Your FERS pension may look like a number that’s simply calculated for you on your last day of work. But several decisions along the way — how you handle your high-3, whether you buy back military time, what you do with unused sick leave, and whether you wait until age 62 — can each change your monthly payment for the rest of your life. This guide walks through all five, with real dollar examples, a downloadable checklist and worksheet, plus an FAQ section. more…
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Latest TSP Fund Performance Returns — G, F, C, S, I, L Funds | August 2026
August was a clean sweep for the Thrift Savings Plan — every core fund and every Lifecycle Fund closed the month higher, a sharp turnaround from July’s mixed results. One fund led the way by a wide margin, and the year-to-date gap between the strongest and weakest core funds keeps growing. See the complete breakdown.. more…
The 2027 Pay Freeze Isn’t Final — Here’s What Could Still Change It
President Trump’s August 26 letter freezes most federal civilian pay for 2027, but Congress can still override it. The House Appropriations Committee has already rejected an effort to add a raise, the Senate hasn’t released its bill yet, and employee unions like AFGE and NTEU are pushing back — including a pointed comparison to the administration’s move to allow salaries of up to $400,000 for a small group of “critical position” employees. Here’s where the realistic path to a 2027 raise stands. more…
TSP Week in Review: August 24-28, 2026
Small caps led the week’s losses as the S Fund gave back 1.32%, while the C Fund bucked the trend with a 0.50% gain. See the full fund-by-fund breakdown. more…
The Real Cost of Your FERS Survivor Election: Full, Partial, or None?
What should you choose? Full survivor benefit, partial, or none? The election you make at retirement determines far more than a 5% or 10% pension reduction. It shapes whether your spouse keeps Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage, how their Social Security changes, and how much of your household’s income they actually keep. This guide walks through a worked example showing what each option means in real numbers. A downloadable FERS Survivor Benefit Planning Checklist is included to help you get started. more…
No 2027 Federal Pay Raise: Freeze Base and Locality Pay at 2026 Rates
President Trump has issued his 2027 alternative pay plan, freezing base and locality pay for most federal employees while law enforcement and military personnel see separate raises. Beyond the flat paycheck, a frozen year can quietly lower your High-3 average if it falls in your final three years of service. Will Congress override the freeze? Here’s what could happen next… more…
Roth TSP In-Plan Conversions: What They Mean for Your Taxes
Roth in-plan conversions let Thrift Saving Plan participants move money from their traditional (before-tax) balance into their Roth (after-tax) balance at any time, provided they meet eligibility requirements. But converting isn’t tax-free — the amount converted counts as taxable income in the year of conversion, and since there’s no automatic withholding, participants may need to make estimated tax payments to avoid a penalty. Ed Zurndorfer outlines who’s eligible, how much can be converted, the “leave-behind” rule, and what federal and state tax liabilities to expect. more…
Trump Account Investment Rules: What the New IRS Proposal Means for Families
A Trump account is a new IRA-style savings account for kids, but the money can only go into specific low-cost funds. The IRS has now proposed detailed rules on what qualifies and what it means for your family’s account. more…
What a New Bipartisan Social Security Plan Could Mean for Federal Retirees
A bipartisan Senate plan would remove the cap on Social Security payroll taxes for high earners. Most federal employees won’t feel the tax change directly — but there’s an important deadline in this development that affects everyone planning to retire in the next decade. more…
7 Ways HR Can’t Help You With Your Retirement – And the 5 Ways They Should
Your agency’s HR office knows the rules, but they don’t know your finances, your family, or your goals. Chris Kowalik outlines 7 major retirement decisions HR can’t make for you — from when to retire to Social Security timing — plus the 5 things HR is actually responsible for. more…