Bob Otto, executive vice president for advisory services at Agilex, and Robert Shea, principal at Grant Thornton, count down the top federal news stories of the week.

Also, Agilex is hosting a “watchathon” to benefit SafeSpot Chidlren’s Advocacy Center of Fairfax County. Click here for more information.

Click here for more.

Pay cuts force people to make really tough choices. Those choices may become reality for you if you get furloughed. But some choices — such as canceling your coverage in the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program if you’re furloughed — are really, really bad for you. Tammy Flanagan, senior benefits director for the National Institute of Transition Planning, joins In Depth to discuss why that’s not a good idea.

Every agency is looking for return on investment. One place most agencies can find it is the Office of Inspector General. The Government Accountability Office reviewed the Agriculture Department’s IG office. Beryl Davis, director of Financial Management and Assurance Issues at GAO, joins In Depth to discuss the agency’s findings.

President Barack Obama will likely sign the budget plan Congress passed this week, which is good news in terms of averting a government shutdown next week. But it’s not so good news if you were hoping for a raise. Patricia Niehaus, national president of the Federal Managers Association, joins In Depth with more.