Federal Government to Allow Employees to Work Part-Time Without Penalty

Federal Government to Allow Employees to Work Part-Time Without Penalty

Federal employees would have more flexibility in their retirement options if a measure being pushed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is adopted. The proposal would be included in the 2007 U.S. budget and would remove a penalty on part-time employees of the federal government.

Currently, a 1986 law that was adopted to stem abuses related to retirement annuity payments is preventing retirement-eligible federal employees from remaining at work with the government on a part-time basis. The U.S. OPM wishes to make part-time work a option to employees in order to assist federal agencies retain those eligible for retirement who do not wish to stop working but who also wish to reduce their hours and workload.

The issue is especially critical as the federal workforce continues to age. OPM director Linda Springer notes that her agency wishes promote more part-time opportunities to help retain those retirement-eligible employees who do not wish to stop working altogether.