The very foundations of federal job security are being targeted for a dramatic overhaul. The White House is set to issue new rules that will fundamentally rewrite the policies governing Reductions in Force (RIFs) and employee discipline, signaling a profound and unsettling shift for the entire government workforce. As reported by FEDweek, the forthcoming regulations aim to prioritize performance over seniority in layoff decisions and to streamline the process for disciplining and removing employees. For federal workers, this is a clear and direct message: the traditional protections you have relied upon are being systematically dismantled.
This is not a minor adjustment; it is a complete rethinking of the federal career service. The new rules, previewed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), intend to eliminate the long-standing practice of “progressive discipline” and make it easier for agencies to remove employees. In a RIF scenario, an employee’s length of service will no longer be the primary factor in determining who stays and who goes—performance ratings will now take precedence. This is happening in a climate where the federal workforce is already shrinking at an alarming rate. The latest data shows a net loss of over 97,000 federal government jobs since January of this year, a clear indicator that workforce reduction is a top priority.
This policy earthquake is sending tremors through a workforce already grappling with historically low morale. The 2024 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) revealed deep-seated concerns about job security and a lack of trust in senior leadership. These new rules, which make it easier to terminate employment, will undoubtedly amplify that anxiety, creating an environment where employees feel more vulnerable and less secure than ever before.
Your Personal Defense in a Volatile World
In an era where job security is no longer a given and the rules can be rewritten at any time, your personal financial preparedness is your only reliable shield. Passively hoping that your performance ratings will protect you in a RIF or that you will never face an adverse action is a strategy fraught with risk. The only way to navigate this new, more volatile reality with confidence is to take proactive and decisive control of your financial future.
This is where the specialized expertise of Internal Benefit Advisors becomes an essential component of your personal security strategy. They are dedicated to educating federal and state employees, helping them build a stable financial future that is not dependent on shifting political winds or agency policies.
Here’s how they empower you to take command:
- Comprehensive Retirement and Benefits Analysis: Now more than ever, you must understand the full value and all the nuances of your FERS/CSRS pension, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), FEHB, and FEGLI. Internal Benefit Advisors provides a complete and thorough analysis to ensure you are maximizing every benefit you have earned.
- Building a “RIF-Resistant” Financial Plan: They work with you to create a robust financial strategy that can withstand career uncertainty, a potential RIF, or an unexpected early retirement. This includes retirement planning, understanding your life insurance options, and developing a plan to protect your family’s future.
- Empowerment Through Education: Knowledge is your strongest asset. Internal Benefit Advisors provides the clear, unbiased education you need to navigate complex federal benefits and make confident, proactive decisions for your financial well-being.
The landscape of federal employment is changing in a fundamental way. The institutional protections you once counted on are being targeted for removal.
Take the definitive step to build your own unshakable foundation. Contact Internal Benefit Advisors today for a consultation and forge the resilient financial future your family deserves.
References
- FEDweek. “White House to Issue Rules on RIF, Disciplinary Policy Changes.”
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, September). Employment Situation Summary.
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management. (2024). Governmentwide Management Report: Results from the 2024 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey.
- Internal Benefit Advisors. Retrieved from https://internalbenefitadvisors.com
