Posted on Wednesday, 18th November 2015 by Dennis Damp

I received a number of messages from active federal employees that were not able to get into Employee Express to make FEHB plan changes. Retirees using OPM’s FEHB Open Season Online are getting through and able to request hard copies of brochures and make plan changes. Employee Express is managed by OPM and employees are […]

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• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• ESTATE PLANNING
• FINANCE / TIP
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Posted on Tuesday, 10th November 2015 by Dennis Damp

This open season has created confusion for many especially issues concerning the new FEHB Self Plus One option.  OPM’s Open Season Health Benefits Guide has left many questioning whether or not they will leave their spouse without coverage when they die if they change to the Self Plus One option.  When I first discovered the […]

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• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• FINANCE / TIP
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Posted on Thursday, 5th November 2015 by Dennis Damp

The 2016 plan brochures are now available online at OPM.  I ordered 6 plan brochures through OPM’s FEHB Open Season Online service on Monday. I requested hard copies so I can sit down and review them offline. You can also view them online. This year has generated many more questions due to the new Self […]

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• ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY
• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• FINANCE / TIP
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Posted on Saturday, 24th October 2015 by Dennis Damp

Now that we officially aren’t receiving a COLA in 2016 and our health care costs are increasing next year, for some substantially, it’s time to cut our expenses wherever possible. Over the past few months I saved a substantial amount by reviewing our monthly bills and pairing costs. I believe I’ve saved enough to offset […]

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• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• FINANCE / TIP
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Posted on Thursday, 1st October 2015 by Dennis Damp

OPM announced that the 2016 FEHB premiums will increase an average of 6.4 percent. Enrollees, on average, will pay $5.50 more each pay period for Self Only coverage and those with Self and Family coverage will pay $19.61 more per pay period. OPM also states in their latest press release that, “for over 95% of […]

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• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• ESTATE PLANNING
• FINANCE / TIP
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Posted on Thursday, 24th September 2015 by Dennis Damp

Retirement Benefits Update OPM recently added new helpful features to their Retirement Information and Services web site. The site continues to add new features to help annuitants and survivors with benefit and retirement issues. The latest additions provide registered users the ability to view and print 1099-R Tax Forms and a Year-to-Date Summary of Annuity […]

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• ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY
• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• ESTATE PLANNING
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Posted on Saturday, 5th September 2015 by Dennis Damp

In TSP – Ways to Safeguard Your TSP, part 1 of this series, I discussed a significant reason why a spouse that inherits a TSP account would want to transfer their TSP account to an IRA.  According to the TSP, “If a TSP beneficiary participant (Annuitant’s spouse) dies, the new beneficiary(ies) cannot continue to maintain […]

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• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• ESTATE PLANNING
• FINANCE / TIP
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Posted on Thursday, 13th August 2015 by Dennis Damp

Even if you think, like I did in 2004 when the last open season was offered, that you have sufficient coverage you may be surprised at what you discover. I wish I knew then what I know now about these attractive low cost options. OPM recently announced that a 2016 Federal Employees Group Life Insurance […]

Posted in

• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• FINANCE / TIP
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION