The House passed a bill that would move TSA employees to ‘Title 5’ – giving most a significant raise.
A piece of proposed legislation, HR 903: The Right of TSA Workforce Act, has made it through the House of Representatives by a vote of 220 – 201 and now is on its way to the Senate for approval. The bill was introduced by Mississippi Democrat Bennie Thompson and passed on May 12th. The Senate counterpart, S. 1856, was introduced in the other chamber of Congress on May 26th by Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawaii).
According to the most recent FEVS, which gauges federal employee satisfaction, the TSA has some of the lowest satisfaction and morale rates across the government. They likewise have one of the lowest retention rates. The reason for this revolves around their exclusion from ‘Title 5.’ The lowest starting salary at the agency is $29,000 per year with the average starting salary being $35,000 annually – much less than comparable positions in other federal agencies. Because workers for the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) are not currently under ‘Title 5,’ they are not a part of the General Schedule (GS) and therefore don’t receive annual federal pay raises. In addition, TSA employees have limited collective bargaining rights.
If the act makes it through the Senate, and receives the President’s signature, then the TSA workforce would be considered ‘title 5’ and would join the GS pay system, giving employees an immediate average pay increase of 30%. Federal air marshals would get a 21% pay raise. Their collective bargaining rights would also be expanded. Although it is very early on in the approval process for S. 1856, it currently has just a 3% chance of passing according to govtrack.us.
—
Until Next Time,
The information has been obtained from sources considered reliable but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Serving Those Who Serve writers and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy suggested. Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon before making any investment or financial decision. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. **
The FedLife Podcast is your in-depth, biweekly deep dive into the world of federal benefits and retirement planning. Hosted by federal benefits expert Ed Zurndorfer and Dan Sipe of Serving Those Who Serve, each 30-minute episode unpacks the complexities of FERS and CSRS retirement, FEHB and Medicare, survivor benefits, tax planning, and more. Designed for federal employees and retirees who want more than just the basics, FedLife goes beyond the headlines to explore the rules, nuances, and strategies that can make a meaningful difference in your retirement. Remember: it’s your Fed life, make it a great one.
The Fed15 Podcast is your weekly 15(ish)-minute briefing on federal benefits and financial planning, built specifically for federal employees and retirees. Hosted by Dan Sipe and Katelyn Murray of Serving Those Who Serve, each episode delivers clear, actionable guidance on topics like FERS and CSRS retirement, TSP strategies, FEHB, survivor benefits, tax planning, and more! Whether you’re five years from retirement or already there, The Fed15 helps you cut through the noise, avoid costly mistakes, and make confident decisions about your federal benefits.
