Management
Actually, Switching Fonts Won't Save the Government That Much Money
Design blogger pokes holes in 14-year-old's savings plan.
Pay & Benefits
Congressional Pensions Are Still More Generous Than Federal Employees’ Benefits
Retired lawmakers in 2012 received on average between $27,000 and $33,000 more in annuities than federal workers.
Management
Obama’s Regulatory Chief: Businesses Will Always Criticize Us
Shelanski assures progressive groups OIRA doesn't dictate agency policy.
Nextgov
Obamacare Sees Social Media Surge Ahead of #Deadline
HealthCare.gov struggles to meet demand Monday.
Management
Are You a Dictator?
Maybe it’s time to stop solving your team's problems and start helping employees solve their own.
Nextgov
Don't Tase Me CBP
The agency is shopping for stun guns, after guidelines stress limiting deadly force on trespassers.
Management
The Biggest Productivity Killer Is That There’s an App for That … and That … and That, too
So many apps, so little time.
Defense
Senate Report: Torture Didn't Help Capture Osama bin Laden
The link between interrogation programs and the capture of bin Laden has been a frequent argument for defenders of the CIA's torture program.
Management
Safety Agency Decided Not to Investigate Faulty Ignition Switches That Killed 13 People
Lawmakers are holding a hearing Tuesday on the GM recall.
Defense
How to Turn a Dolphin, Sea Lion, or Whale Into a Sea Creature Commando
The Navy Marine Mammal Program has used these animals to help detect sea mines.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Why Social Media Loves Obamacare
Saturday Night Live gives us a window into the White House social media team.
Nextgov
State Taps Atlantic Media CTO to Manage Digital Diplomacy Program
The Obama team's former technology architect led the group that created the We the People petition site.
Employee Policy
Federal Coach: How to compete with the private sector for young workers
Employees younger than 30 represent just 8.5 percent of all federal workers, compared with 23.2 percent of the total U.S. workforce. That's a sign that government agencies should being doing a better job of attracting top talent from colleges and universities to increase generational diversity and create a solid foundation for the future.
Financial Planning
Informed Investor: Gain from sale of residence may be non-reportable and non-taxable
During 2013, residential real estate sales increased significantly across the country. For individuals who sold their principal residences at a gain, there is good news. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 121 allows qualifying individuals to exclude from income and taxes as much as $500,000 resulting from the sale of their principal residence. This week’s column discusses the prerequisites to use IRC Section 121.
Benefits
Tricare walk-in customer service ends
Tricare issued a reminder to beneficiaries that walk-in service at its customer service centers will cease April 1.
Employee Policy
AFGE repeats call for new TSA law enforcement unit
The head of the union that represents Transportation Security Administration airport screeners continued to call for creation of a new TSA law enforcement unit in testimony last week before a House panel.
Employee Policy
Applications open for Air Force civilian training
Air Force appropriated fund civilian employees can begin applying for intermediate and senior developmental educational opportunities, the Air Force Personnel Center announced.
Retirement
Federal Benefits Q&A
Question: "I am a TransFERS employee. My wife is older than I am, and will be fully eligible for Social Security benefits (no government service). If she decides to "file and suspend," and then I file for half of her benefit, would that benefit be affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision? Or will the WEP only affect my benefit when I begin to take it?"
Benefits