Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) announced his September 13, 2022, letter to the Honorable Kiran Ahuja, Director of U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), regarding the worsening processing backlog harming retiring federal employees. This letter follows an increased trend in casework from constituents who are experiencing significant delays and problems with OPM’s processing system for retirement benefit applications. 

“These constituents, many who have served in the United States government for their entire careers are now facing financial hardship or the additional stress of delayed survivor benefits following the death of a loved one,” Congressman Wittman writes in the letter. “Long delay times unfairly penalize retirees who receive a partial benefit until the agency finishes processing the required paperwork.”

To read this full letter, scroll below or click here.

September 13, 2022

The Honorable Kiran Ahuja

Director

U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

1900 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20415-1000

Dear Director Ahuja: 

On behalf of the many federal employees residing in Virginia’s 1^st Congressional District, I write to bring to your attention OPM’s worsening processing backlog harming retiring federal employees. As my office works to assist constituents with OPM casework issues, a clear trend has emerged—more requests for assistance and longer processing times. I have heard from an increasing number of frustrated constituents who are experiencing significant delays and are reporting problems in OPM’s processing system for retirement and benefit applications. 

These constituents, many who have served in the United States government for their entire careers are now facing financial hardship or the additional stress of delayed survivor benefits following the death of a loved one. Long delay times unfairly penalize retirees who receive a partial benefit until the agency finishes processing the required paperwork. I urge you to work immediately to address this urgent problem that couldn’t come at a worse time for retirees or surviving spouses living on a fixed income. 

Again, these public servants deserve better treatment and timely resolution to delays plaguing OMB’s retirement benefit process. I appreciate your attention to this important matter. 

Sincerely,

Robert J. Wittman