Recently, due to budget cuts, OPM reduced their call-center’s hours and they are now open from 7:40 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. To talk to a retirement consultant, report an annuitant’s death, request a duplicate 1099 R or other issues call their toll free number at 1-888-767-6738. For those in the DC area call 202-606-0500. You will also find other web based options for contacting OPM and reporting deaths on our updated Retiree’s Master Contact List that you can download and keep with your retirement paperwork.  

Retirement claims processing has improved dramatically this year with outstanding retirement processing claims dropping over 50% since January. Even with reduced hours and the sequestration OPM has been able to streamline the process and expedite approvals to reduce the backlog.  

• Request a Retirement Benefits Summary & Analysis from a local adviser.  Includes projected annuity payments, income verses expenses, FEGLI, and TSP projections.

FEHB Changes and Proposals

Next year OPM will have more vendors to choose from, a total of 10 for the dental program and 4 for vision.  The approved vendors are listed below and rates will be published this fall.

Dental Care Vendors:

• Aetna
• MetLife
• United Concordia
• GEHA
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Delta Dental
• Triple S
• Dominion Dental
• Humana
• Emblem Health

Approved Vision Plan Vendors:

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• VSP
• United Healthcare

A major change to the FEHB rate structure is being supported by OPM according to Mike Causey, host of the Federal News Radio Show.  OPM is now supporting the self-plus-one FEHB subscription plan similar to how the dental care program now works. This would provide considerable savings to retirees who would be able to reduce their coverage cost from family to self-plus-one.  This would also make it easier for retirees to select and pay for Medicare Part B.  Many retirees already pay for higher cost family coverage and are hesitant to take on another $100 a month or more to pay for Part B.  

Updates

Cynthia Compton-Conley, Ph.D. contacted me last week concerning my “New and Bigger Isn’t Always Better” article that discusses the problem I have hearing TV program and movie audio.  Cynthia is retired CSRS and an audiologist and former professor at Gallaudet. She works with hearing loss and developed a comprehensive website with tutorials on room acoustics and hearing loss along with other very helpful information and links. If you too are having hearing problems, Cynthia states that one in 10 Americans have hearing loss, visit her web site at www.soundstrategy.com. I took their free hearing assessment inventory and found the information very helpful.  She was also able to explain why I’m having this problem and proposed suitable remedies tailored to my personal situation.

FREE Career Planning Guide for federal Employees

Take Charge of Your Federal Career is a practical, action-oriented career management workbook that assists employees with the preparation of realistic Individual Development Plans (IDPs). Packed with proven tips and valuable assessment and evaluation tools, this unique workbook provides federal workers with the individualized know-how and guidance they need to identify, obtain, and successfully demonstrate the skills and experience required to qualify for new and better federal jobs. I wrote this book based on my 36 years of federal work experience.  We are offering 30 copies, one case of books, to federal training offices and supervisors for $84, the cost of shipping and handling, to introduce agencies and federal offices to this succinct career planning workbook.  Pass this on to your training departments and supervisors in your unit. The book is 8 ½” x 11” 216 page perfect bound workbook that will help federal employees plan their careers. Order online or call 800-782-7424. Ask for Special Offer IDP-1432.

Learn more about your benefits, employment, and financial planning issues on our site and visit our Blog frequently at  https://fedretire.net to read all forum articles.

Visit our other informative sites

• Federal Government Jobs & Career Center
• FREE Federal Employee’s Retirement Planning Guide
  • Federal Retiree Job Opportunities
  • Federal Employee & Retiree BLOG
• Federal Employee’s Career Development & IDP Center
• Post Office Jobs & Career Center
• Job Search – All Sectors
• Environmental Health & Safety Jobs Center
• Nuclear Jobs & Careers – High Paying Jobs
• Stolen Car Plates & Recovery Guide
• Take Charge of Your Federal Career
• The Book of U.S. Government Jobs

• 2013 Excel Leave Chart (target 2013 retirement dates and determine exact leave balances for each date)
• How to be Emotionally and Physically Prepared When You Retire
• How to be Financially Prepared When You Retire
• Master Retiree Contact List (Important contact numbers and information)
• Survivor’s Guide
• Estate Planning Guide (An 11 part series that will help readers prepare for retirement, understand basic estate planning techniques, and compile their personal “Survivor’s Guide” binder.)

The information provided may not cover all aspect of unique or special circumstances, federal regulations, and financial information is subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact your benefits coordinator and ask them to review your official personnel file and circumstances concerning this issue. Retirees can contact the OPM retirement center. Our article is not intended nor should it be considered investment advice and our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult with a financial or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Last 5 posts by Dennis Damp

• Military Buyback Guide: How to Maximize Your Federal Pension - June 6th, 2026
• OPM Retirement Backlog: What Federal Retirees Should Expect - May 30th, 2026
• Retirement Cost Analysis: How to Prepare for Your Future - May 27th, 2026
• How to Increase Your Retirement Income Before You Retire - May 26th, 2026
• Required Minimum Distributions - May 8th, 2026

Dennis Damp

Dennis V. Damp is an author, retired federal manager, business owner, career counselor and veteran. Damp is the author of 28 books, a recognized benefits expert, and a retired federal manager with 35 years’ service. Dennis has been a guest on hundreds of radio talk shows, CNN’s YOUR MONEY and the Lou Dobbs Cable TV shows, lectured at universities and colleges, produced Internet web sites and training videos, and has written hundreds of articles for national magazines and newspapers. His books have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, New York Times and U.S. News & World Report.

Dennis joined the Air Force in 1968 and spent over three years on active duty and an additional seven years with the Air National Guard. He was hired by the Department of Defense (DOD) after leaving active duty and transferred to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1975. He spent the remainder of his career in various positions with the FAA. His last position was technical operations manager at the Pittsburgh International Airport’s air traffic control tower.