Why more federal employees and retirees are protecting their retirement savings using this overlooked, IRS-approved program
It has been reported that average retirement processing times have been far above the agency’s stated goal of 60 days — at least one case that has been in processing for fifteen months more…
Latest Articles
How to Use the ‘Backdoor’ Strategy to Contribute to a Roth IRA
The backdoor Roth IRA strategy allows individuals to move funds into a Roth IRA even if they do not qualify to contribute to a Roth IRA because their income exceeds the allowable limits. Ed Zurndorfer discusses how the this strategy works — and how it can benefit some federal employees more…
OPM Reminds Federal Employees, Retirees to Use Updated Beneficiary Designation Form
The form allows the named beneficiary to receive any lump-sum benefit which may become payable under CSRS or FERS more…
Social Security Trustees Predict Reduced Benefits in 2033 Without Legislative Action
The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund is projected to become depleted in 2033, one year sooner than last year’s estimate, with 77 percent of benefits payable at that time, according to the Social Security Board of Trustees annual report released Friday more…
Understanding the Rules for Deducting Home Mortgage Interest
Ed Zurndorfer explains the home mortgage interest deduction and its limitations — plus how Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) resulted in significant changes to this deduction more…
Legislation Would Add Inspector General to Thrift Savings Plan
The goals are to create new accountability mechanisms and to fix widespread problems from the TSP’s rollout of new website features last year more…
Some Face First Traditional IRA Required Minimum Distribution
Ed Zurndorfer discusses what a traditional IRA RMD is, how the RMD is calculated, and the IRS penalty for not making a timely RMD more…
Federal Retirement Planning Checklist for Retiring in 5-10 Years
The last 5-10 years of a federal employee’s service represents a critical period if the employee intends to retire at the time he or she wants and with sufficient pension income and benefits that will last throughout the employee’s retirement years. Ed Zurndorfer provides a general checklist for soon-to-be retirees more…
The Importance of Keeping Your Personnel File Up-to-Date
Learn why an employee’s OPF is vitally important — including for retirement purposes — and how federal employees can get a copy of their OPF and make changes in case of errors or omissions more…
Choosing Between Standard Deduction and Itemizing Deductions
Ed Zurndorfer discusses some important considerations for using the standard deduction — or itemizing deductions — when filing federal income taxes more…