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Human Resources Division (HRD) - Benefits - Top Ten Reasons to Contact your Benefits Specialist

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For employees of USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs and
the Merit Systems Protection Board

  1. You are Getting Married
  2. You have a Change in Family Members
  3. You Become Financially Responsible for a Grandchild
  4. Your Child Turns 22, or Marries
  5. You have Questions about the Thrift Savings Plan
  6. You are Considering Working Part-Time or Taking Extended Leave Without Pay
  7. You are Going Through a Divorce
  8. You are Considering Retirement or Doing Some Financial Planning
  9. You are in Poor Health
  10. No Concern is Too Small

1. You Are Getting Married
You may need to make changes to your health and life insurance within 60 days of your marriage, and you may need to update your designation of beneficiary forms.  If your name changes, ask your administrative office to submit an SF-52, Request for Personnel Action, to change your name on your personnel/payroll records.  You may need to change your income tax withholdings, by using NFC's Employee Personal Page (https://www.nfc.usda.gov/personal/ep_warning.asp) or by submitting a W-4 form.

2.  You Have a Change in Family Members
Including a new baby, adoption, stepchild, foster child, or marital separation.  You may need to make changes to your health and life insurance within 60 days of this event.  You may need to update your designation of beneficiary forms.  You may need to change your income tax withholdings by using NFC's Employee Personal Page (https://www.nfc.usda.gov/personal/ep_warning.asp) or by submitting a W-4 form.

3. You Become Financially Responsible for a Grandchild
Find out the documentation requirements to add a grandchild or a foster child to your health plan

4.  Your Child Turns Age 22, or Marries
You want information about temporary continuation of coverage under your Federal Employees Health Benefits.

5. You Have Questions About the Thrift Savings Plan
Link to http://www.tsp.gov (http://www.tsp.gov) for current booklets and forms about the TSP, including loan and withdrawal information. or link to our information on TSP.

6.  You Are Considering Working Part-Time or Taking Extended Leave Without Pay
You need information on the impact on your benefits.

7.  You Are Going Through a Divorce
A divorce can have a major impact on your employee benefits.  To avoid costly mistakes, please review this information with your attorney.

8. You Are Considering Retirement or Doing Some Financial Planning
Your Benefits Specialist can provide retirement estimates and literature about your retirement benefits, and will answer specific questions. Click here for information on Retirement or Financial Planning.

9.  You Are in Poor Health
Your specialist may be able to provide information on disability retirement if you are unable to work.  For employees with a terminal illness, options may include life insurance payments under Living Benefits or Viatical Settlements, or the Alternative Form of Annuity.

10.  No Concern is Too Small
Employee benefits regulations are complex--don't be afraid to ask the experts.

(For employees of USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs and the Merit Systems Protection Board)

Last Modified: December 13, 2007

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