Author: Ralph R. Smith

Ralph Smith has several decades of experience working with federal human resources issues. He has written extensively on a full range of human resources topics in books and newsletters and is a co-founder of two companies and several newsletters on federal human resources. Follow Ralph on Twitter: @RalphSmith47

Will There Be a Christmas Eve Holiday for Federal Employees in 2024?

By Ralph R. SmithNov 27, 2024 8:30 AM | Updated: Dec 19, 2024 4:45 PM Current Events Leave a comment

Words 'Merry Christmas' overlaying an illustration of a winter scene of snow and trees, one of which is a Christmas tree in the foreground with lights and gifts around it

Will there be a Christmas Eve holiday for Federal employees in 2024? The odds are not high but it has happened before.

Number of TSP Millionaires Soaring With Bull Market in Stocks

By Ralph R. SmithNov 26, 2024 11:49 AM | Updated: Nov 27, 2024 6:42 PM Federal Employee Pay News Leave a comment

Silver 3D dollar signs on a solid blue background

Most federal employees probably think they will become wealthier in the private sector. Perhaps, but an increasing number of federal employees are now millionaires.

TSP News: Roth Conversions and I Fund Changes: One TSP Fund Up 25.5%

By Ralph R. SmithNov 21, 2024 1:06 PM Federal Employee Retirement Leave a comment

tablet on a desk with financial graphs on the screen; a coffee cup, glasses and paperwork are pictured in front of it

An in-plan Roth conversion option is coming to the TSP. Also, one TSP Fund up more than 25% in 2024.

COLA Calculations, Inflation and Stock Market Records

By Ralph R. SmithNov 13, 2024 9:18 AM Federal Employee Retirement, Federal Employee Pay News Leave a comment

Shopping cart on the left side of a balance beam that is lower than a piggy bank on the other side

America had an election and inflation was a factor for voters. The stock market is booming. Here are the latest inflation figures and how the COLA compares to pay raises over time.

Federal Workforce Changes Likely In Second Trump Administration

By Ralph R. SmithNov 12, 2024 8:15 AM | Updated: Dec 5, 2024 11:36 AM Current Events Leave a comment

Words 'Trump Effect' in red surround by many individual black question marks on square notecards

A second term for President Trump will likely result in reimposing changes he made in his first term. Here is a summary of the most important changes likely to emerge.

One TSP Fund Up About 21% in 2024 But TSP Returns Drop in October

By Ralph R. SmithNov 1, 2024 9:35 AM Federal Employee Pay News Leave a comment

Silhouettes of a bull and a bear superimposed over stock charts depicting uncertainty of a bull or bear stock market returns

TSP returns for all Funds were down except for the G Fund due largely to a decline on the last trading day. TSP performance so far in 2024 is excellent.

Federal Employees and Political Donations in 2024 Election Cycle

By Ralph R. SmithOct 25, 2024 9:05 AM Current Events Leave a comment

Spread of cash over two cards, one red that reads 'Republicans', the other blue and reads 'Democrats'; both are on top of a US flag

The federal government is a large organization, presumably with an apolitical workforce to serve the public interest. Which political party do federal employees support with their political donations?

TSP Matching Hits New High and Warning Signs as Bull Market Continues

By Ralph R. SmithOct 22, 2024 11:31 AM Federal Employee Pay News Leave a comment

Illustration of a bear and a bull overlaid on a stock market graph

The percentage of TSP investors getting the full government match continues to go up and high returns this year fuels TSP investor optimism.

Presidential Survey: Do Readers Prefer Harris or Trump as Next President?

By Ralph R. SmithOct 15, 2024 8:30 AM | Updated: Oct 28, 2024 8:54 AM Current Events Leave a comment

Circle with the word 'election' in the middle against a USA flag background

Harris or Trump? Presidential surveys of potential 2024 voters consistently show a tight election. Here are the preferences of FedSmith readers from our recent survey.

2025 COLA Finalized: How Much Is It and Who Will Receive It?

By Ralph R. SmithOct 10, 2024 9:46 AM Federal Employee Retirement Leave a comment

Close up of a person performing calculations on a calculator and writing notes on a notepad with a small grocery shopping cart on the desk in the foreground

The 2025 COLA has been released. Here is the pay increase federal retirees can expect starting in January 2025.

Fund	Last	%	YTD
G Fund	$19.0601	+0.01%	+1.63%
F Fund	$19.8158	-0.07%	+1.73%
C Fund	$93.4221	+0.73%	+0.53%
S Fund	$88.3467	+0.90%	-2.00%
I Fund	$46.8548	+0.26%	+11.84%
L Income	$27.4079	+0.16%	+2.49%
L 2025	$14.1046	+0.17%	+2.49%
L 2030	$52.1391	+0.36%	+3.36%
L 2035	$15.7351	+0.39%	+3.49%
L 2040	$59.8692	+0.42%	+3.61%
L 2045	$16.4569	+0.45%	+3.71%
L 2050	$36.2236	+0.48%	+3.80%
L 2055	$18.2999	+0.58%	+4.08%
L 2060	$18.2976	+0.58%	+4.08%
L 2065	$18.2951	+0.58%	+4.08%
L 2070	$10.8429	+0.58%	+4.09%
Get detailed TSP data at TSPDataCenter.com

Ralph R. Smith

Author: Ralph R. Smith

Contact Ralph R. Smith