There are federal employees who are losing their federal jobs due to reductions-in-force (RIFs) or elimination of job positions. Most of these employees are not eligible to immediately retire from federal service. A question that these employees may be asking: What happens to their Thrift Savings Plan accounts? Ed Zurndorfer discusses vesting the TSP requirements
What Happens to Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) in Early or Deferred Retirement?
Ed Zurndorfer discusses what happens to a federal employee’s health, dental and vision benefits when the employee leaves federal service before normal retirement age
What Happens to Life (FEGLI) and Long-Term Care Insurance (FLTCIP) in Early or Deferred Retirement?
Ed Zurndorfer discusses what happens to federal employee life insurance and federal long-term care insurance benefits when a employee retires or leaves federal service before normal retirement age
Pre-Age 55 Penalty-Free TSP Withdrawals: Partial Rollover of a Traditional TSP Account to a Traditional IRA
With perhaps thousands of federal employees having to leave federal service as a result of reductions-in-force (RIFs), the question becomes for many: How to access their Thrift Savings Plan accounts? In column one of a two-part series, Ed Zurndorfer discusses how separated federal employees younger than age 55 can make penalty-free TSP withdrawals. Presented in this column is the partial rollover of a traditional TSP account to a traditional IRA
Retroactive Payments to Begin from Repeal of Social Security’s WEP, GPO
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that starting the week of February 24, 2025, it will begin to pay retroactive benefits and will increase monthly benefit payment to individuals whose monthly Social Security benefits have been affected by the Windfall Government Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Ed Zurndorfer outlines what actions an eligible individual should take, and provides details of the implementation
Pre-Age 55 Penalty-Free TSP Withdrawals: TSP Annuity and TSP Monthly Payments Based on Life Expectancy
With perhaps thousands of federal employees having to leave federal service as a result of reductions-in-force (RIFs), the question becomes for many: How to access their Thrift Savings Plan accounts? In column one of a two-part series, Ed Zurndorfer discusses how separated federal employees younger than age 55 can make penalty-free TSP withdrawals. Presented in this column is the TSP annuity and TSP monthly payments based on life expectancy
Some Separating Federal Employees May Qualify for Discontinued Service Retirement
Over the last several weeks, there have been thousands of federal employees who have received notice that they are or will be involuntarily separated from federal service. Those employees who have 20 or more years of creditable federal service may be eligible for a discontinued service retirement (DSR). A discontinued service retirement means that an employee is eligible to retire and be able to immediately start collecting their CSRS or FERS annuity. Ed Zurndorfer discusses the DSR option and rules for CSRS and FERS employees
Homeownership Can Shelter Federal Employees and Retirees from Income Taxes
Ed Zurndorfer outlines some key tax deductions and tax exclusions associated with homeownership that federal employees and retirees should be aware of when it comes to owning, buying and selling a home
Taxation of Lump-Sum Payment of Refunded CSRS or FERS Contributions
Federal employees who leave federal service before they are eligible to retire can apply for a refund of their CSRS or FERS retirement contributions. Ed Zurndorfer discusses the federal income tax consequences of the lump-sum distribution of CSRS and FERS retirement contributions.
Update on Implementation of Social Security Fairness Act
Ed Zurndorfer outlines the latest information issued by the Social Security Administration regarding implementation of the new law repealing the WEP and GPO. Includes impact on a beneficiary’s payments and the agency’s challenges in implementation