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Watch out for unauthorized life-insurance offers Date published: 3/26/2006
THE OFFICE of Personnel Management has just released a letter warning that insurance company salespersons are misrepresenting themselves as affiliates of the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program. OPM wants everyone to know that neither they nor FEGLI have endorsed this contact. Nor have they authorized any privately sponsored life insurance plans. Federal workers and retirees should understand that FEGLI does not use sales agents or telephone solicitations of any kind. Furthermore, OPM stresses that no one from FEGLI will ever contact employees or enrollees, at work or at home. Even if the coverage is represented as being "supplemental" to the federal program, OPM has no connection to it. FEGLI premiums are automatically withheld from your salary or annuity. Do not allow yourself to be misled. If you are contacted in person at work, please be aware that a commercial solicitation on federal property is prohibited by the General Services Administration. Unfortunately, these regulations do not apply to telephone solicitations. OPM does not give private life insurance companies permission to solicit at agencies; if someone tells you they have permission, they are not telling you the truth. TSP scam alertThis insurance warning comes on the heels of a scheme to get participants in the Thrift Savings Plan to provide personal information concerning their investment accounts. It started when TSP participants received what they thought was an unsolicited e-mail from the TSP. This Once alerted, and as a safety precaution, the TSP temporarily suspended its Internet operations and notified the FBI. The TSP wants you to know that it does not keep a list of participants' e-mail addresses and would never ask for personal financial information. Reservists, Guard updateI received a few inquiries after my column on the potential for back pay or restored leave for certain federal workers who were serving in the National Guard or Reserves from 1980 to 2000. Only employees covered under the Merit Systems Protection Board are eligible to pursue a claim. For further information, the law firm handling the case has a Web site, fedattorney.com, or you can call 518/218-7100. KEVIN WILKINSON of Spotsylvania County is a veteran federal employee. Write him
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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