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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.
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575 articles · page 17 of 24Benefits
FEHB + Medicare for Federal Retirees: 2026 Bracket Math
The FEHB plus Medicare Part B decision comes down to income bracket. FedTools 2026: 5-bracket cost comparison, the IRMAA trap, and break-even point by tier.
Pay & Compensation
How Your FERS Annuity Is Taxed in 2026: Federal Math & 1099-R Decoder
FERS annuity taxation explained: Simplified Method math, OPM CSA 1099-R box-by-box guide, 50-state pension tax table, and the 2026 update for Michigan.
Retirement
FERS COLA Penalty: $111,080 in Lost Annuity Over 25 Years
A $50,000 FERS annuity has lost $111,080 in cumulative payments vs CSRS since 2000. See the year-by-year compound table and what 2027 adds to the gap.
Retirement
FERS Disability Retirement 2026: Two-Formula Math Explained
FERS disability pays 60% of high-3 in year one, then 40%. But at 62, the math flips. Run the actual dollar calculation before you file.
Policy Updates
Navy DRP 2026: Eligibility, Pay and the Severance You Give Up
Are you eligible for the Navy DRP in 2026? Full eligibility matrix, grade-by-grade payment table, and a 5-question decision framework before you sign anything.
Pay & Compensation
Federal Performance Awards 2026: Bonus Value After Tax
OPM's Sept 21, 2026 memo: Level 3 awards capped at 3%, Level 4 at least 4%, Level 5 at least 7%, and a 40% cap on top ratings. Per-grade dollar table after tax.
Benefits
PSHB Explained: What USPS Employees and Retirees Need to Know in 2026
PSHB replaced FEHB for 1.9 million USPS workers on Jan 1, 2025. 2026 premiums, Medicare Part B mandate, plan options, and the true cost for retirees.
TSP
TSP 1099-R Tax Guide 2026: How to Report Your Withdrawals
When your TSP 1099-R arrives, how to report Traditional vs Roth withdrawals, and what the new Roth in-plan conversion rules mean for your 2026 taxes.
TSP
TSP Balance by Years of Federal Service: Median to $1M Path
TSP milestones at 5–35 years of service, plus the FRTIB balance-tier table showing what federal millionaires actually contributed. 2026 data report.
TSP
TSP vs 401(k): The $432,000 Fee Advantage Most Federal Workers Miss
The TSP costs 0.04% per year. The typical private 401(k) costs 0.52%. Over 30 years on a $500K balance, that gap compounds to $432,400 in fees you never pay.
Retirement
How to Verify Your FERS Annuity Estimate Before You Retire (And Why)
How to independently verify your FERS annuity before OPM finalizes it. Protect yourself from calculation errors that cost $50K–$200K over a 20-year retirement.
Pay & Compensation
Federal Workers Took a 2.8% Real Pay Cut in 2026: The 17-Year Math
1.0% raise + 3.8% April CPI = -2.8% real. GS-13 Step 5 DC is $16,059/yr behind inflation-adjusted 2010. Federal pay buying power down 13.6% since 2009.
Retirement
OPM Got My Annuity Wrong: Spot FERS Errors Worth $100,000+
OPM IG flagged $1.24B in improper payments over 5 years. The Annuity Error Calculator shows what each FERS mistake costs monthly. Verify before you retire.
Pay & Compensation
Federal Workers Owe $6.3 Billion in Taxes: 2026 TIGTA Agency Breakdown
TIGTA May 2026 audit: 571,000 federal employees and retirees owe $6.3 billion in unpaid taxes. Agency rankings, IRS levy authority, and Schedule F risk.
Benefits
FEHB IVF Coverage 2026: Every Plan, Every Limit
Most FEHB plans cover IVF drugs but not the procedure. Only 2 nationwide plans cover the cycle, and the gap can mean $25,000 out of pocket.
Policy Updates
Navy DRP 3.0 in 2026: What's Confirmed vs. Rumored for Civilians
Live status of the Navy DRP 3.0: what's confirmed, what's still rumor, who's eligible, what admin leave pays, and the pension gap to weigh before signing.
Career
Senate Bill Would Strip Federal Pensions for Sex Crimes (S. 4447)
S. 4447 would close the Hiss Act gap: current law forfeits pensions for treason and espionage but not sex crimes. The Stanley Weber case — $98K/yr until 2021.
Career
OPM's Forced Distribution Rule Is Final: 740K Feds Lose Top Ratings
OPM's performance appraisal final rule (FR 2026-13715) takes effect August 6, 2026. Forced distribution, no Level 2, no grievance rights. What changes and when.
Benefits
Trump Accounts: $1,000 Per Child for Feds (Born 2025-2028)
Trump Accounts give every child born 2025-2028 a $1,000 federal seed deposit. Worth claiming for fed families — but a 529 still beats it for college savings.
Pay & Compensation
2027 Federal Pay Raise Prediction: After the 0% Letter
2027 federal pay raise prediction after the Aug. 28 letter: 0% for civilians, 3.8% for law enforcement. What Congress and the December EO can still change.
Pay & Compensation
DC Locality Pay 2026: Why the DCB Rate Trails DC's Cost of Living
The 2026 DCB locality rate covers 55 counties — but DC's real cost of living outruns it. See the gap, the GS-15 pay-cap trap, and the telework locality risk.
Career
Federal Hiring 'Loyalty Question': Court Halts It, OPM Swaps It Out
A judge stayed OPM's loyalty question on Sept 11, 2026. OPM then told agencies not to consider old answers and added a revised Question 3. What applicants should do.
Policy Updates
HHS Hires 12K After Cutting 20K: The Net Math Doesn't Add Up
HHS will hire 12,000 after cutting 20,000 — but 10,109 doctoral scientists left. Accommodation backlog: 9,000. New hires align to MAHA, not public health.
Career
OPM Pay Scale 2026: Every Federal Pay Table — GS, SES, LEO, GG, FWS
One reference for every 2026 federal pay system: GS grades 1-15 by step, locality pay, SES, Executive Schedule, LEO special rates, GG, FWS, and the $197,200 pay cap.
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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