As federal agencies undergo workforce reductions, many employees are left wondering what the next round of the Reduction in Force (RIF) will look like and whether it will impact them. To mitigate the risks, you should take proactive steps to safeguard your financial well-being. Chris Kowalik gives 12 critical steps every federal employee should take now to prepare for a potential RIF more…
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Reduction in Force (RIF) Training Series
Throughout the 22-part video series, Chris Kowalik delivers information federal employees should understand, answers frequently asked questions, and provides the actionable steps they can take to prepare if faced with a Reduction-in-Force (RIF) termination. more…
What Is Your Service Computation Date?
A service computation date (SCD) determines a federal employee’s eligibility for a specific benefit or program. There are four different types: Leave, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), reduction in force, and retirement more…
Pre-Age 55 Penalty-Free TSP Withdrawals: Partial Rollover of a Traditional TSP Account to a Traditional IRA
With perhaps thousands of federal employees having to leave federal service as a result of reductions-in-force (RIFs), the question becomes for many: How to access their Thrift Savings Plan accounts? In column one of a two-part series, Ed Zurndorfer discusses how separated federal employees younger than age 55 can make penalty-free TSP withdrawals. Presented in this column is the partial rollover of a traditional TSP account to a traditional IRA more…
8 FAQs About Your TSP
Chris Kowalik unpacks some frequently asked questions from participants in the Thrift Savings Plan regarding contributions, agency matching, and confusion over traditional and Roth accounts 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…
Pre-Age 55 Penalty-Free TSP Withdrawals: TSP Annuity and TSP Monthly Payments Based on Life Expectancy
With perhaps thousands of federal employees having to leave federal service as a result of reductions-in-force (RIFs), the question becomes for many: How to access their Thrift Savings Plan accounts? In column one of a two-part series, Ed Zurndorfer discusses how separated federal employees younger than age 55 can make penalty-free TSP withdrawals. Presented in this column is the TSP annuity and TSP monthly payments based on life expectancy more…
Federal Employees Retiring Under an ‘Early Out’ Offer
Chris Kowalik outlines the opportunities (and the consequences) to leaving federal service under the VERA/VSIP 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…
2026 Federal Pay Raise Proposed at 4.3%
If passed, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act would give a 2026 federal pay raise including an overall average 3.3% increase in base pay with 1% for locality pay more…