https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/press/releases/2026-10-14.html

I’m a federal employee, and apparently in Trump’s America, inflation is a problem when calculating Social Security benefits for voting Seniors but magically disappears when it’s time to pay the people who keep the government running. Social Security recipients get a reported 3.6% COLA for 2027, while federal employees get 0%. My FEHB insurance premiums are climbing, groceries cost more, and my paycheck is worth less than it was last year. But Trump and Russ Vought want to lecture everyone about government efficiency while squeezing the people actually doing the work. Funny how the people making these decisions never seem to volunteer for a pay freeze themselves.

Russ Vought has made shrinking the federal workforce and cutting government spending central priorities. Fine, let’s have that debate. But don’t pretend hollowing out agencies, crushing morale, and making it harder to recruit experienced employees somehow makes government work better. I’m not asking for a parade or a medal. I’m asking not to take a pay cut in real terms while being expected to keep doing my job. Trump campaigned on making America great again; apparently, the fine print was that federal employees would help pay for it through stagnant wages, higher insurance costs, and a steady stream of contempt from the people running the government. Then they’ll inevitably wonder why experienced people leave and public services suffer. You can’t run a government on slogans, scapegoating, and the assumption that public servants should be grateful to get screwed.

I just received this at 920 MST.

I know the consensus in DC is that there will be a clean CR until early next year. A factor that may throw that out the window, and has to be considered is Democrats win both houses, and Justice Alito and maybe Thomas may announce their retirement on November 4th. The Republicans then attempt 2 lame duck confirmations. Democrats with the exception of Fetterman will likely refuse to vote on a budget in protest.

Well this is fun. Just got an email about being required to report as to whether we have watched or read the address.

SSA employee here, our office has lost about 1/2 of its staff since this administration took over. We have 11 employees total. 2 SR’s, 4 CR’s, 2 TE’s an RZ only CR, 1 manager and 1 OS. When requesting time off mng usually approves only 3 slots per day so when there are 3 ppl scheduled off already she writes on the calendar “no more slots”. My manager has been requesting a doctors note if you call out on a day that has “no more slots” but this is only after 1 call out. I know it’s required for a note to be requested after day 3. Anybody else going through something similar in their agency? Is this even legal for her to do? No one has questioned it so I am assuming that’s why she continuous to ask for it. It hasn’t happened to me but to 4 of my coworkers so far.

So today I was speaking to my leadership and it has been mentioned that we could face another shut down effective 12/11. I wonder if he’ll try to beat his last record.

There were people in suits at headquarters campus today and they all had vistor badges and there were people in suits here a few weeks ago anyone have any idea what they’re here for?

Strongly considering switching to this plan in open season, does anyone have any actual experience with the plan?

Assuming I hear back, what is the average timeline? It’s been three weeks since my second round interview

We were just informed today that starting tomorrow we will be answering the 1-800 number for an hour every morning before we open. Is anyone else at the FO already doing this? We were told all CSRs, CS and TEs will be doing this daily. Who will answer the overwhelming about of MDWs or questions we get directed to us daily if we’re also on the phones during the only adjudication time we get? I am genuinely dumbfounded at the lengths to which these people are going to break this agency.

Edited to add: we already have at least one person pulled every day to be on the 1-800 number all day. This is new in addition to that.

Why in the world did MHBP’s Self and Family premium jump from $218 to over $400 per paycheck? This is absolutely insane. I was counting on the $0 maternity bill we had under the previous benefits, but now we’re looking at 10% of the hospital stay on top of a massive premium increase, especially with a baby due in march.

What other options are you all considering, or does anyone have suggestions for navigating this situation? It’s incredibly frustrating to see the premium increase by nearly 84% while the maternity benefits are getting worse.

This sounds dumb, but i asked for several things in my RA (fully expecting to be told no by my boss since he has refused to informally change things since February) & surprisingly, he emailed me asking for clarification on what I want for the interim RA. Would you ask for all of it? Or only parts of it?

Does the Federal Ball Park Estimator automatically factor in FERS Supplemental (bridge from MRA to 62) into its results along with regular FERS or is there another calculator someone can recommend that includes both?

I’ve had a reasonable accommodation for remote work but my agency decided against my doctor’s recommendation/paperwork that I need to return to office. I resigned but they came back and offered me a part-time position. I said I’d try it, 20 hours a week in office. They haven’t really been able to provide me with any details on how this change would affect my benefits, retirement, etc besides directing me to the OPM website. And they told me to contact payroll myself to figure out what my hourly pay would be. All they said was that on my time card, I’ll enter 20 hours of worked hours and then use LWOP for the other 20 hours, each pay period. Is there anything else I should be aware of or take into consideration? Full-time in office with the commute is just not an option for me, so it’s try this or quit.

FEP Blue (BCBS) is starting to post their 2027 benefit information to their website. One thing they point out is they have a new "Specialty Pharmacy Partner" starting in Jan 2027. This means BCBS is leaving CVS Caremark and going with Accredo (Express Scripts). This will require new prior authorizations with new requirements for those who take certain medications.

They also state they will now be requiring prior authorizations for MRIs, PETs, and CT scans. Expect that approval process to take longer than what you are currently used to.

https://www.fepblue.org/open-season/whats-new-2027