Transcript Sick Leave Policy

Session 16 Benefits Update
Panel
 Sonny Barber, USDA/ARS/AFM
 Becky Priebe, Washington State University
 Celia Rainville, University of Vermont
 Mary Fran San Soucie, Montana State University
National Defense Authorization Act
 Credit for unused sick leave under FERS
 Authority to deposit refunds under FERS
 Computation of CSRS annuities based on part-time
service
for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84)
Sick Leave Policy
 Each University or institution has a separate sick
leave policy. Some are unlimited as to the
maximum amount, some up to six months, etc.
 If you do not currently have a sick leave policy on
file with Sonny Barber in OPM then you cannot
request to file one at this time. You had to have
had one on file as of January 31, 2003.
 Updates can be submitted.
 Contact Sonny Barber to request a copy of the
policy for your institution.
UVM Extension just updated their policy last year to
align with the University’s current policy.
This was due to the fact that after researching the
guidelines for this policy, we found out that what
we had on file with OPM, no longer aligned with
the University’s policy.
Sick Leave
Unused sick leave is not transferable to another
Cooperative Extension Service Agency
Credit for Unused Sick Leave Under FERS
FERS employees separating with title to an immediate
annuity or who die leaving an eligible survivor will
receive credit for unused sick leave.
Effective October 28, 2009
50% of unused sick leave
Effective January 1, 2014
100% of unused sick leave
Credit for Unused Sick Leave Under FERS
FERS retiree with a CSRS component will receive
100% of CSRS frozen sick leave
50% of remainder under FERS
Dependent insurance
 March 23, 2010, Affordable Care Act Became Law
 Biggest change for employees with federal benefits is
that they can keep children as dependents until age
26
Redeposit Refunds FERS
Provisions of section 1904 of the NDAA
 only apply to employees covered under FERS on or
after October 28, 2009, and
 only affect annuity benefits based on a separation
from FERS coverage on or after October 28, 2009
Redeposit Refunds FERS
 Employees covered by FERS on or after October 28,
2009, may repay (or redeposit) any FERS deductions
previously refunded to them.
 They may also redeposit any CSRS deductions
previously refunded to them that covered CSRS
service that is credited under FERS rules
Redeposit Refunds FERS
 Payment of the FERS redeposit for FERS service
covered by a refund of FERS deductions and CSRS
service (that is credited under FERS rules) covered
by a refund of CSRS deductions allows
the refunded service to be creditable for
determining an employee’s retirement eligibility
and for computing the amount of an employee’s
annuity
Redeposit Refunds FERS
 Payment not made of the FERS redeposit for FERS
service covered by a refund of FERS deductions and
CSRS service (that is credited under FERS rules)
covered by a refund of CSRS deductions only allows
the refunded service to be creditable for determining
an employee’s retirement eligibility but it is not
creditable for computing the amount of an
employee’s annuity
Redeposit Refunds FERS
 Employees wanting to make a FERS redeposit may
complete the current FERS Application to Make a
Deposit, SF 3108.
 Employees must indicate on the application that the
period of service was refunded and send the completed
application through their agency for certification.
Redeposit Refunds FERS
 Employees wanting to make a FERS redeposit for
refunded service and a FERS deposit for non-covered
service will be assigned two service credit account
numbers and will receive two separate statements
based on each service credit account calculation.
 The two accounts will be set up based on one
application – two applications are not necessary.
 Payments must be submitted for each account
separately.
Roth TSP Contribution
Effective the second quarter of 2012 a Roth (405K) will
become part of the TSP Plan.
 Allows participants to contribute on an after-tax
basis to their TSP accounts and
 Receive tax-free earnings when they withdraw the
funds (assuming certain criteria are met).
Roth TSP Contribution
When you withdraw your Roth contributions and
associated earnings in retirement you will pay no
Federal income taxes on them, as long as you are:
 at least age 59 ½ and
 have been making Roth contributions for a
minimum of 5 years.
TSP FACT SHEET 06-5 (4/2011)
Roth TSP Contribution
Elective Deferral Limit
 $16,500 combined regular and Roth contributions
 $5,500 in combined regular and Roth catch-up
contributions, if 50 or older
 For a combined total of up to $22,000
Roth TSP Contribution
Participating Agencies are responsible for:
 Notifying participants
 Taking deductions
 Submitting to TSP
Details in TSP Bulletin 10-13
Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program
Provides long term care insurance for its enrollees, who are
Federal and U.S. Postal Service
 Employees
 Annuitants
 Active and retired members of the uniformed services,
 Their qualified relatives
Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program
Eligibility—
 All CES employees with Federal benefits
 Agency does not have to participate in Federal
Employees Health Benefits Program
Open Season from April 4 to June 24, 2011
Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program
 First abbreviated underwriting opportunity for non-
enrolled applicants since 2002
 Fewer health questions
 FLTCIP web site – http://www.ltcfeds.com/
Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program
Agency is responsible for notifying employees.
Agency not required to take deductions.
Worker’s Compensation
 Directly impacts Smith-Lever Funds

The amount “used” by claimant is taken from federal allocation
 If someone is re-injured from original federal WC
injury, that re-opens the original case.
Resources
 Video Library at the OPM
http://www.opm.gov/Video_Library/Retirement/index.asp
 Retirement Readiness NOW Tips
http://apps.opm.gov/Listserv_Apps/list-sub.cfm
 CES HR List Serve
[email protected]
Resources
 Sonny Barber, USDA/ARS/AFM
202-720-7666
[email protected]
 Becky Priebe, Washington State University
509-335-2842
[email protected]
 Celia Rainville, University of Vermont
802-656-4003
[email protected]
 Mary Fran San Soucie, Montana State University
406-994-6648
 Regional Contacts
[email protected]