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Show Notes
This episode of The FED Weekly covers major developments impacting federal employees and retirees for the week of February 8-14, 2026. Key topics include the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security after Congress failed to pass a funding bill, which left essential staff unpaid and sparked a major union lawsuit. The episode also reports on the end of a ban on federal workforce reductions, a proposed overhaul of the reduction-in-force appeals process, and new guidance for reclassifying high-level positions as “at-will.” Legislative updates include the introduction of the FAIR Act for a 4.1% 2027 pay raise and the ongoing implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, which is increasing payments for millions of retirees. Other highlights feature new tax rules for 2026, a spike in health insurance premiums, new retirement system efficiencies, workforce modernization initiatives, and the observance of National Salute to Veteran Patients Week.
- (00:00) - Welcome to The FED Weekly (Feb 8–14, 2026)
- (00:48) - Issues That Affect Current and Retired Federal Workers
- (03:17) - RIF Moratorium Ends + OPM Plan to Centralize Layoff Appeals
- (05:06) - Schedule Policy/Career: 50,000 Roles Shift Toward ‘At‑Will’
- (06:13) - FAIR Act Introduced: Proposed 4.1% Federal Pay Raise for 2027
- (07:03) - Federal Workforce Caucus + National Salute to Veteran Patients Week
- (08:39) - Issues That Affect Retired Federal Workers
- (10:05) - COLA vs. Medicare Part B Hike + OPM Retirement Processing Speeds Up
- (11:53) - SSA Staffing Shortages, New 2026 Tax Changes, and SSI Payment Shift
- (14:06) - Issues That Affect Current Federal Workers
- (15:22) - Tech Force Recruiting, TSP Roth Conversion Tool, and Retirement Expansion Bill
- (17:35) - Court Ruling for Senior Execs + FEHB/PSHB Coverage & Premium Updates
- (19:42) - Wrap-Up, Subscribe, and Next Week’s Outlook