Age 62 can be an important turning point for FERS employees. If you retire at 62 or later with at least 20 years of service, the multiplier used to calculate your pension increases — potentially providing a 10% larger basic benefit. You also become eligible for Social Security and can begin receiving FERS cost-of-living adjustments without waiting. Chris Kowalik explains why these advantages may make 62 worth considering when choosing your retirement date. more…
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IRS and Social Security Suspend Advanced Leave — What It Means If You’re Counting Down to Retirement
Both agencies have stopped approving advanced annual and sick leave — a benefit that’s functioned as informal short-term disability coverage for employees facing a medical emergency before they’ve banked enough leave to cover it. The bigger question for anyone eyeing a retirement date: if you’ve ever used advanced leave, you could owe it back out of your final paycheck. This guide breaks down what OPM’s rules actually require, what alternatives remain, and what it means to check your own leave balance now — before you’re the one who needs it. more…
Guide to Federal Retiree COLAs: What Are They and How Are They Calculated?
Ed Zurndorfer explains how CSRS and FERS cost-of-living adjustments are calculated, with 2026 numbers and real-world examples — plus how COLAs affect survivor annuities, and other federal employee death benefits. more…
Federal Retiree COLA History: CSRS COLA and FERS COLA
See every CSRS and FERS COLA since 1999, and how the two are calculated differently. more…
2026 Federal Holidays – Official OPM Schedule
2026 Federal Holidays: See the full OPM schedule, plus what’s ahead for 2027 and how holiday pay works if you’re scheduled to work. 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...