The Federal Benefits Guide
A Decision-Making Resource, Not a Rulebook. Navigate Your FERS, TSP, and FEHB with confidence.
Welcome to the Nexus. This interactive tool cuts through the complexity of OPM manuals to provide actionable decision support. Select your career stage or a specific topic below to get started.
Career Stages
New Hire Zone
Day One Decisions: FEGLI, TSP Match, and Health Plans.
Start Here →Mid-Career Growth
Growth & Planning: Service Buybacks, Leave Banking, and Promotions.
Explore Growth →Pre-Retirement
The 5-Year Runway: Critical Deadlines and Insurance Rules.
Check Deadlines →Retirement & Beyond
Life After Work: Income, Supplements, and Medicare.
Plan Exit →Benefit Deep Dives
TSP Guide
Contribution Limits, Fund Matrix, and Growth Strategies.
View Funds →OWCP Protocols
Injury Claims, Forms (CA-1/CA-2), and Supervisor Duties.
File Claim →FEHB Plans
Plan Comparison, Qualifying Life Events, and AI Assistant.
Compare Plans →Resources
Official Links, Forms Library, and Government Tools.
Browse Library →Day One Decisions
You've just started. The clock is ticking on critical benefits choices. Use this guide to ensure you don't miss out on free money or essential coverage.
💰 TSP Matching: Don't Leave Money on the Table
The agency matches up to 5%. Action Item: Contribute at least 5% immediately.
⚠️ FEGLI Warning
The Rule: You get "Basic" automatically.
The Deadline: You must sign up for Option B (Extra coverage) NOW if you want it.
Risk: Missing this window usually requires a medical exam to add it later.
🏥 Health Insurance (FEHB)
Deadline: 60 days from start date.
- Compare premiums, deductibles, and networks.
- Premiums are paid pre-tax (Premium Conversion).
🎓 The "High-3" Concept
Your pension is based on your highest 3 consecutive years of salary. Even now, know that maximizing your salary later directly impacts your "forever" income.
Growth & Planning
You are settled in. Now is the time to optimize your service credit and understand how your salary grows.
Military Service Buyback
Question: Should you pay it back?
YES, usually.
It converts non-creditable military time into creditable FERS civilian service, permanently increasing your pension.
Beneficiary Check
Married? Divorced? Kids? Don't let your ex-spouse inherit your TSP. Update these forms:
- SF-1152 Unpaid Compensation
- SF-2823 FEGLI Life Insurance
- SF-3102 FERS Contributions
- TSP-3 Thrift Savings Plan
🏖️ Annual Leave Maximization
📈 GS Step Increases Timeline
Rapid Growth
Wait 52 weeks
Steady Pace
Wait 104 weeks
Seniority
Wait 156 weeks
🧮 When is my Next Step Increase?
You will be eligible for Step X on:
--/--/----
The 5-Year Runway
The decisions you make in the 5 years before retirement determine your eligibility for lifelong benefits.
CRITICAL: The 5-Year Rule
To keep your FEHB (Health) and FEGLI (Life) insurance in retirement, you MUST have been covered for the 5 years immediately preceding retirement.
Checklist
- ✓ Verify Service History (OPF)
- ✓ Request Retirement Estimate
- ✓ Maximize TSP Catch-up Contributions
High-3 Final Check
Are these your highest earning years? Ensure you aren't leaving just before a step increase or salary bump that could affect your permanent annuity.
🤒 Sick Leave Conversion Chart
Unused sick leave credits towards your time in service. 2,087 hours = 1 full year.
| Hours | Service Credit | Hours | Service Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 174 | 1 Month | 1,217 | 7 Months |
| 348 | 2 Months | 1,391 | 8 Months |
| 522 | 3 Months | 1,565 | 9 Months |
| 696 | 4 Months | 1,739 | 10 Months |
| 870 | 5 Months | 1,913 | 11 Months |
| 1,044 | 6 Months | 2,087 | 1 Year |
Life After Work
Understanding eligibility, supplements, and the complex interaction with Medicare.
📅 When Can I Retire?
💍 Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)
Do you want your spouse to receive a pension after you pass? This decision is permanent.
- • Cost: You pay 10% of your annuity.
- • Benefit: Spouse gets 50% of your annuity.
- • Crucial: Spouse keeps FEHB eligibility.
- • Cost: $0 (Full pension for you).
- • Benefit: $0 for spouse.
- • Warning: Spouse loses FEHB immediately.
🌉 The FERS Supplement
Bridges the gap if you retire before age 62. It approximates the Social Security benefit earned during your federal service.
🩺 The Medicare Part B Question
FEHB Alone
- ✅ Keeps your familiar network
- ❌ May have deductibles/copays
FEHB + Medicare B
- ✅ Medicare pays 1st, FEHB 2nd
- ❌ Requires paying two premiums
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Funds, Contribution Limits, and Investment Strategies.
💰 TSP Funds Matrix
Core Funds
| Fund | Objective | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| G Fund | Govt Securities (No Loss) | Very Low |
| F Fund | Bonds Index (Barclays) | Low-Mod |
| C Fund | S&P 500 (Large Cap) | Mod-High |
| S Fund | Small Cap Stocks | High |
| I Fund | International (MSCI EAFE) | High |
Professionally managed mix of the 5 core funds. Automatically shifts from aggressive to conservative as you approach your target retirement date (e.g., L 2050).
2025 Contribution Limits
- Elective Deferral Limit: $23,500
- Catch-Up (Age 50+): +$7,500
- Super Catch-Up (60-63): +$11,250
- *Agency matching contributions do NOT count towards these personal limits.
Workers' Compensation (OWCP)
Comprehensive guide for federal employees and supervisors.
🚨 1. I've Been Injured: Immediate Actions
Inform your supervisor immediately. Do not wait.
Ask for Form CA-16 (Traumatic Injury only). This guarantees payment for treatment for 60 days.
Log into ECOMP to file your claim officially.
Know Your Injury Type
Specific event during ONE work shift (e.g., slip & fall).
Condition developing over time (e.g., carpal tunnel).
✅ Your Rights
- File a Claim: You have the right to file for any work-related injury.
- Choice of Physician: You choose your initial doctor (MD, DO, etc.).
- No Discrimination: You cannot be treated differently for filing.
📋 Your Responsibilities
- Burden of Proof: YOU must provide evidence to support your claim.
- Medical Evidence: You must submit objective medical findings (from your doctor) to OWCP.
- Communication: Keep your agency informed of your status.
📅 3. Forms & Critical Deadlines
Essential Forms
Deadlines Not to Miss
- 3 Years To file a claim from date of injury.
- 10 Workdays To submit medical evidence for COP eligibility.
- 1 Year To request Reconsideration after a denial decision.
💊 4. Medical Care & Benefits
Medical Benefits: FECA covers all reasonable/necessary treatment, meds, and devices.
COP (Continuation of Pay): Only for Traumatic injuries. You get regular pay for up to 45 days.
Wage Loss Comp: After COP ends. Paid at 66 2/3% (single) or 75% (with dependents), tax-free.
Schedule Award: Cash payout for permanent impairment to a body part (arm, leg, eye, etc.).
⚖️ 5. What if I'm Denied? (Appeals)
| Type | Details | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing | Oral hearing or review of written record. | 30 Days |
| Reconsideration | Submit NEW evidence to the same office. | 1 Year |
| ECAB Review | Highest appeal board. No new evidence allowed. | 180 Days |
1. Why Your Role Matters
As a supervisor, you are the agency's frontline representative. Your actions directly impact costs ($3.26B annually govt-wide), employee welfare, and operational continuity.
- Cost Containment: Early Return-to-Work (RTW) is the #1 tool for reducing chargeback costs.
- Employee Welfare: Quick support reduces stress and barriers to care.
- Operations: Managing modified duty minimizes workflow disruption.
2. First 48 Hours Checklist
3. Critical Deadlines
The agency MUST submit the completed claim package to OWCP within 14 calendar days of the employee signing.
- • Supervisor Statement: Provide factual, objective narrative. Avoid speculation.
- • Day 9 Alert: Next-level supervisor contacted if no action taken.
- • Day 11 Alert: ICPA may auto-forward the claim to meet federal deadlines.
4. Managing COP (Continuation of Pay)
Up to 45 calendar days of regular pay for Traumatic Injuries (CA-1 only). Not charged to sick leave.
Employee MUST submit medical evidence within 10 workdays. If not received, you must STOP COP and switch them to Sick/Annual leave.
The 45-day clock includes weekends and holidays. Starts the first day of disability.
5. Return-to-Work Strategy
Don't wait for "100% recovery." Active management is key.
- Get Restrictions: Review Form CA-17 or OWCP-5c to see what they CAN do (lifting limits, sitting, etc.).
- Identify Work:
- Can they do their regular job with mods?
- Can they do different duties in same position?
- Can you create a temp assignment?
- Formal Job Offer: Must be in writing. Details duties, hours, and physical requirements.
- Notify ICPA: Immediately upon their return to adjust benefits/COP.
6. Challenging Claims
Controversion: Disputing COP entitlement (e.g., late reporting, no medical evidence).
Challenging: Disputing the validity of the claim itself (injury/causation). Must be based on facts, not opinion.
- Willful Misconduct: Injury caused by intoxication or intent to harm self/others.
- Not in Performance of Duty: Happened while off-premises or on deviation.
- Not a Civil Employee: Contractor or volunteer.
- No Causal Link: Medical condition not related to work event.
Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB)
Plan Types, Enrollment, and Qualifying Life Events.
🏥 Plans & Events
Decoding Enrollment Codes (3 Digits)
Health Maintenance Org. You pick a primary care doctor (PCP) who coordinates everything.
Fee-for-Service. Broad network, see any doctor you want.
High Deductible Plan. Includes a Health Savings Account (HSA) with plan contributions.
📖 Key Terms Decoder
- Premium: The cost deducted from your paycheck (Bi-weekly).
- Deductible: Amount you pay out-of-pocket before the plan pays.
- Coinsurance: A percentage of the cost you pay (e.g., 15% of an X-ray bill).
- Copay: A fixed dollar amount you pay (e.g., $25 per visit).
- Catastrophic Limit: The absolute maximum you will pay in a year.
🦷 Don't Forget FEDVIP
FEHB covers medical, but usually has limited dental/vision. For comprehensive care, you need **FEDVIP**.
- Separate enrollment at BENEFEDS.com.
- Can enroll in Dental, Vision, or both.
- No "Agency Match" on premiums (you pay 100%), but it is pre-tax.
Qualifying Life Events (QLEs)
Events that let you change plans outside Open Season (Mid-Nov to Mid-Dec). You generally have 60 days from the event to make changes.
Resource Library
Direct links to official government sources, forms, and tools.