Civil Service Federal Employees Federal Employees Federal Employees

Retirement Group Life Health Benefits Retirement

System Insurance Program System

United States

Office of Personnel Management

Retirement and Insurance Service

Benefits Administration Letter

Number: 97-705 Date: October 10, 1997

Subject: Benefits Center Is Now Available

Benefits Center -- We are pleased to announce that our new, interactive CD-ROM, 

Now Available. Benefits Center is now available for ordering.

What Is It? This virtual, interactive CD-ROM provides easy to understand,

accurate information about benefits for employees who are in career

transition, as well as those who simply want information about their

benefits.

Benefits Center was developed to help agencies cope with increased

workloads. It can help an agency maximize efficiency by providing a

tool which employees can use to quickly and easily obtain their own

clear, concise answers to many questions. By helping to answer many

questions, the program facilitates better use of the time counselors

spend with employees, making counseling resources go further.

Benefits Center allows employees to go directly to information specific

to their situation. As a result, the options become clearer and when

they do speak with a counselor, they know what questions to ask.

Benefits Center is ideal for Career Transition Centers, agency facilities

without benefits specialists, and any site where you are trying to

maximize the use of resources. The program was developed by Office

of Personnel Management experts on Federal employee benefits.

How Does It Work? Benefits Center is a new, interactive learning adventure that’s a fast

and easy way for employees to learn about their benefits. Employees

explore a virtual information mall where they learn about the benefits

that are available to them in retirement, reemployment, or career

transition. Each of the stores in the mall provides information about a

specific benefit, such as severance pay. The program actually allows

the users to specifically tailor their questions to their personal

situations by selecting different options on the screen. This allows
Benefits Center to provide a quick, accurate response that's both

useful and easy to understand!

In Benefits Center, specialty stores are always there when you need

them and are easily found. For example, where there are different

benefit options under the Civil Service and the Federal Employees

Retirement Systems, you will find a store for each. If you are eligible

to retire immediately, you will be presented with different selections

than if your retirement will begin at a later date. In Benefits Center,

there's no one size fits all. Options are available to fit the differences

in each employee's specific situation. In addition, you'll find stores

for life insurance, health insurance, and the Thrift Savings Plan. 

Benefits Center is a truly unique package that quickly delivers accurate

answers to your questions. Whether you're just browsing or doing

some serious comparison shopping, Benefits Center is the tool you

need.

A quick demonstration of Benefits Center can be seen at OPM's web

site. The Benefits Center demo is at www.opm.gov/bc-demo

For additional information email asd@opm.gov, fax (202) 606-1108,

or call (202) 606-0777 ext. 954. 

Ordering Order the Benefits Center CD-ROM now and receive a free updated

Information version of Benefits Center in Spring 1998. The updated version will

contain any changes in the law or regulations. You can be confident

that employees are getting accurate information. Get both Benefits

Center and the free Spring 1998 update for only $100 per copy. 

Complete the attached order form and fax or mail us for prompt

delivery. We can accept Purchase Orders or government issued Visa

credit cards.

Mary M. Sugar, Chief

Agency Services Division

Retirement and Insurance Service

Attachment
Benefits Center Order Form

To Order Benefits Center:

Fax this form to (202) 606-1108, 

or mail to: U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Agency Services Division

P.O. Box 57

Washington DC 20044-0057

First name: ______________________________________________

Last name: ______________________________________________

Agency: ______________________________________________

Street address: ______________________________________________

Address (cont.):______________________________________________

Address (cont.):______________________________________________

City: ______________________________________________

State: ______________________________________________

Zip: ______________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________________

FAX: ______________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________

Please send me ______ copies of Benefits Center at $100.00 per copy.

Payment Method: Credit Card (Visa or Mastercard) / Purchase Order / Check

Name on Credit Card:_________________________________________

Card Number: ______________________________________________

Expiration Date:_______________________________________________

Signature: ______________________________________________