Employee Policy

Group: Don't target contractors

A trade group that represents professional and technical services industries that serve the federal government warned against vilifying contractors amid recent allegations that one firm took shortcuts in conducting thousands of federal security clearances

Retirement

Informed Investor: Understanding TSP contribution limits: Part II

This second of two columns discussing Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contribution limits examines what happens if an employee contributes to more than one defined contribution plan during the year. Those employees whose total contributions to multiple plans during 2013 exceeded the annual contribution limits need to take action before March 15, 2014.

Employee Policy

Congress OKs suspension of debt limit

Congress last week passed legislation to suspend the federal debt limit for slightly more than one year.

Pay

Congress votes to repeal military COLA cut

Congress voted last week to repeal a recently passed reduction in retirement pay for military retirees under the age of 62.

Pay

Law enforcement group slams DHS overtime move

This week, FEND interviews Jon Adler, national president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. Recently, FLEOA has criticized the Department of Homeland Security for its recently announced decision to end administratively uncontrollable overtime, better known as AUO, for certain employees.

Employee Policy

USPS reports losses; postal reform bill advances

The U.S. Postal Service this month reported some improvements in its overall financial picture in the first quarter of its 2014 fiscal year, but the agency said it nonetheless finished the quarter with a net loss of $354 million.

Retirement

Federal Benefits Q&A

Question: "Are Roth TSP contribution limits different than Roth IRA limits? Can I contribute all $17,500 into the Roth? Also, when I retire can I then transfer the Roth portion to a Roth IRA? Finally, can I start a Roth IRA at that time, or do I need a prior IRA to transfer it to?

Retirement

Thrift Savings Plan Share Prices

Shareprices as of Feb. 12, 2014.

Oversight

Is Hillary Clinton Really a 100 Percent Lock to Run?

Entering a presidential race is effectively a nine-year commitment: one year to run, another eight if she runs for reelection and wins.

Management

Consumer Bureau Comes Under Fresh Attack

House Republicans and some in banking industry persist with legal and legislative challenges.

Nextgov

Should You Edit Your Agency's Wikipedia Page? Probably Not

But the online encyclopedia would love your help on other articles.

Defense

USAID Withdraws Request for 'Attractive' Images of Work in Afghanistan

Agency says the idea was to provide Afghans a view of the help Americans are providing, but the effort is being reevaluated.

Management

Where Will Government’s Next Leaders Come From?

Despite the challenges of public service, it's a golden opportunity to create value.

Pay & Benefits

Army Soldiers Go for Gold in Sochi

Intensive training program prepares soldiers for Olympics.

Management

No Sequester Cuts Are Needed in 2014, OMB Says

Enacted appropriations fall within spending limits for the fiscal year.

Nextgov

Obama's New Cybersecurity Guidelines Lack a Workforce Plan

The root cause of many breaches is a shortage of qualified IT professionals.

Nextgov

Hackers Target Veterans’ Site

The real goal may be to steal military intelligence, researchers speculate.

Management

What Top Executives Can Learn From Career Setbacks in Major League Baseball

Even star performers are prone to making mistakes.

Defense

Analysis: Behold the Selective Outrage Over National-Security Leaks

Whistleblowers are hounded for exposing classified information, but national-security insiders are allowed to do so with impunity.

Nextgov

Hackers Mesmerize Investors, Bug Diplomats and Push Nepal’s President Offline

Just another week in ThreatWatch, our regularly updated index of noteworthy data breaches.