Federal Workforce News
Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits
Would you like to get a 32% higher Social Security benefit? How about being able to collect ½ of your spouse's Social Security benefit while you are still…
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.
Federal Workforce News
The Growing (and Retirement Eligible) Federal Workforce
A new report from the Government Accountability Office warns of a wave of new retirements, saying that as much as one third of federal employees will be able…
Retirement
When You Leave Federal Service, Should You Leave Money in Your TSP?
When you leave federal service and have a Thrift Savings Plan account, should you withdraw your money or leave it in the TSP? Here are several considerations before…
Retirement
Understanding and Getting the Most Out of FERS
This is a basic guide to help federal employees understand some of the key points of the FERS system.
Retirement
Preventive Planning to Avoid a Potential Healthcare Crisis
One thing that is not included in the FEHB plans is long term care insurance. The author offers considerations when exploring available options for covering a long term…
Federal Workforce News
I Got Offered an Early Out! Now What?
You finally got your wish and are being offered a financial incentive to retire early! Before you take it and run, you should logically think it through to…
Federal Workforce News
OPM Anticipating Surge of New Retirement Applications in January
The Office of Personnel Management ended 2013 with an outstanding backlog of 12,637 retirement applications. Although this figure is high, it is 52% lower than last December, but…
Federal Workforce News
The Best Day to Retire in 2014
The concept of a "best" day to retire is more often than not related to financial considerations, specifically maximizing your lump-sum annual leave payment. The author offers some…
Pay & Benefits
The Best of 2013
What were the most popular articles on FedSmith.com in 2013? The end of the pay freeze, vacation discounts for federal employees, and the government shutdown are some of…
Retirement
The Impact of Time on Social Security
The author says that the more time that goes by, the worse off financially the Social Security program becomes. He argues that politicians need to work on a…