Bump and Retreat Explained: Protecting Grade During a RIF
When agencies reorganize or cut positions, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reduction in force (RIF) rules determine who stays and who moves. These rules can feel complex, but they…
Proposed Shutdown Relief: Credit Protection and Cash Options
New proposals in Congress aim to limit credit damage and ease access to cash for federal employees and contractors affected by government shutdowns. These federal shutdown financial relief bills seek…
Court Halts Federal Layoffs: What Feds Should Do Next
A federal judge temporarily blocked most agency RIF layoffs, pausing thousands of pending separations while the case proceeds. For now, that means time — time to confirm your status, gather…
Weathering Market Swings: Smart TSP Moves During Volatility
Market volatility has been making headlines lately and creating anxiety among some of the Feds who have noticed sharp swings in their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) balances. While this uncertainty…
OBBBA Update: What Feds Retiring Before 62 Need to Watch
Congress debated eliminating the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Supplement — but the final law preserved it. However, the threat exposed real risk. For many, this supplement is the bridge…
OPM’s Digital Makeover for Retirements: What’s Changing in 2026
For the first time, federal employees can complete their retirement applications fully online. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) officially launched its digital retirement application well ahead of schedule, modernizing…
Should You Work to 62? FERS Supplement vs. 10% Pension Bump
Federal employees weighing retirement in 2025 face a tough decision. Do you leave at your minimum retirement age (MRA) and take the FERS Supplement until 62, or do you push…
OPM’s Retirement Backlog 2025: Timing Tips for Federal Workers
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently announced a surge in retirement applications this year. Over 70,000 Feds have already filed to retire in 2025, with large spikes in May,…
401(k) on the Rise: What Possible Tax Law Extensions Could Mean for the TSP
The debate over extending Trump-era tax provisions has picked up steam, and retirement savings sit right in the middle of it. While the headlines usually focus on 401(k) plans, federal…
Student Loan Forgiveness 2.0 for Federal Workers
Federal workers with student loans are facing a new set of rules, timelines, and tradeoffs. A recent law allows student loan payments to trigger retirement contributions, and a new repayment…