What is considered double dipping in the federal government?

Asked by: Grayce Cummings  |  Last update: August 26, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (63 votes)

Double dipping is a term used to describe the act of receiving pension benefits while also accepting a salary, oftentimes from the same employer. For example, double dipping occurs when a member of Congress receives a paycheck while also receiving a pension from a previous government job.

What is double dipping in federal government?

Simply put, “double dipping” is a method of collecting your benefits in which you withdraw both your personal benefits and your spouse's benefits at different points. To do so, when the person files for benefits, they must file for their spouse's benefits specifically.

What is the rule of double dipping?

Double dipping is an unethical practice whereby a broker places commissioned products into a fee-based account to earn money from both sources. Double dipping can lead to fines or suspensions from regulators for the offending broker or firm.

What is double dipping in politics?

A quick definition of double-dipping:

Examples: If someone is already getting money from their job and then tries to get money from a government program for the same reason, that's double-dipping. Or if someone is getting money from two different government programs for the same reason, that's also double-dipping.

Can I work two government jobs at the same time?

In limited situations, employees can hold more than one federal job: when the jobs total no more than 40 hours of work a week, Sunday to Saturday (excluding overtime); or there is an authorized exception. This means an employee on leave without pay from one position may be paid for another position.

Double Dipping On Pensions & Salaries

37 related questions found

Can federal employees have a side business?

The general rule for outside activities is permissive: Executive branch employees, subject to some limitations, are allowed to participate in outside activities. An employee may not have outside employment or be involved in outside activity that conflicts with the official duties of the employees position.

Can a federal contractor have two jobs?

In general, working two jobs with government contractors is permissible as long as you adhere to certain guidelines and avoid conflicts of interest. Here are a few key considerations: Conflict of Interest: The primary concern in working for multiple government contractors is avoiding conflicts of interest.

What is considered double dipping in retirement?

Double dipping is a term used to describe the act of receiving pension benefits while also accepting a salary, oftentimes from the same employer. For example, double dipping occurs when a member of Congress receives a paycheck while also receiving a pension from a previous government job.

What is the legal term double dipping?

noun. double dip·​ping. : the usually illicit practice of accepting income from two mutually exclusive sources (as from a government pension and a government salary or from two insurers for the same loss)

What is the professional term for double dipping?

“Double-dipping” (sometimes called “overemployment”) refers to employees working multiple jobs, often full time. In many circumstances, the multiple employers are unaware of one another.

Can you get fired for double dipping?

Let's clear something up right away. Working two full-time jobs at the same time is grounds for dismissal for cause from both jobs. Once again, faithful readers will know that this means that there will be no notice provided or severance paid.

Is double dipping jobs illegal?

Is Double Dipping Illegal? Yes, double dipping is illegal. The reason double dipping fraud schemes are illegal is that they involve receiving money that is unmerited—and is only obtained through abusing (at least) one of the income sources.

Is double dipping a big deal?

The risk depends on if any double-dippers are carrying a potentially contagious bacteria or virus and on the strength of the immune system of those that dip afterward, says Dawson. Assuming the bacteria transferred to a dip are benign, it's not a big deal.

What is the two step rule for the federal government?

Under the two-step promotion rule, a GS employee who is being promoted from one grade on the General Schedule to a higher grade on the General Schedule is entitled to the lowest rate of the higher grade which exceeds his or her "existing rate" by not less than two step increases of the grade from which promoted or ...

Can you double dip with social security?

Someone whose Full Retirement Age is 67 can still start taking Social Security benefits as early as age 62. If their income is below the Limit during this period, they'll be able to double-dip (we'll call this strategy 'skinny dipping' due to the lower level of income involved!)

What is the federal law 5 USC 5536?

An employee or a member of a uniformed service whose pay or allowance is fixed by statute or regulation may not receive additional pay or allowance for the disbursement of public money or for any other service or duty, unless specifically authorized by law and the appropriation therefor specifically states that it is ...

What does double dip mean in unemployment?

DOUBLE-DIP CLAIM - A second benefit year established without earning 10 times the weekly benefit amount of the second benefit year following the separation from employment within the first claim.

Why is double dipping not allowed?

Scientists from Clemson University in South Carolina have discovered that double dipping, the practice of dipping a single tortilla chip into the guacamole more than once, is a good way to transfer bacteria from one person to another.

What is the double punishment rule?

Article 50 - Right not to be tried or punished twice in criminal proceedings for the same criminal offence. No one shall be liable to be tried or punished again in criminal proceedings for an offence for which he or she has already been finally acquitted or convicted within the Union in accordance with the law.

Can you collect Social Security and government pension?

We'll reduce your Social Security benefits by two- thirds of your government pension. For example, if you get a monthly civil service pension of $3,000, two-thirds of that, or $2,000, must be deducted from your Social Security benefits.

What is the 3 rule in retirement?

The safe withdrawal rule is a classic in retirement planning. It maintains that you can live comfortably on your retirement savings if you withdraw 3% to 4% of the balance you had at retirement each year, adjusted for inflation.

How do you avoid the windfall elimination provision?

For Retirement and Disability benefits

This reduction is called the “Windfall Elimination Provision” (WEP). It most commonly affects government work or work in other countries. You won't have this reduction if you paid Social Security taxes for 30 years on enough work outside your pension-earning job(s).

Can federal government employees have a second job?

Nothing in the Act or its conflict-of-interest rules prevents a public official from seeking or holding a particular employment position, whether public or private.

Can you be a federal employee and contractor at the same time?

The criminal statutes preclude a Government employee from interacting or appearing in the Federal workplace as a contractor employee. As we said regarding working during terminal leave, "moonlighting" in a Government office for a contractor almost always involves improper representation.

Can I lose my clearance for having two jobs?

Working multiple cleared jobs doesn't necessarily violate any security clearance policies. The issue would be if you didn't disclose a second job on your SF-86, one employer found out about it, and then reported you for a personal conduct violation.