Stay informed about pay raises, retirement planning, and benefits updates. Expert guidance for every stage of your federal career.
We ran the break-even math on the FERS pension for every hire tier. A $30K pension equals a $750K portfolio, and pre-2013 hires break even in under a year.
OPM's new performance rating rules affect 740,000 federal employees. See how forced distribution impacts your step increases, QSIs, bonuses, and RIF standing.
2027 COLA tracker for FERS and CSRS retirees. Current estimate: 0.2% through January 2026 CPI-W data. How the FERS 2% cap works and when the final number drops.
TSP allocation strategies by age bracket. 2025 returns: I Fund +32%, C Fund +18%. How to split C, S, I, G, F funds and when L Funds make more sense.
Federal employee mental health resources in 2026: EAP counseling (6-12 free sessions), sick leave for therapy, FMLA coverage, and FEHB benefits explained.
BCBS Standard and GEHA High cover IVF up to $25,000. All FEHB plans cover 3 IVF drug cycles. Compare plans, costs, and how to switch.
OPM retirement processing averages 77 days in 2026. Digital apps take 48 days, paper takes 97. Interim pay, backlog data, and step-by-step timeline.
TSP hardship withdrawal rules for 2026. The 6-month contribution suspension was eliminated in 2019. Five qualifying conditions, tax rules, and better alternatives.
TSP loan interest rate is 4.25% in 2026. Borrow $1K-$50K with no credit check. Rules for general purpose, residential, and what happens if you leave federal service.
With more agencies offering VERA/VSIP buyouts in 2026, here's everything federal employees need to know about eligibility, benefits, and whether accepting makes financial sense for you.
39 FEHB plans charge more for Self Plus One than Family. See the QLE list, cost framework, and HDHP decision matrix.
TSP Mutual Fund Window costs $132/year plus $28.75 per trade. See fee impact by account size and decide if the MFW makes sense for you.
The FAIR Act proposes a 4.1% federal pay raise for 2027 (3.1% base + 1.0% locality). What's confirmed, what's not, and what to watch.
Compare FERS vs CSRS retirement systems side by side. Pension formulas, COLAs, TSP matching, and dollar examples for 2026. Free calculator included.
Calculate the cost to buy back military time for FERS credit. At 3% of base pay, most veterans pay $2,400-$6,600. Interest-free window + step-by-step process.
OPM finalized Schedule Policy/Career, reclassifying ~50K feds as at-will. What you lose, what you keep, and what to do before March 8, 2026.
Know all your federal leave options. LWOP, FMLA, donated leave, military leave, paid parental leave, and more, plus how each affects FEHB, FERS, and TSP.
Who qualifies for the FERS supplement, how much you get, and who is excluded. Calculation formula, examples, earnings test, and the 29 vs. 30 year cliff.
The TSP G Fund has never lost money on paper. But after inflation, G Fund holders lost purchasing power in 4 of the last 15 years. Here's what the data shows.
TSP mails 1099-R forms in mid-January 2026. Here's when to expect yours, how to access it online, and what to do if it's late or wrong.
Complete guide to federal employee headshots for PIV cards, LinkedIn, and official portraits. Learn requirements, costs, and how AI headshots work.
Learn how to update your LinkedIn profile after a federal layoff or RIF. Get tips on headlines, summaries, ICTAP eligibility, and professional headshots.
MSPB ruled CISA violated due process by firing an employee one day after his probation ended. Learn your rights and what to do if this happened to you.
TSP's I Fund hit 32.45% in 2025, its highest ever. See all fund returns and what's changing for federal employees in 2026.
The 2026 GS pay cap is $197,200. Learn which grades hit the ceiling, how it affects your FERS pension, and what happens to money you lose at the cap.
Federal step increases take 18 years from Step 1 to Step 10. Learn waiting periods, QSI rules, and how much each step is worth in 2026. Free calculator.
2026 federal locality pay rates for all 58 areas. San Francisco pays $24K more than Rest of US. See how locality affects your salary and FERS pension.
WEP and GPO repealed in 2025. How the Social Security Fairness Act affects FERS vs CSRS employees and 5 optimization strategies.
Learn how the 72(t) rule lets federal employees access TSP before age 55 without the 10% penalty. Covers SEPP methods, 5-year rule, and mistakes to avoid.
194,722 federal employees are now TSP millionaires. Learn the strategies, contribution math, and mistakes to avoid on your path to $1M in retirement savings.
Deferred retirement loses FEHB forever. Postponed retirement keeps it. Learn the key differences and how to protect your federal benefits.
The 2026 FERS Supplement earnings limit is $24,480. Learn what income counts, how reductions work, and strategies to keep your full benefit.
317,000+ federal employees left in 2025. What's coming in 2026? RIF moratorium expires Jan 30, 1% pay raise, forced ratings. Here's how to prepare.
Federal retiree tax guide: FERS pension (95% taxable), new $6,000 senior deduction, IRMAA brackets, Roth conversion strategies. Save thousands with these moves.
Complete guide to TSP withdrawals: realistic timelines (5-7 weeks), Rule of 55, spousal consent, RMDs, and the mistakes that cost federal retirees money.
90% of feds are back in office. Learn the 2026 telework rules, locality pay impacts, and your options if facing return-to-office mandates.
Compare FEGLI Option B costs vs private term life insurance. See exactly when to keep FEGLI, when to switch, and how to avoid the costly FEGLI trap.
Going through a FERS divorce? Learn how your pension and TSP are divided, why QDROs don't work, and what the 2025 ruling means for your benefits.
When your TSP 1099-R arrives, how to report Traditional vs Roth withdrawals, and what the new Roth in-plan conversion rules mean for your 2026 taxes.
TSP annuity options explained. MetLife is the TSP annuity provider. Compare single life, joint life, and increasing payment options vs lump sum withdrawals.
The TSP I Fund returned 32% in 2025. Should you shift your allocation? Learn the data-driven approach to I Fund investing for federal employees.
Find the optimal federal retirement dates in 2026. Complete pay period calendar, leave payout strategies, and pension timing tips for FERS employees.
FEHB premiums increased 12.3% average for 2026. See which plans increased, decreased, and what federal employees need to know about their health coverage.
Your unused sick leave adds real dollars to your FERS pension. Learn the conversion formula, calculate your value, and avoid costly mistakes before you retire.
The January 2026 shutdown is over and back pay is confirmed. Here's what happened, what it means for your pay and benefits, and how to prepare for the next one.
Starting 2026, federal employees 50+ earning over $150K must make TSP catch-up contributions to Roth. Learn who's affected and what it means for your taxes.
TSP Roth in-plan conversions launch January 28, 2026. Learn eligibility, tax implications, the five-year rule, and how to convert. Free guide for feds.
The 2026 TSP limit is $24,500. Ages 60-63 can now contribute $35,750 thanks to SECURE 2.0. Here's what changed and how to maximize your contributions.
The 2026 federal pay raise is just 1% with no locality increase, the smallest since 2021. See how it affects your paycheck and calculate your new salary.
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