This section brings together key resources for federal employees and contractors affected by reductions in force (RIFs), administrative leave, or early retirement offers. Materials are grouped by topic—USAID-specific guidance, general federal employment policies, retirement and benefits information, worker protections, and additional transition tools—to make it easier to find the information you need when you need it.

USAID/FS/GS Specific Resources

• USAID Guidance on Employment during Admin Leave
• A Civil Servant’s Guide to Reductions in Force (RIFs) – Civil Service Strong
• USAID Administrative Leave and RIF FAQs (Updated 3-26-2025)
• USAID Agency Notice (4-7-2025) on RIF & PSC FAQs
• AFSA 2025 Resource Hub: Developed to consolidate key information and resources in one place.
• AFSA Videos: on RIF, Retirement, Federal Health Insurance and more (Only accessible to AFSA members)
• Webinar Recap – Understanding Federal Employee RIF Rights – Federal Practice Group LLP
• Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) Fact Sheet – Fed Impact
• Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSID) Fact Sheet – Fed Impact 
• Discontinued Service Retirement (DSR) Fact Sheet – Fed Impact
• Severance Pay Fact Sheet – Fed Impact
• AFSA FAQ on 2025 Reduction in Force
• USAID employees are strongly encouraged to document all attempts to reach out to HR and management for their personal records.
  • cio-helpdesk@usaid.gov
  • hr-helpdesk@usaid.gov:  USAID employees should request access to view USAID’s RIF retention register  
  • payroll@usaid.gov 
• gtmhelpdesk@state.gov: USAID employees should email the State Department’s Global Talent Management (GTM) with any/all emails about HR issues

General Federal Guidance and Resources

• US Govt of Ethics Post Government Employment Restrictions
• Ethics Guide – Seeking Post-government Employment
• Comprehensive Informational Resources for Federal Civilian Employees – FEEA 
• Fed Support Information Hub – Partnership for Public Services
• Fed Support curated resources—including blogs, analysis, fact sheets and guides on a wide range of timely topics.
• Fed Support webinar series and other virtual events – to help federal employees stay informed on the latest developments 
• Fed Support data, facts and compelling stories – to debunk myths and misconceptions about the federal workforce with 
• Fed Support recommendations on actions you can take to champion a nonpartisan federal workforce – to help policy makers and others understand what is at stake
• Partner for Public Services: Federal Employee Explainer Series
• Reductions in Force: An Overview – Congressional Research Service (Feb 2025)
• OPM – Reduction in Force (RIF) Basics
• OPM – Severance Pay
• RIF Overview – Civil Service Strong (Feb 13, 2025)
• What to Do if You’ve Been Rif’d (or think you will be) 

Retirement and Benefits Guidance

• Article: A Crash Course in Retirement Planning – by Tammy Flanagan, Government Executive 
• FERS – An Overview of Your Benefits
• OPM Types of Retirement for Feds – Voluntary vs. Deferred vs. Early, etc.
• OPM Information on MRA (Minimum Retirement Age)
• OPM Fact Sheet on Effect of Extended Leave Without Pay (LWOP) (or Other Nonpay Status) on Federal Benefits and Programs
• OPM Reduction-in-Force (RIF) Benefits Page
• OPM Severance Pay Fact Sheet 
• Calculator for FSO separation benefits – developed by Roy Geiser
  • Can be used to calculate:
    • FSPS annuity based on service years, grade, and high-three salary
    • Severance pay, if applicable
    • Health insurance continuation costs and options
    • Eligibility for retirement paths: – – Immediate, V/TERA, MRA+10, Deferred Lifetime value of retirement benefits through age 85
• My Federal Retirement RIF Training Series
• Retirement Benefit FAQs for FS – AFSA 
• GRB Guide to FS Pension Service (FSPS) – Government Retirement & Benefits, Inc. (GRB, Inc.)
• GEBA Webinars – Government Employment Benefits Association: Videos on TSP, Deferred resignation, Long-term care, and more… 

Federal Worker Protections

• Update for Probationary Federal Workers Subject to Mass Termination – Civil Service Strong 
• Probationary Federal Workers FAQ Sheet
• What Federal Workers Can Do To Protect Themselves – Protect Democracy

Other Resources

• Life After Federal Service – A Transition Manual from the Federal Government – Justin’s Substack: Information on RIFs, rights as a federal employee, impact of Executive Orders, and more
• Resource Hub – FedSupport