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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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558 articles · page 2 of 24CareerNew
CHAMPVA vs FEHB Family Coverage: The $7,598 Question for 2027
Rated 100% P&T and working for the government? See what moving your family to CHAMPVA saves on 2027 FEHB premiums, and the survivor rule to check first.
Policy UpdatesNew
Foreign Service Grievance Board: Who Has the Final Say Now?
A Justice Department opinion says the Secretary of State, not the Foreign Service Grievance Board, gets the last word. Your deadlines and court rights did not change.
Pay & CompensationNew
GSA Pay Calendar 2026-2027: All 53 Pay Dates
GSA pay calendar 2026 and 2027: every pay period with begin, end, deposit and official pay dates, the 27th payday on December 31, 2026, and who GSA actually pays.
Policy UpdatesNew
Shipyard RIF Protection After September 30: Your Rights Now
Section 1101 bars fiscal 2026 Defense funds for a RIF or hiring freeze at a public shipyard. What it covers, what it does not, and what is unsettled for 2027.
TSPNew
2027 TSP Limit: $25,000 or $25,500? It Turns on 0.04%
The 2027 TSP contribution limit is projected at $25,500, with $25,000 the fallback. See the inflation reading that decides it and what to elect per paycheck.
CareerNew
Second VA Loan in 2026: The $832,750 Math Behind Your Down Payment
Keeping your first VA home? See how remaining entitlement works in 2026, the zero-down ceiling by first-loan size, and the 5% funding fee tier to check.
Pay & CompensationNew
0% Raise, $1,020 More for Blue Cross: The 2027 Pay Cut by Grade
Under the 2027 GS pay-freeze plan, a Blue Cross Standard family premium rises $1,020 a year: 2.21% of pay at GS-5, 1.01% at GS-12. Final rates pending.
Policy 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 Ruling: Oct. 13 Order Halts Moves in 8 Components
Oct. 13, 2026: a judge stayed USDA office closures and relocations in eight components, no end date. What it covers, when it could end, and the severance and pension math.
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 Updates
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 Updates
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 & Compensation
'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.
Career
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 & Compensation
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.
Career
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.
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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