https://www.fedsmith.com/2025/06/27/would-you-be-willing-to-pay-15-6-towards-your-retirement/
A FedSmith article reports that Senate Republicans are considering increasing federal employees' retirement contributions under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to 15.6% of their annual salaries, up from 4.4% for those hired in 2014 or later. This proposal, based on a draft from the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, would likely apply only to new federal employees. Members of Congress, their staff, and federal law enforcement officers would be exempt. The proposal also includes a 10% fee for administrative costs on optional payroll deductions, like union dues, to offset government expenses. Previous proposals, such as at-will employment for new hires and agency reorganization authority, were excluded. Opposition in the House makes changes to current employees' benefits unlikely. Definitive outcomes depend on whether the bill passes with these provisions intact.
