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.
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446 articles · page 5 of 19TSP
457(b) vs TSP: What Government Workers Miss in 2026
TSP and 457(b) limits are separate: $49,000 combined in 2026 if you hold both. Plus the 457(b) early-withdrawal advantage and the rollover trap that destroys it.
Career
Deployed? Your CZTE Months Are a Roth Conversion Window
BRS match lands in Traditional TSP even with 100% Roth. A combat-zone deployment is the cheapest Roth conversion window — if you understand what CZTE covers.
Career
Federal Hiring Says No Photos. Here's Where They Matter
USAJOBS prohibits resume photos and you can't pick your PIV photo. The three places a headshot actually counts in a federal career, with the rules cited.
Retirement
OPM's 6(c) Injury Rule: Keep Your $14,000/Year Enhanced Pension
OPM rule implements the First Responder Fair RETIRE Act: injured LEOs and firefighters keep 6(c) retirement after transferring. Deadline: Sept 21, 2026.
Career
VA Rating Cuts in H.R. 9237: 8 Rumors vs. What the Bill Says
H.R. 9237 would change VA sleep apnea and tinnitus ratings for FUTURE claims only. Existing ratings are protected by the bill text. 8 rumors, checked against the actual bill.
Career
LinkedIn for Federal Employees: What the Rules Allow in 2026
OGE guidance says feds can list agency and title on LinkedIn. The Hatch Act lines, the security clearance question, and the disclaimer that keeps you safe.
Career
Uniform Photo on LinkedIn? What DoD Policy Actually Says
DoDI 1334.01 and 5400.17 don't ban uniform profile photos, but the job-search gray zone is real. The rules, terminal-leave time crunch, and when to switch.
Career
Military Service Credit in State Pensions: 6 Systems Compared
State pensions let veterans buy military time at very different prices. TRS Texas, CalPERS, FRS, TRS Georgia, NYSLRS, and OPERS vs the FERS buyback, compared.
Policy Updates
OPM's 4-to-1 Hiring Rule: How Agencies Get Out From Under It
One hire per four departures, current fiscal year only. The proposed rule (comments Aug 3), the exempt positions, and the agency staffing-plan escape valve.
Career
Accommodation Approved, Then Revoked? You Have 45 Days to Act
Federal agencies are rescinding approved reasonable accommodations in 2026. What law requires before they can, the 45-day EEO clock, and the complaint path.
Career
76% of Feds Say RTO Hurt Productivity. Here's What You Can Do
A 7,463-person FNN survey found 76% of federal employees are less productive after RTO. Six legal action lanes: accommodation, AWS, grievances, MSPB, VERA, leave.
Career
Getting SBP Bills With No Spouse? The Trap and How to Cancel
Single and medically retired veterans keep getting surprise SBP premium bills. The insurable-interest trap, admin defaults, and the exact cancellation paths.
Career
Your BRS Match Never Goes to Roth TSP. Here's the Fix
Elect 100% Roth TSP and DoD's 5% match still lands in Traditional, by law. The mixed-balance surprise, the January 2026 conversion fix, and the deployment trick.
Policy Updates
RIF'd and Your Old Job Is Reposted? Your CTAP/ICTAP Rights
State is rehiring for RIF'd positions while priority rights go unhonored. How CTAP and ICTAP actually work, the 85-score rule, the 25 exceptions, and your remedies.
Pay & Compensation
OPM's New FEHB Rules: What They Mean for Your 2027 Plan
OPM's first FEHB carrier principles update in a decade puts cost containment first. What each of the 10 principles means for your 2027 premiums and Open Season.
Career
Guard/Reserve vs. 20 Active Years: The $1M Pension Gap
Leave active duty at 10 years or push to 20? The 2026 math on reserve pensions, FERS buyback, and the $1 million timing gap most service members miss.
Pay & Compensation
Your OPF Decides Your RIF Standing. Check These 12 Things
Your eOPF sets your RIF retention order, retirement date, and leave accrual. The 12-item review checklist, the four SCDs explained, and a free PDF.
Policy Updates
OPM's 30-Day PIP Rule: Removal Becomes the Default
OPM's July 2026 proposed rule caps PIPs at 30 days and makes removal the default outcome. Who's covered, what survives, and how to comment by August 3.
Policy Updates
Accommodation Request Stuck for Months? The Delay Itself May Be Illegal
EEOC case law treats unreasonable delay as a Rehabilitation Act violation. The 20-day standard, the 45-day counselor rule, and what to do about both.
Pay & Compensation
Shutdown Prep Checklist: 15 Money Moves Before October 1
The 2026 shutdown financial prep checklist: NFCU and USAA 0% loan terms, the TSP match you lose forever, the unemployment repayment trap, and a free PDF.
Career
Space Force Part-Time Guardians: Pay, TSP, and the TRICARE Gap
The first 18 part-time Guardians joined July 17. How nonsustained duty pay, retirement points, and BRS matching work, and the TRICARE question nobody has answered.
Data Report
OPM Retirement Backlog 2026: The Complete Data Report
Every month of the OPM retirement backlog, Oct 2025-Jul 2026: the 65,237 peak, the fall to 24,784, processing times up 53%, and when the backlog actually clears.
Retirement
The Traditional TSP Triple Tax Cliff: RMDs, IRMAA, Widowhood
A $1.2M Traditional TSP triggers three tax cliffs in retirement: RMD bracket stacking, IRMAA surcharges, and the widow's penalty. The 2026 numbers and the fix.
Retirement
6(c) TSP Math: The $718,800 Gap for Federal Firefighters
Federal LEOs, firefighters, and ATCs retire at 47-57 but draw for 40+ years. The 6(c) TSP model: 5% vs 15% contributions is a $718,800 difference.
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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
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Data-backed allocation, contribution timing, and withdrawal news for every investing style.
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