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Don’t Panic—Plan: A Federal Employee Guide to Surviving A Shutdown, RIF and Layoffs Worried about a shutdown or RIF? These are practical steps for federal employees to help safeguard your finances, benefits, and your career. What Actions to Take During Shutdown and Possible Employment Loss This is a rough time for federal employees—especially those now classified as “non-essential” and who may not be reporting to work and facing a potential loss of employment. Experiencing stress and strain i...

Tax Today, Freedom Tomorrow: Understanding the TSP’s New In-Plan Roth Conversion Proposal In-plan Roth TSP conversions are one step closer to reality after a new proposed rule was issued by the FRTIB. The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) has issued a significant proposal that would enhance the flexibility of federal employees and retirees in managing their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts. The proposal, published in the Federal Register, would enable investo...

Layoffs Underway as Shutdown Drags On The Trump administration has begun the process of laying off federal employees amid the ongoing government shutdown. The Trump administration has been threatening that layoffs of federal employees would take place if a government shutdown ensued and continued for more than a few days. Apparently they were serious. White House Office of Management (OMB) and Budget Director Russell Vought posted on X today, “The RIFs have begun.” Just before the g...

What Retired Federal Employees Need to Know About Government Shutdowns Government shutdowns can be disruptive, but the good news is that federal retirees will encounter minimal impacts. A partial government shutdown can raise concerns for federal employees and retirees alike. Fortunately, guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers clarity and reassurance for those already retired or planning to retire soon. Annuity Payments Perhaps the most important thing for ret...

From Inflation to Benefits: What the CPI Reveals About the 2026 COLA Federal retirees could see a 2.8% COLA boost in 2026—September’s CPI will decide the final increase in benefits. Closing in on 2026 COLA The inflation figures for August are now in. In October, the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be finalized and announced. The August Consumer Price Index (CPI) report will impact the amount of the 2026 COLA for federal retirees and those receiving Social Security benefits. Tod...

2026 Federal Pay Raise: 1% for GS, 3.8% for Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs).   LEOs win big in 2026 pay plan: 3.8% raise vs. just 1% for other others under GS as locality pay frozen.   Overview of Alternative Pay Plan On August 28, 2025, the President formally invoked his authority under the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act (FEPCA) to announce an alternative pay plan for calendar year 2026. Under this plan: Starting January 1, 2026, federal employees under the General S...