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Pay and Benefits for Federal Employees
Learn more about pay and benefits for federal employees.
On This Page
- Pay Scales for Federal Employees
- Benefit Programs for Federal Employees and Survivors
- Civil Service Retirement
- Federal Employees’ Thrift Savings Plan
- Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
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Pay Scales for Federal Employees
The government publishes new pay tables for federal employees every year.
Federal Employee Salaries
The president and Congress decide how much, if any, pay raise federal workers will receive in the next calendar year.
- See pay tables for federal employees (2022 and prior years).
- Learn more about federal pay and benefits from the Office of Personnel Management.
You can learn about 2022 pay scales and benefits for members of the Foreign Service, including consular agents, from the State Department.
Federal Employees Pay Social Security Taxes
All federal employees hired in 1984 or later pay Social Security taxes. This includes the president, the vice president, and members of Congress. It also includes federal judges and most political appointees.
They all pay the same amount of Social Security taxes as people working in the private sector.
Benefit Programs for Federal Employees and Survivors
To learn about your federal benefits or get help with them, contact your agency’s personnel or human resources office. And visit the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website. You can also Contact OPM.
Learn About Benefits Through OPM
By visiting the OPM Healthcare and Insurance pages, you can:
- Sign up for benefits
- Find forms
- Get answers to frequently asked questions about insurance programs
Find Information About Specific Benefit Programs
Go directly to the program you’re interested in:
- Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI)
- Federal Employees Dental/Vision Program (FEDVIP)
- Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB)
- Learn about the new FEHB Self Plus One enrollment type.
- Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS)
- Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)
Enroll In or Change Federal Benefits
- If you are a current employee, you can only enroll in or change your federal employee benefits during the annual Open Season.
- You may enroll in or change your plans outside Open Season only if you experience a qualifying life event, such as marriage.
- New employees can enroll in benefits outside of Open Season.
- Open Season does not include FEGLI. Outside of FEGLI’s infrequent open seasons, you can enroll or increase your coverage if:
- You take a physical exam or
- You have a qualifying life event
Learn more about enrolling in, changing, or canceling FEGLI benefits.
Federal Benefits for Retirees and Survivors
Federal retirees and their survivors are also eligible for these benefit programs. For further help with benefits, contact OPM Retirement Services.
Civil Service Retirement
If you’ve retired from the federal government or plan to, get to know the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)’s retirement services. You can contact them for help with your federal retirement benefits.
Federal Employee Retirement Planning and Management
OPM has information to help you:
- Learn about retirement options
- Find answers to common questions about federal retirement
- Manage your benefits online
Thrift Savings Plan for Current Employees
As a current federal employee, you can contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The TSP offers the same types of savings and tax benefits as a 401(k) plan.
Retirement Credit for Military Service
Military service does not automatically count toward civil service retirement. To receive credit for military service performed after 1956, you must pay a deposit.
Federal Taxes on Government Pensions
Your pension or annuity payment may be taxable. Find out with the online tool Is My Pension or Annuity Payment Taxable?
Survivors of Federal Employees and Retirees
If you’re the survivor of a federal employee or retiree, you may qualify for death and survivor benefits. Visit the OPM website to report the death of a federal employee or retiree and apply for death benefits.
Federal Employees’ Thrift Savings Plan
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement plan for federal government employees and members of the military.
On the TSP website, you can:
- Find the basics about participating – Eligibility, contributions, loans, withdrawals, setting up and managing your account.
- Learn about investment funds – Overview of fund types, fund options, and performance.
- View retirement planning and tools – Investment strategies, retirement planning phases, and living comfortably in retirement. Use the calculators to help you plan.
- Get help with life events that affect your TSP account – What to do if you have personal or career changes or changes to your active duty status.
If you have questions about the TSP or your TSP account, call the participant service line at 1-TSP-YOU-FRST (1-877-968-3778) or TTY at 1-TSP-THRIFT5 (1-877-847-4385).
Note: There are a number of third-party mobile applications that refer to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and may ask you for your TSP login information. Providing your information could result in a security risk to your account. If you want to access your TSP account, log in directly at TSP.gov.
Protect Your TSP Account From Fraud
Scammers claiming to be from the TSP have contacted TSP participants. They may ask for sensitive information or talk about investment opportunities. Learn the warning signs of scams and find out how to protect your TSP account.
Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) covers over 4 million federal employees, retirees, and family members.
- Check the status of a life insurance claim
- Use the FEGLI Calculator
- Find out how to dispute a claim
- Report suspected fraud
- Retirement and FEGLI
- Find answers to frequently asked questions
Questions About Your Coverage
- Current employees: Contact your agency’s personnel office. Your employing agency maintains all of your records, including designation of beneficiary forms. OPM and the Office of Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI) do not have access to your records and cannot answer questions about coverage or beneficiaries.
- Retirees: Contact the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Retirement Office at 1-888-767-6738 or send an email to retire@opm.gov.
