The Federal Brief
The week's federal pay, benefits, and workforce coverage — issue of Sep 27 – Sep 30 — plus what federal employees are reading and running. A new issue lands each Friday.
This Week's Coverage (21 articles)
- Policy Updates · Sep 30 · 14 min readArmy Hiring Freeze Lifted: Your Rehire Rights, Deadline by Deadline
A memo obtained by Federal News Network lifts the Army civilian hiring freeze to a 96% ceiling. What still gates every hire, and the RPL deadline RIF'd employees already met.
- Policy Updates · Sep 30 · 15 min readDMDC and FBI Data Breaches: What's Confirmed, Plus a 72-Hour Checklist
Two separate 2026 breaches, DMDC and the FBI jobs portal, and no government notice posted yet. What is confirmed, what is only reported, and six actions for the next 72 hours.
- Pay & Leave · Sep 30 · 13 min read'Liberal Leave' Is Not a Day Off: The Friday After Thanksgiving 2026
The Friday after Thanksgiving is not a federal holiday, 'liberal leave' is not an OPM status, and a free Friday needs a signed order. What each status obligates you to do.
- Military · Sep 30 · 17 min readMilitary Spouse Employment Rights When You PCS: A 5-Right Self-Check
Maryland's October 1 license law, the federal license port, unlimited noncompetitive appointments through 2028, the remote-work route, DoD preference. Which right is yours.
- Pay & Leave · Sep 30 · 14 min readBaby Before Your 12-Month Mark? Federal Paid Parental Leave, Explained
Giving birth before 12 months of federal service postpones paid parental leave, it does not forfeit it. What fills the gap when advanced leave is frozen, and what LWOP costs.
- Military · Sep 30 · 13 min readDoes a VA 100% P&T Rating Waive the TSP 10% Early Withdrawal Penalty?
A Reddit thread says a VA 100% P&T rating waives the 10% penalty on TSP withdrawals before 59½. The IRS test is different. What qualifies, and the routes that do work.
+ 15 more from this issue in the Newsroom →
Since this issue closed: 16 new articles → (they join next Friday's issue)
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What Readers Opened This Week
Ranked by Google Search clicks, 14 days through Oct 2.
- FEHB 2027 Premiums Confirmed: Enrollee Share Up 10.9% (Tracker)Benefits · 14 min read
- USPS Early Out 2026: September Rumors vs. What's ConfirmedPolicy Updates · 12 min read
- Will There Be a VERA/VSIP in 2027? Agency-by-Agency TrackerRetirement · 14 min read
- Federal Pay Period Calendar 2026-2027: Every Date That MattersPay & Compensation · 9 min read
- Average TSP Balance by Age 2026: Milestones & Am I On Track?TSP · 17 min read
Top Guides This Month
Most-clicked from Google Search, 28 days through Oct 2.
- FEHB 2027 Premiums Confirmed: Enrollee Share Up 10.9% (Tracker)Benefits · 14 min read
- USPS Early Out 2026: September Rumors vs. What's ConfirmedPolicy Updates · 12 min read
- Will There Be a VERA/VSIP in 2027? Agency-by-Agency TrackerRetirement · 14 min read
- Federal Pay Period Calendar 2026-2027: Every Date That MattersPay & Compensation · 9 min read
- Average TSP Balance by Age 2026: Milestones & Am I On Track?TSP · 17 min read
Top Military Reads
Most-read guides for service members, veterans, and military families.
- Will There Be a VERA/VSIP in 2027? Agency-by-Agency TrackerRetirement · 14 min read
- VERA & VSIP Guide 2026: Take the Buyout?Retirement · 20 min read
- Navy Civilian Reduction 2026: 10/15/20% GuidePolicy Updates · 17 min read
- 2027 VA Disability Rates: Projected Pay by RatingMilitary · 8 min read
- Does 'Not a Declared War' Cost Families Death Benefits?Military · 11 min read
Most-Used Calculators
Where federal employees ran their numbers, 28 days through Oct 2.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Military Pay Calculator →
Estimate regular military compensation with base pay, BAH, BAS, tax advantages, and annualized cash-flow assumptions.
- 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.
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