Pay & Benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness passes $60 billion in erased debt

Since a series of tweaks to make the program easier to access, more than 850,000 Americans have had their loans forgiven in exchange for a decade of public service.

Pay & Benefits

The TSP savings rate is up, but so are the number of TSP loans

Answers to some of your questions about the government’s 401(k)-style retirement plan.

Pay & Benefits

OPM taps insurance carriers to service new USPS benefits exchange

The federal HR agency conditionally selected 32 carrier applications to provide health coverage to U.S. Postal employees, annuitants and family members starting in 2025. 

Pay & Benefits

“It feels impossible to stay”: The U.S. needs wildland firefighters more than ever, but the federal government is losing them

Highly skilled firefighters are the last line of defense against wildfires, but that line is fraying because the government decided long ago that they’re not worth very much.

Pay & Benefits

Employee groups air their disappointment with Biden’s 2% raise proposal

Multiple groups representing federal employees expressed their displeasure this week at the White House’s proposed pay raise, noting that it falls both behind the cost of inflation and military compensation.

Pay & Benefits

Veterans Affairs expands IVF access to unmarried and same-sex veterans

Up to now, the VA has only provided IVF care for married veterans who were able to use their own eggs or sperm during the process, but the new announcement allows veterans to use donor eggs, sperm and embryos.

Updated Pay & Benefits

Biden proposes 2% raise for feds in 2025 budget

Following multiple years of multi-decade record pay increases, the White House cited “fiscal constraints” facing agencies to justify smaller raises next year.

Pay & Benefits

Saving for retirement

Retirement planning is a lifelong learning affair and begins with the first day on the job.

Pay & Benefits

Will your future income rocket your Medicare premiums?

As a federal employee with FEHB, should you also take Medicare Part B at age 65? Here are a few things to consider before making the decision.

Pay & Benefits

Most TSP funds gained ground in February

Only one of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program ended last month in the red.

Pay & Benefits

How diverse candidates can better navigate the security clearance process

COMMENTARY | Simple steps can make the security clearance process less of a barrier to keeping diverse candidates out of government careers.

Pay & Benefits

Here’s how to find the information you need when planning for retirement

When it comes to leaving federal employment to transition to retirement, there are important decisions that must be made, and it is vital to know the difference between fact, fiction and rumor.

Pay & Benefits

OPM wants to entice more AI talent with new benefits guidance

The HR agency unveiled new pay and benefits flexibilities to help snag in-demand workers with expertise in artificial intelligence technology. 

Pay & Benefits

Getting ready for tax season

Some tax tips to consider as you plan for life after your federal career.

Pay & Benefits

Did you know this about the TSP?

Learn a little more about the government’s 401(k)-style retirement plan.

Pay & Benefits

OPM makes it easier for ex-military feds to access paid parental, medical leave

The tweak, which allows federal workers to count past military service toward the 12-month service requirement of parental and Family and Medical Leave Act leave, stems from a provision of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

Pay & Benefits

10 years on, OPM keeps its pay freeze in place for senior officials

With budget negotiations ongoing, OPM officials said that the pay rates for the vice president and other senior political officials will remain frozen until at least the expiration of the latest continuing resolution.

Pay & Benefits

OPM faces its first test of recent retirement processing tweaks

The number of new retirement claims received by the federal government’s HR agency doubled in January, marking the start of the annual busy season.