2023 Annual Review of Special Rates (Results)

CPM 2023-21 December 21, 2023 Memorandum for Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies From: Kiran A. Ahuja Director Subject: 2023 Annual Review of Special Rates (Results)

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) conducts an annual review of special rates established under 5 U.S.C. 5305 to determine the disposition of special rate schedules when General Schedule (GS) pay is adjusted under 5 U.S.C. 5303. Based on OPM’s annual review, special rate tables may be terminated, decreased, or increased. (See OPM’s September 12, 2023, data call memorandum (CPM 2023-17) for further information.) Agencies were informed in the September 2023 data call memorandum that the default January 2024 adjustment for special rates would be equal to the January 2024 across-theboard adjustment for GS base rates. That memorandum also noted that the across-theboard adjustment for GS base rates would be 4.7 percent, as specified in the President’s alternative plan for January 2024 pay adjustments. Further, pursuant to OPM’s instructions, each agency conducted a review of its special rate schedules. One agency requested a January 2024 adjustment for special rates different from the default amount (for additional details see the section “Adjustments Different from the Default GS Adjustment” below). Accordingly, based on the 2023 annual review of special rates, I have determined that the January 2024 adjustment for existing special rates will be 4.7 percent. The effective date for January 2024 pay adjustments is the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2024 (January 14, 2024, based on the standard biweekly payroll cycle). Please note that agencies having existing or likely staffing problems can submit special rate requests any time throughout a calendar year. Information on how agencies can make special rate requests is posted on the OPM website at https://www.opm.gov/specialrates/srsrequest.aspx. Additional information regarding the 2023 annual review and January 2024 special rates is provided below.

Special Rates in Nonforeign Areas For the 2023 Annual Review, we reminded agencies of the results of our analysis of special rates in nonforeign areas during the 2012 annual review, and that special rates in nonforeign areas would be reexamined yearly as part of our overall annual review of special rates. During the 2023 Annual Review, no agencies requested termination of special rates or a pay adjustment different from the base GS increase for positions in nonforeign areas. Accordingly, special rates in nonforeign areas will receive the 4.7-percent increase. Also, special rate tables currently receiving Nonforeign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2009 (NAREAA) additional adjustments will receive the NAREAA additional adjustments shown in Attachment 1. Capped Special Rates Under 5 U.S.C. 5305(a)(1), the maximum special rate is the rate payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule (EX-IV), which is $191,900 in 2024. Some special rates for 2024 are capped at that EX-IV rate. Attachment 2 lists capped special rates by table, grade, and step. Adjustments Different from the Default GS Adjustment As noted above, only one agency requested an adjustment different from the default amount. Specifically, the Department of Justice (DOJ) requested that Special Rate Table 0751 receive a 3-percent increase in addition to the 4.7-percent default base General Schedule adjustment. OPM has approved that request based on staffing issues DOJ documented in the request, which covers approximately 23 GS-0644 Medical Technologist positions within the Bureau of Prisons. Terminated Special Rates Special rates are terminated based on OPM’s annual review of special rates when covered agencies report to OPM that applicable special rates are no longer necessary or when GS locality rates of pay exceed special rates at the same grade and step due to increases in locality pay. (Under 5 U.S.C. 5305(h), an employee’s entitlement to a special rate ends if the employee is entitled to a higher rate of basic pay, such as a locality rate of pay under 5 U.S.C. 5304.) The Department of Health and Human Services requested that Special Rate Table 0487 covering only the Indian Health Service (IHS) be terminated in January 2024 because 2

IHS has created Title 38 special salary rate tables for the two occupations Table 0487 covers with pay rates higher than Table 0487 provides. Under 5 CFR 530.303(d), an employee covered by a special rate schedule is not entitled to a special rate for any purpose with respect to any period during which the employee is entitled to a higher rate of basic pay under any other legal authority. OPM approved the request, and Special Rate Table 0487 is terminated effective January 14, 2024. Seven special rate tables will terminate effective January 14, 2024, because higher locality rates apply at all steps of each covered grade due to January 2024 increases in locality pay percentages. Those seven special rate tables are Tables 0072, 0222, 0305, 0385, 0442, 0456, and 0645. In addition, some special rates tables will have one or more pay rates that terminate effective January 14, 2024, because applicable 2024 locality rates of pay are higher due to January 2024 increases in locality pay percentages. In such cases, the special rate tables will not show a special rate at affected grades and steps because higher locality pay rates apply. Also, for some special rate tables that cover multiple locations, certain locations will be removed from coverage because the 2024 locality rates in those locations are higher than the special rates at all grades and steps. Termination of special rates in these situations will not result in a loss of pay for covered employees because they will receive a higher locality rate of pay. Additional Information Agency headquarters-level human resources offices may contact OPM at paypolicy@opm.gov. Employees should contact their agency human resources office for further information on this memorandum. Attachment 1 - 2024 Additional Adjustments for Special Rate Tables in Nonforeign Areas Attachment 2 - Capped Special Rates in 2024 cc: Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCOs) Deputy CHCOs Human Resources Directors

Attachment 1—2024 Additional Adjustments for Special Rate Tables in Nonforeign Areas Under section 1915(b) of the Nonforeign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2009 (NAREAA), during the January 2010-January 2012 transition period, special “additional adjustments” were added to the special rates that would have otherwise been payable in nonforeign areas. These additional adjustments were designed to provide special rate increases equal to the locality pay increases received by non-special rate employees during the transition period. They are added to the special rate supplement that would have otherwise applied. Special rate supplements and additional adjustments are payable only to the extent they do not cause the employee’s special rate to exceed the statutory EX-IV cap on special rates ($191,900 in 2024). The EX-IV cap will be reflected in published special rate schedules. 2024 Additional Adjustments for Special Rate Tables in the State of Alaska (Annual Amounts in Dollars) Grade 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Step 1 7,027 7,901 8,621 9,677 10,827 12,070 13,412 14,853 16,406 18,066 19,849 23,791 28,291 33,431 39,324 Step 2 7,263 8,089 8,909 10,000 11,188 12,472 13,859 15,348 16,953 18,668 20,511 24,584 29,234 34,546 40,635 Step 3 7,496 8,351 9,196 10,322 11,549 12,874 14,307 15,844 17,499 19,271 21,173 25,377 30,177 35,660 41,945 Step 4 7,729 8,572 9,483 10,645 11,910 13,277 14,754 16,339 18,046 19,873 21,834 26,170 31,120 36,775 43,256 Step 5 7,962 8,669 9,770 10,967 12,271 13,679 15,201 16,834 18,593 20,475 22,496 26,963 32,064 37,889 44,567 1-1 Step 6 8,098 8,924 10,058 11,290 12,632 14,082 15,648 17,329 19,140 21,077 23,157 27,756 33,007 39,004 45,877 Step 7 8,330 9,179 10,345 11,612 12,992 14,484 16,095 17,824 19,687 21,679 23,819 28,549 33,950 40,118 47,188

Step 8 8,563 9,434 10,632 11,935 13,353 14,886 16,542 18,319 20,234 22,281 24,480 29,342 34,893 41,233 48,499 Step 9 8,572 9,689 10,920 12,257 13,714 15,289 16,989 18,814 20,780 22,883 25,142 30,135 35,836 42,347 49,809 Step 10 8,790 9,944 11,207 12,580 14,075 15,691 17,436 19,309 21,327 23,485 25,804 30,928 36,779 43,461 51,120 Attachment 1—2024 Additional Adjustments for Special Rate Tables in Nonforeign Areas 2024 Additional Adjustments for Special Rate Tables in the State of Hawaii (Annual Amounts in Dollars) Grade 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9 Step 10 4,791 4,952 5,111 5,269 5,428 5,521 5,679 5,838 5,844 5,993 5,387 5,515 5,694 5,844 5,910 6,084 6,258 6,432 6,606 6,780 5,878 6,074 6,270 6,466 6,661 6,857 7,053 7,249 7,445 7,641 6,598 6,818 7,038 7,258 7,477 7,697 7,917 8,137 8,357 8,577 7,382 7,628 7,874 8,120 8,366 8,612 8,858 9,104 9,350 9,596 8,229 8,503 8,778 9,052 9,326 9,601 9,875 10,149 10,424 10,698 9,144 9,449 9,754 10,059 10,364 10,669 10,973 11,278 11,583 11,888 10,127 10,464 10,802 11,139 11,477 11,815 12,152 12,490 12,827 13,165 11,185 11,558 11,931 12,304 12,677 13,049 13,422 13,795 14,168 14,541 12,317 12,728 13,138 13,549 13,960 14,370 14,781 15,191 15,602 16,012 13,533 13,984 14,435 14,886 15,337 15,788 16,239 16,690 17,142 17,593 16,221 16,761 17,302 17,843 18,383 18,924 19,464 20,005 20,546 21,086 19,289 19,932 20,575 21,218 21,861 22,504 23,147 23,790 24,433 25,076 22,793 23,553 24,313 25,073 25,832 26,592 27,352 28,112 28,872 29,632 26,811 27,704 28,598 29,491 30,385 31,279 32,172 33,066 33,959 34,853 2024 Additional Adjustments for Special Rate Tables in Other Nonforeign Areas as Defined in 5 CFR Part 591 (Annual Amounts in Dollars) Grade 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Step 1 3,698 4,158 4,537 5,093 5,698 6,352 7,059 7,817 8,634 9,508 10,446 12,521 14,889 17,594 20,695 Step 2 3,822 4,257 4,688 5,263 5,888 6,564 7,294 8,078 8,922 9,825 10,795 12,938 15,385 18,181 21,385 Step 3 3,945 4,395 4,840 5,433 6,078 6,776 7,529 8,338 9,210 10,142 11,143 13,356 15,882 18,767 22,075 Step 4 4,068 4,511 4,991 5,602 6,268 6,987 7,765 8,599 9,497 10,459 11,491 13,773 16,378 19,354 22,765 Step 5 4,190 4,562 5,142 5,772 6,458 7,199 8,000 8,859 9,785 10,776 11,839 14,190 16,874 19,940 23,455 1-2 Step 6 4,262 4,696 5,293 5,942 6,648 7,411 8,235 9,120 10,073 11,092 12,187 14,607 17,371 20,527 24,144 Step 7 4,384 4,831 5,444 6,111 6,838 7,623 8,471 9,380 10,361 11,409 12,535 15,025 17,867 21,113 24,834 Step 8 4,506 4,965 5,596 6,281 7,028 7,834 8,706 9,641 10,649 11,726 12,884 15,442 18,364 21,700 25,524 Step 9 4,511 5,099 5,747 6,451 7,217 8,046 8,941 9,901 10,936 12,043 13,232 15,859 18,860 22,287 26,214 Step 10 4,626 5,233 5,898 6,621 7,407 8,258 9,176 10,162 11,224 12,360 13,580 16,277 19,356 22,873 26,904 Attachment 2—Capped Special Rates in 2024 Under 5 U.S.C. 5305(a)(1), the maximum special rate is the rate payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule ($191,900 in 2024). A total of 522 special rates are capped in 2024 and these are shown in the table below by special rate table code, grade, and step. Special Rate Table Code 0565 0566 0571 0576 0701 0702 0703 0704 0705 0706 0710 0711 0712 0713 0714 0715 0716 0717 0718 0719 0720 0721 0722 0734 0735 0736 0737 0738 0739 0740 0741 0742 0743 0744 0745 Grade 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 2-1

Capped Steps 7-10 9-10 6-10 7-10 7-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-10 5-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 8-10 8-10 8-10 7-10 7-10 7-10 7-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 5-10 Attachment 2—Capped Special Rates in 2024 Special Rate Table Code 0746 0747 0748 0748 0749 0749 0750 0750 0752 0759 0759 0759 0760 0760 0761 0761 0762 0762 0763 0763 0764 0764 0765 0766 0767 0771 0777 0777 0778 0785 0788 0788 0789 0789 0790 0790 0791 0791 0792 0793 0794 0795 0796 Grade 15 15 14 15 14 15 14 15 15 13 14 15 14 15 14 15 14 15 14 15 14 15 15 15 15 14 14 15 14 14 14 15 14 15 14 15 14 15 15 15 15 15 15 2-2 Capped Steps 5-10 5-10 10 4-10 10 4-10 8-10 2-10 5-10 10 6-10 3-10 8-10 4-10 8-10 5-10 9-10 6-10 10 6-10 10 7-10 8-10 8-10 9-10 9-10 8-10 2-10 8-10 9-10 6-10 1-10 8-10 3-10 9-10 3-10 10 4-10 5-10 6-10 6-10 7-10 7-10 Attachment 2—Capped Special Rates in 2024 Special Rate Table Code 0797 0797 0798 0799 0804 0804 0805 0806 0806 0807 0807 0808 0808 0809 0810 290A 290A 290H 290P 499A 499A 499H 499P 558A 558A 558H 558H 558P 565A 565A 565F 565H 565H 566A 566A 566F 566H 566H 700H 700H Grade 14 15 15 15 14 15 15 14 15 14 15 14 15 15 15 14 15 15 15 14 15 15 15 14 15 14 15 15 14 15 15 14 15 14 15 15 14 15 14 15 2-3 Capped Steps 9-10 4-10 7-10 5-10 8-10 5-10 8-10 9-10 6-10 10 6-10 10 7-10 8-10 9-10 8-10 4-10 7-10 8-10 10 5-10 8-10 10 8-10 4-10 10 7-10 8-10 5-10 1-10 7-10 8-10 2-10 7-10 1-10 9-10 9-10 3-10 10 4-10