| Comment Number: | OL-10510054 |
| Received: | 3/16/2005 1:30:44 AM |
| Subject: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment |
| Title: | National Security Personnel System |
| CFR Citation: | 5 CFR Chapter XCIX and Part 9901 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
Under Sec. 9901.304 Definitions, Local market supplement is defined as a geographic and occupation-based supplement to basic pay, as described in Sec. 9901.332. Sec. 9901.332 Local market supplements paragraph (c) states that Local market supplements are considered basic pay for only the following purposes - one of which is (5) Cost-of-living allowances and post differentials under 5 U.S.C. 5941. Having Cost-of-living allowance (COLA) under 5 U.S.C. 5941 considered as basic pay is long awaited news for COLA area employees (Hawaii/Alaska/Puerto Rico/Guam/U.S. Virgin Islands) who have experienced many years of discrimination in retirement pay/TSP matching contributions and life insurance. The retirement inequity experienced by COLA area employees has been a major concern and had devastating consequences on employees standard of living in retirement - particularly for lower income GS employees. Many were on verge of seeking legal resolution in order to have the matter addressed. It is a simple matter of fairness. Thank you for addressing this issue by having cost of living allowance (COLA) under 5 U.S.C. 5941 considered as basic pay. I believe I speak for many when I state that many have waited for this change for many years. The cited language has created much enthusiasm in COLA areas in that employees finally see their concerns being addressed. Kudos and enormous thanks to DOD and our Congressional representatives (Senator Akaka/Senator Inouye/Senator Stevens) for stepping up to the plate.