Returning to 1933? How Are Your TSP Funds Performing in 2016?
The stock market made its biggest quarterly comeback since 1933 according to one recent headline. How did your TSP stock funds do in March?
Retirement
Stay informed with the latest federal employee retirement news, including updates on FERS and CSRS, retirement eligibility rules, OPM retirement processing, and TSP performance as it relates to long‑term retirement planning. This category covers annual COLA updates, TSP news, survivor benefits, military service credit, retirement application guidance, and major OPM policy changes or federal legislation that could affect federal retirement benefits. Find clear, timely information to help current and former federal employees navigate retirement planning, benefit calculations, and post‑retirement considerations.
What Are Your Retirement Dreams?
Actuaries tell us that a 55 year old can expect to live another 30 years. How will you spend those days after you leave the workforce? The author provides some suggestions on how to find your retirement dreams and make them a reality.
Is a Change to a ‘High-Five’ Calculation Likely to Happen?
I’ve heard rumors that Congress will be changing how our retirement is computed by mandating a “high-five” calculation, rather than a high-three. Is this likely to happen and, if it does, what will it do to our pensions?
Disability: Total or Occupational?
There is a difference between total and occupational disability for federal employees as they apply to work requirements benefits.
IRS Reminds Retirees of April 1 Deadline to Begin Required Retirement Plan Distributions
The Internal Revenue Service said in a statement Monday that taxpayers who turned 70½ during 2015 must start receiving required minimum distributions (RMDs) in most cases from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and workplace retirement plans by Friday, April 1, 2016.
What Should Your Surviving Spouse Do About Your Work-Related Benefits When You Die?
If you are the spouse of a federal employee who has passed away, what do you need to do with regards to the benefits? And if you are a federal employee, what should you do to make sure your spouse is prepared if you die? This is a list of steps to take should this unfortunate event take place.
House Budget Committee Proposes Increasing Pension Contributions, Cutting G Fund Interest Rate
The House Budget Committee released its budget proposal for 2017 last week, but details at the time were lacking about what it might mean for federal workers. However, a new report from the Committee gives federal employees a glimpse into what the House budget would mean for them.
Can I Opt Out of FERS?
Can I opt out or not contribute to the FERS-FRAE annuity system?
House Budget Committee Releases 2017 Budget Proposal
The House Budget Committee has released its FY 2017 budget proposal. Unlike past budgets, this one lacks some of the direct targeting of federal employees through proposed cuts, but it still includes some proposals that are applicable to federal workers. Here is a summary of these proposals.
Recent Budget Proposal Omitted Cut to Federal Workers’ Compensation Benefits
The big news for federal employees in the President’s recently released budget proposal was that it called for a 1.6% pay raise for the federal workforce, however, the author notes that there is a lesser known albeit important part of the budget that also affects federal workers.
