How does LWOP impact USPS retirement?

  How does LWOP affect USPS retirement?

"... of nonpay status in a calendar year is creditable service (5 U.S.C. 6303(a) and (f) and 8332(f)). The service computation date must be adjusted by the amount of nonpay time in..."

Reference: www.opm.gov
 

Does overtime count towards federal retirement?

  Does overtime count towards federal retirement?

"...not everything you receive in your paycheck counts toward your High-3. ...does not include COLA, overtime or bonuses."

Reference: plan-your-federal-retirement.com
 

PMG Louis DeJoy Warns of Inflation Impact

  PMG Louis DeJoy Warns of Inflation Impact

"..."Inflation is significantly higher than we forecasted in the plan. I think we're going to incur $1.8 billion more this year in unplanned inflation," DeJoy said. In the year ending Sept. 30, USPS reported a net loss of $4.9 billion on revenue of $77.1 billion and $82 billion in expenses. USPS is expected to offer more details on the inflation impacts when it reports financial results on May 5. Earlier this month, USPS filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission to raise prices..."

Reference: usnews.com
 

Amazon Book: Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement and Medical Benefits

  Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement and Medical Benefits

"Get the updated, 27th edition of this popular book. Midwest Book Review, James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief says, Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement and Medical Benefits fully explains all of the new rules and pertinent strategies on and for Social Security conditions, personal and spousal benefits, as well as benefits for disabilities, dependents, survivors, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This complete and comprehensive reference will prove critically important for anyone trying to decide whether to take an early Social Security benefit or wait until age 70. "Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions" covers earn how to qualify for and enroll in both Medicare and Medicaid programs, including Medicare Part D drug coverage. "Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions" will prove invaluable for understanding..."

Reference: postalemployee.us
 

USPS News Link: TSP Plan to briefly suspend some services

  USPS News Link: TSP Plan to briefly suspend some services

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) will transition administrative services to a new service provider this year, aiming to improve users’ experiences.

The transition could affect participants who planned to request a transaction soon, because periodic downtime will be required to accommodate the transition process.

During the transition period, participants’ savings will remain invested in the TSP funds they’ve elected. However, to ensure a smooth transition, TSP will suspend account transactions, access to online tools, access to forms, and correspondence for a brief period.

Suspension dates for each transaction type will vary. These transactions and services include the following:
• Beneficiary designations;
• Court order requests;
• Form submission;
• Investment transactions;
• Loan requests;
• My Account access;
• ThriftLine service; and
• Withdrawals and distributions.

The transition period begins May 16 and is expected to end the first week of June.

During this time, there will be a short period — beginning at noon Eastern time on May 26 and ending the first week of June — when TSP will need to suspend changes to TSP investments.

This means that participants’ TSP investments will still be subject to market gains and losses during this brief period, and they won’t be able to make changes until after the transition to the new service provider.

To learn more about the features, go to the TSP website or call the ThriftLine Service Center at 877-968-3778 weekdays 7 a.m.-9 p.m. The TDD number is 877-847-4385.

Reference: link.usps.com
 

Postal Service is Slowing the Mail Again! Read the News Release From the U.S. Postal Service Here:

  U.S. Postal Service Implements New First-Class Package Service Standards and Updates Priority Mail Service Standards

--"...the volume (32 percent), the service standard will increase by one or two days. “Modifying select service standards is a key growth element and enabler of our 10-year plan. This action will contribute to our cost savings efforts and improve our reliability across all product classes, including our growing package market,” said Postmaster General and..."

Reference: Postal Employee News
 

USPS employees are required to reset Self Service Profile (SSP) password after April 24, 2022

  USPS employees are required to reset Self Service Profile (SSP) password after April 24, 2022

Postal Service intends to revise the information security policies related to the employees' password criteria for their Self-Service Profile (SSP)

Memorandum to Local Presidents (March 22, 2022) pdf

All employees will be required to reset their Self Service Profile (SSP) password after the April 24, 2022 effective date, see the attached notification. If changed prior to April 24, 2022, it will have to be changed again as the system will require a reset of all passwords on April 24th. The Self Service Password is used to access various resources to include: LiteBlue, PostalEase, ePayroll, eRetire, eOPF, eReassign, IdeaSmart and HERO. Employees will not have access to these applications until their password is reset. Once reset, the password will be immediately available to access those applications.

The new password requirements are as follows:
• SSP passwords must be 15 characters in length.
• The last 5 passwords cannot be reused.
• The password cannot contain the employees first name, last name or the Employee Identification Number (EIN).

Reference: www.npmhu.org
 

Health benefits -- New law creates Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program for employees, others

  Health benefits -- New law creates program for employees, others

  Note: This information is taken directly from the official United States Postal Service News Link.

The Postal Service reform legislation that President Biden signed into law on April 6 will involve changes to employees’ health and retirement benefits.

USPS understands that employees have many questions, so here are a few things to know:

• The law establishes the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, which will provide health insurance to USPS career employees, retirees and their dependents, beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

• The PSHB program, to be administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, will be structured similarly to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. The employer/employee cost-sharing contributions for premiums will be determined by the Postal Service’s collective bargaining and pay consultation processes.

• USPS employees and retirees can make their PSHB plan selections during the open season benefits enrollment period that occurs in November and December 2024.

• Beginning in January 2025, the new law will require all newly Medicare-eligible USPS annuitants and their Medicare-eligible covered family members to enroll in Medicare Part B to maintain their postal health coverage.

The Postal Service will provide employees and retirees with more detailed information about the PSHB program in the months to come.

Reference: link.usps.com
 

What Is the Post Office Call In Sick Number?

  What Is the Post Office Call In Sick Number?

"...What is the official number for leave call in for the postal service? The specific USPS call in number is 1-877-..."

Reference: postalcallin.blogspot.com
 

Show Your Support: Gear Up With Official NPMHU Products

  Show Your Support: Gear Up With Official NPMHU Products

100% made in USA & Union Printed shirts, aprons, hoodies, watches and more...

Reference: npmhu.myshopify.com
 

Vida Sloan, former Treasurer of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 303 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of grand theft

  Vida Sloan, former Treasurer of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 303 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of grand theft

"...In California, Vida Sloan, former Treasurer of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 303 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of grand theft in the amount of $10,039, in violation of California Penal Code Section 487(A). Sloan was then sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay $10,039 in restitution..."

Reference: laborpains.org
 

Fake Federal Agents Were Detected by the Postal Inspection Service

  Fake Federal Agents Were Detected by the Postal Inspection Service

"...The stunning plot was detected by chance when someone assaulted a mail carrier and building residents told a US postal inspector they should consult with Taherzadeh and Ali. The postal inspector grew suspicious and informed the DHS..."

Reference: Postal Employee News
 

Postal Service Reform Act Signed -- Step Forward for Postal Workers

  Postal Service Reform Act Signed -- Step Forward for Postal Workers

Washington, D.C. (April 6, 2022) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement (pdf)

LIUNA commends Congress and President Biden on passage of the Postal Service Reform Act into law, which will bring the Postal Service a step closer to fiscal stability and ensure greater security for the tens of thousands of Mailhandlers, who are members of LIUNA’s sister union, the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU). The successful passage of this critical legislation is thanks to the tireless advocacy and determination of NPMHU National President Paul V. Hogrogian, the NPMHU National Executive Board, and all of the unions representing postal workers.

Over a decade of advocacy in the making, the Postal Service Reform Act will repeal the onerous 2006 mandate requiring the Postal Service to pre-fund its retiree healthcare benefits. No other private sector business or federal agency uses this practice, which has caused losses of $5 billion annually for over a decade. Second, it provides Medicare integration for future postal retirees and their annuitants. Most postal retirees already participate in Medicare, and postal employees have contributed $34 billion to the program since 1983. USPS estimates that integration combined with the repeal of the pre-funding mandate will generate savings of $40 billion over ten years.

Additionally, the Postal Service Reform Act helps to stabilize service and provide avenues for revenue growth by codifying six-day delivery service and allowing USPS to make agreements to provide non-commercial services. The bill will also give greater transparency to postal customers to ensure that service meets the demands of American households and businesses.

LIUNA commends Congress and President Biden for recognizing the value of the Postal Service and its dedicated workforce by taking these crucial steps to protect this vital institution.

Reference: www.npmhu.org
 

Get More Postal News at the Newest Postal News Site

  Get More Postal News at the Newest Postal News Site

"...Get more Postal news here for the postal employee, stakeholders and their competition. A nonpartisan news site..."

Reference: postalemployee.us