Federal employees who are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) may be eligible for a deferred annuity. Ed Zurndorder covers the eligibility rules, benefits of this option, steps to apply, and how it affects life/health insurance and the Thrift Savings Plan
FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System)
Options for Federal Employees Who Leave Federal Service Before Eligible for Retirement
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the options for CSRS- covered and FERS -covered employees who leave federal service before becoming eligible for any type of retirement, including requesting a refund of retirement contributions and rolling over rollover the refund payment to an IRA a qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan
How to Avoid the Biggest Mistakes in Making Beneficiary Designations
A complete and comprehensive estate plan includes properly filled out beneficiary designation forms. Ed Zurndorfer discusses what federal employees need to consider in avoiding the 10 biggest mistakes in making their beneficiary designations
How to Deal With OPM’s Delay in Retirement Application Processing
Delays in receiving your first full FERS or CSRS annuity check can be 3-10 months. Ed Zurndorfer, provides a checklist of how to expedite your retirement application — plus practical tips on how soon-to-retire employees should prepare for a possible cash flow problem during the early months of retirement
10 Important Actions for Federal Employees Planning to Retire
Your retirement date often comes sooner than you may have had a chance to fully prepare. Ed Zurndorfer outlines the most common areas that need to be addressed by federal employees who plan to retire within the next few years
Senate Bill Would Increase COLA for Many Federal Retirees
If passed, the Equal COLA Act would end the disparity between the two federal retirement systems (CSRS and FERS) and ensure all federal retirees receive full cost-of-living adjustments on their annuities
How Part-Time Service Can Affect a FERS Employee’s Benefits – Part II
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the effect of FERS part-time employment on annual leave and sick leave accrual rates, the Thrift Savings Plan, and insurance benefits (health, life, dental and vision, and long-term care insurance).
How Part-Time Service Can Affect a FERS Employee’s Benefits – Part I
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the effect of part-time FERS employment on the FERS annuity and the FERS survivor annuity
How to Report Excess Earnings for FERS Annuity Supplement Recipients
Ed Zurndorfer discusses the earned income – salary/wages/net self-employment income – reporting requirements for FERS Special Retirement Supplement (SRS) annuity recipients including a review of eligibility requirements, how the annuity is calculated, possible reductions due to excess earnings, the reporting deadline (June 30), and how to report earnings to OPM. Several practical examples are included.
Using OPM’s ‘Federal Ballpark E$timate’ Calculator for FERS / CSRS
The Office of Personnel Management has updated it’s online calculator that projects annuity for FERS, CSRS and Thrift Savings Plan benefits to help federal employees