Education Department Offers $25,000 Buyouts Ahead of Major Workforce Cuts

Employees have until Monday to accept the voluntary separation incentive aimed at reducing the department's size as part of broader restructuring efforts.

• The U.S. Department of Education is offering employees up to $25,000 to voluntarily resign or retire by Monday, March 3, 2025, as part of a planned workforce reduction.
• The buyout amount will be the lesser of $25,000 or the equivalent of severance pay, with eligibility restrictions including federal employment duration and prior benefit awards.
• Employees who accept the offer will have their resignations take effect on March 31, 2025, but will forfeit certain rights, such as unemployment benefits and re-employment protections under a formal reduction in force.
• The Trump administration has signaled intentions to significantly downsize or dismantle the Education Department entirely, though congressional approval would be required for its closure.
• Critics within the department have called the buyout offer misleading, noting that severance under a reduction in force could exceed the proposed incentive for many employees.

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