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575 articles · page 16 of 24Pay & Compensation
Federal Locality Pay 2026: Where It Goes Furthest
San Francisco has the highest federal locality rate. But after cost of living, Houston pays more. The 2026 real-value ranking of federal locality pay.
Retirement
Leaving Federal Service Before 3 Years? 4 Permanent Costs
Quitting a federal job before 3 years forfeits your TSP 1% match, lifetime reinstatement rights, and more. The 4 consequences and a pre-departure checklist.
Pay & Compensation
GS-5 to GS-15: Could You Really Get There Faster?
OPM's final rule ends time-in-grade on Jan. 19, 2027. Could a GS-5 reach GS-15 faster? An illustrative career-ladder scenario: about 5.5 years and a $38,049 head start.
TSP
The $371,000 Cost of Waiting to Max Your TSP
Maxing your TSP the last 5 years before retirement barely helps. The data: steady contributions from age 35 beat a late max-out by $371,000. Here's why.
Policy Updates
Is Your Agency Next? 2026 Federal RIF Risk Ranking
We scored 28 federal agencies on 2026 RIF risk, from CRITICAL to LOW. Look up where yours ranks, what drives the risk, and what to do now.
Retirement
Can't Drive to Work? Court Says That's Not Disability Retirement
A precedential May 2026 ruling, Chafin v. OPM, says commuting problems don't qualify you for FERS disability retirement. What still does, and your options.
Benefits
FEHB GLP-1 Coverage: Why Wegovy Costs $420 or $9,840
All FEHB plans cover a GLP-1 weight-loss drug in 2026, but the same Wegovy can cost $420 or $9,840 a year depending on plan. The comparison and the Open Season move.
Benefits
8 Medicare Myths That Cost Federal Retirees Thousands
Most federal retirees believe at least one of these Medicare myths, and some cost thousands in penalties or unclaimed reimbursements. The 8 corrected, with sources.
Policy Updates
OPM's Time-in-Grade Final Rule: The 52-Week Wait Ends Jan. 19, 2027
OPM finalized the end of time-in-grade on Oct. 19, 2026. From Jan. 19, 2027, GS promotions no longer need 52 weeks in grade, but qualification standards still apply.
Pay & Compensation
Can Your Boss Legally Deny Your Federal Leave? Often No
'We're busy' is not a legal reason to deny federal leave. Six factors separate a legal denial from an illegal one, and how to get forfeited leave restored.
TSP
TSP Fund Returns May 2026: I Fund Leads 2026 at +16.56%
All five TSP funds rose in May 2026. The C Fund led the month at +5.26%, but the I Fund leads the year at +16.56%. Full returns explained.
TSP
TSP Roth Conversions and the IRMAA Window Feds Miss
Retiring between 57 and 64 opens a one-time window to convert your TSP to Roth and dodge IRMAA Medicare surcharges. How to size it, and the age-63 trap.
Pay & Compensation
What Federal Employees Make in 2026: $26K to $400K
From a $26,000 GS-1 to a $400,000 VHA physician, here's what federal employees actually make in 2026 by grade, step, and locality. Find where you fall.
Policy Updates
White House App on Your Government Phone: What's Real
The White House app is now mandatory on government phones. What it actually collects, whether it tracks your GPS, the Hatch Act risk, and how to lock it down.
Policy Updates
Margolin v. NAIJ: SCOTUS Adds 3-6 Years to Federal Employee Lawsuits
SCOTUS closed the district-court escape valve for federal constitutional claims. Every 1A and due process challenge now requires 3-6 years of MSPB exhaustion.
Policy Updates
OPM NDA Proposal 2026: What Feds Can Still Say by June 26
OPM's NDA proposal covers pre-decisional material, not just classified info. Refusing to sign triggers the suitability-rule backdoor. Deadline: June 26, 2026.
Policy Updates
OPM Skills Survey 2026: RIF Targeting Risk and 3.8% Response
OPM's Workforce Competency survey went to 550,000 feds in May 2026. Only 3.8% responded vs the 41% FEVS benchmark. Is it voluntary? Can it feed a RIF?
Retirement
Garland v. OPM: Subjective Evidence Can't Be Dismissed
Federal Circuit: OPM cannot deny FERS disability retirement for lack of objective evidence alone. What this ruling means for depression, PTSD, and long COVID.
Pay & Compensation
GS Pay System Reform 2026: 5 Pressures and What Changes
GovExec called the GS system 'disintegrating' in May 2026. The Pay Agent proposed eliminating steps. What reform means for your grade, locality, and step structure.
Pay & Compensation
OBBBA Tax Guide for Feds 2026: $6,000 Deduction and IRMAA
OBBBA gives retirees 65+ a $6,000 deduction (2025-2028), raises SALT to $40,000, and makes TCJA brackets permanent. FERS Supplement and High-3 survived.
Retirement
Part-Time FERS Pension: How $56,000 Disappears From a 30-Year Career
Going part-time in the last 5 years cuts a GS-12 FERS pension by $2,839/yr — $56,780 over 20 years. Full proration math, five scenarios, and the FEHB cost.
Pay & Compensation
Federal Pay Periods 2026: The 27-Paycheck Year and the TSP Trap
The 2026 federal pay period calendar has 27 biweekly periods — PP27 ends Dec 26, deposits Dec 31. Using 26-period TSP math costs you your agency match on that check.
Benefits
The $120K Fertility Benefit Rule: What It Means for Feds
DOL rule FR 2026-09479 creates a $120,000 fertility benefit for private employers. It doesn't change FEHB directly — what federal employees need to know.
Pay & Compensation
Your Federal W-2 Decoded: Every Box and Federal-Specific Quirk (2026)
Federal W-2 guide: why Box 1 is lower than your salary, every Box 14 code (FEHB, TSP, FERS-RT), Box 12 D vs AA, and what actually requires action on your return.
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.
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