For Your Benefit

For Your Benefit

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For Your Benefit episodes

  • Open Season Resources
    November 13, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Ray Kirk, Ph.D., Federal Benefits Specialist, NITP, welcome Jay Fritz, Program Manager, Outreach & Program Services, Healthcare and Insurance, U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
    It is that time of year again for employees and annuitants to review their Open Season options, which include health plans, dental and vision plans, FSAs, etc.
    Today’s discussion will include:
    Federal Open Season: November 13 – December 11, 2023
    What programs participate in Open Season?
    How can I prioritize my Open Season shopping list?
    What options do I have?
    What if I do nothing?
    Resources for further information:
    Visit: opm.gov/openseason
    Follow OPM on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/opm/
    For Twitter News and Updates: https://twitter.com/usopm
    See your Human Resources Office
    How do I make an Open Season election or change?
    Flexible Spending Accounts under FSAFEDS (employees only): FSAFEDS.com or call 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337) or TTY 1-866-353-8058.
    Dental or vision under FEDVIP: Everyone – go to BENEFEDS.com or call 1-877-888-3337, TTY 1-877-889-5680.
    FEHB: Employees – use the Health Benefits Election Form (SF 2809) or use an online self-service system; your agency’s human resources office can help you. Retirees – go to Open Season Online at https://retireefehb.opm.gov or call Open Season Express at 1-800-332-9798, TTY 1-855-887-4957.
    For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected]
    Copyright © 2023 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
    54 min
  • Choosing the Best Plan During Open Season
    November 6, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Tammy Flanagan, Senior Benefits Director at NITP, Inc. welcome back Paula S. Jakub, RHU, CEO at The American Foreign Service Protective Association, sponsor of the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. 
    Today’s topic will focus on things to consider during Federal Open Season and how to get the most out of the health plan you choose. Paula is a Subject Matter Expert in Federal Health Insurance and serves on the adjunct faculty of the Foreign Service Institute.  Paula will discuss:
    FEHB PROGRAM
    OPM Initiatives and 2024 Benefits
    Obesity Treatment
    Infertility Treatment and Women’s Health
    Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Support
    Gender Affirming Care
    Lifelong Health/Wellness and Support for Chronic Conditions 
    Consider how you use health care
    Latest on Medicare, including the Federal Medicare Advantage Plans and NEW: Plans offering Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
    FEDVIP
    Make sure you understand these supplemental plans
    FSAFEDS
    ·     Pre-tax reimbursement for eligible costs
    ·     What is an eligible cost?
    ·     Rules on carryover amounts
    For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected]
    52 min
  • Health Care Directives

    October 30, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Marc Levine, Esquire, to talk about Health Care Directives.

    • What is a Health Care Directive (and is it different from a Health Care Power of Attorney)?
    • What should l look for in my Health Care Agent? Why an advocate matters.
    • What is the difference between my Health Care Directive and a Do Not Resuscitate?
    • What is MOLST?
    • Resources for health care decisions.
    • What else does my health care directive do?
    • How does my Health Care Directive interact with my Power of Attorney?

      • For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected]

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      54 min
    • Relocating and Downsizing in Retirement
      October 23, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Herb Casey, Federal Retirement Specialist.
      In retirement, some will decide to relocate to a different location or residence. Maybe you want to live in a warmer climate or move closer to family. Herb will discuss the main considerations and resources available in making this decision.
      And if you plan to relocate, it’s important to manage the possessions you have collected over the years. How do you determine what to keep?  Understanding the reasons why it may be necessary to downsize possessions and the steps necessary in the process will be discussed.
      For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected]
      Copyright © 2023 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
      54 min
    • Cash Flow Planning and Debt Payoff Strategies

      October 16, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Brian Kurrus, CFP®.  Our guest today will talk about cash flow planning and debt payoff strategies for Federal employees and retirees.

      • How much of an emergency fund do you need? How should you invest these assets?
      • Which debt should you pay off first?
      • What is the impact of higher interest rates on debt in general?
      • Should you pay down your mortgage before retirement?
      • What other cash flow changes might you have in retirement?

        • For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected]

        Copyright © 2023 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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        53 min
      • Preparing for the “What If’s” in Life

        October 2, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Karen Schaeffer, CFP®, welcome Kay Bransford, Daily Money Manager, Professional Financial Advocate & Fiduciary, MemoryBanc.

        We never know what life will bring. Too often spouses, partners, family, and friends are unable to help because they do not have the information they need. If you are unable to manage the day-to-day bill pay and expenses, how will your loved ones:

        • Pay for the household expenses?
        • Cover your healthcare needs and know what resources are available to pay for medical expenses?
        • Manage if you are terminally ill or die and they have no information about your accounts, retirement plans, insurance, loans?

          • For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected]

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          53 min
        • FEHB and Taxes

          September 25, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Tom O’Rourke, Counsel.

          On today’s program, Tom will discuss how Federal employees can use their Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program as a tax reduction tool. Specifically, how all FEHB premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses can be paid on a pre-tax basis. Tom will also talk about how a Health Savings Account (HSA) can be used to both reduce current tax liability and be used as a vehicle to accumulate funds to pay future health care costs.

          For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected]

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          54 min
        • Required Minimum Distributions
          September 18, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Joe Sullender, CFP® to talk about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
          Basics of RMDs
          Understanding RMDs with inherited IRAs
          Timing your RMDs
          For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected]
          Copyright © 2023 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
          50 min
        • The Importance of Life Insurance
          September 11, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes M. Shane Canfield, CEO, and Stacy Outlaw, Chief Marketing Officer, WAEPA.
          September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. Today’s guests will discuss the importance of and uses for life insurance.
          Why do we need life insurance?
          What are other uses of life insurance?
          How does life insurance benefit families?
          How does WAEPA compare to FEGLI?
          For questions or comments, email us inadvance at [email protected]
          Copyright © 2023 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
          51 min
        • The Cost and Value of Federal Benefits
          August 21, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and cohost Ray Kirk, Ph.D., welcome Phil Gardner, Federal Benefits Specialist.
          Today’s guest will talk about the cost of benefits for both the employee and the agency. He will discuss the value to the employee, the agency, and the Federal government.
          We will look through the lens of:
          Early career employees;
          Mid-career employees; and,
          Employees planning to retire.
          How much can a new/early career employee expect to pay for benefits? How does this differ for a mid-career employee? What about the retiring employee?
          For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected]
          Copyright © 2023 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
          53 min

        About For Your Benefit

        From the publisher's feed

        Host Bob Leins and presenters from NITP, Inc., the national leader in Federal retirement planning seminars, present topics of interest to the Federal community including Federal benefits, Social…