Ed Zurndorfer provides a summary of the updates including when Social Security beneficiaries can expect an increase in monthly payments, how to manage Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D monthly premiums deducted doubly from SSA benefits and federal pensions (such as a CSRS annuity), information about retroactive back payments, and tips to avoid scams more…
Tax Rules for Roth TSP to Roth IRA Rollovers
Many federal employees choose to rollover their Roth Thrift Savings Plan to a Roth IRA. But the rules are complicated. Ed Zurndorfer explains the rules and provides practical examples more…
Understanding the Basics of Retirement Plan Rollovers
Retirement plan rollovers are an important part of a federal employee or retiree’s overall retirement savings — especially true those who own multiple retirement accounts, including the Thrift Savings Plan, IRAs, and other retirement accounts such as a 401(k). Ed Zurndorfer provides insight on rollovers to help federal employees and retirees consolidate accounts or optimize their tax strategy more…
CSRS Retiree Eligibility for Spousal and Ex-Spousal Social Security Benefits
One of the provisions of the Social Security Fairness Act is the repeal of the Government Pension Offset. The GPO reduced or eliminated spousal/ex-spousal and widow/widower benefits paid by the Social Security Administration to any retiree who was covered by a government (federal, state or local) pension and who did not pay Social Security (FICA) taxes, such as federal employees covered by Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Ed Zurndorfer explains what current CSRS retirees eligible for Social Security spousal benefits should do in order to receive spousal or ex-spousal Social Security benefits. more…
What Should You Do With Your TSP Account When You Retire?
The decision as to what a retiring federal employee should do with their Thrift Savings Plan accounts needs to be considered carefully. Ed Zurndorfer outlines the consequences of each choice. more…
How to Fund a Roth IRA When Your Adjusted Gross Income Is Too High
In order to make a Roth IRA contribution, a federal employee’s adjusted gross income (AGI) has to be below certain limits set by the IRS. Ed Zurndorfer outlines four ways they can fund a Roth IRA when their AGI is too high more…
Pros and Cons of Claiming Retroactive Social Security Benefits
Qualified Social Security beneficiaries can receive up to six months of monthly benefits in a lump-sum payment. While this option can boost a beneficiary’s retirement income in the short-term, it can impact the beneficiary’s long-term Social Security retirement benefits. Ed Zurndorfer outlines factors you should consider when deciding whether to claim retroactive benefits more…
Children Survivor Benefits Are Available to Federal Employees Who Retire Under Early Retirement or Discontinued Service Retirement
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the child monthly survivor annuity benefit including qualifications for a child monthly survivor annuity and when it starts, the amount of the child monthly survivor annuity benefit, and when the child monthly survivor annuity ceases more…
Rules for Claiming Social Security Benefits at Age 62
Many federal employees will be retiring in the next few years when they are in their early 60’s. Ed Zurndorfer discusses the rules that apply to individuals who apply for their monthly Social Security retirement benefit when they reach their 62nd birthday more…
Electing FERS Spousal Survivor Benefits When Retiring
No matter which type of retirement a federal employee chooses and is eligible for, an employee has the option of offering a survivor annuity to one individual. Ed Zurndorfer discusses FERS spousal survivor benefits and their importance for married employees when retiring under immediate retirement, Voluntary Early Retirement Arrangement (VERA), Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP), Discontinued Service Retirement (DSR) and deferred retirement more…