Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Here are some important things to know this open season
The annual USPS benefits enrollment period began this week
The Postal Service wants employees to know about some important changes concerning the open season benefits enrollment period that began this week.
Here’s a rundown:
• The new flexible spending account (FSA) program will be administered by Inspira Financial and will include health care, dependent care and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts. There will also be a debit card option to pay for eligible expenses.
• The new Postal Service Health Benefits Program does not affect the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. Employees can enroll in or change their dental and vision coverage during open season through the BENEFEDS website.
• USPS is encouraging employees to use Checkbook’s Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees, an online tool available on the MyHR website’s open season page, to review health plans and premiums for 2025.
• There are new pretax limits for FSAs and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). To learn more about the FSA expense caps and TSP contribution limits, go to IRS.gov.
Employees can use MyHR to make changes to their TSP contributions at any time during the year.
The MyHR open season page has more information on plans, premiums and this year’s virtual benefits fair.
Milestones
Appointments, awards and more
Here’s a look at recent USPS announcements
• Christine E. Bryant, the next-generation delivery vehicle program lead, was named capital budget and reporting acting manager.
• Lawrence W. Crosby Jr. was named the Greensboro, NC, Processing and Distribution Center’s plant manager. He previously served as the Boston Processing and Distribution Center’s plant manager, a position now held by Myles D. Donoghue, who previously served as the Springfield, MA, Network Distribution Center’s plant manager. Joy M. Hawkins, the Northwest Rochester, NY, Processing and Distribution Center’s plant manager, was named the Springfield center’s acting plant manager.
• Wendy N. Macholz, the Denver Processing and Distribution Center’s distribution operations manager, was named the Colorado Springs, CO, Processing and Distribution Center’s acting plant manager.
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Delivery operations has a new VP
Mercado named to role on an acting basis
Elvin Mercado has been named acting delivery operations vice president for the Postal Service.
The role was previously held by Angela Curtis, who has announced her retirement.
Most recently, Mercado was retail and Post Office Operations vice president, overseeing the Postal Service’s retail network, including more than 31,000 Post Offices.
He also previously served as Central Area’s vice president, Atlantic Area’s acting vice president, manager of the former Westchester and Triboro districts, and Postmaster for Manhattan and the Bronx, NY.
“He has excelled in leading his districts and Post Offices to ongoing service and operational improvements. Acting as executive-in-charge of the Hurricane Recovery Team deployed to Puerto Rico in 2017, Elvin was instrumental in restoring services and keeping Postal Service employees and customers safe in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria,” Postmaster General Louis DeJoy wrote in a memo announcing the appointment.
Mercado joined USPS in 1988.
November 20, 2024
Datebook
‘Military Info Session’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar on military benefits and support available to military-affiliated students.
The “Military Info Session” webinar will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 9:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Pacific.
Representatives from University of Phoenix will lead the webinar.
Participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must be off the clock or on authorized breaks.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
Thank You, Healthcare Community stamp wins design award
The Postal Service has received a Graphic Design USA Health + Wellness Award for the Thank You, Healthcare Community stamp.
The stamp, which was released on Oct. 1, uses health-related icons to spell out the stacked words “thank you” against a pristine white background. Running across the lower right edge of the stamp are the words “Healthcare” in gray and “Community” in surgical green.
Bryan Duefrene, a USPS senior stamp development specialist, was the art director and designer.
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Here are some important things to know this open season
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Milestones
Appointments, awards and more
Here’s a look at recent USPS announcements
-
Delivery operations has a new VP
Mercado named to role on an acting basis
-
November20Datebook
‘Military Info Session’
-
Brief
Thank You, Healthcare Community stamp wins design award