This chart gives an overview of the pay flexibilities available to managers who need help in recruiting and retaining
employees in hard-to-fill positions, and provides links to Department policy, where applicable. More information is also available in the Office of Personnel Management's Guide: "Human Resources Flexibilities and Authorities in the Federal Government."
| Flexibility |
May apply to: |
Approved by: |
Amount |
| Highest previous rate |
Candidates with prior
Federal employment |
Appointing officers |
Pay may be set as high as
the prior Federal salary
(updated for intervening
pay raises) |
| Recruitment incentive |
Candidates who have not
had Federal employment in
at least 90 days |
Delegated official at least
two levels above candidate |
One-time payment, or installments up to
25 percent of basic pay multiplied by the number of years the employee
agrees to serve in the position (up to a maximum of 4 years)(effective 5/1/05);
written service agreement
required |
| Relocation incentive |
Current Federal employees
who must move to a new
commuting area |
Delegated official at least
two levels above candidate |
One-time payment or installments, up to
25 percent of basic pay multipled by the number of years the employee agrees to
serve in the position (up to a maximum of 4 years)(effective 5/1/05;
written service agreement
required |
| Superior qualifications
appointment |
Candidates with unusually
high or unique
qualifications who have not
had Federal employment in
at least 90 days |
Bureau personnel officers |
May set starting pay up to
maximum for the grade--i.e., up to 30 percent
above the minimum rate |
| Special salary rates |
All employees in the
approved grades, series,
agencies, and duty
locations, based on
existing or likely recruitment/
retention problems |
OPM (agencies are
encouraged to first try
using the other pay
flexibilities) |
Up to 60 percent above
regular General Schedule
rates |
| Retention incentive |
Current Federal employees
who are likely to leave
Federal service or accept another Federal position (effective 5/1/05) |
Delegated official at least
two levels above
candidate; DAG must
approve for SES, SL, and
similar high-level positions |
Biweekly payment of up to
25 percent of basic pay, installments, or lump sum at the end of the service period (effective 5/1/05); no
written service agreement |
| Student loan repayment |
New hires or current Federal employees
who are likely to leave
Federal service |
Delegated official at least
two levels above
candidate for GS and FWS; Bureau General Counsel or OBD head for attorneys and law clerks; DAG for other positions |
Up to $10,000 per year, not to exceed $60,000 total; a written service agreement of at least 36 months is required |
