2021 Federal Employee Benefits Survey

Data on employee benefits are primarily collected through the Federal Employee Benefits Survey (FEBS). The FEBS was created to assess employee benefits’ significance, adequacy, and value to ensure that existing benefits align with best practices and employee needs. The FEBS results assist the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in determining how well Federal employees understand their options and benefits. The FEBS also collects data on employee health, tobacco use and cessation, employee awareness of benefit programs, and the influence of benefit programs on employee recruitment and retention. The FEBS results influence benefit program design and policy development across the federal government.

Findings from the survey show that the TSP, retirement annuities, and the FEHB health insurance program are the most valued benefits. Employees generally feel that these benefits meet their needs and are good value.

The results of the OPM’s 2021 Federal Employee Benefits Survey, which was recently released, were consistent with previous versions of the survey, which is administered every few years.

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) was either important or extremely important by 96% of respondents. In contrast, retirement annuities (FERS or CSRS) were ranked similarly by 95%, FEHB coverage in retirement was ranked similarly by 93%, and FEHB coverage, in general, was ranked similarly by 90%.

Dependent care flexible spending accounts were again at the bottom, with 27%, up from 22% in 2019. However, this number isn’t as good as it could be because 35% of the people polled said they aren’t eligible because they don’t have a qualifying dependent. The Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) came in just above it, with 41% of respondents giving it a “very important” or “important” rating, down from 42% in 2019.

Similarly, 95% rated the FEHB as meeting needs to a great or moderate extent, and 93% rated the TSP as a good or excellent value. FEHB, on the other hand, was rated by 87% as a good or excellent value. Since the survey was sent to only active employees, they were not asked if FERS or CSRS annuities met their needs or were a good value. Those responses were identical or within one percentage point of the 2019 survey.

Prior studies revealed that the FEHB significantly impacted 79% of respondents’ decisions to remain in government service. It also had a moderate or significant impact on 72% of respondents’ decisions to accept a federal job. In addition, the availability of retirement annuities was 78 and 88%, respectively, and the TSP was 71% and 81%.

The survey also discovered why employees are not enrolled in optional benefit programs despite eligibility. Coverage by comparable other insurance was the most frequently cited reason among those who did not enroll in the FEHB, FEGLI, and FEDVIP dental programs.

The primary justification given by those who chose not to sign up for FLTCIP or FEDVIP vision was that they didn’t think the programs were worthwhile. Lack of desire to participate was the most common reason for not participating in health care flexible spending accounts. At the same time, ineligibility was the most common reason for not participating in dependent care accounts.

The most common reason for the 2% who did not invest in the TSP was that they couldn’t afford it.

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