FMA is actively advocating to precent or reduce the cuts to federal retirement benefits explained below.

By Erich Wagner, Government Executive

House Republicans on Monday unveiled a series of changes to a bevy of proposed cuts to federal workers' retirement benefits aimed at making them more politically palatable following bipartisan backlash.

Last month, the House Oversight and Reform Committee advanced its portion of the House GOP’s budget reconciliation bill, which would cut federal spending to partially pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and increased immigration enforcement, including an array of proposals that, taken together, amount to requiring federal workers to pay more toward less generous retirement benefits.

The bill included provisions requiring employees hired prior to 2014, who had previously been exempted from that decade’s increase in how much feds must contribute toward their own retirement benefits, to pay 4.4% of their basic pay toward the Federal Employees Retirement System alongside more recent hires.

The full Oversight and Government Reform Committee is scheduled to consider legislative proposals included in section 2001 of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (H. Con. Res. 14). Among them are increases to pension contributions for all feds, elimination of the FERS annuity supplement and a shift from the "High 3 to High 5" for annuity calculations.

FMA National President Craig Carter sent a letter to the committee respectfully urging the committee to oppose these proposals when considered by the committee on Wednesday, April 30.

This issue impacts the Federal Managers Association, as well, and we are actively looking into ways to work around this new challenge.

By Erich Wagner, Government Executive

The Trump administration has apparently ceased collecting federal workers’ union dues via voluntary payroll deduction at agencies targeted by a recent executive order seeking to strip employees of their collective bargaining rights without notice, leaving labor groups in financial upheaval.

Last month, President Trump signed an executive order citing a rarely used provision of the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act to exempt agencies from federal labor law under the guise of “national security.” The edict, which also carves out non-national security agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Communications Commission, collectively strips two-thirds of the federal workforce of their right to join and be represented by a union.

On February 25, the Social Security Administration (SSA) updated its information on the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, legislation FMA helped pass to repeal both the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Specifically, SSA announced the agency is beginning to pay retroactive benefits this week.

"If a beneficiary is due retroactive benefits as a result of the Act, they will receive a one-time retroactive payment, deposited into the bank account SSA has on file, by the end of March. This retroactive payment will cover the increase in their benefit amount back to January 2024, the month when WEP and GPO no longer apply," the agency states.

On Monday, February 24, Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), and Don Bacon (R-NE) reintroduced the Federal Retirement Fairness Act (H.R. 1522), FMA-endorsed bipartisan legislation that would allow FERS employees to buy back temporary and intermittent times toward their retirement benefits. FMA has long supported this legislation, previously championed by former Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and will work with all of the bill's cosponsors to bring a measure of fairness to affected federal employees. 

On February 3, the Federal Managers Association sent this letter to President Trump reiterating areas in which we hope to work together with his administration, and pointing out some of our concerns with actions his administration has recently taken in regard to federal employees. FMA National President shared the following message with all FMA members:  

First things first – as you know, FMA is a strictly non-partisan professional membership association that seeks to empower and protect our federal manager members. FMA members come from all walks of life and hold a broad spectrum of political views. We are members of FMA because we want to be the best civil servants we can be, and to ensure we are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. When we communicate with Congress and the administration, it is FMA’s intention to be conversational and not confrontational. However, you need to know that FMA will always respectfully push back on policies that would negatively impact federal managers, and thus, the federal government. With each new day, we have new concerns about the executive orders (EOs) the president is issuing that are directly targeting federal employees, including FMA members.

On January 16, 2025, House Oversight and Accountability Committee Ranking Member Gerry Connolly (D-VA) introduced the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act in the 119th Congress, which would provide an average 4.3 percent raise to the federal workforce in 2026. FMA endorsed the legislation, applauding Congressman Connolly for his steadfast support of the federal workforce.

Federal pay has not kept pace with inflation, and retention of feds is at a severe risk. According to the Federal Salary Council, federal employees on average earned 24.72 percent less in 2024 than their private sector counterparts, a disparity that will only force more of the best and brightest out of federal service. FMA urges Congress to provide for a fair and reasonable pay raise that reflects the needs of the workforce for 2026, particularly as feds did not receive the traditional pay parity with the uniformed military for 2025. FMA is pleased to give strong support to the FAIR Act.

On January 5, 2025, FMA Director of Government and Public Affairs Greg Stanford I had the distinct honor and privilege of representing the Federal Managers Association at the White House as President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law. The ceremony, which took place in the East Room, was streamed live on C-SPAN. FMA fought for decades for this legislation, which repeals the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The House and Senate both passed the bill, sponsored by Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), in strong bipartisan fashion late in the 118th Congress. President Biden's signature yesterday officially enacted the bill into law. Following the ceremony, Stanford was proud to view the signed bill and briefly visit with President Biden on behalf of FMA.

A bipartisan short-term funding bill to keep the government open into March 2025 collapsed late on Wednesday, December 18, mere days before funding is set to expire. The current continuing resolution (CR) keeping the government operating runs out on December 20, 2024. 

FMA National President Craig Carter sent a letter to every member of Congress today on this vital issue, urging Congress to act immediately to prevent a shutdown.

If you spent a portion of your career working in the private sector, in addition to your federal service, you may be affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which reduces Social Security benefits you earned. And the Government Pension Offset (GPO) targets and reduces spousal and survival Social Security benefits – disproportionately affecting widows.

After decades of effort, the Senate is poised to vote on the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), which would repeal both the GPO and WEP. This has been an FMA issue brief for many years. FMA National President Craig Carter sent this letter urging all Senators to vote for the bill. FMA also joined the Federal-Postal Coalition on a joint letter earlier this week. You can view that letter here.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced an FMA-endorsed bill to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) will get a vote in the U.S. Senate in the 118th Congress. He addressed a rally on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, December 11. This is optimistic news for the bill, which passed the House of Representatives last month by a vote of 327-75. It needs Senate approval and President Biden's signature to be signed into law. FMA has fought on this issue for decades, and full repeal is closer than ever before. The Senate version of the repeal bill has more than 60 cosponsors, including Vice President-elect J.D. Vance (R-OH).

“I’m here to tell you that the Senate is going to take action on the Social Security Fairness Act,” Schumer said. “You’re going to find out which senators are with you, and which are against you. I’ve got all of my Democrats lined up to support it . . . and we need 15 Republicans, so let’s get them, and we’re going to have the vote. What’s happening to you is unfair, it’s un-American and I will fight it all the way.”

On Tuesday, November 12, the House of Representatives passed the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), FMA-endorsed legislation that would repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), passed by a vote of 327-75.

FMA National President Craig Carter sent this letter urging all Members of Congress to vote for the bill.

Following passage, Carter applauded the House for their decisive vote on bringing fairness to millions of Social Security beneficiaries. "The resounding and momentous bipartisan vote on the House floor comes after decades of effort to repeal these odious provisions that callously reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for millions of public servants and their beneficiaries," Carter wrote. He thanked Reps. Graves and Spanberger for their unending effort to get this far.

If you spent a portion of your career working in the private sector, in addition to your federal service, you may be affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which reduces Social Security benefits you earned. And the Government Pension Offset (GPO) targets and reduces spousal and survival Social Security benefits – disproportionately affecting widows.

After decades of effort, the House of Representatives will finally vote on the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), which would repeal both the GPO and WEP. H.R. 82 will be considered on Tuesday, November 12. This has been an FMA issue brief for many years. FMA National President Craig Carter sent this letter urging all Members of Congress to vote for the bill.

FMA endorsed the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), which would repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). We also support the successful discharge petition that set the bill -- the second-most cosponsored bill in the 118th Congress for consideration on the floor of the House. We are disappointed by the cowardly subterfuge engineered to derail a vote on the House floor, and support options for the bill's consideration.

By CQ Roll Call Staff

Members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus orchestrated an unusual play on the House floor during a rare election night, 5 p.m. pro forma session that resulted in killing, at least for now, a broadly popular bill that was set to hit the floor as soon as next week.

Reps. Garret Graves, R-La., and Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., had successfully rounded up the 218 signatures needed for a discharge petition to bypass GOP leaders and bring up bipartisan legislation that would repeal two long-standing provisions docking Social Security benefits for certain retirees. They were set to make their move as soon as Tuesday night by triggering a two-day clock to bring to the floor the special rule for immediate consideration of the bill.

With 330 co-sponsors, including now-Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who was one of the first to affix his name early in the 118th Congress, passage of the measure was all but guaranteed. GOP leaders were mulling simply bringing it to the floor under suspension of the rules next week, which skips a rule vote but requires two-thirds of members present and voting to pass.

On September 25, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced the 2025 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program rates. The open season for health benefits, dental and vision insurance, and flexible spending accounts will be November 11 through December 9, 2024.

The average enrollee share increase for 2025 will be 13.5 percent. The last time the increase in the enrollee share was over 10 percent was in 2003 (11.6 percent). The overall average FEHB premium increase will be 11.2 percent. The new health premiums go into effect in January 2025.

As you may know, FEHB premiums are shared by you and your agency. You generally pay approximately 30 percent of the total cost, and your agency pays the remaining 70 percent. The full set of rate charts for 2025 is available here.

Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Craig Carter wrote all members of both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate today, urging them to fund the federal government for Fiscal Year 2025, prevent a lapse in appropriations, and avert a government shutdown. 

"FMA members are dedicated patriots who tirelessly serve their communities, fulfilling congressionally-mandated missions and goals, while administering invaluable services to all Americans. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees – who are taxpayers like their fellow citizens – do not know if they will be told to stay home and not get paid for the foreseeable future. This has tangible, negative effects on the employees, their families, and every American who relies on the services they provide," Carter wrote.

FMA has endorsed the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), which would fully repeal both the GPO and WEP. We are working with Reps. Graves and Spanberger in their effort to expedite and advance the will of the House.

Erich Wagner, Government Executive -

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers on Tuesday filed a discharge petition seeking to force a vote on the House floor on a measure that would eliminate a pair of controversial tax rules that reduce the retirement benefits of some ex-government workers.

FMA has endorsed the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), which would fully repeal both the GPO and WEP. We are working with Reps. Graves and Spanberger in their effort to expedite and advance the will of the House. 

By Erich Wagner, Government Executive

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers announced Monday that they would act to force a vote on the House floor on a measure that would repeal a pair of controversial tax rules that negatively impact some federal employees’ retirement income.

The Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), introduced last year by Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and Garrett Graves, R-La., would repeal Social Security’s windfall elimination provision and government pension offset.

To read the full article, click here.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee unanimously advanced the Chance to Compete Act (S. 59), commonsense bipartisan legislation endorsed by FMA that reduces unnecessary burdens to job hiring in the federal workforce. The measure passed by a vote of 11-0 and is cleared for consideration on the Senate floor. The House of Representatives passed similar legislation by a vote of 422-2 in January 2023.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) introduced the bill, along with Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), James Lankford (R-OK) and Tom Carper (D-DE). To read Sen. Sinema's press release following the committee action, click here.

How one telework newcomer is managing his employees remotely during the pandemic

FEDweek

The Federal Managers Association is proud to announce the winners of the Association's highest honors and awards. On March 30, we recognized Ken Westlake of FMA Chapter 375 (Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago, Illinois) as FMA's 2019 Manager of the Year. Now, we present the winners of the Gil Guidry Award, the President's Award, the Odell Green Award, FMA's Super Recruiter, and the top regional recruiters of new members. We hope that shining a light on these deserving public servants and sharing a little bit of their stories will help boost everyone's morale in these trying times. FMA is certainly impressed with their accomplishments and thankful for your service to our country and the Association.

Whether permanent or as part of a contingency plan, teleworking requires a combination of culture changes and technology.

The Federal Managers Association (FMA) is hosting its annual national convention and management training seminar in Alexandria, Virginia, March 29 through April 1. The centerpiece of the event is the “Day on the Hill,” when FMA members will meet with members of Congress and their staffs to discuss issues important to their installation, their agency, and to FMA.

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FEDweek

Federal Managers Groups Largely Support Trump OPM Pick

By Erich Wagner, Government Executive

The Trump administration’s nomination of George Nesterczuk to serve as director of the Office of Personnel Management is already making waves among groups that represent federal workers.

While groups representing managers voiced varying levels of support for the announcement Wednesday, a union official was warier of the choice.