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Post by sageadvice on Dec 23, 2007 23:46:47 GMT -5
Do any of you wise guys have info on the bennies attached to the fed alj position? Looking for retirement, deferred comp (I heard Uncle Sam matches!), health insurance...Thanks & good luck to all the serious contenders!
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Post by doctorwho on Dec 23, 2007 23:50:09 GMT -5
The easiest thing to do is to go to the OPM website and peruse the benefits available to all Federal Government employees. They are too numerous and complicated to fully explain here. And, they vary by individual, location, time in service, and individual situation (according to the options you choose). At the very least, you get medical, retirement, life, dental, vision, vacation, sick, etc -- all require contributions on your part to one degree or another. Go check www.opm.gov |
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Post by workdrone on Dec 24, 2007 1:48:00 GMT -5
Yup. Go to the opm website for the gory details. Suffice to say the benefits are excellent overall. TSP (federal 401k) matching I think is up to 4% max. Although I wouldn't count on the FERS retirement pension unless you have prior federal service to port over.  |
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Post by testtaker on Dec 24, 2007 11:25:38 GMT -5
The following information was provided in the "USA Jobs" online description for the position of Administrative Law Judge, when the job was posted back in May 2007. ********************************************** Benefits: The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. The following Web addresses are provided for your reference to explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees. Flexible Spending Accounts – The Federal Flexible Spending Accounts Program (FSAFeds) allows you to pay for certain health and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. For additional information visit: www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/index.asp Health Insurance – The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program offers over 100 optional plans. For additional information visit: www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.aspLeave – Most Federal employees earn both annual and sick leave. For additional information visit: www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.aspLife Insurance – The Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) offers Basic Life Insurance plus three types of optional insurance. For additional information visit: www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.aspLong Term Care Insurance - The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) provides long term care insurance for Federal employees and their parents, parents-in-law, stepparents, spouses, and adult children. For additional information visit: www.ltcfeds.com/Retirement Program - Almost all new employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan. The three tiers are: Social Security Benefits, Basic Benefit Plan, and Thrift Savings Plan. For additional information visit: www.opm.gov/retire/index.aspThis link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees. www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp************************** Hope that helps. |
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Post by jagghagg on Dec 24, 2007 13:15:28 GMT -5
If you can get the life insurance, it's a pretty good deal. For those of us who are already IN the federal government service, we have to wait for an open season. ("There is no date certain. Life insurance open seasons are held quite infrequently, and you should not count on one occurring any time soon. You will receive plenty of notice if and when there is an open season. The most recent FEGLI Open Seasons were held from September 1 - September 30, 2004 and in 1999.") But those coming in from the private sector have the opportunity to sign up for it at the outset. If you can, consider it as favorably as possible!! (I wish I had......<<sigh>>>)
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Post by sageadvice on Dec 24, 2007 20:41:37 GMT -5
Thank you all for the very helpful & informative advice--after being a part of this blog my top reason for wanting to be an ALJ now is to be able to work with bright & helpful folks like you.
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Post by jagghagg on Dec 28, 2007 10:53:29 GMT -5
BTW, it sounds like - for those of us who are already federal attorneys - the benefits do not change.
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Post by workdrone on Dec 28, 2007 11:37:59 GMT -5
BTW, it sounds like - for those of us who are already federal attorneys - the benefits do not change. Yup. In fact, ALJs who don't have prior Federal service at all starts at 4 hours of leave per bi-weekly pay period like most new hires. Hence AALJ was lobbying for an enhanced leave bill so newly hired ALJs can get 8 hours of leave per pay period regardless of prior federal service. |
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lee
Full Member
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Post by lee on Jan 3, 2008 19:56:13 GMT -5
Before I go to the website posted above and try to understand the health insurance options, maybe someone already knows the answer to my question. My spouse had some serious health problems about 20 years ago, which rendered him uninsurable for 5 years. Since then, the state in which we reside passed a statute which essentially guarantees health insurance, albeit at a steep price.
So, my question is--if I have the good fortune to receive one of these appointments, will my spouse definitely be able to have health insurance, and at a price which will not require a second mortgage on our home?
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Post by doctorwho on Jan 3, 2008 21:01:55 GMT -5
Before I go to the website posted above and try to understand the health insurance options, maybe someone already knows the answer to my question. My spouse had some serious health problems about 20 years ago, which rendered him uninsurable for 5 years. Since then, the state in which we reside passed a statute which essentially guarantees health insurance, albeit at a steep price. So, my question is--if I have the good fortune to receive one of these appointments, will my spouse definitely be able to have health insurance, and at a price which will not require a second mortgage on our home? You will have the option to cover your spouse and family under your policy, no questions asked, by simply paying the family price premium -- the same price everybody else would pay. No extra cost. |
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Post by counselor95 on Jan 3, 2008 21:14:22 GMT -5
My understanding of Federal health insurance benefits is that there is no pre-existing condition exclusion; basically, coverage is available for all employees, spouses, and dependent children with no proof of health required. The premiums are set by each insurance plan, but each plan's premiums are uniform for all enrollees. Some plans are only available in certain areas, but there are three or four or so which are available across the US. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield is available everywhere, offers two plans, and for their higher priced plan with the most extensive coverage, charges $134.66 monthly for "self only" coverage and $314.47 for monthly for "self and family" coverage .
Just be sure to sign up right away, for health benefits (and whatever life insurance you want), so you don't have to wait for open season to enroll.
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lee
Full Member
Posts: 102
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Post by lee on Jan 4, 2008 8:12:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the information, and assurance that insurance coverage will not be a problem.
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Post by jagghagg on Jan 4, 2008 10:15:34 GMT -5
Lee, just make sure you take your final assurances from a benefits advisor before you sign up. Your question is actually very specific and narrow - when presented with the voluminous amount of information that will be thrown at you when you are asked to pick a medical plan, call the numbers on the information and ask before deciding.
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