Tools and Aids for Federal Benefits Officers

FACES Estimator

Federal Annuity Claims Expert System (FACES) is a secure system designed for retirement counselors to calculate estimates for employees subject to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS).  This system is used to compute annuity and death benefits.  Only authorized users may access this system.  If you need access to FACES, please contact your agency retirement counselor.

Federal Ballpark E$timate®

OPM developed the Federal Ballpark Estimate:  a savings goal worksheet.   You can use the Federal Ballpark Estimate to automatically calculate estimates of future Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirement benefits and Thrift Savings Plan account balances.  It will also let you know how well you are doing in meeting your savings goal.

FEDMER Nationwide Program

Under the Federal Employee's Retirement System (FERS) law, entitlement to Social Security disability benefits affects an individual's eligibility to the OPM-administered disability program.  Under FEDMER, both OPM and SSA will receive the same medical records at the time of application.  Once a decision is made by either OPM or SSA, they will contact the other with the determination.  See BAL 07-104 for details.

Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Corrections Act

Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Corrections Act (FERCCA) Homepage provides you with everything you need to know about FERCCA and it's implementation.  Also see the FERCCA FAQ's.

FERS Elections

Employees who return to Federal service under CSRS or CSRS Offset, or convert to an appointment that offers FERS coverage, have a 6-month opportunity to elect FERS.  TheFERS Election Opportunities section has all of the information needed to make a a decision.

General Schedule (GS) Salary Calculator

Look up a GS salary rate for locality, grade, and step.

Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality

The Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI) Program is a computer-based system that provides benefits specialists a tool to assist eligible employees with retirement coverage elections under Public law 104-106, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996.

Windfall Elimination Provision Chart

The Social Security Administration has developed a chart showing the maximum monthly amount that social security benefits can be reduced because of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) if a person has less than 30 years of substantial earnings.

Publications and Forms

• Benefits Officers Publications - Access retirement and insurance handbooks, administration letters, and pamphlets.
• OPM Forms - View OPM's online forms page.

Web Resources

• FEGLI Publications and Forms Page - FEGLI pamphlets and online forms.
• FEHB HR Page - Federal Employees Health Benefits resource for HR personnel.
• FEHB Premium Conversion HR Page - Information about HB premium conversion.
• Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) Program HR Page - Long term care insurance information.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Flexible Spending Accounts for Federal Employees (FSAFEDS)
  Pre-Tax Benefits Programs.
• HR Professionals Page - This site provides the tools, models, and guidance to manage your agency’s human capital effectively.
• Planning and Applying for Retirement - Basic information for researching and planning retirements.

Other Agency Websites

• Social Security Administration -- information about social security benefits.
• Thrift Savings Plan -- information about investing in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
• Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation -- information about injuries on the job.
• Id Theft -- information on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
• mymoney.gov - The Financial Literacy and Education Commission website www.mymoney.gov is dedicated to helping Americans understand more about their money—how to save it, invest it, and manage it to meet your personal goals.
• Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations
• Windfall Elimination Provision Chart - The Social Security Administration has developed a chart showing the maximum monthly amount that social security benefits can be reduced because of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) if a person has less than 30 years of substantial earnings.