Civil Service Retirement System and Federal Employees' Retirement System: Secondary Position Definitions
Published Date: 2/4/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Office of Personnel Management wants to change the rules about who can hold certain executive jobs for law enforcement, firefighters, and similar roles. They’re removing the rule that says you must have experience in a primary job before moving up, giving agencies more freedom to hire leaders. If you work in these fields, keep an eye out—comments on this change are open until March 6, 2026, and it could affect hiring and career paths soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
New hires without primary experience lose enhanced pension
Under the proposal, a person recruited into an executive-level secondary position who does not have prior primary-position experience would not qualify for enhanced retirement coverage. OPM notes that providing enhanced retirement benefits to individuals without primary experience would require a change in law (legislation).
Current covered employees keep their enhanced pensions
Employees who already have enhanced retirement coverage and who are promoted into qualifying executive secondary positions (meeting the transfer rules: e.g., having worked at least 3 years in a primary position and moving without a break in service) will retain their enhanced retirement benefits. Agency coverage determinations remain appealable to the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Agencies can hire execs without front‑line time
If this rule is adopted, agencies that employ law enforcement officers, firefighters, nuclear materials couriers, and customs and border protection officers may recruit for certain executive-level (secondary) positions without requiring the candidate to have previously served at least 3 years in a primary (front-line) position. OPM says this change gives agencies more flexibility to hire leaders with different backgrounds and skills and could affect roughly the ~3,206 GS-15-or-higher positions with enhanced retirement coverage as of October 2020.
No retroactive new pension coverage for incumbents
The proposed change would not be applied retroactively: an incumbent who moved into an executive position before that position was designated a secondary position would not gain enhanced retirement coverage because the position was not so designated at the time of movement. OPM gives a concrete example showing such incumbents would remain ineligible despite later designation changes.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-05679 — Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Regulations
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is officially pulling back a 2008 plan to update its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) rules because the world has changed a lot since then. They’ll cook up fresh, modern updates soon to make it easier for everyone to request government info. No new costs or deadlines now, but stay tuned for smarter, faster FOIA rules coming your way!
2026-04377 — Reduction in Force
The Office of Personnel Management is updating the rules for Reduction in Force (RIF), which affects federal employees facing job cuts. The new rules focus more on job performance than how long someone has worked, and they tweak who’s protected from layoffs. These changes aim to make the process fairer and smoother, with a comment deadline on May 4, 2026.
2025-14006 — Appeal Procedures for Recoupment of Awards, Bonuses, or Relocation Expenses Awarded or Approved for All Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs
If you work or used to work for the VA and got an award, bonus, or help moving, this new rule lets you appeal if they ask for that money back. It explains how to ask the Office of Personnel Management to review the payback order. This means you have a clear, fair way to challenge repayment decisions starting now.
2026-04547 — Submission for Review: 3206-0194, Annuity Supplement Earnings Report, RI 92-22
If you’re a FERS retiree under 62 who’s not on disability, you might get a special annuity supplement that helps boost your Social Security benefits. The government wants to keep checking your yearly earnings to make sure you still qualify for this extra money. They’re asking for your thoughts on this process until May 8, 2026, so speak up if you have ideas or concerns!
2026-04525 — Submission for Review: Initial Certification of Full-Time School Attendance, RI 25-41, 3206-0099 and 3206-0215, Verification of Full-Time School Attendance, RI 25-49
If you’re a surviving adult child between 18 and 22 and a full-time student, this update affects you! The Office of Personnel Management wants to combine two school attendance forms into one simpler form to make it easier to prove you’re still in school and keep getting survivor benefits. They’re asking for your thoughts by May 8, 2026, so get ready to share your feedback!
2026-03997 — Submission for Review: 3206-0237, Information and Instructions on Your Reconsideration Rights, RI 38-47
The Office of Personnel Management is asking for public feedback on the instructions about how federal employees can ask for a second look at decisions about their retirement, health benefits, or life insurance. This update keeps the process clear and easy to follow, with no new costs or deadlines added. If you’re a federal employee or retiree, now’s the time to share your thoughts before April 28, 2026!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-02192 — Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Modification of Effective Date of Coverage for Employees With an Initial Opportunity To Enroll
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) decided to cancel a plan that would have made health coverage start right when new federal employees become eligible. This change would have affected federal and postal workers signing up for health benefits for the first time. No changes or costs will happen now since the rule was officially withdrawn on February 3, 2026.
Next: 2026-02246 — Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit
The IRS is rolling out new rules for the Clean Fuel Production Credit, helping fuel producers earn tax credits for making cleaner transportation fuels. These rules explain who qualifies, how to prove it, and update related tax paperwork. If you make or handle clean fuel in the U.S., get ready—comments are open until April 6, 2026, and a public hearing is set for May 28, 2026.
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in