Federal Employee Benefits for Administrators Course

Module 1: CSRS Basic Benefits

• Understand key CSRS terms and how federal service is credited under CSRS
• Determine CSRS retirement eligibility and calculate basic annuity benefits
• Guide CSRS employees through retirement (applications, survivor benefits, death-in-service claims)

Module 2: FERS Basic Benefits

• Identify important FERS concepts and creditable service rules
• Determine FERS retirement eligibility and explain pension computation
• Assist FERS employees with retirement procedures and outline survivor/death benefits

Module 3: Determining Retirement Coverage

• Recognize events (e.g. new hire, rehire, appointment changes) that impact an employee’s retirement coverage
• Identify types of retirement coverage (CSRS, CSRS Offset, FERS, Social Security-only) and applicable exclusions
• Determine the correct retirement plan for employees based on service history and legal eligibility

Module 4: Phased Retirement

• Describe who is eligible to enter phased retirement
• Explain how phased retirement affects the employee’s work schedule, pay, and partial annuity
• Discuss the process for concluding phased retirement and transitioning to full retirement

Module 5: Federal Employees’ Health Benefits

• Explain the FEHB program’s key features for active employees and retirees
• Process FEHB enrollment, changes, and related forms during employment and at retirement
• Understand requirements for continuing health insurance coverage into retirement

Module 6: Flexible Spending Account Program

• Outline the available FSAs (health care, dependent care, limited expense) and their purposes
• Understand employee eligibility and basic rules for participating in FSA programs
• Describe how employees enroll in FSAs and when changes or new enrollments can be made

Module 7: Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance

• Overview of FEGLI coverage options for employees (Basic and optional coverages) and post-retirement coverage
• Perform FEGLI enrollment and changes, including completing required life insurance forms
• Identify conditions and steps for continuing or converting life insurance at retirement

Module 8: Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program – FLTCIP

• Discuss the purpose of FLTCIP in offering long-term care insurance to federal employees, retirees, and eligible family members
• Understand the current status of FLTCIP (e.g. enrollment availability and any program suspensions or changes)

Module 9: Thrift Savings Plan Participation and Withdrawal Options

• Define who can participate in the Thrift Savings Plan and the contribution rules (limits, matching for FERS, etc.)
• Explain the TSP investment options, including various funds and traditional vs. Roth tax treatments
• Identify the available options for withdrawing TSP funds (loans, in-service withdrawals, post-retirement withdrawals)

Module 10: Social Security and Medicare Benefits

• Outline key components of Social Security, including eligibility requirements and how benefits are computed
• Describe how Social Security benefits affect federal employees and retirees (e.g. CSRS offset, WEP/GPO considerations)
• Explain the basics of Medicare coverage and eligibility for federal retirees