Going in the Wrong Direction
Americans face a growing risk that they will outlive their savings during retirement. The author says that the proposals to address this risk are wrong.
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.
Social Security and CSRS Earnings
In calculating the 35 highest earnings years for WEP and Social Security, indexed for inflation, does that include the earnings that a CSRS retiree earned while employed in their federal positions?
Military Personnel on Terminal Leave From the Military May Double Dip
The general rule is one cannot draw two salaries from the federal government, but there is a special exception for military personnel who are getting off active duty.
Drawbacks to Marco Rubio’s Social Security Proposals
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) outlined a number of reforms for Social Security in a speech this week. The author says that while well intentioned, Rubio’s proposals would actually make Social Security less solvent.
Bill Would Exempt Federal LEOs and Firefighters from Retirement Tax Penalty
Legislation introduced in the House this week would allow federal law enforcement officers (LEOs) and firefighters to withdraw funds from their Thrift Savings Plan accounts when they are eligible to retire without tax penalty.
Planning for Short Term Cash Flow After Retirement
Most federal employees know they should look at their long-term financial plan when considering retirement. Once the long-term plan is set, the next thing to account for is short-term cash flow right after retirement. In order to do that, it is important to understand the various sources of income that will be involved in the first year. Here is an overview of some of the key potential income sources you will have in retirement.
Rubio Proposes Opening TSP to Private Sector Workers
In a speech at the National Press Club today, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) offered several retirement reform proposals, one of which was opening the Thrift Savings Plan up to private sector workers.
What is the Special Retirement Supplement and Why Is it Important?
The Special Retirement Supplement (SRS) is not paid by the Social Security Administration. It is paid by the Office of Personnel Management. This article provides a simplified example of how the SRS is calculated.
Did Lyndon Johnson Steal From the Social Security Trust Fund?
The author says that a pervasive online myth is that Lyndon Johnson stole money from the Social Security trust fund in order to pay for the Vietnam war.
Average TSP Balances and How Investors Prepared for April Market Returns
What was the average TSP balance in March 2014 compared to one year earlier? How did federal employees handle their money in March preparing for the stock market returns in April? Here are some new data from the TSP.
