Pay & Benefits
“Isn’t the I Fund Risky for a Conservative Investor?”
Last week's article on the I fund generated questions and comments from readers. "Isn't the I Fund a Risky Investment for a Conservative Investor?" was a common question.…
2,665 Articles by Ralph R. Smith
Pay & Benefits
Which is the Best TSP Fund Over the Past Five Years? You May Be Surprised
TSP participants are sitting back and watching their returns grow each month. Here is a summary of the biggest winners.
Agency News
Policy, Politics, Religion and Death: Could There Be Any Controversy Here?
Sometimes agency policy decisions can create a strong emotional reaction from the public.
Federal Workforce News
“Not Meant for Public Distribution”
The Dept. of Veterans Affairs has a new policy that bans employees and volunteers from being involved in a flag folding ceremony with religious overtones. The new policy…
Pay & Benefits
Why Are the 2008 Salary Adjustments So Unfair?
FedSmith recently posted the 2008 pay rates. Here is more information on the 2008 locality pay areas.
Federal Workforce News
3% or 3.5% in 2008? Check Out the Actual Dollars and Cents in Your Locality
Will federal employees get a raise of 3% or 3.5% in 2008 (or some other figure)? No one knows but one of these two is likely. Here is…
Federal Workforce News
TSP Participants Learning, Changing During Period of Market Volatility
TSP participants are learning and changing their investing habits. In part, that may be because of market volatility and, in part, because the lifecycle fund option has been…
Federal Workforce News
Why Did You Do That?
Readers often ask why the FedSmith site does (or does not) publish some news items, reader comments or why we filter some terms from the daily newsletter. Here…
Federal Workforce News
Lessons for TSP Investors from a Volatile Market
The stock market has been volatile in 2007. Billions of dollars have been traded in the TSP during the year as some investors have decided to buy and…
Federal Workforce News
We Hire the Old Fashioned Way: We Wait for the Applicants to Come to Us
The Merit Systems Protection Board says in its most recent newsletter that agencies often prefer to hire new employees by waiting for the applicants to come to them.…