The FEDZONE contains all articles written by Ed Zurndorfer:
A former career Federal employee, Ed has published a staggering 1,200+ separate articles on Federal Benefits and Retirement!
Just “Google” his name, and you are likely to find a plethora of sites that contain his writings. Drawn to its mission to reach, teach
and serve Feds, Serving Those Who Serve is the only financial planning practice with which Ed has chosen to affiliate in over
20 years teaching. In addition to conducting Federal Benefits seminars for Serving Those Who Serve, you can find Ed’s
writings here on our blog in the FedZone, and on Fed-Soup, MyFederalRetirement, FederalNews Radio and NITP. He is a
member of the Maryland Society of Accountants, the National Association of Enrolled Agents, the International Society of
Certified Employee Benefits Specialists, the Financial Planning Association, the National Association of Health Underwriters,
and the Society of Financial Service Professionals. Since 1999, Ed has taught many thousands of Federal employees about
their benefits, in person and at Federal agencies all over the country. Ed is a true national treasure.
In this episode, Dan and Ed explain the upcoming 2026 change requiring high-earning federal employees to make TSP “catch-up” contributions only to the Roth TSP. They also discuss how the…
By law, a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) participant’s spouse has certain rights to the participant’s TSP account. These rules apply to withdrawals even if the TSP participant is separated from…
This is the third of four FEDZONE columns discussing the withdrawal options that are available to separated Thrift Savings Plan TSP) participants. In these columns, a “separated” participant means a…
In this episode, Dan and Ed explain what the Special Retirement Supplement (SRS) is and who qualifies for it. They also discuss how the SRS is calculated, the 2024 earnings…
This is the second of four FEDZONE columns discussing TSP withdrawal options that are available to all separated Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) participants. In these columns, a separated TSP participant…
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) first became available in 2006 to individuals aged 70.5 and older. QCDs were initially available only through the 2007 tax year. But Congress extended the December…
This is the first of four FEDZONE columns discussing the withdrawal options that are available to separated Thrift Saving Plan (TSP) participants. In these columns, a “separated” TSP participant means…
In this episode, Dan and Ed explain how prescription drug discount programs work and how to manage your coverage under FEHB. They also discuss the importance of reviewing your formulary,…
Social Security is one of the three components of the FERS retirement. When a FERS employee retires before age 62 under the immediate retirement rules, the FERS employee will receive…
in this episode, Dan and Ed explain HCFSA and LEXHCFSA accounts, how they’re funded, and what happens to them when federal employees retire or leave. They also cover HSAs, their…