The months of November and December present several financial opportunities for Mail Handlers.
First, the Federal Health Benefits Open Season provides an opportunity for career mail handlers to make any necessary changes to their health insurance coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). Mail Handler Assistants are also eligible for health insurance; coverage is available under the USPS Non-Career Health Benefits Plan. The FEHBP Open Season period is scheduled for November 9 through December 14, 2015. Also currently available to all FEHBP eligible Mail Handlers, as well as all other federal and career postal employees, are supplemental dental and vision insurance programs offered through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
Second, Flexible Spending Accounts allow career employees to set aside a portion of their pre-tax earnings for certain types of out-of-pocket health care expenses and dependent care expenses that may be incurred during the next year. FSAs are an excellent opportunity for mail handlers to save money for health care and dependent care, and all members are urged to investigate this program if you expect to have eligible expenses in these areas. The FSA Open Season also runs from November 9, 2015 through December 14, 2015.
Third, eligible career employees may use the Annual Leave Exchange Option to receive a lump-sum payment in their paychecks in early January 2016 in exchange for a portion of the annual leave that otherwise would be advanced to them at the beginning of the 2016 leave year. To be eligible, Mail Handlers must have an annual leave balance of 440 hours at the end of the 2015 leave year and have used less than 75 hours of sick leave during the 2015 leave year.
