Dan and Katelyn break down how “bump and retreat” works in a RIF, covering key terms, potential outcomes, and steps federal employees can take if a RIF is possible. They also review 2026 HSA and FSA updates, including tax advantages, ACA-related changes, Direct Primary Care and telehealth expenses, and key differences among FSA options for federal employees.


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The Fed15 Podcast: RIF “Bump and Retreat” Explained + 2026 HSA & FSA Updates

Dan breaks down “bump and retreat” in the context of RIFs, starting with key concepts such as competitive area and level, the retention register, and possible outcomes. He then explains how bump and retreat works, what factors may affect an employee’s position on the list, and practical steps to take if a RIF becomes a possibility.

Katelyn covers HSA and FSA enhancements taking effect in 2026, including how HSAs can deliver significant tax advantages when used strategically. She reviews new changes affecting individuals on Bronze and catastrophic ACA plans, updates to Direct Primary Care and telehealth expenses, and then walks through the different types of FSAs available to federal employees, along with important considerations for managing these accounts effectively.

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Podcast for Federal Employees: COLAs for CSRS and FERS