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Our team of federal employee benefits consultants, case managers and attorneys have extensively reviewed the federal government’s changes coming in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Modernization Act and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will implement these new regulations to all new, current and former federal employee TSP…

You may have recently come across news stating that President Trump is looking to dismantle the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). While on the surface this may seem like an apocalyptic scenario for federal employees, the history surrounding the agency may shed some light on the reason for the Trump Administration’s policy proposition.   Since…

Monday, January 21, 2019, marks the day that the shutdown has dragged on past the 30-day mark. This means agencies must send a 2nd furlough notice to non-excepted employees. “After the first 30 days in a furlough status, agencies are required to deliver a 2nd furlough notice to currently furloughed employees,” the Office of Personnel…

The partial government shutdown has lasted almost 30 days now and let’s be honest, it is a difficult time to be a federal employee. Whether you’re being forced to work without pay, or on furlough with no pay, it’s a tough time. Seemingly every day there is a new story regarding federal employees—unions suing the…

It’s not just federal agencies and employees who are feeling the impact of the partial government shutdown. Small business owners are as well. That’s because agencies like the Small Business Administration and Internal Revenue Service are not providing information or services. Here is a look at what is and isn’t available for businesses: SBA Loans…

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board is planning a “significant launch promotion” beginning this month to implement the Thrift Savings Plan changes stemming from the TSP Modernization Act. Congress imposed a deadline for these changes of November 1st, but the Board plans to implement them on October 1st. Below is a summary of changes participants…

The Department of Agriculture has come up with a plan and budget to ensure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits continue to pay out through February. “President Donald Trump directed the Office of Management and Budget and USDA to determine a way to fully fund all the SNAP through the month of February, and we will…

We are nearing one month of this partial government shutdown and many federal employees are wondering about leave, pay, or what happens if they can’t pay their bills, i.e. mortgage. Here are a few reminders, and new bills, to help clarify. Leave When there is a lapse in appropriations, all paid leave or other paid…

Hundreds of Food and Drug Administration inspectors are furloughed which means food inspections have been greatly reduced. The FDA oversees 80% of the food supply but has suspended all routine inspections of domestic food processing facilities. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is working on a plan to bring inspectors back as early as next week to…

Federal employees facing missing check Friday. Major media reported on the situation for federal employees who are facing a coming payday in which they may not be paid. NBC Nightly News (1/9, story 5, 1:30, Holt, 8.42M) reported, “For millions of Americans, the shutdown is far more than a political fight in Washington.” NBC (Costello)…