Federal Employees Face Biggest Hike in Health Care Premiums in over a Decade

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Federal Employees Face Biggest Hike in Health Care Premiums in over a Decade

Health care premiums will spike for federal employees next year.

Employees enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program will see an average increase of 13.5 percent on their premiums for 2025. That is nearly double last year’s increase of 7.7 percent and is the biggest increase in well over a decade. Follow link to read more. https://bit.ly/47PrEqW

How the Fed’s Interest Rate Cut Could Affect Military Families

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How the Fed’s Interest Rate Cut Could Affect Military Families

Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Patrick Dooley, assigned to the 12th Marine Corps District, tours Broadway Pier with his daughter during Fleet Week San Diego 2023.

As a military retiree and a financial planner, I’ve seen firsthand how the unique challenges faced by the military community amplify changes in the economy and U.S. government policy.

On Sept. 18, the Federal Reserve implemented a larger-than-expected, 50-basis-point (0.5%) interest rate cut, and while many may view this through a broad economic lens, I want to take a moment to look at how this affects military families, in particular. Follow link to read more. https://bit.ly/3N7omG4

Open Enrollment Season November 11 – December 9, 2024

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Open Enrollment Season

November 11 – December 9, 2024

Sign up by December 09!

 Source: OPM 

Open Season

Welcome to the home page for the Federal Benefits Open Season. Here you will find all the resources you need to make informed decisions about your health, dental, vision, or flexible spending account benefits. 

The Federal Benefits Open Season ends at 11:59pm Eastern Time on Monday December 9, 2024, for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS). Open Season for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) ends at 11:59pm, per the location of your electronic enrollment system, on Monday December 9, 2024.

Postal Service employees, Postal annuitants, and their eligible family members: You may continue to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program through December 31, 2024. Your first opportunity to select a plan under the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program will be during Open Season in 2024. Coverage under the PSHB Program will begin January 1, 2025.

In this section

Information for

  • Active Federal Employees

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  • Federal Retirees & Other Annuitants

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  • Tribal Employees

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  • Uniformed Services

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  • Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB)

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Open Season Resources

  • FEHB Plan Comparison Tool

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  • FEDVIP Plan Comparison Tool

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  • FSAFEDS Program

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What to Know About the New TSP I Fund

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What to Know About the New TSP I Fund

The TSP I Fund gets worldlier, though it bypasses China and Hong Kong as it steps into new markets.

With almost $900 billion and more than 7 million participants, the US Federal Government’s Thrift Savings Plan is the largest retirement plan in the world. This series of articles answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the TSP, and you can send your questions through Morningstar’s TSP feedback survey.

Questions: I’ve heard that the TSP I Fund will be changing benchmarks. What’s happening to the I Fund, and what does it mean for my portfolio?

Answer: The TSP I Fund is transitioning from exclusively owning non-US stocks in developed markets to adding emerging-markets companies to the portfolio. Follow link to read more from Morningstar. https://bit.ly/3N7AZAN

 

As Election Day Approaches, US Fiscal Confidence Dips and Voters Call on their Leaders to Prioritize Solutions to the National Debt

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As Election Day Approaches, US Fiscal Confidence Dips and Voters Call on their Leaders to Prioritize Solutions to the National Debt

September’s Index is 47 (100 is neutral), as Voter Concern Grows)

NEW YORK (September 26, 2024) — With just six weeks until the election, voters are increasingly concerned about the $35 trillion and growing national debt, yet Vice President Harris and former President Trump have yet to put forward proposals for how to address America’s fiscal outlook. September’s Fiscal Confidence Index, modelled after the Consumer Confidence Index, dropped to 47 (100 is neutral), reflecting strong majorities of Democratic and Republican voters looking for fiscal leadership from candidates. Follow link to read more from The Peter G. Peterson Foundation. https://bit.ly/47JHTpv