Ed Zurndorfer explains which federal employees and retirees must take a required minimum distribution (RMD) from their retirement savings with a strict end-of-year deadline. Practical examples are included more…
Considerations for Lump Sum Annual Leave Payment When Retiring at End of Year
Many federal employees retire at the end of December or early January before the start of a new leave year in order to maximize their lump-sum payment for unused annual leave hours. Ed Zurndorfer presents a comparison of two retirement dates for an employee retiring at the end of leave year more…
Federal Employees with Young Children and Dependent Parents Can Benefit from the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Federal employees who need child or dependent care for a qualifying relative can benefit through participation in the dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA). Ed Zurndorfer outlines the DCFSA and how it works more…
Federal Employees Should Consider a Health Care FSA for 2025
Health care costs are increasing at a rate that exceeds inflation. A health care flexible spending account allows an employee to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket medical, dental or vision expenses. Ed Zurndorfer, explains why every employee should consider enrolling or enrolling in an HCFSA during open season more…
2025 FEHB Health Plan Choices
Selecting a health insurance plan is not an easy task. Ed Zurndorfer discusses the distinct types of health insurance plans offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program to help in the selection of the plan that best meets medical needs at the least possible cost more…
Is Enrolling in Dental Insurance Worth the Cost?
Older federal employees and retirees may find dental insurance to be worth the cost because of expensive dental procedures including crowns, root canals, dentures and implants. Ed Zurndorfer examines out-of-pocket dental costs and alternatives to group dental insurance plans such as the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) more…
Understanding Consequences of FEHB Cancellation and Suspension
Ed Zurndorfer explains the three reasons a federal retiree or a spousal survivor annuitant can suspend their Federal Employees Health Benefits program enrollment and the consequences more…
Why Medicare Advantage Plans May Be Attractive to Some Federal Retirees
A Medicare Advantage Plan is another option for a federal retiree age 65 and older to supplement their Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B) coverage. Ed Zurndorfer discusses the options federal retirees have to enroll, and why these plans may be attractive to some federal retirees more…
Understanding Medicare Enrollment Periods, Deadlines and Penalties
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the three enrollment periods for employees and retirees to enroll in Medicare and not be subject to any late enrollment penalties. Retirees should also note that when they enroll in Medicare during any of the three-enrollment period, they can switch their FEHB health plan within 30 days of enrolling in Medicare more…
Survivor Annuitants Also Need to Make Decisions During 2024 Benefits Open Season
Spousal survivor annuitants will need to make decisions about their health, dental and vision insurance benefits for 2025 during the upcoming benefits open season. Ed Zurndorfer discusses continued enrollment in the FEHB program and FEDVIP for family members, including eligibility and cost more…