In this episode of The FED Weekly, we cover key developments for federal employees and retirees from January 18–24, 2026. The Office of Personnel Management confirmed a modest 1.0% pay raise for federal workers, while locality pay rates remain frozen. The House passed major spending bills, including provisions to extend Medicare telehealth and reform pharmacy benefit managers. Retirees saw updates to IRS tax forms and new guidance on pension rollover rules, along with reminders on how retirement timing impacts cost-of-living adjustments. Federal law enforcement received a 3.8% special salary rate increase, and the Thrift Savings Plan now automates catch-up contributions. Workforce reductions hit several agencies, prompting union legal action, and leadership changes at the Federal Labor Relations Authority may affect union rights. Lawrence emphasizes the importance of staying informed about these evolving policies and benefits.

• (00:00) - Introduction: Your Weekly Federal Briefing

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we review key developments for federal employees and retirees during mid-January 2026. Highlights include the House passing vital agency funding bills, new protections to ensure federal pay during shutdowns, and a crackdown on improper payments to deceased individuals. The implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act brings retroactive benefit payments to millions, while retirees see annuity increases offset by rising Medicare premiums. Updates on new digital data platforms, pay raises (with a focus on law enforcement), changes to union rights, and modernized hiring policies are covered. Lawrence also discusses ongoing challenges, including retirement application backlogs, the new Postal Service Health Benefits program, legislative proposals affecting job security, and efforts to reclassify civil service roles. The episode underscores the rapidly changing landscape and the importance of staying informed about policies impacting federal careers, benefits, and retirement.

• (00:00) - Introduction: Your Weekly Federal Briefing

We break down the latest news impacting federal employees and retirees. The big legislative update is the House passing HR 6938, a minibus appropriations bill that protects funding for agencies like NASA and EPA and rejects proposed budget cuts. Pay rates are set for 2026, with most federal workers receiving a modest 1% increase, while law enforcement gets a higher adjustment. Attrition is up across the federal government, with notable losses in the Departments of Education and Treasury. Retirees under CSRS and FERS will get cost-of-living increases—2.8% and 2.0% respectively. OPM changes the tax form 1099R delivery to electronic by default, and the TSP’s G Fund interest rate rises. There’s also a new option for Roth in-plan conversions. NARFE proposes extending board term limits during government restructuring. Telework rules are tightening, with remote work now generally restricted, sparking union opposition. FEMA begins workforce reductions despite ongoing legal battles against mass terminations.

• (00:00) - Introduction and Overview

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we recap key developments for federal employees and retirees from December 28, 2025, to January 3, 2026. Highlights include President Trump’s executive order granting extended holidays, which resulted in forfeited use-or-lose leave for some workers. Federal health benefit premiums have surged again—up 12.3% for most and 11.3% for postal workers—outpacing inflation. Congress faces a looming January 30 funding deadline after a record-breaking shutdown last fall. Retirees receive a finalized 2026 COLA: 2.8% for CSRS/Social Security and 2.0% for FERS. Errors on annuitant statements are addressed, with reassurance on actual payments. Recent Social Security bills aim to improve services but don’t address major benefit reforms. Notably, the repeal of the windfall elimination provision is now in effect for the first full year. The 2026 federal pay raise is low—just 1%—except for law enforcement, who receive about 3.8%. Major executive actions are ending most telework and prompting union backlash amid significant workforce cuts, especially in education and veterans’ affairs. Retirement savings rules also change, with higher contribution limits and mandatory Roth catch-ups for higher earners.

• (00:00) - Introduction and Overview

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we recap significant developments for federal employees and retirees for the week of December 21–27, 2025. Key highlights include President Trump’s executive order creating a five-day federal holiday weekend, a finalized 1.0% general pay raise for most federal employees (with federal law enforcement receiving an additional adjustment), and the last steps before the Postal Service Health Benefits program launch. Lawrence also covers the substantial 12.3% health premium increases, the upcoming 2026 COLA for federal retirees, and changes in Medicare Part B premiums—warning that many retirees will see their COLA consumed by these higher costs. The episode discusses TSA’s union decertification, the hiring surge for AI and cybersecurity experts, ongoing debates over telework policies, and legislative updates, including the Shutdown Fairness Act, the Equal COLA Act, and the FAIR Act.

• (00:00) - Introduction and Overview

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we recap significant developments for federal employees and retirees from December 14-20, 2025. Highlights include the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act, impacting the federal workforce and supply chain security, plus executive orders granting federal employees extra holiday leave and finalizing a 1% pay raise for 2026—though locality pay remains frozen. There were significant updates to federal health benefits, with premiums rising about 10% and substantial changes in coverage, including the removal of gender transition procedures. Retirees face a growing crisis as OPM's retirement processing backlog triples from the previous year, causing significant delays in benefit payments. Labor tensions are high, with union rights under threat and a new bill (HR 2550) progressing in Congress to counteract executive actions limiting collective bargaining. Other key stories include the launch of the US TechForce hiring initiative, USPS financial troubles, and controversy over agency relocations and transparency rules at USCIS.

• (00:00) - Introduction and Overview

This episode of The FED Weekly covers the critical updates for federal employees and retirees from December 7-13, 2025. Key focus areas include the end of the federal Benefits Open Season and a sharp 12.3% increase in health insurance premiums for 2026, compounding a 25% hike over two years. Budget negotiations resulted in another temporary continuing resolution, extending federal funding through March 2026 but restricting agency operations. There’s concern over minimal pay raises: most federal workers receive just a 1.0% increase (with no bump to locality pay), far below inflation, except for specific law enforcement roles, who get 3.8%. Retirees face diminishing real income, as rising healthcare and Medicare costs outpace COLA increases. Legislative action saw Congress pass a bill to protect labor rights, but related protections were stripped from the crucial NDAA, leaving defense workers exposed. Additionally, federal wage-grade employees will see retroactive pay raises in early 2026. The episode closes with advice to stay informed and engaged amid ongoing changes in pay, benefits, and labor rights.

• (00:00) - Introduction: Your Weekly Federal Briefing

This week on The FED Weekly, we cover the critical news for federal employees and retirees from November 30 to December 6, 2025. The Federal Benefits Open Season ends December 8, and participants must act quickly due to plan changes and increased health costs. Flexible spending account re-enrollment is required, with updated IRS limits. The anticipated 2026 pay raise stands at 1.0% for most employees, except law enforcement, who may see a 3.8% increase. Thrift Savings Plan funds show growth, while year-end withdrawal deadlines impact 2025 taxes. Retirees will receive a 2.8% COLA boost, but rising insurance premiums may offset gains. Notably, there’s a temporary block on State Department layoffs due to a court ruling, and OPM drafts impactful regulations to reclassify policy roles, threatening civil service protections. The fight for DoD union rights continues in NDAA negotiations. Finally, delayed wage grade pay raises for DoD workers are being processed, offering relief. Stay tuned for ongoing coverage of these evolving workforce and retirement issues.

• (00:00) - Introduction and Overview

This week on The FED Weekly, we cover crucial updates for federal employees and retirees from November 23-29, 2025. The episode breaks down Federal Benefits Open Season—highlighting a significant 12.3% hike in health premiums for 2026—and details how new plan designs shift more costs onto members. Legislative efforts to tackle rising healthcare expenses, including reforms targeting pharmacy benefit managers, are also discussed. For retirees, the 2026 FERS cost-of-living adjustment is capped at 2.0%, falling short of matching premium increases, raising concerns about financial security. The episode also explains pay changes: most General Schedule workers receive only a 1.0% increase. At the same time, law enforcement sees targeted boosts, reviews ongoing federal workforce reductions, and faces a high-stakes legislative battle over collective bargaining rights. Lawrence stresses the importance of staying informed as policy and benefit changes continue to reshape the federal workforce landscape.

• (00:00) - Introduction: Your Weekly Federal Briefing

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we recap crucial updates for federal employees and retirees for November 16–22, 2025. Key topics include the annual Federal Benefits Open Season, which features essential plan changes and mandatory actions—especially for those with terminating health or dental plans. If enrolled in a plan ending in 2025, participants must choose new coverage or risk automatic enrollment in a high-premium default plan or loss of dental coverage. The episode also spotlights changes in Thrift Savings Plan catch-up contributions, with high earners required to use Roth options for 2026. For retirees, it covers cost-of-living adjustments and special open season instructions for employees transitioning to retirement. Legislative action includes a bipartisan move to restore federal union rights, significant new OPM compliance and audit measures for DEIA and return-to-office directives, clarifications on manager liability, and new senior leadership development programs.

• (00:00) - Introduction and Overview