From the June 15, 2011 FedWeek

Negotiations over cutting government spending as part of a deal to increase the federal debt ceiling have remained largely behind the scenes in recent weeks, following earlier disclosures that increasing the federal employee contribution to retirement, at least for FERS employees, was among the topics being discussed. That idea has already gained the formal support of the House, although the Senate, in a largely symbolic vote, defeated the bill containing that provision. Issues including whether CSRS employees also would have to pay more, whether an increase would be phased in, and precisely how large the increase would be, remain to be resolved.  Meanwhile, OPM has announced that starting in October, agencies will have to pay an additional 0.2 percent of salary into the retirement fund on behalf of most FERS employees to keep that program fully funded. That could draw renewed attention to the disparity between the employee share (0.8 percent of salary for most employees) and the agency share (which will rise to 11.9 percent).  It also means that if an even split in contributions is enacted, FERS employees would have to pay an extra 5.55 percent of salary, up from the previous figure under consideration of 5.45 percent.