Mike Causey's Federal Report is the best way to stay up to date on the latest issues affecting federal pay, benefits, and retirement. Plus, Mike's funny. New Federal Report columns can be found each weekday morning right here on FederalNewsRadio.com. Bookmark Mike's homepage or have his columns delivered directly to your email.

Of feds, virgins and luck

OK, so you are in the best military service, went to the best college, married the only virgin in the state and are friends with the the one and only federal worker who does any work. Can it get any better than that? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey asks.

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America's most dangerous job: Civil servant?

What are the most dangerous jobs in America? Lumberjack, tuna fisherman or cab driver, right? How about VA nurse or Social Security clerk - maybe even your job at the IRS, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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All feds wind up buried in limestone mine

No matter what your rank or job is or where you work, in the end you will wind up buried in a limestone mine in a remote corner of Pennsylvania, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. And once you retire it could be a long time before you see your first full annuity payment. But things seem to be getting better.

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Annual tribute to early civil servant

When Columbus "discovered" America (which was actually teeming with people) he was part government worker, part-contractor and his mission, at first, was a failure. So how come the holiday today?

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What's a non-continuing relationship?

Happy New Fiscal Year! With it comes a new round of buyouts. The first out of the gate are the U.S. Postal Service and the Internal Revenue Service. But your agency may be next, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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$hrinking buyouts: An offer you can't refuse?

Do you have something that is shrinking with age? If you are with the Postal Service, its the size of your buyouts, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. They are getting smaller all the time. Is this a trend feds in other agencies need to watch? Is it the precursor of an offer you can't refuse.

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Pay or pension: Back to the future

Two years into a three-year pay freeze, thousands of retirement-eligible feds are doing the math and concluding that maybe they would be better off retired and getting inflation adjustments rather than working at their 2010 salary rate, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. So what's in it for you?

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Job jitters

Worried about Congress changing your retirement benefits? If so, that should be the least of your worries, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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IFVs -- Feds as the ultimate swingers!

With just weeks until election day, take time out to consider what may be one of the largest most-likely-to-vote bloc of voters that is mostly underneath the political radar. Meet the IFVs (Invisible Federal Voters). And check out their numbers in critical swing vote states.

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Uncle Sam as Freddy Krueger

What do Uncle Sam and horror-movie star Freddy Krueger have in common? Not much, fortunately. But that could all change if an 8 percent cut kicks in Jan. 3 forcing furloughs curtailed services that impact everything from tax returns and Social Security claims to airline travel, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Bonus Christmas holiday?

Christmas this year falls on a Tuesday. This means that the day before the Christmas holiday, Christmas Eve, will be Monday, Dec. 24th. Hmmmm! So what happens on Monday, Dec. 24th? We don't know yet, but Senior Correspondent Mike Causey has some thoughts on the matter.

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Sequestration threat revives the F-word

As the make-or-break sequestration deadline draws closer, top federal officials are increasingly using (or at least thinking) the F-word, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Health premiums, unions & politics

Federal workers got their first good news in four years last week. But it is hard to find anybody dancing in the street over news that their health premiums are only going up a little, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Health plans: The law of averages

When shopping for your family's 2013 federal health plan, even as you enter year three of a pay freeze, there are a couple of things to keep in mind, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Performance appraisal for POTUS

Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know: If you had to fill out President Obama's performance appraisal, how would it look? If Governor Romney were seeking a job in your organization would he pass muster?

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The beatings will continue until morale improves

Is it possible to kick a group into shape? When you want to motivate your staff, do you yell at them and tell them they are losers? Is this how coaches create winning teams? If so, federal workers are on the right track, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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Retirement Lite

Unless you get a better job offer or die first, odds are you will probably retire from the federal government. And that can be a very good deal, Senior Correspodent Mike Causey says. But the start of the so-called Golden Years can be rough on your standard of living.

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No pay raise but maybe a COLA?

What's the difference between a pay raise for active-duty federal workers and a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees and Social Security beneficiaries? This time around it's about 1.38 percent, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey. So who's the winner?

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Your BIG boss: How's he doing?

Would you like to be present when Uncle Sam, as an employer, gets a physical? Is the federal government a better or worse place to work today than it was a few years ago. For a stem-to-stern look at pay, benefits, acquisition, diversity and contracting, check us out today, starting with Senior Correspondent Mike Causey's column.

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Pay freeze/pay cut/tax hike - then it gets worse!

Looking for something to take your mind off the pending pay freeze extension? If so, consider the prospect of higher taxes, lower take-home pay and higher health insurance premiums, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

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