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446 articles · page 6 of 19Policy Updates
8,218 Left, 106 Hired: The Federal Jobs Not Coming Back
OPM data shows management analysts replaced at 1%, IT at 2%. See which federal occupations aren't being backfilled and what it means for your severance.
Pay & Compensation
Federal Uniform Allowance Jumps $800 to $1,500: Who Gets It
OPM raised the federal uniform allowance cap to $1,500 on July 13, 2026, the first increase since 2007. See who qualifies and what to check at your agency.
Retirement
The Federal Widow's Tax Trap: Less Income, $7,953 More Tax
When a federal retiree dies, the surviving spouse's income drops but their tax bill jumps. The FedTools model shows +$7,953 a year. Here's the math and the fixes.
Retirement
Why Your FERS Application Is Stuck: A View From the Trenches
OPM's backlog fell 48% while processing time rose to 108 days. The nine things that actually stall FERS applications, from the people who process them.
Policy Updates
FEVS Is Being Dismantled: How to Comment Before August 3
OPM's proposed rule decentralizes the FEVS and cuts core questions from 16 to 10. What federal employees lose, and how to submit a comment by August 3, 2026.
Career
How to File for SBP Survivor Benefits: Free, Step by Step
Filing for the military Survivor Benefit Plan costs nothing. The DFAS process, DD Form 2656-7, timelines, and the $6,000 scam targeting surviving spouses.
Policy Updates
Reclassified to Schedule P/C: What Changes Day 1 (and What Doesn't)
8,000 feds are now Schedule Policy/Career. The day-one guide: which protections are gone, which benefits survive untouched, and the first-week checklist.
Retirement
6(c) Retirees: The FERS Supplement Earnings Test Exemption
LEO, firefighter, ATC, and CBPO retirees are exempt from the FERS supplement earnings test until MRA. What the exemption is worth and when it ends.
Policy Updates
Federal Workforce Lawsuit Tracker 2026: 8 Cases to Watch
Every active court case deciding federal employees' job protections, in one continuously updated table: status, next date, and what each means for you.
Benefits
The FEHB 5-Year Rule: 4 Myths, Debunked With OPM Sources
You don't need the same FEHB plan for 5 years. Spouse coverage counts, TRICARE counts, and breaks in service get skipped. The real rule, with citations.
Policy Updates
FLRA Union Election Rule Struck Down: What It Means for You
A federal judge vacated the FLRA rule that gave political appointees control of union elections. What Regional Directors do, and what happens to pending petitions.
Career
$1,608/Year Apart: House vs Senate 2027 Military Pay Raise
Trump's August 26 letter set 7%/6%/5% tiers matching the House NDAA; the Senate's flat 3.6% is now the outlier. The per-rank dollar gap, updated August 30.
Retirement
$616/Month: Social Security's 2032 Cut for FERS Retirees
The 2026 Trustees Report moved OASI depletion to late 2032, with a 22% automatic cut. What that does to a GS-11 or GS-12 FERS retirement income, modeled.
Career
$645 a Month: TRICARE Retired Reserve's Real 2026 Cost
TRR runs $645.90 single or $1,548.30 family per month in 2026, full cost, no subsidy. Who qualifies, the FEHB trap that blocks feds, and the age-60 payoff.
Retirement
Catch-62: The Military Buyback Trap That Cuts CSRS Pensions
Catch-62 permanently cuts CSRS pensions at age 62 if the military deposit went unpaid. Who it hits, the $440/month surprise, and how to check your status.
Pay & Compensation
GL and GG Pay Scales 2026: LEO and Intel Pay Explained
The GL scale pays law enforcement up to 23.3% above GS, and GG mirrors GS with intel supplements up to 90%. 2026 tables, the 3.8% raise, and LEAP math.
Career
Leaving the Military? The Money Blindside Nobody Briefs You On
TRICARE ends, BAH stops, and an $80K civilian offer can be a $30K pay cut. The 2026 healthcare options, deadlines, and salary math for separating troops.
Policy Updates
Official Time: The $207M Federal Union Benefit Under Threat
OPM says taxpayer-funded official time hit $207.5M in FY2024, up 54% since 2019. What official time is, who uses it, and what feds lose if it ends.
Retirement
OPM Interim Payments: What Retirees Get While They Wait
OPM pays 60-80% of your annuity while processing your retirement, with no FEHB deducted and no FERS supplement. The worked math and the catch-up surprise.
Policy Updates
The 8-Year RIF Penalty Hidden in OPM's New Rating Rule
OPM's final performance rule caps top ratings and kills rating grievances. A forced 3 instead of a 5 costs you 8 years of RIF retention standing. The math.
Policy Updates
USDA 'RIF in Disguise': The 9 Rights Employees Are Losing
Unions sued July 2 arguing USDA's reorganization is a RIF in disguise. See the 9 protections employees lose, the Sept. 30 deadline, and your options.
Policy Updates
VA Reorganization 2026: 30,000 Gone, 18 Regions Become 5
VA's RISE reorganization collapses 18 VISNs into 5 while the top health job sits vacant. What VA employees should know about VERA, job risk, and the EHR.
Policy Updates
Unions Sue DoD Over Canceled Bargaining Contracts
AFGE and NFFE filed suit July 3 to void Hegseth's memo terminating DoD union contracts. What the APA lawsuit and the FY2027 NDAA mean for DoD civilians.
Policy Updates
BOP Closing 6 Prisons: RIF Risk and Your 6c Options
BOP is closing six facilities over staffing. ~500 employees affected, Big Spring and La Tuna face RIFs. What 6c correctional officers should do about it.
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