US Federal Government Employee Benefits

US Federal Government Employee Benefits According to data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the federal government employs over 2 million civilian workers. That’s about 1.5 percent of the nearly 133 million workers BLS counted in all industries in the United States. Along with salaries or wages, employee compensation in the federal government includes benefits  such as subsidized health insurance and many more. Federal government employees enjoy a wide range of family-friendly benefits that go far beyond insurance and retirement. Each agency is free to offer its own benefits package. The following is a sample of federal government employee benefits. Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS):  Benefits based on the amount of service and salary history.Thrift Savings Plan (TSP):  In addition to the defined or basic benefits provided by the FERS plan, current federal employees can boost their retirement savings by participating in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The TSP offers the same types of savings and tax benefits as a 401(k) plan.Social Security:  Credit earned while working with the Government. Retirement benefits, disability protection, and survivor protection.  All federal employees hired after 1983 pay Social Security taxes, including the President of the United States, the Vice President, members of Congress, sitting federal judges, certain legislative branch employees, and most political appointees. The government collects these taxes in the same amounts as they would if these employees worked in the private sector at the same salary level.Medicare - Part A:  Available to you at no cost at age 65.Federal Emplo yees Health Benefits Program (FEHB):  No waiting periods, required medical exam, or age/physical condition restrictions. Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI):  Group term life insurance - Basic life insurance and three options (Standard, Additional, and Family).Leave and Holidays:  13 days sick leave each year; 13, 20, or 26 days of vacation leave each year, depending on years of service; 10 days paid holiday each year.Family Friendly Leave Flexibilities:  Flexible Work Schedules; Telecommuting; Family Friendly Leave Policies; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); Part-Time Job Sharing Positions; Child Elder Care Resources Adoption Information/Incentives; Child Support Services.Work/Life Programs:  Every Federal agency has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which has a goal to restore employees to full productivity. More specifically, the EAP provides free, confidential short-term counseling to identify the employees problem and, when appropriate, make a referral to an outside organization, facility, or program that can assist the employee in resolving his or her problem.Recruitment Bonus:  Lump-sum bonus to newly appointed employees for difficult-to-fill positions. Up to 25 percent  of basic pay may be paid prior to the employee entering on duty. A service agreement with repayment plan if service time not fulfilled. Relocation Bonus:  Lump-sum bonus for difficult-to-fill position in a different commuting area; up to 25 percent  of basic pay. A service agreement with repayment plan if service time not fulfilled.Retention Allowance:  Continuing payment to retain departing employees; up to 25% of basic pay.Employee Development:  Career Resource Centers; Training OpportunitiesStudent Loan Repayment: Permits agencies to repay the student loans of Federal employees; used at the discretion of the agency.Long Term Care Insurance Program: John Hancock and MetLife formed Long Term Care Partners, a jointly owned new company exclusively dedicated to serving the long-term care insurance needs of the Federal Family.Child Care Subsidy Program: Federal agencies, at their own discretion, can use appropriated funds, including revolving funds otherwise available for salaries, to assist lower income federal employees with the costs of childcare.

The Wives of Anthony the Great

The Wives of Anthony the Great Mark Antony was a womanizer and it could be said that his decisions were made by his wife, which was considered improper behavior at the time. The Roman emperors Claudius and Nero ran into trouble later for similar reasons, so although Antonys third wife Fulvia had what may have been good ideas, Antony was frowned upon for following them. Antonys debauched lifestyle was expensive, and so by an early age, he had accumulated tremendous debt. It is possible that all his marriages were carefully conceived to provide money or political advantage, as Eleanor G. Huzar argues in Mark Antony: Marriages vs. Careers, from The Classical Journal. The following information comes from her article. Fadia The first possible wife of Antony was Fadia, the daughter of a rich freedman named Quintus Faius Gallus. This marriage is attested in Ciceros Philippics and letter 16 to Atticus. However, it is an implausible marriage because Antony was a member of the Plebeian nobility. His mother was a 3d cousin of Caesar. The marriage may have been arranged to help with Antonys 250 talent debt. Cicero says Fadia and children were all dead by at least 44 B.C. If he actually married her, Antony probably divorced her.​ Children: Unknown Antonia In his late 20s, Antony married his cousin Antonia, a proper wife, to help his career. She bore him a daughter and they remained married for about 8 years. He divorced her in 47 B.C. on a charge of adultery with Publius Cornelius Dolabella, husband of Ciceros daughter Tullia. Children: Daughter, Antonia. Fulvia In 47 or 46 B.C., Antony married Fulvia. She had already been married to 2 of Antonys friends, Publius Clodius and Gaius Scribonius Curio. Cicero said she was the driving force behind Antonys decisions. She bore him two sons. Fulvia was active in political machinations and although Antony denied knowledge of it, Fulvia and Antonys brother mutinied against Octavian (the Perusine War). She then fled to Greece where Antony met her. When she died shortly thereafter in 40 B.C. he blamed himself. Children: Sons, Marcus Antonius Antyllus and Iullus Antonius. Octavia Part of the reconciliation between Antony and Octavian (following the mutiny) was the marriage between Antony and Octavians sister Octavia. They married in 40 B.C. and Octavia bore their first child the following year. She acted as peacemaker between Octavian and Antony, trying to persuade each to accommodate the other. When Antony went east to fight the Parthians, Octavia moved to Rome where she looked after Antonys brood (and continued to do so even after divorce). They remained married for five more years during which time they never saw each other again. Antony divorced Octavia in 32 B.C. when the confrontation that was to be the Battle of Actium seemed unavoidable. Children: Daughters, Antonia Major and Minor. Cleopatra Antonys last wife was Cleopatra. He acknowledged it and their children in 36 B.C. It was a marriage that was to be unrecognized at Rome. Huzar argues that Antony made the marriage in order to utilize Egyptian resources. Octavian wasnt very forthcoming with the troops Antony needed for his Parthian campaign, so he had to look elsewhere. The marriage ended when Antony committed suicide following the Battle of Actium.​​ Children: Fraternal Twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene II; Son, Ptolemy Philadelphus.