President Trump’s August 26 letter freezes most federal civilian pay for 2027, but Congress can still override it. The House Appropriations Committee has already rejected an effort to add a raise, the Senate hasn’t released its bill yet, and employee unions like AFGE and NTEU are pushing back — including a pointed comparison to the administration’s move to allow salaries of up to $400,000 for a small group of “critical position” employees. Here’s where the realistic path to a 2027 raise stands. more…
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TSP Week in Review: August 24-28, 2026
Small caps led the week’s losses as the S Fund gave back 1.32%, while the C Fund bucked the trend with a 0.50% gain. See the full fund-by-fund breakdown. more…
The Real Cost of Your FERS Survivor Election: Full, Partial, or None?
What should you choose? Full survivor benefit, partial, or none? The election you make at retirement determines far more than a 5% or 10% pension reduction. It shapes whether your spouse keeps Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage, how their Social Security changes, and how much of your household’s income they actually keep. This guide walks through a worked example showing what each option means in real numbers. A downloadable FERS Survivor Benefit Planning Checklist is included to help you get started. more…
No 2027 Federal Pay Raise: Freeze Base and Locality Pay at 2026 Rates
President Trump has issued his 2027 alternative pay plan, freezing base and locality pay for most federal employees while law enforcement and military personnel see separate raises. Beyond the flat paycheck, a frozen year can quietly lower your High-3 average if it falls in your final three years of service. Will Congress override the freeze? Here’s what could happen next… more…
Roth TSP In-Plan Conversions: What They Mean for Your Taxes
Roth in-plan conversions let Thrift Saving Plan participants move money from their traditional (before-tax) balance into their Roth (after-tax) balance at any time, provided they meet eligibility requirements. But converting isn’t tax-free — the amount converted counts as taxable income in the year of conversion, and since there’s no automatic withholding, participants may need to make estimated tax payments to avoid a penalty. Ed Zurndorfer outlines who’s eligible, how much can be converted, the “leave-behind” rule, and what federal and state tax liabilities to expect. 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...