www.va.govVA's salary and benefits are comparable to those of other federal agencies. Most benefits are close to those in the private sector.
Salary
Entry-level positions with the OIG are at the GS-5 and GS-7 level. Special agents are eligible to receive Law Enforcement Availability Pay, which is 25 percent of base salary. All federal employees receive additional locality pay ranging from 6.78 to 15.01 percent of base salary. In designated metropolitan areas, auditors in grades GS-5 through GS-9 receive special salary rates that are higher than the salaries received by other occupational series at the same grade/step level.
Recruitment Bonuses
For selected positions, and at selected times, the OIG may offer recruitment bonuses to entry-level personnel up to a maximum of 25 percent of base salary.
Current Federal Government employees, or former Federal Government employees with a break in service of less than 90 days, are not eligible for recruitment bonuses.
Relocation Expenses
For selected positions, and at selected times, the OIG may offer the reimbursement of relocation expenses to entry-level personnel, which includes:
- transportation of employee and family;
- mileage, if a privately-owned vehicle is used for travel; and
- shipment and temporary storage of household effects.
For current Federal Government employees or former Federal Government employees with re-employment eligibility, the OIG may offer full reimbursement of relocation expenses, which includes:
- transportation of employee and family;
- house hunting trip to the new duty station;
- mileage, if a privately-owned vehicle is used for travel;
- shipment and temporary storage of household effects;
- payment of temporary quarters allowance up to a maximum of 120 days at the new duty station; and
- guaranteed home sale.
Leave
Vacation (annual leave) is based on length of government service, including any military service. For the first 3 years, you earn 13 business days of vacation each year. For years 4 through 15, you earn 20 days; after 15 years, you earn 26 days. You may carry a maximum of 30 days of annual leave over to the following year. Regardless of the length of service, employees earn 13 sick days per year. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated. Provisions for paid and/or unpaid leave exist to take care of other absences, such as maternity/paternity, adoption, care of dependent family members, military obligations, court attendance, and voting. VA observes 10 paid holidays per year.
Transit Benefit Program
A provision of the Internal Revenue Code permits an employer to subsidize his/her employees' costs of commuting to work in order to improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion, and conserve energy by encouraging employees to commute in other than single occupancy motor vehicles. What does this mean to you? We will give you up to $65 per month tax free as a transit or vanpool subsidy if you are based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area or $30 per month tax free if you are a field office employee. Beginning October 1, 2001, field office employees will receive up to $65 per month, and starting January 1, 2002, all VA employees will receive up to $100 per month tax free.
Child Care Tuition Assistance Program
VA-Sharing the Cost of Care - Federal law permits VA to subsidize child care costs for lower-income employees. If you are a full-time employee and meet the following criteria, you may be eligible for this program:
- Your total family income does not exceed $51,999; and
- You use a child care provider that is licensed and/or regulated by the state and/or local regulating authorities.
How much could the subsidy be?
Total Family Income* |
Percentage of Total Child Care Costs Paid by VA |
|---|---|
$21,999 and under |
35 |
| $22,000-$31,999 | 30 |
| $32,000-$41,999 | 20 |
| $42,000-$51,999 | 15 |
| $52,000 and over | 0 |
*Total family income is the combined income of the child's parents/guardian(s) that is listed on their IRS tax forms as their adjusted gross income.
Health Benefits
Under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, group hospitalization insurance is offered by a number of carriers. Each provides for individual or family coverage. VA pays a portion of the premium. No physical examination is required.
Life Insurance
Once individuals accept a position with the Federal Government, they will be given an opportunity to select low-cost life insurance coverage. This coverage will be based on their annual salaries and will include payments for loss of limbs and eyesight in addition to accidental death. There are various options available.
Retirement Plan
The Government's three-tiered retirement plan (Social Security [including Medicare], a Basic Benefit Plan and a Thrift Savings Plan, similar to 401(K) plans in the private sector) offers excellent benefits financed through payroll deductions and employer's contributions. Best of all, it's portable. Bi-weekly contributions are made to all three components. Social Security stays with you throughout your entire working life. Contributions to the Basic Benefit plan can be withdrawn if you leave Federal service, but you would no longer be eligible to receive any benefits from this plan. The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a tax-deferred retirement savings and investment system. You decide how much of your pay (up to 10 percent) to put into TSP and how to invest it. We also contribute up to a maximum of 5 percent of your basic pay to your account. If you leave Federal service and do not want to withdraw your account, you may leave your entire account balance in TSP.
Employees are eligible to retire under the system described above at age 57 with 30 years of service. Special agents are eligible to retire at age 50 with 20 years of service or at any age with 25 years of service; maximum retirement age is 57.