Stocks had a rough five days in TSP accounts last week. One core fund took the week’s biggest hit, another barely moved, and Friday brought a bit of a save. Get the full fund-by-fund breakdown more…
How FEHB and Medicare Coordinate Benefits
If FEHB and Medicare feel like two separate puzzles you’re trying to fit together, you’re not alone — this is one of the most confusing parts of retirement planning for federal employees. Which one pays first? Do you actually need Part B if you already have solid FEHB coverage? What happens to your premium once Medicare kicks in? This guide breaks it all down in plain language, covering how the two programs coordinate, what changes when you enroll, and the enrollment windows that are easy to miss. It also includes a useful downloadable Medicare enrollment checklist plus a “Who Pays First: FEHB or Medicare” chart. more…
2026 FEHB Open Season: OPM to Require 100% Verification of Family Members Added
OPM has directed agencies to verify 100 percent of Open Season elections that add a family member to FEHB or PSHB coverage, effective this Open Season (Nov 9–Dec 14, 2026). It’s a statutory requirement now, not a recommendation — tracing to the FEHB Protection Act of 2025. Here’s what documents you’ll need (with a downloadable checklist) and what happens if a family member can’t be verified more…
CRS Report Questions OPM’s Legal Authority to Collect FEHB/PSHB Medical Claims Data
OPM wants detailed medical claims data on FEHB and PSHB enrollees. A new Congressional Research Service report says the agency’s legal authority to do it is far from settled — and lays out how a court could decide. more…
The FERS Supplement Earnings Test: How Much You Can Earn Before Losing It
Most federal employees know the FERS Retirement Supplement ends at 62. Fewer know it can shrink years earlier — the moment post-retirement work pushes you past the 2026 earnings limit of $24,480. We break down three real income scenarios, what counts as “earned income” (and what doesn’t), and why a 12-18 month lag means a high-earning year can quietly cost you later. more…
FERS Refunds: Eligibility Rules, Taxes, and What a Redeposit Costs
If you separate from federal service before you’re eligible for an immediate annuity, you can request a lump-sum refund of your FERS retirement contributions — but doing so wipes out your future annuity rights unless you later return and make a full redeposit. Ed Zurndorfer walks through the eligibility rules, the application process (including where to send Form SF 3106), and the tax treatment of contributions versus interest. He also works through a real example: an employee who took a refund, returned to federal service, and had to weigh a $37,500 redeposit against a $15,500 annual boost to her starting annuity. more…
TSP Week in Review: August 10-14, 2026
The TSP’s stock funds had a strong week, with two funds in particular pulling ahead of the pack as cooler-than-expected inflation data fueled another leg of the summer rally. One fund stayed nearly flat, and another dipped slightly as bond yields ticked up. more…
Roth Conversions & Your TSP: The Window is Still Open
Two things changed recently that make Roth conversions worth a second look: tax rates are now locked in, and as of January 2026, you can convert traditional TSP funds to Roth directly inside your TSP account — no rollover needed. This piece covers who benefits most from converting (hint: often those in a lower-income window before RMDs kick in), the rules and limits on in-plan conversions, and the tax-payment mistakes to avoid since the TSP can’t withhold taxes for you. more…
The Real Cost of Your TSP RMD (and How to Reduce It)
Your Thrift Savings Plan required minimum distributions can do more than raise your tax bill — it can push up Medicare premiums and make more of your Social Security taxable. Here’s what the rules actually say, and how to plan ahead. more…
OPM Cut Retirement Services Staffing by 16% — Here’s What That Means for Your Retirement Application Backlog Wait
A new GAO report reveals OPM’s Retirement Services office shrank by 165 positions even as the agency raced to clear a record claims backlog. The backlog is falling — but processing times aren’t. Here’s what it means if you’re retiring soon. more…