Ed Zurndorfer explains the immediate voluntary/optional retirement option available to those covered by the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) more…
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Bill to Repeal Social Security’s WEP, GPO Signed Into Law
Bipartisan legislation repealing the WEP and GPO was signed into law yesterday. The Social Security Administration says it is evaluating how to implement the law. The WEP and GPO provisions reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for those who are covered by a government (federal, state or local)-sponsored guaranteed pension plan, such as federal employees who are covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). more…
Aggregated RMD Must Be Taken First Before Roth IRA Conversion
Ed Zurndorfer explains an important new IRS ruling that affects individuals who own multiple traditional IRAs and want to convert them to Roth IRAs more…
Changes Coming to Your Federal Benefits in 2025
Chris Kowalik outlines what’s changing, what’s not, and what it means for your take-home pay in the new year more…
FAQs During a Government Shutdown for Federal Employees & Retirees
With a possible government shutdown looming, federal employees and retirees are asking questions of how it affects their pay, leave and annuity payments more…
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Performing Roth IRA Conversions
The idea of receiving tax-free income in retirement via Roth IRAs has attracted many federal employees and retirees. However, Ed Zurndorfer describes the five most common mistakes you should be aware when performing a Roth IRA conversion — and the questions you need to ask before doing it more…
End of Year Deadline for Required Minimum Distributions
Ed Zurndorfer explains which federal employees and retirees must take a required minimum distribution (RMD) from their retirement savings with a strict end-of-year deadline. Practical examples are included more…
Considerations for Lump Sum Annual Leave Payment When Retiring at End of Year
Many federal employees retire at the end of December or early January before the start of a new leave year in order to maximize their lump-sum payment for unused annual leave hours. Ed Zurndorfer presents a comparison of two retirement dates for an employee retiring at the end of leave year more…
The TSP Early Withdrawal Penalty
Chris Kowalik outlines the rules of the early withdrawal penalty (and how to avoid it) when taking money out of the TSP prior to age 59 1/2. more…
Lawmakers Urge White House for 4.5% Pay Raise in 2025
House and Senate Democrats are asking the White House for a larger 2025 pay pay raise than it planned to authorize than for civilian federal employees more…