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);
- Second, Flexible Spending Accounts allow 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; and
- Third, eligible career employees may use the Annual Leave Exchange Option to receive a lump-sum payment in their paychecks in early January 2019 in exchange for a portion of the annual leave that otherwise would be advanced to them at the beginning of the 2019 leave year.
If you would like additional information about any of these programs, please use the resources listed in the October Update
