The 2025 "Fork in the Road" email

[jimcasada]

I still get messages from our Union (even though I'm retired). Later yesterday, I received a message telling folks to only reply if instructed to do by their immediate supervisor. And if you do reply, to also CC your supervisor and the next higher supervisor in your chain of command.

[searight]

If Musk says something I treat it as rumor since he is not in my supervisory chain. He isn’t even the leader of DOGE, that is somebody named Amy Gleason.

[TopNotch]

I really hope that we're not going to have to provide weekly reports to someone outside of our chain of command.

[twinkc]

I'm wishing all of you the best outcome. I retired 7 years ago and don't think I could stomach what you're all having to deal with on a daily, uncertain basis. It's really sad that this is the state of affairs we're in right now. Stay resilient. Stay strong.

[pjwaite]

Well, here we are, 28 Feb the No-Later-Than date for this deferred resignation and still no word. Has anyone out there in federal land received their Deferred Resignation Agreement or been told to start administrative leave on 1 March?

[Aitrus]

A number of people in my organization have received their letter and are doing outprocessing all through next week, at which point they'll begin their admin leave.

[IRQVET]

People in my agency who took the Vera started getting notified this week that some are approved to retire beginning March 7 and some on March 12th. Had one co-worker who didn’t opt for the voluntary resignation or the VERA, got an email that his request for seperation wasn’t approved by his supervisor. He was WTF?! I didn’t ask for this. But he has a very common name, so we were wondering if it suppose to go to somoene else with his same name, and they got the two mixed up?

[Bubba]

People in my agency who took the Vera started getting notified this week that some are approved to retire beginning March 7 and some on March 12th. Had one co-worker who didn’t opt for the voluntary resignation or the VERA, got an email that his request for seperation wasn’t approved by his supervisor. He was WTF?! I didn’t ask for this. But he has a very common name, so we were wondering if it suppose to go to somoene else with his same name, and they got the two mixed up?

I'm curious about if/how this got resolved.

If we survive the upcoming RIFs...then all of the changes will make working in the government even more difficult. 0.8% to 4.4% for FERS, vouchers for healthcare, high 5 and no more FERS supplementary annuity...fun stuff.

[IRQVET]

[ 0.8% to 4.4% for FERS, vouchers for healthcare

Can you unpack this? Haven’t heard of this, I’ve heard about the high-3 moving to the high-5 concern, but I’m not sure what else your addressing . . .

[Aitrus]

[ 0.8% to 4.4% for FERS, vouchers for healthcare

Can you unpack this? Haven’t heard of this, I’ve heard about the high-3 moving to the high-5 concern, but I’m not sure what else your addressing . . .

There are a number of proposals to reform civil service compensation currently being discussed. Not sure if any bills have been put forward for any / all of them or where they're at in the process. Regardless, the conversation is happening more vigorously than I think we've seen in the last decade or two.

Among the proposals I've read / heard about:

- All federal employees will pay 4.4% for FERS, no matter when you were hired. This means that those who currently pay 0.8% will be changed to 4.4%, while those who pay 4.4% will remain the same.

- Instead of the government paying a portion of the costs of whichever FEHB plan the civil service employee chooses, each employee will be given set voucher amount (with different rates based on single vs married vs married with children, etc.). That voucher can be used for any plan the worker chooses, and the worker is responsible for paying the rest.

- Eliminate the SSI Supplement provision for early retirees who qualify.

- Raise the age that COLA increases begin for retirement payments to the age the retiree applies for SSI (or just make COLA increases begin at the full SSI retirement date for everyone, regardless of when the worker retires and begins receiving a check).

- Charge fees when submitting appeals to the MSPB.

- Eliminate official time for union activities.

More info here: https://www.fedweek.com/fedweek/house-b ... -for-cuts/

[IRQVET]

Thanks for unpacking that, first I’ve heard of it.

[IRQVET]

Heard a rumor my offices leased building is on the Doge chopping block, had to check it out for myself. Rumor was we’re the #1 most expensive leased building in the region:

https://doge.gov/savings

[Bubba]

[ 0.8% to 4.4% for FERS, vouchers for healthcare

Can you unpack this? Haven’t heard of this, I’ve heard about the high-3 moving to the high-5 concern, but I’m not sure what else your addressing . . .

There are a number of proposals to reform civil service compensation currently being discussed. Not sure if any bills have been put forward for any / all of them or where they're at in the process. Regardless, the conversation is happening more vigorously than I think we've seen in the last decade or two.

Among the proposals I've read / heard about:

- All federal employees will pay 4.4% for FERS, no matter when you were hired. This means that those who currently pay 0.8% will be changed to 4.4%, while those who pay 4.4% will remain the same.

This change angers me quite a bit. I chose government service in part because of the annuity (obviously foremost as a public service!). Sure, I'm very fortunate to have it, but I'm paying as of now, 0.8% so that I can get a future 1%. So, yes I'm getting that magical 0.2%. Then, suddenly I'll be paying 4.4% to get a 1% annuity. If I hadn't had this many years in Federal service, then I would prefer to have more in my TSP.

[evilanne]

I think if they could have legally done it, they would have already (back in 2013-14?). There was 2 rounds FERS-FRA & FRAE increasing the rate based on the date of hire.

[Bubba]

I think if they could have legally done it, they would have already (back in 2013-14?). There was 2 rounds FERS-FRA & FRAE increasing the rate based on the date of hire.

I appreciate the comment about them doing it legally. I have a feeling you didn't mean it that way...but it's great nonetheless.

I am still of the opinion that when you sign a contract, it shouldn't be changed without some give or take. This is just take...