House Democrats request answers from the director of Office of Personnel Management to the reasons for the substantial delays in federal retirement processing more…
Latest Articles
Important Rules & Considerations for IRA Contributions
An individual retirement arrangement (IRA) provides a tax-beneficial way for a federal employee to set aside money for retirement. Ed Zurndorfer outlines the requirements to contribute, the contribution limits and deadlines — as well as the differences between traditional IRA and Roth IRA (and their tax consequences)
more…
3 Retirement Resolutions for Federal Employees
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, discusses three retirement resolutions you should be making in the new year — specifically how making smaller, realistic goals (and sticking to them) can lead to big results over time more…
10 Ways to Get Your Financial Plan on Track in the New Year
How confident are you that you will have the money you need — when you need it? Chris Kowalik provides some tips to make the most of 2026 more…
What Federal Employees Need to Know About Receiving Social Security Benefits
Ed Zurndorfer discusses how some federal employees may temporarily lose some or all of their Social Security benefits due to the “earnings test.” Included is the effect of a retiring federal employee’s lump-sum payment for unused annual leave with practical examples more…
Latest Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Returns: Monthly and Annual
View the latest Thrift Savings Plan returns of the G, F, C, S, I and L funds more…
Proposal to Allow Penalty-Free TSP Withdrawals in Certain Emergencies
If passed, the Thrift Savings Plan Emergency Withdrawal Act would assist former federal employees pay their bills after leaving the federal workforce by allowing them to make penalty-free withdrawals from their TSP account more…
How To Avoid These Eight Mistakes When Naming IRA Beneficiaries
Many federal employees and retirees own IRAs. Ed Zurndorfer explains why naming an IRA beneficiary is extremely important — how to avoid costly mistakes when doing it more…
TSP Announces January 2026 Processing Schedule
The Thrift Savings Plan announced its processing schedule for January 2026 including when IRS form 1099-R, life expectancy recalculation notices, and required minimum distribution (RMD) notices will be issued more…
NARFE Recommends Federal Pay Raise of 3.8%
In response to the 2026 pay raise announcement, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association is recommends a 2027 federal pay increase of 3.8% stating federal pay rates already lag private-sector pay rates by about 25% more…