FEMA is committed to providing its employees with a robust benefits package. This commitment reflects a recognition of the importance of employee well-being and professional growth.
Comprehensive Benefits Package
Our benefits are designed to support employees in various aspects of their lives. These include:
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Generous retirement plans
- 10 paid holidays per year
- Vacation time
In addition to these core benefits, FEMA offers professional development and flexible work arrangements. Benefits packages may vary depending on the employee’s specific role within the organization.
Health and Insurance
FEMA provides a diverse range of coverage options, including:
- Dental and vision benefits
- Flexible spending accounts
- Comprehensive health benefits
- Life insurance coverage
- Long-term care health options
Detailed information about federal benefits can be found through the appropriate channels.
Time Off
Employees at FEMA receive significant vacation and sick leave benefits, complemented by 10 paid holidays annually.
Overtime Compensation
During declared disasters, employees are compensated for any additional hours they work beyond their standard 40-hour work week.
Reservist Benefits
The benefits eligibility for reservists, who are essentially part-time employees, is based on the time spent in a paid or deployed status. For details on reservist benefits, you can consult the relevant resources. To understand the roles of reservists, visit the agency’s dedicated reservist information section.
Work-Life Balance
FEMA understands that employees need to balance work and personal commitments. We support this through family friendly provisions that promote employee health and wellness. These provide greater flexibility and peace of mind.
Telework Opportunities
FEMA recognizes that productive work can be achieved from any location. With progressive telework policies and a dependable IT infrastructure, FEMA employees can access vital IT resources at any time. Teamwork and collaboration is a key element with seamless communication both in and out of the office.
Retirement Plans
Employees have access to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). This all-encompassing plan has three core elements:
- A basic retirement benefit (annuity)
- The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is a 401(k)-style plan with investment choices and government matching contributions up to five percent.
- Social Security benefits
Former federal employees covered under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) can find more details on OPM.gov.
Training and Career Development
FEMA values training and career development. Training and career advancement are important priorities for our employees. We provide meaningful work and multiple training and development programs.
The FEMA Education Knowledge Center and the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) offer in-person and online training opportunities. Thousands of e-learning courses are available, covering management, leadership development, project management, and IT. Our comprehensive development programs equip current and future leaders with the skills and opportunities needed for continued success as the agency meets evolving needs.
Survivor Benefits
Survivor benefits may be available to the surviving spouse of a deceased active federal employee. We extend our condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of any FEMA employee who has passed away. “Active federal employee” means that the employee was still on the agency’s payment system at the time of death.
Survivor benefits may also be payable to surviving children and former spouses, contingent on the situation. A benefits counselor is available to offer personalized support. To contact the benefits staff, please send an email to [email protected], including:
- Deceased employee’s name
- The date of death
- Your contact information (name and phone number)
- Supervisor’s contact information (name and phone number)
Last updated: August 21, 2024
