Disclaimer! Ruralinfo.net is not sponsored or authorized by the NRLCA, the USPS or any state or local association. Click here to read full disclaimer

Details on the New USPS Flexible Spending Account Program

What’s new for 2025 For the 2025 benefit year, Inspira Financial will replace FSAFEDS as the administrator of the Postal Service’s flexible spending account (FSA) program. You will have flexibility in how you pay for your out-of-pocket expenses including a new debit card option. You may: n Pay yourself back with ...

USPS Open Season Benefits Fair Website

The Open Season for the 2024 plan year for health insurance under the inaugural Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program and dental and vision insurance under FEDVIP and Flexible Spending enrollment will be held from November 11 through December 09, 2024. This is your opportunity to manage your health, dental ...

Consolidation Threatens to Rip ‘Service’ Out of Postal Service

Workers are battling an overhaul of the U.S. Postal Service that would cost thousands of jobs and slow the mail for half the country. In the name of efficiency, a letter mailed within Cheyenne, Wyoming, would travel to Denver and back. And if you miss a package, your local post ...

Is your contact information up to date?

With the Southeast United States still reeling from recent major storms, the Postal Service is urging employees to verify or update their personal and emergency contact information on file with USPS. This information is vital because it enables the organization to contact you or your loved ones when a hurricane ...

Postal Bulletin covers open season

Postal Bulletin’s latest edition, published Oct. 31, previews this year’s open season benefits enrollment period that begins soon. Updates to the organization’s policies, procedures and forms are also included ...

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 3

Daylight saving time will end Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 a.m. In areas where the change is observed, people will “fall back” and set their clocks back one hour at bedtime on Saturday, Nov. 2. Standard time will be in effect until March 9, 2025, when daylight saving time will ...

Christmas Pay Procedures for Rural Carriers

The 2024 Christmas period for rural carriers begins Saturday, December 7, 2024 (Week 2, Pay Period (PP) 26–2024), and ends Friday, December 27, 2024 (Week 2, Pay Period 01-2025). During this period, certain timekeeping and pay rules apply. Timekeepers, including postmasters, supervisors, and other employees responsible for rural carrier time ...

How Medicare Part D will work in upcoming USPS insurance program

With a few weeks left before Open Season begins, the Office of Personnel Management is putting the final touches on how it’s planning to implement the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program for the USPS. OPM’s final regulations for the PSHB program, which it published last week, detailed many technical factors for running ...

USPS will offer a virtual fair throughout open season

Postal Service employees may participate in a virtual benefits fair throughout this year’s open season, which runs from Monday, Nov. 11, through Monday, Dec. 9. The fair will offer information about the Postal Service Health Benefits Program, Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, flexible spending accounts and other topics ...

2025 Rural Carrier Benefit Plan (RCBP) Premiums and Benefits Summary

Did you know? The Rural Carrier Benefit Plan (RCBP) is the only plan dedicated to rural letter carriers, annuitants, and their families. Membership is restricted to members of the NRLCA. The RCBP has been providing superior service to rural letter carriers nationwide for more than 60 years. With RCBP, you could save on your ...

USPS to hold two benefits webinars on Open Season

The Postal Service will host two sessions of its “Open Season 101” webinar on Sunday, Nov. 3, and Saturday, Nov. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern each day. The presentation will include information on 2025 benefits changes, including the Postal Service Health Benefits Program and the Postal Service Health ...

OPM Rule Limits Prescription Drug Plan Choice for Postal Retirees

Alexandria, Va. – In response to OPM issuing a final rule related to the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program, NARFE National President William “Bill” Shackelford issued the following statement:  “The final rule removes choice of prescription drug coverage for Medicare-eligible postal retirees, requiring they receive coverage through their plan’s Medicare Prescription ...

Rural Carrier put out fire while on his route

Bryan’s Road rural mail carrier Anthony Holmes says, “Everyone knows the saying, ‘If you see something, say something,’" or in this hero’s actions, “do something.” While delivering mail earlier this year he noticed a fire burning in a wooded flowerpot. He began knocking on doors to access a hose and ...

U.S. Postal Service is Ready to Deliver the Nation’s Election Mail

Postal Service expects Election Mail service performance in 2024 to be equal to or better than 2020 Our recommendation remains for voters who choose to mail in their ballots to do so before Election Day and at least a week before their election office needs to receive them If your ...

Call this number to get USPS facility information during an emergency

The Postal Service is reminding employees and contractors to use the USPS National Emergency Hotline number to receive up-to-date information about facility closings, changes in reporting times and other workplace information during severe and inclement weather. The toll-free number, found on the back of most USPS employee badges, is 888-EMERGNC ...

AUDIT OF THE U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT’S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POSTAL SERVICE HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM

The primary objective of this audit was to provide oversight of the implementation of the new U.S. Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHBP) to ensure that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has adequate customer support for U.S. Postal Service employees, annuitants, and eligible dependents during the PSHBP Open ...