FedSmith

FedSmith.com is a free online resource designed for individuals interested in the federal community and the workings of the federal government. The website features articles from a diverse group of writers who specialize in federal topics, along with daily updates on news that affects the federal workforce. Using our deep knowledge of the federal sector, we deliver relevant news items every day. Moreover, FedSmith.com encourages user engagement by frequently surveying visitors on current issues, allowing comments on articles, and providing opportunities to interact with experts in the field.

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Why Federal Employees Often Get Terrible Financial Advice

1 week ago | fedsmith.com | Dallen Haws

Federal employees, listen up. If you’ve been in the game for a while, you might have noticed a troubling trend: as a group, federal employees often receive terrible financial advice. Whether it’s from financial planners, coworkers, or even those teaching retirement trainings at agencies, the guidance you get is often off the mark. Today, we’re going to unpack why this happens and, more importantly, how you can protect yourself from falling into the same trap.
Remembering Memorial Day: Federal Agency Continuing The Search For Missing American Service Members

1 week ago | fedsmith.com | Ralph Smith

I recently received an unexpected, lengthy report from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). The agency’s mission is to provide “the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation.”The report was eight pages long. It was entirely about the efforts being made by the agency to find the remains of my uncle, the pilot of a Vought F4U-1D Corsair plane as a member of the US Marine Corps Reserve in World War II.
Supremes Reinforce Executive Power Over Independent Agencies, Appeals May Continue

2 weeks ago | fedsmith.com | Ralph Smith

It has been a long and winding road regarding whether MSPB Chair Cathy Harris will remain in that job. It is getting much closer to the end now with the Supreme Court weighing in on the issue. The Supremes overturned a stay, issued by the District Court in the District of Columbia concluding the stay was inappropriate.
Dueling Court Decisions: Status Of Judicial Review Of Executive Order On Unions And National Security

2 weeks ago | fedsmith.com | Ralph Smith

On May 17th, FedSmith published an article noting the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued a stay by a lower court that allowed the administration to proceed taking steps for implementing an executive order expanding exclusions from the federal labor relations program. The focus of the case is an executive order issued by President Trump on March 27, 2025, entitled Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs.
How To Strategically Time Your Federal Retirement

2 weeks ago | fedsmith.com | Dallen Haws

Retirement is one of the most significant milestones in your federal career. As a federal employee, strategically timing your retirement date can help you make the most of your hard-earned benefits—your pension, annual leave, sick leave, and more. But many federal employees overlook key details that can cost them money or delay benefits. Let’s walk through how you can time your retirement the smart way to ensure you start this next chapter of life on the right foot.
National Security Or Union Busting? The Debate Over The Latest Executive Order

2 weeks ago | fedsmith.com | Ralph Smith

The Executive Order challenged in a recent court decision overturning an injunction of the Order is entitled Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs. The labor relations exclusions in the Executive Order signed by President Trump on March 27, 2025, modified Executive Order 12171 of November 19, 1979 signed by President Jimmy Carter. The Carter Executive Order was entitled Exclusions from the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program.
How To Avoid These Common Federal Employee Retirement Mistakes

3 weeks ago | fedsmith.com | Dallen Haws

If you’ve spent any time online, you’ve probably seen one of those viral clips where a cyclist is about to win a race. They’re meters from the finish line, throw their hands up in celebration, and bam—they trip, fall, or get passed at the last second. Why? Because they got comfortable. They assumed the hard part was over. That’s the last thing I want for any federal employee nearing retirement. Unfortunately, it happens far too often.
Inflation, 2026 COLA And The Latest Consumer Price Index

3 weeks ago | fedsmith.com | Ralph Smith

Inflation is generally down. Here is a quick summary:The “Core CPI”, which does not include the cost of food & energy, increased 0.2% in April. This was below a forecasted rate of 0.3%. The 12-month rise in CPI dropped to 2.3% in April from 2.4% in the previous month. This is the smallest increase since 2021. The increase in the core CPI in the past 12 months was unchanged in April and remained at 2.8%The latest consumer price index (CPI) was up 0.2% over the month, while annual inflation rose 2.3%.
Probationary Employees Seeking Reinstatement Denied By Court

3 weeks ago | fedsmith.com | Ralph Smith

A federal judge in the District of Columbia has denied a motion for a preliminary injunction sought by eight former probationary federal employees The employees contended their terminations violated their constitutional and statutory rights. The case, Jessica Gober, et al. v. Douglas Collins, et al., Civil Action No. 25-714 (RC), highlights the increasingly complex legal landscape governing federal employment, especially for probationary workers.
Federal Return-to-Office Orders Are Backfiring On Productivity And Public Service

1 month ago | fedsmith.com | Gleb Tsipursky

Chaos, frustration, and a deep sense of unease have swept through countless federal offices ever since President Donald Trump announced a blanket return-to-office mandate. For many employees, it feels like an unexpected reversal of the remote work system they had come to rely on. Where some officials once found autonomy, focus, and family balance, they now encounter daily commutes, cramped workspaces, and a scramble for the most basic supplies.