Winning Has Consequences
An employee flush with victory when the Board ordered her reinstatement perhaps got too bullish in dealing with the agency as it tried to work out her back pay. See how this one unfolded and what the court did with it.
Current Events
Current news and events impacting the federal workforce, both current federal employees and federal retirees.
March Madness and Taxes
March Madness is here! Yes, there’s the NCAA tournament, but the author reminds readers that it’s also tax season and provides some general tips to keep in mind as April 15th approaches.
59% Increase in $200,000+ Federal Jobs Since 2010: Where Are They?
How many federal employees make more than $200,000 per year and where are these jobs located? How can a federal employee make more than the salary cap on a GS employee?
Treasury Suspends Reinvestment of G Fund Securities
Treasury Secretary recently sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner notifying him of “extraordinary measures” the government was taking to deal with hitting the debt limit.
Seeing the VA Through a Patient’s Eyes
The Department of Veterans Affairs has gone through a great deal of bad publicity as a result of problems in management and patient care. Here is a brief description of a favorable experience with the agency.
The Federal Budget: When a Number is Just a (Meaningless) Number
Recent figures from the CBO suggest that Social Security contributed $877 billion to total revenue, but the author says that the CBO’s budget projections are misleading, especially as they relate to Social Security.
State Department Spokesman Warned of Private Email Risks in 2011
Mark C. Toner, then Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, made comments at a Daily Press Briefing on June 2, 2011 regarding the use of private email by government officials. The comments may have been largely insignificant at the time, but they provide an interesting perspective today in light of questions that have arisen about Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email account as Secretary of State.
Bill Would Cut Pay for Top Earning Federal Employees
Legislation has been introduced that would cut the pay of federal workers earning over $100,000 per year and also tie their pay to performance of the overall economy.
Who Does Not Receive the Annual General Pay Increase?
A FedSmith reader recently asked some questions regarding the annual general increase in federal pay. The author answers these questions and also elaborates on which federal employees get annual pay increases and which do not.
8 Threats for Retirement Accounts Under President Obama’s 2016 Proposed Budget
While supporters of President Obama’s 2016 Fiscal Budget say the budget will make it easier to save for retirement, the proposal is giving mixed messages when it comes to retirement planning. The author highlights eight budget provisions that would have a negative impact on many retirement accounts.
