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Scoop: 20,000 federal workers take "buyout" so far, official says
Axios ^ | February 04, 2025 | Marc Caputo

Posted on 02/04/2025 8:39:15 AM PST by Red Badger

About 20,000 federal workers have accepted the "buyout" offer put forward by the Trump administration last week, a senior administration official tells Axios.

Why it matters:

It's a significant number of people — about 1% of the federal workforce — but still substantially less than the White House's target of 5% to 10%.

The offer is open through Thursday, meaning the total could rise, despite heavy opposition from unions and others.

What they're saying:

"We expect more to come. If you see what's happening at USAID, it's just one piece of the puzzle," the official said, referring to the rapid restructuring of the federal agency that oversees foreign aid programs.

Aside from the pace of resignations, the official said, the administration is still trying to implement a hiring freeze.

It has proven trickier than expected because some agencies are still taking on new workers. Catch up quick: The buyout offer entitles federal employees to stop working more or less immediately and continue to be paid through Sept. 30.

Critics argue the offer is illegal, there's no real guarantee people will get paid out, and it's something Congress would need to authorize.

The administration rejects those assertions and says it's following through on a promise to restructure the federal government.

The intrigue: The federal workforce's normal attrition rate is about 6% a year, meaning some of those who've taken the buyout may have been planning to leave government service anyway.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated with comments from an official.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: buyout; fedworkers; labor
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1 posted on 02/04/2025 8:39:15 AM PST by Red Badger
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To: Red Badger

quote “The intrigue: The federal workforce’s normal attrition rate is about 6% a year, meaning some of those who’ve taken the buyout may have been planning to leave government service anyway.”

that was exactly my first thought. I’d just retired early and get paid until September.


2 posted on 02/04/2025 8:41:31 AM PST by TexasFreeper2009
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To: TexasFreeper2009

“I’d just retired early and get paid until September:

For full benefits you must meet a service time and age requirement.

Unless this offer includes being able to retire without meeting those requirements the only ones thst would benefit would be the ones that fall into that no penalty early retirement window.


3 posted on 02/04/2025 8:45:40 AM PST by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave!ly)
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To: Red Badger

It’s a start....


4 posted on 02/04/2025 8:46:30 AM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus)
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To: Red Badger

When you get down to it...this is very low.

The 20k that are taking it...were probably planning to retire anyway...and are just taking advantage of this huge gift to retire earlier in the year.

On average...probably 3% of the federal workforce retires without any external motivation...


5 posted on 02/04/2025 8:47:55 AM PST by suasponte137
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To: V_TWIN

This is the best buyout deal ever—if federal employees are capable of doing math it is a great deal for probably 15% of them.


6 posted on 02/04/2025 8:48:23 AM PST by cgbg (It is time to pull the Deep State out of the mass media--like ticks from a dog.)
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To: suasponte137

“ The 20k that are taking it...were probably planning to retire anyway...and are just taking advantage of this huge gift to retire earlier in the year.”
*************************************************

BINGO.


7 posted on 02/04/2025 8:50:08 AM PST by House Atreides (I’m now ULTRA-MAGA-PRO-MAX)
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To: cgbg

That’s the carrot. The stick will be layoffs with no compensation. Moving the departments across the country will encourage bailing out.


8 posted on 02/04/2025 8:52:37 AM PST by DIRTYSECRET
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To: Red Badger

Let me see ... 20,000 folks at $100,000 each per year off the payroll is about $2.0B USD with additional savings when health insurance is cancelled. Put ‘em on ZeroCare.

That is a very good start ...


9 posted on 02/04/2025 8:53:41 AM PST by ByteMercenary (Liberalism is a mental disorder.)
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To: DIRTYSECRET

You are correct. When offices move to Pittsburgh, Houston, KC, Salt Lake, etc, there will be another giant wailing.


10 posted on 02/04/2025 8:57:16 AM PST by KC_Conspirator
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To: Red Badger
Critics argue the offer is illegal, there's no real guarantee people will get paid out, and it's something Congress would need to authorize.

The critics in question display their ignorance of how the Federal Government is structured.

Congress authorizes the spending of money but nothing in the constitution requires the Administrative branch to spend the money.

The Constitution in Article two creates the offices of the President and Vice-President all other officers and employees in the Administrative branch are subsidiary to and serve at the pleasure of the President.

Other than Impeachment and Removal from office, Congress has no say in how the President deals with employees once the Senate has consented to an appointment (if applicable).

Before anyone brings up the Civil Service Act, it is clearly unconstitutional. And if the employee leaves voluntarily it wouldn't apply anyway.

11 posted on 02/04/2025 8:57:42 AM PST by Pontiac (The welfare state must fail because it is contrary to human nature and diminishes the human spirit.)
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To: All

Many working “from home” had second jobs.

Violation of federal law.

Walk away happy or we will sue for reimbursement and prosecute.

DOGE needs to look at 1099s for every federal worker.


12 posted on 02/04/2025 8:58:02 AM PST by TigerClaws
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To: DIRTYSECRET

Exactly. The buyouts were intended to be generous enough to reduce public sympathy and political fallout when the hatchet starts falling on RIFs


13 posted on 02/04/2025 8:59:04 AM PST by rdcbn1 (TV )
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To: Pontiac

This administration is acting now—there will be plenty of time to litigate later.

The left has shredded the Constitution with an army of leftist judges.

it is not going to save us at this point.


14 posted on 02/04/2025 9:00:02 AM PST by cgbg (It is time to pull the Deep State out of the mass media--like ticks from a dog.)
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To: Red Badger

Hard to find $150K jobs you don’t do anything at.


15 posted on 02/04/2025 9:00:53 AM PST by bray (It's not racist to be racist against races the DNC hates.)
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To: ByteMercenary
"Let me see ... 20,000 folks at $100,000 each per year off the payroll is about $2.0B USD with additional savings when health insurance is cancelled. Put ‘em on ZeroCare.

That is a very good start ..."

Unfortunately, that's less than 1/10th of 1% of the annual amount of deficit spending.

16 posted on 02/04/2025 9:01:44 AM PST by Be Free (A pardon carries an imputation of guilt and acceptance of a confession of it. USSC: Burdick v. US)
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To: rdcbn1

The buyout offer is a wonderful tool in the toolkit.

They can try again in a few months if that serves the goals of the administration.

It is basic psychological conditioning:

Carrot.

Stick.

Carrot.

Stick.

Carrot.

It works.


17 posted on 02/04/2025 9:01:50 AM PST by cgbg (It is time to pull the Deep State out of the mass media--like ticks from a dog.)
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To: bray

Nice work if you can get it!...................


18 posted on 02/04/2025 9:01:52 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: TigerClaws

That will happen and they will find a lot of workers from home are either phantom workers or people employed and receiving full time pay on other jobs


19 posted on 02/04/2025 9:01:55 AM PST by rdcbn1 (TV )
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To: Red Badger

They are accustomed to working from home or afraid of Trump’s administration.


20 posted on 02/04/2025 9:02:58 AM PST by TornadoAlley3 ( I'm Proud To Be An Okie From Muskogee)
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