Federal Pension Advice and Insights

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.

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 Reassuring.But when it comes to federal retirement income, this rule is not just outdated—it is often misleading.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.‍