TSA Health Benefits Incentive for Part-time TSOs
News & Happenings
September 12, 2007
An innovative new benefits program will soon allow part-time transportation security officers (TSOs) to pay the same health insurance premiums as full-time employees. The change will result in substantial savings for most part-time TSOs and act as an important incentive to attract and retain this critical group of employees.
Under federal law, part-time government employees pay a higher percentage of their total health insurance premiums based on their official part-time work schedule. With this new program - made possible through flexibilities granted to TSA through the Aviation and Transportation Security Act - the agency will make up the difference in premiums charged to full- and part-time TSOs.
For Miami TSO Alexander Logan, this TSA enhancement will mean a savings of nearly $1,400 a year, or 65 percent.
"It's very hard to find a part-time job that gives employees such benefits," said Logan. "And this job gives me a chance to do my part to protect the traveling public."
Enhanced employee benefits translates into improved morale and retention rates, which are essential elements of a well-trained and stable TSO workforce. With the ability and incentive to work part-time, Logan plans to stay with the TSA even after he begins a second career in firefighting.
"This program will give our dedicated workforce yet another incentive to stay with us," said Richard A. Whitford, assistant administrator, Office of Human Capital. "It is an illustration of TSA's commitment to the workforce and our goal of providing the best benefits, training and professional working environment possible."
Under a similar pilot program extending full-time health benefit premiums to part-time TSOs, retention rates for part-timers increased by approximately 40 percent at participating airports.
