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446 articles · page 4 of 19Policy Updates
You Won at MSPB but the Agency Won't Comply: What Now
The petition for enforcement process, your back pay and TSP restoration rights, and where discrimination claims go after the 2026 MSPB 6 decision.
Policy Updates
Paid FMLA for Feds: What S.5168 Would Give You, By Grade
The new Senate bill would pay all 12 FMLA weeks, not just parental leave. What 12 unpaid weeks costs at your GS grade, and your four options right now.
Policy Updates
RTO Can't Cancel Your Disability Accommodation: DOJ Ruling
A federal court ordered DOJ to restore telework for two disabled attorneys. Your Rehabilitation Act rights under blanket RTO orders, and the 45-day clock.
Policy Updates
OPM Finalizes Three RIF Rules: What Changes September 2
OPM signed three final rules July 31 that change how federal layoffs work and eliminate RIF appeals to MSPB and federal courts. Effective September 2, 2026.
Policy Updates
NIH RIF August 12: 8 Hard Deadlines You Can't Miss
NIH RIF separation date is August 12, 2026. MSPB appeal by Sept 11, FEHB election by Oct 11, severance from $46K to $162K. Every deadline in one checklist.
Policy Updates
State Department RIF: Fix Your Record by August 19
The State Department RIF record dispute deadline is 5 PM ET August 19, 2026. Email RIFQs@state.gov: the exact steps, documents, and errors worth disputing.
Career
BRS TSP Match: Why BAH Doesn't Count and Front-Loading Burns You
The BRS match rides on basic pay only, never BAH or BAS, and stops cold if you max the TSP early. The exact dollar cost for an O-4 and E-6, plus the fix.
Retirement
The FERS Supplement 'Entitled To' Trap: VERA and DRP Limbo
The Reddit warning to retire before enactment is outdated: the 2025 elimination died. But the entitled-to mechanics behind it are real, and they still matter.
Policy Updates
OPM Cuts Career SES Slots: What Career Executives Must Know
Career SES is down 28% and political appointees now exceed the 10% cap. Your rights if your position is redesignated, plus the GS-15 fallback pay math.
Policy Updates
OPM's FEHB Data Rule Is in Effect: What You Can Actually Do
The SORN went live July 23, but the monthly claims collection isn't approved yet. What's actually changed, what hasn't, and the three rights you can use now.
Policy Updates
Prevent Government Shutdowns Act: What It Means for Feds
The Lankford-Hassan bill would end furloughs with automatic 14-day CRs. What changes for your pay, TSP, and FEHB, and what the December 4 cliff means now.
Retirement
SSA Field Office Cuts: What FERS Retirees Must Do Now
SSA lost staff in 42 states and wants 50% fewer office visits. What that means for your Social Security claim when the FERS supplement ends at 62.
TSP
TSP Front-Loading Costs You the Match: The Table by Grade
Max your TSP by June and the 4% match stops for the rest of 2026. We computed the exact dollar loss for GS-7 through GS-15, plus the $942 fix.
Career
Deploying While Federal: Your FEHB, FEGLI, and FERS Clock
Every benefit runs on its own clock when a Guard or Reserve fed deploys. The FEHB two-track premium rule, the FEGLI month-12 election, and the FERS deposit.
Career
Tax-Free BAH Quietly Shrinks Your Social Security Check
BAH and BAS never touch your Social Security record. Over a 20-year E-7 career that's ~$618K in invisible earnings and ~$479/month less at 67. The math.
Career
Can You Be Fired for That Post? A Fed's Speech Self-Check
EPA fired employees its own ethics office cleared. Check your situation against 9 real scenarios: what speech is protected, what isn't, and where to fight back.
Retirement
After the FERS Supplement Ends: Claim SS at 62, 67, or 70?
The supplement dies at 62. Claiming then locks in a 30% cut; waiting to 70 adds 24% but costs $240K of TSP bridge. The break-even math for FERS retirees.
Retirement
Skipping the FERS Survivor Benefit: The $440,000 Mistake
Three worked case studies: what the 10% survivor election really buys, the FEHB trap that fires even when you elect, and the 8-to-1 math of declining.
Policy Updates
House NDAA Passes 216-212: What DOD Civilians Won and Lost
H.R. 8800 passed July 22 with termination bans for DoDEA, childcare, and DHA workers, and a collective bargaining fix the Senate already rejected. The stakes.
Career
How an O-3 Making $142K Pays Under 3% Federal Tax
Military pay gives officers a Roth window civilians can't match: 2.9% effective tax stateside, 0.2% with combat months, and $39,500 of annual Roth room.
Career
8,000 Uniformed Retirees' Pensions Can Stop in a Shutdown
NOAA Corps and USPHS retirees missed a pension check in the 2025 shutdown. H.R. 8732 just passed the House to fix it. Which of the 8 services are protected.
Policy Updates
OPM Suitability Rule Hits July 30: 3 Things to Fix First
OPM's suitability rule takes effect July 30, 2026. Late taxes, unreturned equipment, and NDA gaps become removal triggers. The 4-day fix-it checklist.
Policy Updates
IRS and SSA Suspend Advanced Leave: Legal? Your 4 Options
IRS and SSA both suspended advanced sick and annual leave in July 2026, and unions are grieving it. What's actually illegal and the 4 paths still open.
Policy Updates
USACE's NYC Move: 45% Say They'll Quit. Your 3 Options
USACE is moving 465 NYC employees to New Jersey by August 15. Relocate, decline, or wait? The severance, DSR, and reasonable-offer rules that decide it.
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The topics that matter most to federal employees.Policy Updates
Pay raises, OPM guidance, RIFs, and the legislation that reshapes federal employment.
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