The recently published 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projects that the standard Medicare Part B premium will increase next year. Deductibles and Part D costs are also expected to increase. Higher-income retirees may pay more due to the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) . Although official rates will not be announced until later this year, the projected costs are available, and some planning tips to prepare are provided. For federal retirees and employees approaching retirement, understanding these projections is important because Medicare premiums can significantly affect retirement income planning more…
Recent Articles
Should Federal Retirees Keep FEHB, Add Medicare Part B, or Switch to Medicare Advantage?
Many federal retirees get caught in the complicated maze of figuring out whether to keep FEHB, add Medicare Part B, or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan. This video breaks down exactly how your expected healthcare usage should drive that decision. more…
Will Your Life Insurance Do What You Expect It To Do in Retirement
A lot of people have life insurance, but that doesn’t always mean they know what it’s meant to cover or whether it would actually do what they expect. For federal employees, those questions often start with the FEGLI and follow them into retirement. more…
Reemployment in Federal Service (FERS)
Ed Zurndorfer discusses how reemployment in federal service can affect a FERS annuitant’s current and future benefits — including health, dental and life insurance, future FERS annuity, and employment in the private sector more…
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…
Trump Accounts: Questions and Hurdles Before Launch July 4, 2026
Trump Accounts were passed into law in 2025 are individual retirement investment-style accounts established for children under the age of 18 (and include one-time $1,000 federal government contribution to their account for those eligible). They are due to launch on July 4, 2026, however many are waiting for some key details including rules for contributions, federal/state income tax consequences, and hurdles to activate and contribute to these accounts. more…
Reviewing Designation of Beneficiaries and Third-Party Payees
Certain life events can affect a federal retiree’s benefits. Ed Zurndorfer discusses why retiring employees are advised to review their designation of beneficiary forms. Also presented is information on third-party payees such as a court may appoint a guardian. more…
Federal Employees Would Get 12 Paid Weeks of Family / Medical Leave Under Proposed Bill
If passed, bipartisan legislation would give civilian federal employees up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave per year more…
What Social Security’s Funding Gap Means for Federal Retirees
Most federal employees under FERS rely on Social Security as part of retirement. While Social Security is not going anywhere, the latest trustees report suggests the choices to preserve full benefits are getting tougher. The program is moving closer to the point where it will no longer be able to pay full scheduled benefits from its current revenue. The system could pay full benefits until 2034, then benefits will be reduced to about 83% of the promised amount. What can be done? more…
How Living Longer Will Impact Your Federal Retirement
Given today’s ongoing high inflation, many Americans worry they may not have put away enough money for retirement, Chris Kowalik discusses how living longer will impact your healthcare (FEHB) premiums, healthcare expenses, and long-term care costs. And why longevity planning must be part of your big picture more…