OPM Finalizes Rule to Shift Federal Employee RIF Appeals from MSPB to OPM

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued final regulations that will revise the appeal process for federal employees affected by reduction-in-force (RIF) actions. Effective September 2, 2026, OPM will replace the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) as the adjudicative agency for these appeals, establishing a new uniform, record-based OPM appeal process.