Federal retirement application processing times trend downward

That makes September the first time in at least a year that OPM’s inventory has dipped below 10,000 claims.

October 7, 2026 2:32 pm

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Processing times for federal retirement applications are speeding up. In September, it took the Office of Personnel Management an average of 56 days to finalize a federal retirement claim. That’s about two weeks faster than the average processing speed for August. The retirement claims backlog has also fallen to about 8,800 total pending applications. That makes September the first time in at least a year that OPM’s inventory has dipped below 10,000 claims. — Justin DoubledayMilitary doctors have new guidelines for treating women going through perimenopause and menopause. Hormone therapies are available for symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, according to joint guidance issued by the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Estrogen can also treat unwanted menopause symptoms in breast cancer survivors. The guidelines talk about nonhormonal options, too. DoD said the document could help remote military hospitals and clinics treat women without an OB/GYN on staff. The announcement comes after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rolled out testosterone screening for older troops over the summer. — Rachel CohenA new bill seeks to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity workforce and readiness. The Cyber Centers of Excellence Partnership Act, introduced by Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), would create a partnership between the Defense Department and universities designated by the National Security Agency as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. The program would allow DoD cyber units and universities to share research, best practices and emerging approaches between the public and private sectors. The bill would also create pathways for students into federal cybersecurity careers. — Anastasia ObisThe Social Security Administration is ending the use of alternative work schedules for all employees. In a message to employees on Oct. 5, Florence Felix-Lawson, SSA’s chief human capital officer, said starting Nov. 16 all alternative work schedules (AWS) will terminate and all employees will transition to a standard five-day work week. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 35,000 SSA employees, said AWS has been part of their negotiated contracts for decades, including the current 2019 national agreement. AFGE has filed a grievance over the agency’s decision. — Jason Miller]]>

The Transportation Security Administration’s top official explained the controversial decision to take chairs away from TSA officers. TSA Administrator David Cummins said the decision to require officers that check IDs at airports to stand comes down to hospitality. Speaking at an airport security conference in Arlington, Va., on Tuesday, Cummins said the decision is about elevating the traveler experience, comparing it to how retail workers stand at store entrances. He said it’s part of TSA’s focus on customer service under its new Horizon 25 strategy. Cummins said TSA will also evaluate airport teams and individual officers on their customer service approach. — Justin DoubledayThe Department of Veterans Affairs has scored a win in a lawsuit challenging the termination of its collective bargaining agreement. A federal appeals court has granted the VA’s request to pause a district court judge’s preliminary injunction from August. The injunction had ordered the agency to recognize its contract with the American Federation of Government Employees while litigation continued. A three-judge panel said the VA would likely succeed in its argument that the August order exceeded the district court’s jurisdiction. While a March injunction remains in effect, the appeals court’s stay decision means the VA is no longer required to recognize its agreement with AFGE, following the agreement’s expiration in August. — Drew FriedmanLeading labor unions are throwing their support behind a provision in the Senate version of the annual defense policy bill that seeks to prohibit the Pentagon from contracting with companies that engage in stock buybacks. In a letter to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, the unions urged lawmakers to “oppose attempts to strip” the amendment from the National Defense Authorization Act and keep it in the final bill. The unions said the nation’s defense industrial base is in “desperate need of strict guardrails to prioritize investment in production capacity expansion, job quality and security.” — Anastasia ObisThe FBI is blaming a contractor for missing a software patch that led to the ShinyHunters hack. Brett Leatherman, assistant director for the FBI’s Cyber Division, said the bureau removed the contractor after determining the incident occurred due to their failure to implement a known security patch. The FBI didn’t name the contractor, but multiple news reports say the individual worked for Accenture. The breach involved FBIjobs.gov and potentially exposed sensitive personal details about current and former agents. The FBI said it will continue to aggressively pursue cyber-criminal groups like ShinyHunters. — Justin DoubledayThe Defense Department could begin tracking suicides across its civilian workforce. A proposal on Capitol Hill would require DoD to collect data on those civilian deaths like it does for troops. It would also update the department’s definition of a suicide cluster and make DoD report any civilian clusters. Lawmakers are considering the change after five people died in five weeks while supporting military cyber missions at Fort Meade in Maryland. One congresswoman also wants to make it easier to transfer professional licenses so mental health workers can practice in state and on base. — Rachel Cohen
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