Eye On Washington with Jessica Klement

Latest Episodes:

All things open season Oct 30, 2024

Federal benefits expert Tammy Flanagan joins host Jessica Klement on this week's Eye on Washington to talk about all things open season, which starts on November 9.

The duo discussed big changes for 2025, including the largest average premium increase in years. Flanagan also provided practical tips for evaluating plans, the difference between HSAs and FSAs, and the perennial question of whether to take Medicare Part B when you turn 65.

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GPO & WEP Sep 27, 2024

IIn closing out the first year of Eye of Washington, host Jessica Klement welcomes back John Hatton, staff vice president of Policy and Programs at the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.

Klement and Hatton discuss the latest congressional action on the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), two laws that have punished federal workers in retirement if they had Social Security-covered work in addition to their CSRS government work.

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The status of legislation affecting federal workers Aug 28, 2024

While members of Congress are back home in their states and districts through Labor Day, host Jessica Klement welcomes Federal News Network reporter Drew Friedman to discuss legislation under consideration when Congress returns.

The pair covered congressional and administrative efforts to reform the hiring process, as well as the ever-topical issue of returning to the office and its implications for locality pay.

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The Trump plan to make some federal workers "at will" employees Aug 01, 2024

This month on Eye of Washington, host Jessica Klement welcomes two guests to discuss one very topical issue: the Trump administration’s proposal to convert employees in “policy-related” jobs into excepted service positions, effectively making them at-will employees.

With former President Trump securing the Republican nomination for president, the policy initiative, rolled out towards the end of the Trump administration’s term in 2020, has seen renewed attention.

The trio not only discusses the policy, but also concrete steps Congress can take to address civil service issues.

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Pay compression in the federal government & the implications of the proposed Schedule F policy Jun 26, 2024

On this month’s episode of Eye on Washington, host Jessica Klement welcomes Jason Briefel, partner and director of Government and Public Affairs at Shaw Bransford & Roth, a law firm specializing in federal employment law. He is also the director of Policy & Outreach for the Senior Executives Association (SEA).

Klement and Briefel spend this episode talking about pay compression in the federal government, Congress’ role in managing the federal government, and implications should the proposed Schedule F policy of the Trump administration become a reality.

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A break down of the issues and challenges facing the postal community May 28, 2024

On this month’s episode of Eye on Washington, host Jessica Klement welcomes Bob Levi, director of Legislative and Political Affairs for the National Association of Postal Supervisors (NAPS), and long-time advocate for the postal community.

During this year’s federal benefits open season, postal employees and retirees will be placed in the new Postal Service Health Benefits Program, and postal retirees who previously elected not to take Medicare Part B will have an opportunity to enter the program without penalty.

Levi covers this change along with crime against the U.S. Postal Service and postal employees and the challenges facing managers and supervisors in the USPS today.

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Building a dynamic and innovative federal government Apr 30, 2024

Jenny Mattingley, vice president for Government Affairs at the Partnership for Public Service,joins host Jessica Klement on Eye on Washington this month to discuss all things good government.

A long-time advocate for the federal community, both inside and out of government, Mattingley discussed the Partnership’s advocacy priorities relating to "return to office", the use of AI and how the Paperwork Reduction Act of the 1970s is driving (or not) policies today.

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A conversation with Congressman Gerry Connolly Mar 06, 2024

Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) joins host Jessica Klement on this month's Eye on Washington to discuss the congressman’s priorities for the federal community.

Congressman Connolly was ranked the most effective lawmaker of the 117th Congress by the Center for Effective Lawmaking, no doubt in part due to his work on federal community issues.

During the show, Klement and Rep. Connolly tackle the serious issues, like Schedule F, preserving access to IVF, and the largest federal employee pay raise in 40 years.

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The rise of AI in the federal government Feb 28, 2024

In this month’s episode of Eye on Washington, host Jessica Klement talks with Dan Chenok, executive director of the IBM Center for the Business of Government.

The duo talk about the rise in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and how federal agencies are using the technology to better serve their missions. Chenok also covered the Center’s work on being better prepared for the next world-wide catastrophe.

And of course, being the week government funding expires, Klement and Chenok take a look at the challenges ongoing continuing resolutions unnecessarily place on federal agencies and employees.

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A breakdown of the Federal pay raise & COLAs for retirees Jan 31, 2024

The first Eye on Washington of the new year welcomes Drew Friedman, reporter with Federal News Network.

They discuss the major changes for the federal community in January, including the largest federal employee pay raise in more than 40 years.

Federal retirees also saw varying cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) depending on their retirement system – 3.2% for CSRS retirees while FERS retirees only saw a 2.2% adjustment. Jessica and Drew break down these numbers and what they really mean for you in this month’s episode.

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An inside look at the TSP Dec 26, 2023

On this month’s Eye on Washington, host Jessica Klement is joined by Kim Weaver, director of External Affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, the agency that administers the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

There have been several changes in the TSP over the last few years, and Weaver details what these changes have meant for participants, from the military’s blended retirement system to the TSP mutual fund window. They also discuss possible legislative changes to the TSP and general facts about participation numbers.

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The basics of federal benefits open season Dec 02, 2023

The federal benefits open season is in full swing and if you’re overwhelmed by the myriad choices, you’re not alone. On this month’s episode of Eye on Washington, host Jessica Klement talks with Tammy Flanagan, longtime federal benefits expert and principal at Retire Federal who drills down the basics of open season and what you as a federal employee or retiree need to know to make informed choices. The process doesn’t need to be all consuming if you know where to turn, and Flanagan also points listeners to additional reputable resources where they can learn more.

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The role unions, and their members play in the federal community Oct 25, 2023

Steve Lenkart, Executive Director of the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) joins Jessica to talk about the most important issues facing union members today, including an overview of the role federal unions play in the federal community and the work NFFE members carry out every day, often without the general public noticing.

In this hyper-partisan environment and general chaos on Capitol Hill, Jessica and Steve also discuss recent attempts over the years to politicize the federal workforce, and the detrimental effect such a move would have on the services the American people rely on.

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Eye on Washington: the inaugural episode Sep 26, 2023

On the inaugural episode of Eye on Washington, Jessica welcomes John Hatton, staff vice president at the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees to talk about the most important issues facing feds today.

Jessica and John discuss the likelihood of the President’s proposed 5.2% pay raise for Feds going into effect in 2024, as well as the political realities surrounding the federal pay raise. And speaking of politics, the two also discuss the federal government’s return to work policies, and the driving forces behind the move by the Biden administration and Congress to get Feds back to the office.

No discussion with NARFE would be complete without a legislative update on the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Will this finally be the year Congress takes action to repeal or reform these provisions? Tune in to find out.

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