Chris Kowalik explains why inflation has an impact on more than just devaluing your savings. It affects cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), your Social Security benefits, your Thrift Savings Plan and other investments more…
Recent Articles
Some Social Security Beneficiaries May Lose Portion of Benefits Due to Earnings Test
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the Social Security earnings test — including how it is used and which beneficiaries are affected by it. Several practical examples are provided more…
Federal Employees and Retirees Traveling Overseas Should Check Their Health Insurance Coverage
Ed Zurndorfer provides important tips for those who plan to travel overseas. Will FEHB cover your costs? Or will you need to purchase a travel medical insurance policy? more…
Quirks of Waiting Until Full Retirement Age to Claim Social Security Benefits
Ed Zurndorfer outlines some of the challenges federal employees and retirees should be aware of when waiting until they reach FRA to start receiving their monthly Social Security benefits. Practical examples are included more…
How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Affects Federal Employees and Retirees
Ed Zurndorfer outlines how the new legislation will affect their 2025 federal income taxes and how critical changes could affect tax planning for 2025 and beyond more…
Using QLACs to Minimize TSP RMDs and Create Guaranteed Income
Ed Zurndorfer outlines how federal employees and retirees who have Thrift Savings Plan accounts can use Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts to reduce required minimum distributions and create guaranteed lifetime income more…
What to Expect From Your Federal Retirement Package
Chris Kowalik gives an overview of what to expect as your retirement application is processed including how you will be paid, what happens to your benefits in retirement, and a checklist to do before leaving federal service more…
5 Benefits of Working Past Age 65 Federal Employees Should Consider
Ed Zurndorfer discusses when to start receiving Social Security benefits, important FEHB health insurance and Medicare considerations, contributions to Health Savings Accounts, and postponing required minimum distributions from retirement savings plans — plus eligibility to contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan more…
Social Security Tax Relief Passed in New Legislation
While the new law provides tax savings to many seniors who receive Social Security retirement benefits, it does not entirely eliminate taxes on Social Security income more…
Medicare Mistakes Federal Retirees Should Avoid
Missing enrollment deadlines, delaying enrollment, and choosing the wrong type of Medicare can potentially cost a federal retiree a lot of money. Ed Zurndorfer provides a completely updated outline of the most common mistakes federal retirees should avoid when enrolling in Medicare more…