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Benefits
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Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB)
The Government's health benefit program has about 180 health plan options
throughout the United States , including consumer-driven health care and
preferred provider network options. At least a dozen plan choices are available
to each employee, which allows for a broad choice so that employees can select
the plan that best meets their own individual health care needs. While specific
benefits vary among FEHB plans, none can impose a waiting period or require a
medical exam to enroll in their plan. For more information, visit
http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp. Government employees are
automatically eligible for Medicare Part A at no cost beginning at age 65. For
more information, visit http://www.medicare.gov.
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Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
FEGLI is a group term life insurance program. It consists of Basic life
insurance coverage and three options. In most cases, if you are a new Federal
employee, you are automatically covered by Basic life insurance and your
payroll office deducts premiums from your salary unless you waive the coverage.
In addition to the Basic, there are three forms of Optional insurance that you
can elect. (Standard, Additional, and Family). The program offers the
opportunity to retain your coverage for your entire life. For more information,
visit http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.htm.
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Long-Term Care Insurance
As a new employee, you have the opportunity to apply for long term care
insurance under the Federal Program with minimal underwriting. However, a
limited number of medical conditions will prevent a new employee from being
approved for coverage. Long term care helps people to perform daily activities
if they have an ongoing illness or disability. This Program offers a choice of
benefits that can provide a variety of services, including but not limited to:
nursing home care, assisted living facility care, adult day care and at home
care. Please see the link for specific information. For more information, visit
http://www.ltcfeds.com.
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Annual Leave and Sick Leave
Federal employees are entitled to at least 13 days of vacation leave as well as
13 days of sick leave each year. Depending on years of service, employees can
earn up to 26 days of vacation leave each year. In addition, Federal employees
get 10 days paid holiday each year. This allows employees time to spend with
their families and to pursue their own individual interests and avocations. For
more information, visit http://www.opm.gov/oca/index.htm.
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Federal Retirement Plan
New employees who had previous Government service may be eligible to
participate in the Civil Service Retirement System. Check the website for
eligibility. For more information, visit
http://www.opm.gov/retire/index.htm. You will earn Social Security
credit while working with the Government. Social Security provides for your
future retirement benefits, provides disability protection, and allows for
survivor benefits protection. For more information, visit
http://www.ssa.gov.
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Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
With the Thrift Savings Plan, you can self-direct your retirement savings
program through multiple investment options. This Plan is very similar to a
401(k) plan. For more information, visit http://www.tsp.gov/.
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Paid Holidays
Federal employees get 10 days paid holiday each year. This allows employees
time to spend with their families and to pursue their own individual interests
and avocations.
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New Year's Day
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Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Washington's Birthday
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Memorial Day
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Independence Day
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Labor Day
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Columbus Day
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Veterans Day
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Thanksgiving Day
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Christmas Day
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Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
FSAs allow employees to increase their disposable income because the amounts
they contribute are not subject to Federal income, FICA, State or local income
taxes. The Federal Government offers both a Health Care FSA and a Dependent
Care FSA. Employees can use the Health Care FSA for expenses that are
tax-deductible, but not reimbursed by any other source, including out-of-pocket
expenses and non-covered benefits under their FEHB plans. Some examples are
non-covered dental services, lasik surgery, health plan deductibles, and
co-payments and coinsurance. FSAs for dependent care are available for
employees with dependent children or qualifying dependent adults when the care
is necessary to allow the employee to work. For more information, visit
http://www.opm.gov/insure/pretax/fsa/index.asp
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Voluntary Leave Transfer Program
An employee without available paid leave (i.e., annual or sick leave) may
request to become a donated leave recipient for a specific medical emergency,
involving himself or herself or a family member, which is expected to result in
an absence from duty for at least twenty-four (24) consecutive or intermittent
hours during the leave year, if the medical emergency would otherwise result in
a loss of pay. Employee must use up all of his or her accrued leave before
using donated leave.
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Child Care Tuition
SAMHSA offers a childcare subsidy program that is available to lower income
employees. Under this program, employees may be eligible for a subsidy to help
them defray the childcare costs for their dependent children below the age of
13.
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