Pay & Benefits
Last-minute Open Season advice
Tips and tools to help you with decision-making before the window closes for the year.
News
Sandra Day O’Connor, first woman Supreme Court justice, dies at 93
The Reagan appointee co-wrote a key decision reaffirming Roe v. Wade in 1992, establishing that states couldn’t impose an 'undue burden' on anyone seeking an abortion before fetal viability.
Workforce
Guidance spells out when and how feds can discuss the Israel-Hamas war
Federal employees face some restrictions, but can discuss their opinions on the conflict at the office without violating the law.
Pay & Benefits
TSP portfolios rebounded in November
After three straight months where nearly every fund in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program lost value, all funds finished last month in the black.
Management
State workers fear federal grants won’t reach many disadvantaged communities
Amid historic federal investment in climate and environmental initiatives, employees tasked with distributing federal grants say they are overwhelmed and don’t have the bandwidth to ensure underresourced communities get the help they need.
Tech
SSA restructures its tech shop to center on the CIO
Be on the lookout for a vacancy announcement for the SSA CIO position.
Workforce
Senate takes first steps to refill federal workforce watchdog roles
At the civil service appeals agency, parts of the workforce are voicing frustration with current leadership.
Pay & Benefits
Open Season: Medicare Advantage or Disadvantage?
Medicare Advantage options have only been offered through Federal Employees Health Benefits Program carriers since 2021 and may provide benefits that are not covered under traditional Medicare.
Oversight
In Congress, calls mount for Social Security to address clawbacks
The Social Security Administration routinely sends notices to beneficiaries saying they received benefits to which they weren’t entitled — and demanding they pay the government back, often within 30 days.
Workforce
Debate over federal telework fumes in House subcommittee
Agency HR officials defended their approach to workplace flexibilities and highlighted budgetary issues as bigger drivers of poor customer service.
News
Henry Kissinger has died. The titan of US foreign policy changed the world, for better or worse
The former secretary of state and national security advisor was 100.
Tech
Okta breach includes theft of data on nearly all help desk users, including some feds
The company revised its earlier reporting on the scope of the breach, but said that data on users of high-impact federal and DOD systems was not compromised.
Management
Officials hopeful new executive order will help lagging security implementation at federal facilities
Leaders from the Federal Protective Service and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency applaud a recent White House directive around federal facility security, but also support additional measures to help implement recommendations.
Management
Supreme Court appears ready to deal another blow to federal agencies' administrative powers
While such a ruling could radically alter agencies' regulatory authorities, Chief Justice John Roberts said the government's argument "undermines the whole point of constitutional protection."
Management
Reorganizing government acquisition for the digital age
The General Services Administration recently reorganized its Federal Acquisition Service, eliminating its regional structure, a move its commissioner Sonny Hashmi says is already yielding positive results.
Management
DHS aims to lead in defense against ‘adversarial’ AI
The agency’s secretary noted artificial intelligence has proven useful for DHS operations in many ways, but also cautioned that the technology can be used for more nefarious purposes.
Pay & Benefits
Open Season: You really ought to review your new benefit choices for 2024
Make sure the plan you have from last year is still the one that makes sense for you.
Oversight
Federal watchdog launches probe into agency leadership that allegedly allowed widespread harassment to fester
Congressional committees and the agency itself is already conducting investigations into the alleged toxic workplace.
Management
O’Malley’s bid to lead Social Security moves forward
The Senate Finance Committee voted Tuesday to advance O’Malley’s nomination to lead the Social Security Administration to the Senate floor for final consideration.
Tech
IRS starts the bidding for $1.9B IT services recompete
The tax collection agency is undertaking this recompete amid its broader push to overhaul the entire tech environment, which includes systems first stood up in the 1960s.
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