Pay & Benefits Watch
Open Season advice for annuitants
Federal annuitants often don't have the same flexibility as federal employees when it comes to offsetting their health insurance costs, making it important to keep certain strategies in mind when weighing Open Season enrollment.
Delaying Medicare Part B: Why the penalty isn’t always as bad as it sounds
For federal employees with FEHB coverage, the timing of Medicare Part B enrollment can make a bigger difference than the penalty itself.
How long will OPM keep paying for feds’ health insurance during the shutdown, a senator asks
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., requested details on how the federal HR agency’s plans to fund its health insurance trust funds with federal employees still not being paid during the shutdown.
When 500 companies don't equal diversification: A TSP reality check
Investing your TSP funds in the top 500 U.S. companies may seem safe and straightforward, but that depends on how those investments are weighted.
How part-time work affects your FERS pension
Federal employees considering a shift to part-time hours have several factors to consider when it comes to their retirement benefits.
Reintroduced bill would shield federal employees from shutdown-related foreclosures and evictions
Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, has reintroduced a bill that would let federal employees and contractors defer financial problems caused by a government shutdown, a proposal he has introduced multiple times since 2019.
Revived bill aims to ease financial strain on federal employees during shutdown
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., has reintroduced legislation by former Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., that would require regulators to issue new guidance to help prevent financial hardship for federal employees and contractors caused by budget impasse.
Maryland Dems float unemployment insurance for federal workers during shutdown
Congressional Democrats aim to provide benefits to federal employees forced to work during the shutdown, and other pay and benefits news you may have missed this week.
Lawmakers propose elevating POW benefit eligibility and offering a citizenship path for immigrant service members
One House bill aims to change the veterans’ health care benefits priority for former prisoners of war, while another tries again to offer an immigration path to noncitizens in the Armed Forces.
Plan to expand PACT Act eligibility for 9/11 Pentagon personnel introduced
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., wants to provide Defense Department personnel present at the Pentagon following the 9/11 attacks access to benefits provided by the landmark veteran health care bill.
Legislation to end government shutdowns returns to Capitol Hill
Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, and Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., have brought back a bill aimed at ending the costly budget impasses, a proposal that’s historically had little success in Congress.
Featured eBooks
Is FEGLI Option B really the best life insurance choice?
FEGLI plans remain a solid life insurance option for federal employees, but, depending on the coverage, it may also be wise to look to the private market.
Baldwin brings back zero-cost health care benefits bill for National Guard
The Wisconsin senator is resurrecting legislation aimed at extending military health care coverage to an estimated 130,000 troops in the National Guard and military reserves.
Coverage for gender-affirming care will be eliminated from FEHB plans in 2026
The federal HR agency removed all coverage of gender-affirming care from its health benefits program, barring three exceptions, following two recent executive orders.
OPM urges ‘objective’ ratings in employee awards under new performance rules
The new policies called for restarting the Presidential Rank Awards in fiscal 2026, but emphasized performance metrics “be differentiated in a meaningful and objective manner” to recognize federal employees.
Why it might be time to look beyond U.S. stocks: A guide for federal retirees
The Thrift Savings Plan offers federal employees the ability to diversify their investments to international markets through the I Fund, which may soon be a popular strategy option.
How to avoid Medicare Part B late enrollment penalties
Planning to retire soon? Here’s what to know about timing your Medicare enrollment to steer clear of costly penalties.
Why a federal program paying employees not to work may violate spending laws
COMMENTARY | Legal scholar Madeline Materna explains why agency officials could be risking more than just bad press.
To fix air traffic controller shortage, Congress proposes changing retirement limits
The Control Tower Continuity Act would help address the ongoing staff shortfall of 3,000 positions by exempting personnel from mandatory retirement at age 61.
Retirement board finalizes new rule on how debt is calculated for some TSP loans
The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board will put into effect a final rule recalculating how federal employees repay accrued interest on reamortized loans from the government’s 401(k)-style retirement plan.
