Virtual Benefits Orientation for Transfers

The Benefits staff provides the following live presentation twice a month. 

MANDATORY ATTENDANCE

• Date: First Tuesday of each pay period
• Time: 11:00 a.m. 
   

Transferring Employee Benefits Presentation Slides

Join using Zoom

• Invite Link
  Meeting ID: 160 869 3998
  Passcode: 859731

Join by phone

• 1-650-479-3208  Call-in toll number (US/Canada)

One week after your arrival, send a copy of your final leave and earnings statement (LES) from your prior agency to AskBenefits@nih.gov or by fax to 301-402-5506. This is required to transfer year-to-date information and ensure all benefit elections have been accurately transferred.
 

Review your first NIH LES to ensure all your benefit elections and deductions are reflected. If you have any issues, email AskBenefits@nih.gov.

Navigate to the OHR FEHB page for additional resources on health insurance. You can find virtual presentations that provide an opportunity to meet with health plan providers and ask questions, if applicable. 
 

If you are enrolled in an HMO and have moved outside of the service area, you must change plans. If you are enrolled in a fee-for-service (nationwide) plan, your coverage will automatically continue, and you are not permitted to make an election change.
 

• How to change plans: Complete election form SF-2809
• Additional Information: Family member eligibility must be verified. Include family member eligibility document(s), if applicable. 
• Effective Date: Coverage is not retroactive and is effective the first day of the pay period following receipt of your enrollment change.
• Where to send the form: NIH OHR Benefits Office. Emailing is preferred.
   

If you are not enrolled, transferring agencies does not permit you to enroll.

Navigate to the OHR FEDVIP page for more information about dental and vision programs.

If you are enrolled in a dental or vision plan, you may need to notify BENEFEDS of your change in payroll offices.

• How to contact: Call BENEFEDS at 1-877-888-3337
• Payroll Office Number (PON): 97-38-1500

If your transfer is within the same agency payroll office (DFAS), BENEFEDS should receive a notification of your transfer, and you do not need to contact them.

If your transfer is outside of your prior agency payroll office (not with DFAS), you must contact BENEFEDS to continue payroll deduction.

If you are not enrolled, transferring agencies does not permit you to enroll.

Navigate to the OHR FEGLI page to learn more about life insurance.
 

If you had FEGLI coverage at your prior agency, the same amount automatically transfers. You do not have the opportunity to elect additional coverage.

Navigate to the OHR FSA page to learn more about FSAs.

• How to contact: Call FSAFEDS at 1-877-372-3337
• Payroll Office Number (PON): 97-38-1500

If you are not enrolled, transferring agencies does not permit you to enroll.

If you are enrolled and premiums were deducted from your LES, notify LTC Partners of your change in payroll office.

• How to contact: Call LTC Partners at 1-877-372-3337
• Payroll Office Number (PON): 97-38-1500

Important Notice: OPM has suspended new applications until approximately December 2024. Read more about the suspension of new applications.

Questions may be directed to Long Term Care Partners.

Navigate to the OHR TSP page to learn more about TSP.
 

The amount you were contributing to TSP at your prior agency will continue. You have the option to change your TSP contribution at any time.

• How to change your TSP election: You may submit form TSP-1 to the Benefits Office. After you receive your myPay login credentials, contribution changes should be made in myPay. 

TSP LOANS: Provide the Benefits Office with a copy of the loan agreement. This information ensures your loan repayment continues.

Navigate to the OHR beneficiary form page to learn more about beneficiary elections.

If you havean Unpaid Compensation (SF-1152) beneficiary form is on file, you must complete a new one. All other beneficiary forms with your former agency remain valid.
 

• How to submit: You must print and submit original signed form to the Benefits Office. Forms may be submitted and updated at any time.

Navigate to the OHR Leave Bank page to learn more about the Leave Bank Program.
 

• How to apply: Apply for the Leave Bank Program in the Integrated Time and Attendance System (ITAS), under the “Leave Bank Membership” tab. You may also contact the NIH leave Bank Office at LeaveBank@od.nih.gov.

• Election Form: N/A

Monitor your LES. Your prior leave balances will be transferred within two to three pay periods. After your hours are added, provide your timekeeper with a copy to adjust your leave balances in ITAS (time and attendance system).
 

For additional questions, visit the Leave Guide page or email WorkFlex@mail.nih.gov.

The following payroll documents must be submitted through USA Staffing Onboarding.

• Direct deposit
• Federal tax withholding
• State tax withholding
• Voluntary allotments

Court Ordered Allotments

Child support, tax levy or garnishments do not continue automatically. Contact DFAS at 1-888-332-7411. The address is Garnishment Operations-HGA, P.O. Box 998002, Cleveland OH 44199-8002. Documents may also be faxed to 216-522-6960.

Navigate to the OHR military service page to learn more about how your military service could apply toward your civil service retirement.
 

If you were already making a military deposit at your prior agency, provide the Benefits Office with a copy of form 1514. You can obtain this from your prior agency.