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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has informed employees they can apply for early retirement within the next 10 days, following authorization from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. The Voluntary Early Retirement Authority applies to agencies undergoing major restructuring, downsizing, or reorganization.
This move is part of a broader effort led by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, to reduce federal bureaucracy. Employees eligible for early retirement must be at least 50 with 20 years of federal service or any age with 25 years of service. The offer expires on March 14 at 5 p.m. EST.
Additionally, HHS employees have been directed to respond to a request for a summary of their weekly accomplishments. This follows previous emails from DOGE, which some agencies, including the FBI and State Department, initially advised employees to ignore. However, a new HHS directive now requires responses by midnight while omitting sensitive details such as drug names, contracts, and scientific research specifics.
HHS employees were previously cautioned that foreign entities could access these responses. However, a second version of Monday’s email removed that warning. The National Treasury Employees Union criticized the exercise but informed members they must comply.
An FDA employee, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration, saying the requirement contradicts the goal of efficiency. Employees on leave or with deferred resignation agreements are exempt from the request.
HHS has yet to comment on the directive, while concerns grow over the impact of these federal workforce reductions.
