The U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC ) has unveiled a voluntary program
offering eligible employees a $50,000 incentive to resign or retire by April 4.
The initiative, designed to streamline the agency’s workforce, coincides with
broader federal government efforts to reduce staffing levels under Trump’s
administration.

SEC Offers $50,000
Incentive for Employees to Resign or Retire

According
to Bloomberg, the offer was communicated via an email sent on February 28 by
SEC Chief Operating Officer Ken Johnson to all agency employees. The incentive,
described as a “voluntary separation incentive” or a “voluntary early
retirement program”, highlights the parameters for eligibility. Employees must
have been on the SEC payroll before January 24 and must leave the agency
through resignation, transfer, or retirement.

However,
rejoining the SEC within five years would require repayment of the full
incentive amount, per the program’s guidelines. The deadline to apply for the
plan is March 21.

Government Efficiency
Drive

The program
aligns with the Trump administration’s push to reduce the size of the federal
workforce, spearheaded
by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), overseen by Elon Musk.
Federal agencies have been rolling out similar buyout plans to encourage staff
reductions. Reports indicate that over 100,000 federal employees have already
left their roles as part of these initiatives.

This
announcement follows the SEC’s directive last week for staff—including
unionized employees—to return to in-office work starting April 14.

The SEC is offering eligible employees a $50,000 incentive to resign or retire by April 4, according to an email reviewed by Bloomberg https://t.co/XmMKLbq0v3

— Bloomberg Economics (@economics) March 3, 2025

The SEC’s
workforce changes come amid other organizational shifts, including reports in
February of a scaling back in its crypto enforcement unit. At the same time,
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce shared updates on the agency’s evolving
regulatory approach to crypto markets, signaling intensified scrutiny of
digital assets.

Roundtable on Security
Status

On the
other hand, shortly after Donald Trump’s inauguration, a
Crypto Task Force was established with the aim of setting clear regulatory
guidelines for the cryptocurrency market. Yesterday, it was announced that the
task force will conduct a series of roundtables titled “The Spring Sprint
Toward Crypto Clarity,” which will begin on March 21.

“I am
looking forward to drawing on the expertise of the public in developing a
workable regulatory framework for crypto,” said Commissioner Hester M. Peirce,
who is leading the Crypto Task Force. “The roundtables are an important part of
our engagement with the public.”

Currently,
the acting Chairman of the SEC is Mark Uyeda, who will serve in this role until
the US Senate confirms Paula Atkins for the position.

The shift
in the SEC’s approach under the new administration and management is already
evident. The commission has dropped, among other things, lawsuits against
Coinbase, and a few days later against the Gemini exchange, which is intended
to serve as a tangible sign of the promise of greater crypto clarity.