Do federal retirees need Medicare Part D? Most have solid drug coverage through FEHB, but some carriers now offer a Part D plan that retirees can decline. This guide from Edward A. Zurndorfer explains what the Inflation Reduction Act changed, how deductibles and income-related surcharges can affect the choice, why overseas travel and drug discount cards matter, and what to do before open season ends.
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What a Pay Freeze and the Reduced FERS COLA Cost Over a 30-Year Career
Can early saving make up for a pay freeze and the reduced retiree cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)? A reader asked, and this guide answers with a worked example for a hypothetical 30-year-old. One frozen pay year costs about $1,088 a year in pension. The bigger cost comes from Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) rules: someone who retires at 60 gets no COLA until turning 62, and the COLA runs below inflation once inflation passes 2%. In this example, that gap totals about $48,900 over ten years. Learn how extra Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) saving can offset both, and how much (and how soon) you need to start. more…
Scam Awareness Guide for Federal Employees and Retirees
Open Season brings a flood of legitimate messages from plans, insurers, and agencies, which makes it harder to tell which ones are real, and scammers know it. A 2026 Senate Special Committee on Aging staff report describes a surge in sophisticated scams, from voice cloning to personalized phishing. This guide covers common scam types, what the Thrift Savings Plan, Office of Personnel Management, Social Security, and Medicare will and won’t do, and simple habits you should put in place before a suspicious message arrives. more…
The TSP G Fund Is Safe From Market Losses — But Not From Inflation
The TSP’s G Fund protects your savings from market losses — its balance won’t decline when stocks fall or bond prices drop. But that protection doesn’t guarantee your savings will keep pace with inflation. When prices rise faster than the G Fund’s return, your account can hold more dollars while buying less than it used to. This guide’s analysis compares official G Fund returns with federal inflation data and examines the trade-off between market safety and long-term growth. It also considers how your retirement timeline, withdrawal plans and ability to tolerate market declines can affect the role the G Fund plays in your TSP. more…
The 2027 COLA: What Federal Retirees Can Expect and When
The 2027 cost-of-living adjustment is official: 3.6% for Social Security and CSRS retirees, and 2.6% for eligible FERS retirees. This guide covers when the increase takes effect, how to see the new amount in a my Social Security or OPM online account, why Medicare and health insurance changes reduce the net increase, and the key dates to watch between now and the first higher payment in January. 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...