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?
Social Security
Stay informed on Social Security updates that affect federal employees and retirees, especially those covered under FERS. Explore news and analysis on Social Security COLAs, benefit calculations, earnings limits, claiming strategies, and policy changes that influence retirement income. Find clear explanations of how Social Security integrates with FERS benefits, the FERS supplement, and long‑term financial planning. Keep up with legislative developments, inflation trends, and key rules that shape Social Security benefits for federal retirees.
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.
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.
Can I Do the Restrictive Spousal Benefit?
Can you do the restrictive spousal benefit if you wait until full Social Security retirement age?
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.
Social Security Benefit for Resident Alien
My wife is German, but is a resident alien of the US. Will she be entitled to a Social Security benefit even though she has not worked in the US?
The Trust Fund Money Has Already Been Spent
The money in the Social Security trust fund is gone. The author offers some details about why this is the case and says that Social Security can still be a good program if the money were to be replaced.
How Much is the Maximum Annuity Supplement?
The procedure for calculating the supplement is clearly spelled out in Chapter 51 of the CSRS & FERS Handbook, but it is a difficult process. The author offers a more concise explanation.
Social Security: The 3rd Rail of Politics
The author says that the House budget proposal released recently isn’t about the math of Social Security, but rather just about the politics of the debate over what to do with the program.
