Federal Pension Advice and Insights

May 6, 2026

The Roth catch-up rule 2026 requires federal employees age 50 and older who earned more than $150,000 in FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) wages from their employing agency in the prior calendar year to make all catch-up contributions to the TSP, or Thrift Savings Plan, the federal government's tax-advantaged retirement savings program, on a Roth (after-tax) basis rather than traditional pre-tax.

May 5, 2026

The G Fund vs C Fund TSP decision comes down to one trade-off: stability versus growth. The G Fund, or Government Securities Investment Fund, protects principal. The C Fund, or Common Stock Index Investment Fund, gives you exposure to large U.S. companies through the S&P 500.

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.