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OPM Announces 2027 Federal Benefits Open Season with Premium Increases and New Documentation Rules

OPM Announces 2027 Federal Benefits Open Season with Premium Increases and New Documentation Rules

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced that the Federal Benefits Open Season for the 2027 plan year will run from November 9 to December 14, 2026. During this period, federal employees can review and make changes to their health, dental, and vision benefits. OPM reports that the average enrollee share of Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) premiums will increase by 10.9% in 2027, a slight decrease from the 12.3% increase in 2026. For the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program, the average enrollee share will rise by 8.2%. Overall average FEHB premiums are projected to increase by 9.3%. Additionally, OPM has introduced a new requirement for the 2027 plan year: anyone adding a new family member to FEHB or PSHB coverage during Open Season must submit supporting documentation to verify eligibility, a measure based on the FEHB Protection Act of 2025. The agency attributes these premium increases primarily to rising prices and increased utilization of healthcare services, includi...

Federal Court Rules OPM Violated Privacy Act by Granting Broad Access to Personnel Data

Federal Court Rules OPM Violated Privacy Act by Granting Broad Access to Personnel Data

A federal court in New York ruled on October 20, 2026, that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) violated the Privacy Act of 1974. The violation occurred when OPM provided personnel affiliated with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with extensive access to databases containing personal information of tens of millions of current and former federal employees and job applicants. Judge Denise Cote granted summary judgment to the plaintiffs, finding that OPM breached the Privacy Act's restrictions on disclosure and its duty to safeguard personal records. OPM began granting this access in January 2025, following an executive order that directed federal agencies to provide DOGE Service access to agency records for a technology modernization initiative. The American Federation of Government Employees, the Association of Administrative Law Judges, and individual federal workers subsequently filed a lawsuit, arguing that OPM bypassed its own cybersecurity procedures and failed to establish a le...

Federal Holidays 2027 Calendar Details Labor Day Observance and Private Sector Trends

Federal Holidays 2027 Calendar Details Labor Day Observance and Private Sector Trends

The Federal Holidays 2027 calendar confirms that Labor Day will be observed on Monday, September 6, 2027, for federal employees. This date is consistent with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) schedule. The calendar also highlights that while federal employees receive 12 observed days off in 2027 due to weekend holidays shifting, private employers are not legally required to provide paid holidays. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in March 2018 that 91% of private workers with paid holidays received Labor Day off, making it one of the "Core Six" most commonly provided holidays, alongside Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, Independence Day, New Year’s Day, and Memorial Day.

OPM Identifies 50,000 Deceased Individuals in Federal Health Benefits Program, Citing $96.3 Million in Improper Payments

OPM Identifies 50,000 Deceased Individuals in Federal Health Benefits Program, Citing $96.3 Million in Improper Payments

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced on November 2 that it has identified approximately 50,000 deceased individuals listed within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). This discovery has led OPM to claim that $96.3 million in improper payments have been made. While there are no current reports of OPM mistakenly declaring living individuals deceased, the agency has previously issued proof-of-life requests to federal employees and retirees. This situation echoes a similar, though later disproven, claim made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in early 2025 regarding millions of deceased individuals receiving Social Security benefits, which had led to some living individuals being erroneously cut off from their benefits. Federal employees and retirees are advised to regularly check their health plan accounts, FEHB premium deductions, bank accounts for deposit changes, and mail for important notices to identify and correct any potential errors.

OPM Faces Staffing Shortages, Impacting Retirement Services and IT Modernization

OPM Faces Staffing Shortages, Impacting Retirement Services and IT Modernization

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is experiencing significant staffing losses, identified as a primary management challenge for fiscal year 2027, according to a report from the OPM Office of Inspector General. In 2025, OPM processed nearly 1,000 separation actions, leading to teams operating with reduced resources while maintaining mission delivery. This has particularly affected the Retirement Services Division, which is struggling with customer service issues despite improvements in claims processing times. Federal employees and retirees face difficulties connecting with customer service and enduring long wait times. John Hatton, staff vice president of policy and programs at the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), noted that workforce reductions in retirement services occurred before modernization efforts were fully implemented, resulting in delayed payments for federal retirees. Additionally, the OPM Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) is facing challeng...

Take Command SVP Calls for Industry Rethink on Health Benefits Amid Rising Costs

Take Command SVP Calls for Industry Rethink on Health Benefits Amid Rising Costs

Take Command SVP Calls for Industry Rethink on Health Benefits Amid Rising Costs

Third-Party Administrators Streamline Self-Funded Health Plans for U.S. Employers

Third-Party Administrators Streamline Self-Funded Health Plans for U.S. Employers

Third-Party Administrators Streamline Self-Funded Health Plans for U.S. Employers

U.S. Office of Special Counsel Reports Record Outcomes in Fiscal Year 2026 Despite Government Shutdown

U.S. Office of Special Counsel Reports Record Outcomes in Fiscal Year 2026 Despite Government Shutdown

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) achieved record results in fiscal year 2026, as highlighted by Special Counsel Charles Baldis in a Federal News Network op-ed. Despite a 43-day government shutdown, the OSC resolved 363 prohibited personnel practice cases with at least one favorable outcome, marking a new record for the agency. Additionally, the OSC referred 47 whistleblower disclosures for agency investigation, the highest number since fiscal year 2021. These disclosures led to significant corrective actions, including addressing understaffing at the Federal Aviation Administration, overstaffing at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, reimbursement backlogs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and systemic failures in opioid prescribing practices also at the VA. The OSC's statutory authority covers four federal laws: the Civil Service Reform Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act, the Hatch Act, and the Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

U.S. Office of Special Counsel Investigates Federal Employee Whistleblower Retaliation

U.S. Office of Special Counsel Investigates Federal Employee Whistleblower Retaliation

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is an independent federal agency tasked with investigating prohibited personnel practices, with a primary focus on whistleblower retaliation within the federal government. According to The Mundaca Law Firm, the OSC reviews complaints from federal employees who allege they faced punishment after making protected disclosures. The agency's authority is specifically centered on retaliation linked to certain types of disclosures, such as violations of laws or regulations, gross mismanagement, waste of government funds, abuse of authority, and substantial risks to public health or safety. The process begins with a detailed written submission to the OSC, which then determines if the facts warrant an investigation. If an investigation proceeds, the OSC may collect documents, interview witnesses, and examine agency records, potentially leading to corrective action or referral to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Florida Residents Face Health Insurance Cost Increases, Urged to Verify Tax Credit Eligibility for 2026

Florida Residents Face Health Insurance Cost Increases, Urged to Verify Tax Credit Eligibility for 2026

Florida residents, particularly those in Riverview, are facing significant health insurance cost increases for 2026, with the state's average pre-subsidy rate increase reported at 34.1%. Despite this, over 95% of Florida Marketplace enrollees still qualified for a subsidy in 2026. A key change for 2026 is the expiration of enhanced federal premium tax credits at the end of 2025. While standard premium tax credits remain available, eligibility and amounts have changed. Residents are strongly advised to verify their eligibility and subsidy amounts directly on HealthCare.gov rather than relying on previous years' figures. The advance premium tax credit (APTC) remains the primary tool for lowering monthly premiums, with an average statewide subsidy of about $740 per month, leading to an average payment of $62 per month after credits for subsidized enrollees.

Nevada Health Link Simplifies Health Insurance Access for Self-Employed Individuals

Nevada Health Link Simplifies Health Insurance Access for Self-Employed Individuals

Nevada Health Link has become a central platform for Nevadans, particularly the self-employed, to access health insurance. The platform allows individuals to apply and determine eligibility for premium tax credits and other savings based on income and household size. It offers a variety of private health insurance plans, including 'Battle Born State Plans' with built-in discounts. The service ensures that all plans cover the 10 Essential Health Benefits, which include routine checkups, immunizations, emergency care, prescription drugs, and cancer screenings. Open Enrollment in Nevada runs from November 1 to January 15, but Special Enrollment Periods are available for those who lose job-based insurance, provided they apply within 60 days of losing coverage. Assistance is available in multiple languages via phone or through certified enrollment professionals.

Railroad Retirement Board Provides Guidance for Brevard Flood Victims on Benefit Replacement

Railroad Retirement Board Provides Guidance for Brevard Flood Victims on Benefit Replacement

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is assisting individuals affected by the Brevard flood in replacing lost or damaged benefit-related documents. For those receiving Railroad Retirement Board benefits, the RRB has provided a direct contact number, 1-877-772-5772 (TTY 1-312-751-4701), to facilitate the replacement process. This guidance comes as part of broader efforts to help residents of Brevard County, Florida, recover from the November 2026 flood, which caused widespread damage and loss of important personal documents. The RRB's involvement is crucial for railroad workers and their beneficiaries who rely on these federal retirement benefits. The agency's role is to administer and pay these benefits for individuals who worked in the rail industry after 1936, and it also handles sick pay issues, including coordinating supplemental benefits with employers. The RRB is generally restricted from disclosing individual information without proper authorization, emphasizing the need for direct contact from affec...