The Newsroom
News for the federal workforce, updated daily.
Pay raises, retirement planning, and benefits — expert guidance for every stage of your federal career, sourced and updated for 2026.
Featured data reports
Data report
OPM Retirement Backlog 2026: The Complete Data Report
Every month of the OPM retirement backlog, Oct 2025-Jul 2026: the 65,237 peak, the fall to 24,784, processing times up 53%, and when the backlog actually clears.
Jul 19, 2026 · 12 min read
Data report
State of Federal Pay 2026: 50 Data Points for Every Fed
Federal employees in San Jose-SF earn 46.34% above base in 2026, the highest of 58 localities. Full data report with 50+ sourced statistics on GS pay.
Apr 17, 2026 · 21 min read
Data report
State of Federal Retirement Readiness 2026: 50 Data Points
Median FERS TSP balance is ~$50K while the average is $217K. OPM backlog hit 65,237. Full data report on federal retirement readiness with sourced stats.
Apr 17, 2026 · 25 min read
Most read
Latest articles
446 articles · page 1 of 19Policy UpdatesNew
OPM Civil Service Rules Change: Comment Deadline September 14
OPM's direct final rule rewrites the Civil Service Rules October 13 unless adverse comments land by September 14. What changes, and how to comment.
Policy UpdatesNew
DRP Report Card: 20,557 Backfills, Hired 1.4 Grades Lower
Agencies paid $15B for feds to leave under the DRP, then refilled 20,557 of those jobs at lower grades. The dollar math on what the backfill actually saves.
Pay & CompensationNew
Federal Pay Period Calendar 2026-2027: Every Date That Matters
All 26 pay periods for the 2026 and 2027 leave years, payday rules by payroll provider, use-or-lose deadlines, and the 26-vs-27 pay period answer.
RetirementNew
How Much Cash You Need Before Retiring Under FERS
OPM interim payments run 60-80% of your annuity and exclude the FERS Supplement entirely. Here are the dollar targets for your pre-retirement cash buffer.
CareerNew
How to File a Federal EEO Complaint Before the Rules Change
Every step and deadline of the federal EEO complaint process in force today, plus exactly what EEOC's proposed rewrite would strip, from the NPRM text.
Policy UpdatesNew
Law Enforcement Pay Raise 2027: Who Gets 3.8%, Who Doesn't
The 2027 law enforcement pay raise gives GL officers 3.8% while GS pay freezes. Grade-by-grade dollars, who qualifies under the letter, and the GS-11 catch.
Policy UpdatesNew
Critical Position Pay: OPM's New Rule Opens Up to $253,100
OPM's August 26 final rule makes critical position pay easier to get: up to $253,100 as basic pay that counts for FERS and TSP, 800 slots, no appeal rights.
Policy UpdatesNew
EEOC Votes on Rewriting the Federal EEO Process: Tracker
The EEOC voted August 26 on a proposed rewrite of the federal EEO complaint process. What's confirmed, what's only reported, and what still protects you today.
TSPNew
TSP L Fund Trap: Still Working When Your Fund Retires?
When your TSP L Fund hits its target date, your balance and contributions move to L Income automatically. Here's what that costs a still-working fed.
Policy UpdatesNew
OPM Claimed the Right to Fire You and Judge Its Own Firing. Unions Are Fighting Back.
Four major federal unions sued OPM on Aug 25 to block its Sept 2 suitability and performance rules. No TRO yet. Sept 2 still stands. Here's what to do.
CareerNew
2027 VA Disability Rates: Projected Pay by Rating
Projected 2027 VA disability rates at the current 3.6% COLA estimate: rating-by-rating tables, the October 14 announcement date, and CRDP/CRSC impact.
Policy UpdatesNew
VSIP After Taxes: What a $25,000 Buyout Actually Pays
A $25,000 VSIP nets $15,000 to $17,588 after withholding, depending on your state. Full computed tables, the 22% withholding trap, and the gross repayment rule.
CareerNew
CRDP vs CRSC: Who Still Loses Retired Pay in 2026
Chapter 61 retirees still trade retired pay dollar-for-dollar against VA compensation. The eligibility table, the Star Act's 79 cosponsors, and the GS crossover.
Policy UpdatesNew
Forced Distribution and Your FY2026 Review: A Self-Check
OPM confirmed forced distribution applies to FY2026 reviews. Check your system, grade, and agency timeline before the September 20 calibration deadline.
Policy UpdatesNew
Hatch Act 2026: Social Media, AI Tools, and the Midterms
OSC just filed its first Hatch Act case involving a government AI account. What federal employees can and cannot do online before the November 3 midterms.
RetirementNew
OPM Billed a Retiree $102,239 for Its Own 22-Year Error
A new MSPB precedent changes the math on an OPM overpayment demand: the waiver that erased a $102,239 clawback, plus the attorney fees OPM had to pay.
CareerNew
PACT Act 4 Years In: What's Actually Been Added in 2026?
Viral posts claim 47 new PACT Act conditions and automatic re-reviews. What the primary sources confirm, and the Intent to File move that protects back pay.
Policy UpdatesNew
Got a RIF Notice? Your 60-Day Action Guide (2026 Rules)
A day-by-day protocol for federal employees who received a RIF notice: register inspection, score checks, TCC deadlines, and the new OPM appeal clock.
CareerNew
TRICARE Open Season 2027: Should You Switch Plans?
TRICARE Open Season runs Nov 9 to Dec 8, 2026. Prime vs Select costs, the FEHB suspend-vs-cancel trap, and the 5-year-rule retirement bridge strategy.
Policy UpdatesNew
Federal Workforce Bills Tracker: What's Moving in Congress
Live tracker of federal employee bills in Congress: the FY2027 NDAA, paid leave, RECOVER PII Act, concurrent receipt, and the CR fight.
BenefitsNew
FEHB Open Season 2027: The New 100% Family Verification Rule
OPM now requires agencies to verify every family member added during FEHB Open Season 2027. The documents you need and the deadlines that matter.
CareerNew
NTEU Dues Direct Deadline: What Happens After September 5
NTEU members at agencies that lost payroll dues deduction must enroll in Dues Direct by September 5, 2026 or lose membership. Who's affected and what you keep.
Policy UpdatesNew
RECOVER PII Act: Lifetime Coverage for OPM Breach Victims
S. 5217 and H.R. 10034 would make OPM breach identity protection lifetime instead of expiring September 30. What the RECOVER PII Act covers and its real odds.
RetirementNew
USPS Pension Halt: What It Means for Your FERS Retirement
USPS stopped paying $2.5B into FERS while the OPM backlog sits at 24,784 claims. What postal and federal retirees need to know, with 11 months of OPM data.
FedShot AI
Need a professional headshot? AI-generated in 60 seconds.
What we cover
The topics that matter most to federal employees.Policy Updates
Pay raises, OPM guidance, RIFs, and the legislation that reshapes federal employment.
Retirement Planning
FERS guides, High-3 strategy, the supplement, survivor benefits, and real retirement case studies.
TSP Strategies
Data-backed allocation, contribution timing, and withdrawal news for every investing style.
Get updates in your inbox
Federal pay news, retirement tips, and benefits updates — free, and no more than weekly.