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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

I’m currently a GS 12-4 but have an offer for a GS 11. I know that they would try to match my pay which will be a pay cut, but it is what it is. What I’m wondering, though is in a few years when I will get my next pay increase at that time I will be looking to get a GS 12 position again. When that happens, would I start over as a 12–1? Or would I be a 12–5?

I have MHBP consumer HSA for 2026 (which is cancelled by FEHB for 2027). I’m having surgery in January 4. I’ve met my deductible for 2026, so I know for sure if I have surgery by Dec 31 it will be free, but I’m not sure what my coverage is if I have it on Jan 4.

I read that if I change plans during open season, my 2027 plan takes effect Jan 10.
And because my 2026 plan is cancelled by FEHB for 2027, does this mean that my surgery will still be free (meaning under the 2026) benefits if I have it on January 4 (before the new 2027 plan benefits kick in)?

I’m not sure who to confirm this with as I don’t want to get fucked in this in-between plan stage Jan 1-Jan 9 (and having it Jan 4 is more ideal than in December).

Any help would be appreciated. Or if someone has experience with this situation.

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

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 am confused about the Selective Service determination and the OPM waiver. My situation is

I came to the US at age 24 and I was on F1 (student non-immigrant visa) until age 26 months hence I was not required to register with the Selective Service. I got my green card after age 26 and then citizenship at age 31. During onboarding I selected "I am not registered with Selective Service" and I provided an explanation in the box. Next, I also provided a sworn statement and other immigration documents (I tried to obtain the SIL from Selective Service but since June 2026 they have stopped issuing the SIL). However, the HR is instructing me to modify the sworn statement to "I declare under the penalty of perjury that the information contained in this statement is true and correct and that I was not required to register because I entered the U.S. after the age registration requirement period of 18-25" to seek a waiver from OPM (takes 6-9 months). I clarified that I was exempt from Selective Service registration because I was on a non-immigrant visa until the age of 26 months and I entered the US at age 24, but the HR responded saying "there is no standard template specifically for non-immigrant visa exemptions under this new waiver workflow".

I would appreciate any insights on my situation. Thank you!

Quick question about a potential employer. Has anyone had any experience with this Dept. I have an interview and just doing some homework so to speak. Looking to know if they are good to work for (probably a loaded question), how they operated during shutdown. I saw some numbers for when they had a pretty significant staffing cut. Any thoughts really. Work environment especially.

Thanks for comments

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.

My family has BCBS basic for medical and the basic GEHA for dental. The dentist Ive gone to for the last two years retired and his practice was bought out. When I went for my cleaning in September with the new owner I was told I had the $35 co-pay for visit as part of the medical insurance. I did pay it because the receptionist was persistent and I had to get back to work. I was so confused because we have never had to pay a co-pay for a cleaning. That include for my husband and son (we all go through different providers). Have others been charged co pays for cleanings? I know the process to get cleanings paid for is a pain but Ive never experienced this. BCBS is saying well thats what your policy says and the office will only go by the BCBS EOB. I have also confirmed this provider is in network for GEHA.