A group of 110 lawmakers is urging congressional leaders to authorize, at minimum, an across-the-board 3.8% pay raise for civilian federal employees, in line with the increase President Trump has proposed only for law enforcement personnel — and preferably the fuller 4.1% called for in the FAIR Act. Here’s what the letter argues and what federal employees should realistically expect before a final decision lands in December.
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TSP Week in Review: Sept. 14 – 18, 2026
The Fed hiked rates this week, and TSP funds didn’t all react the same way. See which funds held steady and which took a hit.
Understanding the Different Types of Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Ed Zurndorfer walks through the five main variations explaining how each one works, who it tends to fit best, and the trade-offs in cost, flexibility, and long-term value. Whether you’re weighing a policy for the first time or reconsidering coverage as you approach retirement, understanding these differences can help you match a policy to your actual needs.
Senators Demand Overhaul of OPM Medical Claims Collection on More Than 8 Million FEHB and PSHB Enrollees
Six Senate Democrats have given the Office of Personnel Management a September 25 deadline to respond to concerns that its medical claims collection on more than eight million FEHB and PSHB enrollees still lacks adequate privacy safeguards. The letter lists ten specific demands, including suspending the collection, shortening its 30-year retention period, and barring the data from ever being used in employment decisions. Here’s what the letter says, why lawmakers still aren’t satisfied with OPM’s safeguards, and what it means for you and your covered family members.
The Fed’s Rate Hike and TSP Fund Returns — September 16, 2026
What the Fed’s rate hike meant for your Thrift Savings Plan
2027 CSRS / FERS / Social Security COLA Estimate
Fresh inflation data has forecasters pulling in different directions on the 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustment. One major advocacy group lowered its estimate this month, while another raised its own — with two other independent forecasters landing lower still. See the range of estimates, what’s driving this summer’s inflation numbers, and what the outcome would mean for the both the CSRS and FERS annuity adjustments.
Should You Keep FEGLI Into Retirement? The 5-10 Year Review
If retirement is still five to ten years away, FEGLI probably feels like a solved… more…
Choosing the Right Life Insurance as a Federal Employee: Term, Whole, Universal, or Variable
Choosing a life insurance policy isn’t one-size-fits-all. In this column, Certified Financial Planner Ed Zurndorfer walks through how term, whole, universal, and variable life insurance each work, their advantages and drawbacks, and which type tends to make the most sense depending on a federal employee’s budget, health, and long-term financial goals.
How AI Workforce Changes Could Affect Your Retirement Date, Pension, and Paperwork
AI isn’t changing your FERS or CSRS pension formula. But if you’re approaching retirement, changes happening around your job could still affect the retirement plan you’ve been counting on — from promotion prospects and your future High-3 average salary to whether you reach your planned retirement date on the path you expected. Here’s where AI workplace changes could matter, and what federal employees nearing retirement should be watching now.
OPM Weighs Changes to FEHB Health Plan Options
OPM is asking whether the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program should offer more health plan options — or fewer. A new request for information, opens a 60-day comment period on how the number and type of FEHB and PSHB plan options affects premiums, consumer experience, and program costs. Here’s what’s actually being asked, and how to weigh in before the window closes.