Annuity Retirement Processing Time will get Worse
Many FedSmith readers have commented on the excessive time it takes OPM to process the paperwork for full annuity payments. It is likely to get worse instead of better. Here’s why.
FERS
Stay informed on the latest FERS retirement news, including updates on FERS annuity calculations, retirement eligibility rules, service credit, COLA adjustments, and federal retirement policies that affect current and future retirees. Find clear explanations of FERS benefits, survivor options, the FERS supplement, and key guidance to help federal employees understand how their retirement income is calculated and how policy changes may impact long‑term financial security.
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 the contrary.
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 cuts, some of which would directly affect federal employees if they were to be enacted.
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.
FERS After 25 Years
FERS is now the retirement plan for most federal employees. It is now 25 years old and the plan significantly changed the federal retirement system. Here are the changes it wrought and how the plan looks after having been in operation since 1987.
The High-Five Average Salary
There is a great deal of interest in the high-5 calculation for federal retirement. Is it really going to happen? When will it take effect? How will it work? Is there some way I can estimate “right now” how much difference it will make?
FERS, Pension Contributions and Returning to Federal Service
For most of the 25 years or so of the existence of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), if a FERS employee resigned and accepted a refund of his pension contributions, it was final and absolute. That is, if the employee returned to Federal service, and wanted to repay the refund, the answer was “no.” The time was lost forever. About two years ago, this changed.
The Earnings Test for Your FERS Annuity Supplement
The only thing 100% clear about the FERS annuity supplement is that it ends at age 62.
What’s Left of Your CSRS or FERS Pension?
If you’re close to retirement, you’ve probably calculated your FERS or CSRS Pension. But did you remember to consider these important reductions in your retirement planning?
Federal Disability Retirement under FERS or CSRS: The Applicant’s Statement of Disability
In preparing a Federal Disability Retirement application, a change in a medical diagnosis may require an amendment to the application. In such instances, should a change be implemented?
