16 Things Seniors Born Between 1941-1969 Could Take Advantage Of
No matter which type of retirement a federal employee chooses and is eligible for, an employee has the option of offering a survivor annuity to one individual. Ed Zurndorfer discusses FERS spousal survivor benefits and their importance for married employees when retiring under immediate retirement, Voluntary Early Retirement Arrangement (VERA), Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP), Discontinued Service Retirement (DSR) and deferred retirement more…
CSRS (Civil Service Retirement System)
OPM ‘Retirement Quick Guide’ to Help Federal Employees
The guide is designed to help employees know what to expect as their retirement application is processed and benefits are determined — plus assist in estimating when they can expect to receive their interim and first annuity payments more…
Reduction in Force (RIF) Fact Sheets
As government agencies reduce their budgets through a Reduction in Force (RIF), federal employees are often left confused.. Chris Kowalik provides fact sheets focused on the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA), Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay (VSIP), Discontinued Service Retirement (DSR), and Severance Pay. By removing the ambiguity and answering very common questions on each topic, you can better navigate your decisions and understand the consequences of each program more…
4 Myths About Taxes in Retirement
Chris Kowalik explains why taxes can derail an otherwise great retirement plan, and how a little tax planning will help protect your retirement savings in the long run more…
What Happens to Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) in Early or Deferred Retirement?
Ed Zurndorfer discusses what happens to a federal employee’s health, dental and vision benefits when the employee leaves federal service before normal retirement age more…
What Happens to Life (FEGLI) and Long-Term Care Insurance (FLTCIP) in Early or Deferred Retirement?
Ed Zurndorfer discusses what happens to federal employee life insurance and federal long-term care insurance benefits when a employee retires or leaves federal service before normal retirement age more…
Retroactive Payments to Begin from Repeal of Social Security’s WEP, GPO
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that starting the week of February 24, 2025, it will begin to pay retroactive benefits and will increase monthly benefit payment to individuals whose monthly Social Security benefits have been affected by the Windfall Government Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Ed Zurndorfer outlines what actions an eligible individual should take, and provides details of the implementation more…
Some Separating Federal Employees May Qualify for Discontinued Service Retirement
Over the last several weeks, there have been thousands of federal employees who have received notice that they are or will be involuntarily separated from federal service. Those employees who have 20 or more years of creditable federal service may be eligible for a discontinued service retirement (DSR). A discontinued service retirement means that an employee is eligible to retire and be able to immediately start collecting their CSRS or FERS annuity. Ed Zurndorfer discusses the DSR option and rules for CSRS and FERS employees more…
Taxation of Lump-Sum Payment of Refunded CSRS or FERS Contributions
Federal employees who leave federal service before they are eligible to retire can apply for a refund of their CSRS or FERS retirement contributions. Ed Zurndorfer discusses the federal income tax consequences of the lump-sum distribution of CSRS and FERS retirement contributions. more…
Update on Implementation of Social Security Fairness Act
Ed Zurndorfer outlines the latest information issued by the Social Security Administration regarding implementation of the new law repealing the WEP and GPO. Includes impact on a beneficiary’s payments and the agency’s challenges in implementation more…