There are many events in a federal retiree’s life that might affect their retirement and other benefits. Office of Personnel Management provides guidance for marriage/divorce, death of an employee/annuitant or spouse, reemployment, designation of beneficiaries, and moving to a new address more…
Main Content

Marriage During Federal Retirement
There are life events occurring during a federal retiree’s retirement that can affect their retirement benefits. Ed Zurndorfer discusses the effect of marriage when a federal retiree gets married after retiring from federal service including providing a survivor annuity, changes to health benefits enrollment, beneficiary changes for Thrift Savings Plan, and life insurance concerns. Includes both CSRS and FERS scenarios, practical examples, and the necessary forms more…

Military Buy-Back Guide: How to Maximize Your Federal Pension
Under current federal retirement policy, your active-duty military service is generally creditable toward your FERS or CSRS civilian retirement if it was terminated under honorable conditions. However, to receive this credit, you must make a deposit covering a small percentage of your military basic pay, plus any applicable interest. The two major benefits of a military buy-back are: 1) your pension will be larger, and 2) you may be eligible to retire earlier than you thought. This quick guide will explain the step-by-process, and provides insight on when this may not be the right decision… more…

How Inflation is Affecting Federal Employees’ & Retirees’ Financial Security
For federal employees and retirees, inflation is changing the math on everything from retirement income to basic savings strategy. Some of the choices that feel conservative — like leaning on the G Fund or sitting on cash — can fall behind over time. Certified Financial Planner Art Stein outlines a couple of common mistakes to avoid more…

Now is the Time to Do a Mid-Year Tax Checkup for 2026
With the middle of the calendar year less than one month away, now is a good time for employees and retirees to perform a mid-year tax checkup. Ed Zurndorfer provides a checklist to avoid costly surprises more…
Guides & Helpful Resources

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...

