News for the federal workforce, updated daily.

2027 Military Retiree COLA: One-Third Locked at 3.1%

July CPI-W is in: the 2027 military retired pay COLA is tracking 3.1-3.5%. The formula, your December 1 effective date, and the first-year proration trap for 2026 retirees.

VA Union Contract: What the Third Court Ruling Protects

A federal judge blocked VA's third attempt to end the AFGE contract. What's still protected for 300,000 VA employees, and what happens next.

Most FERS Employees Retire Too Late: The $246,816 Math

Half of FERS employees are still working 5 years after eligibility. The math on retiring at 58 vs 62: a $246,816 head start that waiting almost never beats.

GAO: FEMA Lost 4,300 Staff in a Year, With No Workforce Plan

GAO-26-108427: FEMA separations jumped 55% in FY2025, SES departures quadrupled, and cuts happened without analysis. What it means for FEMA employees.

GI Bill Years: The Cheapest Roth Conversion Window

GI Bill income is tax-free, so your bracket hits near zero in school. Converting Traditional TSP then can cost 3.56% instead of 22%, saving one E-5 $13,830.

Is the TSP a 401(k)? What's the Same, What's Different

The TSP is not legally a 401(k), but it shares the $24,500 limit, matching, and rollover rules. The full comparison: G Fund, fees, and spousal rules.

Performance Ratings: What Your Union Can No Longer Negotiate

OPM's July 24 guidance puts forced distribution, Level 2 ratings, and grievances over ratings outside bargaining. What's still negotiable and what to do now.

Veteran Job Discrimination: Your USERRA 4311 Rights

You never have to disclose your VA rating, and USERRA's motivating-factor standard is stronger than most bias laws. Your 38 U.S.C. 4311 rights, explained.

USPS Four Scenarios: What Each Path Means for Your Job

The USPS OIG modeled four financial futures, from $20B a year in funding to 4-day delivery. What each scenario means for your FERS, TSP, PSHB, and career.

FEHB Plan Discontinued? What OPM Does If You Don't Act

8 FEHB plan options discontinued for 2026; non-responders auto-enrolled in GEHA High. The crosswalk rule, the NALC confusion, your Open Season checklist.

GS Pay vs Inflation Since 2020: 3.9% Lost, 6.7% Coming

GS pay vs inflation since 2020: raises compound to +21.2% against +26.1% CPI-U, a 3.9% real pay cut growing toward 6.7% through the proposed 2027 freeze.

Advanced Leave Clawback: What Feds Owe Back When They Leave

Leave federal service with a negative leave balance and the debt comes out of your final paycheck and leave payout. The rules, the three exceptions, and the math.

FERS Redeposit: Buying Back Refunded Service in 2026

Refunded FERS years count toward retirement eligibility but add $0 to your annuity until you redeposit. The cost, the 4.25% interest, the SF-3108 process, the math.

GEHA Elevate Vanished From PSHB. Did Your Plan Change Without You?

Postal workers who did nothing last Open Season were auto-moved to BCBS Blue Focus when GEHA Elevate left PSHB. How to check what plan you're actually in, and what to do November 9.

OPM's New Document Request Service: Get Your eOPF by Email

OPM launched an online service August 4 that lets former federal employees download their full eOPF, including SF-50s. Who qualifies, how it works, what it's for.

SSDI and FERS Disability: The Application You Can't Skip

FERS disability retirement requires an SSDI application, and withdrawing it kills your annuity. The offset math, the $8,640 year-two gap, and the Medicare path.

TSA Privatization: Your Pay Is Protected. Your FERS Isn't.

The Gold+ screening contracts guarantee TSOs a job offer and base pay, not federal benefits. What a 15-year officer actually loses: about $28,000 a year in retirement.

TSP Fund Returns July 2026: S Fund Falls 4.12%, I Fund Leads

The S Fund dropped 4.12% in July 2026 and only the G Fund gained. Full TSP returns, the new YTD leader, and the behavioral trap after June's record.

Army's 54-Day Firing Rule: No PIP, 7 Days to Respond

Army Directive 2026-18 lets supervisors remove civilians in about 54 days with no PIP. What the 7-day response window means and the rights you still have.

EEOC Froze Federal Class Actions: Your Case Isn't Dead

AFGE says an unpublished EEOC directive paused every federal-sector class EEO case. The 180-day rule that lets you go to court anyway, explained.

You Can No Longer Sue Over a RIF: What Changes September 2

OPM's final rule ends MSPB and federal court review of RIF layoffs on September 2. Where appeals go now, which remedies survive, and what to do first.

Two Feds, One Household: The FEHB Math Couples Get Wrong

For dual-federal couples, two Self Only plans beat Self Plus One by up to $1,344/year in 2026. The four legal setups, the kids rule, and the retirement move.

Did You Lose Your FERS Supplement? Rumors vs. Confirmed

Reddit says the FERS supplement was eliminated. The signed law says otherwise. Every rumor checked against the actual bill text, plus who really gets it.

GI Bill Housing Allowance Reset August 1: Your New 2026 Rate

The GI Bill MHA reset to 2026 BAH rates on August 1. What changed, the online-only rate, rate protection if your ZIP dropped, and why your first check is short.