With a government shutdown looming, federal employees and retirees are asking questions of how it may affect them. Here’s the Office of Personnel Management’s FAQs on how a shutdown affects federal benefits (such as health and life insurance), as well as federal pension (FERS/CSRS) annuity payments more…
Recent Articles
Planning for Long Term Care
Chris Kowalik guides federal employees in exploring the options of needing extra care as they age – even in the absence of a government solution more…
Tax Changes in 2026 from One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the tax law changes that will take effect on January 1, 2026, and what tax-related moves federal employees and retirees should consider now to take advantage of the changes more…
Will You Be Prepared for Retirement? Take This Test Drive and Find Out
What will your retirement look like? And how will you feel about being retired and on a “fixed” income? Are you confident in your current retirement plan? Chris Kowalik takes you on a test drive to help you to adjust your plans based on real-world experience more…
Tax Rules on TSP Installment Payments
Upon leaving or retiring from federal service, Thrift Savings Plan participants can request installment payments from their traditional TSP account. Ed Zurndorfer explains the taxes on this TSP withdrawal option more…
Retiring Early Under the FERS MRA+10 Provision
What happens when a FERS employee wants to retire prior to meeting all of the full eligibility requirements? Chris Kowalik discusses the way to avoid one of the penalties associated with MRA+10 rules — plus how MRA+10 affects the FERS Special Retirement Supplement more…
Tax Rules on TSP Withdrawals
Before deciding to withdraw money from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts, TSP participants are advised to be aware of the tax rules. Ed Zurndorfer outlines them for both traditional and Roth TSP accounts, including the IRS reporting rules, withholding taxes, and early withdrawal penalties more…
TSP Roth In-Plan Conversions Coming January 2026
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) announced officially last week that starting in January 2026 TSP participants will be able to convert their money in traditional TSP (pre-tax) balance to a Roth TSP (after-tax) balance. Helpful resources are available on the TSP Roth option more…
TSP Withdrawal Option: Installment Payments (Automatic Withdrawals)
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the Thrift Savings Plan installment payment withdrawal option, including the fixed dollar payment amount and a payment based on life expectancy. A practical example is included more…
TSP Withdrawal Option: Annuity Purchase
Ed Zurndofer discusses the Thrift Savings Plan life annuity withdrawal option when an employee leaves or retires from federal service including: how much the monthly payment amount is, the types of annuity options that can be purchased, how to purchase them, and additional features that allow beneficiaries. A practical example and important reminders are included more…