Resources for every
federal career moment.
Guides, templates, and agency-specific insight covering benefits, pay, promotions, relocations, and the life events of a federal career.
2026 Guides
7 comprehensive guidesComprehensive, up-to-date guides for the new year — written and revised for 2026.
- Federal RIF Survival Guide 2026Everything you need to know about Reduction in Force: your rights, retention factors, bump and retreat, MSPB appeals, severance pay, and a preparation checklist.Urgent
- Complete Guide to GS Pay in 20262026 GS pay tables, locality areas, step increases explained, the Executive Level IV cap, and how to calculate your federal salary.Updated Jan 2026
- FERS Retirement Planning GuideThe complete FERS guide: eligibility requirements, the MRA chart, pension formula, High-3 calculation, survivor benefits, and early-retirement options.Comprehensive
- FEHB Guide 2026Federal health benefits explained: plan types (HMO, PPO, HDHP), 2026 premiums, retirement considerations, and Open Season tips.2026 Rates
- TSP Guide 2026The Thrift Savings Plan, complete: 2026 contribution limits ($24,500+), fund options, agency matching, Roth vs Traditional, and withdrawal strategies.New Limits
- Federal Severance Pay GuideA complete guide to federal severance pay: eligibility, the calculation formula, age adjustment, the 52-week cap, tax withholding, and benefit impacts.RIF Related
- High-3 Salary GuideWhat the High-3 average salary is, what counts as basic pay, how to calculate your highest 36 consecutive months, common OPM errors, and how to verify before retiring.Pension Foundation
Featured Resources
Editor's picksIn-depth guides covering benefits, pay, and the big career decisions.
FERS vs CSRS Compared
Side-by-side on pension formulas, COLAs, TSP matching, and survivor benefits across the two federal retirement systems — and which one favors your situation.
Read more Service CreditMilitary Buyback Guide
What it costs to buy back military time for FERS credit — the deposit, the interest, the step-by-step process, and whether the buyback pays off.
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Reference & toolsData tables and printable worksheets to take with you.
FERS & CSRS COLA History
Every federal cost-of-living adjustment from 1999 to 2026, side by side — with the rule behind each annual increase.
Read more WorksheetsFree Downloads
Printable checklists and worksheets — RIF prep, TSP separation, retirement readiness, and the VERA/VSIP decision.
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