(600)-70 PERSONNEL

\(600\) 70.5 [Employee Services and Benefits]{.underline}

1.  [Nature and Purpose.]{.underline} This section provides an overview
    of the various tools and information available to Treasury Inspector
    General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) employees on personal benefit
    and payroll accounts. This guide contains key services for employees
    to manage their own benefits.

70.5.1.1 [Responsibilities]{.underline}

[Employees]{.underline} - Responsible for proper utilization of the
various personnel systems described in this section as well as obtaining
and securing their PIN numbers for these systems.

[Bureau of the Public Debt/Administrative (BPD/ARC)]{.underline} - As
TIGTA's servicing personnel office, responsible for the accuracy and
timeliness of information supplied by the system.

70.5.2 [Services and Benefits.]{.underline} General information about
benefits available to all Federal employees can be found on the BPD/ARC
web site. Employees with specific questions should contact BPD/ARC,
whose staff can provide assistance on personnel/payroll issues, life and
health insurance issues, and the use of the various automated personnel
systems described below.

70.5.2.1 [HR Connect]{.underline}. HR Connect is a Treasury-wide system
that provides employees access to their personnel data and quick access
to benefits and pay information. The Employee Self-Service (ESS) Module
allows employees to view and update selected personnel data such as
address changes, name changes, date of birth, education level, and race
or national origin information. The ESS does not replace Employee
Express or other services as each focuses on different types of
information.

The use of ESS is not mandatory.

70.5.2.2 [Employee Express]{.underline}. Employee Express is a
computer-based administrative system that provides employees with the
ability to input certain payroll transactions. This capability provides
direct control of the changes without the use of forms or the mail
system. Use of this system is [mandatory]{.underline} for certain
payroll actions, such as a change in Federal and/or State withholding
allowance; voluntary savings allotments; enrollment, change, or
cancellation of the contribution amount to a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
account; and enrollment in the Federal Employee's Health Benefits (FEHB)
program. Employees may access Employee Express through the BPD web site
or directly at <http://www.employeeexpress.gov/emain.htm>. Employee
Express may also be reached at 1-800-827-6290.

70.5.2.3 [Thriftline]{.underline}. The Thriftline is the Federal
Retirement Thrift Investment Board's automated telephone system for the
TSP. This system can be accessed for obtaining information on your
account, on rates of return or plan news, loans, withdrawals and making
interfund transfers.

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board also maintains a web site
([www.tsp.gov](http://www.tsp.gov/)), which allows participants to
access their account information, read the latest Thrift Savings Plan
news and updates, and has interactive calculators to project future TSP
earnings.

70.5.2.4 [National Finance Center (NFC)]{.underline}. The NFC homepage
([www.nfc.usda.gov](http://www.nfc.usda.gov/)) has a link known as the
"Employee Personal Page." Through this site, employees can access
personnel and payroll information such as your Earnings and Leave
Statement, W-2 statement, and deductions for health insurance, savings
bonds, and life insurance.

NFC sends a Personal Benefits Statement once a year (generally in the
Spring) to TIGTA employees. The Personal Benefits Statement describes
the estimated value of benefits available to you for voluntary
retirement, disability retirement, or death. It also includes estimated
annuity benefits and account balances from the TSP, annual contributions
to Social Security and/or Medicare benefits, and other guidance.

70.5.2.5 [Employment Verification]{.underline}. Employees needing
verification of employment should use the automated system
theworknumber.com or contact a Human Resources Assistant in the
Personnel and Payroll Processing Section at BPD. The phone numbers of
these Assistants are listed on the BPD web site. For more information on
how to use The Work Number see Exhibit (600)-70.15.

70.5.3 [Length of Service Awards]{.underline}. In recognition of their
years of Federal Government service, TIGTA employees will receive length
of service certificates in 5-year increments beginning at their 10-Year
Anniversary Date. Employees will also be given pins in recognition of
their service. The BPD Human Resources staff provides TIGTA employees
with the length of service certificates and pins as part of our service
contract. TIGTA employees receive both length of service certificates
and pins once employees reach the following Federal career milestones:

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  Milestone                           Signature

  10 Years                            Employee's Second Line Manager

  15 Years                            Employee's Second Line Manager

  20 Years                            Employee's Second Line Manager

  25 Years                            Inspector General

  30 Years+ (in 5-year increment,     Inspector General
  e.g., 35 Years, 40 Years)           
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

The BPD staff mails the certificate and pin for 25 years to the TIGTA
Human Resources Director, who is responsible for obtaining the Inspector
General's signature, if appropriate, and forwarding the certificate and
pin to the appropriate manager for presentation. For length of service
certificates for 25 years or greater, the TIGTA Human Resources staff
will mail a framed signed certificate to the appropriate manager for
presentation to the employee. For 20 years and less, BPD will send
certificates and pins directly to the appropriate second-line manager.

Employees who did not receive length of service certificates and/or pins
for the milestones listed above should
contact <benefits@bpd.treas.gov> to request them; included in this email
should be the employee's name, the manager's name, and the number of
years for which the employee is requesting a certificate and/or pin.

4.  [Condolence Letters.]{.underline} In the event of the loss of an
    employee's close relative, condolence letters (or notes) may be sent
    to the employee. The employee's manager should draft the content of
    the letter or note to be signed by the Inspector General containing
    the following information:

-   Employee's name

-   Name of deceased

-   Other information deemed pertinent

The letter or note content should be forwarded to the TIGTA Human
Resources Director, who will obtain the Inspector General's signature
and ensure the letter is mailed to the employee.

70.5.5 [Retirement Seminars and Annuity Estimates]{.underline}. TIGTA
supports employees in making informed decisions about retirement. As
such, employees will not be required to take leave to attend retirement
seminars. Washington, DC-area employees are permitted to attend seminars
in the immediate Washington, DC area. Field employees are permitted to
attend seminars in their immediate areas, if available, or, if not
available within their immediate areas, within a reasonable proximity to
their post-of-duty. The immediate managers of field employees will
determine what is within reasonable proximity. Generally, reasonable
proximity will be within a short driving distance of the employee's
post-of-duty.

When choosing a retirement seminar, employees and managers should
consider a seminar that is geared towards the employee's specific
retirement system (e.g., FERS, CSRS, Law Enforcement).

#### 70.5.5.1 [Retirement Seminars]{.underline}. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), other government agencies and commercial vendors provide retirement planning seminars for Federal employees. 

### [Internal Revenue Service Pre-Retirement Seminars]{.underline}. Each year the IRS offers free pre-retirement seminars for IRS employees who are eligible for retirement within the next six years. TIGTA employees are invited to attend these seminars; however, specific TIGTA benefits are not addressed. Retirement issues specific to law enforcement officers are briefly discussed at these seminars.

Separate seminars will be offered for Civil Service Retirement System
(CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employees each
quarter of the year. Topics covered during these seminars include the
following:

-   Social Security Benefits

-   The Thrift Savings Plan

-   Health Benefits Plans

-   Life Insurance Programs

> Scheduled dates and other seminar information will be posted under the
> Pay, Leave and Benefits tab of the [IRS Employee Resource
> Center](http://erc.web.irs.gov/Displayanswers/SubCategory.asp?FolderID=5&CategoryID=70&SubCategoryID=151)
> link, which is located within the Personnel section on the TIGTA
> homepage.

Prior to attending a seminar, employees must discuss their plans to
attend a seminar with their managers; managers must approve the request
to attend these seminars, as the employee will be out of the office.
Prior to the seminar, employees who are within one to three years of
retirement eligibility can request that the Bureau of Public Debt (BPD)
provide an estimate of their annuity. This request should be made no
later than 120 days prior to attending the seminar. See Retirement
Annuity Estimates, Section 70.5.5.2, for additional information.

> Employees attending the IRS seminars need to bring a copy of the
> [Document
> 9921](http://erc.web.irs.gov/Displayanswers/AnswerType.asp?QuestionID=363&SubCategoryID=158&CategoryID=70&FolderID=5),
> Pre-Retirement Planning Seminar Participation Materials. The
> publication can be ordered by linking to the [Document
> 9921](http://erc.web.irs.gov/Displayanswers/AnswerType.asp?QuestionID=363&SubCategoryID=158&CategoryID=70&FolderID=5)
> and should be ordered **[at least 10 days prior to attending a
> seminar]{.underline}**. (This large document is downloadable for
> printing, but this is not recommended.)
>
> Employees and their spouses can attend these seminars throughout the
> country at Interactive Video Teletraining
> ([IVT](http://tv.web.irs.gov/data/findsite.htm)) locations. The
> employee should inform his or her manager to ensure local security
> procedures are followed to allow a spouse entrance to the seminar. The
> [IVT](http://tv.web.irs.gov/data/findsite.htm) site links to the
> Internal Revenue Satellite Network (IRSN) that lists viewing locations
> in the employee's area. While pre-registration is not required,
> employees should contact the IRSN Downlink Coordinator listed at the
> location selected to confirm the broadcast will be delivered at that
> location.
>
> Employees unable to attend an IRS seminar can order a closed-captioned
> videotape or CD-ROM using the following procedures:

-   Call toll-free 1-866-743-5748; or TTY toll-free 1-866-924-3578

-   Select the Employee Resource Center (ERC)

-   Select Option 2 (Employee Connection)

-   Select Main Menu 4, and Submenu 1 for the videotape or Submenu 7 for
    the CD-ROM and follow the prompt to order the FERS or CSRS version

> A copy of the [Document
> 9921](http://erc.web.irs.gov/Displayanswers/AnswerType.asp?QuestionID=363&SubCategoryID=158&CategoryID=70&FolderID=5)
> will accompany the videotape or CD-ROM.

### [Other Government Agency and Commercial Vendors]{.underline}. Various other government agencies such as OPM and the USDA Graduate School and commercial vendors provide retirement planning seminars to Federal employees for a fee. Employees interested in attending one of these should consult their functional training coordinator for more information. The cost of these seminars will be charged to the appropriate functional training budget. As such, approval rules for requesting training opportunities must be followed.

After obtaining information from their functional training coordinators
and prior to attending one of these seminars, employees must discuss
their plans with their managers; managers must approve the request to
attend these seminars, as the employee will be out of the office. Prior
to the seminar, employees who are within one to three years of
retirement eligibility can request that the Bureau of Public Debt (BPD)
provide an estimate of their annuity. This request should be made no
later than 120 days prior to attending the seminar. See Retirement
Annuity Estimates, Section 70.5.5.2, for additional information.

70.5.5.2 [Retirement Annuity Estimates]{.underline}. TIGTA employees may
obtain retirement annuity estimates from the BPD Benefits staff by
sending a request to the <benefits@bpd.treas.gov> email address.
Employees should state the anticipated retirement date in the request.

Typically, employees who are eligible to retire within one to three
years should submit a request [no later than 120 days before the needed
date]{.underline}. Employees should keep in mind that retirement annuity
estimates require significant time and labor to complete. BPD will make
every effort to honor all requests in a timely manner. The Benefits
staff will contact the requesting employee to discuss the request.

70.5.6 [Employee Assistance Program]{.underline}

70.5.6.1 [Purpose and Scope]{.underline}. The purpose of the Employee
Assistance Program (EAP) is to motivate employees in need of assistance
to accept early counseling to help them regain their productive
capability; minimize absenteeism, sick leave, and grievances; reduce the
need for disciplinary action; and improve morale. In such cases, only
the fact that the employee has complied with the referral is made
available without the express written consent of the employee. The EAP
is a confidential consultation and referral program available to all
TIGTA employees and when feasible, to immediate families of employees
who have alcohol, drug, or emotional problems.

# 70.5.6.2 [Authorities]{.underline}

-   42 U.S. C. 290

-   5 U.S.C. 7361

-   5 U.S.C. 7362

-   5 CFR 792

70.5.6.3 [Responsibilities]{.underline}

EAP Counselors providing direct services to TIGTA employees have the
responsibility for the following:

-   Adherence to all governmental and professional regulations and
    ethical codes regarding confidentiality and their scope of practice.

-   Maintenance of professional liability coverage when EAP services are
    provided through a contractor agreement.

-   Consultations and/or briefings to management and employees to
    promote understanding of EAP and to facilitate referrals when
    appropriate.

70.5.6.4 [Counseling Services]{.underline}. Licensed, certified
clinicians can assist employees with issues such as marriage problems,
problems with adolescents and children, alcohol and other drug
dependency, relationship problems including with co-workers and friends,
problems in balancing work and family, dealing with job stress, job
change, relocation, and life change. These services are available 24
hours a day, 365 days a year.

70.5.6.5 [Work life Services]{.underline}. Legal, Financial,
Pre-Retirement Planning and Organizing Life's Affairs consultations are
available by telephone. The services available to employees and
dependants include:

-   [Financial Planning]{.underline}. Financial Planners can provide
    assistance in addressing and resolving financial problems such as
    credit rights and options, gambling and budgeting, obtaining
    information on types of loans, securing a mortgage, developing
    realistic budgets, and spending habits. Consultants can help
    employees with the non-financial aspects of retirement planning,
    such as activities and preferences, lifestyle issues, work and
    social security.

-   [Legal Consultation]{.underline}. Attorneys can assist employees
    with legal questions such as family law, legal interpretations,
    social security, landlord-tenant disputes, personal injury, and
    criminal matters.

-   [Organizing Life's Affairs]{.underline}. To simplify life, or
    prepare for emergencies, this consultation guides employees through
    the methods of developing a will and creating an organized legacy.

70.5.6.6 [Dependent Care Connection]{.underline}. Dependent Care
Connection (DCC) also provides dependent care education, advocacy, and
resource information directly to the employee's home. Unlimited sessions
are available for childcare and elder care services. DCC provides
referrals to employees on the following needs:

-   [Prenatal and adoption needs]{.underline}. Prenatal counselors can
    assist expectant parents by providing customized educational
    resources and referrals on birthing method alternatives; parent
    education classes; nutrition, diet, and exercise programs; and
    support groups.

-   [For adoption purposes]{.underline}. A counselor can assist in the
    legal and customary guidelines of the adoption process. Information
    is available on public, private, domestic and international adoption
    procedures. The adoption counselors can make referrals to state
    adoption specialists; national, regional, or local adoption
    organizations; medical resources; support groups; and attorney
    referral services.

-   [Childcare needs]{.underline}. A counselor can provide appropriate
    educational resources and referrals for in-home or out-of-home
    childcare options. It can include nannies, babysitters, au pairs,
    child-care centers, and family child-care homes. Referral provides
    detailed information about each provider and assists the employee in
    evaluating and choosing potential providers and facilities.

-   [Special needs]{.underline}. For children with exceptional or
    physical, cognitive, or behavioral impairments, DCC special needs
    counselors can assist in locating therapeutic programs, testing,
    schools, facilities, assistive devices, funding, residential
    options, and caregivers. The special needs department also assists
    families of troubled or at-risk adolescents by providing educational
    information and referrals to support groups and parenting classes
    and other prevention and specialized programs.

-   [School needs]{.underline}. Counselors can locate pre-school,
    kindergarten, summer care, and before- and after-school programs to
    provide your child with peer interaction and constructive activities
    throughout the year. For older children, counselors will pre-screen
    and profile public, private, parochial and religiously affiliated
    institutions.

-   [Undergraduate or graduate programs]{.underline}. Counselors can
    provide information and referrals on colleges and universities based
    on academic, budgetary, geographic and extracurricular preferences
    including financial aid and scholarship options along with
    institution profiles and policies.

-   [Adult care needs]{.underline}. Adult care services can provide
    education and support to enable safe, intelligent decisions for
    elderly loved ones needing assistance. Counselors can locate in-home
    caregivers, adult day care facilities, nursing homes, long-term care
    facilities, discharge planning, residential/housing options,
    retirement communities, community services and transportation,
    financial assistance, respite and hospice care, and physician and
    legal referral services.