Ed Zurndorfer discusses what departed federal employees can do with their Thrift Savings Plan accounts, including making (or not making) contributions, paying of a TSP loan, and making withdrawals (with or without or without penalties) more…
Recent Articles
5 TSP Tax Surprises Every Federal Employee Should Know
Chapter 1: Your TSP Has a New Job From Building Retirement Savings to Creating Retirement… more…
Should Federal Retirees Enroll in Medicare Part B? The Decision Is Getting More Expensive
With Medicare Part B premiums projected to continue rising over the next decade, the decision to enroll alongside your FEHB coverage deserves careful analysis. While many federal retirees benefit from combining Medicare with FEHB, the added monthly premium isn’t the right choice for everyone. Learn what the latest Medicare projections mean, why dropping FEHB is usually a mistake, and the key factors every federal retiree should consider before making this important retirement healthcare decision. more…
OPM Proposes Eliminating Time-in-Grade Rule: What It Could Mean for Federal Employees
The Office of Personnel Management has proposed eliminating the long-standing time-in-grade requirement that generally requires GS employees to spend at least one year at their current grade before becoming eligible for promotion. If finalized, the proposal could allow agencies to promote qualified employees sooner — potentially leading to faster career advancement, higher lifetime earnings, larger TSP contributions, and even a higher FERS pension for some employees. But the change also raises questions about about consistency and fairness in promotion decisions. Learn what the proposal would change, what it wouldn’t change, who could benefit, the potential drawbacks, and what it means for your federal career. This guide also includes 7 ways this change could affect your benefits in retirement. more…
A TSP Loan May Cost More Than You Think
Thinking about borrowing from your Thrift Savings Plan? A TSP loan may seem like one of the most inexpensive ways to access cash—there’s no credit check, the interest goes back into your own account, and repayment is automatic. But many federal employees overlook the biggest expense: the retirement growth they could miss while their money is out of the market. This guide explains how TSP loans work, compare the pros and cons, walk through the application process, and reveal the true long-term cost with a realistic example that every FERS employee should consider before borrowing. more…
Understanding Your TSP Investment Options: A Guide to the G, F, C, S, I, L Funds, and Mutual Fund Window
Many federal employees contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan without fully understanding the differences between the G, F, C, S, I, and Lifecycle (L) Funds — or when to use each one. Our latest guide breaks down every TSP investment option, explains the Mutual Fund Window, and shows how investment elections, fund reallocations, and fund transfers really work. Whether you’re new to federal service or nearing retirement, this article can help you make more informed decisions about your retirement savings. more…
9 Social Security Calculators & Tools Every Federal Employee Should Know About
The Social Security Administration offers more than just a basic retirement estimator. From estimating your monthly benefit to comparing claiming ages, calculating the earnings test, and screening for additional benefits, there are several free tools that can help you make better retirement decisions. This guide walks federal employees through each Social Security calculator, explains what it’s used for, and shows you which ones are most valuable as you plan for retirement. more…
Why a FERS Retirement Pension May Be Lower Than You Think
The basic annuity calculation is based on a small percentage of your high-3 average salary for each year you worked in federal service, and there may be reductions from healthcare premiums and taxes. Here’s what you should know… more…
OPM Defends Plan to Access FEHB Medical Records, Says Privacy Will Be Protected
The Office of Personnel Management is pushing back against criticism of its proposal to obtain more detailed health claims data from Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) and Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) insurance carriers. The agency believes the data is necessary and assuring federal employees that individual medical records will remain protected more…
When Is the Best Time for a FERS Retiree to Start Taking Social Security?
While there is no single best age for everyone, here are some guidelines to help you make the decision — including your need for income, whether you are trying to maximize lifetime or survivor benefits, and your health and life expectancy more…