Tobacco Bill Includes TSP Changes, But Not Retiree Provisions

06/17/2009

6/17/09: The House last Friday passed the Senate version of tobacco legislation with NTEU-backed language changing the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), but without federal retiree provisions.

The bill provides for automatic enrollment of federal employees in the TSP and the addition of a qualified Roth-style contribution program in the TSP for those who choose one, both supported by NTEU.

What was stripped from the bill is an NTEU-supported amendment with other federal retiree provisions, including one that would have allowed workers in the Federal Employees Retirement System to get credit toward retirement for their unused sick leave.

NTEU is disappointed by this development but is working to enact the retiree reform provisions through other avenues outside the tobacco bill.