A new Congressional Research Service report is renewing debate over whether retirement cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) should be based on how retirees actually spend their money instead of the inflation experienced by working households. While the report finds that a retiree-focused inflation index would have generally produced slightly higher COLAs over the past four decades, no changes to federal law are currently under consideration. Here’s what federal employees and retirees need to know about the proposal, why it matters, and whether it could affect future COLAs. more…
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Bipartisan Senate Proposal Would End Government Shutdowns by Keeping Congress in Session
A bipartisan Senate bill would shift the consequences of missed funding deadlines from federal employees to Congress by replacing government shutdowns with automatic temporary funding while lawmakers complete appropriations. If passed, the legislation could spare federal employees from future government shutdowns by preventing furloughs, ensuring uninterrupted pay, and keeping agencies operating while Congress finishes its budget work. more…
Why Your Financial Planner and CPA Should Be Talking to Each Other About Your Federal Taxes Right Now
People rarely think about their finances in the summer months. Tax season is over and Open Season is months away. But for federal employees and retirees, summer sits in the middle of a tax year that still has time left to course correct. There are decisions that hurt people in April, such as underpaid estimated taxes, a TSP withdrawal that pushed them into a higher bracket, or a Roth conversion that happened at the wrong amount. These decisions were usually made months earlier, like now, without anyone connecting the dots. more…
End-of-Life Planning Guide for Federal Employees and Retirees
Getting your affairs in order involves more than preparing a will. This guide explains the legal, medical, financial and federal benefit records your family may need—including TSP and FEGLI beneficiary information, OPM retirement records and advance directives. A free downloadable checklist and workbook is included to help federal employees and retirees organize everything in one place. more…
Essential Documents for Medical Care and End-of-Life Decisions Should Include a Dementia Directive
A dementia directive allows individuals to document their wishes for medical care before cognitive decline makes those decisions difficult or impossible. Learn how this advance-planning document works, what it may cover, and why it can provide valuable guidance for family members and caregivers. 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...