TSP Hardship Withdrawal: Minimizing the Hit to Your Retirement Savings
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is part of the federal retirement three-legged stool. The TSP is a defined contribution plan, meaning how much you receive depends on how much you…
Retirement Pay Delayed? Steps to Escalate and Stay Solvent
Retirement volumes are climbing, and processing backlogs leave some federal retirees waiting weeks — sometimes months — for their first check. Bills don't wait, though. You need to understand the…
What OBBBA means for your 2025 taxes
In July 2025, President Trump signed into law Public Law 119-21, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025. Among the provisions passed into law is…
FED-15 Explained (Podcast)
Federal Agency News
FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks
The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 141: Social Security Changes in 2026 + When Federal Employees Should Claim Benefits
In this episode, and Katelyn discuss upcoming Social Security updates for 2026 and how federal employees can think strategically about when to claim benefits.
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. 163: SECURE Act 2.0 Updates for TSP Participants
In this episode, Ed and Dan explain how the SECURE Act 2.0 affects the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for federal employees and retirees. From required minimum distribution (RMD) age changes…
When the G Fund Shines — and When It Holds You Back
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) G Fund operates differently from anything else in the lineup. It invests in special-issue U.S. Treasuries exclusive to TSP, credits interest daily, and never loses…
SALT Deduction Changes: How the $40,000 Cap Impacts High-Income Feds
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) made two changes to the state and local taxes deduction included as an itemized deduction on IRS Form 1040 Schedule A.…
Opening an HSA Before Retirement: Positive Tax Play or Potential Pitfall?
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) came into existence in December 2003 as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act. Sometimes dubbed the “healthcare IRA,” HSAs allow Feds to…
FED-15 Explained (Podcast)
Federal Agency News
FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks
The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 140: IRS Form 5498 + Navigating Coverage for Gender-Affirming Care
In this episode, Dan and Katelyn delve into IRS form 5498 highlighting its purpose, when to expect it, and key considerations. They also explore how federal health plans may handle…
FED-15 Explained (Podcast)
Federal Agency News
FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks
The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 139: C Fund Concentration Risk + Use-or-Lose Leave Planning
Katelyn breaks down the risks of an all–C Fund TSP strategy, explaining why valuation and diversification matter—especially near retirement. She also covers the federal “use or lose” annual leave rules,…