Presidential Rank Awards 2021
The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 established the Presidential Rank Awards Program to recognize a select group of career members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) for exceptional performance over an extended period of time. Later, the Rank Award statute was amended to extend eligibility to senior career employees with a sustained record of exceptional professional, technical, and/or scientific achievement recognized on a national or international level. Two categories of Presidential Rank Award are available.
Distinguished Rank Recipients
These individuals are recognized for sustained extraordinary accomplishment, and receive a cash award of 35 percent of their base salary. Only one percent of the career SES or SL/ST may receive this rank.
Meritorious Rank Recipients
These individuals are recognized for sustained accomplishment, and receive a cash award of 20 percent of their base salary. No more than five percent of career SES or SL/ST members may receive this award.