Trump administration plans to cut 80,000 VA employees, memo says
An internal memo instructs top-level Veterans Affairs staff to prepare for an agency-wide reorganization in August.
Trump speech to Congress expected to key on Ukraine, national security
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 3, 2025.
Special Features
Open Season Coverage
Tips, tricks, and other information to help you navigate Open Season.
Federal workers, both Democrat and Republican, eager to vote this fall
Past behavior shows this population will show up big at the polls. How feds will vote is less clear.
Office reentry pushing feds to job hunt, Federal Times survey shows
Of those who left their government job, more than a third said the ability to work to telework was the deciding factor.
‘No greater honor’: Federal retirees proud of public service in survey
A desire to serve the public principally motivated many of the more than 530 respondents to pursue a career, long or short, in the federal government.
Latest
Transgender vets sue VA to force move on gender confirmation surgeries
The move comes on the three-year anniversary of President Joe Biden's repeal of the ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.
Texas Guard standoff with feds continues, despite Supreme Court ruling
Texas National Guard and state troopers are still rolling out concertina wire and preventing Border Patrol agents from accessing a portion of the border.
IRS will start simplifying notices to taxpayers in modernization drive
More than 170 million notices, often long and filled with legal jargon, are sent out annually to taxpayers regarding credits, deductions and taxes owed.
Military to cover IVF for unmarried couples, single troops and more
A New York state lawsuit is prompting the changes.
Got relocation expenses? GSA may raise reimbursement caps
Relocation MEA lump sum amounts are expected to increase, according to the proposed regulation.
Senators question legality of Biden’s Houthi strikes in Yemen
Some lawmakers argue Biden needs congressional authorization to strike Yemen's Houthis amid reports the White House is planning a months-long campaign.
How much will my CSRS pension affect my Social Security benefit?
The amount of the reduction depends on your years of Social Security-covered service.
Opinion
Rebuild US brain trust to curb reliance on foreign critical minerals
China’s Commerce Ministry recently imposed export controls on gallium and germanium, minerals essential for computer chips and solar panels.
Pentagon can boost pay for separated families to $400 — but hasn’t
Despite Congress authorizing the increase, the Pentagon is treating it as optional amid an ongoing compensation study.
$50M+ improperly spent on DOD credit cards during COVID pandemic
In one instance, funds were spent to investigate a sinkhole, according to a recent Defense Department Inspector General report.
Federal Oversight
After review, VA scales back plans for contract cancellations
In the last week, department leaders have revised plans to cancel hundreds of contracts in a cost-saving move.
Retirement
Ask Reg: Can I negotiate my federal salary offer?
Departments and agencies vary in the latitude they give their supervisors and managers to vary the step they offer to a prospective employee.
Ask Reg: How long does it take to be vested for federal pension?
A reader asks if their military service counts toward their retirement eligibility.
Ask Reg: The process for counting active duty time toward retirement
A reader asks what documents are needed to prove the time acquired while in the armed forces.
Your Career
Ask Reg: Can I stay on FEHB self-plus-one if spouse moves to Medicare?
A reader asks when he can shift back to self-only coverage once his spouse moves to Medicare.
Ask Reg: Social Security says I’m subject to Windfall Elimination. Why?
There have been ongoing attempts in Congress and by financial advocates to repeal the WEP.
Ask Reg: Does my military buyback count toward my retirement service?
A reader who wants to apply for deferred retirement wonders if their military buyback counts toward their service time.
Pay and Benefits
Vets may see only a small cost-of-living boost in benefits next year
An outside watchdog estimates the benefits adjustment will be less than 3% in 2025.
Management
VA dismisses over 1,000 employees as part of probationary worker purge
Department leaders promised the dismissals will not hurt veterans' benefits or medical care and will save almost $100 million annually.
AI and IT
Russian hackers infiltrate Veterans Affairs via Microsoft account
The state-sponsored hacker infiltrated a platform called Microsoft Azure Government, which provides storage, databases and other services to the VA.
By Zamone Perez
