OPM Finalizes “Schedule Policy/Career” Rule: 50,000+ Federal Jobs Converted to At-Will Status
OPM's final Schedule Policy/Career rule converts more than 50,000 federal jobs to at-will status. What at-will means for tenure, appeals and planning.
Federal Employee Resource Blog — page 13
House Bill Proposes Massive Increase to Federal Buyout Caps up to Six Months’ Salary
H.R. 7256 would raise the federal buyout cap to six months' salary, the first change in over 30 years. What a larger VSIP would mean for your exit mat
Funding Secured for Most, But DHS Left on the Brink After Weekend Lapse
A $1.2 trillion spending package ended the shutdown threat for most agencies, but not for DHS. What the weekend lapse means if you work there.
OPM Mandates Forced Performance Distributions for the 2026 Rating Cycle
OPM has confirmed forced ratings distributions for the 2026 cycle, extending an SES model to everyone. What a capped rating pool does to awards and RI
Senate Democrats Move to Block OPM from Stripping Probationary Appeal Rights
Twelve Senate Democrats are opposing an OPM rule that would weaken appeal rights for probationary employees. What protections are at stake, and for wh
Grade Inflation is Over: OPM Mandates “Forced Distributions” for All Employees in 2026
SES rating caps are being extended to the whole federal workforce for the current cycle. What the end of grade inflation means for your own appraisal.
Why Standard Social Security “Optimization” Falls Short for Federal Employees
Delay until 70 is the standard Social Security advice, and it often does not fit a federal retiree with an annuity. Why the generic math breaks down.
I Fund Dominance Continues: TSP Kicks Off 2026 with Global Gains
Every TSP fund posted gains in January 2026, led again by international markets. What a sustained I Fund run means for the way your money is allocated
House Considers Raising Buyout Cap to Six Months’ Salary
The House Oversight Committee is weighing H.R. 7256, which would modernize federal buyout incentives. Where the bill stands and who would benefit most
Grade Inflation is Over: OPM Mandates “Forced Distributions” for All Employees in 2026
Forced rating distributions are coming to the whole federal workforce, not just the SES. How quotas change what your performance appraisal is worth.
3.8% Pay Raise Extended to More Law Enforcement Officers—Is ATC Next?
OPM has widened the 3.8 percent targeted raise to more law enforcement officers while most feds get 1 percent. Whether air traffic controllers are nex
DEA & FBI Senior Execs: The “Safety Net” Just Vanished
A federal appeals court has held that the MSPB does not protect DEA and FBI senior executives as assumed. What SES members at both agencies should kno