Federal employee news, read closely.

FSAFEDS 2026: The $7,500 Dependent Care FSA Feds Miss

Congress raised the Dependent Care FSA to $7,500, the first increase since 1986, and ~4 in 5 feds aren't enrolled in FSAFEDS at all. The math by grade.

Highest-Paid Federal Jobs 2026: Inside the $200K Club

1,540 feds out-earn the president and the top salary is $547,285. Where the $200K club actually works, and the GS-15 cap table nobody publishes.

The PSHB Medicare Part B Rule That Can End Your Coverage

USPS retirees after Jan 1, 2025 must enroll in Medicare Part B or lose PSHB permanently. The exemptions, the one-time cure window, and the real costs.

USPS Early Out 2026: September Rumors vs. What's Confirmed

No USPS VERA is announced for September 2026. We traced where the rumor comes from, what's actually confirmed, and what eligible workers should do now.

Forced Back to the Office With a Disability? Your Rights

RTO orders don't override the Rehabilitation Act. Two DOJ lawsuits show the pattern. Here's how federal reasonable accommodation works and the 45-day clock you can't miss.

3 Mid-Year Moves That Save Feds $1,593+ Before December

June is the last easy window before year-end deadlines. Three 30-minute moves (TSP pacing, a W-4 true-up, retirement-date math) can add thousands to your 2026.

Can Federal Employees Still Appeal a Firing in 2026?

Three rulings in 30 days narrowed federal appeal rights: Margolin, the Jackler 'inferior officer' MSPB ruling, and the Schedule Policy/Career order. Here's what each does.

SpaceX Is Going Public. Your TSP C Fund Won't Buy It

SpaceX's June 2026 IPO won't enter your TSP C Fund. S&P declined to fast-track it. Here's why, and what it means for your federal retirement.

TSP Dropped Email Logins: How to Avoid a Lockout

TSP no longer sends login codes by email, and security questions are gone too. If your phone situation is tricky, here's the 15-minute checklist to avoid being locked out.

Burn Pits and Civilian Feds: Left Out of the PACT Act

Civilian federal employees breathed the same burn pit smoke as troops in Iraq. Under FECA, every single claim has been denied. The benefits gap, explained.

9 Federal Benefits You're Probably Not Claiming in 2026

From a $7,500 Dependent Care FSA to free EAP counseling and FEHB Part B reimbursement, here are 9 federal benefits feds leave on the table every year.

FEHB Dependent Audit 2026: Prove Eligibility or Lose It

OPM's FEHB verification rule is live, and a 3-year audit of every currently enrolled dependent is starting. Even unchanged enrollments get checked.

FEHB + Medicare Part D 2026: Should Federal Retirees Take It?

20 FEHB plans now wrap Medicare Part D into your coverage for 2026, with a $2,000 drug cap. When it helps, when it backfires, and how to decide.

The FERS Survivor Election That Costs Your Spouse Everything

The FERS survivor benefit election is nearly irrevocable, and electing 'none' can end your spouse's FEHB for life. The decision, the trap, and the math.

Federal Locality Pay 2026: Where It Goes Furthest

San Francisco has the highest federal locality rate. But after cost of living, Houston pays more. The 2026 real-value ranking of federal locality pay.

Leaving Federal Service Before 3 Years? 4 Permanent Costs

Quitting a federal job before 3 years forfeits your TSP 1% match, lifetime reinstatement rights, and more. The 4 consequences and a pre-departure checklist.

GS-5 to GS-15: Could You Really Get There Faster?

OPM wants to scrap time-in-grade. Could a GS-5 reach GS-15 faster? The real career-ladder math: a 5.5-year floor and a $37,251 head start.

The $371,000 Cost of Waiting to Max Your TSP

Maxing your TSP the last 5 years before retirement barely helps. The data: steady contributions from age 35 beat a late max-out by $371,000. Here's why.

Is Your Agency Next? 2026 Federal RIF Risk Ranking

We scored 28 federal agencies on 2026 RIF risk, from CRITICAL to LOW. Look up where yours ranks, what drives the risk, and what to do now.

Can't Drive to Work? Court Says That's Not Disability Retirement

A precedential May 2026 ruling, Chafin v. OPM, says commuting problems don't qualify you for FERS disability retirement. What still does, and your options.

FEHB GLP-1 Coverage: Why Wegovy Costs $420 or $9,840

All FEHB plans cover a GLP-1 weight-loss drug in 2026, but the same Wegovy can cost $420 or $9,840 a year depending on plan. The comparison and the Open Season move.

8 Medicare Myths That Cost Federal Retirees Thousands

Most federal retirees believe at least one of these Medicare myths, and some cost thousands in penalties or unclaimed reimbursements. The 8 corrected, with sources.

Time-in-Grade Elimination 2026: Faster Federal Promotions

OPM proposed ending the 52-week time-in-grade rule (comment deadline July 27, 2026). What it means for your federal promotion timeline and pay.

Can Your Boss Legally Deny Your Federal Leave? Often No

'We're busy' is not a legal reason to deny your federal annual leave. The 6 factors that separate a legal denial from an illegal one, and how to get forfeited leave back.