Many federal employees contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan without fully understanding the differences between the G, F, C, S, I, and Lifecycle (L) Funds — or when to use each one. Our latest guide breaks down every TSP investment option, explains the Mutual Fund Window, and shows how investment elections, fund reallocations, and fund transfers really work. Whether you’re new to federal service or nearing retirement, this article can help you make more informed decisions about your retirement savings.
9 Social Security Calculators & Tools Every Federal Employee Should Know About
The Social Security Administration offers more than just a basic retirement estimator. From estimating your monthly benefit to comparing claiming ages, calculating the earnings test, and screening for additional benefits, there are several free tools that can help you make better retirement decisions. This guide walks federal employees through each Social Security calculator, explains what it’s used for, and shows you which ones are most valuable as you plan for retirement.
Why a FERS Retirement Pension May Be Lower Than You Think
The basic annuity calculation is based on a small percentage of your high-3 average salary for each year you worked in federal service, and there may be reductions from healthcare premiums and taxes. Here’s what you should know…
OPM Defends Plan to Access FEHB Medical Records, Says Privacy Will Be Protected
The Office of Personnel Management is pushing back against criticism of its proposal to obtain more detailed health claims data from Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) and Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) insurance carriers. The agency believes the data is necessary and assuring federal employees that individual medical records will remain protected
When Is the Best Time for a FERS Retiree to Start Taking Social Security?
While there is no single best age for everyone, here are some guidelines to help you make the decision — including your need for income, whether you are trying to maximize lifetime or survivor benefits, and your health and life expectancy
Projected 2027 Medicare Premium Increases Released in Trustee’s Report
The recently published 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projects that the standard Medicare Part B premium will increase next year. Deductibles and Part D costs are also expected to increase. Higher-income retirees may pay more due to the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) . Although official rates will not be announced until later this year, the projected costs are available, and some planning tips to prepare are provided. For federal retirees and employees approaching retirement, understanding these projections is important because Medicare premiums can significantly affect retirement income planning
Should Federal Retirees Keep FEHB, Add Medicare Part B, or Switch to Medicare Advantage?
Many federal retirees get caught in the complicated maze of figuring out whether to keep FEHB, add Medicare Part B, or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan. This video breaks down exactly how your expected healthcare usage should drive that decision.
Will Your Life Insurance Do What You Expect It To Do in Retirement
A lot of people have life insurance, but that doesn’t always mean they know what it’s meant to cover or whether it would actually do what they expect. For federal employees, those questions often start with the FEGLI and follow them into retirement.
Federal Employees Would Get 12 Paid Weeks of Family / Medical Leave Under Proposed Bill
If passed, bipartisan legislation would give civilian federal employees up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave per year
What Social Security’s Funding Gap Means for Federal Retirees
Most federal employees under FERS rely on Social Security as part of retirement. While Social Security is not going anywhere, the latest trustees report suggests the choices to preserve full benefits are getting tougher. The program is moving closer to the point where it will no longer be able to pay full scheduled benefits from its current revenue. The system could pay full benefits until 2034, then benefits will be reduced to about 83% of the promised amount. What can be done?