There are many more topics and detailed links that can be found by exploring below.
Other Stuff:
New USPS Retirement Video Site
New USPS website just passed on to me. Links within the site are to video presentations and it
probably helps if you have high-speed internet access. You do have the opportunity to
select internet connection type (example, high-speed, dial up...).
Snow Cap Agency Inc.
They provide retirement seminars specializing in the
USPS and Federal Government. Their website has info about retirement and
they offer online courses.
41pounds.org
Organization concerned with saving the trees and saving the planet and that can enable you
to stop unwanted junk mail. Costs $41 and lasts 5 years.
Half goes to charity.
LifeLock Identity Theft Protection
Identity theft protection and also eliminates some unwanted junk mail and solicitations
for unwanted credit cards.
THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN Website The TSP website has been updated to
allow us to create a custom user ID so that we don't have to log in the
present difficult way of entering segments of your ID number in blocks.
Once you log in, you have to go to "All Account Transactions" where creating
a custom ID is a menu item.
Suggestion as to logging in if you haven't yet created custom user ID:
In MSIE (Microsoft Internet Explorer), click on [File], then [New], then [Window] (or [ctrl]+[n]).
Then toggle back and forth between the MSIE windows where you have your account number and where
you're inputting number to the TSP website at where you eventually log in.
On the TSP page, you have to
UNMASK your account access info. I could not get into my account in the default 'masked' position,
but had no problems if I entered it 'unmasked'.
This is a form you REALLY need to look at if you're planning to make a pre-retirement WITHDRAWAL (versus loan).
It really has a dramatic permanent harmful effect on your TSP Account!
It can be a "life changing" experience. Please read the publication before you make any withdrawal (versus 'loan')
from the TSP, as ramifications are irreversable.
In particular, once you make a "withrawal" (either age-based or hardship), you forfeit ability to make partial withdrawals
from the TSP and account must be totally transfered to an IRA account upon retirement. Is important, as
normally, once you're in retirment status (even earlier than age 59-1/2, you can start an annuity and make withdrawals without tax penalty as long
as you're in a retirement status. Should you forfeit this right by making a hardship withdrawal, you lose this flexibility.
Furthermore, you cannot make any contributions to the TSP nor benefit from the
Government (Postal) contribution if FERS (there is none) during the six months following your
withdrawal from the TSP.
Postal Ease has changed it's login to where we now use our 8-digit
I.D. Number on our paystubs instead of our Social Security Number. My
own PIN was reset and your's may also have been.
You can now also use PostalEase online via
http://www.liteblue.usps.gov. Doesn't seem to let you use it for
bidding purposes or to call in an unscheduled absence.
Also found a second Postal Ease access portal at https://ewss.usps.gov/esymain.htm,
courtesy of www.nalcbranch38.com. Suggestion: Call the Postal Ease line NOW to either make sure your
PIN works or to get the new one mailed to you in case it doesn't.
You need 8-digit EIN number on paystub and PIN whether using phone or internet.
Number is 1-877-477-3273 (or 1-877-4PS-EASE). This way, you won't be
caught short if your PIN doesn't work when you want to make TSP changes or submit bids.
eReassign, Bargaining Unit Reassignment
allows employees to submit a reassignment request online. You need 8-digit emp. ID and PIN. Thanks for
"heads-up" to Sue, BR 916
http://mymoney.gov, Govt's site about helping to understand,
save, invest and manage your money to meet financial goals
Postal Exams.Com training materials for taking Postal Exam Postal Exam resources from an affiliate of amazon.com.
Just don't get overcharged for courses worth well under $100