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Financial Planning Resources for Federal & Postal Employees

Articles by Edward A. Zurndorfer, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Edward A. Zurndorfer is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Life Underwriter, Certified Employee Benefits Specialist and Enrolled Agent in Silver Spring, MD and the owner of EZ Accounting and Financial Services, an accounting, tax preparation and financial planning firm also located in Silver Spring, MD. He is a seminar speaker at federal employee retirement seminars throughout the country and has written numerous publications on federal retirement topics.

Choosing the Right Life Insurance as a Federal Employee: Term, Whole, Universal, or Variable

Choosing a life insurance policy isn’t one-size-fits-all. In this column, Certified Financial Planner Ed Zurndorfer walks through how term, whole, universal, and variable life insurance each work, their advantages and drawbacks, and which type tends to make the most sense depending on a federal employee’s budget, health, and long-term financial goals. more…

Understanding FEGLI: Basic Coverage, Optional Insurance, and What It Costs You

Most employees haven’t looked at their Federal Employees Group Life Insurance coverage since the day they were hired — it’s automatic, it comes out of every paycheck, and it’s easy to assume it’s “handled.” Ed Zurndorfer discusses how Basic FEGLI coverage is calculated, what Options A, B, and C add, and what each one costs at your current age using 2026 premium rates. Six practical examples are included. more…

Roth TSP In-Plan Conversions and the Five-Year Rule: Avoiding Tax and Penalty Surprises

After a TSP participant performs a Roth TSP in-plan conversion, two separate five-year rules apply to withdrawals from their Roth TSP balance — and they’re easy to confuse. One determines whether accrued earnings can be withdrawn tax-free; the other determines whether the converted amount is subject to a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty. Participants age 59.5 or older whose Roth TSP account is at least five years old satisfy both rules and can withdraw tax-free and penalty-free. Ed Zurndorfer explains each rule with worked examples so you know where you stand. more…

Roth TSP In-Plan Conversions: What They Mean for Your Taxes

Roth in-plan conversions let Thrift Saving Plan participants move money from their traditional (before-tax) balance into their Roth (after-tax) balance at any time, provided they meet eligibility requirements. But converting isn’t tax-free — the amount converted counts as taxable income in the year of conversion, and since there’s no automatic withholding, participants may need to make estimated tax payments to avoid a penalty. Ed Zurndorfer outlines who’s eligible, how much can be converted, the “leave-behind” rule, and what federal and state tax liabilities to expect. more…

Lump-Sum Payment Upon the Death of a Former CSRS Employee or CSRS Offset Employee

If a former CSRS or CSRS Offset employee dies after leaving federal service but before applying for deferred retirement, no survivor annuity is payable — instead, a lump-sum death benefit goes to the named beneficiary or, if none was designated, follows OPM’s order of precedence. Ed Zurndorfer explains how the process works and what family members need to file. more…

Long-Term Care Costs Are Exceeding Americans’ Income: What Should Federal Employees Do?

A new report shows long-term care costs continue to rise, adding another financial challenge for federal employees planning to retire and federal retirees. While no one knows whether they’ll ever need extended care, understanding today’s costs — and what Medicare typically doesn’t cover — can help you make more informed retirement decisions. In our latest guide, Ed Zurndorfer explains the trends and provides some planning strategies to consider before these expenses become a reality more…