Hitting the Thrift Savings Plan contribution and catch-up contribution limits too early in the year can still cost FERS employees their agency matching contributions. Ed Zurndorfer shows you how to calculate the right per-pay-date amount, whether you’re under age 50, ages 50-59, or in the age 60-63 “super catch-up” window. more…
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2026 Thrift Savings Plan Maximum Contribution Limits
The Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments affecting 2026 TSP contribution limits — as well as dollar limitations for traditional and Roth IRAs and other retirement-related items… more…
2027 CSRS / FERS / Social Security COLA Estimate
Fresh inflation data has forecasters pulling in different directions on the 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustment. One major advocacy group lowered its estimate this month, while another raised its own — with two other independent forecasters landing lower still. See the range of estimates, what’s driving this summer’s inflation numbers, and what the outcome would mean for the both the CSRS and FERS annuity adjustments. more…
2027 CSRS / FERS COLA Watch for Federal Retirees
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its latest inflation data, and the 2027 federal retiree COLA trend has moved higher as a result. With one more month of Consumer Price Index data still to come, the estimate for CSRS, FERS, and Social Security retirees continues to shift — and the gap between the two systems remains a factor worth understanding well before the Social Security Administration’s official announcement in mid-October. more…
Social Security for Federal Employees
Chris Kowalik breaks down how Social Security retirement benefits are calculated, what permanently raises or lowers the monthly payment, why continuing to work can trigger a penalty most people don’t see coming, what married couples, divorced spouses, and surviving spouses need to understand before claiming, and what options (if any) exist to change course after filing 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...