Benefits Newsletter: October, 2022

Did you know that the Federal Benefits Open Season happens only once a year? Unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event during the year, the Open Season is your only opportunity to enroll, cancel your enrollment, or make a change to your enrollment for the participating programs. The Open Season will run November 14 – December 12, 2022. This is the time to review and update your benefits, if needed. Don’t miss out on this important opportunity. 

Do you have questions about the 2023 plans? There will be a Virtual Benefits Open Season Fair, instead of in-person fairs. To attend the Virtual Fair and chat with plan representatives, registration is required. Any time during the Benefits Open Season (November 14 – December 12), you will be able to log into the Virtual Fair to review 2023 plan brochures, visit individual plan booths, watch instructional videos, and register for educational webinars.   

Kaiser Permanente is offering a number of wellness events during October, November, and December.

The Long Term Care Partners are offering the following free benefits webinars:  

Your eligibility to retire depends upon your age, years of creditable service, and the retirement system under which you are covered. Eligibility information can be viewed on the Office of Personnel Management retirement page for the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS and CSRS-Offset) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS, FERS-RAE and FERS-FRAE).  

Family members eligible for coverage under your “Self Plus One” or “Self and Family” enrollment are your spouse and children under age 26*, including legally adopted children, recognized natural children, and stepchildren. (*A child age 26 or over is also an eligible family member if he/she is incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that existed before age 26.) 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides online tools and resources to help you understand your Social Security benefits. You can find information and online tools to help you understand your potential benefits on the SSA information page. Additionally, you can use the online services webpage to:

If you are covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or CSRS-Offset, your spouse is entitled to a survivor annuity provided you have at least 18 months of civilian service and you were married for at least 9 months. The 9-month requirement does not apply if your death is accidental or if there is a child born of the marriage. Generally, your spouse is entitled to 55% of your earned annuity based on your length of service and high-three salary at the time of your death.