The Office of Special Counsel supports OPM's proposal to prioritize employee performance over tenure during federal RIF actions, aiming to strengthen merit principles and enhance civil service agility.
This text emphasizes annually updating retirement budgets, especially in the early years, due to evolving expenses. Many underestimate costs, leading to financial shortfalls. Accurate spending assessment forms the foundation for sustainable retirement income planning.
This commentary analyzes OPM's Policy/Career Schedule (renamed Schedule F), arguing it's not as detrimental as feared if OPM enforces its guidance. It emphasizes civil servant accountability, the need for legal guardrails, and transparency in termination, stressing adherence to legal orders over political loyalty.
The Trump administration systematically removed LGBTQ identity and sexual orientation data from hundreds of federal forms, surveys, and systems, aligning with a broader anti-trans agenda. This policy shift impacts understanding and providing services to vulnerable populations, including homeless youth and those experiencing discrimination.
The ongoing DHS shutdown, the third this FY, could last for months. The White House might use unobligated reconciliation funds to pay employees and contractors, mitigating impacts and reducing pressure for a deal with Congress, making it an unprecedented situation.
HHS is restructuring its ACF research office, shifting work to political appointees. This sparks alarms from 130+ groups, fearing abandoned studies, weakened research credibility, and compromised data neutrality, impacting crucial evidence-based programs.
During a partial DHS shutdown, 92% of employees work without pay, facing financial hardship with creditors and childcare, despite some flexibility. Congress remains deadlocked on appropriations, delaying salaries for vital personnel.
Hungary threatens to block a €90 billion aid package and the 20th round of Russian sanctions, citing a political row with Ukraine over the Druzhba oil pipeline and energy security concerns.
NIH and VA are expanding AI adoption, focusing on ethical use, domain-specific models for research (e.g., Alzheimer's), and improving veteran care. GSA's OneGov initiative offers discounted AI tools, though future reliance and costs raise concerns.
Former President Petro Poroshenko critiques Zelenskyy's approach to peace, warning that excluding European allies and miscalculating Putin's imperialist goals could destabilize Ukraine's unity.
OPM Director Scott Kupor has instructed federal agencies to terminate or modify collective bargaining agreements, fully complying with executive orders despite ongoing litigation and court injunctions that had previously delayed implementation.
UK police urge government to withhold documents linking Peter Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein, citing ongoing criminal investigations into alleged misconduct in public office, to prevent compromising potential prosecutions. PM Starmer faces scrutiny.
Amid deep staff cuts, the IRS is reassigning thousands of unqualified IT and HR personnel to taxpayer services for tax season, sparking fears of increased error rates, delayed returns, and poor service due to lack of training and experience.
Explore the new TSP in-plan Roth conversion option. Learn how to use the official calculator to evaluate tax implications, manage RMDs, and optimize your retirement strategy for long-term wealth.
Internal emails reveal the Forest Service knew of dangerous PFAS chemicals in wildland firefighter gear since 2021 but delayed informing staff, despite health risks like cancer.
USPS leadership defends the Delivering for America plan despite financial losses and mixed performance metrics, advocating for legislative reforms to address debt limits and rising operational costs.
SpaceX has deactivated unverified Starlink terminals used by Russian forces in Ukraine. The move has slowed Russia's offensive while Ukrainian units work to register their devices for continued battlefield communication.
