Category: Federal Agency News

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. 167: Avoiding IRS Estimated Tax Penalties

May 12, 2026 STWS

In this episode, Ed and Dan discuss why many federal employees and retirees may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments and how failing to do so can result in…

Federal Agency News

First RMD Ahead? A Fed’s Guide to SECURE 2.0 Rule Changes

May 12, 2026 Benefits Ben

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…

Federal Agency News

Delaying Social Security to 70: A Fed’s Bridge Plan

May 10, 2026 Benefits Ben

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…

Federal Agency News FEDZone: Latest Federal Employee Benefits & Retirement Updates

Understanding SECURE Act 2.0’s Penalty-Free LTC Insurance Retirement Plan Distribution Provision

May 7, 2026 Ed Zurndorfer

A provision coming out of SECURE 2.0 (2022) may allow for penalty-free distributions from certain qualified retirement plans to pay long-term care (LTC) insurance premiums without the 10 percent early…

FED-15 Explained (Podcast) Federal Agency News FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks

The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 149 Hidden Tax Savings for Federal Employees + Key Federal Retirement Milestones by Age

May 5, 2026 STWS

Jen and Dan discuss tax planning strategies that can help federal employees keep more of their retirement income and the critical ages that can shape retirement decisions under FERS

Federal Agency News

Tax Diversification and Retirement Flexibility

May 5, 2026 Benefits Ben

When you separate from federal service, your retirement benefits are income diversified thanks to the Federal Employees Retirement System and its three “stool legs” of the Basic Benefit, Thrift Savings…

Federal Agency News

Are Federal Employees Saving Enough for Long-Term Care? A Reality Check

May 3, 2026 Benefits Ben

Long-term care does not just mean a nursing home. It often starts with help at home, moves to assisted living, and in some cases, includes skilled nursing care. For many…

Federal Agency News

Getting Ready for the Start of Trump Accounts in July 2026

May 1, 2026 Ed Zurndorfer

Trump accounts are a new type of custodial-style traditional IRA for minor children. The accounts are owned by a child but administered by an adult. They are set to launch…

Federal Agency News

Income, Assets, and College Financial Aid Impacts

April 29, 2026 Benefits Ben

Your salary and benefits are likely excellent as a mid-career fed. However, the chances are pretty good that you don’t have buckets of cash available to pay for your child’s…

Federal Agency News

USPS Suspends Employer FERS Payments Amid Cash Crisis: Does it Affect Your Retirement?

April 29, 2026 Benefits Ben

The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced a temporary suspension of its employer contributions to the defined benefit portion of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), effective April 10, 2026,…