Strategies for readying yourself for the upcoming chapters of your federal job journey
In a significant move, President Trump signed an executive order to establish the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk. The new department is tasked with modernizing federal technology and software to enhance governmental efficiency and productivity.
The Department of Government Efficiency is not expected to lead to a reduction in government headcount, spending, and regulations, as stated by President Trump in the past. Instead, its focus is on modernizing federal systems.
For federal employees, the process of retirement has some key changes. The retirement application package includes forms SF 3107 for FERS and SF 2801 for CSRS. Additionally, for CSRS employees, additional forms such as SF 2804 and RI 38-124 are required.
If not eligible for an immediate retirement, employees should review the application for a deferred or postponed retirement (RI 92-19). It is also recommended that employees maintain copies of records of federal employment and benefits for retirement.
Personnel action statements that show jobs, retirement coverage, salary changes, designation of beneficiary forms, and records of health and life insurance coverage should be kept. These statements are crucial for the processing of retirement applications.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) provides guidance for submitting retirement application packages. It is important to note that handwritten forms should be printed legibly with a black ink pen, and corrections are not accepted in most sections of the retirement applications.
Retirement forms are fillable and can be completed online, printed out, and signed. However, it is recommended that federal employees keep copies of all relevant documents for future reference.
It is also suggested that federal employees prepare for the possibility of early retirement, changes in career, or the need to retire comfortably outside of federal employment. Changes proposed in President Trump's 2017 budget, such as eliminating cost-of-living allowances and reducing COLAs for retirees, increasing employee contributions to annuities, eliminating the FERS annuity supplement, and basing federal pensions on the average of the highest five years of salary, have resurfaced and could affect future benefits.
However, so far, none of these proposed changes from the 2017 budget have taken effect. The situation involves complex political discussions, and no definitive implementation has occurred to date. The proposed changes to retirement regulations for federal employees included in President Trump's 2017 budget have not been implemented and remain pending.
Federal workers are on high alert due to the end of telework, changes to retirement benefits, and potential dismantling of federal agencies like the IRS and Education Department. It is crucial for federal employees to stay informed and prepared for any changes that may come.
In conclusion, the Department of Government Efficiency aims to modernize federal technology and software, while the process of federal retirement remains largely the same, with some key changes in the required forms and the need for employees to keep copies of all relevant documents. The future of federal retirement benefits is still uncertain, with ongoing debates and no definitive implementation to date.
