The IRS has reminded individuals about the upcoming tax filing extension deadline. To avoid a late filing penalty, those individuals who requested an extension to file their 2023 tax return should file their Form 1040 on or before October 15, 2024. more…
Latest Articles
10 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing Life Insurance
Ed Zurndorfer outlines errors individuals often make — and how to correct them — when purchasing and owning a life insurance policy more…
What If You Die While Employed?
Chris Kowalik walks you through what happens when the unexpected happens, including who can be protected to receive your pension, which benefits are paid out lump-sum, and what to do now to prepare your family
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Important Tax Issues for Life Insurance
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the various tax issues associated with life insurance ownership, including deductibility of premiums, and taxation of employee-sponsored policies, beneficiary proceeds and dividends more…
The High-3 Average Salary
Chris Kowalik provides a step-by-step guide to the real way your high-3 is calculated for federal retirement
Important Extra Benefits with Some Life Insurance Policies
Life insurance riders allow an applicant to customize the policy. Some riders increase the premiums, others are added at no charge. Ed Zurndorfer provides a guide to these benefits and costs more…
Important Choices and Considerations for Purchasing an Individual Life Insurance Policy
Ed Zurndorfer examines some of the federal employee choices and considerations for purchasing an individual life insurance, including term vs. permanent (cash value) policies, and factors that affect the cost of premiums more…
2025 Federal Pay Raise: White House Releases Alternative Pay Plan Letter
The plan proposes an the across-the-board 2025 federal employee pay raise of 1.7 percent and locality pay increases will average 0.3 percent, resulting in an overall average increase of 2.0 percent for civilian federal employees more…
Choosing the Best Life Insurance Coverage for Federal Employees
By understanding how life insurance works — and how to shop for it — a federal employee can find the best coverage to their needs. In the first column of a 5-part series, Ed Zurndorfer explains life insurance and which individuals should seek this coverage more…
Making a Retroactive Claim for Social Security Retirement Benefits
The Social Security Administration allows an individual who has passed their full retirement age (FRA) to file for a retroactive retirement benefit. Ed Zurndorfer explains how to do it with practical examples. more…