Your Federal Benefits
Your Federal Benefits
Employee benefits packages are offered as an incentive to prospective employees as an enticement to join a company or in this case Federal employment. It is also a great incentive for staying with an employer if a retirement package is included or you become uninsurable because of an illness that would preclude you from obtaining your own protection plans, or at the very least make them too expensive.
The Federal Employee has a great benefit plan. These federal employee benefits range from a generous Leave and Sick Time policies. Also, the Federal Governments Federal Employee Health Benefit is a valuable benefit.
Other federal benefits include:
- A Pension (FERS Basic Federal Benefits): The Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) provides a basic defined benefit pension after five years of creditable civilian service. Eligibility for this benefit and its computation depends on the combination of years of service age at retirement and your High-Three years of income.
- Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI): A group life plan offering an employer paid portion of their Basic Life insurance.
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): TSP is the government’s version of a 401k plan with matching up to 5% of employee contributions. The federal government provides an automatic 1 percent contribution to your TSP — for all federal employees who are covered by FERS. In addition, the government matches the first 3% of employee contributions dollar for dollar, and the fourth and fifth percent get a 50% match.
- Social Security: All federal employees covered by FERS are fully covered by Social Security. The FERS special supplement is available to those who retire prior to age 62 with an unreduced annuity. This is not paid by Social Security however your benefit is calculated by your expected Social Security income at age 62 and the number of credible years of service.
- Long Term Care: All federal employees have permanent disability retirement available while employed. Long Term Care federal benefits are part of the FERS retirement system; eligibility ends after federal employment.
- Workers’ Compensation: Federal employees are covered under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), which is administered by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) under the Department of Labor.
Consultation Services
Our Benefit Coordinators can assist you with getting a thorough understanding of your federal benefits, such as federal short term disability, through our Consultation Services. We will cover all benefits of the program and always conclude our meeting by answering any questions you may have.
Most of our client’s report learning something new each time they have a consultation. Either one-on-one or group sessions. Below are just some of the many things we cover when doing a consultation:
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New Hires
Receive a complete review of your federal benefits and ensure that you understand your benefits and costs as well as your options. Early changes could save you thousands of dollars. What to do with prior 401K balances before you tie them up in TSP.
Eligibility
Understanding not only when you can retire but how to effectively create streams of income to maximize your retirement.
Computation
Explanation and calculations on trigger points of your retirement system. Such as, your Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) and Special Retirement Supplement (SRS) and how to take advantage of these benefits.
Creditable Service
Reviewing your hire date and ensuring that your years of service are credited towards your retirement.
Planning & Applying
Creating a personal analysis for your federal pension by exploring retirement options to maximize your disposable income while reducing your benefits costs.
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Types of Retirement
A complete explanation on the various types of retirement, Disability, Early Retirement, Voluntary Retirement, Deferred Retirement and how those options will affect your income.
Survivors
Ensuring that you and your family understand what benefits you have in the event you predecease them during your working years or once retired. Review of benefits, costs and application of request for benefits.
Military Service Credit
Buying back your military service will help increase your retirement annuity. Ask about the
2-year interest free grace period.
Former Employees
If you leave before you are eligible you may be entitled to receive your FERS contributions and review your best options for your TSP account balance.
- NA part-time employee (20 hours per week) is eligible for the same benefits of a full-time employee.
- NNew employees are automatically enrolled in the Thrift Savings Plan.
- NThe Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Alternate life programs, in many cases, can be less expensive for a 42 year old or older employee.
Popular Questions
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How many years do you have to work for the federal government to get a pension?
The simple answer for an FERS employee is 30 years of federal servcie.
How is federal retirement calculated?
The simple answer is a combination of the “High-3” average, years of services, and age at retirement.
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What are the retirement benefits for federal employees?
Depending on the retirement system type of employee a pension or a modified pension, a Thrift Savings Plan, and Social Security would be available.
How do I contact OPM after retirement?
A federal retiree can contact OPM by email, retire@opm.gov or call (888) 767-6738.
Customer relations with
transparent communication ...
Alford Benefits can help you get there.
"Assisting Federal Employees in Texas and Louisiana to understand & take full advantage of their benefits."
Business Address
Suite 112
Houston, TX 77073
Business Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM