SEC Offers Incentive for Voluntary Resignation or Retirement

According to Odaily, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is offering a $50,000 incentive to eligible employees who choose to resign or retire by April 4. This initiative, communicated via an email from SEC Chief Operating Officer Ken Johnson last Friday, aligns with the Trump administration's efforts to reduce the size of the federal government and lay off thousands of workers. The proposal is a voluntary separation incentive or early retirement plan, with an application deadline of March 21. Employees eligible for this offer must have been on the agency's payroll as of January 24 and can opt to leave by resigning, transferring to another agency, or retiring immediately. Those who accept the voluntary separation agreement and return to the SEC within five years must repay the incentive in full. The SEC spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. Notably, the agency instructed all employees, including union members, to return to office work starting April 14.