Defense
Senate sends bill ending Pentagon pay system to president’s desk
Legislation also grants the military a higher pay raise than Obama requested and includes major retirement reforms.
Pay & Benefits
OPM extends window for long-term insurance changes
Enrollees now have until Feb. 15, 2010, to modify their plans.
Pay & Benefits
Leave With Pay
One idea floating around Washington recommends allowing federal employees to roll unused annual leave into their TSP accounts.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers say Senate health care bill could hit feds with new taxes
FEHBP plans would be subject to a 40 percent tax beginning in 2013 under the proposal.
Pay & Benefits
Merit board nominees pledge to rebuild workforce, boost efficiency
Candidates also tell lawmakers they would like to make decisions clearer so agencies implement them properly.
Oversight
Jobs Nightmare
The prospect of the jobless rate hovering around 10 percent leading up to the 2010 midterm election should keep Democrats up at night.
Pay & Benefits
Public-private pay gap rises in 2009
Federal Salary Council declines to recommend a specific raise for 2010.
Pay & Benefits
Agencies challenge employees to lead a healthier lifestyle
The Obama administration is experimenting with innovative ways to get 75 percent of the federal workforce involved in health and wellness programs by next year.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Military retiree launches online Army Family Support Center
Virtual world offers links to information and a chat room for relatives of service members.
Pay & Benefits
Legislation would keep kids in FEHBP longer
Dependents of federal employees would receive five more years of health insurance coverage under the House health care reform package.
Pay & Benefits
Lack of Social Security COLA could adversely affect some federal workers
Legislation to protect CSRS employees from health premium hikes is still in the Senate.
Defense
Lawmakers see room for improvement in DHS diversity efforts
Homeland Security must step up outreach and find ways to help more minorities advance to senior-level jobs, House members say.
Pay & Benefits
Officials say cost of domestic partner benefits is affordable
A bill that would extend coverage to the partners of gay and lesbian federal employees could reach Senate floor by December.
Pay & Benefits
Telework Rules
Even programs designed to enhance flexibility at work need rules to make them successful.
Defense
Recession helps military recruiters reach 36-year high
The four services and their National Guard and reserve components signed up 296,505 young men and women in fiscal 2009.
Pay & Benefits
Insurance providers drop out of federal employee health program
Thirty-two health plans are either leaving FEHBP altogether, or lowering their coverage in certain areas across the country.
Pay & Benefits
Obama looks to increase hiring of disabled workers
The White House and Office of Personnel Management will host job fairs and workshops for managers.
Oversight
Both workplace benefits and demands exceed the norm at NRC
Two new IG reports highlight the promise and peril of working for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Defense