Pay & Benefits
DHS to again stop paying employees in May if shutdown continues
Republicans took a new step on Tuesday to end the 67-day standoff, but there is still no immediate end in sight.
OPM proposes hazard pay for more federal firefighting activities
Under recently unveiled regulations, federal wildland firefighters would be eligible for a 25% increase in pay when they work on prescribed burns, a proactive tool to mitigate the risk of wildfires.
Senators demand OPM withdraw plan to access feds’ medical records
More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers warned that a little-scrutinized proposal to collect claims-level data related to the Federal Employees Health Benefits and Postal Service Health Benefits programs could violate federal law and doctor-client confidentiality.
When retirement calculations don’t move on the same timeline
Retroactive pay changes and delayed annuity adjustments underscore how federal retirement processing often depends on timing, coordination, and most importantly, patience.
VA's failure to use its new authority to boost pay for doctors draws bipartisan criticism
Department officials, including those in the Trump administration, have long complained that legal pay caps are hurting retention and veteran care.
How to ensure your federal retirement benefit is correct
OPM processed more than 33,000 retirement claims in early 2026. Learn how your FERS benefit is calculated and how to verify your creditable service.
OPM to FEHB carriers: Cut costs, MAHA style
In the federal HR agency’s annual letter to insurers, officials called for the end to cash incentives for childhood vaccine adoption and urged insurers to require therapy before prescribing GLP-1 drugs to combat obesity.
DHS employees to begin receiving paychecks this week
The Homeland Security Department is still shut down but Trump has ordered immediate back pay anyway.
OPM leans into 'well care' as it reshapes federal health plans for 2027
OPM’s annual guidance to federal health plans outlines a shift toward preventive, whole-person care in 2027, along with changes to coverage, obesity treatment and gender-affirming care.
Updated
Trump’s budget calls for 2027 pay freeze
Though the president’s fiscal 2027 budget proposal calls for a 7% pay raise for military service members, it fails to mention civilian federal employee compensation.
Trump says he’ll pay all DHS workers after House again fails to end 48-day shutdown
The House was expected to pass the Senate’s measure funding most of the Homeland Security Department through September on Thursday morning, but didn’t take action.
Traveling soon? What federal health plans actually cover
Peak travel season is here, but most federal workers don't know what happens if they need care abroad. From upfront costs to medical evacuations, here is what your FEHB plan does and doesn't cover when you are out of the country.
Most TSP funds tumbled in March
The federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program was not immune to the economic headwinds brought on by President Trump’s war with Iran.
TSA workers receive back pay after 4-week delay as DHS shutdown continues
The Homeland Security Department has been shuttered for 45 days as Congress remains at an impasse, making it the longest government shutdown in history.
The Social Security clock is ticking faster than expected
The Social Security problem isn’t new, but the timeline just got shorter, and the fixes are still the same.
How federal retirement benefits have changed over the years
From FERS to TSP to recent legislation, decades of policy shifts have reshaped how federal employees earn, save for and receive retirement benefits.
Women in federal service still face retirement gaps
Lifetime earnings, career interruptions and caregiving responsibilities continue to shape retirement outcomes for women in federal service.
The No. 1 thing to know entering retirement: How much are you really spending?
Many new retirees may overestimate how far their savings will go towards their budget. Having an idea of your cost of living can make them go further.
Travel industry rallies support for TSA staff working without pay amid concern of delays during shutdown
The screeners and more than 100,000 additional DHS staff are on the verge of missing their first full paychecks.
A year after the Social Security Fairness Act, some retirees are still waiting for full benefits
The repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset should have restored benefits for everyone. For some retirees, the checks are still coming late or not at all.
