December 2012 - Benefits Newsletter
What's New?
1. Benefits Calendar Of Events
2. The Federal Benefits Open Season Ends on December 10!
3. The 2013 Limit Increases For The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
4. The Temporary Social Security Tax Cut Expires Soon!
5. Hurricane Sandy Emergency Leave Transfer Program
Topics Of Interest:
6. What Is The Difference Between A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) And A Health Savings Account (HSA)?
7. Can I Make Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Catch-Up Contributions?
8. Employment And Income Verification – Use TALX – The Work Number®
9. Why Do I Need A myPay PIN And How Can I Get One?
10. Where Can I Find Information On Pay And Leave?
Where Do I Go If I Have Questions About My Benefits?
11. How Can I Get In Touch With My Benefits Contact?
12. Previous NIH Benefits Information - Did You Know? E-mails
What's New?
1. Benefits Calendar of Events
2.The Federal Benefits Open Season Ends On December 10!
Time is running out! The Open Season will end at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on Monday, December 10! Unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event during the year, the Open Season is your only opportunity to enroll, cancel your enrollment, or make a change to your enrollment for the participating programs. Don’t miss out on this important opportunity! The following three programs are participating in this year’s Open Season for the 2013 plan year: 1) Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program; 2) Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and 3) Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Program. The open season began on November 12, 2012, and runs through December 10, 2012. You should read the Open Season Announcement thoroughly for important information pertaining to each program. Please note that there are a number of significant changes affecting several of the FEHB plans, so it is very important that you pay close attention to the FEHB announcement.
The new 2013 plan rates 
(OPM) and the 2013 plan brochures (OPM) for the FEHB Program are now available on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website. Additionally, the 2013 dental (OPM) and vision (OPM) rates for FEDVIP are available, as well as the 2013 dental (OPM) and vision (OPM) plan brochures. FEHB and FEDVIP enrollments will automatically continue into 2013, if no action is taken. However, FSA enrollments do not automatically continue into the new year.
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3. The 2013 Limit Increases For The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
The 2013 IRS annual limit for regular TSP contributions will increase to $17,500. If you are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), you could lose valuable matching Agency TSP contributions by reaching the limit before the end of the calendar year. If you want equal payments deducted over the calendar year for 26 pay periods, you should contribute $674 each pay period. If you are currently contributing a lesser or higher amount, but want equal payments withheld over the course of the year that will equate to $17,500, you must enter your election of $674 in myPay (DFAS). If you expect to enter your myPay (DFAS) election for 2013 between December 2-15*, 2012, your election will be effective on December 16, the first pay period for 2013. If your election is entered after December 15, you will need to adjust your election amount. To determine the adjusted amount, use the Elective Deferral Calculator on the TSP website . If you have additional questions, refer them to your Benefits Contact. (*It is recommended that you enter your election by December 14, if you want to ensure an effective date of December 16.)
The 2013 IRS limit for TSP Catch-up contributions remains at $5,500. Please see topic #7 below for additional information.
4. The Temporary Social Security Tax Cut Expires Soon!
The temporary 2% Social Security payroll tax cut is scheduled to expire at the end of December. The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 temporarily reduced the Social Security payroll tax rate by 2% for workers. Hence, you saw an increase in your net pay. The tax cut was extended by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. Under the current law, this temporary reduction expires at the end of December 2012. If the tax cut is not extended, the tax rate will increase from 4.2% back to 6.2%. As a result, FERS and CSRS Offset employees will see a decrease in net pay.
5. Hurricane Sandy Emergency Leave Transfer Program
HHS has established an Emergency Leave Transfer Program (ELTP) to assist HHS employees adversely-affected by Hurricane Sandy, either directly or through family members, who need additional time off from work without having to use their own paid leave. The HHS ELTP is another opportunity to come to the aid of fellow HHS employees in their time of need, especially during this time when you may have use-or-lose leave and will be unable to use it before the end of the leave year (1/12/13).
If you wish to donate, you may do so through ITAS, using the steps here. If you or a family member has been affected by Hurricane Sandy, you may request to become a recipient by completing the OPM Form 1637 
, Application to Become a Leave Recipient under the Emergency Leave Transfer Program, and OPM Form 71 , Request for Leave or Approved Absence. Your Leave Approving Official must approve both forms & submit them to the NIH ELTP Coordinator. For more information, see the FAQs on the OHR website or contact your Timekeeper, Administrative Officer or ITAS Coordinator.
Topics Of Interest:
6. What Is The Difference Between A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) And A Health Savings Account (HSA)?
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an employee benefit that allows you to set aside money, on a pre-tax basis, for certain health care and dependent care expenses. There are three types of FSA accounts: 1) Health Care FSA (HCFSA) ; 2) Limited Expense Health Care FSA (LEX HCFSA) ; and 3) Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) . If you wish to enroll in an FSA for the 2013 plan year, you must make your annual election during the Federal Benefits Open Season on the FSAFEDS website . You may also enroll by calling 877-372-3337 (TTY: 1-800-952-0450). Your election amount is divided into allotments based on the number of pay dates in the plan year. Every pay date, an allotment is deposited directly into your FSA account. Expenses on your account for the 2013 plan year must be incurred by March 15, 2014, and your claims must be faxed or postmarked no later than April 30, 2014; otherwise, your unused balance is forfeited.
A Health Savings Account (HSA) (OPM) is an investment account available only to members who enroll in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program (OPM). Your HDHP credits a portion of your premium to the HSA. You also have the option to make pre-tax contributions to the account. The funds in your HSA can be used to pay for your plan deductible and/or qualified medical expenses that do not count towards your deductible. These accounts earn interest and roll over any remaining balance from year to year. The funds are yours to keep whether you change plans, leave Federal service, or retire. Withdrawals can also be used for non-medical expenses. However, if you are under age 65, you will be subject to a 20% penalty in addition to any other income taxes you may owe on the withdrawn funds.
Important Note: You cannot have both a HCFSA and an HSA.
7. Can I Make Thrift Savings Plan (Tsp) Catch-Up Contributions?
In addition to regular TSP contributions, you may also make TSP Catch-up contributions (TSP), if you meet the following criteria: 1) you are age 50 or over (or will be age 50 during 2013); 2) you are in pay status; AND 3) you are contributing an amount towards your regular TSP which will cause you to reach the $17,500 IRS limit by the end of the 2013 calendar year. The 2013 IRS limit for Catch-up contributions remains at $5,500. Unlike regular TSP elections, a Catch-up election is only valid for one year. Therefore, if you want to make Catch-up contributions each year, you must make a new election each year. To make a Catch-up election for 2013, you may make your election at any time on/after December 2 by using myPay (DFAS). Be certain to enter the amount you want withheld from your pay each pay period. If you have questions, please notify your Benefits Contact.
8. Employment And Income Verification – Use TALX – The Work Number®
The Work Number®, is an automated system that provides proof of employment and income to verifiers. TALX is widely known and used by over 50,000 entities including most major financial institutions, mortgage lenders, leasing companies, and private corporations to verify employment and income status of employees. The system provides a secure way for verifiers to obtain your employment information and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Before your information can be released to a verifier, you must give your authorization. NIH employees can use TALX The Work Number® in two easy steps:
- Authorize the verification by completing the verifier’s (lender, bank, etc.) authorization form.
- Provide the verifier with:
- TALX –The Work Number® access options - www.theworknumber.com or 1-800-367-5690
- HHS Employer Code: 14775
- Salary Key (if needed) (A salary key is a six digit electronic signature created by the employee that is good for a one time use by a verifier)
9. Why Do I Need A myPay PIN And How Can I Get One?
It is very important to have access to your myPay (DFAS) account so that you can view your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) each pay day to verify that the correct deductions are being withheld and that your leave balances on your LES match the balances in ITAS. You must also use myPay to make changes to your home address, TSP contributions, direct deposit of pay, allotments, Federal tax withholdings, and Open Season health benefits elections. Additionally, some state tax withholdings must be made via myPay (DFAS). If you move to or from Maryland, you must complete a state tax form for your new state and submit it to the Benefits and Payroll Liaison Branch (Bldg 31/Rm B3C23) for processing. However, for movement between other states and/or the District, you must use myPay (DFAS).
To access the system, you will need your Login ID and Password. If you have forgotten your Login ID or Password, click the “Forgot Your Login ID?” or “Forgot or Need a Password?” link on the left side of the myPay (DFAS) screen. Using this method, your Password can be e-mailed to you if you pre-registered your e-mail address, or it can be mailed to your current home address of record within 7 to 10 business days.
A second option for requesting a Password is to send a fax to 216-367-3549. You will need to include in your request your name, SSN, a daytime phone number, a copy of your NIH ID Card, and you must sign the fax. Upon receiving your fax, the Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS) will reset your Password using a temporary Password. Your temporary Password will be 8 numbers, the last 4 numbers of your SSN twice. You will not receive a notice from DFAS that your Password has been reset. Simply wait at least two business days before logging into myPay (DFAS) to use your temporary Password. Upon logging in, you will be prompted to reset your Password. Information pertaining to establishing an acceptable Login and Password can be obtained at myPay FAQs (DFAS).
If you encounter problems with your Login ID and/or Password or technical issues using myPay (DFAS), contact the DFAS Centralized Customer Support Unit toll-free at 1-888-332-7411. This support line is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. They can provide assistance on how to use the options available to you in myPay. They will also provide support for establishing and changing your Login ID and/or Password.
10. Where Can I Find Information On Pay And Leave?
You can find a wealth of pay and leave information on our website. Additionally, you can find information on the most frequently asked payroll questions.
Where Do I Go If I Have Questions About My Benefits?
11. How Can I Get In Touch With My Benefits Contact?
Your contact in the Benefits and Payroll Liaison Branch will be able to help you with a variety of issues pertaining to the health and life insurance programs, designating beneficiaries, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), calculating your retirement annuity estimate, working with you to pay a redeposit for prior civilian service if you previously withdrew your retirement funds, paying a deposit for prior civilian or military service for which retirement deductions were not withheld, etc. To find your benefits contact, review our list of contacts. In addition, the Benefits and Payroll Liaison Branch (BPLB) website has an abundance of information regarding your Federal benefits. Don’t forget to check out the Benefits FAQs section.
Human resource topics not related to your benefits are normally handled by your Client Services Division HR Representative .
12. Previous "NIH Benefits Information - Did You Know?"
