Federal employees are aware that traditional IRAs are subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs). Both the traditional IRA owner and whoever inherits a traditional IRA upon the death of the traditional IRA owner are subject to annual RMDs. On the other hand, the owner of a Roth IRA is never subject to Roth IRA RMDs, however, upon the Roth IRA owner’s death, an inherited Roth IRA may be subject to lifetime RMDs. Ed Zurndorfer discussses the rules with practical examples. more…
Recent Articles
How a Court Order Can Wreck Your Federal Retirement
Here’s what you (and your current spouse) should know before you retire — and how to mitigate the impact moving forward. Chris Kowalik provides insight on how your ‘take-home’ pay may change while you are still living in retirement, how your current/future spouse’s benefits may be reduced or eliminated, and how having a court order affects how long it will take OPM to process your retirement application more…
Insight on How Investors Should Respond to TSP Volatility
Markets have been noisy for months. But many Thrift Savings Plan funds are firmly in positive territory, highlighting the gap between headline volatility and how markets actually price information. Certified Financial Planner Art Stein helps explain the disconnect and how investors should respond. more…
Why Waiting to Retire Could Be Worth Thousands of Dollars
For many federal employees, the retirement question isn’t “Can I retire?” so much as “Should I retire now, or is it smarter to wait?” Your federal retirement income is usually built on three pillars: your CSRS or FERS annuity/pension, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan. A federal retirement counselor outlines how you can optimize the best timing choice from these three pillars more…
Federal Employees & Retirees: Are You Getting Shortchanged on COLA?
Federal employees may hear “COLA increase” and assume their retirement income keeps full pace with inflation, but under FERS, the cost-of-living adjustment can work differently than many expect. Before you retire, it is important to understand how the FERS COLA, CSRS COLA, Social Security COLA, and your overall federal retirement income may interact over time more…
How Supplemental Benefits from Your FEHB Plan Can Put Money Back in Your Pocket
Many Federal Employees Health Benefit plan enrollees overlook valuable supplemental benefits included in their plans, such as wellness incentives worth hundreds of dollars to gym discounts and shopping rewards. Watch this short video to learn what your FEHB plan may be offering and how to start taking advantage of it today. more…
The TSP and Required Minimum Distributions (RMD)
There’s a lot to consider when deciding to withdraw money from your Thrift Savings Plan account. The IRS requires that you receive a portion of your TSP account (your “required minimum distribution” or “RMD”) beginning when you reach a specific age and are separated from service. Ed Zurndorfer simplifies the detailed (and often confusing) RMD rules including how the RMD is calculated, RMD deadlines, and how RMDs affect TSP participant beneficiaries. Several practical examples are provided, along with necessary forms and the free TSP guide, “Tax Rules about TSP Payments” more…
Can Federal Employees Save Money on Prescription Drug Costs with TrumpRX?
43 TrumpRX medications were compared against Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage from one nationwide PPO plan — and the results are mixed. Some drugs are significantly cheaper, others far more expensive…. more…
FEHB & Medicare: The Decision You Can’t Afford to Get Wrong
Chris Kowalik outlines what Medicare Part B covers, when it starts, how Medicare works with FEHB, and the base costs (and why you may pay more) more…
FERS Disability Retirement Annuity Calculation and Other Benefits
Ed Zurndorfer outlines the three ways a FERS disability retirement annuity is calculated (3 stages based on age), and the other benefits received in this type of retirement (including spousal survivor annuity, military service deposits, health and life insurance, and Thrift Savings Plan withdrawals). A practical example is included. more…