The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is making changes to the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) based on provisions in the FY 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), as well as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 2021-15.

Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently reintroduced the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act. The bill has bipartisan support and would guarantee that law enforcement officers across the federal government have full access to federal retirement benefits.

On the latest episode of the FEDtalk podcast, join host Jason Briefel for a final sit down with Open Season experts to review coverage options, changes from previous years, and all the virtual ways feds can learn about their insurance options. The discussion features Jay Fritz from the Open Season Program Office at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and Joan Melanson, Director of Education and Outreach at FedPoint.

On the most recent episode of FEDtalk, join host Tony Vergnetti for a discussion with the leading players in federal employee insurance. The discussion featured Shane Canfield, CEO of WAEPA, as well as David Yoder, Vice President of Member Care and Management at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and Bill Breskin, Senior Vice President of Government Programs at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

On FEDtalk this week, host Debra Roth had a discussion with benefits experts on everything feds need to know about this year’s Open Season. Joining the show were Joan Melanson, Director of Education and Outreach at FedPoint USA, and Tammy Flanagan, a Federal Benefits Expert at the NARFE Federal Benefits Institute.

Like many events, WAEPA’s annual conference moved to a fully virtual format in 2020. Hosted by our CEO Shane M. Canfield, the 2020 WAEPA Federal Summit and Annual Member Meeting delivered an excellent lineup of speakers for the Civilian Federal Employees. Here are some key takeaways from the event.

You may already be aware of what long term care is, whether it's through personal experience caregiving for a loved one who needs daily assistance, or knowing a family member or friend who requires more support as they age. As you learn more about long term care, consider the possibility that you may need this type of care in the future and start planning for it today.

Each year, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season to allow you to evaluate your circumstances and options, and make changes to benefits.

As part of our commitment to providing civilian federal employees and their families with access to products and services that promote their health, welfare, and financial well-being, WAEPA has compiled some of the top federal resources you need to be “in the know” for Open Season.

In today’s world, planning is essential. People are living longer and need a long-range care plan that can sustain them throughout their lifetime.

Life insurance protects your family from the uncertainty of what the future holds. Your policy with WAEPA is a safeguard you put in place to provide you and your loved ones with peace of mind. This protection is both a precaution, and a crucial component of your overall financial security.

In a proposed rule submitted to the Federal Register on July 20, the Office of Personnel Management implements provisions within the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (FY 2020 NDAA) that ensure the continuation of certain federal benefits and services in the event of a lapse in appropriations. The FY 2020 NDAA names certain Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) services as emergency services under the Antideficiency Act.

If you are thinking about jumping into a career as a federal employee or just started your journey as one, you may not be aware of the numerous opportunities and benefits that you get as a federal employee. From advancing your skills and education to discounts and loan forgiveness, there are dozens of programs and opportunities in place that federal employees can really benefit from.

No matter your stage of life, it’s always a good idea to have a long-range health plan in place. One thing to keep in mind is coverage for any potential long term care needs.

While there are signs of recovery, many of us are still struggling to manage the monetary impact of this pandemic. But there are actions we can take today to help. This time in history presents an opportunity for all of us to take stock of our positions, assess the impact the coronavirus has had on our goals, and implement a plan to get our finances back on track. We can also reflect on lessons learned and use them to help protect ourselves for when the next disaster strikes.