To summarize the current situation, it is reported that as soon as President Trump took office, he proposed a kind of voluntary retirement incentive program to federal employees, stating, "If you accept retirement, we will guarantee your salary until September."

The program is called the 'Deferred Resignation Program.'

The condition for retirement is that if one expresses the intention to retire by February 6, they will continue to receive their current salary until September.

While it appears to offer a choice on the surface, it is said to have the underlying purpose of reducing the number of federal employees and cutting the budget. The stance of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is also noteworthy.

This measure is interpreted as a declaration to effectively end the remote work culture that solidified after COVID-19. It is reported that most federal employees are required to work five days a week, except for unavoidable positions that require on-site work, such as postal workers, military personnel, immigration-related staff, and some members of the national security team.

In simple terms, it is like saying, "Adapt to the new work system, or leave with your salary until September." The Trump administration's calculations are quite specific. Currently, there are about 2 million federal employees, and it is estimated that about 10%, or 200,000, will accept this proposal.

If that happens, it is calculated that up to $100 billion could be saved. Of course, it is uncertain whether that many people will actually choose to retire. Nevertheless, from the administration's perspective, it appears to be an executive order aimed at large-scale restructuring. What stands out in this measure is the clear intention to completely end remote work and return to an office-centered 'normal work system.'

At the same time, the administration's approach to achieve both budget cuts and a reduction in the federal workforce is clearly evident. For federal employees, it is a proposal worth considering if they have to work five days a week anyway, and they can retire while being guaranteed their salary until September. However, actual reactions may vary depending on the economic situation and labor market conditions.

Ultimately, this measure can be seen as a signal that President Trump is seriously pushing for 'federal government efficiency.' The end of remote work, reduction of federal employees, and budget cuts are moving as a package.

It will also be interesting to see how federal employee unions and Congress respond, and how many people will actually express their intention to retire by the February 6 deadline.