The Best of 2013
What were the most popular articles on FedSmith.com in 2013? The end of the pay freeze, vacation discounts for federal employees, and the government shutdown are some of the topics that topped the list.
Pay & Benefits
Get the latest federal employee pay news, including updates on federal pay raises, GS pay scale changes, locality pay, and federal compensation policy. Stay informed on TSP news, TSP fund performance, contribution limits, and investment updates. This category also covers FEHB premiums, FEGLI rates, FEDVIP dental and vision benefits, and major OPM policy changes, federal workforce legislation, and other developments that impact federal employee pay, benefits, and take‑home compensation.
New Locality Pay Areas? Not in 2014
Despite the recommendations of the Federal Salary Council, locality pay areas will be the same in 2014 as they were in 2013.
Pay Freeze Ends: Federal Employees to Get 1% Raise in 2014
The president has issued an executive order that will give federal employees an across-the-board pay raise of 1% “on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2014.”
About That Christmas Eve Holiday…
Those who were hoping or planning for an extra day off on December 24th should just plan on coming to work that day or taking a day of annual leave instead.
When Christmas is On Wednesday: Historical Data Not Promising for Feds Getting Extra Holiday
Will federal employees get an extra day off on Christmas Eve this year?
Pay Freeze Likely to be Ending in January
The long, strange road for a federal employee pay raise has gone through twists and turns but appears likely to be implemented in January, ending the pay freeze that has been in place since 2011.
Legislation Would Provide Pay Parity for Hourly and Salaried Federal Employees
Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) has introduced legislation that would ensure that the percentage increase in rates of basic pay for Wage Grade (WG), or hourly, employees is equivalent to the percentage increase received by other federal employees in the same pay locality.
Adding New Federal Locality Pay Areas for 2014
Federal employees in a number of metropolitan areas are likely to be included in new locality pay areas in 2014.
CBO Deficit Reduction Proposals Would Impact Federal Employees
A recent report from the Congressional Budget Office makes a myriad of proposals designed to help put a dent in the growing federal debt, some of which would directly impact federal employees.
Senators Propose to End Defined Benefit Pensions for New Federal Employees
Three Senators have reintroduced legislation that would end the defined benefit pension portion of the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) for new federal government hires.
