GAO report says DOGE's deferred resignation plan cost the federal government $6.7 billion

The Government Accountability Office released a report showing a sharp increase in federal agencies’ reliance on administrative leave, rising 435% between 2023 and 2025 and costing $9.5 billion in salaries for employees not actively working. The watchdog attributes $6.7 billion of that sum to the Department of Government Efficiency’s deferred resignation program, which was introduced after a February 2025 “Fork in the Road” email sent to 2 million federal workers offering full pay and benefits until September for those who voluntarily left.

Nearly 140,000 staff members took the deal, creating a temporary payroll burden while reducing the workforce by roughly 270,000 positions overall. OPM Director Scott Kupor contends the expense is a one-time investment that will generate $40 billion per year in taxpayer savings, a claim he made in a Substack post and reiterated. The GAO cautioned that data accuracy may vary due to inconsistent reporting of administrative leave across agencies.

One outlet's analyses by the Partnership for Public Service highlight that many vacated roles are being filled by lower-grade hires, especially in critical areas like the ATF, and note a surge in consumer complaints linked to USDA inspector shortages. The report concludes that the deferred resignation program has weakened agencies’ capacity to serve the public.