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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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575 articles · page 6 of 24TSP
MRA+30 at 57: Sequence of Returns Risk in the TSP, Computed
Sequence of returns risk, computed: the same $600,000 TSP at MRA+30 lands between $362,335 and $695,605 at 66 depending only on which five years came first.
TSP
TSP Pro-Rata Withdrawals Break the Bucket Strategy: The Fix
The TSP pro rata withdrawal rule takes every distribution from all your funds. What you can choose, the interfund-transfer fix, and what a bad year costs.
Benefits
Use-or-Lose Leave 2026: The November 28 Deadline Feds Miss
Use-or-lose annual leave must be scheduled in writing by November 28, 2026 to be restorable. The pay-period math, the 240-hour cap, and what forfeited hours cost.
Career
DOL Leaked 3,150 Employees' Accommodation Data: Your Rights
A DOL employee emailed 3,150 coworkers' disability-accommodation records to a personal account. What leaked, your Privacy Act and EEO remedies, the 45-day clock
Career
EEOC Comment Deadline Sept 28: What's in the EEO Rewrite
EEOC proposed rule comment deadline: September 28, 2026. The Part 1614 rewrite ends counseling, AJ hearings, and class complaints. Every change, how to comment.
Pay & Compensation
FY2027 Per Diem Rates: $113 Lodging, $68 M&IE
FY2027 per diem rates (effective Oct 1): standard CONUS lodging rises from $110 to $113, M&IE stays $68. See what changed and look up your city.
Pay & Compensation
Who Gets the 3.8% LEO Raise? Your 1811 Series Isn't Enough
Who qualifies for the 3.8% law enforcement raise in 2027? In 2026 OPM named agencies, not job series, and no OIG 1811s made the list. Precedent, math, date.
Retirement
2027 Pay Freeze and Your High-3: What 3 Frozen Years Cost
One frozen year trims a GS-13's High-3 by $1,636; three cost $10,020, or $3,006 a year in pension for life. Computed tables, what counts as basic pay, the.
Retirement
Peace Corps Service Counts Toward FERS: The $333 Deposit
Peace Corps and VISTA time counts toward FERS eligibility and annuity only if you pay a 3% deposit. A standard 27-month tour costs about $333 and pays back in two months.
TSP
TSP Fund Returns August 2026: All 16 Green, I Fund Leads
TSP fund returns August 2026: all 16 funds gained. I Fund +3.32%, C +2.72%, S +2.27%. Every fund ranked, $100K-on-Jan-1 values, six L Funds beating the C Fund.
Career
VEOA Ruling: Veteran Feds Can Now Compete for Promotions
VEOA rights for current federal employees: the Federal Circuit overruled Kerner, so a veteran already in government can compete for jobs open to outsiders.
Policy Updates
OPM Civil Service Rules Change: Scheduled for October 13
OPM's direct final rule amending the Civil Service Rules is scheduled to take effect October 13, 2026. Comments closed September 14, no withdrawal published. What changes.
Policy Updates
DRP Report Card: 20,557 Backfills, Hired 1.4 Grades Lower
GAO puts DRP leave salary at $6.7B; Public Citizen estimates up to $15B with benefits. Agencies refilled 20,557 jobs at lower grades. The dollar math on what backfills save.
Pay & Compensation
Federal Pay Period Calendar 2026-2027: Every Date That Matters
All 26 pay periods for the 2026 and 2027 leave years, payday rules by payroll provider, use-or-lose deadlines, and the 26-vs-27 pay period answer.
Retirement
How Much Cash You Need Before Retiring Under FERS
OPM interim payments run 60-80% of your annuity and exclude the FERS Supplement entirely. Here are the dollar targets for your pre-retirement cash buffer.
Career
How to File a Federal EEO Complaint Before the Rules Change
Every step and deadline of the federal EEO complaint process in force today, plus exactly what EEOC's proposed rewrite would strip, from the NPRM text.
Policy Updates
Law Enforcement Pay Raise 2027: Who Gets 3.8%, Who Doesn't
The 2027 law enforcement pay raise gives covered officers 3.8% while GS pay freezes. Grade-by-grade GL dollars, how OPM named agencies, not grades, and who was left out.
Policy Updates
Critical Position Pay: OPM's New Rule Opens Up to $253,100
OPM's August 26 final rule makes critical position pay easier to get: up to $253,100 as basic pay that counts for FERS and TSP, 800 slots, no appeal rights.
Policy Updates
EEOC Votes on Rewriting the Federal EEO Process: Tracker
The EEOC voted August 26 on a proposed rewrite of the federal EEO complaint process. What's confirmed, what's only reported, and what still protects you today.
TSP
TSP L Fund Trap: Still Working When Your Fund Retires?
When your TSP L Fund hits its target date, your balance and contributions move to L Income automatically. Here's what that costs a still-working fed.
Policy Updates
OPM Claimed the Right to Fire You and Judge Its Own Firing
Four major federal unions sued OPM on Aug 25 to block its Sept 2 suitability and performance rules. No TRO yet. Sept 2 still stands. Here's what to do.
Career
2027 VA Disability Rates: Projected 3.6% Increase by Rating
Projected 2027 VA disability rates at the set 3.6% COLA: rating-by-rating tables with and without a spouse, the annual act the tables assume, and CRDP/CRSC impact.
Policy Updates
VSIP After Taxes: What a $25,000 Buyout Actually Pays
A $25,000 VSIP nets $15,000 to $17,588 after withholding, depending on your state. Full computed tables, the 22% withholding trap, and the gross repayment rule.
Career
CRDP vs CRSC: Who Still Loses Retired Pay in 2026
Chapter 61 retirees outside CRDP still trade retired pay dollar-for-dollar against VA compensation. The eligibility table, the Star Act's 79 cosponsors, and the GS crossover.
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
FERS guides, High-3 strategy, the supplement, survivor benefits, and real retirement case studies.
TSP Strategies
Data-backed allocation, contribution timing, and withdrawal news for every investing style.
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