ANNUAL REPORT BENEFITS AND COUNSELING BRANCH MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS 1 JULY 1966 - 30 JUNE 1967

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-01826R000200120002-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 16, 2001
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: June 30, 1967
• Content Type: PERRPT

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ANNUAL REPORT
BENEFITS AND COUNSELING BRANCH
BENEFITS AND SERVICES DIVISION
OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
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ANNUAL REPORT
BENEFITS AND COUNSELING BRANCH
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS
1 July 1966 - 30 June 1967
Attached, as a part of this report, is a statistical summary
which, when studied with the narrative comments, will reveal to the
reader a continuation of growth and scope of Branch activity and
some dramatic increases in certain areas of work.
It should be noted at the outset that the number of manhours
devoted to Branch programs cannot be measured entirely by a statis-
tical reporting of cases handled. Within each activity, cases will
require a varying degree of time and effort. For example, some
death and employee emergency cases may require extensive after-
hours activity, frequent contact with the next of kin, liaison
within the Agency and with other Federal agencies, and often with
private attorneys; others may require little effort of this type.
Also, some cases can be processed in a few weeks, others often
require months of continued effort. The same is true with respect
to medical claims, counseling and other programs.
GENERAL COMMENTS
The Branch is responsible for a variety of programs; several
are required by statute, while others are services for Agency
personnel and their dependents. These programs are:
Statutory Programs
1. Federal Employees' Compensation Act
2. Overseas Medical Benefits for
Employees and Dependents
3. Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance
Service Programs
1. Casualty Assistance
2. Exit Processing
3. Employee Emergencies
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Service Programs (continued)
4. Personal Affairs Counseling
5. Assistance on Problems of Former
Employees
6. Blood Donor Program
7. Savings Bond Campaign
8. PEAS Support
9. Welfare Assistance Board
10. Religious Services
11. Absentee Voter Assistance
12. Bulletin Boards
13. Car Pool Locator
14. Vital Papers Program
At the beginning of this reporting period, 1 July 1966, the
Branch consisted of clerical
employees. In September 1 , because of an extremely heavy
clerical workload, an additional clerical employee was assigned to
the Branch. Also, in March 1967, a "Career Trainee" was assigned
to the Branch for a period of training; but, because of several
personnel problems that developed in the Branch over the past nine
months, the Career Trainee has had to be used in a staff capacity.
technician every 4 1/2 months. This high "turnover rate" has
necessitated a continual training and orientation program by the
Chief and Deputy Chief to assure that all technicians are properly
trained and have the necessary flexibility required of Branch
personnel.
Daring this reporting period, a serious personnel problem
developed that lasted several months and sorely taxed the ability
of the Branch to function as a unit and to maintain the morale
necessary to carry out its responsibility. On another occasion, a
senior technician was reassigned, with no notice, and at the end of
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June 1967, after seven weeks, no replacement has been provided.
It is amazing that in spite of these problems the Branch has
managed to meet its required deadlines and has, in fact, handled an
increased workload in many areas for FY 1967 over FY 1966.
CASUALTY ASSISTANCE
The procedures for handling casualty cases developed over the
past several years have again met the challenge of difficult and
sensitive cases. While we are always looking for improvements, our
present procedures have proven to be adequate in fulfilling our
responsibility.
During this reporting period, there were 35 deaths of Agency
employees with eight of these deaths occurring overseas. One of
these deaths was reported in last year's report as missing-in-
action. During this year, necessary steps were taken to declare
the individual dead and his affairs were all settled on that basis.
In addition, there were 13 deaths of Agency dependents overseas.
The table below shows the number of deaths of Agency employees over
the last ten years:
Number of Deaths by Fiscal Year
Year No. of Deaths Year No. of Deaths
1967 35 1962 38
1966 46 1961 31
1965 35 1960 34
1964 42 1959 36
1963 38 1958 19
Three of the deaths occurring in FY 1967 were in "performance
of duty" with two of them occurring overseas. The handling of the
affairs in these cases included also the processing of claims with
the Bureau of Employees' Compensation, Department of Labor, under
the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. All of these cases
required special handling with the Bureau of Employees' Compensation
because of the sensitivity of the places where the deaths occurred
or cover considerations. In addition, one of the deaths occurring
overseas during the previous year was processed this year as
"performance of duty" and approved by the Bureau of Employees'
Compensation because of the inadequate medical care rendered.
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14000,
As in previous years, heart conditions continued to be the
leading cause of death with accidents a close second. Of the 35
deaths, 11 were the result of heart conditions, 10 were accidental,
8 from cancer, 1 homicide, 1 suicide, and 4 from miscellaneous
causes. The average age at death was 45 years, slightly less than
last year when it was 46 years.
Employee Deaths FY 1967
(By Age Group)
Ages
No. of Deaths
Ages
No. of Deaths
Under 21
2
46
- 50
8
21 - 25
0
51
- 55
5
26 - 30
1
56
- 60
3
61
- 65
2
36 - 4p
5
Over 65 1
41 - 45
3
Total 35
In settling the affairs of the deceased employees, we found
that 29 had insurance with the Agency and the amount of insurance
paid in these cases was $828,000 with $449,000 paid under the basic
coverage and $379,000 paid under the accidental coverage.
Twenty-five had FEGLI coverage in the amount of $385,000; five had
UBLIC coverage in the amount of $123,000; four had WAEPA insurance
totaling $145,000; and two had FAP for $175,000.
These death cases required ten trips outside of the Washington
metropolitan area during the year in settling the claims.
OVERSEAS MEDICAL CLAIMS
As in the past, the number of claims processed under the
Overseas Medical Programs continues to increase slightly. There
was a total of 596 claims of which 396 were for dependents and 200
for employees. This is an increase of 25 claims over the previous
year.
The cost of the program grows in spite of efforts to process
claims of employees under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act
where appropriate. During this reporting period, $225,000 was
obligated for the programs.
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MISCELLANEOUS
1. During FY 1967, ten trips were made to settle the Agency
affairs of deceased personnel. Three of the trips were to the West
Coast, one to the Midwest, one to Florida, and the others were to
the eastern part of the United States. In addition, two trips were
made to the Midwest in connection with a medical evacuation and
disability retirement.
2. The problems of former employees continue to increase.
This year the Branch wrote a total of 459 letters to former employees
assisting them in problems that developed after their separation. As
would be expected, these problems are varied but the majority are
questions about W-2's, unemployment compensation, requests for S. F.
50, and retirement refunds.
3. The Branch again enlisted the services of the clergy of
the McLean community to conduct a program of Catholic and Protestant
religious services in the Auditorium at Christmas and during the
Lenten season. Two services were held at Christmas and two services
each Wednesday during Lent. The attendance at these services fell
off again this year with only 1,537 Catholics and 1,127 Protestants
attending. There was no Jewish Passover service offered this year.
The Rabbi at the Washington Hebrew Congregation indicated that it
was not appropriate to hold services at any place but a Temple.
4. During the year, the Branch Chief was regularly scheduled
for a presentation of Employee Benefits at the Support Services
course and the Admin Procedures course given by OTR. In addition,
many Support types leaving for assignments at overseas posts were
briefed by the Branch Chief or Deputy Chief on the many programs
of the Branch. The Branch Chief also briefed a special Office of
Communications group of wives of the graduation class of Commo Techs
who were scheduled for overseas duty.
5. There seemed to be an increased utilization of the facility
in the Branch for storing copies of vital documents for Agency
personnel. This is probably the result of the Support Bulletin and
Employee Bulletin on Employee Benefits.
6. The Branch continues to service the Agency bulletin boards.
In Headquarters, there are 34 with two large boards devoted to
notices by Agency employees, with additional boards in other Agency
buildings. During the year, there were approximately 2,400 notices
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posted by Agency Personnel. In addition, posters are placed on all
boards, some on a regular basis, telling employees about the Red
Cross Bloodmobile, Credit Union, Agency Movie Schedule, Incentive
Awards Program, EAA activities, and other special notices such as
President Johnson's Equal Employment Opportunity Program and the
Open Housing Program.
7. On 19 December 1966, the Branch moved into Room 1G-8101
and for the first time in years the entire Branch was all together
in one place. This has contributed to a better flow of work, a
better utilization of employees, and has permitted more flexibility
in the use of Branch personnel.
8. The Branch continues to serve as "Case Officer" in many
PSAS cases, this involves counseling, preparation of summary for
presentation to the Board, and the monitoring of the case after
approval. During this reporting period, there were several cases
where the "Case Officer" prepared a budget for and worked with the
applicant for assistance to assure compliance with the budget and
repayment of the loan.
9. Plans for an additional Car Pool Locator to serve the
Rosslyn area have been completed and the construction has been
started and the installation is to be made very soon.
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PLANS AND OBJECTIVES FOR FISCAL YEAR 1968
1. A review of Section I of this report and previous reports
shows a steady increase in the amount of work performed by the
Branch with approximately the same number of employees during FY
1967. As mentioned in last year's report, one of our objectives
was to obtain a greater degree of flexibility, professional as well
as clerical, and adaptability to meet the needs of the moment. This
flexibility has been achieved only to a limited degree because of
the high turnover of professional employees. This is still one of
our main objectives and if personnel presently assigned to the Branch
remain, we should be able to attain the desired flexibility.
2. During FY 1967: the Branch Chief and Deputy Chief have
participated in many Office of Training courses to acquaint Support
Personnel, Career Trainees and others enrolled in these courses
with the many programs and services offered by the Branch. As a
result of these courses together with the many briefings of persons
scheduled for overseas assignment, it is felt that a representative
of BCB together with a representative of the Insurance Branch should
make a trip to acquaint support personnel in foreign stations of the
programs and services of the Benefits and Services Division.
3. During the current year, considerable time has been spent
in revising the handbook covering the Overseas Medical Programs in
order to incorporate additional standards for administering the
programs. The publication of this revised handbook is being held
pending a policy decision on the relationship of the statutory
programs to the hospitalization program under the Health Benefits
Act. If the procedures remain the same, we plan to publish the
revised handbook and if there are policy changes in procedures, a
new handbook will be required.
4. With the decision by the Civil Service Commission to cover
certain contract employees with the Federal Dnployees' Group Life
Insurance, it is anticipated there will be increased activity in
processing of certifications, waivers and reinstatements in the
coming year.
5. Arrangements were completed during FY 1967 for the Red
Cross Bloodmobile from the District of Columbia to service NPIC.
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Negotiations are under way to arrange with Arlington County Red
Cross to provide a Bloodmobile in the Rosslyn area on a regular
schedule for use of Agency employees.
6. Plans are under way at the present time and should be
finalized soon that will remove several functions from Benefits
and Counseling Branch and place them in a proposed new activity
that will be devoted mainly to employee services.
7. A study will be made of all Branch programs remaining after
the services referred to in paragraph 6 above are transferred to a
new branch in an effort to streamline and formalize procedures to
be certain that the functions remaining are performed in the most
efficient manner.
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PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1969
It is expected that a revised manual of procedures for all
Branch activities will be prepared incorporating the changes that
will be made in accordance with the plans and objectives for FY
1968.
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July 3, 1967
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Benefits and Services
Division
SUBJECT : Annual Report - Fiscal Year 1967
Attached is the Branch's Annual Report
covering major accomplishments and significant develop-
ments during the period 1 July 1966 - 30 June 1967,
specific plans for fiscal year 1968, and general objectives
for fiscal year 1969.
25X1A9a
Acting Chief, Insurance Branc
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