Retirement

Fed retirees to receive highest COLA in decades—but some will get less than others

CSRS enrollees will see an 8.7% increase in their defined benefit pension payments in 2023, while those in FERS will get only 7.7%.

Employee Policy

OPM watchdog seeks background search tool, to help investigations

OPM's Inspector General asked industry to offer insights about a potential online search and retrieval service to help with its investigations.

Workforce

The Postmaster General Tells USPS Employees to Keep Upcoming Workforce Changes ‘in Perspective’

DeJoy says it is a "fool's errand" to try to predict all the changes postal workers will face in the coming years.

Defense

The Army Can Predict When Some Leaders Are at Risk of Misconduct

And they’re using targeted counseling to intervene before those high-risk periods begin.

Management

Coronavirus Roundup: The Biden Administration Renews the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 

There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.

Retirement

Big COLA boost for retirees

High inflation at least means a boost in federal retirement benefits, though in fact the increase just barely keeps pace with retail prices.

Tech

More Than Half of People are Frustrated by Digital Government Services, Survey Finds

The report found that 46% of respondents would be more likely to use digital technology to access government services if the technology was easier to use.

Employee Policy

Senate’s Defense Authorization Act omits most workforce provisions—for now

Many workforce-related policies that are included in the House-passed version of the annual defense policy bill are not included in the Senate’s latest draft of the bill. But most could still be added, as amendments, next month.

Oversight

Trump to Be Subpoenaed by Jan. 6 Panel as the ‘Central Cause’ of Capitol Insurrection

Cheney: Committee will consider criminal referrals for ‘multiple individuals,’ recommend legislative proposals to guard against similar attack in the future

Tech

GovExec Daily: Making Automated Customer Service More Empathetic

Deloitte's Marc Mancher's joins the podcast to discuss improving government customer service under budget restraints.

Employee Policy

Women feds: Mentoring program seeks applicants

Those aiming higher should check out this opportunity.

Workforce

The Senate’s Defense Authorization Act Omits Most Workforce Provisions, For Now

Although many workforce-related policies included in the House-passed version of the annual defense policy bill are not included in the Senate’s latest draft of the bill, most could be added as amendments next month.

Oversight

OPM Watchdog Seeks a Background Search Tool to Help Investigations

The Office of Personnel Management’s Inspector General asked industry to offer insights about a potential online search and retrieval service to help with its investigations.

Employee Policy

There’s a new Made in America Office director

The office, created by President Biden shortly after taking office, is housed within the Office of Management and Budget.

Pay & Benefits

Big COLA Boost for Retirees

High inflation at least means a boost in federal retirement benefits.

Management

Federal Agencies Are Working to Implement the Infrastructure Package on Time and on Budget

The Biden administration has hired more than 2,500 employees to date to support the law’s implementation, with more to come.

Nextgov

GSA’s Tech Shops Face $30M Deficit After Priority Change Last Year

The Technology Transformation Services dropped its long-standing cost-recovery goal last year in favor of better program delivery.