Trump "Buyout Offer"

BULLETIN- January 28, 2025

As of January 28, 2025, amidst highly perplexing and multiple, often contradictory, communications from both President Trump and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), a “Trump buyout offer” for federal employees has emerged. However, it’s crucial to clarify that this offer is not a buyout in the traditional sense. Instead, it more accurately constitutes a resignation with a paid administrative leave component, offering no substantive additional benefits compared to resigning today without accepting the “offer.”  This plan is neither a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) nor Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA).  It simply says you can resign and stay home with pay (base reportedly not to exceed $25,000) until the effective date of your resignation.  

Trump "Buyout offer"

• Who is Eligible?The buyout is available to most civilian full-time federal employees, except those in immigration enforcement, national security, and the U.S. Postal Service. Eligible employees must decide by February 6, 2025.

• Deferred Resignation OptionParticipants in the program can stay on the payroll without working until September 30, 2025, ensuring a smooth transition.

• Return-to-Office PolicyThis program complements President Trump’s mandate to end remote work policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and return federal employees to full-time office work.

• New Workforce StandardsThe Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has introduced updated employment and conduct guidelines as part of the administration’s strategy to optimize the federal workforce.

OPM Memorandum

OPM Guidance Memo re Deferred Resignation Program 1-28-2025Download