Pay & Benefits

Keep up with the latest changes to federal pay and benefits coming from Congress and the administration.

An airman counts cash for a customer’s withdrawal request as part of his immersion tour with the wing staff agency July 30, 2020, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

Air Force allows airmen to keep $2.3 million in overpayments

The overpayment to nearly 7,800 airmen was because of an agency error, according to the service.

3 days ago

One dollar notes with the signature of US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen are unveiled at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Western Currency Facility on December 8, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas.

North Dakota to exempt military pay from income taxes

North Dakota service members’ income taxes are estimated to drop by $4 million between 2023 and 2025, the governor's office said.

5 days ago

FedLife

Boosting enlisted pay to boost recruiting? Nope.

Defense officials say they will look into the idea of targeted pay raises in future department studies.

Dept. of Veterans Affairs, union spar over staffing

VA officials said hiring and retention levels are at record highs, but workers groups say even more staff is needed to keep up.

11 days ago

Is Good Friday a federal holiday?

Every year, federal workers ask if Good Friday — which in 2023 falls on Friday, April 7 — will be a holiday. Here's the answer.

2 weeks ago

Biden pitches ‘premium pay’ for federal firefighters

Premium pay would apply portal-to-portal, meaning that payment includes time spent before and after actual duties are performed.

2 weeks ago

Federal retirement claims processed at record clip in February

OPM, which administers the federal retirement program, has been working to reduce its processing time and retirement claim inventory backlog for years.

3 weeks ago

Navy unveils new leave policy for abortions, IVF treatments

Those eligible for the leave are active duty sailors and Navy Reserve members serving on active duty.

3 weeks ago

Is St. Patrick’s Day a federal holiday?

Every year, federal workers ask if St. Patrick's Day, March 17 — which this year falls on a Friday — will be a holiday. Here's the answer.

3 weeks ago

White House to require more fertility treatment options for workforce

Patients in need of IVF and other artificial reproductive procedures may find themselves better off under FEHB policy changes for 2024.

3 weeks ago

Biden seeks 5.2% pay hike for federal workers

If approved, the pay boost would be the largest increase in nearly four decades.

3 weeks ago

Biden proposes Pentagon spending increase with industrial base focus

Biden is proposing a 3.2% increase in Defense Department spending with an eye on the Pacific and bolstering the naval industrial base.

3 weeks ago

White House urges insurers to keep gender-affirming care in fed plans

Previewing OPM's health care priorities for FEHB carriers supporting the 2024 open season.

3 weeks ago

Is Easter a federal holiday? What about other religious days?

Traditionally, the president observes the date with an annual Easter egg roll for children on the White House lawn.

4 weeks ago

Benefeds contractor pays $3.1M in back wages, benefits to employees

The company contracts with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management to power the government’s online benefits marketplace.

5 weeks ago

Is Presidents Day a federal holiday?

The Office of Personnel Management has its own take on the day’s naming convention.

7 weeks ago

Republicans aim at Pentagon civilian workforce to curb spending

In an exclusive interview with Defense News, Ken Calvert previews areas where House Republicans believe they can trim defense spending.

7 weeks ago

Capt. Mariah Althaus, an A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot assigned to the 104th Fighter Squadron, Maryland Air National Guard, prepares for flight in support of the DEFENDER-Europe 22 exercise, May 18, 2022, Ämari Air Base, Estonia. DEFENDER-Europe is an annual large-scale U.S. Army-led, multinational, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S., NATO and partner militaries. (Tech. Sgt. Enjoli Saunders/Air National Guard)

Could Guard troops get free TRICARE? This state might become the first

The state would spend around $5 million per year to reimburse premiums under the plan.

8 weeks ago

Biden urges agencies to support family leave for new employees

Biden’s announcement comes days before the 30-year anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

8 weeks ago

No retroactive benefits for veterans past deadline, Supreme Court says

Current law states that veterans must file paperwork in that one-year window to backdate payouts to that military separation date.

2 months ago