Federal Pension Advice and Insights

Jan 12, 2026

For decades, the 80% rule has been treated as a retirement shortcut. Save enough to replace 80% of your working income, and you’ll be fine. Simple. Comfortable. Reassuring.But when it comes to federal retirement income, this rule is not just outdated—it is often misleading.

Jan 8, 2026

Many federal employees approaching retirement are reassessing their federal retirement decision in response to current workforce and administrative conditions across the federal government.‍At present, multiple trends are occurring at the same time. Federal agencies continue to execute targeted hiring initiatives to address mission-critical staffing needs and replace institutional knowledge lost through retirements. At the same time, a large cohort of retirement-eligible employees—particularly those with long federal service is exiting the workforce. This combination has increased the overall volume of retirement applications being submitted through agency HR offices and processed by the Office of Personnel Management.

Jan 6, 2026

Federal agencies are undergoing workforce restructuring through mechanisms such as reductions in force (RIFs), hiring freezes, reorganizations, and staffing reductions. These terms are frequently used interchangeably in public discussions and internal communications. They are not interchangeable and the distinction between them carries material consequences for federal employees’ retirement eligibility, benefit entitlements, and long-term financial security.‍

Jan 5, 2026

Federal pay raises are not routine administrative updates. They are formal compensation decisions driven by executive authority and federal statute, with direct consequences for workforce stability, retirement outcomes, and long-term financial security. For federal law enforcement officers, whose careers operate under special pay and retirement provisions, these decisions carry significantly greater weight.

Dec 31, 2025

For most federal employees, the probationary period is often described as “just a formality.” You pass your first year, convert to career status, and move forward with greater job security, benefits certainty, and long-term planning confidence.But that assumption is increasingly outdated.

Dec 30, 2025

For military retirees, Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) are more than annual headlines—they are a core mechanism that helps retirement pay keep pace with inflation. As everyday expenses like healthcare, insurance premiums, and housing continue to rise, COLA plays a critical role in preserving purchasing power over time.‍

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.‍