With the midterm elections over, lawmakers and federal employee unions are pushing to replace the 2027 civilian pay freeze with a raise, and the spending deal due by December 11 is the first opportunity. No bill text with a raise has surfaced yet, but a path exists. This guide covers what the President’s pay plan says, who is pushing for a raise, what stands in the way, and the dates to watch before the final 2027 pay rates are set
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2028 FERS, CSRS and Social Security COLA Estimate
The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) has issued its first prediction for the 2028 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), arriving just one month after the official 2027 increase was announced. The estimate sets an early baseline for Social Security, Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirees
2026 FEHB Open Season Checklist: Seven Steps Before December 14
Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season runs through December 14. This free seven-step checklist shows how to compare total cost, not just the premium, check your prescriptions and doctors, line up Medicare, and confirm your change was recorded. A one-page PDF is ready to download.
2027 FEHB Plan Cost Explorer: Compare Plans at Your ZIP Code
The 2027 FEHB Plan Cost Explorer shows the premium, the change from 2026, the annual cost, the deductible and the worst-case year for every Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plan at a ZIP code. It also shows where each plan sits against the government contribution line. The page includes a how-to guide, answers to common questions and a downloadable one-page checklist for Open Season, which runs through December 14, 2026.
How a Health Care FSA Can Ease Rising Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs in 2027
Health care costs keep climbing, and FEHB premiums are rising an average of 9.3 percent in 2027. In this guide, Ed Zurndorfer explains how a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) lets federal employees pay out-of-pocket medical, dental and vision costs with pre-tax dollars. He covers who is eligible, the $3,500 limit for 2027, the $680 carryover, why enrollment does not renew automatically, and what employees planning to retire must know before the December 14 deadline.
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...