Pay & Benefits

Feds are still slated for a 2% average pay raise in 2025 per House appropriations bill

The House Appropriations Committee advanced legislation Thursday that failed to override President Biden’s 2025 pay plan.

  • Erich Wagner

Your pre-retirement questions answered, part 1  

The first in a series tackling your pressing questions.

  • Tammy Flanagan

FBI agents say they need more money to stay in the bureau

Agents in high-cost cities say they cannot support their elevated expenses on their current salaries.

  • Eric Katz

OPM’s retirement backlog hit an 8-year low last month

Efforts to streamline the processing of departing federal workers’ retirement applications continue to pay dividends, as the inventory of pending claims hit the lowest point since 2016.

  • Erich Wagner

The State of Civil Service Retirement: CSRS and FERS

How optimistic are you about your retirement? Small steps can help allay your fears of the future.

  • Tammy Flanagan

Senate plans swift action on IVF bill containing new requirements for FEHBP

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that he had already begun the process of bringing a legislative package aimed at protecting Americans’ access to assistive reproductive technology to the floor for a vote.

  • Erich Wagner

OPM’s unfulfilled recommendations include health insurance benefits changes, IG says

The agency is making progress on implementing IG recommendations, but three of its top yet-to-be-completed recommendations included changes that would prevent improper and inaccurate payments within the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.  

  • Carten Cordell

Lawmakers blast VA over executive bonus scandal, but secretary declines to offer any heads

Many Republicans called for VA to fire top officials after it improperly approved $11M in bonuses for senior executives.

  • Eric Katz

TSP funds all bounced back in May

After a rough April, each of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program finished last month in the black.

  • Erich Wagner

New bill would task VA with more actively promoting veteran transition assistance

The Informing VETS Act would require the department to regularly promote programs designed to assist veterans leaving military service and offer more comparison of information on educational benefits. 

  • Carten Cordell

I have $1,000,000 (or $500,000 or $750,000) for retirement, now what?

Figuring out how to use your money in retirement.

  • Tammy Flanagan

L Funds: A Love Affair

COMMENTARY | For these “set it and forget it” funds, “setting it” may require a bit more work than matching your birth year to the “right” fund.

  • Lisa Whitley
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Problem Solvers Caucus throws its weight behind an effort to kill the windfall elimination provision

Some lawmakers have spent years garnering support to repeal a controversial tax rule that cuts Social Security benefits for some public servants.

  • Erich Wagner

What is the retirement age for federal employees?

Retirement involves making many decisions including deciding when to retire.

  • Tammy Flanagan

The pitfalls of single-solution financial advisors

COMMENTARY | There is an increasing trend of companies advertising themselves as financial advisors or benefits centers targeting federal employees. Here’s how to find a holistic financial planning partner.

  • Austin Costello

Mixed reactions to Medicare Part D in the FEHB

It's been almost five months since Part D was incorporated into many Federal Employees Health Benefit plans. How is it being received?

  • Tammy Flanagan

Health Savings Account contribution limits to rise in 2025

Federal employees looking for ways to save on out-of-pocket healthcare costs might benefit from using a high deductible health plan with an HSA.

  • Kevin Moss

VA to review more previously awarded bonuses after improperly doling out $11M to execs

The department has used an “improper and overzealous application” of new authorities to give extra pay to certain employees, IG says.

  • Eric Katz

OPM’s retirement backlog continued a four-month downward trend in April

Though the Office of Personnel Management’s backlog of pending federal retirement claims fell again last month, the pace of progress has slowed.

  • Erich Wagner

Essential things to know about your Social Security benefit: Part 2

Social Security, along with the FERS basic retirement benefit and the Thrift Savings Plan, can provide the financial security you will need during your life after retirement.  

  • Tammy Flanagan

OPM tweaks its final rule for the postal health benefits plan

The federal HR agency posted its final rule for establishing the Postal Service Health Benefits program on Monday, clarifying language on Medicare Part B enrollment and other details.

  • Carten Cordell