"...Under the proposed increases, in addition to the 46-cent rate for the first ounce, the cost for each additional ounce would go up a penny to 18 cents. The cost to mail a postcard would go up 2 cents to 30 cents...."
This Article is From: www.federalnewsradio.comWednesday, July 7, 2010
Stamp Increase ...any early retirement offers to reduce numbers?
Friday, June 11, 2010
The ten biggest errors federal employees make, pt. 2
Article Title: The ten biggest errors federal employees make, pt. 2
Snippet of Article: "...What are the 10 biggest mistakes feds make when planning for retirement? Ed Zurndorfer is a registered employee benefit consultant. He's come up with a list...."
Source: www.federalnewsradio.comFriday, June 4, 2010
Woman retires after nearly 65 years as a federal employee
Article Title: Woman retires after nearly 65 years as a federal employee
Snippet of Article: "...Edena Wood had thought about it for years but finally decided it was time to leave after nearly 65 years as a federal employee. ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.comTuesday, May 25, 2010
Federal Employee Credit Card Abuse
Article Title: No Consequences for Government Employees Who Charged Massive Shopping Spree to Taxpayers
Snippet of Article: "...Paige said since the last GAO report on the issue there’s been an “explosion” in the number of government purchase cards, with 300,000 federal employees currently carrying them. By turning a blind eye when they are abused, she says, the government is inviting more of the behavior...."
Source: www.foxnews.comMonday, May 10, 2010
New Report Reveals U.S. Federal Data Security Vulnerabilities and Opportunities for Improvement
Article Title: New Report Reveals U.S. Federal Data Security Vulnerabilities and Opportunities for Improvement
Snippet of Article: "...According to the Federal File Transfer Report, Federal employees are exposing data to cyber criminals. Though 71 percent of Federal IT and information security professionals are concerned with Federal file transfer security, 54 percent admit they do not currently monitor for FTP..."
Source: www.earthtimes.orgSaturday, May 8, 2010
Federal Government Employment and Windfall Elimination
Article Title: Federal Government Employment and Windfall Elimination
Snippet of Article: "...this provision affects Social Security benefits when any part of a person’s federal service after 1956 is covered under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). However, federal service where Social Security taxes are withheld (Federal Employees’ Retirement System) will not reduce your Social Security benefit amounts. The Windfall Elimination Provision may apply if:..."
Source: www.ssa.govGates seeks big cuts in military spending
Article Title: Gates seeks big cuts in military spending
Snippet of Article: "...The Defense secretary invokes Dwight Eisenhower as he calls for spending reductions in military healthcare and the command structure. He wants to cut $10 billion to $15 billion from a $547-billion Pentagon base budget...."
Source: www.latimes.comFederal Employee Case Law Spotlight: Security Clearance
Article Title: ADAMS v. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Snippet of Article: "...was employed as an Information Technology Specialist with the Security Intelligence Operations Directorate of the Missile Defense Agency ("MDA"). His position required him to maintain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. By letter dated April 2, 2009, the Defense Intelligence Agency ("DIA")..."
Source: www.leagle.comOPM tests letting feds work without a schedule
Article Title: OPM tests letting feds work without a schedule
Snippet of Article: "...In the effort to attract and retain a new generation of federal workers, what can the federal government offer beyond a steady paycheck and good fringe benefits? ..."
Source: www.federalnewsradio.com
Friday, May 7, 2010
How to get a Federal Government Job
Article Title: How to get a job in the Federal Government [PDF Document]
Snippet of Article: "...With more than 1.7 million jobs and over 400 occupational specialties (excluding postal service and military workers), the Federal Government offers more choices than any other single employer in the United States. Whatever your interest and back- ground, you can probably find a Government career to match. People get jobs in the Federal Governmentin the same way..."
Source: www.pueblo.gsa.gov
Federal TSA Worker Defends Himself After Alleged Harassment by Coworkers
Article Title: Suspicious Package: TSA Worker Jailed After Junk Joke
Snippet of Article: "...He told police he had been made fun of by coworkers on a daily basis. "[Negron] stated he could not take the jokes anymore..."
Source: www.nbcmiami.com
More Reading: TSA Office of Civil Rights, Article Snip: "With a zero tolerance for harassment, illegal"
Health law’s heavy impact
Article Title: Health law’s heavy impact
Snippet of Article: "...Requires single people earning $200,000 or more and couples earning $250,000 or more to pay an additional 0.9 percent in Medicare taxes.
Tax on Home Sales. Imposes a 3.8 percent tax on home sales and other real estate transactions. Middle-income people must pay the full tax..."
Source: www.spokesman.com
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Joke's on you! Federal Workers' Kids Not Yet Eligible On Parents' Plan
Article Title: Federal Workers' Kids Not Yet Eligible On Parents' Plan
Snippet of Article: "...The federal employee health insurance program has announced that it is unlikely this year to offer young adults the ability to remain on their parents' policies until the age of 26. That means the government, which is the largest employer in the nation, will not follow the lead of some private insurance companies that will begin offering such coverage to young adults by June 1. ..."
Source: www.npr.org
Friday, April 23, 2010
Air marshal charged in gunpoint rape of Seattle woman
Article Title: Air marshal charged in gunpoint rape of Seattle woman
Snippet of Article: "..."The defendant used his position as a federal air marshal and his government-issued firearm to commit this crime," Senior Deputy Prosecutor Charles K. Sergis told the court. "He raped the victim and by threatening her with his gun and claiming she had to do what he said because he is an air marshal."..."
Source: www.seattlepi.comMonday, April 19, 2010
How Much Should a Government Employee Make?
Article Title: How Much Should a Government Employee Make?
Snippet of Article: "...Which is why PolitiFact was surprised by Scott Brown's claims, which after fact-checking, proved false. Brown used Cato Institute numbers that put the average federal employee's salary at $79,197, compared to $50,028 in the private sector. It's easy to tell right away that those salaries aren't double, contrary to Brown's claim on This Week on Jan. 31, but PolitiFact did even more digging. ..."
Source: www.prospect.org
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Lisha Adams becomes first woman named overall Civilian of the Year by AUSA chapter
Article Title: Lisha Adams becomes first woman named overall Civilian of the Year by AUSA chapter
Snippet of Article: "...Among her responsibilities, Adams - who has more than 27 years of government experience - manages a military, civilian and contractor work force of more than 800 with an annual operating budget of more than $700 million...."
Source: al.com
Monday, April 5, 2010
Federal Worker Telework Increases...
Article Title: Better job applicants, hired faster, is OPM goal
Snippet of Article: "...When it comes to telework, Berry wants to increase by 50 percent the number of eligible federal workers who telework over the 2009 baseline level of 102,900.
He called telework an essential part of OPM's effort to improve work-life flexibilities..."
Source: fredericksburg.com
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
USPS VP: It’s Time to Implement Five-Day Mail Delivery
Article Title: USPS VP: It’s Time to Implement Five-Day Mail Delivery
Snippet of Article: "...Assuming the PRC and Congress approve the plan, Pulcrano said it would take about six months to implement five-day mail delivery. PRC Chairman Ruth Goldway said last week it might take six to nine months for her panel to issue an advisory opinion...."
Source: multichannelmerchant.com
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Busted: Fraudulently collecting federal employee retirement benefits
Article Title: West Frankfort sentenced for fraudulently collecting retirement benefits
Snippet of Article: "...18 months in prison Monday, the judge also ordered her to repay more than $240,000 to the federal Civil Service Retirement System.
..."
Source: www.fox2now.com
Monday, March 22, 2010
Federal Employee Retirement Source
Monday, March 15, 2010
OPM's Berry blasts Washington Times editorial on federal pay
Article Title: OPM's Berry blasts Washington Times editorial on federal pay
Snippet of Article: "...Berry said. "Do they think that the researchers at NIH who are developing cures for cancer today are bureaucrats sitting at their desks? Do they think the TSA employees who are screening people who are sitting next to you on the airplane today -- are they just sitting at their desks? Are the Customs and Border Patrol..."
Source: voices.washingtonpost.com
Thursday, March 4, 2010
2010 Federal Census Questions
Article Title: 2010 Federal Census Questions
The Questions on the Form
- How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010?
- Were there any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you did not include in Question 1?
- Is this house, apartment, or mobile home: owned with mortgage, owned without mortgage, rented, occupied without rent?
- What is your telephone number?
- Please provide information for each person living here. Start with a person here who owns or rents this house, apartment, or mobile home. If the owner or renter lives somewhere else, start with any adult living here. This will be Person 1. What is Person 1's name?
- What is Person 1's sex?
- What is Person 1's age and Date of Birth?
- Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin?
- What is Person 1's race?
- Does Person 1 sometimes live or stay somewhere else?
Source: This information was garnered from Census.gov
House Passes Bill to Protect Federal Retirees from the 2010 Medicare Premium Increase
Article Title: House Passes Bill to Protect Federal Retirees from the 2010 Medicare Premium Increase
Snippet of Article: "...Federal Retiree COLA ... Budget Office (CBO) has predicted the possibility of no COLA for 2011 and 2012...."
Source: www.myfederalretirement.com
Stay tuned to the Federal News Group for updates on the 2011 COLA, 2012 COLA, 2013 COLA, as well as the windfall elimination fight.
2010 Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA)
Article Title: 2010 Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA)
Snippet of Article: "...2010 COLA Update: Due to the current recession and subsequent reduction in the cost-of-living for many areas, the 2010 CONUS COLA rates have dropped for most Military Housing Areas (MHA), with the exception of..."
Source: www.military.com
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Postal Service expected to announce '‘significant changes'
Article Title: Postal Service expected to announce '‘significant changes'
Snippet of Article: "...to consolidate about 3,000 post offices drew a firestorm of protest from the public and lawmakers. But the Postal Service is considering more next year, potentially closing thousands of locations and moving some products and services to nearby supermarkets, office supply stores and pharmacies. ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
Monday, March 1, 2010
DOT Says Furloughs to Begin Monday
Article Title: DOT Says Furloughs to Begin Monday
Snippet of Article: "...Because of the shutdown, federal inspectors will be removed from critical construction projects, forcing work to come to a halt on federal lands, DOT said...."
Source: www.ttnews.com
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Why did federal salaries go up but Social Security did not?
Article Title: Why did federal salaries go up but Social Security did not?
Snippet of Article: "...How can the cost of living go up for all federal employees but not for people on Social Security? All federal employees got a cost-of-living increase as of Jan. 1..."
Source: www.mcall.com
“Great Federal Employees” Exhibit Debuts in Russell Rotunda
Article Title: “Great Federal Employees” Exhibit Debuts in Russell Rotunda
Snippet of Article: "...A week-long exhibit honoring “Great Federal Employees” debuted Monday in the Russell Senate Office Building rotunda – a special visual tribute to the hard work and often unsung dedication of the nation’s public servants...."
Source: kaufman.senate.gov
At Homeland Security, contractors outnumber federal workers
Article Title: At Homeland Security, contractors outnumber federal workers
Snippet of Article: "...more guidance to federal agencies next month on government functions that contractors can no longer conduct, an OMB spokesman said Wednesday.
Despite the planned contracting cuts, Napolitano..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
Article Title: Judge: Disclosure Obligation in Terror Trial Applies to Top DOJ Officials
Snippet of Article: "...Prosecutors must produce memos by high-ranking U.S. Department of Justice officials on the transfers of an accused terrorist because they might explain why he was kept out of the criminal justice system for almost five years, a federal judge has ruled...."
Source: www.law.com
US DoJ probes collusion in auto industry
Article Title: US DoJ probes collusion in auto industry
Snippet of Article: "...Christine Varney, the head of the DoJ’s antitrust division, said in a speech last year that the antitrust division would continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute international cartel cases...."
Source: www.ft.com
DOJ: Department Of Jihad? ( IBD Editorials)
Article Title: DOJ: Department Of Jihad?
Snippet of Article: "..."It's like they're bringing al-Qaida lawyers inside the Department of Justice," said Debra Burlingame, whose brother was the pilot of the plane driven by terrorists into the Pentagon, following KSM's plan...."
Source: www.investors.com
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Missile Defense Career Development Program
Article Title: Missile Defense Career Development Program
Entry-level opportunities at MDA are offered through the Missile Defense Career Development Program (MDCDP).
Snippet of Article: "...Along with the salary, training and all the benefits of federal employment, you will be eligible for promotion opportunities throughout the program and may be able to take advantage of continuing education opportunities, recruitment and/or relocation bonuses and repayment of student loans. At the end of the two-year program, you will have the possibility of conversion to a permanent Government position...."
Source: www.mda.mil
Friday, February 19, 2010
Fire Shortens Work Week For Federal Employees
Article Title: Fire Shortens Work Week For Federal Employees
Snippet of Article: "...As many as 25 hundred people fled the main federal office building in downtown Kansas City this afternoon. Fire in a basement electrical system produced acrid smoke. ..."
Source: www.publicbroadcasting.net
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Defense contractor arrested on Houston flight after 'international disturbance'
Article Title: Racial slurs, drunken arrest on Amsterdam flight to Houston
Snippet of Article: "...an Alabama man is locked up in Houston facing at least 2 federal charges. Houston Police officers say they were called to the gate to meet the arriving Continental flight from Amsterdam, and they found two Federal Air Marshals with a Texas man under arrest...."
Source: www.examiner.com
Impersonating a Federal Agent
Article Title: Man arrested on charges of impersonating federal agent and 'deporting' distant cousin's wife [Updated]
Snippet of Article: "...man has been arrested on suspicion of posing as a federal marshal to kidnap a distant cousin’s wife and put her on a plane to the Philippines, police said Wednesday...."
Source: latimes.com
Friday, February 12, 2010
Government Jobs -vs- Private Sector
Article Title: For both government and private-sector workers, grass is greener on other side
Snippet of Article: "...during the dark days of the Great Recession, the sexiest fringe benefit to any job became security. Stodgy is hot. Civil servants = genius! Visits to federal jobs site USAJobs.gov were up 18 percent..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Officials plan to expand federal hiring despite spending freeze
Article Title: Officials plan to expand federal hiring despite spending freeze
Snippet of Article: "...federal employment probably will continue to grow.
The reason: The departments exempted from the freeze -- Defense, State, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs -- are growth areas ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
OPM director considers overhaul of civil service system
Article Title: OPM director considers overhaul of civil service system
Snippet of Article: "...The document dealt with a broad range of federal employee issues and spent a considerable amount of ink justifying why they get paid as well as they do. Federal workers are, on average, an older and better educated lot ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Can military time count toward csrs retirement?
Article Title: Can military time count toward csrs retirement?
Yes, under Public Law 97-253, you can have your military service time after 1956 count toward your Civil Service Retirement. However, individuals that first became subject to Civil Service Retirement System deductions after Oct. 1, 1982, must make a deposit to receive credit for their military service in their CSRS or FERS annuity. CSRS covered employees prior to Oct. 1, 1982, may choose not to make the deposit and still receive credit toward the annuity, but would, if they are eligible for Social Security benefits, would at that time lose credit for military service in their CSRS annuities and their annuities will be reduced. If you pay the deposit, you will receive credit for their military service under CSRS and Social Security.
Source: federal-newsgroup.blogspot.com
Go to OPM for more info