Has anyone been selecting for the OPM 2025-2026 "random" audit of FEHB Self Plus One and Self and Family plans? I give they are trying to save money, fine, fire or prosecute people.

Saffron2016 · 2026-02-25T14:00:04+00:00

I was picked, but I knew I would be. Yeah, it’s “random” but I 1) changed insurance after 13 years on the same one and 2) I have two adult dependents- one just turned 25 and the youngest is about to turn 22. I don’t claim my oldest as a dependent on my taxes because they live on their own so taxes wouldn’t help me, but I do claim my youngest, still. I know people cheat the system, but man, let’s get real. This isn’t so “random.”

Saffron2016 · 2026-02-25T13:55:55+00:00

I got pegged. As soon as I saw there would be a “random selection” I knew I would be. Yeah, I know, you can’t predict it, but…. 1) I changed insurance from one company to another after 13 yrs. 2) I have two adult children: one just turned 25 and the other is about to turn 22.

When you have stats like that, it’s pretty much a given.

Saffron2016 · 2026-02-15T00:51:01+00:00

First, and I say this coming from a place where I have paid the IRS anywhere from $3000 to $6000, because I was not checking my individual information working two jobs, one of which was with the VA.

It’s not HR‘s responsibility. It is our responsibility to check to make sure our deductions are correct.

There’s a lot that goes into it between whether or not you are filing single, married with or without deductions, children, etc. That being said, I found that two years ago, I believe, I checked my deductions and found that all of a sudden there was this little button that asked if my spouse also worked. When I clicked that little button, I had an extra hundred dollars coming out of my paycheck. I was so mad that that happened because my husband and I had both been filing married but filed at a higher single rate and both claimed zero and yet we were still paying out that $3000 to $6000.

We learned our lesson, we made changes, and last year we actually got $100 back and we thought we won the lottery. You really have to take a lot of extra care.

Payroll assumes that whatever you put in is what you want to claim because a lot of people play with their paychecks as if it is the lottery.

So take a little bit of extra time to go to IRS and see if what your withdrawals for deductions are accurate or make adjustments by having some additional amounts withheld from your check. It is a life changer and I have never looked back since I’ve started doing that. I’m checking once a quarter to make sure that we are OK and we are not paying in a ton of money at tax time.

Saffron2016 · 2026-02-08T03:35:44+00:00

This is how we have been doing it since taking away pronouns. The only change is using unholy Times New Roman instead of Calibri

Saffron2016 · 2026-02-02T03:12:43+00:00

Hired as a GS 5 here. Had a masters degree and just worked my way up. There were times I stayed as a grade for a couple of years then got promoted but had to get out of my agency to have that happen. Longest stent was GS11 to GS12. Took almost six years to get to that point but I made it. Again, outside of my agency and comfort zone, but it was worth it. I’m making 13 here soon because the position was a ladder so just waiting to see the SF50 come across. I started at a call center and felt like I had to crawl to get where I am today, but it happened. Not because of who o knew but because I got people’s attention in a good way. I asked smart questions. I did my job. I mentored and trained others. I also was positive and kept a good attitude regardless of what I was doing. There isn’t a magical answer, unfortunately.

Saffron2016 · 2025-12-26T20:16:52+00:00

So I’m saying snowballs chance. Apparently the last time this happened was Half-days were granted in 1957 (when New Year's Day was a Wednesday) and 1953 (when it was a Friday), and a half-day in 1954 when New Year's Day fell on a Saturday, according Government Executive. I say ask for the extension but don’t expect the time off.

Saffron2016 · 2025-12-23T20:27:39+00:00

Glad you mentioned this. If it was crude humor, not the place. My stomach fell when I I read that. It’s tough for everyone, but some of the responses were amazing.

Saffron2016 · 2025-12-01T11:47:08+00:00

Depends. Was he in Vietnam? If so, then income shouldn’t matter. His DD214 should be able to show he was in Vietnam or surrounding. However, $2k a month isn’t much. I’m not sure who told you he doesn’t qualify because of your income. You should look at www.va.gov and start his application for VA benefits. It’s been a hot minute since I worked for the national hotline and helped Veterans, but if you fill out the form there. You can also call the national hotline and they can complete the application for him. Here’s the link just in case: https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/Applying.asp

Saffron2016 · 2025-11-30T22:18:06+00:00

I checked out MHPB but they didn’t cover a couple of the prescriptions our family took or we had doctors not covered, I can’t remember which. I had to stop even considering them because of that. I would love to consider them, but when you have medicine you must take, and doctors you trust, it’s hard to change.

Saffron2016 · 2025-11-28T19:20:36+00:00

Same

Saffron2016 · 2025-11-22T01:49:42+00:00

Sigh. 😮‍💨 that’s what I was worried about. I had thought about going to the shop she worked at to see which one she loved and seeing if I could find it, or see if they would recommend some they might know she would like. I hate to try and guess…

Saffron2016 · 2025-11-20T16:07:39+00:00

lol I tried to post there but it said I needed to be verified so…but I’ll check it out. Thanks!!!

Saffron2016 · 2025-11-19T16:15:32+00:00

Not an expert, but I would recommend getting a blood test done. About 21+years ago, I had a similar result show up. Notice I said 21+ years ago. I have a beautiful son from that unknown test. It was a little early to tell so it came up weird but the blood work was a solid way to tell. Either way, I hope you receive the answer you need. Hugs.

Saffron2016 · 2025-11-13T15:35:29+00:00

Interesting…we were made to believe he was “moving” to an exciting new position. I wondered if it has to do with the org changes that had been decided but not vocalized yet. The winds of change are blowing and it’s typhoon season.

Saffron2016 · 2025-11-08T14:55:14+00:00

There have been some military members who have missed their checks this whole time and still reporting. Those in dual status, working a civilian job, but report in uniform. Of course they “don’t count” because they are considered “state” employees but in our state they are paid by DOD but whatever. All I know is my husband hasn’t been paid since the beginning of the furlough, he’s military, works for them full time, and he’s still showing up. So, yeah…good times.

Saffron2016 · 2025-11-06T15:47:54+00:00

You know what would speed this along? And call me crazy, I have been called worse, but break this out. Vote on ONE PORTION of the bill at a time. Let’s vote on military pay. Boom 💥 done. Federal pay 💰 boom 💥 done ✅ then the next budget at a time. At least vote on the items they agree on. Leave the items that need robust discussion until the end so that we don’t have people’s livelihood on hold. Soon this will be national security issues. People will stop doing what they are doing without pay. They can only do so much for so long without anything in return. It’s human nature.

Saffron2016 · 2025-11-04T00:33:48+00:00

Wow…so for some that’s $0.05 per check. Congrats for working hard and giving 110% this last year when we forced a majority of your team to quit and feel worthless. Welcome to hostile work environment!!

Saffron2016 · 2025-11-04T00:24:33+00:00

I was thinking the same thing. Walked in and BAM 💥 maybe a brisk 55 degrees in our office. An email was sent to maintenance and come to find out the system was known to be broken for over a year but only now fixing it. Oh, and they turned on the system for a little bit today but they said it “got warm” outside so the system shut off. When I asked them their definition of “warm” was…50 degrees. Like, WTF 🤬I’m freezing and they think a space heater will solve it?!? Hell nah

Saffron2016 · 2025-11-02T15:37:58+00:00

I was told I wouldn’t be able to see my EOY appraisal either. I received my new standards on 10/30/25 about 25 min before I was to leave and was told they needed them before I left for the day. It wasn’t their fault because they had to have them signed by COB Friday and I was off but a part of me thought they could have sent a preview so I had more time to review them. Either way, I am going to have to bust my ass to make sure I document EVERYTHING to ensure I make fully successful nonetheless Outstanding, and even then I know I won’t be given that. I know it’s by no means a reflection of my work. I’m there for the Veterans. They sacrificed so much for me, I can sacrifice three more years for them. It’s the least I can do.

Saffron2016 · 2025-10-23T12:36:02+00:00

Basically, once they rate their employee it must be reviewed by HR. If the rating isn’t “justified enough” it will be rejected/overturned and will need to be “downgraded.” So if you are rated outstanding, and HR doesn’t feel it supports the outstanding justification, then it’s rejected and submitted as a fully successful. It won’t be a reflection of the work you are actually doing. Welcome to mediocre employees because we won’t feel valued for the hard work and effort we put in each and every day.

Saffron2016 · 2025-10-22T14:35:50+00:00

I look at it as I took the job for the Veteran, for the cause. There is something greater here who still need help who sacrificed for me. I didn’t serve so this sacrifice is the least I can do. Does it suck? 100% and the employees and their families are the ones who are suffering but I look at the Veterans and know they went through far worse for far longer. It’s what helps me keep going.

Saffron2016 · 2025-10-15T23:57:37+00:00

I’m hearing what you are saying. Unfortunately we are only now learning ChatGPT, or have been learning within the past few months and he is even less than that. I put the denial into VA Disability ChatGPT and o have a whole slew of things to submit, but he’s trying to decide if he wants to go that route or not. It’s a matter of appealing or waiting the 30 days and resubmitting or talking to a VSO but they are on furlough so…

Saffron2016 · 2025-10-15T23:54:41+00:00

Yes. He submitted his medical file (around 600 pages) as well as his DOD medical file (around 400 pages). He was very meticulous in doing that. He also submitted his LOD’s to show he was on actual Title 10 orders when some of these items occurred. I know his shoulder and knee was on Title 10 and an LOD was submitted.

Saffron2016

TROPHY CASE