About Veterans Administration Employment Benefits

By Bryan Keythman

Employment benefits can be an important factor in choosing an employer. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a range of benefit to its employees to make it an attractive place to work. The employment benefits offered by VA improve an employee's health and finances, and may help them advance their careers.

The VA aims to attract and keep quality employees by offering competitive compensation. It offers incentives such as recruitment and relocation bonuses for new hires. An employee's starting salary is competitive and based on his experience, education and job location. Employees may get periodic raises based on performance. Employees who work hours outside of regular business hours, such as weekends and overtime, may be eligible for premium pay.

The VA has several benefits that aid in financial planning. VA pays 1/3 of an employee's basic premium in the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance program. The government matches employee contributions in the Thrift Savings Plan -- which is similar to the private sector's 401(k) -- of up to 5 percent of her salary. VA employees are also eligible for retirement benefits after 10 years of federal service under the Federal Employees Retirement System.

VA employees have many of their health needs covered. They can pay for health insurance premiums for their health maintenance organization or fee-for-service health plan with pre-tax dollars. The VA pays about 75 percent of the cost of those premiums. Health care screenings and wellness assessments are available. The VA has health and fitness facilities, as well as its own health care centers. Flexible spending accounts and long-term care insurance provide additional help in planning for medical expenses.

Employees seeking more knowledge can benefit from VA Learning Online, which offers more than 1500 e-learning courses consisting of professional development opportunities and work-related courses. The VA may also pay for coursework taken at colleges and universities. Employees may qualify for up to $10,000 per year of student loan repayment help under the VA Student Loan Repayment Program. Employees pursuing medical-related education may be eligible for a scholarship or loan.

http://www.lenderva.com