The Federal Brief
The week's federal pay, benefits, and workforce coverage — issue of Aug 28 – Sep 2 — plus what federal employees are reading and running. A new issue lands each Friday.
This Week's Coverage (15 articles)
- Federal Employee Rights · Sep 2 · 12 min readDOL 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
- Federal Employee Rights · Sep 2 · 12 min readEEOC 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 · Sep 2 · 9 min readFY2027 Per Diem Rates Are Out: $113 Lodging, $68 M&IE
GSA posted FY2027 per diem rates on Sept 3, 2026: standard CONUS lodging rises from $110 to $113, M&IE stays $68, effective Oct 1. What to do now.
- Pay & Compensation · Sep 2 · 12 min readWho 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 · Sep 2 · 13 min read2027 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 · Sep 2 · 11 min readPeace 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.
+ 9 more from this issue in the Newsroom →
Since this issue closed: 8 new articles → (they join next Friday's issue)
Get The Federal Brief by email
Every Friday: the week's rule changes, deadlines, and what other feds are reading — one email. Sign up and the next issue lands in your inbox.
What Readers Opened This Week
Ranked by Google Search clicks, 14 days through Sep 3.
- USPS Early Out 2026: September Rumors vs. What's ConfirmedPolicy Updates · 11 min read
- Average TSP Balance by Age 2026: Milestones & Am I On Track?TSP · 16 min read
- GS Pay Scale 2027: Projected Tables and Raise TrackerPay & Compensation · 8 min read
- Federal Performance Awards 2026: Bonus Value After TaxPay & Compensation · 14 min read
- FEHB GLP-1 Coverage: Why Wegovy Costs $420 or $9,840Benefits · 9 min read
Top Guides This Month
Most-clicked from Google Search, 28 days through Sep 3.
- USPS Early Out 2026: September Rumors vs. What's ConfirmedPolicy Updates · 11 min read
- Average TSP Balance by Age 2026: Milestones & Am I On Track?TSP · 16 min read
- GS Pay Scale 2027: Projected Tables and Raise TrackerPay & Compensation · 8 min read
- Federal Performance Awards 2026: Bonus Value After TaxPay & Compensation · 14 min read
- FEHB GLP-1 Coverage: Why Wegovy Costs $420 or $9,840Benefits · 9 min read
Top Military Reads
Most-read guides for service members, veterans, and military families.
- Federal Performance Awards 2026: Bonus Value After TaxPay & Compensation · 14 min read
- VERA & VSIP Guide 2026: Take the Buyout?Retirement · 20 min read
- DoD VERA/VSIP 2026: Component-by-Component Status + Sept 30 DeadlinePolicy Updates · 13 min read
- Navy DRP 3.0 in 2026: What's Confirmed vs. Rumored for CiviliansPolicy Updates · 16 min read
- Navy Civilian Reduction 2026: 10/15/20% GuidePolicy Updates · 15 min read
Most-Used Calculators
Where federal employees ran their numbers, 28 days through Sep 3.
- GS Pay Calculator →
Calculate 2026 GS salary by grade, step, and locality. Includes all 2026 locality areas, the Executive Level IV cap ($197,200), and what-if raise scenarios.
- TSP Loan Calculator →
Estimate TSP loan payments, payoff timing, and potential opportunity cost before borrowing from your retirement account.
- FERS Retirement Calculator →
Estimate your FERS pension with the official formula: High-3 × years × 1%/1.1%. Includes survivor benefits, early-retirement penalties, and sick-leave credit.
- TSP Growth & Withdrawal Calculator →
Project your TSP balance at retirement with 2026 limits ($24,500 + catch-up). Model the 4% rule, RMDs, and fixed withdrawals. Integrates FERS + Social Security.
- GS Promotion Calculator →
Apply the GS two-step promotion rule with 2026 locality pay and the Executive Level IV cap to estimate your new grade, step, and salary.
- Federal Leave Optimizer →
Maximize time off by placing leave around 2026 federal holidays — get 9+ days off using only 3 leave days. Tracks use-or-lose hours.
That's the week — want the next one delivered?
Join the list and the Friday Brief lands in your inbox every week: deadlines, rule changes, and the week's most-read guides.
The Federal Brief is assembled from FedTools' own reporting and reader data. Browse the full archive in the Newsroom, or send us a tip.