Season for benefits change coming for federal employees

Date published: 8/24/2008

ONE OF THE BEST and most cherished benefits that federal workers and retirees enjoy is the annual ability to make changes in their health insurance coverage.

The Office of Personnel Management has announced that the Federal Benefits Open Season for 2009 will begin Nov. 10 and run through Dec. 8.

During this time, federal workers can sign up for flexible spending accounts, allowing them to set aside pre-tax funds to offset medical or dependent-care expenses not covered by insurance.

Federal workers can also enroll in or make changes to supplemental dental and vision plans under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. It is important to note that the government does not supplement premiums for these programs.

Finally, federal workers and retires can decide what health insurance coverage they want in 2009 through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

OPM advises that the 2009 premiums will be unveiled in mid-September. Specific information on the 2009 plans is expected to be available on OPM's Web site, opm.gov, during the first week of November.

When the 2009 premiums are released, I'll provide you with the biweekly and monthly changes for the most popular health care plans.

Historically, health premiums tend to increase each year--a factor that concerns federal retirees who are on fixed incomes.

Retirees hope that the annual cost-of-living adjustment will help them keep pace with rising prices.

So far this year, the Consumer Price Index, which sets the Dec. 1 boost for retirees, has been skyrocketing. July's figures showed a slight increase, for a total increase since the previous July of 6.2 percent.

The CPI for August and September must be added to the mix, but it appears that the December increase could be the largest in years.

The National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees monitors Labor's monthly inflation figures, so you may want to check out its Web site, narfe.org, for the latest inflation information.

MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENTS

On Aug. 1, federal workers who use private vehicles for official travel saw an increase in their reimbursement rates. The General Services Administration increased the rates from 50.5 cents to 58.5 cents per mile for automobiles and from 30.5 cents to 58.5 cents per mile for motorcycles.

Kevin Wilkinson of Spotsylvania County is a veteran federal employee. Write him c/o Federal Feedback, The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401. Or e-mail
Email: kwlknsn@yahoo.com.

Date published: 8/24/2008