Federal Employees and Retirees: Be Careful When Claiming Dependents on Tax Returns As federal employees and retirees prepare to file their 2009 tax returns, they should make sure that they can legitimately claim tax dependents. Federal benefits and tax expert, Ed Zurndorfer, provides a particular caution the IRS is currently focusing on . . . more Preparations for Retirement Continue to Erode Despite Economic Recession Americans' confidence in their ability to retire appears to be stabilizing, now that the economic volatility of the recession has abated, but their self-described preparations for retirement continue to erode . . . more Last Year for Additional Standard Deduction for Real Estate Taxes Taxpayers who pay state or local real estate taxes but don't qualify to itemize their tax deductions may qualify for an increased standard deduction. This is the last year that the higher standard deduction for real estate taxes is available . . . more Federal Employee Salaries Continue to Be a Hot Topic of Debate While federal vs. private sector pay comparisons continue to be a focus of heated debate, federal employee groups say those figures do not take into consideration many important factors that determine federal employee pay . . . more NARFE Disappointed With Senate's Rejection of $250 Payment to Retirees The president of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association says she is disappointed that the Senate sidetracked an amendment that would have provided a one-time $250 payment to most older Americans . . . more Federal Employees 50 and Older Are Encouraged to Make TSP "Catch-Up" Contributions "Catch-up" contributions are supplemental tax deductible contributions that CSRS and FERS employees age 50 and older can make to the Thrift Savings Plan. Federal benefits expert, Ed Zurndorfer, gives insight on how they work and how they can benefit the employee . . . more More federal retirement articles

NSPS Self-Assessment Guide Available for DoD Employees Still in the Program While NSPS was eliminated after 2011, those still in the program may benefit from guidance offered by federal career expert, Kathryn Troutman . . . more TSP Returns: Monthly and Annual - G, F, C, S, I and L Funds Updated: March 1, 2010 View the latest Thrift Savings Plan returns . . . more 2010 Federal Tax Withholding Calculator for Federal Employees How much federal income tax should be withheld from your monthly payment? Use this updated online calculator for 2010 from the Office of Personnel Management . . . more 2010 CSRS / FERS Benefits Calculator and Retirement Income and Expense Analyzer This highly used software program since 1999 includes more than 80 integrated calculators, a free version for new individual users, and provides a a 50+ page retirement analysis. A professional version of the program is also available to government agencies and financial professionals who want to prepare a comprehensive analysis of federal retirement calculations for their employees or clients . . . more 2010 Federal Leave Chart / Record / Calendar Keep track of your 2010 leave with this handy calendar -- downloadable in both PDF and Excel spreadsheet formats . . . more 2010 Federal Holidays Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes the following public holidays for federal employees. . . . more More federal retirement resources