Your Thrift Savings Plan required minimum distributions can do more than raise your tax bill — it can push up Medicare premiums and make more of your Social Security taxable. Here’s what the rules actually say, and how to plan ahead. more…
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Roth Conversions & Your TSP: The Window is Still Open
Two things changed recently that make Roth conversions worth a second look: tax rates are now locked in, and as of January 2026, you can convert traditional TSP funds to Roth directly inside your TSP account — no rollover needed. This piece covers who benefits most from converting (hint: often those in a lower-income window before RMDs kick in), the rules and limits on in-plan conversions, and the tax-payment mistakes to avoid since the TSP can’t withhold taxes for you. more…
Lump-Sum Payment Upon the Death of a Former CSRS Employee or CSRS Offset Employee
If a former CSRS or CSRS Offset employee dies after leaving federal service but before applying for deferred retirement, no survivor annuity is payable — instead, a lump-sum death benefit goes to the named beneficiary or, if none was designated, follows OPM’s order of precedence. Ed Zurndorfer explains how the process works and what family members need to file. more…
TSP Week in Review: August 3-7, 2026
Every TSP core fund closed the week in positive territory, but the gains were far from even — one fund increased by nearly 5%. A weaker-than-expected jobs report on Friday shifted the market’s outlook on interest rates and sent stocks higher into the close. more…
Free OPM Data Breach ID Theft Protection Is Expiring — A New Bill Would Make It Permanent
A decade after the OPM data breaches exposed the personal records of millions of federal employees, the free identity theft protection tied to that coverage is expiring — not on one fixed date, but individually, as each person reaches 10 years from their enrollment. A new bill in Congress, the RECOVER PII Act, would replace that temporary coverage with lifetime protection and a higher insurance floor. Here’s what’s ending, what the bill would change, and what to do in the meantime. 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...