Federal Pension Advice and Insights

Feb 12, 2026

For many federal employees, the Thrift Savings Plan is the largest asset they will ever own outside their home. Yet it is also one of the most misunderstood parts of federal retirement planning. People contribute regularly, glance at balances occasionally, and assume everything will work out. The reality is that small decisions inside your TSP can create very different retirement outcomes.

Feb 10, 2026

For many federal retirees, Medicare feels straightforward until premiums suddenly jump without warning. You enroll, you budget, and then a letter arrives saying you owe more than the standard amount. No mistake. No appeal explained upfront. Just higher deductions.That increase is usually caused by IRMAA, and it catches thousands of federal retirees off guard every year.

Feb 6, 2026

Over the past few years, law enforcement hiring trends in the federal government have shifted in significant ways. Most federal law enforcement agencies have seen relatively flat staffing or mixed changes, but a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlights that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) had the largest increase in law enforcement positions between 2020 and 2024. 

Feb 3, 2026

Air Traffic Controllers often enjoy strong earning potential during their federal careers, especially as pay increases kick in over time. But when it comes to FEHB in retirement, those same pay raises can quietly shape your healthcare costs for decades. Many ATCs assume higher pay always equals better retirement comfort. In reality, without proper planning, it can also mean higher premiums and reduced flexibility later.

Feb 2, 2026

Federal employment policy in 2026 is quietly but clearly shifting direction. The conversation is no longer limited to budgets, shutdowns, or annual pay adjustments. Instead, attention is moving toward how federal jobs are classified, how performance is evaluated, and how much discretion agencies have in managing their workforce.

Jan 30, 2026

Federal pay policy is shifting in subtle but important ways, and the ATC pay raise 3.8% is a clear signal of that change. This increase is not simply a routine adjustment meant to keep pace with inflation. Instead, it reflects a more targeted compensation strategyone that prioritizes mission-critical roles, workforce stability, and operational risk within the federal system.

Jan 29, 2026

For many federal employees, 2026 does not feel like a fresh chapter. It feels like a continuation of questions that started forming in 2025. Questions about job stability, timelines, benefits, and whether retirement plans built years ago still make sense today.

Jan 28, 2026

As discussions around federal funding resurface, many federal employees are once again asking a familiar question: Is the government going to shut down? While shutdowns have become an unfortunate recurring theme in recent years, each new fiscal cycle brings its own uncertainties, timelines, and implications.

Jan 23, 2026

In our experience advising federal employees, most 2026 workforce reductions are occurring through attrition, reassignment, and early retirement rather than sudden layoffs.

Jan 21, 2026

Federal pay policy in 2026 is quietly but clearly changing direction. The discussion is no longer limited to how much federal employees should receive each year. Instead, the focus is shifting toward where pay increases are applied, why certain roles are prioritized, and what outcomes the government expects in return.

Jan 16, 2026

For federal employees in the United States, retirement eligibility is often misunderstood as a simple age-based milestone. In reality, retirement is shaped by two parallel systems working side by side. One determines when you can start receiving your pension. The other determines whether you can keep your health insurance for life. Many employees qualify for a pension and still cannot retire comfortably because their Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage is not protected.

Jan 14, 2026

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued guidance directing carriers under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) and Postal Service Health Benefits programs to exclude coverage for certain gender-affirming treatment beginning January 1, 2026, based on current reporting.‍This change does not affect federal employment status, FEHB eligibility, or enrollment rights. However, it does alter how specific medical services are reimbursed under federal government healthcare plans, which has direct implications for healthcare costs, budgeting assumptions, and long-term financial planning for some federal households.