Both agencies have stopped approving advanced annual and sick leave — a benefit that’s functioned as informal short-term disability coverage for employees facing a medical emergency before they’ve banked enough leave to cover it. The bigger question for anyone eyeing a retirement date: if you’ve ever used advanced leave, you could owe it back out of your final paycheck. This guide breaks down what OPM’s rules actually require, what alternatives remain, and what it means to check your own leave balance now — before you’re the one who needs it. more…
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What the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report Means for Your FEHB and Medicare Costs
A new Trustees report shows Medicare spending is set to outpace Social Security within 11 years. See what’s driving the increase — and what it means for your FEHB premiums, IRMAA, and retirement budget. more…
Senate Bill Would Extend Paid Leave to Federal Employees Facing Family or Medical Emergencies
Federal employees could get 12 weeks of paid leave to cover a serious illness, care for a sick family member, or handle military-family needs, under a bill Congress. more…
Latest TSP Fund Performance Returns — G, F, C, S, I, L Funds | July 2026
Stock funds gave back ground last month after a strong second quarter — one core fund fell over 4%, its worst month since March. See the full fund-by-fund breakdown, plus long-term performance for every TSP fund. more…
The Medicare IRMAA Cliff: How a TSP Withdrawal Can Bite Back Two Years Later
A TSP withdrawal or Roth conversion can look harmless today — until it shows up two years later as a $2,300 Medicare surcharge. Here’s how the IRMAA “cliff” works, and the one move that can help you avoid it. more…
10 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing Life Insurance
Ed Zurndorfer outlines errors individuals often make when purchasing and owning a life insurance policy
2025 Health Insurance Plan Options & Comparison Tools
Get the latest the official information online for the 2024 plan year of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. Dental and vision (FEDVIP) details are also available...
Your Federal Health Benefits & Medicare: Helpful Resources from OPM
The Office of Personnel Management offers several resources for federal employees and retirees regarding Medicare and how it works with the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program...
Guide to Federal Retiree COLAs: What Are They and How Are They Calculated?
Understand what the cost-of-living adjustment is, how it is computed, and how it affects CSRS and FERS annuities, survivor annuities, and other federal employee death benefits...
10 Biggest Mistakes Federal Employees Make When Planning for Retirement (and How to Avoid Them)
Learn the 10 biggest federal retirement planning mistakes that many employees make before leaving civil service including CSRS, FERS, Thrift Savings Plan...
Federal Retirement Planning Checklists
Checklists for 5-10 years from retirement, one year away from retirement, and for your first year after retirement...