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OPM.gov / Retirement / Publications & Forms / Benefits Administration Letters

Benefits Administration Letters

 

2024

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Government wide responsibility and oversight for Federal benefits administration. These pages contain the Benefits Administration Letters (BALs) used for program administration. The BALs provide guidance to agencies on various aspects of Federal administration.

Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
24-101 12/2023 Annual Changes
24-102 10/2023 Revised Present Value Factors and Discount Factors Effective October 1, 2023
Attachment 1: Civil Service Retirement System, Present Value Factors Effective October 1, 2023
Attachment 2: Federal Employees Retirement System, Present Value Factors Effective October 1, 2023
Attachment 3: CSRS and FERS Present Value Factors, NAFI Elections for Individuals Below Age 40
Attachment 4: Present Value Conversion Factors, FERS Deceased Separated Employee Cases
Attachment 5: Discounted Factors Chart Effective October 1, 2023
24-103 10/2024 Process Change for Retiring Employee Open Season Elections Effective After Retirement
Attachment 1: FEHB Enrollment Change in Package
Attachment 2: Instructions for FEHB Enrollment Change Cover Sheet and Assembling Retirement Application Packages

200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
24-201 4/2024 Annual Agency Review of FEHB Open Season Actions - Family Member Eligibility (includes Attachment 1)
Attachment 2: Family Member Eligibility Review Report
Attachment 3: Family Member Eligibility Review Announcement
Attachment 4: Family Member Eligibility Review Acceptable Documents
Attachment 5: Family Member Eligibility Review Factsheet
Attachment 6: Family Member Eligibility Review Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Attachment 7: Family Member Eligibility Review Flyer

300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
24-301 12/2023 Calendar Year 2024 Interest Rate
24-301 12/2023 BAL 24-301 Attachment: Composite Interest Rates for Post-1956 Military Service Credit Deposits for Interest Accrual Dates from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024
24-302 12/2023 Calendar Year 2024 Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Premium
24-303 01/2024 2024 FEHB Withholdings and Contributions
24-304 01/2024 Fiscal Year 2024 Federal Employees Benefits Cost Factors
for Calculating Imputed Costs
24-305 03/2024 March Headcount
24-306 06/2024 Instructions for Agencies’ Payments to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund for Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments
Attachment 1A -  Remittance Report for FY 2024 VERA
Attachment 1B - Remittance Report for FY 2024 VSIP
Attachment 1C - Remittance Report for FY 2024 VERA VSIP
24-307 09/2024 September Headcount
400 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Announcements
BAL Number Date Subject
24-401 10/2024 2024 Federal Benefits Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1 - FEHB Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 2 - Federal Benefits Fast Facts
24-402 10/2024 2024 PSHB Federal Benefits Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1 - PSHB FEHB Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 2 - Federal Benefits Fast Facts

600 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues for Tribal Employers
BAL Number Date Subject
2024 BALS in this series have not yet been issued.

700 Series –Federal Benefits Open Season Announcement for Tribal Employees
BAL Number Date Subject
24-701 10/2024 2024 FEHB Open Season for Tribal Employees: FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1 – FEHB Significant Events Changes
Attachment 2 – Federal Benefits Fast Facts

800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
24-801 2/2024 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2024 Administrative Fees

900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
2024 BALS in this series have not yet been issued.

2023

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Government wide responsibility and oversight for Federal benefits administration. These pages contain the Benefits Administration Letters (BALs) used for program administration. The BALs provide guidance to agencies on various aspects of Federal administration.

Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
23-101 11/2022 Annual Changes
23-103 01/2023 Additional Guidance on Sending Reemployed Annuitant Information to the Reemployed Annuitant Inbox
23-105 09/2023 Military Service Deposit Eligibility Notification Requirement
23-106 10/2023 Revised Retirement Coverage Determination Tables
Appendix A - Retirement Coverage Determination Tables

200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
23-201 04/2023 COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition
23-202 07/2023 Extension of FEDVIP Eligibility to Certain Employees on Temporary Appointments and Certain Employees on Seasonal and Intermittent Schedules; Enrollment Clarifications and Exceptions to Change Enrollment23-202
23-203 8/2023 Family Member Eligibility Awareness for Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Coverage
Attachment 1 - Family Member Verification Annual Notice
23-204 11/2023 Information to Fulfill Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Plan Year 2023 under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6056 and 4980H
23-205 12/2023 Contraception

300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
23-301 12/2022 Calendar Year 2023 Interest Rate
23-302 12/2022 Calendar Year 2023 Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Premiums
23-303 12/2022 2023 FEHB Withholdings and Contributions
23-304 01/2023 Fiscal Year 2023 Federal Employees Benefits Cost Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
23-305 03/2023 March 2023 Headcount
23-306 06/2023 Changes to Agency Contributions for the Federal Employees Retirement System
23-307 08/2023 Instructions for Agencies’ Payments to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund for Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments
Attachment 1A - Remittance Report for FY 2023 VERA
Attachment 1B - Remittance Report for FY 2023 VSIP
Attachment 1C - Remittance Report for FY 2023 VERA VSIP
23-308 08/2023 September 2023 Headcount
400 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Announcements
BAL Number Date Subject
23-401 10/2023 2023 Federal Benefits Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1 - FEHB Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 2 - Federal Benefits Fast Facts
600 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues for Tribal Employers
BAL Number Date Subject
2023 BALS in this series have not yet been issued.
700 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Announcements for Tribal Employees
BAL Number Date Subject
23-701 10/2023 2023 Federal Benefits Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1 - FEHB Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 2 - Federal Benefits Fast Facts
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
23-801 02/2023 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2023 Administrative Fees
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
23-901 02/2023 New Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) Regulations
23-902 09/2023 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)

2022

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Government wide responsibility and oversight for Federal benefits administration. These pages contain the Benefits Administration Letters (BALs) used for program administration. The BALs provide guidance to agencies on various aspects of Federal administration.

Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
22-101 03/2022 Changes to Acceptable Signature Requirements on Retirement Processing Forms
Appendix A - Acceptable Forms with Electronic Signatures from Agencies and Payroll Offices
Appendix B - Examples of Acceptable Electronic/ Digital Signatures
Common Questions Concerning Permanent Changes to Acceptable Signature Requirements on Retirement Processing Forms
22-102 12/2021 Annual Changes
22-103 10/2022 Updates to the Data Exchange Gateway (DEG) and DEG Data Set Starter Kit
Attachment 1 – DEG Data Set Starter Kit (revised September 2022)
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
22-201 01/2022 FEHB Coverage of COVID-19 Over-the-Counter Tests, Vaccines, and Therapeutics
22-202 02/2022 Shutdown Furlough Guidance Updates
22-203 03/2022 Changes to Acceptable Signature Requirements for Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) forms
Attachment A: FEGLI Digital Signature Instructions
22-204 11/2022 Information to Fulfill Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Plan Year 2022 under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6056 and 4980H22-204
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
22-301 12/2021 Calendar Year 2022 Interest Rate
Composite Interest Rates for Post-1956 Military Service Credit Deposits for Interest Accrual Dates from January 1 through December 31, 2022
22-303 12/2021 Federal Employee Benefits Cost Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs, Fiscal Year 2022
22-304 01/2022 Shutdown Furlough Guidance Update
22-305 03/2022 March 2022 Headcount
22-306 04/2022 Instructions for Agencies’ Payments to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund for Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments
22-307 09/2022 September 2022 Headcount
400 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Announcements
BAL Number Date Subject
22-401 09/2022 2022 Federal Benefits Open Season: Announcement
Attachment 1 – Sample Email to Employees
Attachment 2 – Circle ‘Round Your Benefits
22-402 10/2022 2022 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing Materials and Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1 – Provide Information about the Federal Benefits Open Season
Attachment 2 – Process Enrollment Actions
22-403 10/2022 2022 Federal Benefits Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1 – FEHB Significant Events Changes
Attachment 2 – Federal Benefits Fast Facts
600 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues for Tribal Employers
BAL Number Date Subject
22-601 01/2022 FEHB Coverage of COVID-19 Over-the-Counter Tests, Vaccines, and Therapeutics
700 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Announcements for Tribal Employees
BAL Number Date Subject
22-701 09/2022 2022 FEHB Open Season for Tribal Employees Announcement
Attachment 1 – Helpful Resources
22-702 10/2022 2022 FEHB Open Season for Tribal Employees: Ordering and Distributing Materials and Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1 – Inform Employees and Provide Information
Attachment 2 – Tribal Fast Facts: What to Consider During Open Season
Attachment 3 – Process FEHB Enrollment Actions
22-703 10/2022 2022 FEHB Open Season for Tribal Employees: FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1 – FEHB Significant Events Changes
Attachment 2 – Federal Benefits Fast Facts
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
22-801 08/2022 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2022 Administrative Fees
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
22-901 11/2022 New Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) Regulations and Announcement of Suspension Period for FLTCIP Applicants

2021

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Government wide responsibility and oversight for Federal benefits administration. These pages contain the Benefits Administration Letters (BALs) used for program administration. The BALs provide guidance to agencies on various aspects of Federal administration.

Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
21-101 04/2021 Payment of Interest on Post-56 Military Deposit or Peace Corp or VISTA Service Deposit with an Administrative Error
21-102 04/2021 The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 - Emergency Paid Leave Effect on Retirement
Attachment 1 - Emergency Paid Leave Tracking (Optional Form 5057)
21-103 02/2021 Annual Changes
21-104 01/2021 Additional Guidance Regarding Certification of Service Performed as a Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter, Nuclear Materials Courier, Customs and Border Protection Officer (535 Service), or Air Traffic Controller
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
21-201 02/2021 Information to Fulfill Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Plan Year 2020 under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6056 and 4980H
21-202 04/2021 Family Member Eligibility Verification for Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Coverage
Attachment 1 – Carrier Letter 2021-06: Family Member Eligibility Verification for Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Coveragee
Attachment 2 – FEHB Family Member Eligibility Documents
Attachment 3 – Information Provided Does Not Verify Family Member Eligibility
Attachment 4 – Receipt of Eligibility Verification Documents
21-203 05/2021 Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) - Forms Processing During Disruption of Agency Operations
FEGLI - Agency Coversheet Template
FEGLI - Digital Signature Instructions
FEGLI - Affidavit Regarding Death of Insured
21-204 09/2021 Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Premium Rates Changes
Attachment 1 – FEGLI Premium Rate Changes
21-205 09/2021 Information to Fulfill Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Plan Year 2021 under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6056 and 4980H
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
21-301 01/2021 Fiscal Year 2021 Federal Employee Benefits Cost Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
21-302 03/2021 March 2021 Headcount
21-303 04/2021 COVID-19 Emergency Paid Leave Reimbursement
Attachment 1 – Agency Request for COVID-19 Emergency Paid Leave Reimbursement (OPM Form 5058)
Attachment 2 – Accounting Scenarios for the Emergency Federal Employee Leave Fund
21-304 04/2021 Changes to Agencies’ Contributions to the Federal Employees Retirement System
21-305 04/2021 Instructions for Agencies’ Payments to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund for Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments
21-306 09/2021 September 2021 Headcount
21-307 09/2021 Announcing New Federal Employee's Group Life Insurance Premium
Attachment 1 – Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) Premium Rates
21-308 10/2021 2022 FEHB Withholdings and Contributions
400 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Announcements
BAL Number Date Subject
21-401 09/2021 2021 Federal Benefits Open Season: Announcement
Attachment 1 – Sample Email to Employees
Attachment 2 – Circle ‘Round Your Benefits
21-402 10/2021 2021 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing Materials and Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1 – Inform Employees and Provide Information
Attachment 2 – Process Enrollment Actions
21-403 10/2021 2021 Federal Benefits Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1 – FEHB Significant Events Changes
Attachment 2 – Federal Benefits Fast Facts
600 Series – FEHB Insurance Policy and Process Issues for Tribal Employers
BAL Number Date Subject
21-601 11/2021 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Removal of Ineligible Family Members from Enrollments
Attachment 1 – Tribal Employer Request for Verification of Family Member Eligibility
Attachment 2 – Receipt of Eligibility Verification Documents
Attachment 3 – Verification Documents Not Received
Attachment 4 – Information Provided Does Not Verify Family Member Eligibility
Attachment 5 – FEHB Family Member Eligibility Documents
21-602 11/2021 Family Member Eligibility Verification for Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Coverage
Attachment 1 – CL 2021-06 Family Member Eligibility Verification for Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Coverage
Attachment 2 – FEHB Family Member Eligibility Documents
Attachment 3 – Information Provided Does Not Verify Family Member Eligibility
700 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Announcements for Tribal Employees
BAL Number Date Subject
21-701 09/2021 2021 FEHB Open Season for Tribal Employees: Announcement
Attachment 1 – Helpful Resources
21-702 10/2021 2021 FEHB Open Season for Tribal Employees: Ordering and Distributing Materials and Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1 – Inform Tribal Employees and Provide Information about the FEHB Open Season
Attachment 2 – Tribal FastFacts: What to Consider During the FEHB Open Season for Tribal Employees
Attachment 3 – Process FEHB Enrollment Actions
21-703 10/2021 2021 FEHB Open Season for Tribal Employees: FEHB Program Significant Plan
Attachment 1 – FEHB Significant Events Changes
Attachment 2 – Federal Benefits Fast Facts
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
21-801 01/2021 Announcing New Third-Party Administrator and Billing Requirements for The Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) Effective January 1, 2021
Attachment 1 – FSAFEDS MAC Ordering Guide
Attachment 2 – FSA Sample Take Order - Agency Fees
Attachment 3 – Sample Administrative Invoices
Attachment 4 – Federal Flexible Benefits Plan Administrative Costs
21-802 05/2021 Flexibilities Allowed for the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS)
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
2021 BALS in this series have not yet been issued.

2020

You have reached a collection of archived material.

The content available is no longer being updated and as a result you may encounter hyperlinks which no longer function. You should also bear in mind that this content may contain text and references which are no longer applicable as a result of changes in law, regulation and/or administration.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Government wide responsibility and oversight for Federal benefits administration. These pages contain the Benefits Administration Letters (BALs) used for program administration. The BALs provide guidance to agencies on various aspects of Federal administration.

Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
20-101 11/2019 Annual Changes
20-102 07/2020 Temporary Changes to Retirement Application Processing While Operating Under Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Telework Policies - REVISED
20-103 02/2020 Additional Problems Encountered in Documentation for Disability Retirements
20-104 05/2020 Revised Present Value Factors and Discount Factors Effective October 1, 2019
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
20-201 03/2020 Insurance Benefits Processing During Disruption of Normal Agency Operations
20-202 04/2020 Amendment to BAL 19-202 Information to Fulfill Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Plan Year 2019 under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6056 and 4980H
20-203 11/2020 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Removal of Ineligible Family Members from Enrollments
Attachment 1 – Sample Employing Office /Tribal Employer Letter – Request for Verification of Family Member Eligibility
Attachment 2 – Sample Employing Office/Tribal Employer/Carrier Letter – Receipt of Eligibility Verification Documents
Attachment 3 – Sample Employing Office/Tribal Employer/Carrier Letter – Verification Documents Not Received
Attachment 4 – Sample Employing Office/Tribal Employer Letter – Information Provided Does Not Verify Family Member Eligibility
Attachment 5 – FEHB Family Member Eligibility Documents
Carrier Letter 2020-16 – Removal of Ineligible Family Members from Enrollment
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
20-301 01/2020 Fiscal Year 2020 Federal Employee Benefits Cost Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
20-302 03/2020 March 2020 Headcount
20-303 03/2020 Instructions Regarding Requirement for Agencies' Payments to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (CSRDF) for VSIPs and VERAs FY 2020 Processing Costs Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020
Attachment 1 A-C - FY 2020 VSIP and VERA Form
Attachment 2 - FEDWIRE Instructions
Attachment 3 - ACH Credit Instruction
20-304 05/2020 Changes to Agency Contributions for FERS, FERS-RAE and FERS-FRAE Beginning in Fiscal Year 2021
20-305 09/2020 September 2020 Headcount
20-306 10/2020 2021 FEHB Withholdings and Contributions
20-307 10/2020 Calendar Year 2021 Interest Rate
Composite Interest Rates for Post-1956 Military Service Credit Deposits for Interest Accrual Dates from January 1 through December 31, 2021
400 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Announcement
BAL Number Date Subject
20-401 09/2020 2020 Federal Benefits Open Season: Announcement
Attachment 1 – Sample Email to Employees
Attachment 2 – Circle ‘Round Your Benefits
20-402 10/2020 2020 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing Materials and Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1 – Inform Employees and Provide Information
Attachment 2 – Process Enrollment Actions
20-403 11/2020 2020 Federal Benefits Open Season: FSAFEDS, FEDVIP and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1 – FEDVIP Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 2 – FEHB Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 3 – FastFact
700 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Announcement for Tribal Employees
BAL Number Date Subject
20-702 10/2020 2020 Federal Benefits Open Season for Tribal Employees: Ordering and Distributing Materials and Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1 – Inform Tribal Employees and Provide Information about the FEHB Open Season
Attachment 2 – Tribal Fast Facts: What to Consider During Open Season
Attachment 3 – Process FEHB Enrollment Actions
20-703 11/2020 2020 FEHB Open Season for Tribal Employees: FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1 – FEHB Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 2 – FastFact
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
20-801 04/2020 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2020 Administrative Fees
20-802 05/2020 Update on Qualified Medical Expenses under CARES Act and Reminder about DCFSA Qualifying Life Event
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
2020 BALS in this series have not yet been issued.

2019

You have reached a collection of archived material.

The content available is no longer being updated and as a result you may encounter hyperlinks which no longer function. You should also bear in mind that this content may contain text and references which are no longer applicable as a result of changes in law, regulation and/or administration.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Government wide responsibility and oversight for Federal benefits administration. These pages contain the Benefits Administration Letters (BALs) used for program administration. The BALs provide guidance to agencies on various aspects of Federal administration.

Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
19-101 02/2019 Annual Changes
19-102 05/2019 Additional Guidance of Phased Retirement
19-104 06/2019 Analysis of Agency Financial Education and Literacy Plans 2019
19-105 07/2019 Information to Agencies to Improve Survivor Claim Processing upon the Death of a Federeal Employee
19-106 05/2019 Agency Checklist for Phased Retirement
19-107 09/2019 Process Change for Handling Reemployed Annuitants
Attachment 1 - Notification to OPM of Reemployment of Annuitant
Attachment 2 - Notification to OPM of Separation of a Reemployed Annuitant - No Benefits Payable
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
19-201 05/2019 Implementing Daily Submission of FEHB Electronic Enrollment Transactions
19-202 07/2019 Information to Fulfill Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Plan Year 2019 under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6056 and 4980H
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
19-308 10/2019 Calendar Year 2020 Interest Rate
Year 2020 Composite Interest Rates for Post-1956 Military Service Credit Deposits
19-307 10/2019 2020 FEHB Withholdings and Contributions
19-306 09/2019 September 2019 Headcount
19-305 06/2019 Changes to Agency Contributions for FERS, FERS-RAE and FERS-FRAE Beginning in Fiscal Year 2020
19-304 02/2019 Postal and Non-Postal Cost Factors for Calculating Imputed Cost
19-303 03/2019 March Headcount
19-302 02/2018 Instructions Regarding Requirement for Agencies’ Payments to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (CSRDF) for VSIPs and VERAs FY 2019 Processing Costs Under the Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019.
Attachment 1 - FY 2018 VSIP and VERA Form
Attachment 2 - Credit Gateway FEDWIRE Instructions
Attachment 3 - ACH Credit Instructions
19-301 01/2019 Retirement and Insurance Transfer System (RITS) during the Government Shutdown
400 Series – 2019 Federal Benefits Open Season Announcement
BAL Number Date Subject
19-401 08/2019 2019 Federal Benefits Open Season: Announcement
Attachment 1 - Sample Email to Employees
Attachment 2 - Circle ‘Round Your Benefits
19-402 10/2019 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing Materials and Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1: Inform Employees and Provide Information about the Federal Benefits Open Season
Attachment 2: Process Enrollment Actions
19-403 10/2019 2019 Federal Benefits Open Season: FSAFEDS, FEDVIP and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1: FEHB Program
Attachment 2: Federal Benefits FastFacts
700 Series – FEHB Open Season Guidance for Tribal Employers
BAL Number Date Subject
19-702 10/2019 2019 FEHB Open Season for Tribal Employees: Ordering and Distributing Materials and Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1 - Inform Tribal Employees and Provide Information about the FEHB Open Season
Attachment 2 - Tribal FastFacts
Attachment 3 - Process FEHB Enrollment Actions
19-703 10/2019 2019 Federal Benefits Open Season: FSAFEDS, FEDVIP and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1 - FEHB Program
Attachment 2 - Federal Benefits FastFacts
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
19-801 03/2019 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2019 Administrative Fees
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
19-901 10/2019 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) New Long Term Care Insurance Plan - FLTCIP 3.0

2018

You have reached a collection of archived material.

The content available is no longer being updated and as a result you may encounter hyperlinks which no longer function. You should also bear in mind that this content may contain text and references which are no longer applicable as a result of changes in law, regulation and/or administration.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Government wide responsibility and oversight for Federal benefits administration. These pages contain the Benefits Administration Letters (BALs) used for program administration. The BALs provide guidance to agencies on various aspects of Federal administration.

Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
18-101 5/2018 Annual Changes 
18-103 9/2018 FERS Unused Sick Leave and the 1.1% Annuity Formula 
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
18-201 8/2018 FEHB Program Removal of Eligible Individuals from Existing Enrollments 
Attachment 1: Sample Notice – Spouse Remove Eligible Family Member
Attachment 2: Sample Notice – Enrollee Request Child Removed from FEHB
Attachment 3: Sample Notice – Child Request Removal from FEHB
Attachment 4: Sample Letters
18-204 10/2018 Information to Fulfill Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Plan Year 2018 under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6056 and 4980H 
18-203 9/2018 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program: Expiration of Coverage of Children of Same-Sex Domestic Partners 
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
18-306 11/2018 Calendar Year 2019 Interest Rate 
Attachment 1 - Composite Interest Rates for Post-1956 Military Service
18-305 10/2018 2019 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution 
18-304 09/2018 September 2018 Headcount
18-303 08/2018 Fiscal Year 2018 Cost Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
18-302 05/2018 Instructions for Agencies’ Payments to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (CSRDF) for VSIPs and VERAs Processing Costs
Attachment 1 - FY 2018 VSIP and VERA Form
Attachment 2 - Credit Gateway FEDWIRE Instructions
Attachment 3 - Credit Gateway ACH Instructions
18-301 02/2018 March 2018 Headcount
400 Series – 2018 Federal Benefits Open Season Announcement
BAL Number Date Subject
18-401 09/2018 2018 Federal Benefits Open Season: Announcement
Attachment 1 – Sample Email to Employees
Attachment 2 – Circle 'Round Your Benefits
18-402 10/2018 2018 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing Materials and Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1: Inform Employees and Provide Information about the Federal Benefits Open Season
Attachment 2: Easy to Use Chart for Ordering and Distributing FSAFEDS, FEDVIP, and FEHB Materials
Attachment 3: Advise Employees on the Federal Benefits Programs
Attachment 4: Process Enrollment Actions
Attachment 5: Federal Benefits FastFacts (Open Season)
Attachment 6: Federal Benefits FastFacts (What you should Consider)
Attachment 7: Open Season banner
Attachment 8: Flexible Spending Accounts
Attachment 9: Save Money on Eyeglasses
18-403 10/2018 2018 Federal Benefits Open Season: FSAFEDS, FEDVIP and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1 – FEHB Program
Attachment 2 – Federal Benefits FastFacts
700 Miscellaneous Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
18-701 03/2018 myRA
18-703 10/2018 FEHB Open Season for Tribal Employees: FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1: Table 1: Plan Leaving the FEHB Program
Attachment 2: Federal Benefits FastFacts
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
18-801 02/2018 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2018 Administrative Fees
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
2018 BALS in this series have not yet been issued.

2017

You have reached a collection of archived material.

The content available is no longer being updated and as a result you may encounter hyperlinks which no longer function. You should also bear in mind that this content may contain text and references which are no longer applicable as a result of changes in law, regulation and/or administration.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Government wide responsibility and oversight for Federal benefits administration. These pages contain the Benefits Administration Letters (BALs) used for program administration. The BALs provide guidance to agencies on various aspects of Federal administration.

Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
17-102 03/2017 Annual Changes
17-101 01/2016 Additional Guidance on Military Deposits
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
17-203 08/2017 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Enrollment of Seasonal, Part-time, or Intermittent Employees
17-202 08/2017 Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) Processing Reminder, Email Messages, and Additional Guidance for FEGLI Open Season Elections
Sample Email 1 - FEGLI Open Season Elections Becoming Effective
Sample Email 2 - Verify Your FEGLI Open Season Changes
17-201 06/2017 Information to Fulfill Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Plan Year 2017 under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6056 and 4980H
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
17-307 11/2017 Federal Employees Benefits Cost Factors for Fiscal Year 2018
17-306 11/2017 Calendar Year 2018 Interest Rate
Attachment 1
17-305 10/2017 2018 FEHB Withholdings and Contributions
17-304 08/2017 September 2017 Headcount
17-303 07/2017 Fiscal Year 2017 Cost Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
17-302 06/2017 Instructions Regarding Requirement for Agencies’ Payments to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (CSRDF) for VSIPs and VERAs Processing Costs for FY 2017 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017
Attachment 1A-1C
Attachment 2
Attachment 3
17-301 01/2017 March 2017 Headcount
400 Series – 2016 Federal Benefits Open Season Announcement
BAL Number Date Subject
17-404 10/2017 2017 Federal Benefits Open Season: FSAFEDS, FEDVIP and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1: FEHB Programs
Attachment 2: Federal Benefits Fast Fact
17-403 10/2017 2017 Federal Benefits Open Season: Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1: Inform Employees and Provide Information about the Federal Benefits Open Season
Attachment 2: Open Season 2017 Flyer, Banner and Poster
Attachment 3: Flexible Spending Account Overview 2017
Attachment 4: Going Green – View Your FEHB Brochure Online or Contact Your Plan for a Paper Brochure
Attachment 5: FastFacts Open Season is Coming
Attachment 6: FastFacts What to Consider
Attachment 7: Insurance Benefits Overview 2017
Attachment 8: Save Money Flyers
Attachment 9: Advise Employees on the Federal Benefits Programs
Attachment 10: Process Enrollment Actions
17-402 09/2017 2017 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing Materials
Attachment 1: Going Green – View Your FEHB Brochure Online or Contact Your Plan for a Paper Brochure
Attachment 2: Easy to Use Chart for Ordering and Distributing FSAFEDS, FEDVIP, and FEHB Materials
Attachment 3: Specific Plan Contacts for Ordering FEDVIP Brochures and Organizing Open Season Fairs
Attachment 4: FEHB Plan Contacts for Requesting HMO Brochures
Attachment 5: FEHB Plan Contacts for Enrollment
Attachment 6: Open Fee-for-Service (FFS) FEHB Plan Contacts for Ordering CDs for the Visually Impaired
Attachment 7: FEHB Plan Contacts for Organizing Open Season Fairs
17-401 08/2017 2017 Federal Benefits Open Season: Announcement
Attachment 1 Open Season Checklist
Attachment 2 Helpful Resources
Attachment 3 Frequently Questioned Services
Attachment 4 Circle Diagram
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
17-802 12/2017 FSAFEDS Increasing Health Care Account Maximum by $50 to $2,650
17-801 02/2017 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2017 Administrative Fees
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
2017 BALS in this series have not yet been issued.

2016

You have reached a collection of archived material.

The content available is no longer being updated and as a result you may encounter hyperlinks which no longer function. You should also bear in mind that this content may contain text and references which are no longer applicable as a result of changes in law, regulation and/or administration.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Government wide responsibility and oversight for Federal benefits administration. These pages contain the Benefits Administration Letters (BALs) used for program administration. The BALs provide guidance to agencies on various aspects of Federal administration.

Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
16-102 11/2016 OPM No Longer Accepting Corrections on Certain Benefits Election Forms
16-101 01/2016 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
16-208 09/2016 Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Belated Open Season Elections and Open Season Election Errors
16-207 08/2016 Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Open Season and eOPF
16-206 07/2016 Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: FEGLI Open Season Website, Email Messages, and Data Needs
Email 1 - FEGLI Open Season Begins Next Week
Email 2 - FEGLI Open Season Begins Today
Email 3 - FEGLI Open Season Reminder
Email 4 - FEGLI Open Season Ending Soon
Email 5 - FEGLI Open Season Ends Friday
Attachment 6 - FEGLI Open Season Data Needs Spreadsheet
16-205 05/2016 Information to Fulfill Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Plan Year 2016 under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6056 and 4980H
Attachment: Agencies in Federal ALE
16-204 03/2016 Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) Life Insurance Open Season Guidance
16-203 01/2016 Employee Information on Health Coverage; Affordable Care Act Information Returns (AIR) Assurance Testing
Attachment 1: Health Care Coverage Forms for Federal Employees
16-202 01/2016 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Enrollment Options Following the Termination of a Plan or Plan Option Final Rule Published
16-201 1/2016 Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Updated Guidance on Election Opportunities for Employees Deployed in Support of Contingency Operations
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
16-308 11/2016 Federal Employees Benefits Cost Factors for Fiscal Year 2017
16-307 10/2016 Calendar Year 2017 Interest Rate
Attachment: Composite Interest Rates for Post-1956 Military Service Credit Deposits
16-306 10/2016 2017 FEHB Withholdings and Contributions
16-305 08/2016 September 2016 Headcount
16-304 07/2016 Fiscal Year 2016 Cost Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
16-303 05/2016 FSAFEDS Program: Announcing A New Third Party Administrator
Attachment: Federal Flexible Benefits Plan Administrative Costs
16-302 02/2016 March 2016 Headcount
16-301 02/2016 Instructions Regarding Requirement for Agencies’ Payments to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (CSRDF) for VSIPs and VERAs Processing Costs for FY 2016 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016.
Attachment 1: Remittance Report for FY 2016 VERAs
Attachment 2: ACH Credit Instructions
Attachment 3: Fedwire Instructions
400 Series – 2016 Federal Benefits Open Season Announcement
BAL Number Date Subject
16-404 10/2016 2016 Federal Benefits Open Season: FSAFEDS, FEDVIP and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1: FEHB Program
Attachment 2: Federal Benefits FastFacts
16-403 10/2016 2016 Federal Benefits Open Season Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1: Inform Employees and Provide Information about Open Season
Attachment 2: Open Season 2016 Flyer, Poster and Banner
Attachment 3: FSAFEDS Program Flyer
Attachment 4: Going Green - FEHB Brochure
Attachment 5: FastFacts Open Season is Coming
Attachment 6: FastFacts What to Consider
Attachment 7: FEHB Plan Contacts for Enrollment
Attachment 8: Save Money Flyers
Attachment 9: Advise Employees on the Federal Benefits Programs
Attachment 10: Process Enrollment Actions
16-402 09/2016 2016 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing Materials
Attachment 1: Going Green
Attachment 2: Materials Chart
Attachment 3: FEDVIP Plan Contacts 
Attachment 4: FEHB Plan Contacts for Requesting HMO Brochures
Attachment 5: FEHB Plan Contacts for Enrollment
Attachment 6: Open Fee-for-Service (FFS) FEHB Plan Contacts for the Visually Impaired
Attachment 7: FEHB Plan Contacts for Enrollment
16-401 08/2016 2016 Federal Benefits Open Season Announcement
Attachment 1: Open Season Checklist
Attachment 2: Helpful Resources
Attachment 3: Frequently Questioned Services
Attachment 4: Circle Diagram
600 Series – FEHB Insurance Policy and Process Issues for Tribal Employers
BAL Number Date Subject
16-601 03/03/2016 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Enrollment Options Following the Termination of a Plan or Plan Option Final Rule Published
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
16-802 11/2016 FSAFEDS Increasing Health Care Account Maximum by $50 to $2,600
16-801 02/2016 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2016 Administrative Fees
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
16-901 07/2016 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) 2016 Enrollee Decision Period

2015

You have reached a collection of archived material.

The content available is no longer being updated and as a result you may encounter hyperlinks which no longer function. You should also bear in mind that this content may contain text and references which are no longer applicable as a result of changes in law, regulation and/or administration.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Government wide responsibility and oversight for Federal benefits administration. These pages contain the Benefits Administration Letters (BALs) used for program administration. The BALs provide guidance to agencies on various aspects of Federal administration.

Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
15-102 01/2015 Additional Items to Report on Individual Retirement Records (IRRs) in Cases of Separation, Removal, or Resignation
15-101 01/2015 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
15-210 10/2015 Self Plus One in the 2015 Open Season
Attachment 1: Open Season Flyer list
Attachment 2: New for 2016
Attachment 3: Self Plus One Fast Facts
Attachment 4: Self Plus One Email
Attachment 5: Self Plus One FAQs
Attachment 6: Self Plus One Banner
15-209 10/2015 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Self Plus One and Survivor Annuitants
15-208 10/2015 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Self Plus One Operational Issues
15-207 10/2015 Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and Federal Employees Dental and Vision
15-206 09/2015 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Family Member Audit
Attachment 1: FEHB Family Member Audit Fast Facts
15-205 09/2015 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Self Plus One Final Rule Published
15-204 09/2015 Federal Employees Health Benefits Information to Fulfill Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Plan Year 2015 under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6056 and 4980H
15-203 08/2015 Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) Life Insurance Open Season and Premium Changes
Attachment 1: Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) Premium Rates
15-202 02/2015 BAL 15-202 Employer Shared Reporting Responsibilities under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6056 and 4980H
15-201 02/2015 Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program: New Addresses for the Office of Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI)
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
15-310 12/2015 Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014
15-309 11/2015 Federal Employees Benefits Cost Factors for Fiscal Year 2016
15-308 11/2015 Calendar Year 2016 Interest Rate
Attachment 1: 2016 Interest Rate
15-307 11/2015 2016 FEHB Withholdings and Contributions
15-306 08/2015 Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) Life Insurance Open Season and Premium Changes
15-305 08/2015 September 2015 Headcount
15-304 06/2015 Cost Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
15-303 04/2015 Changes to Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Contribution Rates for FY 2016
15-302 02/2015 March 2015 Headcount
15-301 02/2015 Instructions Regarding Requirement for Agencies’ Payments to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund for VERA and VSIP Processing Costs for FY 2015 under the Consolidation and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015
Attachment 1: AFY 2015 VERAs, VSIPs PROCESSING COSTS UNDER CONSOLIDATION & FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2015, P.L. 113-235 REMITTANCE REPORT FOR FY 2015 VERAs
Attachment 2: FEDWIRE Instructions
Attachment 3: ACH Credit Instructions
400 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
15-404 10/2015 2015 Federal Benefits Open Season: FSAFEDS and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1: FEHB Program
Attachment 2: Federal Benefits FastFacts
15-403 10/2015 2015 Federal Benefits Open Season: Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1: Inform Employees and Provide Information about the Federal Benefits Open Season
Attachment 2: Open Season Flyer, Poster, and Banner
Attachment 3: FSAFEDS Program Flyer
Attachment 4: Going Green
Attachment 5: Federal Benefits FastFacts - Open Season is Coming!
Attachment 6: Federal Benefits FastFacts - What to Consider During the Federal Benefits Open Season (November 9 - December 14, 2015)
Attachment 7: Insurance Benefits Flyers
Attachment 8: Save Money Flyers
Attachment 9: Advise Employees on the Federal Benefits Program
Attachment 10: Process Enrollment Actions
15-402 09/2015 2015 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing
Attachment 1: Going Green
Attachment 2: Materials Chart
Attachment 3: FEDVIP Plan Contacts
Attachment 4: FEHB Plan Contacts for Requesting HMO Brochures
Attachment 5: FEHB Plan Contacts for Enrollment
Attachment 6: Open Fee-for-Service (FFS) FEHB Plan Contacts for Ordering CDs for the Visually Impaired
Attachment 7: Contacts for Organizing Open Season Fairs
15-401 09/2015 2015 Federal Benefits Open Season Announcement
Attachment 1: Open Season Checklist
Attachment 2: Helpful Resources
Attachment 3: Frequently Questioned Services
Attachment 4: Circle Diagram
700 Series – Miscellaneous Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
15-701 01/2015 myRA
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
15-801 02/2015 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2015 Administrative Fees
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
15-901 11/2015 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program Eligibility Changes
Attachment 1: Declaration of Domestic Partnership

2014

You have reached a collection of archived material.

The content available is no longer being updated and as a result you may encounter hyperlinks which no longer function. You should also bear in mind that this content may contain text and references which are no longer applicable as a result of changes in law, regulation and/or administration.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Government wide responsibility and oversight for Federal benefits administration. These pages contain the Benefits Administration Letters (BALs) used for program administration. The BALs provide guidance to agencies on various aspects of Federal administration.

Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
14-113 10/2014 Revised Present Value Factors and Discount Factors
Attachment 1: Discount Factors
14-112 10/2014 Standard Form (SF) 3116: Phased Employment/Phased Retirement Status Elections
14-111 10/2014 New CSRS and FERS Instruction Pamphlets Available for Completing Applications for Phased Retirement and Full Retirement Status from Phased Employment
14-110 10/2014 Instructions for Personnel and Payroll Offices
14-109 08/2014 Phased Retirement Instructions for Personnel and Payroll Offices
14-108 08/2014 Phased Retirement Employee Frequently Asked Questions
14-107 08/2014 Federal Employees Retirement System-Further Revised Annuity Employees {FRAE) Coverage Determination Guidance
14-106 03/2014 Data Element Values for New Phased Retirement Program
14-105 02/2014 Updates to the Data Exchange Gateway and Important Reminders
Attachment 1: DEG Data Set
Attachment 2: Cover Sheet
14-104 02/2014 Dual Entitlement to Disability and Immediate Optional Retirement
14-103 01/2014 Documenting a Retiring Employee’s Eligibility to Continue Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Enrollment into Retirement
Attachment 1: Instructions for FEHB Information and Certification Memorandum
Attachment 2: FEHB Information and Certification Memorandum
14-102 01/2014 Federal Employees Retirement System- Further Revised Annuity Employees (FRAE)
14-101 01/2014 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
14-213 12/2014 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Self Plus One Enrollment
Attachment 1: SELF PLUS ONE UPDATE STATUS REPORT
Attachment 2: Questions for Agencies
14-212 12/2014 Designation for Employer Shared Reporting Responsibilities under Internal Revenue Code Section 6056
Attachment 1: Agency ALE Alignment
Attachment 2: Designation Form
14-211 10/2014 CLER 2.0
14-210 10/2014 FEHB Program Modification of Eligibility to Certain Employees on Temporary Appointments and Certain Employees on Seasonal and Intermittent Schedules
14-209 10/2014 Phased Retirement and Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Guidelines
14-208 10/2014 Phased Retirement and Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program Guidelines
14-207 10/2014 Employer Shared Responsibilities under Internal Revenue Code Section 6056
14-206 06/2014 Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: UPDATE on Insurance Misrepresentations and Deceptive Sales Practices
14-205 04/2014 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Family Member Audit
14-204 03/2014 New Online Web Portal for Entering SF 2809 Forms for Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) Enrollment
14-203 03/2014 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Self Plus One Enrollment
14-202 03/2014 Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program: New Address for the Office of Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI)
14-201 02/2014 Additional Operational Issues Concerning the Final Rule for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Regarding Members of Congress and Congressional Staff
This BAL provides guidance for the Senate and House of Representatives benefits officers on the transition of Members of Congress and their designated staff to the DC Small Business Health Options Program.
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
14-310 11/2014 Federal Employees Benefits Cost Factors for Fiscal Year 2015
14-309 11/2014 Calendar Year 2015 Interest Rate
Attachment 1: Composite Interest Rates
14-308 10/2014 2015 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution Rates
14-307 08/2014 Phased Retirement Instructions for Payroll Offices
14-306 06/2014 September 2014 Headcount
14-305 06/2014 Changes to FERS Contribution Rates for Fiscal Year 2015
14-304 06/2014 Fiscal Year 2014 Cost Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
14-303 04/2014 Data Element Values for New Phased Retirement Program
14-302 02/2014 March 2014 Headcount
14-301 02/2014 Instructions Regarding Requirement for Agencies’ Payments to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (CSRDF) for VSIPs and VERAs Processing Costs for FY 2014 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014
Attachments 1A,B,C: FY 2014 VERA VSIP Remittance Reports
Attachments 2: FEDWIRE Instructions
Attachments 3: ACH Credit Instructions
400 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
14-405 10/2014 2014 Federal Benefits Open Season: FSAFEDS and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1: FEHB Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 2: Plan and Service Area Termination FastFacts
14-404 10/2014 2014 Federal Benefits Open Season: Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1: Inform Employees and Provide Information about Open Season
Attachment 2a: Open Season Flyer and Poster
Attachment 2b: Open Season Banner
Attachment 3: FSAFEDS Program Flyer
Attachment 4: Going Green – View Your FEHB Brochure Online or Contact Your Plan for a Paper Brochure
Attachment 5: Federal Benefits FastFacts: The 2014 Federal Benefits Open Season is Coming!
Attachment 6: Federal Benefits FastFacts: What to Consider During the Federal Benefits Open Season
Attachment 7: Insurance Benefits Flyers
Attachment 8: Save Money On… Flyers
Attachment 9: Advise Employees on the Federal Benefits Programs
Attachment 10: Process Enrollment Actions
14-403 10/2014 2014 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing Materials
Attachment 1: Going Green – View Your FEHB Brochure Online or Contact Your Plan for a Paper Brochure
Attachment 2: Easy to Use Chart for Ordering and Distributing for FSAFEDS, FEDVIP, and FEHB Materials
Attachment 3: FEDVIP Plan Contacts for Requesting Brochures and Organizing Open Season Fairs
Attachment 4: FEHB Plan Contacts for Requesting HMO Brochuress
Attachment 5: FEHB Plan Contacts Regarding Enrollment
Attachment 6: Open Fee-for-Service (FFS) FEHB Plan Contacts for Ordering Compact Discs for the Visually Impaired
Attachment 7: FEHB Plan Contacts for Organizing Open Season Fairs
14-402 08/2014 2014 Federal Benefits Open Season: Rider Information
Attachment 1: Federal Benefits Open Season Rider Information
14-401 08/2014 2014 Federal Benefits Open Season: Announcement
Attachment 1: 2014 Open Season Checklist for 2015 Plan Year
Attachment 2: Open Season Resources
Attachment 3: Frequently Questioned Services
Attachment 4: Circle ‘Round Your Benefits
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
14-802 12/2014 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) Increasing Health Care Account Maximum by $50 to $2,550
14-801 08/2014 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) Changes: Adopting Carryover and Reducing Minimum Election for 2015

2013-1995

You have reached a collection of archived material.

The content available is no longer being updated and as a result you may encounter hyperlinks which no longer function. You should also bear in mind that this content may contain text and references which are no longer applicable as a result of changes in law, regulation and/or administration.

You have reached a collection of archived material.

The content available is no longer being updated and as a result you may encounter hyperlinks which no longer function. You should also bear in mind that this content may contain text and references which are no longer applicable as a result of changes in law, regulation and/or administration.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Government wide responsibility and oversight for Federal benefits administration. These pages contain the Benefits Administration Letters (BALs) used for program administration. The BALs provide guidance to agencies on various aspects of Federal administration.

2013 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
13-103 06/2013 Military Deposits
13-102 06/2013 FERS Revised Annuity
13-101 02/2013 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
13-211 12/2013 Coverage of Children of Same-Sex Domestic Partners
Attachment 1: Step by Step Instructions for FEHB and FEDVIP Enrollment Changes
Attachment 2: Coverage of Children of Same-Sex Domestic Partners Fact Sheet for Employees and Annuitants
Attachment 3: Declaration of Domestic Partnership; FEHB and FEDVIP
Attachment 4: Certification of Dependent Tax Status for the Purposes of Coverage Under FEHB and FEDVIP
Attachment 4b: Annual Imputed Income per Child for 2014
Attachment 5: Attachment 5
13-210 11/2013 Coverage of Children of Same-Sex Domestic Partners under FEHB and FEDVIP
Attachment 1: Annual Imputed Income per Child for 2014
Attachment 2: States that Authorize Same-Sex Marriage
13-209 10/2013 Coverage of Children of Same-Sex Domestic Partners
13-208 10/2013 Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP): Continued Eligibility for Disabled Children Over Age 22
Attachment 1: Medical Conditions That Would Cause Children to Be Incapable of Self-Support during Adulthood
13-207 09/2013 Final Rule for Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Members of Congress and Congressional Staff
Attachment 1: Fact Sheet
13-206 08/2013 The FEHB Program and Affordable Care Act - Marketplace Notice and Minimum Value Standard
Attachment 1: Marketplace Notice
Attachment 2: Cover Letter for Marketplace Notice
Attachment 3: TCC Notice for Separating Employees
Attachment 4: TCC Notice for Former Spouses
Attachment 5: TCC Notice for Child
13-205 08/2013 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and the Individual Shared Responsibility Provision of the Affordable Care Act: The Requirement to Maintain “Minimum Essential Coverage” (MEC)
Attachment 1: Health Care Reform FEHB FastFacts
13-204A 10/2013 Operational Issues Concerning the Final Rule for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Regarding Members of Congress and Congressional Staff
This BAL provides guidance for the Senate and House of Representatives benefits officers on the transition of Members of Congress and their designated staff to the DC Small Business Health Options Program.
13-204 08/2013 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Members of Congress and Congressional
Attachment 1: Fact Sheet
Attachment 2: Frequently Asked Questions
13-203 07/2013 Coverage of Same-Sex Spouses
13-202 06/2013 CLER Enhancement to Provide Premium Payment Data to Carriers
Attachment 1: Centralized Enrollment Clearinghouse (CLER) Payroll Office Enrollment File Layout
13-201 03/2013 Post-Combat Case Coordinator (PCCC) for Qualified Civilian Employees
Attachment 1: Guidelines: Post-Combat Case Coordinator
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
13-306 11/2013 Federal Employees Benefits Cost Factors for Fiscal Year 2014
13-305 11/2013 Calendar Year 2014 Interest Rate
Attachment 1: Composite Interest Rates
13-304 10/2013 2014 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution Rates
13-303 08/2013 September 2013 Headcount
13-302 07/2013 Fiscal Year 2013 Cost Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
13-301 02/2013 March 2013 Headcount
400 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
13-405 09/2013 2013 Federal Benefits Open Season: FEDVIP and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1: FEDVIP Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 2: FEHB Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 3: Plan and Service Area Termination FastFacts
13-404 09/2013 2013 Federal Benefits Open Season: Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1: Inform Employees and Provide Information about Open Season
Attachment 2a: Open Season Banner
Attachment 2b: Open Season Flyer
Attachment 3: FSAFEDS Program Flyer
Attachment 4: Going Green – View Your FEHB Brochure Online or Contact Your Plan for a Paper Brochure
Attachment 5: Federal Benefits FastFacts: The 2013 Federal Benefits Open Season is Coming!
Attachment 6: Federal Benefits FastFacts: What to Consider During the Federal Benefits Open Season
Attachment 7: Insurance Benefits Flyers
Attachment 8: Save Money On… Flyers
Attachment 9: Advise Employees on the Federal Benefits Programs
Attachment 10: Process Enrollment Actions
13-403 09/2013 2013 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing Materials
Attachment 1: Going Green – View Your FEHB Brochure Online or Contact Your Plan for a Paper Brochure
Attachment 2: Easy to Use Chart for Ordering and Distributing Materials for FSAFEDS, FEDVIP, and FEHB
Attachment 3: FEDVIP Plan Contacts for Requesting Brochures and Organizing Open Season Fairs
Attachment 4: FEHB Plan Contacts for Requesting HMO Brochures
Attachment 5: FEHB Plan Contacts Regarding Enrollment
Attachment 6: Open Fee-for-Service (FFS) FEHB Plan Contacts for Ordering Compact Discs for the Visually Impaired
Attachment 7: FEHB Plan Contacts for Organizing Open Season Fairs
13-402 07/2013 2013 Federal Benefits Open Season: Rider Information
Attachment 1: Federal Benefits Open Season Rider Information
13-401 07/2013 2013 Federal Benefits Open Season Announcement
Attachment 1: Open Season Checklist
Attachment 2: Open Season Resources
Attachment 3: Frequently Questioned Services
Attachment 4: Circle 'Round Your Benefits
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
13-802 10/2013 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2014 Administrative Fees
13-801 01/2013 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2013 Administrative Fees

2012 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
12-104 10/2012 Federal Employees Retirement System-Revised Annuity Employees (RAE)
12-103 08/2012 Submitting Healthy Retirement Application Packages
Submitting Healthy Retirement Application Packages - Revised
Attachment A: CSRS and FERS Development Checklist and Log
Attachment B: Annotated CSRS and FERS Development Checklist
Attachment C: CSA Document Order for Retirement Package Submissions
12-102 05/2012 Acceptance of Photocopies of Signed Documents in Retirement Application Packages and other Agency Submissions
12-101 01/2012 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
12-206 10/2012 Electronic SF 2810 in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program
12-205 08/2012 Medical Loss Ratio Rebates under the Affordable Care Act
Attachment: Frequently Asked Questions about the Medical Loss Ratio
12-204 07/2012 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Revision of Health Benefits Election Form, Standard Form 2809
12-203 07/2012 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Coverage for Certain Firefighters
12-202 05/2012 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Revision of Standard Form (SF) 2817, "Life Insurance Election"
12-201 04/2012 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: End of Election Opportunity for Certain Contingency Operation Employees
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
12-312 11/2012 Instructions Regarding Requirement for Agencies’ Payments to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (CSRDF) in FY 2013 for VSIPs and VERAs Processing Costs per P.L. 112-175, “Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013”
Attachment 1: FY 2013 VERAs, VSIPs PROCESSING COSTS PER P.L. 112-74
Attachment 2: Fedwire Instructions
Attachment 3: ACH Credit Instructions
12-311 11/2012 Federal Employees Benefits Cost Factors for Fiscal Year 2013
12-310 10/2012 Calendar Year 2013 Interest Rate
Attachment 1: Composite Interest Rates
12-309 10/2012 2013 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution Rates
12-308 08/2012 September 2012 Headcount
12-307 06/2012 Fiscal Year 2012 Cost Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
12-306 02/2012 FEHBP Cost Factor for Third Quarter of FY 2012
12-305 02/2012 March 2012 Headcount
12-304 02/2012 Instructions Regarding New Requirement for Agencies' Payments to the CSRDF in FY 2012 for VSIPs and VERAs Processing Costs
Attachments 1A, 1B, 1C: Remittance Reports
12-303 01/2012 Interim IRS Guidance on Informational Reporting to Employees Cost of Group Health Insurance Coverage - Now Mandatory for the 2012 Tax Year
12-302 01/2012 New Requirements for Agencies' Payments to CSRDF in FY 2012 for VSIPs, VERAs Processing Costs Per P.L. 112-74
12-301 01/2012 FEHBP Cost Factor for FY 2012
400 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
12-405 10/2012 2012 Federal Benefits Open Season: FSAFEDS and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1: 2013 FEHB Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 2: Plan and Service Area Termination FastFacts
12-404 09/2012 Federal Benefits Open Season Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1: Inform Employees and Provide Information about Open Season
Attachment 2: FSAFEDS Program Flyer
Attachment 3: Going Green - View Your FEHB Brochure Online or Contact Your Plan for a Paper Brochure
Attachment 4: FastFacts Open Season is Coming
Attachment 5: FastFacts What to Consider
Attachment 6: Advise Employees on the Federal Benefits Programs
Attachment 7: Process Enrollment Actions
12-403 09/2012 2012 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing Materials
Attachment 1: Going Green - FEHB Brochure
Attachment 2: Easy to Use Chart for Ordering and Distributing Materials
Attachment 3: Specific Plan Contacts for Ordering FEDVIP Brochures and Open Season Fairs
Attachment 4: FEHB Plan Contacts for Requesting HMO Brochure
Attachment 5: FEHB Plan Contacts Regarding Enrollment
Attachment 6: Open FFS FEHB Contacts for Ordering Materials for the Visually Impaired
Attachment 7: FEHB Plan Contacts for Organizing Open Season Fairs
12-402 07/2012 2012 Federal Benefits Open Season: Rider Information
Attachment 1: BAL 12-402 Federal Benefits Open Season Rider Information
12-401 07/2012 2012 Federal Benefits Open Season: Announcement
Attachment 1: 2012 Open Season Checklist
Attachment 2: 2012 Helpful Resources for Open Season
Attachment 3: 2012 Frequently Questioned Services
Attachment 4: 2012 Circle 'Round Your Benefits

2011 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
11-112 12/2011 Cost of Living Adjustment
11-111 12/2011 Revised Present Value Factors and Discount Factors
11-109 10/2011 Additional Guidance to BAL 10-102, Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance
Attachment 4
Attachment 5
11-107 08/2011 Fact Sheets on Retirement Scams
Help Your Employees Achieve Their Retirement Dream
Early Retirement Seminars
11-106 08/2011 Temporarily Decrease in Social Security Employee Tax Rate
11-104 02/2011 Agency Retirement Financial Education Plans
11-103 02/2011 Authority to Redeposit Refunds under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
11-102 03/2011 Guidance on National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 Provisions on Sick Leave for FERS Retirees
11-101 03/2011 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
11-205 11/2011 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Announcing New FEGLI Premiums
Attachment: New FEGLI Premiums
11-204 06/2011 Interim IRS Guidance on Informational Reporting to Employees of the Cost of Group Health Insurance Coverage
11-203 03/2011 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and the Affordable Care Act: Covering Children until Age 26
Attachment 1: Notice for Federal Children: Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program
Attachment 2: Certification for Foster Children
11-202 02/2011 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Revisions of FE-6, Claim for Death Benefits and FE-6 DEP, Statement of Claim-Option C Family Life Insurance
11-201 02/2011 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Announcing New FEGLI Regulations
Attachment 1: Instructions for Completing the Option B/C Sections of the SF 2818 "Continuation of Life Insurance Coverage as an Annuitant or Compensationer"
Attachment 2: Certification for Foster Children
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
11-310 11/2011 FEHBP Cost Factor for First Quarter of FY 2012
11-309 11/2011 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Announcing New FEGLI Premiums
Attachment: Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Announcing New FEGLI Premiums
11-308 11/2011 Calendar Year 2012 Interest Rate
Attachment 1: Composite Interest Rates
11-307 10/2011 2012 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution Rates
11-306 08/2011 September 2011 Headcount
11-305 08/2011 Fiscal Year 2011 Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
11-304 06/2011 Changes to FERS Contribution Rates for Fiscal Year 2012
11-303 03/2011 FEHBP Cost Factor for Third Quarter of FY 2011
11-302 02/2011 March 2011 Headcount
11-301 01/2011 FEHBP Cost Factor for Second Quarter of FY 2011
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
11-405 09/2011 2011 Federal Benefits Open Season: FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1: FEDVIP Significant Plan Changes for 2012
Attachment 2: FEHB Significant Plan Changes for 2012
Attachment 3: Plan Termination FastFacts
11-404 09/2011 2011 Federal Benefits Open Season: Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1: Inform Employees and Provide Information about Open Season
Attachment 2: FSAFEDS Program Flyer
Attachment 3: Going Green - FEHB Brochure
Attachment 4: FastFacts Open Season is Coming
Attachment 5: FastFacts What to Consider
Attachment 6: Advise Employees on the Federal Benefits Programs
Attachment 7: Process Enrollment Actions
11-403 09/2011 2011 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing Materials.
Attachment 1: Going Green - FEHB Brochure
Attachment 2: Easy to Use Chart for Ordering and Distributing Materials
Attachment 3: Specific Plan Contacts for Ordering FEDVIP Brochures and Open Season Fairs
Attachment 4: FEHB Plan Contacts for Requesting HMO Brochure
Attachment 5: FEHB Plan Contacts Regarding Enrollment
Attachment 6: Open FFS FEHB Contacts for Ordering Materials for the Visually Impaired
Attachment 7: FEHB Plan Contacts for Organizing Open Season Fairs
11-402 08/2011 2011 Federal Benefits Open Season: Rider Information
Attachment A: 2011 Federal Benefits Open Season 2011 Rider Information
11-401 07/2011 2011 Federal Benefits Open Season: Announcement
Attachment A: 2011 Open Season Checklist
Attachment B: 2011 Open Season Resources
Attachment C: 2011 Frequently Questioned Services
Attachment D: 2011 Circle 'Round Your Benefits
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
11-802 11/2011 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2012 Administrative Fees
11-801 02/2011 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2011 Administrative Fees
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
11-901 02/2011 The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program - Open Season April 4 - June 24, 2011

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2010 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
10-106 10/2010 Benefits Officers Service Delivery Model
10-105 07/2010 Enhanced Disability and Survivor Annuity Computations Under CSRS and FERS
Attachment: Sample Calculations
10-104 05/2010 Preparing Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Correction Act (FERCCA) Decision Packages
Appendix I: Erroneous CSRS Coverage Employee Belongs in FERS: Election Between CSRS Offset and FERS
Appendix II: Erroneous CSRS Offset Coverage Employee Belongs in FERS: Election Between CSRS Offset and FERS
Appendix III: Erroneous CSRS Coverage Employee Belongs in Social Security Only: Election Between CSRS Offset and Social Security Only
Appendix IV: Erroneous CSRS Offset Coverage Employee Belongs in Social Security Only: Election Between CSRS Offset and Social Security Only
Appendix V: Erroneous FERS Coverage Employee Belongs in CSRS: Election Between FERS or CSRS
Appendix VI: Erroneous FERS Employee Belongs in CSRS Offset: Election Between FERS or CSRS Offset
Appendix VII: Erroneous FERS Employee Belongs in Social Security Only: Election Between FERS or Social Security Only
Appendix A: Actuarial Charts for Actuarial Reductions
10-103 04/2010 Annual Changes
10-102 04/2010 Non-foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance (NAREA)
10-101 01/2010 National Defense Authorization Act Retirement Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
10-202 10/2010 Resolving FEDVIP Dual Enrollments NEW PROCESS, and UPDATED QLE chart
10-201 09/2010 Changes for Federal Benefits Programs under the Affordable Care Act
Attachment: Health Reform Changes for Federal Benefits Programs Effective January 1, 2011
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
10-309 11/2010 FEHBP Cost Factor for First Quarter of FY 2011
10-308 11/2010 Calendar Year 2011 Interest Rate
Attachment: Composite Interest Rates For Post-1956 Military Service Credit Deposits For Interest Accrual Dates From January 1 Through December 31, 2011
10-307 10/2010 2011 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution Rates
10-306 08/2010 Fiscal Year 2010 Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
10-305 08/2010 September 2010 Headcount
10-304 08/2010 [Corrected] Changes to FERS Contribution Rates for Fiscal Year 2011
10-303 03/2010 FEHBP Cost Factor for Third Quarter of FY 2010
10-302 02/2010 March 2010 Headcount
10-301 01/2010 FEHBP Cost Factor for Second Quarter of FY 2010
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
10-405 10/06/2010 2010 Federal Benefits Open Season: FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment: FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
10-404 10/2010 2010 Federal Benefits Open Season: Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1: Inform Employees and Provide Information about Federal Benefits Open Season
Attachment 1a: Federal Benefits FastFacts: The 2010 Federal Benefits Open Season is coming
Attachment 1b: Federal Benefits FastFacts: What to Consider During the Federal Benefits Open Season
Attachment 1c: FSAFEDS Program Flyer
Attachment 2: Advise Employees on the Federal Benefits Programs
Attachment 3: Process Enrollment Actions
10-403 10/2010 2010 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing Materials
Attachment 1: Easy to Use Chart for Ordering and Distributing FSAFEDS, FEDVIP, and FEHB Materials
Attachment 2: Plan Contacts for Ordering Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) Brochures
Attachment 3: Plan Contacts for Ordering Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Brochures
Attachment 4: FEHB Plan Contacts Regarding Enrollment
Attachment 5: Open Fee-For-Service FEHB Plan Contacts for Ordering Audio Cassette Tapes and Compact Discs for the Visually Impaired
10-402 07/2010 2010 Federal Benefits Open Season: Rider Information
Attachment: Federal Benefits Open Season 2010 Rider Information
10-401 07/2010 2010 Federal Benefits Open Season: Announcement
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
10-901 06/2010 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP): Qualified Relatives now include Same-Sex Domestic Partners
Attachment 1: Declaration of Domestic Partnership

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2009 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
09-102 01/2009 Information to Agencies to Improve Survivor Claim Processing upon the Death of a Federal Employee
Attachment 1: General Instructions
Attachment 2: Summary of Benefits Checklist
Attachment 3: Preliminary Information to OFEGLI Regarding the Death of A Federal Employee
Attachment 4: Election Regarding Method of Payment for Unpaid Compensation
Attachment 5: CSRS Death-In-Service Quick Pay
Attachment 6: Employee Death Case Summary
09-101 01/2009 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
09-206 11/2009 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: New Medicare Requirements for Coordination of Benefits
Attachment: Medicare Form
09-205 10/2009 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: New Address for Conversion Requests
09-204 05/2009 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program: New Address for the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI)
09-203 03/2009 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Changes due to the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009
09-202 03/2009 Assistance for certain employees who are eligible for Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) based on Public Law 111-5
Attachment A(1): Model TCC Continuation Coverage Notice I
Attachment A(2): Model TCC Continuation Coverage Notice II
Attachment A(3): Model TCC Continuation Coverage Additional Election Notice
Attachment B: Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) Premium Assistance
Attachment C: Premium Rates for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
09-201 03/2009 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Handbook
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
09-308 12/2009 Calendar Year 2010 Interest Rate
Attachment
09-307 10/2009 FEHBP Cost Factor for First Quarter of FY 2010
09-306 10/2009 2010 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution Rates
09-305 08/2009 September 2009 Headcount
09-304 08/2009 Fiscal Year 2009 Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
09-303 05/2009 FEHB Cost Factor for Third Quarter of FY 2009
09-302 02/2009 March 2009 Headcount
09-301 02/2009 FEHB Cost Factor for Second Quarter of FY 2009
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
09-405
UPDATED
10/2009 2009 Federal Benefits Open Season: FEDVIP and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes (UPDATED to include a revision that occurred after September 30, 2009)
Attachment 1: FEDVIP
UPDATED: Attachment 2: FEHB PROGRAM
09-405 09/2009 2009 Federal Benefits Open Season: FEDVIP and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1: FEDVIP
Attachment 2: FEHB PROGRAM
09-404 09/2009 2009 Federal Benefits Open Season: Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1: Inform Employees and Provide Information about Open Season
Attachment 1A: Federal Benefits FastFacts: The 2009 Federal Benefits Open Season is Coming!
Attachment 1B: Federal Benefits FastFacts: What to Consider During the Federal Benefits Open Season
Attachment 2: Advise Employees on the Federal Benefits Programs
Attachment 3: Process Enrollment Actions
09-403 09/2009 Benefits Administration Letter 09-403: 2009 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distributing Materials
Attachment 1: Benefits Administration Letter 09-403 - Easy to Use Chart for Ordering and Distributing Materials
Attachment 2: Benefits Administration Letter 09-403 - Specific Plan Contacts for Ordering FEDVIP Brochure
Attachment 3: Benefits Administration Letter 09-403 - FEHB Plan Contacts for Ordering Brochures
Attachment 4: Benefits Administration Letter 09-403 - FEHB Plan Contacts Regarding Enrollment
Attachment 5: Benefits Administration Letter 09-403 - Open FFS Plan Contacts for Ordering Audio Cassette tapes or CD's
09-402 08/2009 Benefits Administration Letter 09-402: 2009 Federal Benefits Open Season: Rider Information
Attachment: Benefits Administration Letter 09-402 - Federal Benefits Open Season 2009 Rider Information
09-401 07/2009 2009 Federal Benefits Open Season: Announcement
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
09-801 10/2009 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2010 Administrative Fees
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
09-901
UPDATED
10/2009 UPDATED Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program Changes
09-901 09/2009 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program Changes
Attachment 1: General Notification Letter
Attachment 2: Important Notice of Change of Insurers

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2008 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
08-102 5/29/2008 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
08-204 11/24/2008 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Election Opportunity for Certain Civilian and Defense Department Employees
08-203 06/27/2008 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI): Additional Continuation of Life Insurance Coverage for Federal Employees Called to Active Duty
Attachment: Questions and Answers
08-202 4/29/2008 Orientation Materials for New/Newly Eligible Employees
Attachment: A SNAPSHOT of Insurance Benefits for New/Newly Eligible Federal Employees
08-201 01/14/2008 The Massachusetts Health Care Reform Act
Attachment 1: Massachusetts Schedule HC Health Care Information
Attachment 2: Massachusetts Schedule HC Health Care Instructions
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
08-308 11/14/2008 Calendar Year 2009 Interest Rate
08-307 11/2008 FEHB Cost Factor for First Quarter of FY 2009
08-306 10/14/2008 2009 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution Rates
08-305 08/25/2008 September 2008 Headcount
08-304 08/2008 Fiscal Year 2008 Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
08-303 06/02/2008 FEHBP Cost Factor for Third Quarter of FY 2008
08-302 03/26/2008 FEHBP Cost Factor for Second Quarter of FY 2008
08-301 02/15/2008 March 2008 Headcount
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
08-407 12/16/08 Benefits Administration Letter 08-407
Attachment 1: Blue Cross Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan (BCBS) Letter Explaining the 2009 Standard Option Benefit Provision for Non-Emergency Surgeries
Attachment 2: 2009 Guide to Federal Benefits Revision
Attachment 3: Frequently Asked Questions Belated Enrollment Opportunity
08-406 12/05/08 Federal Benefits: Belated Enrollment Opportunity for Enrollees
Attachment:  Federal Benefits: Belated Enrollment Opportunity for Enrollees
08-405 10/10/08 2008 Federal Benefits Open Season: FEDVIP and FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment 1:  FEDVIP
Attachment 2:  FEHB Program
08-404 10/09/08 2008 Federal Benefits Open Season: Conducting the Open Season
Attachment 1:  Inform Employees and Provide Information about Open Season
Attachment 1A:  Federal Benefits FastFacts: The 2008 Federal Benefits Open Season is coming!
Attachment 2:  Advise Employees on the Federal Benefits Programs
Attachment 3:  Process Enrollment Actions
08-403 9/15/2008 2008 Federal Benefits  Ordering and Distributing Materials
Attachment 1:  Easy to Use Chart for Ordering and Distributing Materials
Attachment 2:  Plan Contacts for Ordering Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) Brochures
Attachment 3:  Plan Contacts for Ordering Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Brochures
Attachment 4:  FEHB Plan Contacts Regarding Enrollment
Attachment 5:   Open Fee-For-Service FEHB Plan Contacts for Ordering Audio Cassette Tapes and Compact Discs for the Visually Impaired.
08-402 8/1/2008 2008 Federal Benefits Open Season: Rider Information
Attachment: August 2008 Federal Benefits Open Season Rider
08-401 07/31/08 2008 Federal Benefits Open Season: Announcement
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
08-803 12/23/2008 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act (HEART Act)
08-802 12/16/2008 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2009 Administrative Fees
08-801 01/17/2008 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2008 Administrative Fees

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2007 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
07-103 07/02/07 Hatch v OPM: Allowing Full-Time Credit for Employees on Workers Compensation Who Work Part-Time but Have a Full-Time Appointment
07-102 04/23/07 Retirement Financial Education Plans
07-101 04/25/06 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
07-206 12/13/07 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Requests for Information
07-205 11/30/07 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) and Premium Pay
07-204 10/24/07 California wildfires and the FEHB, FEGLI, FEDVIP, FLTCIP and FSAFEDS Programs
07-203 07/31/07 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program: New and Redefined SF 50 Codes
07-202 04/06/07 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Pre-Tax Health Savings Account Allotments for Federal Employees
07-201 03/12/06 Pre-tax treatment of FEHB and FLTCIP premiums for Retired Public Safety Officers under section 845 of the Pension Protection Act of 2006
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
07-310 12/07 FEHBP Cost Factor for First Quarter of FY 2008
07-309 11/28/07 Calendar Year 2008 Interest Rate
07-308 10/09/07 2008 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution Rates
07-307 09/28/07 FSAFEDS Program: New Procedure for Paying Administrative Fees
Attachment - A
Attachment - B
Attachment - Section 1127
07-306 08/07 September 2007 Headcount
07-305 08/07 Fiscal Year 2007 Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
Attachment - 2007 Cost Factors for the CSRS FERS
07-304 06/07 Changes to FERS Contribution Rates for Fiscal Year 2008
07-303 06/07 FEHBP Cost Factor for Third Quarter of FY 2007
07-302 03/27/06 FEHBP Cost Factor for Second Quarter of FY 2007
07-301 02/28/06 March 2007 Headcount
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
07-405
UDPATED
10/30/07 2007 Federal Benefits Open Season: Overall Program Changes including FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes (UPDATED to include corrections and revisions that occurred after October 15, 2007)
Attachment: Overall Program Changes including FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
07-405 10/15/07 2007 Federal Benefits Open Season: Overall Program Changes including FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
Attachment: Overall Program Changes including FEHB Program Significant Plan Changes
07-404 10/04/07 2007 Federal Benefits Open Season: Conducting the Open Season
07-403 08/28/07 2007 Federal Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distribution of Materials
Attachment 1: Plan Contact Information for FEDVIP Brochures
Attachment 2: Plan Contacts for Brochure Orders
Attachment 3: Plan Contacts for Enrollment Forms
07-402 08/21/07 2007 Federal Benefits Open Season: Rider Information
Attachment: Benefits Administration Letter 07-402-2007 Federal Benefits Open Season: Rider Information
07-401 08/21/07 2007 Federal Benefits Open Season: What's New

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2006 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
06-107 10/25/06 Guide to Financial Education Fairs
Attachment: Guide to Financial Education Fairs
06-106 07/14/06 Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Corrections to Standard Form 50's
Table 1 – Summary of Errors and Sections that Explain Correction Instructions, BAL 05-103
Table 2 – FERCCA Corrections to SF 50’s for BAL 05-103, dated 3/17/05
Table 3 – Summary of Errors and Sections that Explain Correction Instructions, BAL 03-104
Table 4 – FERCCA Corrections to SF 50’s for BAL 03-104, dated 4/15/03
06-104 06/12/06 Change in Crediting Physicians' Special Pay under Title 38, United States Code
06-102 04/25/06 FERS Credit for Certain Government Service Performed Abroad
Attachment 1: Cover Letters
Attachment 2: Checklist
Attachment 3: ROC Request
Attachment 4: Interest Rates
Attachment 5: IRR Example
Attachment 6: OPF Letter
06-101 04/25/06 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
06-208 12/21/06 Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006
06-207 12/12/06 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Loss of TRICARE Reserve Select for Selected Reserve Members Eligible for FEHB Enrollment
06-206 11/02/06 Cancellation of Expanded FEHB Enrollment Code Project
06-205 09/08/06 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Processing Reminders and Best Practices
06-204 07/18/06 Flexibilities in Employee Benefit Programs, including the FEHB, FLTCIP, FSAFEDS and FEGLI Programs
06-203 03/27/06 BENEFEDS Portal
Attachment 1: FEDVIP File Layouts and Associated Business Rules
Attachment 2: BENEFEDS Portal Security
06-202 03/14/06 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Insurance Misrepresentations and Deceptive Sales Practices
06-201 02/08/06 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Annuitants, Survivors and Former Spouses May Suspend FEHB Coverage to Use Peace Corps Health Insurance Coverage
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
06-307 12/00/06 FEHBP Cost Factor for First Quarter of FY 2007
06-306 10/26/06 Calendar Year 2007 Interest Rate
Attachment: Composite Interest Rates for Post-1956 Military Service Credit Deposits for Interest Accrual Dates from January 1 through December 31, 2007
06-305 10/10/06 2007 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution Rates
06-304 09/00/06 Fiscal Year 2006 Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
06-303 06/00/06 FEHBP Cost Factor for Third Quarter of FY 2006
06-302 03/00/06 FEHBP Cost Factor for Second Quarter of FY 2006
06-301 02/24/06 March 2006 Headcount
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
06-406 11/22/06 2006 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Conducting the Open Season
06-405 10/30/06
(Updated 11/14/06)
2007 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
Attachment
06-404 10/06/06 2006 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Ordering and Distribution of Material
Attachment 1: Plan contacts for brochure orders
Attachment 2: Plan contacts for enrollment forms
06-403 09/07/06 2006 Open Season: Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program
06-402 08/07/06 FEHB Open Season 2006 Rider Information
Attachment to: Benefits Administration Letter 06-402 FEHB Open Season 2006 Rider Information
06-401 01/04/06 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Extended Coverage for Employees Called to Active Military Duty
Attachment: P.L. 108-375 Processing Table
600 Series – Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
BAL Number Date Subject
06-603 10/26/06 Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) 2006 Open Season: Distribution of Materials
Attachment I: The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) List of Plan Contacts
06-602 10/06/06 The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP): Program Overview and Agency Responsibilities
06-601 03/27/06 (Originally Published as 06-203) BENEFEDS Portal
Attachment 1: FEDVIP File Layouts and Associated Business Rules
Attachment 2: BENEFEDS Portal Security
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
06-801 09/14/06 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): Transfer of Funds between the Two Types of Flexible Spending Accounts
Attachment: Payroll Provider Questionnaire FSAFEDS Account Funds Transfers

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2005 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
05-103 03/17/05 Retirement Coverage Error Correction: Correction of Errors that Provide an Election
Attachment 1 - Common Retirement Plans and Corresponding Code
Attachment 2 - Examples of Distribution of Employee Contributions Between Retirement and Social Security
Attachment 3 - Monies Paid to the Civil Service Retirement & Disability Fund
Attachment 4 - Examples of the amounts agencies must pay for TSP for employees who are erroneously in CSRS or CSRS Offset but belong in FERS and who elect FERS coverage.
Attachment 5 - Sample Letter Notifying Former Agency of Social Security Earnings Correction Needed
Attachment 6 - Sample Letter Notifying Employee of Time Limit Waiver
Attachment 7 - Sample Letter Denying Waiver of Time Limit
Attachment 8 - Annual Elective Defferal Limits(1987 through 2005)
05-102 02/28/05 Revised Present Value Factors and Discount Factors
Attachment 1 - CSRS Present Value Factors Effective October 1, 2004
Attachment 2 - FERS Present Value Factors Effective October 1, 2004
Attachment 3 - Discount Factors Effective October 1, 2004
05-101 01/12/05 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
05-203 8/31/05 Hurricane Katrina and the FEGLI, FLTCIP, FSAFEDS and FEHB Programs
05-202 08/08/05 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Processing Reminder, Email Messages, and Additional Guidance for FEGLI 04 Open Season Elections
Attachment 1: Email 1 -- FEGLI 2004 Open Season Changes Become Effective!
Attachment 2: Email 2 -- FINAL REMINDER FEGLI 2004 Open Season Changes Effective!
05-201 01/31/05 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Special Procedures for Tsunami Events
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
05-307 12/2005 FEHBP Cost Factor for First Quarter of FY 2006
05-306 10/20/05 CSRS Withholdings for CSRS-Offset Employees
05-305 10/17/05 Calendar Year 2006 Interest Rate
Attachment: Interest Accrual Dates from January 1 through December 31, 2006
05-304 10/14/05 2006 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution Rates
05-303 09/08/05 Fiscal Year 2005 Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
Attachment 1: 2005 Cost Factors For The CSRS and FERS
05-302 06/09/05 FEHBP Cost Factor for the Third Quarter of FY 2005
05-301 03/15/05 FEHBP Cost Factor for the Second Quarter of FY 2005
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
05-411 12/30/05 2005 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Delayed Reinstatement of FEHB for Employees and Annuitants with TRICARE Reserve Select
WAIVER OF IMMEDIATE REINSTATEMENT OF FEHB
05-410 12/27/05 2005 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Temporary Extension of Coverage, Conversion to an Individual Contract, and the Right to Temporary Continuation of Coverage
05-409 12/21/05 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Coventry Health Care of Louisiana (Enrollment Code BJ) Enrollees who were Displaced by Hurricane Katrina to Change Plans
Opportunity for Coventry Health Care of Louisiana (Enrollment Code BJ) Enrollees who were Displaced by Hurricane Katrina to Change Plans
05-408 11/30/05 2005 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: FEHB and Medicare Part D
05-407 11/15/05 2005 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Conducting the Open Season
05-406 10/28/05 2005 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Ordering and Distribution of Material
Attachment 1: Brochure Order Contacts
Attachment 2: Enrollment Forms Contacts
05-405 Updated 11/03/05 2005 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: UPDATED Significant Plan Changes
UPDATED Attachment: 2005 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
05-405 10/13/05 2005 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
Attachment: 2005 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
05-404 09/20/05 2005 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Introduction
05-403 08/03/05 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season 2005 Rider Information
Attachment: FEHB Open Season 2005 RIDER INFORMATION
05-402 06/28/05 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Delayed Reinstatement of FEHB for Employees and Annuitants with Transitional TRICARE
Attachment: Waiver of Immediate Reinstatement of FEHB
05-401 05/16/05 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Total Health Care - Plan Code N2 and Total Health Choice - Plan Code 4A enrollees to change health plans
Attachment 1: Total Health Choice (4A) Announcement
Attachment 2: Total Health Care (N2) Announcement
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issue
BAL Number Date Subject
05-801 11/30/05 FSAFEDS - Limited Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Option for 2006
Attachment: FSAFEDS - Limited Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Option for 2006

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2004 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
04-108 12/22/04 Making Eligibility Determinations Under The Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Correction Act (FERCCA)
Attachment 1 - FERCCA Determination Eligibility Worksheet
Attachment 2 - Sample Letters
Attachment 3 - FERCCA Out-of-Pocket Guidelines
04-107 12/22/04 Required Agency Actions for Retirement Coverage Error Corrections
Attachment 1 Common Retirement Plans and Corresponding Codes
04-106 12/22/04 Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Correction Act (FERCCA): Agency Administrative Issues - Frequently Asked Questions
Attachment 1: Sample Letter - Notice Of The Right To Request A Waiver Of The Election Time Limit
Attachment 2: Sample Letter - Denial Of Waiver
04-105 10/27/04 Enhanced Annuity for Certain Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) Employees Receiving Compensation from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP)
04-102 02/13/04 Federal Physicians Comparability Allowance Amendments of 2000
04-101 01/20/04 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
04-209 10/14/04 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: New Option B Premiums
04-208 09/08/04 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Participation Requirements for Employees Retiring During a Period of Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments or Voluntary Early Retirement Authority
04-207 09/07/04 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program: Belated Open Season Elections and Open Season Election Errors
04-206 08/11/04 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: FEGLI 2004 Open Season Website, Email Messages and Data Needs
04-205 07/16/04 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Ordering FEGLI 2004 Open Season Materials
04-204 06/01/04 Federal Employees Health Benefits: Children's Equity Update
04-203 05/25/04 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: FEGLI 2004 Open Season Announced -- September 2004
04-202 03/31/04 Effect of the Retroactive Pay Raise on the Amount of FEGLI Coverage and on Life Insurance Certifications
04-201 03/24/04 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program: Revised Claim Forms
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
04-310 12/13/04 FEHBP Cost Factor for First Quarter of FY 2005
04-309 11/02/04 New Option B Premiums
04-308 10/22/04 Calendar Year 2005 Interest Rate
Attachment - Composite Interest Rates for Post-1956 Military Service Credit Deposits for Interest Accural Dates from January 1 through December 31, 2005M
04-307 10/14/04 2005 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution Rates
04-306 08/16/04 Fiscal Year 2004 Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
Attachment - 2004 Cost Factors for the CSRS and FERS
04-305 06/29/04 Changes to FERS Contribution Rates
04-304 06/08/04 Imputed cost factors for third quarter of FY 2004
04-303 03/22/04 2004 Retroactive Pay Raise - Effect on CSRS/FERS and FEGLI
04-302 02/26/04 March 2004 Headcount
04-301 02/24/04 Imputed Cost Factors for Second Quarter of FY 2004
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
04-406 10/28/04 2004: Benefits Administration Letter 04-406 - 2004 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Ordering and Distribution of Material
04-405 10/15/04 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Revision of Health Benefits Election Form, Standard Form 2809
04-404 Update 10/04/04 2004 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Significant Plan Changes (UPDATED)
04-404 10/04/04 2004 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
04-403 09/17/04 2004 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Introduction
04-402 08/13/04 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of OmniCare Health Plan, Enrollment KA, to Change Enrollment
04-401 07/16/04 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: 2004 Rider Information
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
04-803 10/08/04 FSAFEDS - Open Season for the 2005 Plan Year for the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program
04-801 02/17/04 The Federal Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Program: 2004 Administrative Fees

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2003 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
03-105 06/25/03 Computing the Post-1956 Military Deposit for Employees On LWOP-US Who Receive Civilian Pay During Their Active Military Duty
Attachment A - Sample Request for Estimated Military Earnings
03-104 04/15/03 Retirement Coverage Error Correction: Correction of Errors that do not Provide an Election
Attachment A - Common Retirement Plans & Corresponding Codes
Attachment B - Examples of Distribution of Monies Between Retirement & Social Security
03-102 01/22/03 Crediting Service with a DoD or Coast Guard Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentality for CSRS or FERS Immediate Retirement Under Public Law 107-107, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002
Attachment 1 - Examples: Who Can Elect to Use NAF Service to Qualify for CSRS or FERS Immediate Retirement under Section 1132 of Public Law 107-107 and Who Cannot
Attachment 2 - Computing Annuity Estimates When NAF Service is Used to Qualify for Immediate Retirement under Section 1132 of Public Law 107-107
Attachment 3 - Election Form RI 38-145
Attachment 4 - Model Request for Verification of NAF Service; Names and Addresses of NAF Employers; Verification of NAF Service Form (revised 2/11/03)
Attachment 5 - NAF Service Credit Flag
Attachment 6 - Charts
03-101 01/9/03 Annual Changes
Attachment A - Benefits Changes Chart
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
03-209 10/29/03 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB): The FEHB Clearinghouse
03-208 10/21/03 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: New Option B Premiums
03-207 06/10/03 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Table of Permissible Changes for Employees Electing Premium Conversion
Attachment A - Permissible Changes Table
03-206 06/06/03 FEHB Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of PrimeHealth of Alabama, Inc., Enrollment Code AA, to Change Enrollment
03-205 03/25/03 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Effect of the Retroactive Pay Raise on the Amount of FEGLI Coverage and on Life Insurance Certifications
03-204 03/18/03 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Level Orange Alert
03-203 02/11/03 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Certain Former Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Service Benefit Plan Members in Florida, Enrollment Codes 104, 105, 111, and 112, to Change Enrollment (The BayCare Health System is located in the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg area.)
03-202 02/11/03 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Affected Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Service Benefit Plan Members in Tennessee, Enrollment Codes 104, 105, 111, and 112, to Change Enrollment (The HCA Hospitals are located in the Chattanooga/Nashville area.)
03-201 01/31/03 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Certain Former CareFirst Blue Choice and Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Service Benefit Plan Members to Change Enrollment
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
03-313 12/18/03 Imputed Cost Factors for First Quarter of FY 2004
03-312 12/1/03 New Option B Withholding Rates
03-311 11/21/03 Calendar Year 2004 Interest Rate
Attachment
03-310 10/15/03 2004 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution Rates
03-309 9/15/03 Fiscal Year 2003 Factors for Calculating Imputed Costs
03-308 06/17/03 Imputed Cost Factor Related to the FEHB for the Third Quarter of FY 2003
03-307 06/13/03 Disposition of Individual Retirement Records when Discontinuing Payroll Services
03-306 03/31/03 Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Program: Payroll Specifications
03-305 03/26/03 2003 Retroactive Pay Raise - Effect on CSRS/FERS and FEGLI
03-304 03/18/03 FEHB Imputed Cost Factor for the Second Quarter of FY 2003
03-303 02/10/03 March 2003 Headcount
03-302 01/15/03 Cost Factors for First Quarter of FY 2003
03-301 01/9/03 Preliminary Information about Flexible Spending Accounts
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
03-404 09/04/03 2003 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Ordering and Distribution of Material
03-403 11/3/03 2003 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
Attachment - Changes
03-402 09/17/03 800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
03-805 06/19/03 Billing Process for FSA Fees Paid By Agencies
Attachment 1 - FAX Response Form
Attachment 2 - Invoicing Procedural Process
03-804 06/16/03 Enrollments Begin for the Federal FSA Program
03-803 06/03/03 Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts and other Child Care Subsidies
03-802 05/19/03 The Federal FSA Program Open Season
03-801 04/25/03 Federal FSA Program: Information for Agency Human Resources Staff
Corrected copy posted 5/20/03
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
03-902 11/12/03 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program: Participation in Agency Retirement Seminars
Attachment - Memorandum from Director James
03-901 11/10/03 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program: Payroll/Annuity Deduction Information
1000 Series – Federal Work Life Programs Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
03-1001 06/13/03 Federal Work Life Programs

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2002 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
02-105 09/25/02 Reminder To Include APS On SF 2821
02-104 05/10/02 Enhanced Disability Annuity Computation for CSRS Disability Annuitants with Law Enforcement Officer or Firefighter Service
02-103 05/07/02 Retirement Coverage Error Correction: Erroneous FERS Coverage in Effect for Less than 3 Years
Attachment 1 - Correcting Erroneous FERS Coverage
Attachment 2 - Model Notice of Error Subject to Correction under FERCCA
Attachment 3 - Model Notice of the Opportunity to Decline FERS Coverage
Attachment 4 - Thrift Savings Plan Correction Instructions
Attachment 5 - Employee Decision Guide - Should be CSRS instead of FERS
Attachment 6 - Employee Decision Guide - Should be CSRS Offset instead of FERS
02-102 05/01/02 Retirement Election Opportunities for Former DoD or Coast Guard Nonappropriated Fund Employees Under Public Law 107-107, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002
Attachment A - Election to Retain NAF Retirement Coverage, RI 38-134
Attachment B - Names and Addresses of NAF Retirement Plans
Attachment C - Model Request for Verification that Employee Was a Participant in a NAF Retirement Plan
Attachment D - Notice of NAF Election Flag
Attachment E - Election to Retain CSRS, CSRS Offset, or FERS Coverage, RI 38-144
02-101 01/14/02 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
02-212 12/10/02 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Termination of Provider Contracts for Keystone Health Plan East (KHPE), Code ED
02-211 10/3/02 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of Amcare Health Plans, Enrollment Codes 2V and ZG, to Change Enrollment
02-210 09/25/02 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of Amcare Health Plans, Enrollment Codes ZH and ZQ, to Change Enrollment
02-209 09/25/02 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: New Premiums and Age Bands
02-208 08/07/02 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of Amcare Health Plans, Enrollment Code ZX, to Change Enrollment
02-207 06/05/02 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program - Revision of SF 2822, Request for Insurance
02-206 04/26/02 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program - Expiration of 3-Year Portability Demonstration Project
02-205 04/23/02 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of The Wellness Plan, Enrollment Code K3, to Change Enrollment
02-204 04/23/02 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of Health Plan of Nevada, Enrollment Code NM, to Change Enrollment
02-203 04/03/02 Children's Equity Updates
02-202 03/22/02 Training for the FEHB Enrollment Reconciliation Clearinghouse
02-201 03/21/02 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program Revision of FE-6, Claim for Death Benefits
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
02-319 10/25/02 Calendar Year 2003 Interest Rate
Attachment
02-318 10/16/02 Additional Reporting Requirements for Offset Employees who Participate in HB-PC
02-317 10/4/02 2003 FEHB Withholdings and Contribution Rates
02-316 09/27/02 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: New Premiums and Age Bands
02-315 09/11/02 Fiscal Year 2002 Cost Factors for CSRS, FERS, FEHB and FEGLI
02-314 08/09/02 September 2002 Headcount
02-313 06/19/02 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program: More Payroll/Annuity Deduction Guidance
Attachment A - Billing Options page from FLTCIP application
Attachment B - Payroll/Annuity Instruction Guide
02-312 06/07/02 Changes to CSRS and FERS Contribution Rates
02-311 05/15/02 CSRS Withholdings for Offset Employees who Participate in HB-PC
02-310 05/14/02 FERCCA - Corrections of Erroneous FERS Coverage Lasting Less Than 3 Years
Attachment
Corrected 11/4/2002
02-309 05/13/02 Request for Employers' Identification Number
02-308 04/30/02 Effective Date of FEHB Open Season Elections Will Not Change in Calendar Year 2003
02-307 04/30/02 HB-PC - Annual Reporting Requirement Discontinued
02-306 04/23/02 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program: Payroll Deductions
02-305 02/15/02 March 2002 Headcount
02-304 02/6/02 CSRS Withholdings for CSRS-Offset Employees Who Are HB-PC Participants
02-303 02/06/02 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program Payroll Survey
Attachment
02-302 01/14/02 Estimates of Imputed Costs
Attachment
02-301 01/04/02 HB-PC - Annual Reporting Requirement
Attachment
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
02-408 11/27/02 2002 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Processing Open Season Changes
02-407 10/24/02 2002 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Notice to Employees
Attachment 1 - Sample Employee Notice
Attachment 2 - Five Steps to Safer Health Care
02-406 10/17/02 2002 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Carrier Contacts
Attachment
02-405 10/11/02 2002 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Significant Plan Changes UPDATED
Attachment
02-404 09/20/02 2002 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
REPLACED BY BAL 02-405
02-403 08/28/02 2002 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Ordering and Distribution of Material
02-402 08/07/02 2002 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Introduction
02-401 05/09/02 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Effective Date for Open Season Elections
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
02-909 11/27/02 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program: Important New Information on Leave Usage on November 29th and December 31st; More Information on the End of Open Season and Beyond
02-908 06/28/02 Third and Final Satellite Broadcast on the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program - July 17th
Attachment
02-907 06/25/02 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program: Information for Employing Offices
Attachment A - Brochure announcing Open Season
Attachment B - Letter from Director Kay Coles James
02-906 05/02/02 Additional Information about the May 15 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program Satellite Broadcast
Attachment
02-905 04/17/02 Satellite Broadcast on Long Term Care Insurance: May 15
Attachment
02-904 03/18/02 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP): Early Enrollment
02-903 02/11/02 Satellite Broadcast on Long Term Care: Tune In On March 6
Attachment
02-902 01/15/02 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program Focus Groups
02-901 01/03/02 Phone Number and Website for LTC Partners

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2001 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
01-111 08/28/01 President Signs Federal Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act
01-107 06/19/01
Attachment A - Base Pay Computation
Attachment B - Recording Base Pay on SF 2806 or 3100
Attachment C - Correcting Retirement Records for Previous Employees
Attachment D - Sample Certified Summary of Firefighter Pay and Tour
Attachment E - Blank Certified Summary of Firefighter Pay and Tour
Attachment F - Sample SF 2806-I and Individual Retirement Records
01-106 06/01/01 Action on SF 2806's and 3100's When There is a Payroll Office Change
01-105 04/26/01 Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) enrollment transfers between the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and agencies for the purposes of Health Benefits Premium Conversion (HB-PC).
01-101 01/19/01 Annual Changes
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
01-223 12/10/01 Agency HR Offices and the FEHB Clearinghouse
01-222 12/6/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: M·Plan (IN) Provider Network Disruption in Evansville, Indiana
01-221 11/28/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB): Suspension of FEHB Coverage to Use TRICARE
01-220 11/15/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Maxicare Health Plan Enrollees, Enrollment Code CM, to Change Enrollment
01-219 10/26/01 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program - Revision of SF 2823, Designation of Beneficiary
01-218 09/25/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Certain Enrollees of Aetna US Healthcare Inc., Enrollment Codes 7J and RD to Change Enrollment
01-217 08/29/01 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program - Revision of SF 2818, Continuation of Life Insurance Coverage as a Retiree or Compensationer
01-216 08/21/01 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program: Employees Who Are Not Eligible to Continue Life Insurance While Receiving Compensation
01-215 08/22/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of Prudential HealthCare HMO, Enrollment Code UA and Aetna US Healthcare, Enrollment Code 6J to Change Enrollment
01-214 08/08/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for HIP Health Plan of Florida Enrollees, Enrollment Code K7, to Change Enrollment
01-213 07/18/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Postponement of January 1 Effective Date for Open Season Elections
01-212 05/21/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of Maxicare Indiana, Inc., Enrollment Code GK, to Change Enrollment
Attachment
01-211 04/19/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Certain Enrollees of PacifiCare Health Plans, Enrollment Code CY, to Change Enrollment (updated letter posted 4/23/01)
01-210 04/19/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of Healthcare Oklahoma, Enrollment Code 6W, to Change Enrollment
01-209 04/19/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: January 1 Effective Date for all Open Season Enrollments and Changes
01-208 03/22/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program - Opportunity for Enrollees of Cigna Healthcare of California, Enrollment Code 9T, to Change Enrollment
01-207 03/01/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program - Opportunity for Certain Enrollees of Aetna U.S. Healthcare, Enrollment Code NG to Change Enrollment
01-206 02/21/01 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program - Revision of SF 2817, Life Insurance Election - Hard Copy Now Available
01-205 02/15/01 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program: New Address for The Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI)
01-204 02/09/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: OOpportunity for Enrollees of M-Care Health Plan, Enrollment Code EG, to Change Enrollment
01-203 02/09/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Kansas City, Inc., Enrollment Code HA, to Change Enrollment
01-202 01/29/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits: More on Children's Equity
Attachment
01-201 01/10/01 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Notification of Certain Enrollment Changes
300 Series – Payroll and Financial Management Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
01-331 12/17/01 Meeting of Agency Payroll Office Officials
Attachment
01-330 12/17/01 Access to CLER by Agency Human Resource Officers
01-329 11/27/01 No Payroll Deductions for Early Enrollees in the FLTCIP
01-328 10/31/01 Calendar Year 2002 Interest Rate
Attachment
01-327 10/23/01 2002 FEHB Withholdings and Contributions and Plan Addresses
01-326 10/15/01 Fiscal Year 2001 Cost Factors for CSRS, FERS, FEHB, and FEGLI
01-325 10/12/01 FEHB Open Season Information
01-324 09/26/01 Handling of Individual Retirement Records when Discontinuing Payroll Services
01-323 08/22/01 September 2001 Headcount
01-322 08/22/01 THE JULY ISSUE OF MODERNIZING TODAY
01-321 07/18/01 Effective Date of FEHB Open Season Elections -- Proration Required after One-Year Delay
01-320 06/29/01 Clarification of BAL 01-318 -- Retroactive Adjustments for HB-PC Processing Errors
01-319 05/30/01 Revised Effective Date of FEHB Open Season Elections - Impact on Withholdings and Contributions
01-318 05/18/01 HB-PC Election Processing Errors and Requirement for Retroactive Adjustments
01-317 04/20/01 CLER, the Centralized FEHB Enrollment Clearinghouse
01-316 04/13/01 New Interfaces with RITS
Attachment
01-315 04/09/01 Discontinuation of SF 2811
01-314 03/30/01 FEGLI Option B Withholding Rates and Age Bands
01-313 03/30/01 Correction of Administrative Errors - Health Benefits Premium Conversion
01-312 03/28/01 MODERNIZING TODAY March 2001 Issue
01-311 02/23/01 New Address for the Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance
01-310 NOT ISSUED
01-309 01/29/01 March 2001 Headcount
01-308 01/24/01 FINPAY The Payroll and Financial Management Guidance Online Mailing List
01-307 01/19/01 Joint Benefits Officer/Payroll Meeting
01-306 01/10/01 Estimates of Imputed Costs
Attachment
01-305 01/09/01 Physicians' Comparability Allowances
01-304 01/08/01 Physicians' Comparability Allowances
Superseded by BAL 01-305
01-303 01/05/01 Compendium of 2000 Payroll Office and Financial Management Letters
01-302 01/03/01 General Ledger Posting of Employee Contributions
01-301 01/02/01 Introducing "Payroll and Financial Management Guidance"
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
01-409 12/20/01 2001 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Processing Open Season Changes
01-408 12/6/01 2001 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Belated Open Season Enrollments Due to Mail Delays
01-407 12/6/01 2001 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Significant Plan Changes - Part 2
01-406 11/1/01 2001 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Conducting the Open Season
01-405 11/1/01 2001 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Notice to Employees
01-404 10/25/01 2001 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Carrier Contacts
Attachment
01-403 10/25/01 2001 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Ordering and Distribution of Material
01-402 10/03/01 2001 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
Note: The attachment to this letter is being distributed separately by email to the members of the Benefits Administration Information List.
01-401 08/01/01 2001 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Introduction
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
01-906 12/18/01 OPM Selects Metropolitan Life and John Hancock To Provide Long Term Care Insurance for the "Federal Family"
Attachment
01-905 11/8/01 The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season for 2002 and the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)
01-904 10/17/01 Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP): Who's the Competition??
01-903 05/15/01 Long Term Care Insurance Program: Letter from OPM's Acting Director
01-902 04/10/01 Proposed Long Term Care Insurance Product Design
01-901 03/09/01 The Long Term Care Insurance Program

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2000 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

Pre-Tax Payment of FEHB Insurance Premiums (Premium Conversion)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
00-110 07/28/00 Status on Retirement Coverage Error Corrections Legislation
Attachment
00-108 06/02/00 Change in Procedures for Retirement Coverage Errors Resulting from the Conner v. Office of Personnel Management Decision
00-107 05/22/00 Annual Changes
00-106 05/01/00 Annual Changes
(00-107 replaces this BAL)
00-105 05/10/00 New procedures to expedite payments to spouses of Federal employees who have died.
Attachment
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
00-226 12/21/00 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program: Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefits Are Not Payable When Caused By Insured Driving While Intoxicated
Attachment
00-225 12/07/00 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Standard Form 2811 is no longer available
00-224 11/21/00 Federal Employees Health Benefits: Children's Equity
00-223 11/22/00 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Termination of Advantage Care HMO, Enrollment Code XW
00-222 11/22/00 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Foundation Health Plan -Termination of Enrollment Code 5D
00-221 11/17/00 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Additional Information on the Transition to a New Presidential Administration
00-220 11/07/00 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Waivers of the Participation Requirement for Employees Retiring During an Agency Buyout Period
00-219 10/23/00 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of Family Health Plan Cooperative, Enrollment Code WH, to Change Enrollment
Attachment
00-218 10/10/00 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of PacifiCare of Ohio, Inc., Enrollment Code R8, to Change Enrollment
00-217 10/2/00 PlanSmartChoice Available for Individual Agency Health Fairs
00-216 08/25/00 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB): Clarification of Guidance on Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC)
00-215 08/24/00 Pre-Tax Payment of FEHB Insurance Premiums (Premium Conversion)
Attachment 1
Attachment 2
Attachment 3
00-214 07/31/00 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of Health Alliance Benefit Plan (Code FX) to Change Enrollment (Peoria service area)
00-213 07/28/00 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of Health Alliance Benefit Plan (Code FX) to Change Enrollment (Quincy service area)
00-212 06/13/00 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Revision of RI 76-10 (Assignment of Life Insurance)
00-211 05/18/00 Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for Enrollees of American Healthcare Providers, Inc. (American HMO) Enrollment Code AC, to Change Enrollment
Attachment
00-210 04/06/00 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Agency Certification of Status of Reemployed Annuitants: Revision of OPM Form 1482
00-209 04/06/00 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Processing FEGLI 99 Open Enrollment Elections and Reminder of Option C Premium Changes
00-208 03/29/00 Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Special Open Season Enrollment for Enrollees of Community Health Plan (CHP) of Ohio, Enrollment code MG
Attachment
00-207 03/21/00 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program: Payroll Office Letter (POL) 99-28, "Additional Processing Guidance for "FEGLI 99" Open Season Forms"
Attachment
00-206 03/21/00 New Look to the FEGLI website
00-205 02/23/00 Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Special Open Season for Enrollees of Humana Health Plan, Inc., Enrollment Code TL
Attachment
00-204 02/11/00 Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Premium Conversion
Attachment
00-203 02/07/00 Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Special Open Season for Enrollees of American Healthcare Trust, Inc., Enrollment Code 4U
Attachment
00-202 01/21/00 Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Termination of Guam Memorial Health Plan, Enrollment Code ZA
00-201 01/10/00 Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Special Open Season for Enrollee of Guam Memorial Health Plan, Enrollment Code ZA
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
00-408 11/06/00 2000 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Notice to Employees
00-407 11/06/00 2000 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Conducting the 2000 Open Season
00-406 11/02/00 2000 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Significant Plan Changes Part 2
00-405 10/16/00 2000 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Carrier Contacts
00-404 09/29/00 2000 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Significant Plan Changes
00-403 08/23/00 2000 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season: Ordering and Distribution of Material
00-402 07/28/00 2000 Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Introduction
00-401 03/29/00 Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season: FEHB Guides
Attachment
700 Series – Miscellaneous Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
00-703 09/12/00 Modernizing Today- The Voice of the Retirement Systems Modernization Effort
00-702 07/31/00 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: The FEHB Handbook on CD ROM
00-701 02/09/00 Benefits Administration Information Online Mailing List

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1999 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
99-110 12/15/99 Court Orders Applying To FEGLI & CSRS/FERS Benefits
Attachment:
99-108 08/19/99 Educating Employees About Their Retirement Package
99-107 01/27/99 Retirement Benefits Booklet Handbook
99-103 01/27/99 Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Annuities; New Variable Interest Rate
99-101 01/6/99 Common Problems Encountered in Documentation for Retirements Under the Federal Employees Retirement Systems (FERS)
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
99-226 12/11/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Service Area Reduction for Prepaid Health Plan of New York, Enrollment Code QE
Attachment: Broome & Tioga Counties, NY
99-225 12/11/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Captial District Physicians Health Plan's (CDPHP) Acquisition of Kaiser Permante/Community Health Plan of New York
99-224 12/14/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: The New FEHB Program and Medicare Booklet
99-223 01/28/00 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: The FEHB Handbook
99-222 11/18/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Special Open Season for Enrollees of Premier Health Care of Arizona, Enrollment Code 9A and 9B
99-221 11/10/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Termination of Partners Health Plans, Enrllment Code 7Y
99-220 11/04/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Termination of Harvard Program Health Care of New England, Code 70
99-219 10/26/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Termination of United Healthcare of Puerto Rico, Enrollment code 7U
99-218 10/19/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Termination of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of North Carolina, Enrollment Code QT
99-217 10/15/99 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Employees Who Complete 12 Months of Nonpay Status
99-216 10/14/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Annuitant/OWCP Health Benefits Election form (SF 2809-1)
99-215 10/14/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Revision of SF 2809 (Health Benefits Election Form)
99-214 8/24/99 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Revised Incontestability Information
99-213 8/17/99 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Revision of FE-6 DEP (Statement of Claim/Option C- Family Life Insurance)
99-212 7/30/99 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: More Changes
99-211 7/23/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits: Special Open Season for Certain Enrollees of Aetna/US Healthcare, Enrollment Code RD
99-210 4/29/99 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Public Law 105-311- Portability
99-209 4/26/99 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Important Changes
99-208 04/26/99 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Revision of SF 2817
99-207 04/14/99 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Court Order Regulations
99-206 02/17/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: New Disenrollment Regulations
99-205 02/10/99 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: FEGLI 99 Open Enrollment Period
99-204 02/10/99 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: New Premiums and Age Bands
99-203 02/09/99 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Public Law 105-311- Increased Amount of Option C and Election of Unreduced Options and C at Retirement
99-202 02/09/99 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Public Law 105-311- Direct Payment of Premiums
99-201 01/12/99 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Ordering Open Enrollment Material
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
99-418 12/09/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) Program: Premium Rate Change for CHP of Ohio, Enrollment Code MG
99-417 11/10/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) Open Season: Processing Open Season Changes
99-416 11/04/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Humana Medical Plan of Florida service Area/Enrollment Code Error
99-415 10/26/99 1999 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Notice to Employees
99-414 10/26/99 1999 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Notice to Employees
99-413 10/26/99 1999 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: carrier Contacts
99-412 09/29/99 1999 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season: Delayed Shipment of the 2000 Guides to Federal Employees Health Benefit Plans.
99-411 09/29/99 1999 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Significant Plan Changes
99-410 09/17/99 1999 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Enrollment and Reconciliation Issues
99-409 08/13/99 1999 Federal Employees Health Benefits Open Season: Ordering and Distribution of Material
99-408 08/4/99 1999 Federal Employees Health Benefits Open Season: Introduction
99-407 04/12/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Special Enrollment Opportunity for Members of Premiere Healthcare of Arizona, Code 9B
99-406 03/25/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Termination of Health Power HMO, Code XR
99-404 03/5/99 Special Enrollment Opportunity for Certain Members of Humana Health Plan of Texas, Code TW
99-403 03/1/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Termination of HIP Health Plan of Pennsylvania, Code 5J
99-402 02/10/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Termination of HIP Health Plan of New Jersey, Code P9
99-401 2/8/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Termination of WellChoice, Code 3Z
700 Series – Miscellaneous Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
99-702 11/09/99 Free Investors Town Meeting Albuquerque, NM
99-701 09/09/99 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: The New FEHB Handbook

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1998 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
98-114 11/5/98 Notifying Employees Who May be Affected by the Decision of the Court in the Case of Conner v. OPM
98-113 10/05/98 Reporting Requirements for the FERS Open Season
98-109 5/13/98 FERS Open Season Implementation Instructions
98-106 05/08/98 Designations of Beneficiary to Trusts
98-101 02/10/98 North Dakota State Tax Deductions from Annuity Payments under the Civil Service and Federal Employees Retirement Systems
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
98-210 12/29/98 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: New Codes for SF 50
98-209 12/18/98 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Public Law 105-311- Foster Children and Miscellaneous Updates
98-208 11/9/98 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: New FEGLI Legislation
98-207 10/21/98 Use of the SF 2810 when individuals separate from Federal service
98-206 10/21/98 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Proposed Effective Date Regulations
98-205 09/17/98 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Court Orders
98-204 06/04/98 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Revised FEGLI Booklet
98-203 06/02/98 Implementing the Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities (Patient's Bill of Rights) in the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program
98-202 03/09/98 Federal Employees Group Life Insurance: Designations to a Trust
98-201 03/09/98 Federal Employees Group Life Insurance and Federal Employees Health Benefits: Reissuing Important Information
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
98-418 11/05/98 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Expanded Coverage of Contraceptives for 1999.
98-417 10/23/98 1998 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Withdrawal of Regence HMO Oregon and Regence Health Maintenance of Oregon
98-415 10/08/98 1998 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Processing Open Season Changes
98-414 10/08/98 1998 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Carrier Contacts
98-413 10/02/98 1998 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Notice to Employees
98-412 09/17/98 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Conducting the 1998 Open Season
98-411 9/22/98 1998 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Significant Plan Changes
98-410 8/27/98 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Termination of Personal Physician Care, Code PL
98-409 8/6/98 1998 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Ordering and Distribution of Open Season Materials
98-408 08/6/98 1998 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Introduction
98-407 06/26/98 1998 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Electronic Transfers of Enrollment Transactions.
98-406 05/26/98 1998 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Open Season Materials.
98-405 03/12/98 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Special Enrollment Opportunity for Members of Aetna U.S. Healthcare, Code XC (Indiana).
98-404 03/06/98 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Termination of Health Power HMO, Code 3R
98-403 02/11/98 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Special Enrollment Opportunity for Certain Members of United HealthCare of Illinois (Code FP)
98-402 01/14/98 1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Special Belated Open Season Change Opportunity for Certain Enrollees of United HealthCare of Louisiana
98-401 01/14/98 1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Special Belated Open Season Change Opportunity for Certain Enrollees of the Washington, DC, Area Kaiser Permanente Plan
700 Series – Miscellaneous Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
98-705 07/15/98 Availability of the New FEGLI Handbook on CD ROM.
98-704 03/16/98 Availability of CSRS and FERS Handbook on disk.
98-703 03/16/98 Rider Information
98-702 02/23/98 New Area Code
98-701 01/26/98 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Customer Feedback Survey

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1997 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
97-114 12/11/97 Notice of Change to the Rules on Correction of Administrative Errors Affecting Thrift Savings Plan Accounts
97-113 11/28/97 New Federal Income Tax Rules for Annuities Commencing After December 31, 1997
97-112 10/20/97 Line Item Veto of FERS Open Enrollment Period
97-107 09/25/97 Corrections of Automatic FERS Coverage for Employees With 5 Years of Civilian Service Before 1987
97-106 08/13/97 Retirement Changes in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997
97-105 06/18/97 Certain FERS Employees with Previous NAFI Service Need to Make a Service Credit Election
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
97-213 11/31/97 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Revision of SF 2817 (Life Insurance Election)
97-212 10/31/97 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: New Maximum Amounts
97-211 10/30/97 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: New FEGLI Regulations
97-210 10/07/97 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Implementing New Regulations on Opportunities to Enroll and Change Enrollment.
97-209 09/29/97 Health and Life Insurance Changes under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997
97-208 09/25/97 New legislation affecting the FEHB Program
97-207 09/25/97 Federal Employees Group Life Insurance; Miscellaneous Changes and Information
97-206 08/15/97 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Continued Coverage for Disabled Children Over Age 22.
97-205 08/15/97 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity to Enroll and Change Enrollment.
97-204 04/02/97 Gratuities Offered by Federal Employees Health Benefit Carriers.
97-203 03/05-97 Special Enrollment Period for Enrollees in Prudential Healthcare HMO-MA.
97-202 03/05/97 FEHB Enrollment Reconciliation
97-201 03/04/97 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Rcent Legislation Requires Agencies to Advance the Employee Share of FEHB Premiums During Periods of Nonpay Status or Insufficient Pay.
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
97-413 12/11/97 1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Blue Cross Blue Shield Service benefit Plan - Change of Preferred Providers in Northeastern Pennsylvania
97-412 12/9/97 1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: MVP Health Plan (New York) - Reduction of Service Area
97-411 11/10/97 1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Errors in Open Season Materials
97-410 11/07/97 1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Health Fairs
97-409 10/21/97 1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: BlueChoice Health Plan
97-408 10/17/97 1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: FEHB Guide Shipment Delay
97-407 10/09/97 1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Processing Open season Changes
97-406 10/09/97 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Conducting the 1997 Open Season
97-405 10/09/97 1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Notice to Employees
97-404 10/03/97 1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Carrier Contacts
97-403 10/07/97 1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
97-402 08/29/97 1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: Ordering and Distribution of Open Season Materials
97-401 08/14/97 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Open Season - Introduction.
600 Series – Reserved for Future Use on Retirement and Insurance Regulations
BAL Number Date Subject
97-602 07/29/97 Retirement and Insurance Benefits When an Annuitant Is Missing -- Proposed Regulation.
97-601 12/11/97 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Proposed Disenrollment Regulations
700 Series – Miscellaneous Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
97-706 11/28/97 Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Annuities; New Variable Interest Rate
97-705 10/02/97 Benefits Center is now available
97-704 07/25/97 Availability of a Computer Model to Help Employees Make Retirement Coverage Elections Under Public Law 104-106.
97-703 07/10/97 June 1997 Rider Information
97-702 06/18/97 Announcement of the new Benefits Administration Letter (BAL) format.
97-701 01/14/97 Revised Substitute Forms Policy

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1996 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
96-108 09/06/96 Retirement Election Opportunities for Certain FERS Employees Appointed Before August 10, 1996, After Service in a Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentality of the Department of Defense or Coast Guard
96-107 08/20/96 Retirement Election Opportunity for Certain Employees Appointed to Civil Service Positions on or After August 10, 1996, Following Service in a Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentality of the Department of Defense or Coast Guard
96-101 02/01/96 Public Law 104-95: An Act "to limit State taxation of certain pension income
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
96-208 12/04/96 Waivers of the FEHB participation requirement for employees accepting voluntary incentive payments under P.L. 104-208 or other statutes and certain employees retiring under early optional or discontinued service provisions during the buyout period
96-207 10/16/96 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: New Regulations for Payment of Health Benefit Premiums for Periods of Nonpay Status or Insufficient Pay
96-206 09/12/96 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Tax Treatment of Living Benefits and Viatical Settlements
96-205 06/07/96 Special Enrollment Period for Certain Health Net Enrollees
96-204 05/21/96 Service Benefit Plan Contract Change
96-203 05/17/96 Empire Blue Cross & Blue Shield HEALTHNET Enrollment Areas
96-202 04/18/96 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Revision of SF 2818, Continuation of Life Insurance Coverage
96-201 01/05/96 Continuation of FEBH coverage during the furlough
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
96-415 11/19/96 1996 FEHB Open Season: Withdrawal of Florida 1st
96-414 11/04/96 1996 FEHB Open Season: Withdrawal of Family Health Plan
96-413 10/25/96 1996 FEHB Open Season: Withdrawal of SmartPlan
96-412 10/17/96 1996 FEHB Open Season: Withdrawal of Healthsource South Carolina
96-411 10/16/96 1996 Open Season: Carrier Contacts - Tufts Health Plan
96-410 10/16/96 FEHB Open Season: Conducting the 1996 Open Season
96-409 10/15/96 1996 FEHB Open season: Processing Open Season Changes
96-408 10/15/96 1996 FEHB Open Season: Notice to Employees
96-407 10/11/96 1996 FEHB Open Season: Notice of Plan Withdrawal
96-406 10/11/96 1996 Open Season: Carrier Contacts
96-405 10/07/96 FEHB Open Season: FEHB Guide Shipment Delay
96-404 09/30/96 FEHB Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
96-403 90/19/96 1996 FEHB Open Season: Ordering and Distribution
96-402 09/10/96 FEHB Open Season - Changes to the FEHB Guide
96-401 07/15/96 FEHB Open Season - Introduction
600 Series – Reserved for Future Use on Retirement and Insurance Regulations
BAL Number Date Subject
96-601 09/06/96 Transmittal of a Recently Published FEHB Regulation on the Payment of Premiums during Nonpay Status or Insufficient Pay
700 Series – Miscellaneous Issues
96-713 12/31/96 Index of Benefits Administration Letters for 1996
96-712 12/13/96 Retirement Information and Materials Available from the OPM Home Page on the World Wide Web
96-711 12/03/96 1996 Federal Employees Health Benefit Open Season Materials Available from the OPM Home Page on the World Wide Web
96-710 11/20/96 Cost-of-Living Adjustment of Annuities; New Variable Interest Rate
96-709 10/30/96 Upcoming Satellite Broadcasts
96-708 10/04/96 Availability of the SSA Handbook
96-707 09/01/96 September 11, 1996 Satellite Broadcast
96-706 08/01/96 Metro Area Reemployment Center
96-705 05/08/96 Upcoming Social Security Satellite Broadcast
96-704 03/04/96 Upcoming Satellite Broadcast
96-703 03/01/96 Career Transition Assistance for Surplus and Displaced Federal Employees
96-702 01/22/96 Pay and Benefits for Employees Affected by the Lapse in Appropriations
96-701 01/04/96 GPO Print Rider Update

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1995 Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

100 Series – Retirement Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
95-111 12/22/95 Cost-of Living Adjustments of Annuities; New Variable Interest Rate
95-110 12/13/95 Expedited FERS employee death benefits processing
95-105 10/20/95 FERS and CSRS Offset Coverage During a Transfer to an International Organization
95-101 01/27/99 Public Law 103-353 the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights act of 1994
200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
95-223 11/29/95 Newly Enacted Limits on Abortion Coverage
95-222 10/25/95 FEHB: Revision of SF 2810
95-221 10/10/95 Assignment of FEGLI Coverage
95-220 08/25/95 FEGLI Revision of SF 2823, Designation of Beneficiary
95-219 07/25/95 FEGLI Revision of SF 2821, Agency Certification of Insurance Status
95-218 07/25/95 FEGLI Revision of SF 2819, Notice of Conversion Privilege
95-217 05/25/95 FEHB/FEGLI Information Staff for Handling Agency Inquiries.
95-216 05/04/95 FEGLI: Living Benefits
95-215 04/21/95 FEGLI Announcement of a Limited Open Season
95-214 04/06/95 FEGLI Revision of RI 76-21 (FEGLI Booklet)
95-213 03/22/95 FEHB Survey of Open Season Needs
95-212 03/22/95 FEGLI Viatical Settlement
95-211 03/22/95 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Revision of FE-6 DEP, statement of Claim Option C- FEGLI
95-210 03/21/95 Waivers of the FEHB Participation Requirement
95-209 03/08/95 Waivers of the FEHB Participation Requirement
95-208 02/14/95 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program: Use of SF 2820
95-207 01/26/95 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program: Revised RI 76-10 (Assignment Form)
95-206 01/25/95 Notifying FEHB Carriers They May Garnish Enrollees' Wages
95-205 01/24/95 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: Revised Sf2820 (Certification of Insured Employee's Retired Status)
95-204 01/13/95 Establishing Procedures for Processing Reconsideration Requests
95-203 01/12/95 Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance: The Incontestability Clause
95-202 01/10/95 Public Law 103-353, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994
95-201 01/11/95 Federal Group Life Insurance: Maximum Amount of Basic Insurance
400 Series – Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season Guidance
BAL Number Date Subject
95-412 11/06/95 FEHB Open Season: Miscellaneous Events
95-411 10/26/95 FEHB Open Season: Notice of Plan Withdrawal
95-410 10/23/95 FEHB Open Season: Notice of Plan Withdrawal
95-409 09/28/95 FEHB Open Season: FEHB Guides Shipping Update
95-408 09/25/95 FEHB Open Season: Processing Open Season Changes
95-407 09/25/95 FEHB Open Season: Notice to Employees
95-406 09/25/95 FEHB Open Season: Conducting the 1995 Open Season
95-405 09/22/95 FEHB Open Season: Carrier Contacts
95-404 09/15/99 FEHB Open Season: Significant Plan Changes
95-403 08/25/95 FEHB Open Season: Ordering and Distribution
95-402 06/13/95 FEHB Open Season: Brochure Distribution
95-401 2/8/95 FEHB Open Season: Introduction
700 Series – Miscellaneous Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
95-712 11/22/95 Availability of the CSRS and FERS Handbook on Disk
95-711 11/22/95 Upcoming Satellite Broadcast
95-710 10/10/95 October 1995 Rider Information
95-709 08/15/95 Experiencing Telephone Problems in Insurance Programs
95-708 06/02/95 Availability of Retirement Video "Benefits Gets Serious"
95-707 05/30/95 1995 Rider Information
95-706 04/21/95 Insurance Misrepresentations
95-705 04/20/95 Benefits for Victims of the Oklahoma Bombing
95-704 04/06/95 Computer Virus on "Handbook for Attorneys" Diskette
95-703 03/17/95 Request for Assistance with FEHBP Telephone Survey
95-702 02/03/95 Updated FERS Transfer Model
95-701 02/17/95 Miscellaneous: Opportunity to Order Retirement and Insurance Publications

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