Ed. Dept. offers employees $25K buyout if they quit or retire by Monday

It looks like the United States Department of Education is next on the DOGE chopping block, as employees have officially received their “buyout” offer.

Friday afternoon, employees of the DOE were notified of an impending “very significant” workforce reduction and were offered a one-time payment of $25,000 to voluntarily resign, with those resignations taking effect March 31. For those seeing their retirement dates coming up, this could be a quick way to grab some money and run.

DOE chief human capital officer Jacqueline Clay advised the employees of the opportunity in an email, noting that those interested had until 11:59 pm Monday to respond.

“We are pleased to offer ED employees up to a $25,000 Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) starting today, including those who wish to retire,” Clay wrote.

What’s less clear is that not everyone who accepts the voluntary resignation offer would actually be eligible for the payout. According to the memo issued by Clay, the amount would be “the equivalent of severance pay or $25,000, whichever is less.” Those considering the offer were encouraged to use their benefits statement to estimate what they would qualify for.

“There are more caveats: Those eligible must have been employed by the federal government for at least three consecutive years. They also cannot have received a student loan repayment benefit in the last three years. Other types of awards – including relocation, recruitment or retention bonuses – would be disqualifying for some,” USA Today reported on the matter.

X users reacted to the news of the “buyout”:

Good! They put my loans in collections right after the election.

— Eric Broxton (@EricBroxton) March 1, 2025

Now if I were a true government employee, I’d accept a one-time $25,000 buyout and still be at my job Tuesday morning.

— The Wandering American (@WanderingKeats) March 1, 2025

I think they owe the American taxpayers payers $25000

— Chris wheat (@WheatChris58492) March 1, 2025

Don’t know if you were paying attention when they did the usaid stuff but the people that didn’t take the money are pretty sad that they didn’t now.. didn’t work out too good for those who didn’t..

— Damon (@Hendrix4Damon) March 1, 2025

Take the money and run

— Weazy (@WeazyCough) March 1, 2025

lots of schools are hiring…

— Donna Lowry (@keatingsewing) March 1, 2025

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