Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Linda M. Springer and program experts will lead a news briefing on Thursday, September 13 at 2 p.m. to discuss premium changes, benefits, and innovations in the 2008 Federal Benefits Program. The Federal Benefits Program Open Season (formerly the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Open Season) will run from November 12 through December 10, 2007.

The name change to the Federal Benefits Program Open Season reflects the additional benefits programs that now are available to federal employees and retirees. Eligible employees and retirees will use the Open Season to elect and/or make coverage changes in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).

WHO: OPM Director Linda M. Springer and program experts

WHAT: News Briefing

WHERE: U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building

Pendleton Room (5^th Floor)

1900 E Street, NW

WHEN: Thursday, September 13

TIME: 2 p.m.

Media interested in attending the news briefing should contact Kevin Walter or Mike Orenstein in OPM's Office of Communications and Public Liaison at 202-606-2402.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.