Below are procedures for starting and stopping supplemental payments for FDIC employees on leave without pay while serving on active military duty in a contingency operation (as defined under 10 USC § 101(a)(13)). Information on payment of FDIC Dental and Vision Insurance premiums and Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) premiums is also included. Employees include all FDIC employees, with the exception of Presidential Appointees.
- Fax or send a copy of a recent military earnings and leave statement that reflects your current military basic pay to Lisa Schuster, Human Resources Branch (HRB), at 703-562-2508.
- Make sure that your organization has submitted a personnel action to place you on military leave (Nature of Action 473). HRB will determine the difference between your military basic pay and FDIC salary (including the locality pay adjustment) and set up monthly payments through the Division of Finance (DOF). If your military basic pay changes while you are on active duty, fax or send a copy of your new earnings and leave statement to HRB with the change.
- Supplemental payments made under this program are not considered "salary" for pay and benefits calculations (e.g., retirement contributions, Thrift Savings Plan/FDIC Savings Plan, life insurance, premium pay, severance pay, long-term disability, and lump sum payment for unused annual leave).
- On or around the 25th of each month, DOF will remit your supplemental payment to you via direct deposit, subject to applicable withholdings. For tax reporting purposes, these payments will be reflected on an additional W-2 issued to you for the tax year.
- The FDIC will pay the biweekly employer and employee premiums for your FDIC Choice dental and vision insurance coverage and your FEHB coverage for a period of up to 24 months while you are on leave without pay. No further action is required
- You may only change your dental, vision, or FEHB coverage during open season or if you have a permitted election change event. Payment of these premiums will continue so long as the FDIC maintains these programs. The FDIC retains the right to terminate, or change, modify, or amend its dental and vision insurance programs.
- As long as you have reemployment rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), you may keep your Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) coverage for up to 12 months or until 90 days after your military service ends, whichever date comes first. This coverage is free.
- You cannot extend your FDIC Life Insurance coverage for an additional 12 months as you can under FEGLI pursuant to Public Law 110-181.
- You will be able to make retroactive contributions to the FDIC Savings Plan and to the Federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) upon your return to the FDIC. You will receive additional information about the retroactive payments upon your return to the FDIC.
- If you have an outstanding loan from the TSP, you will be able to suspend your loan payments until you return to pay status. In order for this rule to apply, you must notify the TSP Service Office with the beginning date of your military service. When your military service ends, you must notify the TSP Service Office with your military service ending date.
- If you have an outstanding loan from the FDIC Savings Plan, depending upon the number of payments you miss and other factors, your loan payment schedule may be extended, or the loan may be reamortized or treated as a taxable distribution.
- If your leave status changes (e.g., you are no longer on leave without pay and are receiving annual, sick, or other paid leave) or your active military duty ends, you should advise HRB as soon as possible to avoid overpayment to you or double payment to carriers. Existing FDIC policy for overpayments applies.
Where to Get Help
If you have questions on the supplemental payments, you may call Lisa Schuster, Human Resources Branch (HRB), at (703) 562-2144.
For questions on the above benefits, you may call Carol Martin on (703) 516-5608.