Analysts give a projection of the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment for retirees. While now estimated to be higher than this year’s COLA, experts say it still falls behind the actual cost of living for most seniors more…
CSRS (Civil Service Retirement System)
Divorce After Federal Retirement: What Happens to Your Benefits?
There are life events occurring during a federal retiree’s retirement that can affect their retirement benefits. Ed Zurndorfer discusses the effect of divorce after retirement, and how it affects a survivor annuity, health benefits enrollment, and beneficiaries for for Thrift Savings Plan, and life insurance concerns. Includes both CSRS and FERS scenarios, practical examples, and the necessary forms more…
2027 CSRS / FERS COLA Watch for Federal Retirees
Follow the trend for the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment for those under the Civil Service Retirement System, the Federal Employees Retirement System and Social Security more…
Marriage During Federal Retirement
There are life events occurring during a federal retiree’s retirement that can affect their retirement benefits. Ed Zurndorfer discusses the effect of marriage when a federal retiree gets married after retiring from federal service including providing a survivor annuity, changes to health benefits enrollment, beneficiary changes for Thrift Savings Plan, and life insurance concerns. Includes both CSRS and FERS scenarios, practical examples, and the necessary forms more…
Tips on Updating Beneficiaries to Your Federal Benefits
Outdated beneficiary designations can override your intentions and leave your family with surprises you never meant. Chris Kowalik discusses how federal employees can make sure their benefits go to the right people and avoid costly mistakes. more…
House Democrats Demand Answers from OPM on Retirement Delays
The lawmakers warned the delays are due to workforce reduction policies and that the Office of Personnel Management has provided only a partial response — while federal retirees are still experiencing significant delays and communication failures regarding their retirement applications more…
FAQs: Federal Retirement & Taxes
It’s been a confusing and frustrating tax season for many federal retirees, not including the delay for many in receiving their 1099-R form. Here’s a list of frequently asked questions provided by the Office of Personnel management that covers information about your 1099-R, how much of your annuity is taxable (or tax-free), refunds of retirement contributions, and why the tax on your federal retirement annuity may have changed. Links, phone numbers, forms and other helpful resources are included more…
Federal Retiree COLA History: CSRS COLA and FERS COLA
The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) history for CSRS and FERS from 1999 to 2026 more…
Federal Retirees Encounter Weeks of Delay Receiving Tax Documents from OPM
Numerous federal retirees have been waiting for several weeks to receive important tax documents and are unable to reach OPM for assistance. A group of House members has urged OPM to address the issue more…
CSRS / FERS Lump Sum Annuity Option (And How It is Taxed)
If eligible, a retiring CSRS or FERS employee may elect to receive the alternative form of a CSRS or FERS annuity, receiving a lump sum payment equal to the employee’s contributions to the CSRS or FERS Retirement and Disability Fund. Ed Zurndorfer discusses the specific eligibility requirements, the calculation of the lump sum payment and reduced CSRS and FERS annuity, and the tax liabilities more…