A new report shows long-term care costs continue to rise, adding another financial challenge for federal employees planning to retire and federal retirees. While no one knows whether they’ll ever need extended care, understanding today’s costs — and what Medicare typically doesn’t cover — can help you make more informed retirement decisions. In our latest guide, Ed Zurndorfer explains the trends and provides some planning strategies to consider before these expenses become a reality more…
Recent Articles
TSP Week in Review: July 20–24, 2026
A tech-driven sell-off mid-week pulled most TSP stock funds lower, though a Friday rebound softened the losses. The S Fund led declines at -0.92%, while the G Fund was the only fund in the green, up 0.09%. See the full fund-by-fund breakdown and what drove the week. more…
FEHB Privacy: What OPM’s New Data Rule Means for You
OPM finalized a rule last month expanding the health claims data it collects from FEHB and PSHB insurance carriers — including more detailed prescription, provider, and billing codes. The agency states it needs to do this to catch healthcare fraud, waste, and billing abuse. While OPM states enrollees’ privacy is protected, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) has pushed back, saying the safeguard falls short of HIPAA’s standard. Here’s what’s actually collected, how it’s protected, and what critics still want changed. more…
Why Your Financial Planner and CPA Should Be Talking to Each Other About Your Federal Taxes Right Now
People rarely think about their finances in the summer months. Tax season is over and Open Season is months away. But for federal employees and retirees, summer sits in the middle of a tax year that still has time left to course correct. There are decisions that hurt people in April, such as underpaid estimated taxes, a TSP withdrawal that pushed them into a higher bracket, or a Roth conversion that happened at the wrong amount. These decisions were usually made months earlier, like now, without anyone connecting the dots. more…
Federal Retiree COLAs Could Be Higher Under Different Inflation Index, Report Says
A new Congressional Research Service report is renewing debate over whether retirement cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) should be based on how retirees actually spend their money instead of the inflation experienced by working households. While the report finds that a retiree-focused inflation index would have generally produced slightly higher COLAs over the past four decades, no changes to federal law are currently under consideration. Here’s what federal employees and retirees need to know about the proposal, why it matters, and whether it could affect future COLAs. more…
Bipartisan Senate Proposal Would End Government Shutdowns by Keeping Congress in Session
A bipartisan Senate bill would shift the consequences of missed funding deadlines from federal employees to Congress by replacing government shutdowns with automatic temporary funding while lawmakers complete appropriations. If passed, the legislation could spare federal employees from future government shutdowns by preventing furloughs, ensuring uninterrupted pay, and keeping agencies operating while Congress finishes its budget work. more…
End-of-Life Planning Guide for Federal Employees and Retirees
Getting your affairs in order involves more than preparing a will. This guide explains the legal, medical, financial and federal benefit records your family may need—including TSP and FEGLI beneficiary information, OPM retirement records and advance directives. A free downloadable checklist and workbook is included to help federal employees and retirees organize everything in one place. more…
Essential Documents for Medical Care and End-of-Life Decisions Should Include a Dementia Directive
A dementia directive allows individuals to document their wishes for medical care before cognitive decline makes those decisions difficult or impossible. Learn how this advance-planning document works, what it may cover, and why it can provide valuable guidance for family members and caregivers. more…
[Checklist] What Every Federal Employee Should Review in Their OPF Before Retirement
Your Official Personnel Folder (OPF) plays an important role in your federal retirement. Learn what documents to review, when to review them, how to identify potential issues before you retire, and download the free OPF Retirement Review Checklist to help make sure your personnel records are complete more…
OPM Retirement Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide for Federal Employees
Most federal employees know they have to submit a retirement application, but few understand what happens after they do. This step-by-step guide explains what happens after you submit your paperwork, how your agency and OPM process your application, what interim payments are, common causes of delays, and what you can do to help ensure a smoother transition into retirement. more…









