The FED Weekly 26 Apr - 2 May 2026 (Episode 48)

About this episode

This episode provides a weekly briefing for federal employees and retirees, highlighting key issues affecting their benefits and job security.

Here is the weekly briefing for federal employees and retirees, covering April 26 to May 2, 2026. TSP portfolios rebounded in April after a tough start to the year, with the C Fund leading gains. The House Committee on Oversight advanced nine anti-fraud bills, targeting $186 billion in improper payments reported in 2025. A new report highlighted workforce reform costs and declining federal employee morale, with thriving rates dropping to 48%. Retirees were urged to check for updates on the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, as the SSA continues processing retroactive payments and benefit applications. Medicare Part B and FEHB myths were clarified, noting cost-saving opportunities and income-based surcharges. OPM is modernizing retirement processing to cut delays. For current workers, the DHS shutdown—the longest on record—ended, but with significant personal hardships. The Federal Worker Credit Protection Act was introduced to shield workers' credit scores. OPM changed performance appraisal rules for Schedule C and G positions as political reclassification rules advance. Wildland firefighters may receive hazard pay; whistleblower protections strengthen at VA; and…

People in this episode

Host: Dave Faulk

Topics covered

• federal employee benefits
• anti-fraud legislation
• workforce reform
• retirement processing
• credit protection
• pay and job security

Keywords

• TSP portfolios
• anti-fraud bills
• workforce reform costs
• Social Security updates
• Medicare myths
• retirement processing
• DHS shutdown
• hazard pay
• whistleblower protections

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: House Committee on Oversight, Social Security Administration, OPM, DHS, Federal Worker Credit Protection Act, VA

More episodes of The FED Weekly

• The FED Weekly 31 May - 6 Jun 2026 (Episode 53) · June 7, 2026 · 28 min
• The FED Weekly 24-30 May 2026 (Episode 52) · May 31, 2026 · 24 min
• The FED Weekly 17-23 May 2026 (Episode 51) · May 24, 2026 · 32 min
• The FED Weekly 10-16 May 2026 (Episode 50) · May 18, 2026 · 18 min
• The FED Weekly 3-9 May 2026 (Episode 49) · May 10, 2026 · 18 min
• The FED Weekly 19-25 Apr 2026 (Episode 47) · April 26, 2026 · 15 min