The proposed cuts include an increase in FERS employee pension contributions, elimination of the FERS annuity supplement, changing the high-3 years average salary to high-5 years for measure of pay used to calculate FERS (and CSRS) benefits, and FEHB eligibility audits more…
Recent Articles
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…
OPM to Launch Digital Retirement Application Processing System in June 2025
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced Wednesday that a new digital retirement processing system… more…
Staying the Course with Your TSP
The current economy can give us all a much-needed reality check. Chris Kowalik gives insight on investing with long-term goals in mind 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…
What’s the ‘Magic Amount’ for Your Retirement Savings?
Chris Kowalik addresses one of the toughest questions facing federal employees: How much money do I need to retire? 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…
Legislative Plans Targeting Federal Benefits
Chris Kowalik provides an overview of the proposed changes looming over the federal workforce that affect federal employee benefits — plus gives an update on reduction-in-force (RIFs). 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…
Important Deadline and Reminders for FSAFEDS Claims
Ed Zurndorfer outlines the deadlines — and provides helpful tips — for submitting claims for 2024 in the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) more…