The FED Weekly

This episode of The FED Weekly covers major updates affecting federal employees and retirees for August 3-9, 2025. Key topics include OPM’s directive to remove COVID-19 vaccine records from personnel files, new legislation to protect employee access to personnel files, and revised rules for probationary periods that make it easier to terminate new hires. Legal setbacks for federal unions are discussed, along with union-led resistance to proposed cuts and privatization at NASA and USDA, which unions argue threaten job security and public services. Updates for retirees focus on FERS changes: a larger-than-usual COLA, a slight boost to the annuity formula for long-term service, and possible adjustments to retirement eligibility, especially for employees with under 20 years’ service. Guidance on deferred resignation and its interplay with retirement is also covered. The episode highlights an environment of administrative change, union pushback, and ongoing legislative and legal battles that federal workers and retirees should closely monitor.