Medicare Part B and FEHB: Do You Need Both?
Turning 65 creates a Medicare decision for many Feds. Some retirees assume they should sign up for Part B as soon as Medicare becomes available. That may make sense for…
TSP Beneficiary Mistakes That Override Your Will
Many Feds assume a will gives the final answer on who receives their assets after death. For a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account, the beneficiary form usually carries more weight.
When FEGLI Stops Making Financial Sense
The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) helps protect Feds and their families in the event of a worst-case scenario.
IRMAA In Retirement: The Medicare Cost Surprise
Medicare can seem straightforward until income comes into play. The Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) is the extra amount some higher-income Medicare enrollees pay for Medicare Part B and Part…
The FEHB Rule Many Federal Employees Misunderstand
Many federal employees assume their Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage will automatically continue into retirement. That assumption can lead Feds in the wrong direction.
Student Aid Index: How Federal Income Affects Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) now uses the Student Aid Index (SAI), replacing the long-standing Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The goal remains the same — measure a…
Why Federal Employees Are Suddenly Talking About a 2027 Pay Freeze
Federal employees rarely react to early budget signals. This year feels different. The White House budget blueprint did not include a civilian raise. House appropriators also left out a federal…
Super Catch-Ups at 60–63: The Retirement Boost Many Feds Miss
If you’re in your early 60s, there have been recent changes to catch-up contribution provisions that may allow for increased savings opportunities.
First RMD Ahead? A Fed’s Guide to SECURE 2.0 Rule Changes
Required minimum distributions (RMDs) are mandatory, taxable withdrawals from pre-tax retirement accounts, like a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) or traditional IRA. They’re not optional, and they can push your income…
Delaying Social Security to 70: A Fed’s Bridge Plan
Delaying Social Security past full retirement age (FRA) increases your benefit through delayed retirement credits — generally about 8% per year up to age 70. That can translate into significantly…