Chris Kowalik discusses how to control your response by knowing your options in advance. It includes reviewing the likely scenarios for various groups of federal employees, eliminating most of the uncertainty by knowing your numbers, understanding the consequences of leaving government service early, and creating your checklist of must-do “pre-notice” action items more…
5 FEHB Premium Questions Federal Employees Have Going into Retirement
Chris Kowalik addresses some important questions people have at retirement on the Federal Employees Health Benefits program — including what percentage of your premium is covered by the government, and how enrolling in Medicare affects premiums more…
Why Your Agency’s Retirement Estimate Isn’t Enough
Chris Kowalik discusses the three areas where federal employees need to pay special attention to when they’re requesting and reviewing the retirement estimate from their agency more…
Quitting Your New Year’s Resolutions (to Get What You Really Want)
Chris Kowalik unpacks why most New Year’s resolutions fail and how federal employees can reframe their mindset to get what they really want more…
Changes Coming to Your Federal Benefits in 2025
Chris Kowalik outlines what’s changing, what’s not, and what it means for your take-home pay in the new year more…
The TSP Early Withdrawal Penalty
Chris Kowalik outlines the rules of the early withdrawal penalty (and how to avoid it) when taking money out of the TSP prior to age 59 1/2. more…
Taxes in Federal Retirement
Chris Kowalik gives understanding to the tax implications of retiring — and what steps to take today to be ready when it happens more…
Federal Employee Pay Raises vs. Retiree COLAs
Chris Kowalik discusses the differences between pay raises and federal retiree COLAs — including who gets them, how they are determined, and when they are applied more…
The Real Impact of TSP Required Minimum Distributions
Chris Kowalik uncovers the real impact RMDs have on your Thrift Savings Plan account value, taxes, other benefits, and your heirs more…
Deciding When to Take Social Security Benefits
Chris Kowalik breaks down the core components of the Social Security program to understand when, how, and why to start drawing benefits more…