News And Analysis

Back-Office Blueprints

OMB’s plan to consolidate IT infrastructure gets little fanfare in fiscal 2008 budget.

Pay & Benefits

Raising Expectations

Can federal employees trust top officials' promises that they won't be denied salary increases in performance-based pay systems?

Tech

HUD leads way in massive IT consolidation effort

Most of the department’s computer system infrastructure has been outsourced; costs have fallen 20 percent.

Management

Panelists suggest focus on job performance first, pay later

Compensation may not be the strongest motivation for doing good work, observers say.

Pay & Benefits

Part-Time Rules, Part Two

The second of a two-part series looks at the details of factoring part-time service into federal retirement benefits calculations.

Pay & Benefits

Executive Extras

Which agencies are the most generous when it comes to executive bonuses?

Management

Labor leaders seek permanent job competition limits

Union officials urge House panel to renew restrictions on competition from private firms for federal work, and make pitch for higher pay raise.

Management

Lawmakers weigh intervention in Defense personnel reforms

Congressional action may be needed to help unions and agency officials stop battling over the changes, panel members say.

Defense

Senate defeats bid to strike TSA union rights provision

The White House has threatened a veto if lawmakers continue to support the language, which is contained within a massive security bill.

Defense

Key senator schedules showdown on TSA bargaining language

One compromise option would let screeners unionize, but give the agency the authority to take actions deemed necessary in emergencies.

Pay & Benefits

Late-month market dip sends TSP funds down

Least risky funds lead the pack for February earnings, but still trail more aggressive options for longer-term growth.

Pay & Benefits

Part-Time Rules, Part One

The first in a two-part series on the ramifications of easing into retirement by cutting back on your work hours.

Pay & Benefits

Budgeting Benefits

Analysts suggest deficit reduction tactics that would make a dent in federal employees’ benefits.

Pay & Benefits

DHS scales back pay for performance ambitions

Under new broader human resources plan, employees only will be moved off the General Schedule to a performance-based system if a pilot project next year succeeds.

Defense

Fight over collective bargaining threatens to derail security bill

Administration officials say a veto is in store if lawmakers allow airport screeners to negotiate the terms of their employment.

Defense

House leader to seek boost in health premium subsidy

Steny Hoyer, D-Md., again backs measure that would raise the share of premiums covered by the government from 72 percent to 80 percent.

Pay & Benefits

Lawmakers renew push to grant employees law officer benefits

Measure reintroduced in the House has failed in the last few sessions of Congress, but may have a shot under new leadership.

Pay & Benefits

OPM seeks to leverage success of dental, vision program

Enrollments far exceeded expectations, with more than 400,000 signing up for dental benefits and 300,000 for vision.

Pay & Benefits

Best and Worst Rewards: Share Your Stories

Tell us about memorable rewards you’ve given or received in tight budget times, and learn from your colleagues.

Pay & Benefits

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

A look at the factors you should weigh in deciding the best time to retire.