Pay & Benefits
Updated
How federal employees can protect a spouse in retirement
To better understand their potential benefits and financial risks in retirement, both spouses should be aware of some benefits planning realities.
Could this be true?
An influx of federal retirees due to the Deferred Resignation Program and other separation programs has led to a litany of new questions on how to receive retirement benefits.
Defense Department set to issue new civilian employee awards by end of the month
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in December directed department components to designate awards of up to $25,000 in an effort to “retain, reward, and recognize” the top 15% of civilian employees in each agency.
Lawmakers propose 35% pay raise for federal prison workers
Bipartisan legislation would establish a special pay rate for employees at the U.S. Bureau of Prisons until the agency reduces its reliance on mandatory overtime and augmentation of support staff’s duties.
How federal retirement benefits are calculated and where estimates go wrong
High-three pay, length of service and overlooked reductions can significantly change retirement payouts.
Signals of a slowdown: What federal employees should do with their TSP right now
If the U.S. is headed for a recession, federal employees need not panic about their investments, but instead strategically assess what their financial goals are.
Congressional appropriators won’t codify Trump’s ban on gender-affirming care for feds after all
Compromise minibus appropriations legislation unveiled Sunday removes a provision that would have affirmed the Trump administration’s removal of gender-affirming care from federal workers’ health insurance in statute.
OPM inspector general flags top management challenges for fiscal 2026
The latest report highlights staffing reductions, rising retirement claims and ongoing customer service and improper payment concerns.
OPM finalizes 3.8% raise for federal law enforcement
The additional 2.8% pay increase set aside for law enforcement personnel takes the form of a special pay rate.
FEHB and Medicare Part B: Do FEHB plans reduce coverage if you don't sign up for Medicare?
Making decisions on whether to enroll in Medicare for many federal retirees could depend on how it interacts with existing health insurance coverage.
Domestic TSP funds falter to close out 2025
Most portfolios within the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program were flat last month.
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Feds will have Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 off
Federal employees will now have a five-day weekend, beginning on Christmas Eve.
Trump finalizes 1% pay raise for most feds
The president also tasked OPM Director Scott Kupor with analyzing whether to provide federal law enforcement officers with a 3.8% pay increase, in line with what military service members are set to receive next month.
DHS opens up new $60K bonuses for Border Patrol agents, other officers
The Trump administration is boosting incentives as it seeks to meet lofty hiring goals.
Retiring soon? Key decisions every federal employee must make
From survivor benefits and health coverage to leave payouts and TSP choices, federal employees nearing retirement face deadlines that can permanently shape their finances.
OPM finalizes rule simplifying recruitment and relocation incentive waivers
The final regulation allows the federal government’s HR agency to delegate its authority to offer recruitment and relocation incentive payments to other agencies.
OPM’s retirement application pile remains large as the year draws to a close
New retirees awaiting full benefits may face holiday heartache as the backlog swelled to nearly 50,000 by the end of November.
More Border Patrol supervisors could become eligible for overtime pay
Under the Border Patrol Supervisors Retention Act, managers and senior agents up to GS-15 could receive a 50% overtime payment currently limited to GS-12s.
Just days remain to lock in 2026 health and benefit choices
Open Season closes Dec. 8. Review FEHB and PSHB plans, savings opportunities, HDHP and FSA options and enrollment rules before the deadline.
TSP funds mostly flat in November
Though only one of the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program’s portfolios lost value last month, none exceeded 1% in returns.
