Chris Kowalik explains how using the TSP the wrong way — or for the wrong reasons — can jeopardize your retirement goals more…
Latest Articles
Tax Rules for Roth TSP to Roth IRA Rollovers
Many federal employees choose to rollover their Roth Thrift Savings Plan to a Roth IRA. But the rules are complicated. Ed Zurndorfer explains the rules and provides practical examples more…
$2400 Increase in Social Security Benefits Proposed
If passed, the Social Security Expansion Act would also ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security for 75 years more…
Understanding the Basics of Retirement Plan Rollovers
Retirement plan rollovers are an important part of a federal employee or retiree’s overall retirement savings — especially true those who own multiple retirement accounts, including the Thrift Savings Plan, IRAs, and other retirement accounts such as a 401(k). Ed Zurndorfer provides insight on rollovers to help federal employees and retirees consolidate accounts or optimize their tax strategy 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Administration (SSA) has issued updates on the progress of the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act which repealed the Windfall Government Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).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…
7 Federal Retirement Milestones You Need to Know
As you near retirement, or if you’re already retired, there are key retirement milestones to keep in mind for accumulating and withdrawing the money you’ll need for your later years. Chris Kowalik provides a quick guide to key deadlines for retirement more…
CSRS Retiree Eligibility for Spousal and Ex-Spousal Social Security Benefits
One of the provisions of the Social Security Fairness Act is the repeal of the Government Pension Offset. The GPO reduced or eliminated spousal/ex-spousal and widow/widower benefits paid by the Social Security Administration to any retiree who was covered by a government (federal, state or local) pension and who did not pay Social Security (FICA) taxes, such as federal employees covered by Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Ed Zurndorfer explains what current CSRS retirees eligible for Social Security spousal benefits should do in order to receive spousal or ex-spousal Social Security benefits. more…
What Should You Do With Your TSP Account When You Retire?
The decision as to what a retiring federal employee should do with their Thrift Savings Plan accounts needs to be considered carefully. Ed Zurndorfer outlines the consequences of each choice. more…
Maximizing Annual Leave & Sick Leave
Chris Kowalik highlights the differences between annual leave and sick leave when it comes time to retire and how to maximize each type of leave more…
Can I ‘Max Out’ the TSP Even If I Don’t Work the Whole Year?
Whatever the time (or reason) you retire, there are a slew of questions that come to mind regarding the Thrift Savings Plan. Chris Kowalik addresses an important issue: How your last year of work might affect your TSP account balance more…