Pay Rates
Scheduled increases in pay within the grade level
Locality pay for certain specified locations in the United States
Annual pay adjustments
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Flexible Work Schedule
Alternative work schedules allow employees to work several types of work
weeks. Hours per day and starting/quiting times each day may vary.
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Leave/Time Off
Vacation Leave (Annual) - 13 to 26 days per year based on length of service
Sick Leave - 13 days per year for employee illness
Leave Share Programs allow coworkers to voluntarily transfer some of their
vacation leave to specific coworkers to assist in dealing with a personal or
family medical emergency.
Family Medical Leave Act ensures that up to 12 weeks of unpaid family and
medical leave are available on a gender-neutral basis and mandates job
security for employees who take such leave.
Holidays - 10 per year.
Military Leave - allows 15 days of military leave each fiscal year for use
when called for active duty or active duty training.
Court Leave - available if summoned to serve on a jury or as witness on
behalf of U.S. Government, the District of Columbia, a state or local
government.
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Incentive Awards
Monetary and non-monetary recognition of outstanding performance and
achievements.
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Health Insurance Benefits
Widest selection of health plans in the country. More than 370 plans
participate in the health insurance program. Employees can choose among
fee-for-service plans, health maintenance organizations, and point-of-service
plans.
Enrollment available for employees and their families.
Coverage provided without a medical examination or restriction because of
age, current health, or pre-existing conditions.
No waiting periods.
Catastrophic protection against unusually large medical bills.
Reasonable rates; most enrollees pay only one-fourth of the health
benefit’s premium.
Opportunity to change plans; there is an annual open season during which
employees can change their plan enrollment.
Continuation into retirement; Federal employees can continue their health
insurance coverage into retirement with a full Government contribution.
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Life Insurance Benefits
Basic life insurance available equal to the employee’s salary plus $2,000.
Optional additional insurance available at the employee’s expense, both for
the employee and the employee’s spouse and eligible children.
Low cost; Government pays one-third of the cost of the basic life
insurance.
No physical is required to prove insurability.
Basic coverage includes double benefits for accidental death and benefits
for loss of limb(s) or eyesight.
Accelerated death benefits are available to terminally ill enrollees.
Life insurance may be continued into retirement, or converted private
coverage upon employment termination, without proof of insurability.
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Generous
Retirement Benefits
Outstanding three-tiered plan to provide secure retirement, disability and
survivor benefits for employees and their dependents.
Social Security benefits (first tier)
Federal Pension (FERS) offers both an annuity that grows with length of
service (second tier)
Tax Deferred Savings Plan similar to 401K plans; employees can choose to
invest in any of three funds or spread investment across the three funds: a
government securities fund, a bond fund and a stock fund--all professionally
and securely managed by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.
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Training and Development Opportunities
Training is provided to employees to fulfill the organizational mission, to
improve productivity, and to provide quality products and service to the
public.
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Employee Assistance Program
Provides counseling crisis intervention.
Provides a variety of confidential services, including counseling and
referrals, to employees who are experiencing personal problems.
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Long Term Care
Long term care is ongoing care for people who need lengthy or even lifelong
help with activities they perform every day—such as bathing and dressing—due
to an illness, injury, or severe cognitive impairment (such as Alzheimer’s
disease). The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program is the only long
term care insurance program sponsored by the Federal Government for the
Federal Family! It reflects the careful efforts of the U.S. Office of
Personnel Management (OPM) and two insurance leaders—John Hancock and
MetLife—to provide comprehensive benefits and group premiums. Some of
the great advantages offered by the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program
include competitive group rates, an expansive home care benefit that includes
informal care, and innovative inflation options.
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