Reduction in Force

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Office of Personnel Management 5 CFR Parts 316, 330, 351, 353, 359, 362 and 430 [Docket ID: OPM-2025-0107] RIN 3206-AO86 ( printed page 49178) AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is revising its reduction in force (RIF) regulations to make the RIF regulations more streamlined, efficient, and merit-based by prioritizing performance over tenure and length of service when determining which employees will be retained in a RIF and by modifying the types of employees who are excluded from RIF competition. OPM is also revising its regulations regarding the reemployment priority list (RPL), career transition assistance program (CTAP), the interagency career transition assistance program (ICTAP), and transfers of function. DATES: This rule is effective September 2, 2026. An agency that issued a RIF notice before the effective date of the rule must process the RIF under the regulations in effect when the RIF notice was issued. An agency that issues a RIF notice on or after the effective date must apply the RIF provisions as amended by this final rule. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Aaron Gottesman at (202) 606-0960 or by email at employ@opm.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Executive Summary OPM is revising its regulations governing RIFs and making related changes to its regulations under statutory authority found at 5 U.S.C. 1103 , 1104 , 1302 , 3304 , 3320 , 3330 , 3502 , 3503 , 3596 , 4305 , and 4315 ,…