For Your Benefit

July 26, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Michele Bollier, Federal Benefits Specialist. Michele is developing a checklist specifically for Federal employees who are single. This resource will be available soon at www.nitpinc.com. During today's program, she will talk about some of the key items in the checklist: Why create a checklist for Singles? Federal benefits and Social Security – What to consider Create a reliable support team Planning for the future and after Federal service Send in a question: Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

July 19, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Tammy Flanagan, Senior Benefits Director at NITP, Inc. will talk about things that are going on in 2021. Predication of the largest COLA for retirees since 2012 (3.6%) and 2009 (5.8%) Employee pay raise of around 3% and the impact on retirement benefits Retirement processing delays and increased number of retirement cases in 2021 How will the end of telework in some agencies impact the end of year retirement cases? Postal reform, if passed, may impact their Federal Employees Health Benefits Legislation moving forward to ease or end the WEP and GPO Send in a question:  Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

July 12, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Patti Hudson, Life Coach and Health Educator. Stress Defined Negative and Positive Aspects of Stress How Mindset Affects Your Stressors Tips on Using Your Stressors to Your Advantage Send in a question:  Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

June 28, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Justin Dean, CFP®. As we gain some space from the COVID-19 pandemic, Justin will share tips to help ensure your investments are working hard for you consistently even when you are away on summer travel. Know your destination Match goals with investments Invest for growth Check your progress Justin will also answer the question, “How should investors respond to inflation?” Send in a question:  Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

June 21, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes today's guests to talk about how the pandemic has changed career transitions and job searching. Sixteen months into the pandemic and many things have changed for those working in government, looking to transition from government, or already working in the private sector. Alison Bouwmeester, author of MISSION: CAREER TRANSITION – A Career Change Guide for Intelligence, Military, Foreign Affairs, National Security and Other Government Professionals, will share what she's seeing.  Alison will also discuss her personal transition from the Intelligence Community to the private sector and ultimately her role now as a Certified Career Coach. Kathy Lavinder, the founder and Executive Director of SI Placement, a niche recruiting firm, will offer her perspectives on the private sector as organizations confront return to office, remote work, employee morale and hiring and retention. Both Alison and Kathy have box seats to what the private sector is looking for, so it's sure to be a fascinating hour for anyone ready to transition or thinking about starting a job search. Send in a question:  Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

June 14, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes M. Shane Canfield, CEO; Stephanie Baker, Senior Vice President, Member Services; and Laurie Lee, Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration, WAEPA. After a full year of change, what can we expect as the country heads into a new normal with mask mandates being lifted and vaccinations being dispersed? WAEPA's leadership discusses what this means for Civilian Federal Employees as cities continue to enter these new phases and are looking for ways to keep employees safe. Send in a question: Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

June 7, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes David De Jong and Steve Widdes, tax and estate attorneys with Stein Sperling Bennett De Jong Driscoll PC. The Administration would extend the 2021 broadening of the child tax credit, dependent care credit and earned income credit beyond the current year. Final legislation, if enacted, may look a lot different than the proposal as Republicans and some “red state” Democrats oppose large portions; many Democrats from high taxing states will oppose any bill which fails to restore the full deduction for state and local taxes. The Administration is proposing an increase in ordinary income rates for those making over $400,000 per year as well as increases in capital gain and corporate tax rates. The Administration would limit the like kind exchanges of real estate where there is more than $500,000 in gain. The Administration would effectively limit the step-up in asset basis for larger estates upon death by taxing the built-in gain. Send in a question:  Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

May 24, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Bob Stacy.  Retirement is about new beginnings, reinvention, and the next chapter of life. How do you know it's time? The question – To work or not to work MPS – What does this mean? Importance of social activities How to stay connected to others Send in a question:  Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

May 17, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes co-host Tammy Flanagan, Senior Benefits Director at NITP, Inc., and Mike Causey, Senior Correspondent at Federal News Network. This topic has become more complicated for employees retiring under the three-tiered FERS retirement system that includes Social Security, the FERS Basic Benefit (government pension) and the Thrift Savings Plan. Today's program will focus on the “best dates” to separate from Federal service under CSRS and FERS, and will also address the questions that are on many employee's minds: Has the COVID-19 Pandemic impacted your plans to retire? Are you thinking about retiring sooner than later or are you staying on board longer? Learn how to prepare for delays in retirement processing that have occurred throughout the retirement planning process. How do you know it's “time” for retirement? How do you choose the best date for you? What else should you do to prepare to retire? The discussion may also include the following related topics: What are the mental, financial, Federal benefits and tax preparations that need to be done before selecting your date? What are your plans for your life after retirement? Can you afford to be retired to age 99? Have you done your retirement tax planning? Do you understand the withholdings, reductions and computation of your CSRS and FERS retirement benefit? How do you select the best date to retire under FERS and CSRS? The last day of the month for FERS, CSRS and CSRS Offset optional retirements The first three days of the month for CSRS and CSRS Offset Why not any other day of the month? What about disability, early retirements and deferred retirements? What is so special about the end of the leave year? What happens to your leftover annual and sick leave at retirement? What about your Thrift Savings Plan? What is the best time to “turn on” your Social Security retirement? What if you are working past your full retirement age? Do you plan to work after you retire? Are you retiring under age 62? Will you receive a CSRS retirement benefit? Consider the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. Send in a question: Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

May 10, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host John Elliott welcome John Jilek, CFP®. The Basics: Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA The Advanced: Roth TSP vs. Pre-Tax TSP Potential and actual tax law changes that may affect your decisions The decision to not have some Roth money available in retirement could be a significant issue Impact of Secure Act on beneficiaries of retirement accounts Send in a question:  Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

May 3, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Bob Braunstein, Federal Benefits Specialist. There are approximately 132,000 full-time Law Enforcement Officers in the Federal government. Today’s program is dedicated to answering questions for Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, and Air Traffic Controllers, such as: What kind of retirement qualifications must I meet? How will my benefits be calculated? Why is my retirement mandatory at age 57? If I do not want to retire at 57, do I have any options? If I have my 25 years of service (including the 20 qualifying special occupation years) before age 50, can I retire? Are there other benefits associated with these enhanced retirements? Are there any consequences to my retirement annuity if I come back to work for the government? I understand I qualify for a FERS annuity supplement and that the rules are different LEOs? Please explain what the differences are? How about cost of living adjustments? Once I retire, do I have to wait until I am 62 years of age to receive them? Can I retire from a non-LEO position and still get the special retirement formula? Send in a question: Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

April 26, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Brian Kurrus, CFP®. What income will you need in retirement? Evaluating income sources. Which investments should you access first? How reliant will you be on your assets? How to plan for the unexpected. Send in a question:  Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

April 19, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Joel Cundick, CFP®.  All good financial plans start with clear goals. What are the critical elements of a well-articulated goal? What are time horizons, and how are they appropriately incorporated into good planning? How can time horizons naturally point to appropriate investment strategies? How can Federal employees use time horizons to retirement to properly allocate their TSP accounts? Are rules of thumb the best way to evaluate where you stand on saving for retirement, or is there a better approach? Send in a question:  Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

April 12, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Tammy Flanagan, Senior Benefits Director at NITP, Inc., welcome Kim Weaver, Director, External Affairs, and Jim Courtney, Director of the Office of Communications and Education, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. Today’s discussion will focus on answering the following questions: The new L Funds went live last summer – how have participants responded? The TSP changed the way catch-up contributions are made.  What did you do and why? Congress passed the CARES Act last year.  What did the TSP do and did participants use those options? The country has been dealing with the pandemic for over a year now – did that impact the TSP or its participants? Stats!  How many participants receive the 5% match?  How many millionaires?  Average account balances? What were the administrative expenses for 2020? Send in a question:  Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

April 5, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Ray Kirk, Ph.D., Federal Benefits Specialist, for a discussion of financial literacy. The definition of financial literacy and the basic steps to becoming financially literate. The big gap in most financial literacy education. How to protect what you have. How understanding the concepts of financial literacy can save you taxes and increase your income. Send in a question:  Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

March 29, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Mr. David Santana from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Understand your Medicare coverage choices to maximize your benefits Evaluate the cost of enrolling in Medicare and premium payments Summarize the choices to make an informed Medicare enrollment decision Social Security offices remain closed for in-person appointments—Find out the different ways to enroll in Medicare Send in a question: Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

March 22, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes David Melton, Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security Administration, to answer frequently asked questions. Are Social Security offices open? What are mySocialSecurity accounts? What should I do if I get a call claiming there is a problem with my Social Security number? What is the Social Security retirement age? When can I apply for Social Security? How much Social Security will I get? What are the Social Security wage limits for 2021? Send in a question:  Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

March 15, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Kari Utz-Wolsky, Nutrition and Conditioning Specialist, CFT, SPN, SSC (ISSA). Feeling stressed and anxious?  Learn how a detox can improve your mental health too. Do you need a digital detox too? For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

March 8, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Karen Schaeffer, CFP®. Topics include: Strategies for coping with reduced income Cautions about the Cares Act TSP missteps Making good decisions while stressed Embracing the pause For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

March 1, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Stephanie Baker, Senior Vice President, Member Services and Stacy Outlaw, Senior Vice President, Marketing at WAEPA. As the interview will take place on the first day of Women’s History Month, Stephanie and Stacy will discuss how women are consistently under-covered by a life insurance policy compared to men. Although women make up 47% of the workforce, nearly 40% of adult women have no life insurance. Among those who are insured, they only carry about a quarter of the coverage necessary for their needs. This coverage gap also extends to the amount of coverage an individual has, with many Civilian Feds not having enough life insurance coverage as part of their plan. These WAEPA leaders will also discuss some of the inequities and misconceptions found in life insurance and estate planning and highlight the importance of women seeking out their own policy. For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

February 22, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Marc Levine, Esquire, Handler & Levine, LLC. Using Powers of Attorney What Kinds of Powers Do You Need? Who Do You Pick? – Why Is That Not Obvious When Can Someone Use The POA? Health Care Directives – Getting Information Making Sure People Can Get the Information They Need Equipping Your Advocate – What the Directive Needs to Include Revocable Trusts Making Sure It is Set Up to Work While You Are Alive For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

February 15, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Josh Huder, Ph.D., to discuss the 117th Congress.  Josh is a Senior Fellow at The Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating Federal employees about Congress and its operation. What can we expect from an evenly divided Congress? How and when will Congress pass COVID relief? Should we expect a normal budget process with unified Democratic control? For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

February 8, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Herb Casey, Federal Benefits Specialist, to talk about how you can prepare for transitioning to life after your Federal career. Retirement readiness assessment: What will be your focus? What is your attitude towards retirement? How will you take care of your health and well-being? Where will you live? What community activities will you be involved with? What social relationships will you have? How will you spend your leisure time? How knowledgeable are you of your retirement benefits as a Federal employee? For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

February 1, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Tom O’Rourke. It’s the beginning of tax season. Today’s program will focus on updates for this year and more. Is the 2020 Stimulus payment taxable? How much did 2020 Income Tax Rates increase over the 2019 rates? How is my 2020 Federal tax bracket determined and what does that mean to me? What are some of the tax savings opportunities offered by my Federal benefits package? Are there any tax savings opportunities that will be paid in 2021 that will impact my 2020 tax return? What are some of IRS’s audit “Red Flags”? What are some of President Biden’s Income tax proposals of general interest?

January 25, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Bob Braunstein, Federal Benefits Specialist. New health, dental and vision plans A major new TSP feature Increased pay for employees and retirees Temporary AL Carryover Increase for 2021 Extending Emergency Paid Sick Leave (COVID-19) And more For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

January 25, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Bob Braunstein, Federal Benefits Specialist. New health, dental and vision plans A major new TSP feature Increased pay for employees and retirees Temporary AL Carryover Increase for 2021 Extending Emergency Paid Sick Leave (COVID-19) And more For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

January 18, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Tammy Flanagan, Senior Benefits Director at NITP, Inc. to talk about the changes to Thrift Savings Plan for 2021 and the Voluntary Contributions Program (VCP). Thrift Savings Plan The Big Change – reaching the elective deferral limit before the end of the year but continue to save, contributions will automatically continue toward the catch-up limit for those age 50 or older in 2021, even if you turn 50 by the end of the CY. For 2021, elective deferral limit remains unchanged at $19,500 and catch-up contributions remain at $6,500. What about contributions spilling over toward the catchup limit? Voluntary Contributions Program VCP available only to CSRS and CSRS-Offset employees. It allows such employees to contribute funds that can equal up to 10 percent of the total basic pay they have earned in Federal service toward their own retirement. CSRS employees who want to participate in this program must establish an account by completing an application to make voluntary contributions (no later than while their retirement application is being processed by OPM). Did you know that you can contribute up to 10% of your lifetime salary to a Roth IRA? Learn about the best kept secret of the Civil Service Retirement System, the Voluntary Contributions Program. Steps for putting the monies into other retirement investment vehicles, such as traditional and Roth IRAs. The VCP is a way to enhance your retirement income. In OPM’s brochure “Retirement Facts 10,” the Civil Service Retirement System offers this explanation: “At retirement, each $100 in your voluntary contributions account (including interest earned) will provide an annual annuity of $7 a year, plus 20 cents for each full year you are over age 55 at the time you retire.” However, it is also possible to withdraw all voluntary contributions at any time before receiving this annuity. For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

January 11, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Tammy Flanagan, Senior Benefits Director at NITP, Inc. welcome back Paula S. Jakub, RHU; CEO of The American Foreign Service Protective Association, sponsor of the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. Today’s guest will discuss benefits in your FEHB plan that you might not be aware of and how to get the most out of your Health Plan. Paula is a Subject Matter Expert in Federal Health Insurance and serves on the adjunct faculty of the Foreign Service Institute. FEHB Program Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare and the FEHBP Understanding the Programs and Services Available to You Collaboration on Chronic Conditions Using the Plan’s Wellness Programs Medicare and FEHBP Update for 2021 For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

January 4, 2021 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Joe Sullender, CFP® to talk about starting 2021 with a focus on re-assessing your situation. Plans may have changed around retirement, the market has changed, how can you reassess and move forward in the new year? Today’s discussion will focus on: Setting Goals and “Risk Management” throughout each career phase (early, mid-career, pre-retirement) Impact of recent changes in Tax Law under the SECURE Act For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

December 28, 2020 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host John Elliott, Federal Benefits Specialist, welcome John Jilek, CFP® to talk about end-of-year financial planning. Perfect vision is 20/20. Does the year 2020 have us seeing our finances through blurry lenses? Financial Planning in a time of international crisis has become fuzzy to say the least. There are many different tax and penalty waivers available to help individuals that have suffered either physically or financially from COVID-19. Some decisions are simple, others may have serious long term financial implications to your goals. What has changed? What hasn’t changed? What do we think 2021 holds in store for Federal Employees? For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

December 21, 2020 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Brian Kurrus, CFP® to talk about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). What are RMDs and which accounts have them When and how to take the first RMD RMDs for this year How RMDs are calculated Safety of RMD withdrawal plan Inherited IRA options Impact on estate planning For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

December 14, 2020 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes M. Shane Canfield, CEO, and Stephanie Baker, Senior Vice President, Member Services, WAEPA. As Open Season ends, WAEPA would like Federal employees to know that it is never too late to start planning for the future. WAEPA works to serve Feds year-round. WAEPA Background Lessons from Open Season Life Insurance – A Unique and Necessary Product The WAEPA Difference Advancements in Technology Year-Round Application Process For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

December 7, 2020 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Ray Kirk, Ph.D., Federal Benefits Specialist, NITP, for a Federal Open Season wrap-up and insights about dealing with OPM. Wrap-Up Open Season “Takeaways” from the Open Season programs. Don’t ignore Open Season. Look at options. Mistakes people make focusing only on premiums and premium changes. Look at total cost and the benefits mix that best meets your needs. Importance of the plan network. How to make elections during Open Season and retire Dec 31. Insights from Ray about dealing with OPM Retirement application tips You are your own best advocate – Don’t be afraid to challenge an OPM decision. Keep OPM, Thrift Board and SSA informed of address and bank changes. In addition, Ray is looking forward to sharing some interesting retirement cases and the impact they have had. For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

November 30, 2020 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Ray Kirk, Ph.D., Federal Benefits Specialist, NITP, welcome Gavin Toner, Manager, Account Management, Federal Employee Health Benefit Programs and Dr. Saima Siddiqui, Physician Advisor for MAPMG and Chief of Acute Care Services for DC and Suburban MD, Kaiser Permanente. If you’re like most Federal employees, you probably don’t shop around for a new health plan, even though your current plan may no longer fit your needs. The Office of Personnel Management consistently says 20–30% of Federal employees can and should be changing their plans. Don’t leave money on the table. Whether you’re just starting your Federal career, planning a family, or thinking about retirement, Kaiser Permanente’s comprehensive system brings your care, your health plan, top-notch physicians, convenient medical centers, and more together, delivering quality, affordable care. Listen in and discover how you can save significantly on your health care costs with Kaiser Permanente: $0 copays for maternity care, and $0 copays for pediatric primary care through age 17 for Standard Option $0 copay for telehealth benefits whether by video, phone, or online for all plan options New $150 Medicare Part B reimbursement for High Option members To find the plan that’s right for Federal members during Open Season, visit kp.org/feds. For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

November 23, 2020 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Ray Kirk, Ph.D., Federal Benefits Specialist, NITP, welcome Jay Fritz, Program Manager, Program Support and Analysis, Healthcare and Insurance, U.S. Office of Personnel Management. It is that time of year again for employees and annuitants to review their Open Season options, which include health plans, dental and vision plan companies, FSAs, etc. Today’s discussion will include: Federal Open Season:  November 9 – December 14, 2020 What programs participate in Open Season? How can I prioritize my Open Season shopping list? What options do I have? What if I do nothing? Resources for further information: Visit opm.gov/openseason Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/usopm For Twitter News and Updates: https://twitter.com/usopm See your Human Resources Office How do I make an Open Season election or change? Flexible spending accounts under FSAFEDS (employees only): FSAFEDS.com or call 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337) or TTY 1-866-353-8058. Dental or vision under FEDVIP:  Everyone – go to BENEFEDS.com or call 1-877-888-3337, TTY 1-877-889-5680. FEHB: Employees - use the Health Benefits Election Form (SF 2809) or use an online self-service system; your agency’s human resources office can help you.  Retirees - go to Open Season Online at https://retireefehb.opm.gov or call Open Season Express at 1-800-332-9798, TTY 1-855-887-4957. For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

November 16, 2020 on ForYourBenefit, our hosts Bob Leins, CPA®, and Tammy Flanagan, Senior Benefits Director NITP, welcome insurance expert and author Walton Francis to talk about FEHBP Open Season.  The CHECKBOOK’s Guide shows that most families can save $2,000 or more by selecting better plan choices. Francis is the principal author of both online and print versions of Consumers’ CHECKBOOK’s Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees.  The Guide gives you vital insurance information that you cannot get from any other source.  It tells you how much money you can save by changing – or by staying in – your health insurance plan, and summarizes thousands of facts about the plans to simplify your choice. At the Guide’s website, www.guidetohealthplans.org, you can check to see if your agency has purchased access to the Guide for you. It rates all of over 250 health insurance plans available to Federal employees and retirees, including twenty national plans, over 200 health maintenance organization (HMO) and preferred provider (PPO) local area options, and over a dozen consumer-driven and high deductible plan options.  Its ratings of plan costs take into account premiums, catastrophic limits, and estimates of likely out-of-pocket costs for medical expenses of every kind. The Guide compares plans for insurance value in dealing with unforeseen medical expenses, not just for the routine costs you can predict. It rates dental and vision plans as well. It provides dollar estimates of likely dental costs, taking into account both premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, not just descriptions. It compares dental coverage in all plans, not just stand alone plans. For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

November 9, 2020 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Ray Kirk, Ph.D., Federal Benefits Specialist at NITP, welcome Brian Sperling, Senior Account Manager with GEHA (Government Employees Health Association, Inc.) Today’s discussion will include topics such as: Why it’s important to shop for health benefits this Open Season How to make smart decisions when reviewing your options GEHA’s health and well-being benefits and rewards programs Overview of GEHA’s five high-value medical plan options Today, GEHA is one of the largest national medical and dental plan providers serving Federal workers, covering more than 2 million Federal employees, retirees and their dependents. Learn more at GEHA.com For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

November 2, 2020 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Ray Kirk, Ph.D., Federal Benefits Specialist, NITP, welcome Dan Morgan, General Manager for Commercial Markets and Federal Programs at VSP Vision Care, and Mike Davis, President and Chief Operating Officer, Dominion National Dental. The first half of the program will feature Dan Morgan. VSP Vision Care is the only national not-for-profit vision benefits company, which provides access to eye care for nearly 90 million members through a network of over 40,000 doctors worldwide. The second half of the program will feature Mike Davis who will discuss Dominion’s innovative, high-value dental benefits offered in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). Dominion is the only Dental HMO plan offered in the FEDVIP program. VSP Vision Care: Information about VSP Vision Care The importance of vision insurance and an annual eye exam Details on VSP’s plan options for 2021 Visit ChooseVSP.com to review the VSP plan options and learn why you should enroll Dominion National Dental: No maximum dollar limits, waiting periods or deductibles Predictable, pre-determined fees for dental services An innovative Prevention Rewards Program that incentivizes members to get their two dental cleanings each year Orthodontics benefits provided for adults and children (no lifetime maximums) Discounts on teeth whitening and Invisalign Third annual cleaning provided at a reduced fee Rates starting at just $5.52 per bi-weekly pay period Plans available in DC, DE, MD, parts of NJ, PA and parts of VA Visit Dominion Dental Select For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

Host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Tammy Flanagan, Senior Benefits Director at NITP, welcome Tom Bernatavitz, Vice-President of Aetna Federal Plans to the studio. Aetna offers a variety of FEHB plans, including plans for retirees that offer

Host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Tammy Flanagan, Senior Benefits Director at NITP, Inc. welcome back Paula S. Jakub, RHU; CEO of The American Foreign Service Protective Association, sponsor of the Foreign Service Benefit Plan.

Host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Tom O’Rourke, Esquire, Miles & Stockbridge, PC. Perhaps the most common question I get when I teach a seminar is what steps can I take to reduce my income tax liability and stay out of trouble with the IRS. The first step for any Federal employee is to look at your Federal benefits package as a tool to help you reduce taxes.

Host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Kathy Lavinder, Founder of Security & Investigative Placement Consultants, a niche executive search firm.

Host Bob Leins welcomes to the studio, Mr. David Santana from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Kari Utz-Wolsky, Nutrition and Conditioning Specialist, CFT, SPN, SSC (ISSA). 2020 certainly hasn’t been a typical year. Whether you are finding that you have more time and energy to focus on your health, or less, tune in for realistic tips on staying healthy through the fall season.

Host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes M. Shane Canfield, CEO, WAEPA, and Scott Berlin, Senior Vice President of the Group Membership Association Division at New York Life Insurance Company.

Host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Maureen Wilkin, Federal Benefits Specialist. 

 Host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Anne Sullivan, Esq. and Lacey Yegen, Esq. for a discussion on estate planning as it relates to both young and adult children.

Description: Host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Karen Schaeffer, CFP® and Megan Schaeffer, Estate Planning Attorney. • What everyone should know about the CARES Act • Coping strategies for reduced income • Today’s investment do’s and don’ts • Which documents are essential for all adults • How to talk about money up and down the family tree Out of concern for everyone’s safety, the host and guests will hold this discussion from remote locations. For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com

Host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Mike Townshend, transition and aging authority and founder of Carpe Diem Coaching, to talk about whether or not to consider working after you retire.

Host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host John Elliott welcome Lester Austin, Retired Senior Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration, to talk about where Social Security has been, where it is now, and where it’s going.

Host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Ray Kirk, Ph.D for a general discussion on Thrift Savings Account Plan (TSP), and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options in the year 2020