Employee Benefits - Employment Benefits for Permanent Employees

This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the benefits to which you are entitled or which you may elect to take advantage of. For additional information, please visit the website links below, or contact the designated benefits contact listed on the attached sheet. For a broad overview of Federal benefits, please visit http://www.opm.gov/Insure/health/enrollment/new_employees.asp.

Leave and Holidays

Annual Leave

Full-time employees earn:

Four (4) hours each pay period if service is less than 3 years = 13 days a year
Six (6) hours each pay period if service is between 3 and 15 years = 20 days a year
Eight (8) hours each pay period for more than 15 years of service = 26 days a year
Employees hired into the Senior Executive Service will earn eight (8) hours each pay period = 26 days a year

Each calendar year you may accumulate annual leave. However, excess of 240 hours at the end of the leave year will be lost.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn four (4) hours each pay period (13 days each year) with no maximum limit.

Part-time employees accrue annual and sick leave hours on a pro-rated basis, that is, in an amount based on the relationship of their tour of duty as it relates to a full-time tour of duty.

Holidays

The Federal Government provides 10 paid holidays per year:

New Year's Day (January 1)
Martin Luther King, Jr's, Birthday (Third Monday in January)
President's Day (Third Monday in February)
Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day (First Monday in September)
Columbus Day (Second Monday in October)
Veterans Day (November 11)
Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
Christmas Day (December 25)

Insurance Coverage

Health Benefits

You will be eligible for, but not obligated to enroll in the Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. FEHB offers a wide variety of health plans from which to choose, including some that offer Health Savings Accounts. Some plans may also offer dental benefits. You have a choice of coverage for yourself or for yourself and your family members. The Federal Government pays approximately 75% of the cost of the plan and you pay the balance on a pre-tax basis.

Dental and Vision Insurance

The Federal Employees’ Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) provides supplemental dental and/or vision insurance coverage. You have a choice of coverage for yourself, yourself plus one, or yourself and all your family members. Although there is no Federal Government contribution towards the premium, the cost is competitive with commercial rates and on a pre-tax basis.

Life Insurance

Unless you waive coverage, you will be automatically enrolled in basic coverage under the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program. The basic benefit amount is approximately $2,000 more than your base salary. The Federal Government pays one-third of the cost for basic coverage. Optional insurance is also available to increase your benefit, as well as to provide coverage for your family. You pay the entire premium for any optional coverage you elect.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance Program offers care that you need if you can no longer perform everyday tasks by yourself due to a chronic illness or disability. LTC also includes the supervision you might need due to a severe cognitive impairment (such as Alzheimer’s disease). Your spouse, parents, and parents-in-law are also eligible to apply. Although there is no Federal Government contribution towards the premium, the cost is competitive.

Retirement

If this is your first appointment in the Federal Government, you will be covered by the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) that combines benefits from three distinct sources. The basic plan and Social Security both provide retirement, disability and survivor benefits. Both systems rely on employee and government contributions.

The third component is the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). TSP is a tax-deferred retirement savings account. You can voluntarily contribute to a TSP account, and after meeting a waiting period, will qualify for automatic and matching agency contributions. The TSP is a critical component of building an adequate retirement income.

Workers’ Compensation

If you are injured on the job, you may be eligible for continuation of pay, payment of medical expenses and/or payment for lost wages based on a Department of Labor determination.

Flexible Spending Account

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a tax-favored program that allows you to set aside pre-tax money from your salary to pay for a variety of eligible expenses. There are three types of FSAs:

Health Care FSA (HCFSA)

Allows pre-tax reimbursement of eligible medical costs not covered or reimbursed by insurance, such as co-payments and over-the-counter medicines. This includes expenses incurred by you and/or any dependent you claim on your Federal income tax return.

Limited Expense Health Care FSA (LEX HCFSA)

Is used in place of HCFSA if you are enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account. LEX HCFSA allows you to submit eligible dental and vision expenses only.

Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA)

Allows participants to be reimbursed on a pre-tax basis for child care or adult dependent care expenses that are necessary to allow you or your spouse to work, look for work, or attend school full-time. Eligible family members include a child, up to age 13; and/or a person of any age whom you claim as a dependent on your Federal income tax return and who is mentally or physically incapable of caring for himself or herself.

If you are eligible, you may choose to participate in either of the health care accounts and/or the dependent care account. Each year an FSA open season coincides with the Federal Benefits Open Season that begins in mid-November through early December.