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.
Latest articles
575 articles · page 20 of 24Policy Updates
USAID Contractors Can Sue Over DOGE Terminations: What It Means
A federal judge ruled USAID contractors can proceed with their DOGE termination lawsuit. Bad faith claims survived. Here's what it means for federal contracting.
Retirement
USPS Suspended $2.5B in Pension Payments. Is Your Retirement Safe?
USPS stopped paying into FERS pensions. Your paycheck deductions and TSP match continue. Here's exactly what changed and what didn't.
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.
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.
Data Report
State of the Federal Workforce 2026: Smallest Since 1966
The federal workforce is now the smallest since 1966. The full data report: exact headcount by month, RIF vs voluntary split, DRP cost, pay gap, and morale, 50+ sourced stats.
Policy Updates
FEPCA: The Law That Should Force Your Pay Raise
FEPCA requires an automatic GS raise tied to private-sector wages. Every president since 1994 has bypassed it with a single letter. Here's what that costs you.
Retirement
FERS 5-Year Vesting: Refund vs Deferred Retirement
Leaving federal service after 5 years? The FERS pension math is worse than Reddit thinks. See why your hire year changes everything about the refund decision.
Policy Updates
The DRP's $4.5 Billion Estimate Was Low: GAO Now Says $6.7 Billion
April's $4.5 billion DRP estimate has been overtaken by GAO payroll data putting DRP administrative leave at $6.7 billion in salary alone. All three estimates, reconciled.
Career
Federal Employee Relocation Guide: PCS Moves 2026
What federal employees need to know about PCS moves: what the government covers, service agreements, WTA/RITA taxes, and what happens if you decline.
Career
Federal Probation Period 2026: Your Rights and What to Expect
The federal probationary period in 2026: how long it lasts, your rights, what the DOGE firings revealed about their limits, and how to protect your career.
Benefits
Federal Employee Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) 2026 Guide
How the federal SLRP works: eligibility, agency caps ($10K/year, $60K lifetime), service obligation, tax treatment, and how SLRP stacks with PSLF. 2026 guide.
Policy Updates
Federal Workforce at 60-Year Low: What the Numbers Mean
Federal workforce at its smallest since the 1960s. Full data on headcount, agency cuts, DRP costs, and what shrinking government means for public services.
Pay & Compensation
How to Read Your Federal Pay Stub (2026 Guide): Every Line
Decode every line of your federal Earnings and Leave Statement: what the FEHB, TSP, FEGLI, and FERS deductions mean, why gross does not equal net, and how to spot errors.
Policy Updates
IRS Workforce Cuts: 4,000 More Jobs in FY2027
The IRS wants to cut nearly 4,000 more positions in FY2027. Here's which divisions are affected, what it means for tax season, and what IRS employees should do now.
Policy Updates
MSPB Expands Awards for Disability Discrimination Wins
MSPB ruled that federal employees who win disability discrimination cases can now recover tax gross-up payments when back pay pushes them into a higher bracket.
Policy Updates
USDA Budget Cuts 2026: What $5B Means for Feds
FY2027 budget proposes cutting USDA by $4.9 billion, reducing Forest Service, NRCS, rural development, and Food for Peace. What USDA employees need to know.
Benefits
FEHB 2027: What OPM's Call Letter Means for You
OPM's 2027 FEHB call letter mandates GLP-1 drug coverage, ends gender-affirming care, and expands fertility support. What changes before Open Season.
Retirement
Last Paycheck to First Retirement Check: Surviving the Gap
OPM's 65K backlog means your first full annuity could take 6-9 months. Here's exactly how to cover the cash flow gap as a federal retiree.
Pay & Compensation
OPM 1099-R Crisis: Get Your Form Before April 15
OPM stopped mailing paper 1099-Rs automatically. Get your federal annuity tax form online before April 15, or file for an extension.
Policy Updates
OPM Wants Your Medical Records: What Feds Need to Know
OPM is demanding monthly medical claims data on 8M+ federal employees from 65 FEHB insurers. Why privacy advocates are alarmed, and what you can do now.
Policy Updates
TSA Privatization Push: What It Means for TSA Employees
Trump's FY2027 budget proposes cutting 8,400 TSA jobs and expanding private screening. Here's what privatization means for your FERS, FEHB, and TSP benefits.
Policy Updates
CFPB Workforce Cuts 2026: 2/3 Staff Reduction Explained
The White House wants to cut CFPB staff by two-thirds, from 1,750 to 556. Here's what that means for employees, your options, and where transfers may be possible.
Pay & Compensation
2026 Tax Deadlines for Federal Retirees: Complete Timeline
Every tax deadline federal retirees need in 2026: April 15 filing, OPM and TSP 1099-R dates, estimated payments, RMDs, and IRA contributions in one checklist.
Benefits
FEHB Travel Coverage 2026: What Your Plan Covers Abroad
Does your FEHB plan cover you outside the U.S.? Which plans cover care abroad, how to file foreign claims, and when you need supplemental travel insurance.
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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