GAO Assesses Value of Benefits
The benefits that come with federal employment typically are worth about half of an individual’s salary, a higher percentage than …More
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersTransit Subsidy Improvements Pass
A transportation bill awaiting President Bush’s signature (HR-3) would put into law an executive order generally requiring facilities in the …More
S Fund Leads Way in July
The small and mid-sized U.S. stock (S) fund led the returns of the Thrift Savings Plan in July, posting a …More
Senate Backs DHS Contracting Restrictions
The Senate-passed version of an appropriations bill covering the Department of Homeland Security (HR-2360) follows the House’s lead in barring …More
Expert’s View: An Annuity’s Value
A federal retirement annuity is the gift that keeps on giving, writes benefits expert Reg Jones. “Because it’s based on …More
Administration’s Justification for Reform Proposal
The Bush administration has published a document laying out its justification for proposing civil service reforms, in many cases repeating …More
Some Union Rights Also Affected
One area where the proposed government-wide policy would depart from the DoD/DHS model involves union rights. Unlike at those agencies, …More
Appeal Rights Also at Stake
Also following the lead of the authorities at those two departments, the draft legislation would raise the standard of proof …More
Designing Performance System a Key
Under the Bush administration’s proposed government-wide civil service reform, the Office of Personnel Management would act as a “gatekeeper” to …More
Defense Bill Also Among Top Priorities
Another key measure still awaiting Senate action is the annual Defense Department authorization bill that sets numerous personnel policies at …More
Raise, Other Issues Still Waiting
Congress has effectively put off until the fall a final decision on the January 2006 federal pay raise, since the …More
Congress Leaves Much to Work on in Fall
Congress has gone on a recess through August, leaving several important bills unfinished and facing the prospects of new demands …More
Long-Running Saga Coming to End
The final payments, from the remaining $78 million in the settlement fund, end a saga that started with a lawsuit …More
OPM Memo on Emergencies
The Office of Personnel Management has issued a memo to agencies reminding them of the special personnel authorities available for …More
COLA Count Up a Bit
The consumer price index on which federal retirement cost-of-living adjustments are based increased 0.1 percentage points in June, bringing the …More
Expert’s View: Getting a Refund
If you leave government before being eligible to retire, you could take a refund of your contributions, writes benefits expert …More
Several Possible Additions Considered
Meanwhile the base closing commission has added to the list of facilities being considered for closing the Brunswick Naval Air …More
Contracting Provision also Opposed
In its statement, the White House said it also would oppose any amendment to prohibit bidders in contracting out studies …More
White House Opposes Base Closing, Other Restrictions
The Bush administration has issued a policy statement opposing several proposed amendments to the annual Defense Department authorization bill (S-1042) …More
Senate Following Lead on Raise
The Senate this week could vote on its version of the Transportation-Treasury spending bill (HR-3058) that like the House version …More
Lowest-Rated Would Lose Out
Those rated “less than fully successful” or below—some rating systems also have an “unacceptable” level—would get no payouts from the …More
White House Plan Would Shift Pay Funds
Under the Bush administration’s proposed overhaul of federal pay setting—which would apply to both white- and blue-collar employees—performance would play …More
GAO’s Overview of Performance Issues
The GAO report also pointed out many barriers identified in previous studies to taking action against poor performers, including the …More
Issues for Reformed Systems
The upcoming DHS and DoD will not only link raises more closely to performance measures but also will deny pay …More
Perceptions on Issue Differ
The GAO report also noted, however, there is a perception in the workforce that the performance problem is larger. For …More
Relatively Few Poor Performers, GAO Says
Relatively few federal employees can be deemed “poor performers” although “even a small number of poor performers can have a …More
Expert’s View: Benefits When You Live Outside the U.S.
If you are a federal retiree or survivor and live outside the United States or its territories and possessions, there …More
Senate Watched for Signal on Reforms
As the Senate drafts its version of the key annual spending bill for federal employees (HR-3058, the Transportation-Treasury appropriations bill), …More
DHS Also Planning Phase-In
After making its new personnel rules effective—assuming they are not blocked by court action–DHS plans to begin phasing in its …More
Latest on DoD Schedule
DoD’s latest implementation plan calls for making the revised labor-management system effective for all bargaining unit employees late in this …More
