One of the most important—and most misunderstood—decisions you’ll make before retiring is whether to elect a survivor benefit for your spouse. While reducing your monthly pension may seem costly, the wrong decision could leave your surviving spouse without a lifetime income or even the ability to continue FEHB health insurance. Chris Kowalik explains how the Survivor Benefit Plan works, what it costs, who should consider it, and the key tradeoffs every federal employee should understand before making this often irrevocable election more…
CSRS (Civil Service Retirement System)
OPM Finalizes Major Changes to Federal Employee Performance Appraisals: What Employees 5–10 Years from Retirement Should Know
While the new rule (effective August 6, 2026) does not change federal retirement benefits, it could influence career progression, promotions, and performance awards during the final years of a federal career. For employees who are five to ten years from retirement, those indirect effects may be worth paying attention to because salary earned during those years can influence future retirement income. This guide outlines the five major changes, what has not changed, describes any impact on an employee’s retirement, and provides insight on maximizing the value of the years that remain before retirement. more…
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…
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Outdated beneficiary designations can override your intentions and leave your family with surprises you never meant.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 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…