OPM assures feds, retirees that benefits are Y2K-safe

The Office of Personnel Management today launched a media campaign to assure federal employees, retirees and their families that their federal health and life insurance programs, retirement benefits and other services will be unaffected by the Year 2000 computer problem.

During a press conference at OPM, officials released a public service announcement and a radio announcement in Spanish and English to inform the public of OPM's Year 2000 status. Additionally, OPM officials said they have required health insurance companies and other contractors to be Year 2000-compliant.

"I am pleased to announced that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is Y2K-OK,'' said Janice R. Lachance, director of OPM and narrator of the radio announcement. "Federal employees, retirees and their families can be confident that their federal health and life insurance programs are ready for the Year 2000."

Federal employees and retirees can access the bilingual radio hot line by dialing (202) 606-0839, Ext. 30. The hot line is another confidence-booster to assure the federal public that the agency is prepared for the Year 2000 computer problem.