Retirement Benefits
Federal retirees face more than a COLA change in 2027
From Medicare premiums and Social Security earnings limits to a federal pay freeze, several changes could affect retirees’ finances and the benefits available to them next year.
Cost-of-living adjustments for federal retirees to increase next year
Former federal workers are set to receive between 2.6% and 3.6% more from their retirement annuity next year, according to new numbers from the Social Security Administration.
TSP funds were back in the negative in September
The performance of portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program largely mirrored market-wide declines.
Your federal benefits changed this year. Here’s what to know
A guide to the retirement, insurance, Social Security and TSP changes affecting federal employees, retirees and survivors in 2026, plus what to watch for in 2027.
Navigating the Pay.gov maze for federal retirement deposits
Don't let missing service credits or opaque OPM billing notices shrink your monthly annuity. Here is what you need to know before clicking submit.
Reliable rules for your retirement recordkeeping
Pro-tip: Don’t let messy files stall your federal exit.
TSP funds were back in the black in August
After two months of stock market slowdowns, the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program saw each of its offerings increase in value again.
Want to retire at the end of 2026? Start planning now
OPM is still working through a sizable retirement backlog, and year-end retirees have plenty to sort out before they leave federal service.
Life happened. Now what about your retirement benefits?
From reemployment to remarriage, life after federal service can bring changes that affect your annuity, insurance and survivor benefits.
Before you take money out of your TSP, weigh these trade-offs
A withdrawal can affect everything from your tax bill and Medicare premiums to how long your savings last and what your heirs receive.
Former feds have a new way to find their personnel files
OPM’s new online service helps separated employees access records they may need years after leaving government.
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TSP investments continued to tumble in July
Nearly all of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program lost value last month.
Why your retirement experience may depend more on the agency than the benefit
Federal retirees interact with OPM, the Thrift Savings Plan and Social Security at different stages of retirement. Their latest performance data reveals starkly different customer service experiences and highlights where delays remain most likely.
OPM moves to implement long-awaited retirement fix for federal first responders
The First Responders Fair RETIRE Act, which ensures federal workers can stay on accelerated mandatory retirement schedules even if they transfer to another due to injury, was signed into law in 2022.
No more paper: Navigating OPM’s new digital retirement process
As the Office of Personnel Management completes its transition away from paper, federal employees and retirees must adapt to a streamlined — but strictly digital — process for securing their benefits.
Some TSP funds faltered in June
Following two straight months of gains, the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program posted a more muted performance last month.
The Medicare question federal retirees can’t ignore anymore
New projections for Medicare Part B costs are sharpening a familiar but increasingly expensive decision for federal retirees: whether Medicare enhances FEHB coverage enough to justify the added premium, or simply shifts where the costs show up.
Why Social Security’s funding gap matters to federal retirement
Most federal employees under FERS rely on Social Security as part of retirement. The latest trustees report suggests the choices to preserve full benefits are getting tougher.
A record number of feds are retiring. Will that slow your claim?
New OPM data offers clues about processing times, potential delays and why retiring employees may need a larger financial cushion than expected.
TSP funds kept climbing in May
Each of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program gained value last month.
