January 1 is the day that federal annuitants switch plans if they made an Open Season change as well as the day of the college playoff bowl games. Federal employees generally make that switch this year on January 7, which is the first day of the first pay period in 2018.  OPM transmits employee premiums every bi-weekly and annuitant premiums monthly.

Congress returns in full force to Capitol Hill on January 8. This week, the House and Senate organize this week for the second session of the current two year long Congress. In the second session, the Senate party break down will be 51 Republicans, 47 Democrats and two Independents who caucus with the Democrats. The House lineup as of December 8 was 239 Republicans, 193 Democrats, and 3 vacancies.

The Hartford Courant featured an interesting article yesterday about CVS Health’s CEO Larry Merlo, who started his career as a pharmacist.