Defense

House blocks funding for DHS personnel reforms

Senate committee approves only $5 million of $15 million President Bush requested for the system in fiscal 2008.

Pay & Benefits

Retiring Women

You’re likely to live a longer and different life than your mother, and you should plan for your retirement accordingly.

Pay & Benefits

Panel approves student loan forgiveness for public servants

Bill seeks to update 1993 law that authorized income-contingent loan repayment programs.

Pay & Benefits

Survivor Savings

Employee group representative proposes allowing surviving spouses to hold on to TSP accounts.

Pay & Benefits

Definition of 'telework,' measure of benefits still lacking

Many agencies don’t have a handle on how many employees actually work away from the office, and lack ways to quantify productivity gains.

Oversight

VA official says bonuses needed to retain top executives

Lawmakers raise questions about department’s performance review boards.

Pay & Benefits

Employee groups back automatic TSP enrollment, new default fund

Officials decide to hold off on three other potential changes, including restrictions on where funds are invested.

Pay & Benefits

House appropriators approve 3.5 percent civilian pay raise

Move follows authorization of equal increase for military service members.

Defense

Homeland Security launches graduate academy

The 18-month program is free, but students must complete two years of service at their agencies upon graduation.

Oversight

Survey finds increased satisfaction with federal benefit programs

The Thrift Savings Plan, employee and retiree health benefits and retirement annuities fare the best.

Oversight

Firm outlines steps to successful workforce reforms

Agencies implementing pay for performance need to focus more on how to handle subpar workers, consultant says.

Defense

Panel votes to return inspectors to Agriculture Department

Bush administration adamantly opposes proposal to take inspectors out of Homeland Security Department.

Pay & Benefits

Retirement Checklist

The five things you should do before you retire from government.

Pay & Benefits

Duty Calls

A look at the rules on pay and time off for jury duty.

Defense

Appropriators block funding for DHS personnel reforms

Congress approved $20 million for the overhaul for fiscal 2007; Bush administration has requested $15 million for next year.

Pay & Benefits

House panel backs 3.5 percent civilian pay raise

Move echoes approval of similar increase for military service members.

Pay & Benefits

Auditors question Pentagon projections for health care savings

Increasing TRICARE enrollment fees and deductibles is unlikely to achieve the $9.8 billion in savings Defense expects, GAO finds.

Pay & Benefits

Advocates sketch plan for public service academy

Blueprint sets academy apart from existing programs, addressing recent criticism that a new institution is unnecessary.

Pay & Benefits

Riskier TSP funds bring greatest gains for May

Fund made up of fixed-income bonds was the only option to lose ground.

Oversight

GAO to challenge eligibility of employees to unionize

Agency is hiring private legal counsel, plans to contest petitions of more than a third of employees who filed for an election.