[Red Badger]

I remember back in the early 80’s that the Soviets were able to identify all CIA operatives in the field simply because their paychecks and retirement plans were different than regular Fed employees.......................

[Thank You Rush]

It’s time to put those tens of thousands of federal employees to work pushing paper again.. IRS and SS have already proved they are lousy at keeping things straight with computers (dead people getting refunds, dead people getting benefits etc.,) so let’s go back to paper records. I’m sure there are more than enough people to handle the job and keep our valuable intelligence assets safe. It will only get worse in this age of technology!

[riverdawg]

“I remember back in the early 80’s that the Soviets were able to identify all CIA operatives in the field simply because their paychecks and retirement plans were different than regular Fed employees.......................”

Do you remember any details about this? It seems odd, because many CIA operatives have “cover” identities in which they are employees of (and receive paychecks from) the Department of State, the Department of Agriculture, USAID, or even NGOs and private companies which are then reimbursed by the CIA under an IPA agreement.