From Target to Tactics: Making Your Retirement Number Real
Most retirement plans start with understanding your “number” — the amount you’ll need to save before you can stop working. Many Feds begin with a rough estimate, aiming to replace…
Delay or Don’t: Social Security Choices for Federal Workers
You've spent decades in federal service. Now you're 67, and Social Security is sitting there waiting. Do you file now or hold off? Filing at full retirement age gets you…
Individuals Have Until April 15,2026 to Recharacterize 2025 Roth IRA Contributions
Through the years, individuals have contributed to the different types of Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). These different types of IRAs include deductible and nondeductible traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. In…
FED-15 Explained (Podcast)
Federal Agency News
FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks
The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 138: TSP Annuities vs. Flexibility + Understanding Lifecycle Funds
Dan and Katelyn break down how a TSP life annuity works—including payout options, permanence, and who it may fit best—while comparing guaranteed income to alternatives like monthly TSP withdrawals and…
2026 Social Security Update: Plan Smarter, Avoid Surprises
The Social Security changes in 2026 aren't making big news, but they'll hit your retirement income. Federal employees need to think about how this fits with the Federal Employees Retirement…
Federal Agency News
FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks
FEDLIFE for Federal Employees
FEDZone: Latest Federal Employee Benefits & Retirement Updates
FedLife Podcast | Ep. 159: FSAFEDS HCFSA – Understanding Tax-Free Health Care Dollars in 2026
In this episode, Dan and Ed provide an overview of the Federal Flexible Spending Account (FSAFEDS) Health Care FSA (HCFSA) program for federal employees in 2026. They review enrollment rules,…
Understanding the “Five-Year Rule” with Respect to Roth TSP In-Plan Conversions
A recent STWS column, TSP Announces Start of Roth TSP In-Plan Conversions (https://stwserve.com/tsp-announces-start-of-roth-tsp-in-plan-conversions/) presents information regarding the start of Roth TSP in-plan conversions on January 28, 2026. This column discusses…
2026 FEHB Changes: Planning If Gender-Affirming Care Isn’t Covered
Now that we're into the 2026 plan year, you're likely noticing changes to your Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage. FEHB 2026 gender-affirming care coverage now includes exclusions for certain…
FED-15 Explained (Podcast)
Federal Agency News
FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks
The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 137: TSP Loans Explained + Understanding the Benefits Cliff
Dan and Jen break down how TSP loans work—including eligibility, loan types, benefits, hidden costs, and repayment risks—while also unpacking the latest benefits cliff projections for Social Security and Medicare,…
Understanding the Vitally Important IRS Form 5498
IRS Form 5498 (IRA Contribution Information) is vitally important for individuals who own any type of Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA). The Form 5498 is completed by every IRA custodian meaning…