Retirement Benefits
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.
What retiring feds should do before asking for help
Clear timelines, complete records and focused questions can make retirement problems easier to resolve, especially as agencies face mounting workloads.
What federal employees get wrong about divorce and retirement
Errors involving survivor benefits, health coverage and court orders can create financial problems years after a marriage ends.
More GLP-1 options are coming for federal retirees, but they come with a catch
A new Medicare program launching July 1 broadens access to drugs like Zepbound and Foundayo, but federal annuitants need to know how the $50 copay will affect their catastrophic limits.
Waiting to retire could be worth thousands of dollars
Before you rush out the door, consider how a few more years of service can permanently boost your FERS annuity and Social Security benefits.
Weighing the costs and trade-offs of suspending FEHB for Medicare Advantage
COMMENTARY | An analysis of two markets shows some commercial plans provide the lowest estimated yearly costs, but federal annuitants must consider the required trade-offs like prior authorization and provider access.
TSP funds returned to growth in April
Each of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program finished last month in the black.
They did everything right and still haven’t been paid
Months after retiring, some federal workers are stuck in a bureaucratic maze with no checks, no answers and no clear end in sight.
When retirement calculations don’t move on the same timeline
Retroactive pay changes and delayed annuity adjustments underscore how federal retirement processing often depends on timing, coordination, and most importantly, patience.
House Dems: OPM ‘omitted’ employee departures from retirement backlog investigation
In responding to a December 2025 congressional inquiry, the Office of Personnel Management noted the separation of around 35 customer service representatives last year, but failed to mention more than 100 departures from its Retirement Services division.
Featured eBooks
Traveling soon? What federal health plans actually cover
Peak travel season is here, but most federal workers don't know what happens if they need care abroad. From upfront costs to medical evacuations, here is what your FEHB plan does and doesn't cover when you are out of the country.
Most TSP funds tumbled in March
The federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program was not immune to the economic headwinds brought on by President Trump’s war with Iran.
The Social Security clock is ticking faster than expected
The Social Security problem isn’t new, but the timeline just got shorter, and the fixes are still the same.
How federal retirement benefits have changed over the years
From FERS to TSP to recent legislation, decades of policy shifts have reshaped how federal employees earn, save for and receive retirement benefits.
Women in federal service still face retirement gaps
Lifetime earnings, career interruptions and caregiving responsibilities continue to shape retirement outcomes for women in federal service.
The No. 1 thing to know entering retirement: How much are you really spending?
Many new retirees may overestimate how far their savings will go towards their budget. Having an idea of your cost of living can make them go further.
A year after the Social Security Fairness Act, some retirees are still waiting for full benefits
The repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset should have restored benefits for everyone. For some retirees, the checks are still coming late or not at all.
Updated
House Dems want to know why retirees aren’t getting physical tax documents from OPM
Nine House members inquired about reports that constituents have not received physical copies of their 1099-R forms and have had difficulty contacting the federal HR agency to request them.
Most TSP funds were flat in February
Only the Thrift Savings Plan’s international fund saw growth in excess of 2% last month.
