Deep freeze: The top stories of 2011

From the killing of Osama bin Laden to the Arab spring to the tragic tsunami in Japan, 2011 was a monumental year in several respects. But for federal employees, the year's news was dominated by brinksmanship on Capitol Hill over federal spending and ongoing efforts to address the government's long-term budget crisis at least in part by freezing workers' salaries and potentially cutting benefits.

It's no surprise that pocketbook issues were at the top of employees' minds, but a look at the top 20 most-viewed stories on GovExec.com this year shows just how closely readers were following developments in the ongoing fiscal nightmare:

1. Pay is no guarantee for furloughed employees
   (Feb. 21)
2. Senator proposes cuts to federal annuity benefits
   (March 18)
3. Lawmakers propose five-year pay freeze, federal job cuts
   (Jan. 20)
4. No back pay for furloughed feds predicted
   (April 6)
5. Lawmaker pushes extension of pay freeze, workforce cuts
   (July 19)
6. GOP lawmakers seek to freeze bonuses, step increases
   (Feb. 16)
7. Federal retiree benefits could face cuts in deficit talks
   (July 1)
8. GOP budget resolution calls for pay freeze through 2015
   (April 5)
9. Shutdown's impact on pay and benefits: a primer
   (April 6)
10. OPM's Berry grilled by lawmakers on pay freeze
    (March 9)
11. Lawmakers push extended pay freeze, increased pension contributions
    (Oct. 14)
12. Federal pay and benefits spared -- for now
    (July 26)
13. Senators seek three-year pay freeze extension, workforce cuts
    (Aug. 4)
14. House passes budget resolution with pay, benefits cuts
    (April 15)
15. Wisdom of two-week furlough proposal is subject to debate
    (Jan. 21)
16. Government to unveil COLAs on Oct. 19
    (Oct. 3)
17. House bill would extend pay freeze
    (Dec. 9)
18. Army sets stage to slash 8,700 civilian jobs
    (Aug. 5)
19. Presidential hopeful would freeze federal salaries, reduce retirement benefits
    (May 25)
20. Where the cuts would have come: agency-by-agency furlough counts
    (April 8)