Age-Appropriate Default Option for the TSP Starts This Weekend
Starting September 5th, the Thrift Savings Plan will be providing new federal employees with a different default fund for automatic enrollment in their retirement savings plans.
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.
A Fairer and More Economical Way to Calculate Social Security COLAs
The author proposes an alternate way of calculating the cost of living allowances for Social Security based on the process of computing cost of living adjustments for federal retirees that he says would result in tremendous long term savings.
FedSmith.com Users Strongly Oppose Adding Mutual Funds to TSP
The majority of FedSmith.com users said in a recent survey that they are opposed to adding a mutual fund window to the Thrift Savings Plan.
TSP Stock Funds Dive in August
All of the stock funds for the Thrift Savings Plan were down significantly in August. Here are the results for the month and for the year for all of the TSP funds.
Can I Apply for Half of My Husband’s Social Security While Waiting to Withdraw Mine?
I am planning to retire at age 63 and waiting to withdraw my Social Security until I reach age 66. While my husband is still working, can he withdraw his Social Security at age 64? Can I apply for half of his Social Security while I am waiting to withdraw my Social Security?
Medicare Part B Premiums Are Scheduled to Rise 52% in January
Starting in January, most retirees under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), who also are enrolled in Medicare Part B, could see a 52% jump in their monthly Medicare premiums.
Fending Off Fraud
How susceptible are you to fraudulent scams and con artists who target your life savings? Learn common scams to be aware of and how to protect yourself from the stories of these other people who found their retirement savings at risk from fraudsters.
Federal Retirement Facts and Myths: Do You Know the Difference?
The author says there are a lot of myths and misconceptions regarding the federal retirement system and benefits for federal workers. He provides an example he recently saw firsthand when providing financial advice to a couple of long time federal employees.
What Happens to My Retirement Contributions if I Die Soon After I Retire?
If I were to pass away after only being retired a couple of years, I will have only had taxes excluded on a portion of my pension. If my wife and I elected no survivor annuity, does she get the remainder without paying additional taxes on it, since it has already been taxed?
COLA Increase in 2016 Appears Less Likely
It is increasingly less likely that there will be a COLA increase for retirees in 2016 based on the inflation figures for July.
