Ed Zurndofer explains how Medicare Part B and Part D enrollees can appeal an income-related monthly adjustment amount that’s in addition to the standard monthly premium. Practical examples and what to do if the appeal is denied are included more…
Recent Articles
Federal Retiree COLA vs. Federal Employee Pay Raises: What is the Difference?
Chris Kowalik explains the the difference between active employee pay raises and retiree cost-of-living adjustments — and why, when and how they are applied — as well as current projections for 2026’s anticipated pay raises and how newly announced COLAs will be implemented in retirement more…
Medicare Issues Facing Federal Employees Working Past Age 65
Ed Zurndorfer provides an update to common questions concerning Medicare enrollment for federal employees who continue to work in federal service past age 65. Should they enroll in Medicare Part A or B? How does the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program affect Medicare coverage? more…
How Medicare Part B Beneficiaries Can Pay Their Monthly Premiums
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the various options available to a Medicare Part B beneficiary to pay his or her monthly premium more…
What Happens to Unused Annual Leave When a Federal Employee Retires?
Ed Zurndorfer explains how a lump-sum payment is calculated for unused annual leave hours when separating from federal service, and outlines the tax considerations. Practical examples are included more…
Is Enhanced Medicare Part D a Good Option for Federal Retirees?
Since 2024, the Office of Personnel Management has been encouraging Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans to adopt the improved Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage as an alternative to FEHB prescription coverage. Ed Zurndorfer explains what federal retirees enrolled in certain FEHB health plans and Medicare need to know about automatic enrollment in Medicare Part D plans associated with an FEHB health plan more…
What Happens to Unused Sick Leave When a Federal Employee Retires?
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the treatment of unused sick leave hours at the time of an federal employee’s departure or retirement from federal service. A practical example is included more…
Choosing Your Best Date to Retire
Chris Kowalik reviews the various factors that go into choosing an ideal date to retire from federal service including your pension, the Thrift Savings Plan, and other benefits more…
2026 FEHB Plan Comparison Tools, Brochures, Premium Rates
OPM has released the official information online for the 2026 plan year of the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. Dental and vision (FEDVIP) details are also available. Includes a list of all health insurance plans available in a state, as well as links to the plan brochures, and changes for each plan from the previous year. The comparison tool can also be searched by entering zip code, plan name or the health insurance plan code, employee type, pay frequency, and number of members to be covered more…
Should Federal Retirees Enroll in Medicare Part B?
Whether or not to enroll in (Medicare Part B (medical insurance) is a key decision that federal retirees aged 65 and older have to make. Because there is a penalty for not enrolling in Part B within a few months of the enrollment deadline, federal retirees are under pressure to make a decision. Ed Zurndorfer gives insight on how the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program works with Medicare, when Medicare is the primary payer, and how FEHB premiums are affected by Medicare Part B more…