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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575 articles · page 9 of 24Benefits
GEHA Elevate Vanished From PSHB. Did Your Plan Change Without You?
Postal workers who did nothing last Open Season were auto-moved to BCBS Blue Focus when GEHA Elevate left PSHB. How to check, and what to do Nov 9.
Career
OPM's New Document Request Service: Get Your eOPF by Email
OPM launched an online service August 4 that lets former federal employees download their full eOPF, including SF-50s. Who qualifies, how it works, what it's for.
Retirement
SSDI and FERS Disability: The Application You Can't Skip
FERS disability retirement requires an SSDI application, and withdrawing it kills your annuity. The offset math, the $8,640 year-two gap, and the Medicare path.
Retirement
TSA Privatization: Your Pay Is Protected. Your FERS Isn't.
The Gold+ screening contracts guarantee TSOs a job offer and base pay, not federal benefits. What a 15-year officer actually loses: about $28,000 a year in retirement.
TSP
TSP Fund Returns July 2026: S Fund Falls 4.12%, I Fund Leads
The S Fund dropped 4.12% in July 2026 and only the G Fund gained. Full TSP returns, the new YTD leader, and the behavioral trap after June's record.
Policy Updates
Army's 54-Day Firing Rule: No PIP, 7 Days to Respond
Army Directive 2026-18 lets supervisors remove civilians in about 54 days with no PIP. What the 7-day response window means and the rights you still have.
Policy Updates
EEOC Froze Federal Class Actions: Your Case Isn't Dead
AFGE says an unpublished EEOC directive paused every federal-sector class EEO case. The 180-day rule that lets you go to court anyway, explained.
Policy Updates
You Can No Longer Sue Over a RIF: What Changes September 2
OPM's final rule ends MSPB and federal court review of RIF layoffs on September 2. Where appeals go now, which remedies survive, and what to do first.
Benefits
Two Feds, One Household: The FEHB Math Couples Get Wrong
For dual-federal couples, two Self Only plans beat Self Plus One by up to $1,344/year in 2026. The four legal setups, the kids rule, and the retirement move.
Retirement
Did You Lose Your FERS Supplement? Rumors vs. Confirmed
Reddit says the FERS supplement was eliminated. The signed law says otherwise. Every rumor checked against the actual bill text, plus who really gets it.
Career
GI Bill Housing Allowance Reset August 1: Your New 2026 Rate
GI Bill MHA payment schedule for 2026: when each month's housing allowance is paid, the September–December dates, the $1,198 online rate, proration, and rate protection.
Policy 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. In effect since 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 11 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.
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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