MONTHS OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER PRESENT SEVERAL FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAIL HANDLERS
The next two months offer mail handlers with several opportunities to add or revise their participation in benefit programs. 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. Coverage is subsidized by the Postal Service through an employer contribution of $125 per pay period.
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). These plans are optional, with all premiums paid by the employee without any subsidy from the Postal Service.
Supplemental dental and vision plans also are sponsored by the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP) and may be used by Mail Handlers who are members of the NPMHU even if they do not enroll in health insurance sponsored by the MHBP.
Consider Flexible Spending Accounts that 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.
Finally, eligible career employees may use the Annual Leave Exchange Option to receive a lump-sum payment in their paychecks in early January 2020 in exchange for a portion of the annual leave that otherwise would be advanced to them at the beginning of the 2020 leave year. To learn about the Annual Leave Sharing eligibility requirements and access additional information about the Open Season opportunities, please reference the resources in the full Update linked below.
October Update (text)
