Congress is proposing to cut $50 billion or more in federal employee retirement benefits over the next ten years as part of $1.5 to $2 trillion in spending cuts that offset a portion of $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthy and for corporations.

While $50 billion is a small number when placed next to $2 trillion in spending cuts or $4.5 trillion of tax cuts, these cuts to federal retirement benefits will reduce the take-home pay of federal workers, reduce the income of federal workers who choose to or are forced to retire early, and reduce the retirement income that future retirees receive. The proposals also include

This attack on federal employee retirement and on civil service protections is being considered as part of the Republican budget reconciliation bill that extends the 2017 Trump tax cuts. Because Republicans are in the majority in both the House and the Senate, it will be Congressional Republicans in the House Oversight Committee who will be considering these cuts to federal employee benefits in the weeks to come.

The special rules for budget reconciliation bills allow the legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority and exclude any filibuster or 60-vote threshold to advance the bill to a final vote. The $50 billion in cuts to federal employee benefits in the House budget reconciliation effort would be a small part of the $1.5 to $2 trillion in cuts that House Republicans are looking for.

Federal employees are already facing a Trump Administration that is dismantling government agencies and laying of federal workers who perform critical functions and provide important services. Slashing compensation and benefits for federal workers will trigger an exodus of experienced and skilled federal workers and hollow out agencies that provide essential services and functions. IFPTE requests that Congress protect federal employee compensation, retirement, and health care to preserve the government’s ability to recruit and retain the best talent America has to offer to address the challenges our nation faces, support our national security and economic prosperity, provide the American people with high-quality services, and keep our communities safe.

Email Your Representative and Senators and urge them to oppose any cuts to federal employees' retirement or health benefits.

*DO NOT USE YOUR GOVERNMENT EMAIL ADDRESS*
*OR A GOVERNMENT COMPUTER TO VIEW OR SEND THESE EMAILS*