Retirement
First COLA in Three Years for Federal Retirees
Inflation has been very low for the past two years and federal retirees and those receiving Social Security payments have not had an increase. That is likely to…
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.
Retirement
Proposed Legislation Aims to Help Preserve Investment Income
Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Representative Peter Roskam (R-IL) have proposed legislation to permanently cap the dividends and capital gains tax rate at the current 15% level.
Retirement
The Looting of Social Security: Pre-taxing the Baby Boomers
On April 20, 1983, one of the most significant developments in the history of Social Security legislation took place with great fanfare. It was the signing ceremony for…
Retirement
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Federal employees are often being asked to do more work without any more reward. A common lament is that the work keeps piling up as more employees leave,…
Retirement
It Pays to be a Dead Federal Retiree
The OPM Office of the Inspector General has issued a report showing that payments from the federal government's Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund to deceased annuitants has…
Retirement
CSRS Is Better Than FERS. Are You Sure?
The author walks the reader through some examples to illustrate that the CSRS retirement system may not be better than the FERS retirement system, despite popular belief to…
Retirement
The Social Security Crisis Was Made In Washington
The author says that there is nothing wrong with Social Security per se, but the money in the trust fund has been spent by politicians on both sides,…
Retirement
President’s Deficit Proposal to Target Federal Employee Pensions
The President has released a proposal outlining his ideas for ways to cut the growing federal deficit. The plan aims to make as much as $3 trillion in…
Federal Workforce News
FERS Vs. CSRS: When A Little Adds Up to a Lot
After "When Small Savings Add Up to a Lot of Money" appeared in Fedsmith, I was contacted by a couple of FERS employees who wondered what the results…
Retirement
When a Federal Employee May Want to Retire Just a Little Later
When are you planning to retire? There are situations where your timing in selecting a retirement date can make a difference in your retirement income.