Stay informed about pay raises, retirement planning, and benefits updates. Expert guidance for every stage of your federal career.
2026 has 27 federal pay periods. Your 27th check lands December 31. Here's how to fix your TSP math, understand the FEHB skip, and use the extra paycheck.
Every DoD component's VERA/VSIP status as of May 2026. Army Phase 2 active, Navy modeling deadline Sept 30, H.R. 7256 would triple buyouts for GS-13s.
DOL's proposed rule (FR 2026-09479) creates a $120,000 standalone fertility benefit for private employers. It doesn't change FEHB directly. Here's what federal employees need to know before July 13.
Federal employee W-2 guide: why Box 1 is lower than your salary, every Box 14 code (FEHB, TSP, FERS-RT), Box 12 D vs AA, and what actually requires action on your return.
The FEHB+Medicare Part B decision comes down to your income bracket. FedTools original 2026 analysis: 5-bracket cost comparison, IRMAA trap, and the break-even point for each tier.
FERS annuity taxation explained: Simplified Method math, OPM CSA 1099-R box-by-box guide, 50-state pension tax table, and 2026 updates for Colorado and Michigan.
A $50,000 FERS annuity has lost $111,080 in cumulative payments vs CSRS since 2000. See the year-by-year compound table and what 2027 adds to the gap.
FERS disability pays 60% of high-3 in year one, then 40%. But at 62, the math flips. Run the actual dollar calculation before you file.
Are you eligible for the Navy DRP in 2026? Full eligibility matrix, grade-by-grade payment table, and a 5-question decision framework before you sign anything.
OPM performance awards 2026: cash award caps, QSI dollar value by grade, the 1% Level 3 ceiling, and the 29.65% federal tax bite. Original FedTools data table.
PSHB replaced FEHB for 1.9 million USPS workers on Jan 1, 2025. 2026 premiums, Medicare Part B mandate, plan options, and the true cost for retirees.
Projected TSP milestones at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of service, plus the FRTIB balance-tier table that shows what millionaires actually contributed for.
The TSP costs 0.04% per year. The typical private 401(k) costs 0.52%. Over 30 years on a $500K balance, that gap compounds to $432,400 in fees you never pay.
A step-by-step process to independently verify your FERS annuity calculation before OPM finalizes it. Protect yourself from errors that cost $50K–$200K over a 20-year retirement.
1.0% raise + 3.8% April CPI = -2.8% real. GS-13 Step 5 DC is $16,059/yr behind inflation-adjusted 2010. Federal pay buying power down 13.6% since 2009.
OPM IG flagged $1.24B in improper payments over 5 years. The Annuity Error Cost Calculator shows what each FERS calculation mistake costs you. Verify before you retire.
TIGTA's May 2026 audit found 571,000 federal employees and retirees owe $6.3 billion in unpaid taxes. Agency-by-agency rankings, what IRS can levy, and Schedule F risk.
BCBS Standard & GEHA High cover IVF up to $25,000. Full plan matrix, NALC exit impact, 2027 outlook, and the new DOL fertility rule explained for federal employees.
Navy DRP 2026 status, eligibility, and the financial decision most civilians miss. Includes version history, benefits during admin leave, and the $46,800 severance gap.
Sen. Ernst and Sen. Gillibrand introduced S. 4447 on April 30, 2026 to close the Hiss Act gap. Current law forfeits pensions only for treason and espionage, not sex offenses. The Stanley Weber case ($98K/yr until 2021) and Eric Swalwell context.
OPM proposed rule FR 2026-03619 (Feb 24, 2026) caps top ratings, kills Level 2, removes union grievance rights, and adds a supervisor critical element. 65% of GS now rate Level 4-5; under a 30% cap roughly 740,000 lose their top rating.
Trump Accounts (IRC Section 530A) give every U.S. child born 2025-2028 a $1,000 federal seed deposit. Contributions open July 4, 2026. Worth claiming for fed families, but a 529 still beats it for college costs. Form 4547 required.
White House proposes 0%. FAIR Act asks 4.1%. FEPCA formula says ~2.9%. Here's how the 2027 raise actually gets set, the 18-year pattern, and the projection FedTools is using.
DC locality (DCB) is 33.94% in 2026 across 55 counties in 5 states. But DC cost of living runs 39-43% above national average. The pay cap traps GS-15 Step 6+. Telework locality risk explained.
Since May 2025, federal job postings GS-5 and up include 4 essay questions, including one asking how you'd advance Trump's executive orders. OPM says optional; agencies marked it required. AFGE sues. Rutan v. RPI controls.
Kennedy says HHS will hire 12,000 after cutting 20,000 in 2025. Headcount may exceed pre-cut levels. But 10,109 doctoral scientists left, accommodation backlog hits 9,000, and the 12K plan is aligned to MAHA, not public-health response.
OPM's 2026 federal salary tables — every GS grade (1-15), every step (1-10), every locality (58 areas), plus SES, Executive Schedule, LEO, and the $197,200 pay cap. OPM-verified.
OPM Director Kupor exempted Schedule C and G political appointees from formal performance appraisals on April 28, 2026. The 2010 bonus freeze still applies. What the exemption means if you report to one of them, and why this could be the template for Schedule Policy/Career.
The CDC has lost roughly 4,300 employees and $11.4B in state grants since 2025. Cost: $537M in expert capacity. RIF rights, MSPB risk, and what 10K remaining staff need to know.
May 7 ruling: DOGE flagged 1,400+ NEH grants for cancellation using ChatGPT, no DEI definition, no human review. Judge says ultra vires + 1A + ICA. What 63 surviving NEH staff and grant officers governmentwide need to know.
Alexis Goldstein photographed unbadged DOGE personnel in CFPB's basement. CFPB fired her one week before her term ended. Here are the 5 overlapping laws that determine when federal employees can, and cannot, record at work.
FedWeek named one. There are four. The 35-day Petition for Review window, the addendum stage that pays back pay and attorney fees, and the OPM rule that may strip MSPB jurisdiction over RIF appeals entirely.
Pentagon spent $50M renaming itself the Department of War while losing 101K civilians in 2025. The cost-per-employee math, the rebrand timeline, and what 694K remaining DoD civilians need to know.
Congress proposed raising pre-2013 FERS contributions from 0.8% to 4.4%. It didn't pass. Here's the per-paycheck dollar math by GS grade and what to watch for in 2027.
April 2026 reversed Q1 losses across every TSP stock fund. C +10.49%, S +9.96%, I +9.11%. What it means for your balance, your AOP, and your YTD.
VA opened investigations against employees who attended Alex Pretti's vigil. The statutes, the Pickering test, and your concrete remedies as a federal employee.
Federal annual leave lump-sum payout is taxed 30-40%+ at retirement. The 4-tax stack, 5-tier matrix by GS grade, and 6 strategies to keep more of it.
Two April 2026 federal court rulings opened the door. If your termination letter cites Article II, MSPB may not be your only option.
76-day DHS shutdown ended April 30. When retro pay deposits, how TSP makeup works, FEHB premium recovery, and dollar examples by GS grade.
DOL's proposed rule could put private equity in default 401(k)s. TSP is statutorily protected. What federal employees need to know before June 1.
EPA workforce dropped 23% in six months. ORD eliminated. Union contracts terminated. What every EPA employee needs to know about RIF, VERA, and what comes next.
DCSA: 68 clearance denials in 7.7 million cases. SF-86 Question 21 exemptions. EAP confidentiality. 5-plan FEHB comparison matrix. The honest guide for federal employees.
LEAP counts toward your High-3. AUO sometimes does. Premium pay never does. The matrix every LEO and 1811 should know before retirement.
FEHB trap, BEDB lump sum, survivor annuity cost. The math every federal employee needs before electing survivor benefits at retirement.
FERS disability retirement requires just 18 months of service, not 5 years. Most federal employees don't know they may already qualify. Here's the math.
MRA+10 retirement at 57 doesn't just cost the 5% penalty. Add COLA blackout, Supplement loss, and FEHB gap. Total: $300K+ over 25 years. The full math.
NASA dropped 23% of civil service workforce by late 2025. JPL cut 1,455 contractor positions. Goddard closing 13 buildings. What NASA workers need to know.
Only 1,055 of an estimated 150,000+ eligible federal employees use phased retirement. The math, the High-3 trap, and why agencies are the real gatekeeper.
Financial issues drive ~50% of DOHA denials. The 12 most common SF-86 errors, by section, with mitigation. Plus the Continuous Vetting update for 2026.
Rolling your TSP to an IRA at retirement could cost $1M+ in fees. The DOL fiduciary rule was vacated. Here's what every federal retiree should know.
Adding a Roth IRA to your TSP saves federal retirees $480 to $3,080 per year in taxes plus IRMAA. The math, by income tier, with 2026 limits.
The April 2026 DOJ marijuana order changed less than Reddit thinks. What federal employees actually need to know about drug tests and clearances.
OPM's proposed RIF rule converts veterans' categorical job protection into bonus points. DAV calls it illegal. Public comments close May 4, 2026.
DHS funds run out in early May 2026. Exactly how non-pay status affects your FERS accrual, FEHB premiums, TSP match, severance, and UCFE benefits.
Hegseth terminated DoD CBAs April 9. Side-by-side statutory baseline vs. union add-ons, what protections survive, and your action checklist.
IRS CEO claimed 27% staffing cuts produced better results. IRS's own FOIA data: 1040 waits +71%, ACS waits up nearly 300%, $5B enforcement revenue lost.
OPM is cutting 604 GS series by 25%. How consolidation reshapes RIF retention registers, who's in Phase One, and what to do before May 11.
Will federal employees get a 2027 pay raise? See the dollar impact of a freeze, 1%, or 4.1% raise on every GS grade, with free calculator.
DHS runs out of payroll cash the first week of May 2026. What the $1.6B cliff means for your paycheck, FEHB, TSP, and back pay under the Anti-Deficiency Act.
The definitive FERS MRA+10 guide with 2026 pay data, 3 worked examples, FEHB postponement rules, and the 5% penalty mechanics most content gets wrong.
Kennedy told Congress he replaced 20K HHS workers with 'a better group.' ICE hired 12K with sterling credentials bypassed. What RIF law actually requires.
OPM's December 2025 data proposal demands monthly patient-level medical claims on 8 million feds. Senators are fighting it. Here's what it means and what to do now.
Schedule Policy/Career rule is in effect but zero positions have been reclassified yet. What actually changes, what doesn't, and what every career fed should do now.
Military service members got 4 years of backpay under EO 14184. Civilian federal employees got record expungement, not money. The full contrast and what to do now.
59% of federal AI use cases are still in pilot. Meat inspectors, air traffic controllers, and claims adjudicators cannot be automated. Here's what the data shows.
DHS ordered all furloughed employees back on April 10. The shutdown is still going. Here's what's legal, what's paid, and what's at risk.
The 60-day DHS shutdown proved most feds aren't financially prepared. Here's how to build a shutdown buffer and when a TSP loan makes sense.
Federal workforce engagement fell to 32/100 after FEVS was canceled. Gallup shows only 48% of feds 'thriving.' Every agency declined.
The Partnership for Public Service calculated Trump's federal workforce changes cost $165.6 billion. Here's how the math breaks down and what it means for you.
Leaving federal service? Your FEHB jumps from $251/month to $915/month under TCC. Here's every option and the 5-year rule that determines your retirement coverage.
The largest federal layoff in history left 278,000 people job hunting. Here's where they're finding work, by job series and clearance level.
HHS shrank from 82,000 to 62,000 employees in 2025. Kennedy says he replaced them with 'a better group.' Here's the component-by-component breakdown.
Facing a RIF? CTAP and ICTAP give you priority placement at other agencies. Here's the step-by-step process with deadlines and required documents.
IRS lost 27% of its workforce. Phone waits jumped 71%. Paper returns backed up 462%. Here's who's affected and what to do about your refund.
NWS lost 600 employees. 55 of 122 offices are critically understaffed. The April 13 Kansas tornadoes raised the question nobody wants to answer.
Rolling Roth TSP to a Roth IRA? Your 5-year clock resets. Here's the decision matrix for keeping your earnings tax-free.
TSP millionaires average 27.93 years of consistent contributions. Here's the data on why timing the market costs you money.
A federal judge ruled USAID contractors can proceed with their DOGE termination lawsuit. Bad faith claims survived. Here's what it means for federal contracting.
USPS stopped paying into FERS pensions. Your paycheck deductions and TSP match continue. Here's exactly what changed and what didn't.
Federal employees in San Jose-SF earn 46.34% above base in 2026, the highest of 58 localities. Full data report with 50+ sourced statistics on GS pay.
Median FERS TSP balance is ~$50K while the average is $217K. OPM backlog hit 65,237. Full data report on federal retirement readiness with sourced stats.
Federal workforce dropped to 2,028,138 in Feb 2026, lowest since 1966. 50+ sourced stats on RIFs, DRP cost, OPM backlog, pay gap, morale, and telework.
FEPCA requires an automatic GS raise tied to private-sector wages. Every president since 1994 has bypassed it with a single letter. Here's what that costs you.
Leaving federal service after 5 years? The FERS pension math is worse than Reddit thinks. See why your hire year changes everything about the refund decision.
The deferred resignation program cost taxpayers $4.5 billion in salary and benefits paid to employees who were not working. Here is what that number means, who took the deal, and whether it was worth it.
What federal employees need to know about PCS moves: what the government covers, service agreements, WTA/RITA taxes, and what happens if you decline.
Everything new federal employees need to know about the probationary period in 2026: how long it lasts, your rights, what the DOGE firings taught us, and how to protect your career.
How the federal Student Loan Repayment Program works: eligibility, agency caps ($10K/year, $60K lifetime), service obligation, tax treatment, and how SLRP stacks with PSLF.
The federal workforce has dropped to its smallest size since the 1960s. Here's the full data on headcount, agency cuts, DRP costs, and what shrinking government means for services.
A plain-language guide to your federal Earnings and Leave Statement (ELS): gross pay, FERS/CSRS deductions, TSP, FEHB, FEGLI, taxes, and leave balances.
The IRS wants to cut nearly 4,000 more positions in FY2027. Here's which divisions are affected, what it means for tax season, and what IRS employees should do now.
MSPB ruled that federal employees who win disability discrimination cases can now recover tax gross-up payments when back pay pushes them into a higher bracket.
The FY2027 White House budget request proposes cutting USDA by $4.9 billion, reducing Forest Service, NRCS, rural development, and Food for Peace. Here's what USDA employees need to know.
OPM's 2027 FEHB call letter mandates GLP-1 drug coverage, ends gender-affirming care, and expands fertility support. What changes before Open Season.
OPM's 65K backlog means your first full annuity could take 6-9 months. Here's exactly how to cover the cash flow gap as a federal retiree.
OPM stopped mailing paper 1099-Rs automatically. Get your federal annuity tax form online before April 15, or file for an extension.
OPM is demanding monthly medical claims data on 8M+ federal employees from 65 FEHB insurers. Here's what's included, why privacy advocates are alarmed, and what you can do.
Trump's FY2027 budget proposes cutting 8,400 TSA jobs and expanding private screening. Here's what privatization means for your FERS, FEHB, and TSP benefits.
The White House wants to cut CFPB staff by two-thirds, from 1,750 to 556. Here's what that means for employees, your options, and where transfers may be possible.
Every tax deadline federal retirees need in 2026: April 15 filing, OPM and TSP 1099-R arrival dates, estimated payments, RMDs, and IRA contributions in one checklist.
Does your FEHB plan cover you outside the U.S.? Learn which plans cover emergency and routine care abroad, how to file foreign claims, and when you need supplemental travel insurance.
USDA is moving Forest Service HQ to Salt Lake City and closing all 9 regional offices. Here's what affected employees need to know about relocation, severance, and VERA.
Interior Department is offering a third voluntary buyout to NPS, BLM, USGS, and other bureau employees. Deadline is April 12. Here's what you need to know before deciding.
The National Park Service has lost 24% of its permanent staff since 2025. Here's what NPS employees need to know about VERA, VSIP, severance, and transfer rights.
Roth TSP conversions can cost more than you think. Learn how bracket stacking, IRMAA surcharges, and the 5-year rule can turn a smart move into an expensive mistake.
March 2026 erased Q1 TSP gains for most funds. G Fund held, C Fund dropped 4.98%, S Fund -4.58%. Here's what the numbers mean for your strategy.
A $1M TSP balance forces ~$37,700 in RMDs at age 73, stacking with your FERS pension and Social Security to spike your tax bill and trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges. Here's how to plan ahead.
The VA shut down VASP in May 2025. Over 10,000 veterans have since lost their homes and 90,000 more face foreclosure. Here's what happened and what to do.
Which states don't tax your FERS pension, TSP, or Social Security? 2026 state-by-state breakdown with cost-of-living tradeoffs for federal retirees.
Got a RIF notice? DSR gives eligible feds an immediate pension with no age penalty. Learn who qualifies, how the math works, and what traps to avoid.
DOGE claimed $160B in savings, but verified figures came in at 4 cents on the dollar. Here's what the real numbers mean for federal employees.
The Equal COLA Act (H.R. 491) would give FERS retirees the same full COLA as CSRS and Social Security. Here's the math on what the diet COLA costs you.
25,000 fired federal workers were rehired as 'essential.' Which agencies are bringing people back, what it costs, and what happens to your FERS and FEHB.
Compare all 11 dental and 5 vision FEDVIP plans for 2026. Premiums, coverage tiers, and the retiree tax trap most federal employees never see coming.
Congress tried to eliminate the FERS supplement in 2025. It failed — but the threat isn't gone. Here's what happened and how to plan for it.
Navy ordered commands to model 10–20% civilian cuts by Sept 30, 2026. Shipyard workers are protected. Here's what every Navy civilian needs to know now.
Step-by-step checklist for surviving family members. Learn about FEGLI claims, FERS survivor annuity, TSP death benefits, Social Security, and FEHB continuation. Timeline included.
Complete guide to FEHB qualifying life events. Learn which events let you change health plans, the 60-day and 31-day windows, filing deadlines, and common mistakes federal employees make.
Can't do your job due to a medical condition? FERS disability retirement pays 60% of high-3 in year one. Here's who qualifies, how to apply, and what it pays.
Calculate your FERS retirement income from all three sources. Real scenarios for GS-12, GS-14, and GS-7 with 2026 numbers.
Your FERS pension can pay your spouse 50% or 25% for life after you die. Here's how survivor elections work, what they cost, and when to change them.
Learn how the two-step promotion rule (5 CFR 531.214) determines your new salary when you advance grades in the federal GS system, with real examples and edge cases.
Complete guide to PSLF eligibility, payment counting, income-driven repayment plans, and common mistakes for federal employees seeking student loan forgiveness.
Your benefits don't change under Schedule P/C. Your job security does. Here's what that means for FEHB, TSP vesting, FERS pension, and severance.
Avoid costly beneficiary designation errors. Learn how to properly update your TSP beneficiary form, handle life changes, and protect your retirement savings.
Federal employees often ask whether to contribute to Roth or Traditional TSP. The answer depends on your tax bracket, career timeline, and retirement plans. Here's how to decide.
FEHB premiums jump 12.3% in 2026, and retirees pay post-tax. Here's what federal employees don't know about healthcare costs in retirement, from the 5-year rule to IRMAA.
Federal employees lose $5,000–$20,000+ over their careers due to benefits misconceptions. We break down the 10 most costly ones and show you how to fix each.
Why federal employees need professional headshots, PIV/CAC requirements, and how FedShot generates them in 60 seconds for $9.99.
FEGLI's post-65 rules shock most retirees. Option B disappears or costs $3,120/month at 80. Here's what to do with Basic, Option B, Option C, and WAEPA.
FEHB covers you in retirement — so is Medicare Part B worth $2,400/year extra? The answer depends on your health, income, and FEHB plan. Here's the full math.
Army RIFs confirmed at Detroit Arsenal. MDR, RIF, and VERA/VSIP carry different rights and financial outcomes. Here's how to decide which path is right for you.
OPM finalized rules stripping PIP protections from ~50,000 feds. A broader rule would cap PIPs at 30 days for all GS employees. Here's what changed vs. what's still proposed.
Your TSP after a federal RIF: what to do first, the 90-day loan clock, Rule of 55, why severance can't go into TSP, and a 30/60/90-day action plan.
TSP contributions, fund performance, and your options during shutdowns, RIFs, and tariff-driven market drops. Updated April 2026 with C/S/I fund data after the tariff shock.
DOGE accessed OPM, SSA, Treasury, and IRS systems holding your PII. The John Solly thumb drive, the Privacy Act lawsuit advancing to discovery, and a 12-step action checklist.
A 2026 executive order and OPM directive eliminated college degree requirements for hundreds of federal jobs. Here's the full GS grade path from entry level to GS-13 using experience alone, plus the best job series to target.
The government pays up to $20,229/year toward your FEHB premium in retirement. Here's the full 20-year dollar projection, golden handcuffs math, and Medicare coordination breakdown.
At $500K in TSP, the game shifts from accumulation to tax diversification. Here's the RMD math, Roth conversion strategy, and contribution waterfall for 2026.
Married FERS participants need notarized spousal consent for TSP withdrawals. CSRS only requires notice. Learn what your spouse controls, the default annuity trap, RBCO divorce rules, and the beneficiary paradox.
The real math behind FERS retirement at 57, 60, or 62 — pension amounts, FERS Supplement lifetime value, FEHB, FEGLI continuation, annual leave payout, survivor benefit elections, re-employment rules, COLA gap, and TSP access compared.
FLTCIP enrollment is closed until at least December 2026. Here's what federal employees need to know — and what to do right now instead.
Complete FEGLI guide for 2026. Learn how Basic, Option A, B, and C work, see premiums by age, and find out if you're overpaying for federal life insurance.
USPS suspended employer pension contributions on April 10, 2026, freeing $2.5B. Your accrued pension and TSP are protected, but the cash crisis is escalating fast. Full guide for postal workers.
The TSP I Fund dropped sharply in March 2026. Here's the exact decision framework: hold, rebalance, or move to G Fund, backed by data and behavioral research.
Leaving federal service? Know your 4 TSP options, the Rule of 55 trap that costs feds thousands, and what the 2026 Roth conversion changes mean for you.
Are you behind on your TSP? See FERS-adjusted balance benchmarks by age and years of service, plus why federal employees need 40-50% less than private-sector peers.
OPM proposed rule 2026-04377 replaces seniority with performance scores in federal RIFs. See the 7/5/3/0 scoring system and worked examples.
2026 Executive Schedule pay: Level I $253,100, Level V $184,900. Level IV ($197,200) sets the GS pay cap. Full table, frozen payable rates, SES bridge.
What to expect in your first year of federal retirement: interim pay gaps, OPM's 54K backlog, Medicare deadlines, TSP timing, and the 5 costliest mistakes.
TSP changes 2026: expense ratios vs. Vanguard/Fidelity, L 2025 merger, L 2075 launch, I Fund expansion, and what TSP for All means for federal employees.
We ran the break-even math on the FERS pension for every hire tier. A $30K pension equals a $750K portfolio, and pre-2013 hires break even in under a year.
OPM's new performance rating rules affect 740,000 federal employees. See how forced distribution impacts your step increases, QSIs, bonuses, and RIF standing.
April 2026 CPI-W pushed the 2027 COLA running count to 3.0%. TSCL projects 3.9%. See dollar impact by annuity size, FERS cap mechanics, and what summer CPI-W means.
Which TSP funds should you pick in 2026? See recommended C, S, I Fund splits by age group, how to handle the April tariff shock, and when Lifecycle funds beat DIY picks. Free calculator.
Federal employee mental health resources in 2026: EAP counseling (6-12 free sessions), sick leave for therapy, FMLA coverage, and FEHB benefits explained.
OPM backlog hit 49,888 in April 2026, first time below 50K since November. But average processing time rose to 78 days. Digital still beats paper 50 to 100 days. Interim pay timing, what to expect.
Thinking about a TSP hardship withdrawal? Know the real cost first: 10% penalty + income tax can eat 30-40% of your balance. Five qualifying conditions, smarter alternatives, and when it actually makes sense.
Everything federal employees need to know about TSP loans in 2026. Current 4.25% rate, general purpose vs residential, repayment rules, and what happens to your loan if you're separated or RIF'd.
VERA/VSIP buyouts in 2026: eligibility rules, benefits impact, DOD's $40K cap, and whether accepting makes financial sense for you.
Compare 2026 FEHB plans and find the best fit for your family. See premiums, coverage, dental/vision options, and HDHP vs traditional plans side by side.
TSP Mutual Fund Window costs $132/year plus $28.75 per trade. See fee impact by account size and decide if the MFW makes sense for you.
Trump's FY2027 budget proposes a 0% civilian raise while seeking 5-7% for military. The FAIR Act counters with 4.1%. Here's what both mean for your paycheck.
Compare FERS vs CSRS retirement systems side by side. Pension formulas, COLAs, TSP matching, and dollar examples for 2026. Free calculator included.
Calculate the cost to buy back military time for FERS credit. At 3% of base pay, most veterans pay $2,400-$6,600. Interest-free window + step-by-step process.
Schedule Policy/Career took effect March 8, 2026, but no positions reclassified yet. Here's what you lose, what you keep, and what to do before the EO drops.
Know all your federal leave options. LWOP, FMLA, donated leave, military leave, paid parental leave, and more, plus how each affects FEHB, FERS, and TSP.
Who qualifies for the FERS supplement, how much you get, and who is excluded. Calculation formula, examples, earnings test, and the 29 vs. 30 year cliff.
The TSP G Fund has never lost money on paper. But after inflation, G Fund holders lost purchasing power in 4 of the last 15 years. Here's what the data shows.
TSP mails 1099-R forms in mid-January 2026. Here's when to expect yours, how to access it online, and what to do if it's late or wrong.
Complete guide to federal employee headshots for PIV cards, LinkedIn, and official portraits. Learn requirements, costs, and how AI headshots work.
Learn how to update your LinkedIn profile after a federal layoff or RIF. Get tips on headlines, summaries, ICTAP eligibility, and professional headshots.
MSPB ruled CISA violated due process by firing an employee one day after his probation ended. Learn your rights and what to do if this happened to you.
TSP's I Fund hit 32.45% in 2025, its highest ever. See all fund returns and what's changing for federal employees in 2026.
The 2026 GS pay cap is $197,200. Learn which grades hit the ceiling, how it affects your FERS pension, and what happens to money you lose at the cap.
Federal step increases take 18 years from Step 1 to Step 10. Learn waiting periods, QSI rules, and how much each step is worth in 2026. Free calculator.
2026 federal locality pay rates for all 58 areas. San Francisco pays $24K more than Rest of US. See how locality affects your salary and FERS pension.
WEP and GPO repealed: federal retirees gaining $350-$1,000/month. Check if you're affected, the tax trap, and how to verify your payment.
Learn how the 72(t) rule lets federal employees access TSP before age 55 without the 10% penalty. Covers SEPP methods, 5-year rule, and mistakes to avoid.
194,722 federal employees are now TSP millionaires. Learn the strategies, contribution math, and mistakes to avoid on your path to $1M in retirement savings.
Deferred retirement loses FEHB forever. Postponed retirement keeps it. Learn the key differences and how to protect your federal benefits.
The 2026 FERS Supplement earnings limit is $24,480. Learn what income counts, how reductions work, and strategies to keep your full benefit.
317,000+ federal employees left in 2025. What's coming in 2026? RIF moratorium expires Jan 30, 1% pay raise, forced ratings. Here's how to prepare.
Federal retiree tax guide: FERS pension (95% taxable), new $6,000 senior deduction, IRMAA brackets, Roth conversion strategies. Save thousands with these moves.
Complete guide to TSP withdrawals: realistic timelines (5-7 weeks), Rule of 55, spousal consent, RMDs, and the mistakes that cost federal retirees money.
Trump's return-to-office order requires 5 days/week in-office. What it means for your schedule, commute costs, and appeal rights under 2026 rules.
Compare FEGLI Option B costs vs private term life insurance. See exactly when to keep FEGLI, when to switch, and how to avoid the costly FEGLI trap.
Going through a FERS divorce? Learn how your pension and TSP are divided, why QDROs don't work, and what the 2025 ruling means for your benefits.
When your TSP 1099-R arrives, how to report Traditional vs Roth withdrawals, and what the new Roth in-plan conversion rules mean for your 2026 taxes.
TSP annuity options explained. MetLife is the TSP annuity provider. Compare single life, joint life, and increasing payment options vs lump sum withdrawals.
Federal employees moved $9.6B into the TSP I Fund in February 2026 alone. After 42% trailing returns, is this smart diversification or return-chasing? Data-driven analysis.
Month-by-month FERS retirement dates for 2026. See which dates maximize leave payout, pension timing, and annual leave carryover. Updated March 2026.
FEHB premiums jumped 12.3% on average for 2026 — but 23 plans dropped, and 8 were discontinued. See which plans are winners, losers, and worth switching to.
Your unused sick leave adds real dollars to your FERS pension. Learn the conversion formula, calculate your value, and avoid costly mistakes before you retire.
DHS shutdown hits Day 61. All employees ordered back April 10 under 'Liberating DHS' EO. Back pay deposits Apr 10-16. Avalos case explained. Full guide for TSA and DHS workers.
Starting 2026, federal employees 50+ earning over $150K must make TSP catch-up contributions to Roth. Learn who's affected and what it means for your taxes.
TSP Roth in-plan conversions launch January 28, 2026. Learn eligibility, tax implications, the five-year rule, and how to convert. Free guide for feds.
The 2026 TSP limit is $24,500. Ages 60-63 can now contribute $35,750 thanks to SECURE 2.0. Here's what changed and how to maximize your contributions.
The 2026 federal pay raise is just 1% with no locality increase, the smallest since 2021. See how it affects your paycheck and calculate your new salary.
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