The Best of 2015
What were the most popular articles on FedSmith.com in 2015?
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.
Tax Traps for Federal Employees to Avoid
The author outlines some retirement tax traps for federal employees that can be avoided with proper planning.
Can I Contribute to Both an IRA and the TSP?
A co-worker recently told me that I could contribute to both an IRA and the TSP. Is this true?
Modifying A Social Security Filing Strategy After The Recent Rule Changes
The Bipartisan Balanced Budget Act of 2015 made several important changes to Social Security. Several very popular filing strategies are being eliminated, and many people will need to modify their retirement income plans to account for the new restrictions. The author describes what you need to know for planning your retirement.
Funding Your Retirement Accounts in 2016
How much can you contribute to your IRA in 2016? Can you contribute to both your IRA and TSP accounts?
FERS & CSRS Disability Retirement: The Importance of Recognizing the Laws to be Applied
The author says that filing for Federal Disability Retirement benefits is not merely a matter of completing the forms. He says that knowledge of the laws surrounding the process matter and can significantly influence the outcome of any litigation.
The Myth of the Missing Social Security Trust Fund
The author says that one of the most enduring myths of the Social Security debate suggests that the money collected for the system was spent on other government programs. He provides an explanation of why he says this is not true.
Little Change to OPM’s Retirement Backlog in November
According to its latest retirement processing status report, the Office of Personnel Management made no headway on reducing the outstanding backlog of retirement applications.
Multiple Bills in Congress Pushing for a 3.9% COLA in 2016
Lawmakers in both the House and the Senate are pushing to give federal retirees a 3.9% cost of living adjustment next year.
What is the Best Way to Measure Inflation?
The Social Security Administration states that the goal of a cost-of-living adjustment is to ensure that the purchasing power of seniors is not eroded by inflation, but with no COLA planned for 2016, does that mean that seniors do not have to worry about inflation? As the author notes, it depends on how inflation is measured.
