopholes in the tax code. Table 1 lists the 1997 appropriations for fifty-five of the most unjustified federal business subsidy spending programs as compiled by the Cato Institute. Their combined price tag came to $38 billion in 1997..."

Source: www.hoover.org

corporate tax rate, Corporate Welfare, Destruction of America's working class, business subsidy spending programs,

Secure the Border: Hear it from those living the nightmare of illegal invasion

The Wall: Violence on ranchers' land

Click to hear Youtube video

Ranchers dealing with 300+/- illegals per day. The problem is drug smuggling and human trafficking. Ranchers dealing with theft, murders, rapes, etc. Ranchers need more Border Patrol agents. America needs more border protection as it is out of control with 600,000 per year illegally crossing. Ranchers said with Trump in office it's been the best it's been in 30 years. He has made a difference in slowing the invasion. If you don't like Trump, just make sure you vote for someone that will fix this problem.
Source: Youtube

Illegal Immigration, Smugglers, Drugs, Border Security, Rapes, Human Trafficking,

Insider exposes Google’s efforts to influence 2020 U.S. election against Trump

Insider exposes Google’s efforts to influence 2020 election against Trump

Snippet of Article: "...Google interferes with search results, censors conservative views and even directly manipulates facts in the name of ‘fairness’, according to internal video and documents a whistleblower has turned over to Project Veritas. The internet giant has a near-monopoly on web searches globally and owns the most popular video sharing site, YouTube..."

Source: axisoflogic.com

Google, Trump 2020, Biased Media, Attack on Democracy, Collusion by Google to influence 2020 election,

A US government agency forced open a gate in the private border wall

Snippet of Article: "...Kolfage told CNN a private property owner also owns part of the road leading to the monument and has the right to limit access.”Access to the monument can ultimately be restricted indefinitely by the private property landowner if he deems it’s necessary..."

Source: thebaltimorepost.com

Border Wall, Department of State, International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) (USIBWC), Private Border Wall,

Help Build the Wall: https://webuildthewall.us/

Private Border Walll Working So Well That Boundary Commission (IBWC) Chains Gate Open

Boundary Commission (IBWC) Chains Gate Open in Private Border Wall

Snippet of Article: "...Since Monday, a gate in Kolfage’s border wall has been locked in place by the International Boundary and Water Commission. In response, Kolfage has urged his followers to call the IBWC and demand they “#CloseTheGate..."

Source: www.thedailybeast.com

Department of State, International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), Border Wall, Private Border Wall,

New Report Underscores Efforts to Erode Public Power

Snippet of Article: "...The report, New Rules for the 21st Century: Corporate Power, Public Power, and the Future of the American Economy, was issued by the Roosevelt Institute...Government spending goes disproportionately to programs that benefit the rich. Fortunately, the report does more than just describe a doomsday scenario that leaves average people poorer while the elites grow ever richer and more powerful..."

Source: apwu.org

Destruction of America, Destruction of America's working class,

Federal employees could see their largest pay increase in a decade

Snippet of Article: "...Members of the House Appropriations Committee moved June 3 to give federal employees a significant increase in overall pay in 2020, directly contradicting the White House budget proposal..."

Source: www.federaltimes.com

2020 Federal Pay Increase, Pay Raise 2020, federal worker pay, Federal employee pay raise,

Homeland Security reportedly warns of Chinese-made drones stealing data

DJI Mavic Air

Snippet of Article: "...The government is concerned commercial drones made in China and used in the US are being used to steal data or infect networks with malware, according to CyberScoop and Politico. An advisory against using these drones would include Chinese drone maker DJI's extensive portfolio, including the DJI Spark, and the DJI Mavic Air ..."
Source: www.cnet.com

Schumer asks the federal government to probe Chinese plans to update NY subway system

Snippet of Article: "...the New York subway system and government agencies must determine whether this poses any threat to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its commuters, Schumer said in a statement to Reuters. "Given what we know about how cyberwarfare works, and recent attacks that have hit transportation and infrastructure hubs..."

Source: www.businessinsider.com

China, cyberwarfare, Transportation and infrastructure hubs

Leaving the TSP for more options? Think again.

Snippet of Article: "...if you were planning to move everything, or anything, out of the TSP, you might want to checkout the upcoming changes, which for many, could result in the best of both investing and safety worlds..."

Source: federalnewsnetwork.com

TSP

House members quietly explore taking a pay raise this year

Snippet of Article: "...unless lawmakers vote to overturn it. Democrats opted not to try to kill the pay raise in drafting the legislative branch spending bill..."

Source: www.nbcnews.com

9,500 new TSP millionaires

Snippet of Article: "...At the end of March, the number of both active and retired federal workers with $1 million plus accounts stood at 32,638, up from 23,098 in March 2018. The vast majority of TSP millionaires are rank and file workers who’ve been investing an average of 30 years. Virtually all of them are heavily, or exclusively, invested in the federal 401K plans C and stock, large and small cap, funds..."

Source: federalnewsnetwork.com

TSP

Senator Scott Wilk Urges Congress To ‘Fix’ Retirement’ Policy

Snippet of Article: "...The Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), were passed in the 1970s in an effort to prevent “double-dipping” from social security and other government pensions, according to Wilk The GPO does so by cutting benefits when an individual receives a government pension, and their spouse is eligible for social security from non-government employment..."

Source: www.hometownstation.com

Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), Government Pension Offset (GPO), Senator Scott Wilk,

AFGE Applauds Introduction of Senate Bill to Provide Paid Family Leave to Federal Workers

Snippet of Article: "...Thank you to Senator Schatz for introducing this important legislation, which would provide federal employees with 12 weeks of paid leave for reasons covered by the Family Medical Leave Act, including a new child, a family illness, or issues involving military deployments. The Senate bill, S 1174, is a companion to HR 1534, which was introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney in March and currently has 27 bipartisan cosponsors. "Federal employees currently receive no paid time off for the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, or to address other family medical emergencies..."

Source: finance.yahoo.com

Paid Family Leave, Family Leave,

Federal Union Wants Congress to Ask TSA Chief About Orlando Bullying Reports

Snippet of Article: "...The largest union of government employees is calling on Congress to question the TSA administrator about reports of bullying and retaliation at Orlando International Airport, which were brought to light by a Spectrum News Watchdog Investigation..."

Source: www.baynews9.com

TSA, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE),

Trump approves pay raise for federal workers retroactive to Jan. 1, 2019

Trump approves pay raise for federal workers

Snippet of Article: "...President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order allowing Congressionally approved 1.9 percent pay raises for federal workers to go into effect, retroactive to Jan. 1...."

Source: thehill.com

2019 Federal Employee Pay Raise, Federal pay raise,

Here are 3 reasons you should get a Roth IRA

Snippet of Article: "...But most advisers have this to say about Roth IRAs. “The Roth is the second-best deal in the tax code,” says William Harris, a certified financial planner and retirement management adviser..."

Source: www.usatoday.com

Roth

Trump Administration Proposes Eliminating Pensions for Some New Feds

Snippet of Article: "...Under the new program, those workers would be enrolled in the Thrift Savings Plan, which operates similarly to a private sector 401(k) retirement plan, but would not be eligible for a federal pension..."

Source: www.govexec.com

pensions, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP),

S&P 500 futures flat after report finds no Trump campaign collusion with Russia

Snippet of Article: "...after U.S. Attorney General William Barr said Special Counsel Robert Mueller had found no evidence of collusion between President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign team and Russia..."

Source: www.reuters.com

Trump Bump, Trump Legacy, No Collusion With Russia (Trump Investigation Results), S&P 500, C Fund, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP),

Trump's Postal Reform Proposals Met With Criticism From Lawmakers, USPS Management

Snippet of Article: "...proposed the Postal Service join the rest of government in not allowing its employees to negotiate over pay. Multiple members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee rejected that suggestion, while David Williams, a recently sworn-in member of the agency’s board of governors, said he could think of “no way at all” such an approach would address the most significant drivers of USPS’s precarious financial situation..."

Source: www.govexec.com

Trump 2020 budget targets feds’ health and retirement benefits

Snippet of Article: "...The budget would also eliminate the Special Retirement Supplement, which provides additional funds for those employees that retire before age 62, when Social Security kicks in. This is especially relevant for positions like law enforcement personnel, who have a mandatory retirement age that is earlier than 62. The plan would also reduce the interest rate on the Thrift Savings Plan’s G Fund..."

Source: www.federaltimes.com

Special Retirement Supplement (SRS), FERS, Attack on the Working Class, G Fund Interest Rate, TSP, Trump (2020 Budget Proposals), Destruction of Federal Employee Retirement,

U.S. Postal Service contract proposals reek of contempt for the workforce

U.S. Postal Service APWU contract proposals reek of contempt for the workforce

APWU Contract Negotiations Update: Management and Union Exchange Final Economic Proposals

Snippet of Article: "...USPS economic proposals are nothing short of draconian and regressive. Their proposals include: No increase in pay rates – a freeze for current employees: One lump sum payment in lieu of the usual annual pay raise; Lump sum payments in lieu of COLAs. Decreasing the career workforce..."

Source: www.apwu.org

Worst Places to Work, Poor Wages, Draconian Organization (USPS), contempt for the workforce (USPS), Destruction of the working class, Anti-Employee Organizations,

Formerly furloughed federal worker claims $29.5M jackpot

Snippet of Article: "...who had been a furloughed federal employee, finally claimed her $29.5 million jackpot..."

Source: www.ajc.com

Lottery Winners (Federal Workers),

Support This Now: New Social Security Legislation Introduced

New Social Security Legislation Introduced

Snippet of Article: "...This looming problem is due to the cap on payroll taxes at $132,900, meaning each person only pays the 12.4 percent Social Security tax up to that amount, no matter how much income they earn. The vast majority of workers pay the full 12.4 percent on most of their income – Jeff Bezos, by comparison, pays about .00028 percent of his income. Sen. Sanders’s bill, first introduced in the Senate in 2017, would remove this cap, and require those making over $250,000 per year to pay full Social Security taxes. The bill also includes a new 6.2 percent tax on single people with investment income above $200,000 and couples above $250,000. In addition to keeping Social Security fully solvent, the bill would increase benefits for all Social Security recipients, provide higher cost-of-living..."

Source: www.apwu.org

Expand Social Security Act, Social Security, Bernie Sanders,

The Law Will Be on President Trump’s Side If He Declares an Emergency to Fund His Wall

The Law Will Be on Trump’s Side If He Declares an Emergency to Fund His Wall

Snippet of Article: "... 'Good government,' Hamilton explained in Federalist No. 70, requires “energy in the executive,' which is 'essential to the protection of the community from foreign attacks' and 'the steady administration of the laws.' In this case, the web of congressional authorizations and emergency powers does not contradict the constitutional scheme, but instead amplifies it. Not only do presidents still have some reservoir of constitutional authority to declare emergencies, but Congress has seen fit to enhance it with the right to re-allocate spending to support such a declaration. Despite the pleas of administration critics, the Supreme Court will almost certainly agree..."

Source: www.nationalreview.com

Emergency Need for Border Wall, Can the President declare a 'National Emergency' to build a border protection wall? Yes, national emergency, Trump Legacy,

‘Nobody Cares About Us.’ Federal Contract Workers Who Won’t Get Back Pay Feel Forgotten After Government Shutdown

Snippet of Article: "...She had her car repossessed. She couldn’t afford to buy her grandchildren’s favorite lunches and snacks. After missing January rent payments, Williams now worries about the possibility of eviction and is starting to pack her bags for a potential move to North Carolina, where her mother left a home behind..."

Source: www.yahoo.com

Contract Workers, Shutdown 2018, Shutdown 2019,