With the most significant FERS cost of living adjustment (COLA) in over a decade (4.9%) for FERS retirees and only a 2.7% pay raise for active federal employees set for January 2022, many feds are wondering why the large difference? This is a legitimate question, especially considering the recent jump in inflation. And the reasonContinue reading “Federal Pay Raises Vs. FERS COLAs”
Category Archives: Federal Benefits
What Federal Employees Should Do 1 Year Before Retirement
Although, as a federal employee, you should begin planning for retirement years before you hand in your application, the year before retirement is critical to set yourself up for the transition. This period is essential since you’ll have limited time to review your finances and make decisions that will affect the rest of your life.Continue reading “What Federal Employees Should Do 1 Year Before Retirement”
Quickstart Guide To Medicare For Federal Employees
As healthcare costs continue to rise, it’s no surprise that federal employees nearing retirement have many questions surrounding Medicare. And while most are familiar with their Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB), many are not familiar with Medicare even though they’ll likely be eligible for the program at age 65. Hence, the topic of Medicare benefitsContinue reading “Quickstart Guide To Medicare For Federal Employees”
How Will Your Federal Retirement Benefits Be Taxed?
Many federal employees don’t realize the impact that taxes will have on their retirement income. But the truth is that if not factored into your retirement planning, taxes can destroy your financial plan. Even if retirement is many years away, understanding how your federal retirement income will be taxed will help you be proactive withContinue reading “How Will Your Federal Retirement Benefits Be Taxed?”
How Is Your FERS High-3 Calculated?
Most federal employees have heard the term “High-3,” and many understand that their pension will be a percentage of this amount. But few know how to compute their High-3 or what pay is actually included in it. However, since your High-3 is required to calculate your pension, it’s critical to understand in order to estimateContinue reading “How Is Your FERS High-3 Calculated?”
Can You Convert Your Traditional TSP To The Roth?
As a federal employee, there are some major advantages to contributing to the TSP, such as having the choice of making pre-tax (Traditional TSP) or/and post-tax contributions (Roth TSP). Being able to select how you want your contributions treated for income tax purposes is a powerful tax planning tool, but what if you decide toContinue reading “Can You Convert Your Traditional TSP To The Roth?”
How Do The FERS COLAs Work?
As a federal employee, one of your greatest benefits is your FERS pension, and one of the greatest aspects of your pension is the cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) applied while you’re in retirement. The reason these COLAs are such a powerful part of your pension is that they will help you maintain your standard of livingContinue reading “How Do The FERS COLAs Work?”
Can Federal LEOs Elect the Postponed Or Deferred Retirement?
Although we have covered the enhanced retirement benefits for LEOs and the FERS early retirement options (Postponed and Deferred), we haven’t reviewed whether LEOs can retire under one of these early retirement options. And while many LEOs will retire under the Immediate retirement, there will undoubtedly be those who separate before full eligibility for oneContinue reading “Can Federal LEOs Elect the Postponed Or Deferred Retirement?”
FERS Early Retirement Options: Postponed Vs. Deferred
Although retiring after 20 or 30 years of uninterrupted service is usually uncomplicated, for federal employees who want to retire early, there is often confusion between two options: the postponed and deferred retirements. And while both involve separating from service early and receiving the FERS pension later, there are significant differences between the two thatContinue reading “FERS Early Retirement Options: Postponed Vs. Deferred”
8 Things Federal Employees Should Do 5 Years Before Retirement
Retirement is a significant milestone, representing the culmination of years of hard work and the prospect of a well-deserved break. Retirement planning takes on even greater importance as a federal employee due to the unique benefits and complexities associated with your employment. While Feds enjoy a range of retirement benefits and opportunities, knowing when toContinue reading “8 Things Federal Employees Should Do 5 Years Before Retirement”