The Biden administration is bringing back a program to give top federal workers a bonus of $60,000 or more.
The Office of Personnel Management said on Wednesday that it is reviving the Presidential Rank Awards suspended last year by the Trump administration during the coronavirus crisis and economic fallout.
The awards are for overperforming Senior Executive Service bureaucrats and senior career employees.
The estimated 8,000 in the SES earn up to about $200,000.
The program has two tiers. The “distinguished rank” gives a bonus equal to 35% of salary, and the “meritorious rank” comes with a 20% bonus. Some 6% of the top-level federal bureaucrats are given bonuses.
The acting director of the OPM said she was “thrilled” the awards were coming back, and White House chief of staff Ron Klain said that President Biden will have a role in selecting the winners.
Proponents of the bonuses said that they help to retain top federal workers.
In its announcement, the OPM said it is seeking nominees for the awards.
