Retirement Claims Backlog Dips Slightly in May
The Office of Personnel Management was able to make some modest progress in reducing the retirement claims backlog in May.
Current Events
Current news and events impacting the federal workforce, both current federal employees and federal retirees.
Calculating the 2015 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
How much will inflation add to the amount added to your retirement annuity or Social Security payment in 2015? We will not know until sometime in October but here are the latest calculations.
Postal Service Collects 72.5 Million Pounds of Food in Latest Food Drive
U.S. Postal Service letter carriers collected 72.5 million pounds of food on May 10 from the donations of thousands of communities throughout America for the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.
10 Questions You Need Answers To
The author offers ten questions you need to keep in mind for your financial situation as you near retirement from your federal career.
OPM Removes Prohibition on Sex Change Coverage Under FEHB
OPM has removed the prohibition on federal employee health insurance for providing for sex change operations and “transition care” for someone who has undertaken this process.
Comments, Trolls and Communicating in the Internet Age
The Internet era has fostered new methods of communication in our daily lives. While these carry many advantages, there can be downsides as well. And with new ways to communicate come new terms, such as “troll.” What is a troll? How do you respond to a person you think might be one? And how does all of this come into play with how FedSmith monitors the comments left by users on its website?
Hatch Calls for End to Taxpayer Funded Unions at VA and IRS
As the controversy at VA continues to make waves in the media, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) made a speech on the Senate floor in which he called for an end to taxpayer funded unionization of federal employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Internal Revenue Service.
Legislation Proposes Social Security Enhancements
Senators Mark Begich (D-AK) and Patty Murray (D-WA) have introduced legislation designed to strengthen the Social Security program in several ways.
Majority of FedSmith.com Users Would Be Happy With a 3.3% Pay Raise
We asked and you spoke: The majority of FedSmith.com users say a 3.3% pay increase for 2015 would be fair.
AFGE ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ on VA Bill
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) expressed cautious optimism about recently announced legislation aimed at improving staffing and addressing wait times at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities.
