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Pay raises, retirement planning, and benefits — expert guidance for every stage of your federal career, sourced and updated for 2026.
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552 articles · page 2 of 23Policy UpdatesNew
Is Your DRP Capped at 12 Weeks Now? What OPM's Memo Says
Did OPM cap deferred resignation leave at 12 weeks on October 1? The memo says calendar 2026, DoD says FY2027, and OPM and OMB can approve more. The documents.
BenefitsNew
Why Did the Government's Share of Your FEHB Premium Drop in 2027?
The 2027 FEHB government contribution cap rose about 8%, but some plans rose far more. See the government's share for 17 nationwide plan options, 2026 vs 2027.
BenefitsNew
FSAFEDS Open Season 2026: What to Do Before December 14
FSAFEDS Open Season runs Nov 9 to Dec 14, 2026, and it does not renew itself. The dates, the 2027 limits status, the new Visa card and what $100 really costs.
BenefitsNew
MHBP Ends 2 Plan Options for 2027: What Doing Nothing Costs You
MHBP Value Plan and Consumer Option end in FEHB after 2026. Do nothing and you land in MHBP Standard, where Self Plus One rises 105%. Costs and alternatives.
CareerNew
Retire at 26 or 29? Each Extra Military Year Adds $2,180 to $6,807
Each year past 20 adds 2.5% of your High-36 (2% under BRS). See the 2026 dollar value from 20 to 30 years for E-7, E-8, E-9, O-5 and O-6, and the break-even.
CareerNew
TSA Took the Chairs: What Screeners Can and Can't Push Back On
Press reports say TSA document-check officers will stand. Screeners can't sue under the Rehabilitation Act, but four other routes are open. The rules and the clocks.
TSPNew
TSP Fund Returns September 2026: S Fund -3.86%, Only G Fund Gained
TSP fund returns September 2026: only the G Fund gained as the 10-year Treasury hit its highest close since 2002. S Fund -3.86%, F Fund -2.59%. Full table and YTD.
Policy UpdatesNew
USDA Relocation Freeze Runs to Oct. 13: 4 Ways the Ruling Can Go
A judge extended the USDA relocation stay through October 13, 2026 for eight components. What each ruling scenario means for your deadline, severance and pension.
Policy UpdatesNew
VA VISN Map 2026: The 5 New VISNs and 18 Health Service Areas
VA went from 18 VISNs to 5 on July 15, 2026. Look up the states, directors and Health Service Areas in each new VISN, plus two state-line exceptions.
Policy UpdatesNew
Army Hiring Freeze Lifted: Your Rehire Rights, Deadline by Deadline
A memo obtained by Federal News Network lifts the Army civilian hiring freeze to a 96% ceiling. What still gates every hire, and the RPL deadline RIF'd employees already met.
Policy UpdatesNew
DMDC and FBI Data Breaches: What's Confirmed, Plus a 72-Hour Checklist
Two separate 2026 breaches, DMDC and the FBI jobs portal, and no government notice posted yet. What is confirmed, what is only reported, and six actions for the next 72 hours.
Pay & CompensationNew
'Liberal Leave' Is Not a Day Off: The Friday After Thanksgiving 2026
The Friday after Thanksgiving is not a federal holiday, 'liberal leave' is not an OPM status, and a free Friday needs a signed order. What each status obligates you to do.
CareerNew
Military Spouse Employment Rights When You PCS: A 5-Right Self-Check
Maryland's October 1 license law, the federal license port, unlimited noncompetitive appointments through 2028, the remote-work route, DoD preference. Which right is yours.
Pay & CompensationNew
Baby Before Your 12-Month Mark? Federal Paid Parental Leave, Explained
Giving birth before 12 months of federal service postpones paid parental leave, it does not forfeit it. What fills the gap when advanced leave is frozen, and what LWOP costs.
CareerNew
Does a VA 100% P&T Rating Waive the TSP 10% Early Withdrawal Penalty?
A Reddit thread says a VA 100% P&T rating waives the 10% penalty on TSP withdrawals before 59½. The IRS test is different. What qualifies, and the routes that do work.
Policy Updates
Air Force Civilian Jobs 2027: Repay Your $25,000 Buyout First
The FY2027 request raises Air Force civilian FTEs from 159,688 to 166,317. Took a 2026 buyout? Returning within five years means repaying the whole VSIP first.
Policy Updates
DHS Whistleblower Retaliation: Your Rights and the Clock
GAO found DHS OIG took about 3.5 years to close retaliation cases, and the Secretary missed the 30-day deadline in all 11 substantiated ones. The law opens a door at day 121.
Benefits
FEHB Open Season Nov 9 to Dec 14: Making Your 2027 Changes
OPM confirmed Open Season for plan year 2027 runs Nov 9 to Dec 14, 2026. Which system takes each election, what renews itself, and what you must re-elect each year.
Policy Updates
How to Read Your SF-50: The Blocks That Decide RIF Standing
Your SF-50 runs to Block 50. Seven blocks set your RIF standing, retirement system and severance, and the date most feds read as their RIF date isn't one of them.
Career
$2,485 or $3,106: What an E-7 Retires On at 20 Years in 2026
Retired pay at 20 years for E-6 through O-5 on 2026 pay tables, High-3 vs BRS side by side. At 20 years the gap is exactly one-tenth of your High-36, at every rank.
Policy Updates
Does a Minimally Successful Rating Put You on a PIP?
A Level 2 does not trigger the formal Part 432 opportunity period, but OPM's Sept 21 memo requires an improvement plan for any rating below Fully Successful and bars awards.
Career
RMC Explained: Why Basic Pay Is Only 42% of What You Earn
Regular Military Compensation is basic pay plus BAH, BAS and the federal tax advantage. In 2026 the same E-5 has an RMC of $84,442 at Fort Liberty and $117,811 in San Diego.
Policy Updates
Reinstated After a RIF? The 11 Things Your Agency Owes You
Back pay with daily interest, restored TSP match with breakage, leave, FEHB and service credit: the 11-line invoice after a rescinded RIF.
Retirement
Best Dates to Retire in 2027 (FERS and CSRS): Two Clean Dates
Every 2027 pay-period end, the two dates that line up with month-end, the December 31 vs January 8 math, and the CSRS three-day rule.
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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