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.
Main Content
Are Your FEHB Premiums Tax-Deductible?
Premiums are a major factor in choosing an FEHB plan at open season, but whether they can lower your tax bill depends on one detail most guides skip. See how the rules differ for employees and retirees, with a worked example and the special situations worth checking before you file.
What NARFE Wants Congress to Do About the FERS COLA Gap
The 2027 COLA is 3.6% for CSRS retirees and Social Security beneficiaries, but only 2.6% for eligible FERS retirees. The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) is now making the Equal COLA Act (H.R. 491 / S. 624) the centerpiece of its response. This article explains what the bill would change, the case NARFE makes for it, its separate push for the CPI-E, and the cost objection that has kept equal COLA bills in committee.
2027 Federal Pay Raise: Up to 6.7% for Some as OPM Expands Special Rates
Most civilian federal employees are headed for a 0% raise in January 2027, but a Nov. 6 memo from the Office of Personnel Management shows a different path for law enforcement. Employees already on the special rate tables get 3.8%, while newly covered groups get about 6.7%. The guide explains which table applies, how the pay caps work, and how special rates feed into the High-3 and the pension
TSP Week in Review: Nov. 2-6, 2026
Most Thrift Savings Plan funds took a dive last week. A sharp midweek selloff pulled the C, S and I Funds and the Lifecycle Funds lower, while the G and F Funds held steady. See how every fund finished and where the year stands after the drop.
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...