Pay & Benefits

Lawsuit Against Working During Shutdowns Presents a Potential Catch-22

A federal judge ruled it would be too disruptive to stop agencies from forcing employees to work without pay during a lapse in appropriations, but the Trump administration on Wednesday argued the case is now moot because government is open.

Pay & Benefits

Feds Should Prepare Financially for Another Government Shutdown

Here are some ideas to help managers make sure employees are covered during a worst-case scenario.

Pay & Benefits

Most Feds Won't Reap the Benefits of Local Minimum Wage Laws

OPM last week announced that it will not raise the lower levels of the federal pay scales to comply with state and local laws increasing the minimum wage.

Pay & Benefits

Most TSP Funds Crept Up in November

All but one of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program grew last month.

Pay & Benefits

5 Open Season Questions and Answers

Test your knowledge of what to do in these specific scenarios.

Pay & Benefits

Rubio Escalates Attacks in Dispute Over TSP International Fund Changes

The Republican senator urged President Trump to replace the board that administers the Thrift Savings Plan after it refused to reverse course on including Chinese companies in its investment offerings.

Pay & Benefits

Viewpoint: Let’s Keep a Level Playing Field for TSP Investors

Participants in the federal employee retirement savings program deserve the same investment options as other Americans.

Pay & Benefits

Open Season Tips and Secrets

The clock is ticking on making your health plan choices for 2020.

Pay & Benefits

Making Sense of FEHBP's New 'Indemnity' Plans

The plans are not much different than the health insurance program's fee-for-service offerings, despite the name.

Pay & Benefits

Viewpoint: Dollars Invested in the TSP Will Now Benefit Our Foreign Adversary

Decision to use an index fund that includes Chinese companies is bad for our country and the financial security of federal employees.   

Pay & Benefits

TSP Board Reaffirms Decision to Broaden International Fund Despite Congressional Pressure

A bipartisan group of senators had demanded the board reverse a 2017 decision changing the index upon which the I Fund is based because the new benchmark will include Chinese companies.

Pay & Benefits

With Winter Approaching, OPM Reminds Agencies of Closure and Leave Policies

The 2018 decision that employees who can work remotely usually cannot take leave due to a weather event has created a complicated web of rules and exceptions.

Pay & Benefits

Federal Retirement Applications, Processing Both Down in October

The backlog of pending requests crept to nearly 18,000 last month, although the number of applications is significantly down from the same period in 2018.

Pay & Benefits

Updated Consumers’ Checkbook Guide Aims to Help Feds Compare Health Plan Costs

“Most people don’t realize how much money they’re leaving on the table,” says consumer advocate Walton Francis.

Pay & Benefits

No New Locality Pay Areas, But Salary Council Considers More Formula Tweaks

The Federal Salary Council announced that the pay gap between federal workers and the private sector, as calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, now sits at 26.71%.