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.
The annual benefits “open season” can be a challenging time for federal employees and retirees. This year’s benefits “open season” which started November 10,2025 and will conclude December 8,2025, is…
In this episode, Dan and Ed break down the differences between Roth TSP and Roth IRA accounts for federal employees. They explain the advantages and limitations of each option, strategies…
In this episode, Dan and Ed discuss the most common mistakes federal employees make when purchasing and managing life insurance. They explain how to determine the right amount of coverage,…
While in federal service, federal employees are privileged to have an important fringe benefit in the form of group health insurance. Employees enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB)…
The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, which includes the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program, provides health insurance benefits to approximately 8.2 million federal employees, U.S. Postal Service employees,…
In this episode, Dan and Ed break down how TSP beneficiary rules and RMD requirements affect federal employees and their families. They explain the importance of properly naming a TSP…
During Medicare’s Open Enrollment (Annual Election) Period, those individuals enrolled in Medicare (Medicare “beneficiaries”) can change their coverage. Changing their coverage includes switching between Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and…
There is great news for federal employees who rely on qualified healthcare and dependent care spending accounts such as health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to help…
In this episode, Dan and Ed break down how the OBBBA of 2025 reshapes charitable giving and tax deductions. They explain how the law builds on changes from the Tax…
One of the provisions passed into law as part of SECURE Act 2.0 (December 2022) requires that “catch-up” contributions made by higher-paid employees must go into a Roth account. This…