Pay & Benefits
Shutdown or not, there are things to do
The government shutdown has raised lots of questions about the retirement process, and retirement benefits, for federal employees while agencies remain closed. Here are some of the most pressing answers.
Oversight
Senate Democrats grill inspector general nominees over their independence from Trump
Lawmakers especially criticized the nomination of former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., to lead the Labor Department’s watchdog office.
Tech
As agencies shed staff, industry execs predict AI agents' rise
Amid the White House’s ongoing push to reduce the federal workforce, “government will be the largest users of agentic technologies of any industry,” predicted one Salesforce exec.
Pay & Benefits
House Dems urge utilities to keep lights on for feds amid shutdown
With the prospect of their first full missed paycheck just days away, federal workers already are seeking outside support, whether via food banks or side jobs.
Management
Shutdown is ‘holding my veterans hostage,’ VA chief says
Some critical services are paused and many employees are not getting paid, Doug Collins says, though he will not guarantee their back pay.
Management
Inside Mission Daybreak: VA’s effort to support innovative suicide prevention
VA’s director of data and analytics innovation said the program “is looking for what is the right solution for the ways that we want to optimize care, and sometimes that's technology, and sometimes it isn't.”
Oversight
Whistleblower organizations applaud withdrawal of Trump’s ‘unfit’ nominee to lead oversight office
Media reports in recent weeks found that Paul Ingrassia, who has a history of inflammatory rhetoric, has been accused of sexual harassment and sent racist text messages.
Pay & Benefits
How part-time work affects your FERS pension
Federal employees considering a shift to part-time hours have several factors to consider when it comes to their retirement benefits.
Management
How the president expanded his power without a government
COMMENTARY | When the Trump administration decides it can spend money from any budget account on anything it wants and not spend appropriated funding, there are no limits to the president's budgetary powers.
Management
Shutdown layoffs would boost energy costs, increase overdoses and slash oversight, Democrats say
If implemented, lawmakers suggest the RIFs would have far-reaching impacts on government capacity.
Workforce
SSA is denying excepted workers’ time off and telework requests, seemingly defying shutdown guidance
Though OPM guidance states that agencies should seek to accommodate the needs of excepted workers during lapses in appropriation, employees who have fallen ill or simply can no longer afford to commute without getting paid have been labeled AWOL and threatened with discipline.
Oversight
Trump fires another inspector general, raising fears about oversight independence
The White House did not provide a rationale for the removal, as required by law. The president has fired nearly 20 watchdogs since the start of his second term.
Workforce
Stop pointing fingers and put feds back to work!
COMMENTARY | The budget impasse will continue to hurt Americans as it wears on. It's time for Congress and the White House to come to the negotiating table.
Management
Senate to vote on immediately paying feds working during shutdown as funding deal remains elusive
Democrats appear to oppose the idea, while Republicans suggest a long-term stopgap bill is possible if government does not reopen soon.
Exclusive
Management
House Democrats want answers on CISA reassignments to border security, immigration roles
A letter led by Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., argues DHS violated the Antideficiency Act when it conducted a reduction in force during the government shutdown.
Management
The shutdown isn’t hitting everyone equally. Politics and geography may help explain why
Nearly half of respondents in a recent survey said that shutdown firings of federal employees would harm their communities.
Workforce
See where Interior is planning to lay off 2,000 employees
The newly revealed details lay out only a portion of the total expected RIFs.
Pay & Benefits
What FEHB changes mean for your 2026 health coverage
Premiums are shifting, and the government contribution varies. Here’s what to know to avoid surprises and save where you can.
Workforce
Many federal employees bring 9 months of frustrations to ‘No Kings’ protest
Removals of government workers was one of a litany of issues brought up by attendees at the anti-Trump rally.
Workforce