Changing Federal Agencies

[laurenb]

I'm currently a federal employee with the EEOC and will be starting as an ALJ with SSA on June 29. I'm slightly concerned about whether there will be an issue transferring my benefits, leave, etc. Because we are starting right at the end of the month, I want to make sure there is not a lapse in our health insurance. Anyone else out there who switched agencies who can comment on the process?

Thanks

[71stretch]

I can't imagine that there is any problem with that. I switched agencies working for a state government, and there was no issue about leave, benefits, any of that.

[hopefalj]

Jun 5, 2015 13:09:05 GMT -5 laurenb said:

I'm currently a federal employee with the EEOC and will be starting as an ALJ with SSA on June 29. I'm slightly concerned about whether there will be an issue transferring my benefits, leave, etc. Because we are starting right at the end of the month, I want to make sure there is not a lapse in our health insurance. Anyone else out there who switched agencies who can comment on the process?

Thanks

I don't remember anyone in my class having issues with it. There may be a lapse in how quickly your leave fully transfers over, but your general benefits should be fine.

[anotherfed]

I started in May. all of my federal benefits transferred, with the exception FSAfeds. you will have to re-enroll. We're still waiting for the annual and sick leave balances to transfer, but I'm not worried.

[agilitymom]

Jun 5, 2015 13:09:05 GMT -5 laurenb said:

I'm currently a federal employee with the EEOC and will be starting as an ALJ with SSA on June 29. I'm slightly concerned about whether there will be an issue transferring my benefits, leave, etc. Because we are starting right at the end of the month, I want to make sure there is not a lapse in our health insurance. Anyone else out there who switched agencies who can comment on the process?

Thanks

I had absolutely no problems. But I also uploaded my SF-50s to SSA. They will also ask for your final account statement once EEOC makes your final payments. With the paperwork that SSA has you fill out, things like your FEHB won't change, you are simply making an Agency change and they will provide you the paperwork to do that. No worries...but still...keep out a sharp eye for the details.

[onepingonly]

Welcome to SSA, laurenb. I came over from EEOC as well. All benefits transferred fine. I had to make a few phone calls to Blue Cross Blue Shield to be sure my coverage was uninterrupted (my wife was expecting). The office manager was a big help. The folks in your new office should be able to assist you. Enjoy your new assignment!

[herronner]

You will get a detailed email from Bob explaining exactly what steps you need to take to make sure everything switches over. I was hired in March and was a little dubious that everything would go smoothly, based on my experience with HR in my old agency. But it was a completely smooth transition. Congrats!!

[ruonthelist]

Congratulations. I hope you enjoy the new job.
I recommend that anyone switching agencies print out their last two or three Earning and Leave Statements, and (if applicable) TSP and FSA account balances. The transition should be mostly seamless, but it is good to have hard copies of those accounts handy.

[factfinder]

I believe a little prudence will go a long way. As others have suggested, have your LESs handy, an SF-50, etc. I had no problem when I moved over to ODAR years ago and having changed federal jobs more than once, it is fair to say that most HR folks know what they are doing and do it competently. The thing to remember is that while it is the job of the gaining agency to do the transfer, every thing you do to make it work better is a plus.

[jd]

In addition to fsa feds, I think you also have to do dental separately. But as another poster indicated, you will get information and everything will be fine.