Pay & Benefits
The Retirement Process
Answers to some common questions about the details of the formal process of retiring.
Defense
State Department urged to beef up mental health support
Foreign Service employees returning from the Middle East may decide not to seek help for emotional problems due to fear of retaliation, officials testify.
Pay & Benefits
Payband Balancing Act
Some advice for agencies on striking a balance among efficiency, equity and employee acceptance in pay for performance systems.
Pay & Benefits
TSP board rejects divestiture proposals
Board members strongly oppose legislation that would prohibit investments in companies that do business in countries supporting genocide and terror.
Pay & Benefits
OPM says telework has increased despite appearances
Change in definition accounts for falling numbers; disparities in telework by pay grade remain.
Pay & Benefits
Auditors uncover fraud in federal benefit programs
Inspector general secures the return of more than $106 million to employee health program.
Oversight
Senators urge appropriators to boost SSA administrative funds
Budget resolution calls for an additional $430 million beyond President Bush’s request, to address backlog of disability claims.
Defense
House blocks funding for DHS personnel reforms
Senate committee approves only $5 million of $15 million President Bush requested for the system in fiscal 2008.
Pay & Benefits
Retiring Women
You’re likely to live a longer and different life than your mother, and you should plan for your retirement accordingly.
Pay & Benefits
Panel approves student loan forgiveness for public servants
Bill seeks to update 1993 law that authorized income-contingent loan repayment programs.
Pay & Benefits
Survivor Savings
Employee group representative proposes allowing surviving spouses to hold on to TSP accounts.
Pay & Benefits
Definition of 'telework,' measure of benefits still lacking
Many agencies don’t have a handle on how many employees actually work away from the office, and lack ways to quantify productivity gains.
Oversight
VA official says bonuses needed to retain top executives
Lawmakers raise questions about department’s performance review boards.
Pay & Benefits
Employee groups back automatic TSP enrollment, new default fund
Officials decide to hold off on three other potential changes, including restrictions on where funds are invested.
Pay & Benefits
House appropriators approve 3.5 percent civilian pay raise
Move follows authorization of equal increase for military service members.
Defense
Homeland Security launches graduate academy
The 18-month program is free, but students must complete two years of service at their agencies upon graduation.
Oversight
Survey finds increased satisfaction with federal benefit programs
The Thrift Savings Plan, employee and retiree health benefits and retirement annuities fare the best.
Oversight
Firm outlines steps to successful workforce reforms
Agencies implementing pay for performance need to focus more on how to handle subpar workers, consultant says.
Defense
Panel votes to return inspectors to Agriculture Department
Bush administration adamantly opposes proposal to take inspectors out of Homeland Security Department.
Pay & Benefits