eSeminars offer civilians retirement, benefit information Published Nov. 10, 2008 By Beverly Simas Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force officials here now offer eSeminars on retirement, benefits and financial literacy to civilian appropriated fund employees. These eSeminars offer civilian employees the ease of accessing information at any stage in their career or as needs arise. A new law designed to ensure civilian employees are knowledgeable about financial opportunities for retirement has challenged the Air Force to offer easy, user-friendly retirement financial literacy and retirement training. These eSeminars offer employees the chance to plan for retirement on their own terms when they have the need, said Todd Usnik, a civilian training officer with Air Education and Training Command. The current choices offered in eSeminar format include a planning for retirement seminar that includes details on the Thrift Savings Plan, social security, insurance and flexible spending accounts. This seminar also helps with planning for employees covered under special retirement like air traffic controllers or law enforcement officers. The next eSeminar offered is the new employee benefits orientation. This seminar will offer employees an understanding of each federal benefit program. The third eSeminar offered is about financial literacy. This seminar explains taxes, investment options, insurance, investment planning, and estate planning. Civilian employees not currently enrolled in benefit or spending plans are eligible to sign up. "November 10 through Dec. 8 is open season for flexible spending accounts and benefits," Mr. Usnik said. "Civilian employees should know what is out there so they may make an intelligent choice." Employees can access these eSeminars as an additional module on the Web-based Employee Benefits Information System. Employees can access EBIS at their convenience in the office or at their home. "Not everyone has the same situation. Many of our civil service are retirees and are already covered. Each one of us has individual needs and it would be nice to access information without it being such a hassle," said T. Berry, a civilian employee with AETC. The eSeminars are for user convenience and are not a mandatory activity. For directions on accessing the EBIS site to take you to the eSeminars, click here.