[mass55th]

I’ve never understood why Federal employees get bonuses, especially since we pay their salaries. Does anybody know when this frivolous practice came to be?

[Reily]

As far as I know only members of the Senior Executive Service (so-called “super-grades”, greater then GS 15) get bonuses. Maybe in the VA “hard-to-hire” specialties like medical doctors do also.

Also I think that SES pay is still capped at $155,700 (GS15 Step 9) but they do get bonuses. I have never heard of a bonus over $5K, that doesn't mean they don't occur. I have never known anyone to get one.