Your Federal Life

After the Office of Personnel Management canceled this year’s Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, competing ideas have emerged on how to approach the requirements for agencies to survey their employees, and what OPM’s role should be in those surveys for the long haul. We get perspectives from Rob Shriver, former OPM acting director and current managing director of the Civil Service Strong initiative at Democracy Forward — as well as Sydney Heimbrock, former executive director of the OPM Innovation Lab, and currently the public sector chief industry advisor at Qualtrics.Plus, a new oral history project from the Volcker Alliance and the Organization of American Historians captures the voices of displaced federal employees, offering an unfiltered look at public service, policy and the personal toll of government downsizing. Jason Chernesky, director of the Federal Employees and Contractors Oral History Project, recently sat down with Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton to share more about the project.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Agencies are facing tons of changing expectations from the Office of Personnel Management this year. In the last few weeks alone, OPM has told agencies how to think differently about awarding employees for good work, as well as how to implement recent changes to the federal probationary period. There’s also new guidance on where agencies should limit, or add more flexibility, on paid administrative leave. Jenny Mattingley, the Partnership for Public Service’s vice president of government affairs, joins us to help make sense of it all.Plus, it’s a busy time for federal retirement. From rising health care costs to the surge in retirement applications, there’s a lot to keep track of. Not to mention, OPM has just launched a new online retirement system. To learn more about what makes a retirement case “clean,” how to avoid common delays, and what federal employees should be thinking about before they hit submit, Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton caught up with a principal at Retire Federal, Tammy Flanagan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The final version of the One Big Beautiful Bill left most federal benefits untouched. But the reconciliation bill did introduce several new tax provisions that could impact how Americans save, contribute and plan for retirement. Thiago Glieger, a wealth advisor with RMG Advisors, joins us to help make sense of it all.Later in the show, we hear advice about what to do when you get called in to testify as a congressional witness. It can be terrifying, but it is also a vital information link that supports lawmaking, oversight and public accountability. Bill LaForge, author of the updated book, "Testifying before Congress," gives us some insider tips.Plus, new numbers show that 154,000 federal employees opted into the deferred resignation program this year. But raw numbers, of course, never tell the whole story. The Partnership for Public Service recently came out with an impact report, highlighting how the Trump administration’s changes have affected agencies. We get details from Max Stier, the Partnership's president and CEO.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As it tries to cut hiring time, the Office of Personnel Management has converted the application process for senior executive positions to a two-page resume. The standard ECQ essays will be replaced by structured interview questions. Federal News Network's Terry Gerton got some advice on how to make those application conversions from Diane Hudson, director of the Certified Professional Career Coach program at the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches.Later in the show, we review a new report from Indeed that confirms what many have been feeling for months: There are too many high-skilled job seekers right now, and too few jobs actually available. Senior economist at the Indeed hiring lab, Cory Stahle, dives into the results of the new research.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After President Trump’s return-to-office orders, some agencies are unsure how to proceed with updating their remote work and telework policies. The Government Accountability Office says the administration needs to issue new guidance to help agencies better measure the effects of their telework policies on performance. A new report from GAO also details the results of a 2024 survey, which found that remote work has positive effects on recruitment, retention and cost savings. Dawn Locke, GAO's director of strategic issues, gives us the details.Later in the show, we dive into the latest on federal probationary periods. Agencies officially have more leeway to fire federal employees who recently started a new job. That’s after the Office of Personnel Management finalized changes to the federal probationary period. OPM says its final rule sets expectations for a high-performing federal workforce. But Jenny Mattingley, vice president of government affairs at the Partnership for Public Service, says OPM’s rule focuses on the wrong reforms for probationary employees. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Some federal employees have historically relied on remote work as a reasonable accommodation to help them make meaningful contributions in their jobs. But the Trump administration's blanket return-to-office directive has upended those remote work arrangements — and caused uncertainty for feds who depended on that flexibility. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton got insights on the reasonable accommodation process, as well as some recourse options for feds, from Aaron Szot, a partner at Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch.Later in the show, we dive into the latest data on military families, who have a major effect on military readiness across the country. Blue Star Families, an organization that advocates for military families, surveys the military family community every year to determine how well they're doing and how likely they are to continue their service. Blue Star Families Chief Impact Officer Lindsay Knight shares analysis on the new survey findings.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal employee benefits could be on the chopping block. That’s as GOP lawmakers move forward with their budget reconciliation bill. Republicans are considering everything from cutting annuity supplements, to charging a fee to file a case with the Merit Systems Protection Board. It’s all to save about $50 billion out of the trillions needed to balance the budget and making the choice harder for federal employees who are weighing their options for taking an early retirement, or a deferred resignation. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman recently sat down with Federal Drive host Terry Gerton to help answer some common questions about the proposed cuts to federal benefits.Later in the show, Federal News Network's Tom Temin catches up with Susan Tsui Grundmann on how things stand for federal employees. She was a long-time member of the Merit Systems Protection Board, director of the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights and a member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Plus, Federal News Network's Terry Gerton hears from former EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum on new technical guidance on how DEI-related initiatives may create unlawful discrimination in workplaces. But that guidance may raise more questions than it answers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to manage the government, it's the national topic at the moment. Right now the government is managed by Elon Musk and Doge. Or by cabinet secretaries who seem hell-bent on cutting away at their departments. Or at least it looks that way. Should we have a Department of Management? My next guest thinks so. I spoke with an outspoken retired federal chief human capital officer, and former political appointee, Jeff Neal.Plus, the shock waves reverberate. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Junior wants to trim a third of the employees. For analysis of what this might mean for agency operations, we turn to a long-serving HHS executive now in private consulting, Jeff Grant.Also, we turn to the topic of far-away feds. Federal employees and service members across the board face tough times. Sailors and Marines sometimes face special challenges when they return home, or they're still away at sea. That's where the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society comes in. It's accepting applications for 2025-26 education grants. For details, I spoke with the society's chief operations officer, retired rear admiral Dawn Cutler.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Some 40,000 federal employees did decide to resigned per the Trump administration's early fork-in-the-road offer. They've been promised full pay for the rest of the fiscal year. What about pension benefits? Or access to the Federal Employee Health Benefits plans? We get some answers from long-time federal employment attorney Alan Lescht.Plus, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is just one Congressional group considering ways to cut federal spending including employee benefits, and save tens of billions of dollars over the years. I spoke with certified financial planner Thiago Glieger for what he's concerned about.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Just what do you get if you're caught up in a reduction in force? Like those Education Department employees RIF'd just this week. And what about if you decide to retire early? Federal retirement expert Tammy Flanagan has been getting lots of these questions lately. She joins me now with a few answers.Plus, is the goal of reducing the federal workforce by 10% wrong? Or just the way the Trump administration is going about it? And what about the persistent five-bullet email? Some perspective now from retired federal manager Abe Grungold of AG Financial Services.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal employees worried about their jobs are also worried about their family finances and health care coverage. In fact, cash flow and health care *should* be at the top of your concerns now. More now from RMG Financial Advisors certified financial planner Thiago Glieger.Plus, whether the Trump administration will be great for the economy, as promised, is yet to be seen. Tariff-induced trade wars don't have a good record. But what about the new administration's effect on your Thrift Savings Plan account, the stock market? Here to take stock so far, Art Stein of Arthur Stein Financial.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Events of the last few weeks have caused federal managers' heads to spin. The resignation offer, the closure of agencies, the new policy schedule. All these developments have sparked lawsuits. One of the litigants is the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. For some of the what's and wherefores, I spoke to NARFE staff vice president John Hatton.Plus, with a little planning followed by consistency, you can save a million dollars in your TSP. And what better time to revise your strategy than when the year is still young. Some ideas from wealth advisor Thiago Glieger.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With the Fork-in-the-Road memo asking every federal employee to consider resigning, lots of feds are suddenly thinking of retiring. Don't let the weirdness of the situation push you into a hasty decision, though. I went over this in detail with federal retirement expert Tammy Flanagan of Retire Federal.Plus, the government barely avoided a shutdown last month. Anything could happen in March though, when the latest continuing resolution expires. Federal employees will get paid. But they could face an interruption in pay deposits for the duration of a furlough. For those who live paycheck to paycheck, that could be tough. I got some practical advice from federal retiree Abe Grungold of AG Financial Services.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal employees, and to some extent all public servants, are wondering precisely what the next few days an months will bring. Lots of questions of a practical nature, like when will new Social Security benefits flow under repeal of old limitations. And, what happens Monday when Donald Trump re-enters the oval office. I got some informed speculation from the staff vice president of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, John Hatton.Federal retirees are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars a year into an annuity offering at the Thrift Savings Plan. What is it, and why is it so popular? I got the lowdown from certified financial planner Art Stein of Arthur Stein Financial.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Far be it from us to spoil the optimism of the fresh, new year. But senior career managers in government might want to consider preparing for the worst. Suppose the coming Trump administration does get Schedule F in place. Are ready for a forced retirement or change in career? I got some advice, from retirement expert Tammy Flanagan.Plus, 2025 has finally arrived, and you'll be a year older. Or something like that. The new year brings the idea of optimizing your TSP investment profile for the stage of life you're in. I got some ideas from certified financial planner Art Stein of Arthur Stein Financial.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new feature arrives soon for participants in the Thrift Savings Plan. Starting in January 2026, a year from now, participants will be able to make Roth conversions within the TSP. That’s not the only changing at the TSP. Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman recently caught up with the TSP’s director of external affairs, Kim Weaver.Also, it's so close, those in favor can practically taste it. The statutory ending of the windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset. WEP and GPO have reduced Social Security benefits for thousands of state and local government employees and certain federal ones. I got an update from the National Active and Retired Federal Employee Association's John Hatton.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The government might be operating on a continuing resolution. Individuals should take better charge of their own financial lives before the end of the year. Including optimizing your Thrift Savings Plan. We got some tips from RMG Advisors financial planner Thiago Glieger.Plus, thousands of federal employees will retire come the end of the month. Good retirement planning covers your finances, your healthcare, but what about your life and what you'll do day-to-day. The dream can turn to boredom real fast. For some advice to get your backside in gear, I spoke with the happy and fulfilled federal retiree Abe Grungold of AG Financial Services.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's the season of seasons. Thanksgiving season. Christmas season. And for federal employees, it's the middle of open season, which runs until December 5. It has a lot of moving parts. For more, we turn to long time expert in all things having to do with federal employment and post-employment, Tammy Flanagan.Plus, just about six weeks left in 2024. Come January, you'll be a year older. Or something like that. The new year brings the idea of optimizing your TSP investment profile for the stage of life you're in. We got some ideas from certified financial planner Art Stein of Arthur Stein Financial.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Open season means federal employees have homework. Time spent now planning for your health care coverage can pay off later … both in money and health. For some things to think about, I spoke with principal Thiago Glieger of RMG Advisors. Plus, the stock market continues to defy logic, something it seems to do best. Just look at what's been happening this week. Now some 117 thousand federal employees and retirees have Thrift Savings Plan accounts worth more than a million dollars. There ought to be many more. At least, that's what federal retiree and financial advisor Abe Grungold says. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.