OPM
$25,000 bonuses for top-performing feds? OPM makes it easier for agencies to award them
The HR agency also recently capped the percentage of civil servants who can earn the top two performance ratings in fiscal 2026.
Following court order, OPM replaces 'favorite EO' question for jobseekers
The Office of Personnel Management’s latest essay question for federal job applicants asks less about their personal politics and more about their ability to follow instructions.
Your federal benefits changed this year. Here’s what to know
A guide to the retirement, insurance, Social Security and TSP changes affecting federal employees, retirees and survivors in 2026, plus what to watch for in 2027.
Updated
OPM uses conservative influencers on college tour to recruit young workers
On Thursday, the government HR agency chief is visiting an unaccredited college founded by right-wing figures.
Navigating the Pay.gov maze for federal retirement deposits
Don't let missing service credits or opaque OPM billing notices shrink your monthly annuity. Here is what you need to know before clicking submit.
Lawmakers again raise alarm over OPM’s health records collection plan
The Office of Personnel Management’s plan to collect claims-level health information about federal workers and their family members and store it for 30 years could open feds up to a potential security breach, Senate Democrats said.
Agencies spent nearly $10 billion for feds not to work in 2025
The use of paid administrative leave as part of the Trump administration’s deferred resignation program, an effort to entice federal workers to quit, across government in 2025 was 435% higher than two years prior, according to a new GAO report.
More ‘Big Balls’-type young feds are what the OPM chief wants
In an interview on Monday, Scott Kupor also discussed implementing skills-based hiring, which had been a priority of the Biden administration as well.
Judge halts ‘favorite EO’ question on federal job applications
U.S. District Judge George O’Toole issued a stay blocking federal agencies from asking an essay question civil service advocates call a “loyalty question,” but found he could not prevent consideration of answers already provided by job applicants.
Bill would let federal whistleblowers sue if disciplined over violating NDAs
New legislation from Virginia Democrats seeks to beef up federal whistleblower protections as the Trump administration weighs drastically expanding agencies’ use of non-disclosure agreements.
Reliable rules for your retirement recordkeeping
Pro-tip: Don’t let messy files stall your federal exit.
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OPM taps new healthcare and insurance chief ahead of Open Season
Matthew Kiley will take over as the division prepares for Open Season following a round of workforce cuts.
OPM memo pushes agencies to speed up hiring with AI
The federal human resources agency is exploring new AI tools for USA JOBS, USA Staffing and other USA hiring tools as agencies use AI in their hiring processes, according to the memo.
Agencies have a new question to answer about employee misconduct
COMMENTARY | New rules could give agencies another way to act on misconduct uncovered through continuous vetting. The challenge will be making sure they’re ready to use it.
Want to retire at the end of 2026? Start planning now
OPM is still working through a sizable retirement backlog, and year-end retirees have plenty to sort out before they leave federal service.
Pushed out by the Trump administration, these ex-feds want to make agency firings simpler and fairer
Across 12 cases that were analyzed for a new report on federal firing reform, it took an average 19 months for the underperforming employee to be removed or otherwise leave the position.
Unions: OPM’s suitability and performance management overhauls assert ‘plenary’ authority over federal firing
A coalition of labor groups sued the Trump administration Monday, arguing recent moves to centralize authority within the Office of Personnel Management and insert subjective criteria into employee evaluations amount to an end-run around the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act.
Updated
OPM wants to woo young workers. Can internet memes overcome Trump’s cuts to the civil service?
An agency spokeswoman said that a four-person communications team — most younger than 30 — is spearheading the effort to make OPM’s social media more appealing to younger potential hires.
Getting a simple FOIA request from OPM shouldn’t be this hard
COMMENTARY | A frequent FOIA requester found himself navigating dead inboxes, broken portals and months-long waits after cuts gutted the Office of Personnel Management’s public records operation.
OPM finalizes expanded hazard pay for federal firefighters
Under regulations set to take effect next month, federal wildland firefighters will be eligible for 25% hazard pay in connection with work on prescribed burns.
