Federal Employee Benefits & Pay Guides 2026
In-depth guides to every component of federal employee compensation. Every regulatory claim cites specific U.S. Code sections, Public Laws, or OPM circulars — verified against primary sources.
Benefits Guides
Understand the three FERS contribution tiers (0.8%, 3.1%, 4.4%) and how they affect your take-home pay.
2026 TSP limits: $24,500 elective deferral, $8,000 catch-up, $11,250 super catch-up (ages 60–63).
Side-by-side comparison of how Traditional and Roth TSP affect your take-home pay with real GS-12 examples.
2026 FEHB premiums, plan types, Premium Conversion tax advantage, and Medicare coordination.
BIA calculation, Extra Benefit, Optional coverage, cost analysis, and retirement considerations.
What counts in your high-3, how to calculate it, and strategies to maximize your federal pension.
Special retirement supplement explained, eligibility, and OBBBA §90001 elimination effective 2028.
Pay & Tax Guides
How the 58 locality pay areas work, 2026 freeze details, and impact on your take-home pay.
Within-grade increase waiting periods (1/2/3 years), requirements, and dollar amounts by grade.
1% base pay increase with locality percentages frozen at 2025 levels per Executive Order.
2026 federal tax brackets (post-OBBBA), FICA, state tax comparison, and W-4 guidance.
CBO 2024 analysis of federal vs private compensation including benefits and retirement.
Grade & Locality Comparisons
Side-by-side comparisons showing the actual dollar difference in take-home pay between grades and across localities:
Side-by-side take-home pay comparison for GS-5 and GS-7 federal employees.
Side-by-side take-home pay comparison for GS-7 and GS-9 federal employees.
Side-by-side take-home pay comparison for GS-9 and GS-11 federal employees.
Side-by-side take-home pay comparison for GS-11 and GS-12 federal employees.
Side-by-side take-home pay comparison for GS-12 and GS-13 federal employees.
Side-by-side take-home pay comparison for GS-13 and GS-14 federal employees.
Compare take-home pay in Washington DC (33.94%) vs Rest of US (17.06%) locality areas.
Compare take-home pay in Washington DC vs San Francisco locality areas.
Compare take-home pay in Washington DC (with DC tax) vs Texas (no state income tax).
Compare take-home pay in California (13.3% top rate) vs Texas (no state income tax).