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 reveals opportunities outside of direct Roth IRA contributions that will allow them to fund their Roth IRAs. Practical examples are included more…
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FERS Postponed Retirement
Ed Zurndorfer outlines the postponed retirement option for those in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) including the strategy to minimize or eliminate the annuity reduction. Several practical examples are included more…
How Will The Social Security Fairness Act Affect Federal Employees & Retirees?
While currently the Social Security Administration is evaluating how to implement the new law repealing Social Security’s Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, here’s what federal employees, retirees and spouses should know (and do) now. Includes online tool to estimate how much of their Social Security benefits have been — or would be reduced — due to the WEP and GPO more…
5 FEHB Premium Questions Federal Employees Have Going into Retirement
Chris Kowalik addresses some important questions people have at retirement on the Federal Employees Health Benefits program — including what percentage of your premium is covered by the government, and how enrolling in Medicare affects premiums more…
FERS Deferred Retirement Option
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the option for FERS employees who elect to leave federal service before they are eligible for an immediate (and unreduced FERS annuity) retirement and may be eligible to receive their FERS annuity at a later date more…
Why Your Agency’s Retirement Estimate Isn’t Enough
Chris Kowalik discusses the three areas where federal employees need to pay special attention to when they’re requesting and reviewing the retirement estimate from their agency more…
FERS Early Retirement Option
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the early retirement option available to eligible FERS employees in the form of a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) (with no employee “buyout”) or a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) (with a lump-sum payment). more…
Proposed Legislation Would Reduce Locality Pay, Retirement Benefits for Some Federal Employees
If passed, two bills introduced last week in Congress would impact the pay and benefits for some federal employees more…
FERS Retirement Options for Special Provision Employees
Ed Zurndorfer outlines the retirement options for FERS employees who are classified as Special Provision employees. Special Provision employees include law enforcement officers (LEOs), customs, border and protection officers (CBPOs), firefighters (FFs) and air traffic controllers (ATCs). more…
Quitting Your New Year’s Resolutions (to Get What You Really Want)
Chris Kowalik unpacks why most New Year’s resolutions fail and how federal employees can reframe their mindset to get what they really want more…