In 2016, researchers from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimated that almost 70% of people turning age 65 will need some type of long-term care services in their lifetimes. If you or someone you know has ever had to care for a loved one with a chronic disease or condition, you know the emotional, physical, and financial burden this can create.

During my tenure as a Civilian Federal Employee, I was tuned into various Federal programs, like the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), health options during Open Season, and other auxiliary benefits. I was not aware, however, that Feds have options beyond FEGLI for life insurance coverage. It was only until I joined the private sector that I heard about WAEPA, a nonprofit that’s been exclusively serving Civilian Federal Employees with Group Term Life Insurance* for more than 75 years.

During the first few weeks of the shutdown, many Feds were disappointed by news of an executive order to freeze pay for Civilian Federal Employees in 2019. Then, in an unexpected turn, Congress passed a federal pay raise in a funding bill on February 15, effectively overturning the freeze. On March 28, President Trump signed an executive order officially implementing the change. In case you’re confused by the complicated discussions around federal pay, here are four things you need to know about the raise:

Most Civilian Federal Employees own smart phones loaded with apps designed to add value to their daily lives. For those looking for guidance on government information and services, there are a variety of mobile apps sponsored by the Federal government which provide relevant and accurate information.

WAEPA (Worldwide Assurance for Employees of Public Agencies), a nonprofit Voluntary Employee Benefits Association which offers Group Term Life Insurance* exclusively to Civilian Federal Employees, made headlines in January when they announced they were waiving January’s premiums for all their members, including those for Members not impacted by the partial Government Shutdown, which went on for 35 days from December 21, 2018 to January 25, 2019, and affected approximately 22% of Federal workers.

While it’s not Open Season for Life Insurance, it’s a perfect time to evaluate your coverage. Life insurance is a vital tool when it comes to safeguarding your family’s future. How would your family’s income be impacted if you passed away? What if you receive a terminal diagnosis? What will your family need to retain financial stability? Fortunately, you can apply for WAEPA’s Group Term Life Insurance at any point in the year – meaning you don’t have to wait for an Open Season period to supplement or replace your coverage from FEGLI.

In addition to the many benefits we offer our Members, Civilian Federal Employees insured under our Group Term Life Insurance* and Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Programs enjoy the ease of carrying coverage from us.

As a federal employee, it is important to ask yourself if your current health plan is working for you. A change in marital status or a newly discovered medical condition can impact your coverage needs. To better adjust to the unexpected events in life, the Office of Personnel Management hosts its annual Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season.

When purchasing life insurance, it's important to understand the financial needs of your beneficiaries before you choose a policy. Many individuals tend to think backwards when it comes to life insurance. They make critical decisions on the product they want, whether it’s permanent life insurance, basic term life insurance or even a combination of both, before thinking through the amount of protection they need. As such, you really need to first figure out how much life insurance you need before you even think about the product that would be most appropriate. A needs analysis can help you determine how much life insurance you should buy.

Since 1996, WAEPA has refunded over $100 Million dollars to our members. Why do we do it? It’s simple: we’re a voluntary benefits association, here to serve our members. In honor of our 75th Anniversary, we’re revisiting the history and benefits of our Premium Refund Program:

WAEPA’s Annual Member Meeting this October will include a Plenary Address by Jordan Goodman, America’s Money Answers Man, on a variety of cutting-edge topics surrounding Financial Wellness. WAEPA sat down with Jordan to discuss one of the most noteworthy portions planned for speech, centered around paying off your mortgage in 5-7 years (on your existing level of income!).

While government jobs are known for their stability, they are not necessarily renowned for their pay scales. Fortunately, one of the perks of being a federal employee is that many companies are willing to thank public servants by offering them discounts on almost anything, from computers and cell phones to hotels and flights. Such discounts and deals are provided exclusively to federal employees and their families. To capitalize on these savings, be on the lookout for the following essential federal employee discounts:

Once we hit our 40s, we should have a firm handle on our careers, our family relationships, and have built a strong foundation for long-term financial success. To help you get a gauge on where you are, we’ve put together our 10 Financial Goals to Reach By Age 40.

Over 9 million current and former Federal Employees and their families rely on some form of benefits from the Federal Government. With the quantity of rules and regulations surrounding these benefits, it’s imperative to have a firm understanding of how these policies can directly affect you.

If you know anyone who's suffered from a long-term illness, you know how difficult it can be. Lost income, paying for living expenses, and additional costs of care can quickly overwhelm you.

With Americans living longer lives, it has become increasingly critical to plan for the retirement years. And the earlier you start making plans, the more likely it is that you will be well prepared for your retirement.

WAEPA has just published The 2018 Consumer Assistance Guide – designed to help Federal Employees – like you – spot scams and better protect yourself against fraud.