Where do I find my GS pay?

OPM publishes annual GS pay tables at opm.gov. Find your grade, step and locality.

Federal Employees Health Benefits. The largest employer-sponsored health insurance program in the US. Premiums partly subsidized.

Are TSP contributions pre-tax or Roth?

Both. Traditional reduces taxable wages now. Roth is post-tax with tax-free qualified withdrawals. You can split.

What is the FERS pension?

Defined-benefit pension based on years of service times high-3 average salary times 1 percent (or 1.1 percent if you retire at 62 plus with 20+ years). Vesting at 5 years.

Federal Civilian Paycheck Guide (GS, FERS, TSP)

Federal civilian employees on the General Schedule have a structured pay setup. Base GS pay, locality pay, FERS contributions, FEHB premiums, TSP. Here is how each piece works on the LES.

PayslipIQ provides educational information and estimated calculations only. It does not provide tax, legal, financial, accounting, employment, benefits, or payroll advice. PayslipIQ is not a CPA firm, law firm, financial advisor, payroll provider, or tax authority. Always verify your paycheck, deductions, withholdings, and tax position with your employer's payroll department, a qualified CPA, the IRS, your state tax authority, or another appropriately qualified professional. Calculations are estimates; your actual paycheck may differ based on factors specific to your employer, location, benefits elections, and personal tax situation.

General Schedule (GS) pay

GS-1 through GS-15, ten steps each. Higher steps reflect longevity. OPM publishes new pay tables every January. Senior Executive Service is a separate scale above GS-15.

Locality pay

A percentage uplift on top of base GS pay, by duty location. Higher in DC, NYC and SF. Lower in rest-of-US areas. Locality pay is taxable wages.

FERS retirement

Most federal employees hired after 1984 are FERS. Three components: a defined-benefit pension (small employee contribution, 0.8 to 4.4 percent depending on hire year), Social Security, and TSP.

Thrift Savings Plan

The federal 401(k)-equivalent. Traditional or Roth. Government matches up to 5 percent (1 percent automatic plus 4 percent match). Annual limits match 401(k).

FEHB health insurance

Federal Employees Health Benefits. Many plans. Premiums partly subsidized. Pre-tax via the Federal Employees Health Benefits Premium Conversion plan.

Common LES lines

Base GS pay.
Locality pay.
FERS retirement contribution.
Social Security and Medicare.
Federal income tax withholding.
State income tax (where applicable).
FEHB premium.
TSP contribution.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I find my GS pay?: OPM publishes annual GS pay tables at opm.gov. Find your grade, step and locality.
What is FEHB?: Federal Employees Health Benefits. The largest employer-sponsored health insurance program in the US. Premiums partly subsidized.
Are TSP contributions pre-tax or Roth?: Both. Traditional reduces taxable wages now. Roth is post-tax with tax-free qualified withdrawals. You can split.
What is the FERS pension?: Defined-benefit pension based on years of service times high-3 average salary times 1 percent (or 1.1 percent if you retire at 62 plus with 20+ years). Vesting at 5 years.