There is a tendency to regard a high cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase in retirement as a “good thing.” However, Chris Kowalik explains why high COLAs and inflation have serious consequences to long-term retirement more…
What Your TSP Account is Not
Chris Kowalik explains how using the TSP the wrong way — or for the wrong reasons — can jeopardize your retirement goals more…
7 Federal Retirement Milestones You Need to Know
As you near retirement, or if you’re already retired, there are key retirement milestones to keep in mind for accumulating and withdrawing the money you’ll need for your later years. Chris Kowalik provides a quick guide to key deadlines for retirement more…
Maximizing Annual Leave & Sick Leave
Chris Kowalik highlights the differences between annual leave and sick leave when it comes time to retire and how to maximize each type of leave more…
Can I ‘Max Out’ the TSP Even If I Don’t Work the Whole Year?
Whatever the time (or reason) you retire, there are a slew of questions that come to mind regarding the Thrift Savings Plan. Chris Kowalik addresses an important issue: How your last year of work might affect your TSP account balance more…
Staying the Course with Your TSP
The current economy can give us all a much-needed reality check. Chris Kowalik gives insight on investing with long-term goals in mind more…
What’s the ‘Magic Amount’ for Your Retirement Savings?
Chris Kowalik addresses one of the toughest questions facing federal employees: How much money do I need to retire? more…
Legislative Plans Targeting Federal Benefits
Chris Kowalik provides an overview of the proposed changes looming over the federal workforce that affect federal employee benefits — plus gives an update on reduction-in-force (RIFs). more…
What if I Don’t Qualify for a VERA or DSR?
Chris Kowalik explores what happens when a federal employee is facing a reduction-in-force (RIF), but doesn’t qualify for an early out or a discontinued service retirement. Includes what an employee may be eligible to receive (such as a cash incentive or severance pay), and how an employee may qualify for a federal pension later more…
3 Myths About FEHB in Retirement
Chris Kowalik dispels several misconceptions about how the Federal Employee Health Benefits program works in retirement more…