Ed Zurndorfer outlines some key tax deductions and tax exclusions associated with homeownership that federal employees and retirees should be aware of when it comes to owning, buying and selling a home more…
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Bill Reintroduced to Eliminate Income Tax on Social Security Benefits
If passed, the Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act (HR 1040) will amend the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate Social Security benefits in an individual’s gross income. A senior group estimates the annual tax savings per household and the possible impact on future cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) 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…
Resources for the Deferred Resignation Offer
Chris Kowalik provides a 9-part video series with information and insight to help you make informed decisions about your pending decision on the deferred resignation offer that OPM released on Jan. 28. Includes the new early outs offered by OPM, and questions to ask your agency’s HR before you decide. more…
High Income Federal Employees Have Options for Funding Roth IRAs: Part II
With Roth IRAs — together with Roth TSP accounts — federal employees can save for their future retirement in a tax-free way. Any Roth accounts remaining at their deaths can be passed on to family members tax-free. However, high-earning federal employees who may be limited or even barred from contributing to a Roth IRA. Ed Zurndorfer outlines three more methods to fund their Roth IRA. Practical examples are included more…
Social Security Says It Could Take More Than One Year to Implement Repeal of WEP, GPO
The Social Security Administration provided a Q&A on how the new law affects many beneficiaries including information on Medicare premium payments more…
Some Considerations on OPM’s Deferred Resignation Program
Ed Zurndorfer breaks down some of the issues federal employees should consider regarding the “deferred resignation program” offered by the Office of Personnel Management. Includes references to opinions from groups representing federal employees more…
Preparing for the DOGE Workforce Reductions
Chris Kowalik discusses how to control your response by knowing your options in advance. It includes reviewing the likely scenarios for various groups of federal employees, eliminating most of the uncertainty by knowing your numbers, understanding the consequences of leaving government service early, and creating your checklist of must-do “pre-notice” action items more…
Trump Administration Offers ‘Deferred Resignation’ to Most Federal Employees
The “Deferred Resignation Program” email states those federal employees receiving the offer must resign by February 6. A Q&A on the program is provided more…