In this episode of The FED Weekly, we recap critical issues for federal employees and retirees during the week of September 21-27, 2025. The primary focus is the escalating government shutdown crisis, which has been heightened by the Senate's rejection of a House funding bill and the cancellation of key votes, raising fears of furloughs and disrupted benefits processing. The show highlights the ongoing suspense surrounding the 2026 FEHB premium rate announcements, following this year’s record 13.5% hike linked to expanded coverage mandates. For retirees, Lawrence projects a 2.8% COLA for CSRS and Social Security, with a 2% cap for FERS. The episode also critiques the President’s 2026 pay plan, which includes a 1% general increase and extraordinarily higher raises for specific law enforcement roles, drawing backlash from unions. Legislative threats—including pay and hiring freezes and a proposal for performance-based compensation—pose risks to stability and financial security. Finally, OPM updates to wage area boundaries and telework policies are covered. The episode underscores the importance of staying informed as the federal workforce landscape rapidly evolves.