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Pay raises, retirement planning, and benefits — expert guidance for every stage of your federal career, sourced and updated for 2026.
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328 articles · page 13 of 14Retirement
VERA & VSIP Guide 2026: Take the Buyout?
VERA/VSIP buyouts in 2026: eligibility rules, benefits impact, DOD's $40K cap, TSP access before 55, and whether accepting makes financial sense for you.
Benefits
Best FEHB Plan 2026: How to Choose & Compare
Compare 2026 FEHB plans and find the best fit for your family. See premiums, coverage, dental/vision options, and HDHP vs traditional plans side by side.
TSP
TSP Mutual Fund Window 2026: Is It Worth the $132/Year?
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.
Policy Updates
2027 Federal Pay Raise: FAIR Act vs. Trump's 0% Budget Proposal
Trump's FY2027 budget proposes a 0% civilian raise while seeking 5-7% for military. The FAIR Act counters with 4.1%. Here's what both mean for your paycheck.
Retirement
FERS vs CSRS in 2026: Which Federal Retirement System Pays More?
Compare FERS vs CSRS retirement systems side by side. Pension formulas, COLAs, TSP matching, and dollar examples for 2026. Free calculator included.
Retirement
Military Buyback 2026: Add Years to Your FERS Pension
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.
Policy Updates
Schedule Policy/Career Is Now in Effect (March 2026)
Schedule Policy/Career took effect March 8, 2026, but no positions reclassified yet. Here's what you lose, what you keep, and what to do before the EO drops.
Pay & Compensation
Federal Leave Options Beyond Sick and Annual: Complete 2026 Guide
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.
Benefits
FERS Supplement Eligibility: Complete 2026 Guide
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.
TSP
TSP G Fund 2026: Is Your 'Safe' Money Actually Losing Value?
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
TSP 1099-R Mailing Schedule 2026: When Forms Arrive
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.
Career
Federal Employee Headshots: The Complete Guide for 2026
Complete guide to federal employee headshots for PIV cards, LinkedIn, and official portraits. Learn requirements, costs, and how AI headshots work.
Career
How to Update LinkedIn After a Federal Layoff (2026 Guide)
Learn how to update your LinkedIn profile after a federal layoff or RIF. Get tips on headlines, summaries, ICTAP eligibility, and professional headshots.
Policy Updates
MSPB Ruling: Feds Can't Be Fired After Probation Without Due Process
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
TSP 2025 Performance: I Fund's Historic 32% Return
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.
Pay & Compensation
The $197K Ceiling: When Your GS Pay Gets Capped 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.
Pay & Compensation
Federal Step Increases: The 18-Year GS Timeline Explained
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.
Pay & Compensation
Locality Pay Strategy: Which Areas Pay Federal Employees Most
2026 federal locality pay rates. San Francisco pays $24K more than Rest of US. See how locality affects your salary and FERS pension.
Retirement
Social Security Fairness Act: Are You Missing $7,300 a Year?
WEP and GPO repealed: federal retirees gaining $350-$1,000/month. Check if you're affected, the tax trap, and how to verify your payment.
TSP
TSP 72(t) Rule: Access Your TSP Before 55 Without Penalty
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.
TSP
How to Become a TSP Millionaire: What 200,000 Feds Did Right
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.
Retirement
Deferred vs Postponed FERS Retirement: $300,000 Difference
Deferred retirement loses FEHB forever. Postponed retirement keeps it. Learn the key differences and how to protect your federal benefits.
Retirement
FERS Supplement Earnings Limit 2026: Rules for Working in Retirement
The 2026 FERS Supplement earnings limit is $24,480. Learn what income counts, how reductions work, and strategies to keep your full benefit.
Policy Updates
2026 Federal Workforce Outlook: RIFs, Pay, and What's Next
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.
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What we cover
The topics that matter most to federal employees.Policy Updates
Pay raises, OPM guidance, RIFs, and the legislation that reshapes federal employment.
Retirement Planning
FERS guides, High-3 strategy, the supplement, survivor benefits, and real retirement case studies.
TSP Strategies
Data-backed allocation, contribution timing, and withdrawal news for every investing style.
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