Defense
Wildfires strain federal operations in Southern California
A shortage of personnel and a lack of information are hurdles to delivering assistance to federal employees and other affected Californians. Click here to view wildfire response photo gallery
Pay & Benefits
Rigid pay systems listed among top workforce challenges
Panelists cite pay for performance and solid leadership as key to offsetting a potential talent drain over the next decade.
Oversight
State Department urged to improve evacuation training
Exercises involving officers posted overseas should take place more often and be more realistic, GAO says.
Oversight
Lawmakers push labor-management partnerships
Bill would re-establish a council Bush dissolved in 2001, with the goal of helping front-line employees and managers work together more effectively.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers probe health care staffing shortages at VA
Scholarships and student loan repayments are among the incentives the agency is using to attract and keep quality health professionals.
Pay & Benefits
Questions and Answers
A look at some common queries about federal retirement planning.
Oversight
Senate backs provision to curb premium class travel abuse
Amendment would forbid federal employees from using appropriated funds for unjustified premium airline tickets.
Pay & Benefits
In Benefits Feds Trust
Comments on a story about Hillary Clinton’s health care proposal indicate that at least some federal employees are very protective of their benefits.
Defense
Commissioners call for streamlined vets benefits
Recommendations include assigning the Defense Department sole responsibility for performing physical exams that determine soldiers' fitness to serve.
Pay & Benefits
CSRS retirees to get 2.3 percent pension increase in 2008
Those in the newer FERS will receive a 2 percent adjustment.
Pay & Benefits
OPM projects potential locality pay rates
Percentages detailed for two different scenarios, depending on overall raise approved by Congress and the president.
Defense
House panel questions benefits for deployed civilians
Hardship pay and other benefits are sufficient to attract qualified civilian employees to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, agency representatives say.
Defense
Lawmakers urge Pentagon to hold off on new pay policy
Three House members say employees under new personnel system should get the raise they had anticipated for 2008.
Pay & Benefits
TSP officials note major growth in plan
The 401(k)-style retirement program grew $6.4 billion last month, bringing investments to $231 billion.
Pay & Benefits
Clinton’s health plan unlikely to affect feds’ premiums
But analysts say it could promote changes in drug prices and insurer transparency.
Pay & Benefits
A Little Lower
A look at retirement options for those who aren’t earning executive-level pay.
Pay & Benefits
Switch to new TSP account numbers prompts concern
Some participants claim they never received or have lost the numbers necessary to complete online transactions.
Pay & Benefits