Pay & Benefits
Bush issues order implementing 3.9 percent pay raise
Employees will receive a 2.9 percent boost in basic pay, with the rest of the increase devoted to locality pay.
Pay & Benefits
Holiday Wishes
A wish list of changes that would improve retirement prospects for federal employees.
Oversight
Group balks at Obama proposal to thin federal management ranks
Job cuts would lead to government inefficiency, says coalition representing more than 200,000 managers.
Pay & Benefits
Second Chances
An extension of the annual open season for benefits gives employees more time to do their homework.
Pay & Benefits
Report: Medicare is a stronger insurance model than FEHBP
The federal employee program’s costs are too high to make it an effective prototype for a public insurance plan, analyst says.
Pay & Benefits
Insurer renegotiates out-of-network surgery benefits
Move comes in response to concerns over a change in coverage in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Standard Option.
Pay & Benefits
GAO backs boost in oversight of executive pay-for-performance
Watchdog recommends that OPM and OMB streamline certification process for senior executive pay systems.
Pay & Benefits
TSP officials face leadership challenges
The board could experience complete turnover if nominations are not confirmed by the end of this session of Congress.
Pay & Benefits
Bush gives federal employees extra day off
President orders agencies to close Dec. 26, giving most employees a four-day weekend.
Pay & Benefits
OPM announces new cost-of-living data for Pacific region employees
Report indicates lower COLA payments in 2009.
Pay & Benefits
Health Care Complications
When it comes to insurance options, clear information is imperative.
Oversight
Princeton, foundation settle suit over training future government leaders
Agreement creates organization specifically aimed at preparing students for government careers.
Oversight
Obama urged to focus on performance-based government
Coalition of good-government groups meets with transition team leaders.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers press Bush to rescind order curbing collective bargaining
Five senators and the House majority leader seek a detailed justification for the directive, which adds new groups of employees to list of those prohibited from organizing.
Pay & Benefits
OPM renegotiates out-of-network health benefits
Federal employees have until the end of January to change their insurance plans.
Defense
Hiring authority for military spouses begins to take shape
Personnel agency proposes rules to implement an executive order that will make it easier for some to get civil service jobs.
Pay & Benefits
Medicare, Part B
Do you need it? When should you sign up for it? It pays to consider such questions carefully.
Pay & Benefits
Improving language skills of military personnel is easier said than done
Congress finds the challenge is exacerbated by a public education system that fails to value foreign languages.
Pay & Benefits