2011 COLA Update
If you are a retired federal employee, you may be wondering about a cost of living increase in your check in 2011. For those readers who have sent in this question, here is an answer you may not want to hear.
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.
What Goes into Your “High-Three” Salary Calculation?
Your retirement annuity, whether you are CSRS or FERS, is determined by your length of service and your high-three salary. Your annuity is calculated by multiplying your high-three salary by a percentage factor that is derived from your length of service.
What are “Deemed” Salaries, in the FERS Annuity Supplement?
In calculating a FERS annuity supplement, you will find some years in which a retiree was not in pay status for the entire year. When this happens, the retiree’s salary for the entire year must, by law, be “deemed,” or legally fabricated. How is this done? Here is an explanation.
Medicare and Federal Employee Health Insurance
Discussion of “risk pools” and “call letters” from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) doesn’t sound very exciting. And, in most years, the issuing of an OPM call letter doesn’t generate much press publicity in the federal community. This year may be different though.
Women and Money
A lot of married women leave financial matters to their husbands to handle. Some single women leave their retirement up to fate. If you don’t know how to manage money now, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn. Here are some mistakes to avoid.
How Is Your Annuity Calculated?
Your annuity is what is known as a “defined benefit” annuity. This means it is based, essentially, on just two numbers: length of creditable service, and high-three average salary. Here is how that is calculated.
Should You Convert to a Roth IRA?
In 2010, there is no income limitation that affects your ability to convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. This doesn’t mean that you should rush right out and do a conversion. Here are some important factors to consider in order to determine whether a conversion makes sense for you.
Are You Prepared for Estate Tax Changes?
This year, being 2010, there is no federal estate tax, regardless of the size of your estate. But what happens in 2011?
Your Unused FERS Sick Leave: How Much is it Worth At Retirement?
Until late last year, FERS employees in the twilight of their careers were faced with a dilemma: What should I do about my sick leave? This has recently changed and FERS employees now receive credit for their sick leave. How does this work in practice?
Demographic Destiny? How Your TSP May Fare in 2010 and Beyond
How will your TSP investments perform in 2010 and beyond? There are several factors working against high stock returns that will work against investors who remember the consistent high TSP returns from 1982 – 2000. Our near term stock returns may look more like the 1970’s.
