If you are missing an IRS form 1099-R from either your CSRS/FERS annuity or your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account, here are the instructions to get them more…
CSRS (Civil Service Retirement System)
Federal Retirees Report Error in December 2025 Annuity Statements
Many federal retirees have reported errors on their December 2025 annuity statements related to next year’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Here’s what you can do if you are affected… more…
When Will Federal Retirees Receive the 2026 COLA Increase?
Due to recent years of surging inflation and public discussion of the affordability for the cost of living for seniors, there are increasing questions among many federal retirees as to the amount of the future cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that CSRS and FERS annuitants will receive, and when they will receive it more…
Senate Democrats Propose to Expand Social Security Benefits in 2026
If passed, the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act would increase benefits by $200 per month for six months more…
The Strategy of the Survivor Benefit Plan
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…
Your Survivor Benefit Plan vs. Life Insurance
Your federal Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) is an excellent way to protect a portion of your income for your spouse when you die. But that is all it protects, just a portion. You may want to seek out other solutions to fill in the gaps to meet your retirement goals. Chris Kowalik gives understanding on how the SBP and life insurance work so you can develop a comprehensive strategy for utilizing both, providing you and your spouse with the ultimate income protection. more…
What Happens to Unused Sick Leave When a Federal Employee Retires?
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the treatment of unused sick leave hours at the time of an federal employee’s departure or retirement from federal service. A practical example is included more…
2026 Federal Retiree COLA Announcement Delayed Due To Government Shutdown
The government shutdown is delaying the announcement for the 2026 federal retiree cost-of-living adjustment which affects those retired under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). more…
Update on Social Security Fairness Act
Ed Zurndorfer provides a summary of the updates including when Social Security beneficiaries can expect an increase in monthly payments, how to manage Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D monthly premiums deducted doubly from SSA benefits and federal pensions (such as a CSRS annuity), information about retroactive back payments, and tips to avoid scams more…
Update on Implementation of Repeal of Social Security’s WEP, GPO
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued updates on the progress of the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act which repealed the Windfall Government Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The updates answer questions of when beneficiaries will see their benefits increase, how many months of benefits they will receive, and issues regarding Medicare premiums more…