Federal Retirement Planning Blog

May 4, 2026

A federal buyout may make sense if you're already eligible to retire, can keep FEHB and FEGLI into retirement, and have confirmed that the after-tax buyout is worth more than the income, benefits, and service credit you'd lose by leaving.

May 1, 2026

Yes, VERA (Voluntary Early Retirement Authority) retirees do qualify for the FERS annuity supplement, but it is deferred until they reach their MRA (Minimum Retirement Age), between 55 and 57 depending on birth year. Your FERS pension begins at retirement; the supplement does not follow until MRA, creating an income gap of up to seven years.

Apr 30, 2026

FERS survivor benefits are the monthly payments OPM, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, sends to a surviving spouse or former spouse after a federal retiree dies. They’re one of the most misunderstood elections in the entire federal retirement process.

Apr 29, 2026

This article covers U.S. military retirement policy for active-duty, reserve, and National Guard service members. Three concrete military retirement benefits changes took effect in 2026

Apr 28, 2026

If you are a federal employee weighing your exit options in 2026, you are likely facing a decision that could permanently change your retirement income and you may have only weeks to make it.

Apr 23, 2026

HUD 2026 changes may impact housing costs, eligibility, and retirement plans for federal employees. Learn key risks and smart strategies.

Apr 17, 2026

We keep delaying it. We tell ourselves, next year I’ll plan my finances, maybe after the next bonus, maybe when things feel more stable. But time flies, your TSP grows, your pension accumulates in the background, and your social security decisions appear to be more important than ever. As you approach retirement, you will either be ready or not.

Apr 13, 2026

We spend years committed to our jobs, often without taking the time to focus on what truly matters later. Federal retirement planning does not begin at the edge of retirement, it is a foundation that should be built much earlier in your career. So whether you are just starting or getting closer to retirement, here is a roadmap you should follow.

Apr 3, 2026

Federal employees often face an important decision when managing their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): C Fund vs S Fund which one is better?

Apr 2, 2026

The regulatory landscape around retirement distributions has shifted meaningfully in recent years. Under the SECURE Act 2.0, the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) age has increased to 73, extending the period during which retirees can actively manage taxable income before mandatory withdrawals begin.‍At the same time, RMDs remain fully taxable and are calculated based on account balances and life expectancy factors. For retirees with significant pre-tax assets, this creates a structural challenge: once RMDs begin, taxable income becomes partially fixed and less controllable.

Apr 1, 2026

In 2026, concerns around federal compensation are no longer limited to routine pay adjustments. Recent government funding disruptions, evolving interpretations of back pay protections, and renewed discussions around workforce restructuring have collectively reshaped how federal employees must think about income stability.

Mar 31, 2026

For federal employees, the Thrift Savings Plan is one of the most critical components of retirement income. Among all tsp investment funds, the g fund tsp is often viewed as the safest option but also one of the most misunderstood.‍In 2026, with ongoing interest rate changes and market uncertainty, more participants are asking questions like what is tsp g fund, tsp g fund rate of return, and should i move my tsp to g fund now.‍

Mar 30, 2026

In March 2026, the Office of Personnel Management introduced a significant update through the OPM Proposed Rule March 2026, signaling a potential shift in how reduction in force federal government actions are evaluated.

Mar 27, 2026

A Reduction in Force (RIF) is not simply a layoff; it is a regulated personnel action governed by federal law and overseen by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). For federal employees, understanding how a RIF works, what rights are protected, and what options exist afterward is critical.

Mar 26, 2026

Nearly 60 million Americans live in rural areas, yet healthcare access in these regions remains significantly constrained compared to urban systems. Over the past decade, more than 150 rural hospitals have closed, and a large percentage of those still operating face ongoing financial pressure. For retirees, this creates a fundamental question not about insurance coverage, but about actual access to care.

Mar 25, 2026

Choosing between Medigap vs Medicare Advantage is one of the most important decisions retirees make when enrolling in Medicare. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), more than 65 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare, with a growing number choosing between medigap vs medicare advantage plans to manage healthcare costs in retirement. As out-of-pocket medical expenses continue to rise, selecting the right coverage is a critical financial decision not just a healthcare one.

Mar 24, 2026

In 2025, a major shift in retirement planning news emerged with the introduction of the OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). This legislation extended current federal tax rates, which were previously set to increase after 2025, while introducing new deductions and temporary benefits that directly affect retirement income strategies.‍

Mar 23, 2026

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a central component of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), designed to supplement the federal pension and Social Security benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). It functions as a tax-advantaged defined contribution plan, similar in structure to a 401(k), which is commonly offered by private-sector employers and regulated under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines.

Mar 20, 2026

A social security bridge strategy is a retirement income approach used to replace income between the time you retire and when you begin receiving Social Security benefits.Instead of claiming benefits early and permanently reducing your monthly income, retirees use savings such as the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) or a 401(k) to generate temporary income. These withdrawals are often referred to as social security bridge payments.The objective is straightforward: delay Social Security to secure higher, inflation-adjusted lifetime income.

Mar 19, 2026

Retirement is not about stopping work. It is about gaining control over your time.” And for federal employees in Washington, DC, that control often comes with one big question. Can you actually retire early without paying a financial price?

Mar 18, 2026

On March 18, 2026, the Federal Reserve released its latest policy decision, holding interest rates steady and reinforcing a cautious, data-driven approach. At first glance, a “no change” decision may seem uneventful. In reality, the federal statement and subsequent remarks from Jerome Powell delivered a clear message: the Federal Reserve is not ready to move into an aggressive rate-cut cycle.

Mar 17, 2026

National Guard drill pay represents an essential component of compensation for more than 800,000 members serving in the National Guard and Reserve components of the United States military. For many service members, drill income supplements civilian earnings and supports family financial stability while fulfilling military readiness obligations.

Mar 16, 2026

Federal income tax brackets are adjusted annually to reflect inflation. These adjustments affect how much income falls into each tax rate and influence how households estimate their federal tax liability.

Mar 13, 2026

Texas has become one of the most attractive retirement destinations for federal employees. Unlike many states, Texas offers a major financial advantage: no state income tax. For federal retirees, this can significantly impact long-term retirement income especially when compared with states like California, New York, or New Jersey. However, even with this tax advantage, retirement planning for federal employees is far from simple.

Mar 12, 2026

Federal employees from Alabama who are approaching retirement often ask one key question: Is federal retirement taxable in Alabama? For many retirees, the answer is favorable, but it depends on the type of retirement income you receive.