Analysts give a projection of the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment for retirees, and comment on a new proposal to cap benefits to $50,000 per person in order to address the program’s projected financial shortfall more…
CSRS (Civil Service Retirement System)
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Outdated beneficiary designations can override your intentions and leave your family with surprises you never meant.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…
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…
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…
How CSRS / FERS Survivor Annuities Are Taxed
Ed Zurndorfer what portion of a CSRS or FERS survivor annuity (full or partial) is federally taxable under several common scenarios (examples included) and provides an important caution CSRS and FERS annuitants and survivor annuitants regarding information on on CSA 1099-Rs and CSF 1099-Rs from OPM’s Retirement’s Office more…
How CSRS and FERS Retirement Annuities Are Taxed
Ed Zurndorfer explains how the IRS taxes CSRS and FERS non-disability annuities when a federal employee retires from federal service. Worksheet and practical example are included more…