Pay & Benefits

Life Insurance Options

Participants in the government’s program now have more opportunities to alter their coverage.

News

Tough Grades on Transparency

Oversight

Warning: Feds beware of political activity

Office of Special Counsel recently fired one federal employee and suspended another for illegal fundraising.

Oversight

Cemetery employees will receive job training

Career development program for workers is the first formal training of its kind for Arlington National Cemetery staff.

Oversight

Earmark reformers expect more allies in new Congress

Many candidates -- looking to capitalize on voter discontent on spending and deficit issues -- have ramped up talk against directing funding to pet projects.

Oversight

A gulf between words and actions opens in aftermath of oil spill

Congress and environmental groups have turned their attention elsewhere lately.

Pay & Benefits

OPM tackles retirement claims processing again

Agency plans to boost staff and streamline procedures to reduce backlog, officials say.

News

From Nextgov: Americans give low marks to Obama transparency effort at agencies

But White House itself gets higher score than several U.S. industries.

Oversight

USDA settles Native American lawsuit

The $760 million agreement will help “turn a page” on the department’s “tragic” civil-rights past, Agriculture chief says.

Management

The Wait Is Over

SBA kicks off new women’s contracting program after a decade of controversy, but challenges remain.

News

Armed services accept gay recruits -- with a caveat

High-level Defense Department directive was sent to recruiting officials Friday, but recruits must be informed that moratorium could be reversed at any time.

Oversight

SBA lifts suspension of technology contractor

Agreement will allow GTSI to continue most of its government work during an ongoing probe of whether it violated small business set-aside rules.

Defense

From Nextgov: Army seeks to formalize mobile apps development

Service looks to industry for help creating process to secure smart phone applications used in war.

Defense

Hayden: Obama still 'holds key' on spy notifications

New law won't fundamentally change how legislators are briefed on covert activities, former CIA chief says.

Oversight

SEC stretched thin by new rules

Agency will meet its deadlines under financial regulatory reform law, but faces resource constraints, leader says.

Oversight

Retired feds could see one-time Social Security bonus

Legislation provides $250 payment in lieu of 2011 cost-of-living adjustment.

Oversight

OPM and unions tussle over employee appeal rights

The Merit Systems Protection Board should use a broad threshold to evaluate appeals of employees removed from their positions, say unions.