Retirement Planning
More Medicare questions? Here’s what federal retirees need to know
Got questions about HSA contributions, TRICARE For Life or keeping FEHB or PSHB when you enroll in Medicare? Here are answers to help you navigate the details of your federal health benefits.
If you already have FEHB, should you sign up for Medicare B?
Pairing your federal health plan with Medicare can lower out-of-pocket costs, but monthly premiums and income-based surcharges add up. Here’s what to consider before deciding whether the extra coverage is worth the price.
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.
Don’t let 5% become your TSP retirement strategy
Getting the full agency match is a good baseline, but if retirement is around the corner there’s more to consider before deciding what to do with the rest of your paycheck.
Retiring in 2027? Picking the right date could pay off
The date you leave federal service can affect when your annuity begins and how much you receive for unused annual leave.
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.
What 9/11 can teach federal families about benefits
The federal workers’ compensation program can provide critical support after a work-related injury, illness or death, but families need to know what to document and which benefits to claim.
Reliable rules for your retirement recordkeeping
Pro-tip: Don’t let messy files stall your federal exit.
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.
Featured eBooks
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.
Why time, not timing, is the biggest retirement advantage for federal employees
A look at decades of market shifts and TSP data shows the biggest driver of retirement wealth isn't picking the right stock. It's starting early, contributing consistently and letting compounding do its work.
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.
Why Social Security's uncertainty is becoming a federal workforce issue
A bipartisan proposal would force Congress to confront Social Security's long-term finances, with significant implications for retirement planning under FERS.
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.
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.
