Pay & Benefits
TSP portfolios end 2023 on a high note
Each of the funds in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program finished December in the black.
Pay & Benefits
Biden signs order finalizing 5.2% pay raise for feds in 2024
The measure confirms that the federal workforce will see its largest pay increase in more than 40 years.
Pay & Benefits
End of the year retirement: Now what?
As OPM readies for its influx of new retirement applications, here are some insights on the early ins and outs of the retirement process.
Pay & Benefits
That’s a wrap? Congress kicks it without passing fed pay bill, so White House’s 5.2% pay boost on deck
COMMENTARY | The lack of appropriations legislation before the Christmas recess means that federal employees could get their largest pay raise in decades.
Pay & Benefits
MSPB finally rules on OPM apportioning the Retiree Annuity Supplement
Starting in 2016, an OPM rule change allowed the divorced spouses of federal retirees to claim a portion of their annuity supplement. Now, after having a quorum for the first time in five years, the MSPB has stepped in to address the rule.
Pay & Benefits
Expanded leave access for veteran feds makes it into defense policy bill
Under a provision of the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, federal agencies would be required to incorporate veterans’ military service when determining eligibility for paid leave.
Pay & Benefits
Supreme Court to hear arguments on federal employee furlough case
The case was significantly delayed as the agency that initially hears federal worker appeals was non-functional for five years.
Pay & Benefits
Keeping an eye on Schedule F and other proposals to reform federal workforce and pay protections
COMMENTARY | Former President Trump's plan to convert large swaths of federal employees into "at-will" workers may be on ice for now, but he and other GOP contenders have proposed to revive the proposal or institute a more drastic one.
Pay & Benefits
5 highlights of the 2024 Open Season
Open Season for the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program may be over, but it was still filled with new additions and best practices for federal employees and beneficiaries to keep an eye on. Here are some of the highlights.
Pay & Benefits
OPM retirement backlog hits six-year low for third time this year
The number of pending federal employee retirement claims fell under 16,000 for the second time since 2017 in November.
Pay & Benefits
TSP and the magic of compound interest
A few things to consider when deciding if you should contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan.
Pay & Benefits
Public-sector workers report taking fewer and fewer vacation days
Not being able to unplug from work leads to burnout and poor performance, one expert reminds us.
Pay & Benefits
Last-minute Open Season advice
Tips and tools to help you with decision-making before the window closes for the year.
Pay & Benefits
TSP portfolios rebounded in November
After three straight months where nearly every fund in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program lost value, all funds finished last month in the black.
Pay & Benefits
Open Season: Medicare Advantage or Disadvantage?
Medicare Advantage options have only been offered through Federal Employees Health Benefits Program carriers since 2021 and may provide benefits that are not covered under traditional Medicare.
Pay & Benefits
Open Season: You really ought to review your new benefit choices for 2024
Make sure the plan you have from last year is still the one that makes sense for you.
Pay & Benefits
OPM finalizes new locality pay areas ahead of 2024 pay raise
The combination of creating four new locality pay areas and a broad update to underlying maps means that around 33,300 federal workers will see larger pay raises beginning next year.
Pay & Benefits
Shutdown worries still loom in the new year, while wildland firefighters welcome a bill removing overtime caps
Pay and benefits news you may have missed.
Pay & Benefits
OPM proposes making it easier to approve some recruitment and relocation incentives
Under proposed regulations, the federal government’s HR agency would no longer need to approve waivers of traditional incentive payment caps in advance, potentially speeding up the hiring and relocation processes.
Pay & Benefits