Already Approved Changes Await Finalization

One change already enacted into law and put into effect—on paper, at least—is phased retirement, allowing retirement-eligible employees to ask to switch to half-time work while collecting that proportionate salary and half of the annuity earned to that point. While final rules have now been in effect for two months, it does not appear that many, if any, employees actually have been given the opportunity. Several agencies have said that it would be sometime in 2015 or even later before they would put it in effect, some have left doubt they will ever offer it, and many have said nothing. Also, two changes enacted into law late in 2014 need implementing rules. Under one, Border Patrol agents will have the choice of working 100 hours each pay period with an increase in base salary of 25 percent; 90 hours with an increase of 12.5 percent; or 80 hours. They would not be eligible for “administratively uncontrollable overtime” or regular overtime pay and instead would receive compensatory time off for assigned working hours beyond their chosen total. The other would change the TSP default fund for newly hired employees from the government securities G fund to the most age-appropriate lifecycle L fund. Rules to carry out the latter are expected by October; there is no projected time frame for rules to carry out the former.