Federal Pension Advice and Insights

Dec 26, 2025

Many federal employees searching for the 2026 TSP contribution limits, a reliable TSP calculator, or the average TSP balance by age are really asking the same question: Am I maximizing my Thrift Savings Plan or just contributing to it?‍In 2026, that distinction matters more than ever.‍Higher contribution limits, new age-based catch-up tiers, and updated Roth rules mean federal employees can save more than at any point in the program’s history. But they also mean that small execution mistakes contributing too aggressively, mismanaging pay-period elections, or misunderstanding how matching works can quietly cost thousands over time. Even the best TSP calculator or TSP growth calculator can’t fix a strategy that’s set up incorrectly.‍

Dec 24, 2025

Federal employees across government are closely monitoring staffing decisions as agencies continue to manage budget constraints, hiring freezes, and workforce reductions. Recent action by Senate appropriators has brought renewed attention to staffing levels at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) two agencies that have experienced significant workforce losses.‍

Dec 24, 2025

In December 2025, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to temporarily reverse certain reductions in force (RIFs) that led to federal employee layoffs during the recent government shutdown. The ruling affects hundreds of employees who were officially separated and has paused the implementation of those layoffs while the case continues through the courts.‍The decision has intensified concerns around federal layoffs, particularly as agencies navigate ongoing budget pressures and workforce restructuring. With an appeal now underway, many federal employees are asking the same questions: What exactly happened? What does this mean for my job and benefits? And how could this affect my retirement?

Dec 23, 2025

For federal employees and reservists, year-end isn’t a formality — it’s a closing window. The final weeks of 2025 may be your last opportunity to fix service records, optimize pension math, and position your TSP and taxes before rules, limits, and timelines reset in 2026.

Dec 22, 2025

The federal pay raise 2026 has now been finalized, ending months of uncertainty for federal employees who closely monitor annual pay decisions. On December 18, Donald Trump signed an executive order confirming a 1% across-the-board pay increase for most civilian federal employees, marking the smallest federal pay adjustment since 2021.‍This decision follows an alternative pay plan issued earlier in August, which also proposed a 1% increase for civilian employees in 2026 signaling a consistent approach to restrained pay growth rather than a last-minute revision.

Dec 19, 2025

The smartest move to submit retirement paperwork before the year's end is to start early and stay methodical. Most federal employees should begin the process 90 to 120 days before their planned retirement date. ‍This window gives you enough time to coordinate with your human resources office, access your agency’s retirement system or portal, such as Aura, gather all required documents, and fix any gaps before deadlines close. You also need to stay alert during Open Season so your health benefits elections do not conflict with your retirement processing.‍

Dec 18, 2025

The Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) has become a material factor in federal retirement timing. Although the program was not designed as a retirement incentive, its structure allows some employees to extend creditable service and maintain benefits long enough to reach statutory retirement thresholds. At the same time, DRP participation has contributed to a significant increase in retirement application volume and has introduced additional planning risks related to benefit continuity, separation timing, and retirement processing delays. This article explains how DRP affects federal retirement timelines, what it provides during the deferred period, where it can improve outcomes, and where it creates measurable risk.

Dec 16, 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, federal employees are navigating year-end administrative priorities against a backdrop of significant shifts in retirement processing, workforce dynamics, and legislative activity affecting federal benefits.Retirement application volumes are at historic highs. According to the most recent Office of Personnel Management (OPM) data, the inventory of retirement applications awaiting finalization is approaching 50,000, nearly triple the backlog at this time last year — a trend driven by increased retirements and major workforce transitions across the federal government. 

Dec 15, 2025

In early 2025, federal employees and retirees faced significant uncertainty as Congress debated major changes to federal retirement and health benefits.

Dec 12, 2025

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is the federal government’s primary retirement savings program for federal employees and members of the uniformed services. Established by Congress and overseen by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, the TSP functions similarly to a private-sector 401(k), allowing participants to contribute a portion of each paycheck toward retirement on a tax-advantaged basis.

Dec 12, 2025

Disabled veterans can qualify for life insurance even with a VA disability rating from 0% to 100%.

Dec 11, 2025

The federal government has officially reopened after 43 days, marking the longest shutdown in U.S. history. But while agencies are back at work, the policy dispute that triggered the shutdown remains unresolved