Defense
Congress withholds millions from DHS personnel system
This month, the department will bring 6,700 more employees under the plan, centered on market and performance-based pay.
Pay & Benefits
TSP funds make small gains in September
International investments -- usually big earners -- perform the worst.
Pay & Benefits
Health Insurance Choices, Part One
The first in a three-part series on open season for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program focuses on fee-for-service plans.
Pay & Benefits
Senators back extending federal benefits to same-sex partners
Two Republican co-sponsors are the first to cross the aisle for the effort.
Pay & Benefits
Grading the Grading System
A new report questions the helpfulness of five-level grading schemes that will be used to decide pay.
Pay & Benefits
Congress blocks funding for Pentagon labor system
Bill also provides for a 2.2 percent military pay raise, setting lower precedent for civilians.
Management
OPM scolded over SES pay system's unpopularity
In survey released last week, executives expressed dissatisfaction with pay-for-performance system.
Defense
Officials forgo Supreme Court appeal in DHS labor case
The Homeland Security Department will reenter talks with unions to plan a new system that fits within legal requirements.
Pay & Benefits
Health care employees benefit from retention bonuses
Upper-level employees at the GS-11 through GS-15 levels granted more incentives, OPM reports.
Pay & Benefits
Life Insurance Options, Part Two
The second in a two-part series on the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance program.
Pay & Benefits
The More You Know
Federal employees and retirees will now be able to compare actual drug and medical procedure costs among some insurance plans.
Defense
Pentagon may seek an extension of labor relations deadline
Lengthy regulation development process, and delays caused by court case, may mean more time is needed, deputy secretary says.
Pay & Benefits
Federal health premiums to rise only slightly
OPM draws on reserve funds to keep costs down, in a move a union official says helps the government more than employees.
Pay & Benefits
Cost of running TSP lower than anticipated
Decreases in operating budget are not coming at the expense of services, officials say.
Management
Senior execs pan performance pay system
Half of respondents to a survey said their agencies are using quota systems to distribute ratings, despite a prohibition.
Pay & Benefits
Life Insurance Options, Part One
The first in a two-part series on the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance program.
Management
VA responds to low certification test grades with more training
Union blames veterans service representatives’ poor exam performance on inadequate help with preparation.
Tech