When planning your federal retirement, it’s critical to understand how unused sick leave is handled and whether it plays a role in increasing your eligibility age. Many federal employees also wonder if their accumulated sick leave can help them meet age or service requirements for retirement. Let’s dive into this Read more…
Do you enjoy saving 30%-40% on medical expenses you’re already planning to pay for? If so, it’s time to take a closer look at Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). These powerful tools can help federal employees reduce taxes while covering healthcare costs. However, understanding the Read more…
When federal employees reach 30 years of service with the federal government, they usually start thinking about retirement. Three very common ages to retire as a federal employee are 57 (Minimum Retirement Age (MRA)), 60 or 62. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each retirement age, Read more…
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) can be a significant consideration for federal employees nearing retirement. At first glance, the RMD rules may appear daunting. RMDs are mandatory withdrawals from retirement accounts starting at a certain age, with tax implications that could potentially alter a retirement plan. However, with proactive planning and Read more…
FEDVIP stands for Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. The government’s FEDVIP program is not like the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. FEHB is a great deal for 99% of employees while dental/vision is not near as clean cut. Some Feds do not need dental/vision coverage while for Read more…
I love the TSP! It is an incredible wealth-building tool. But it is not perfect, especially in retirement. While the TSP has become much more flexible over the years it still has a long way to go. Here are 5 things that the TSP doesn’t allow but Read more…
Let cut right to the chase. Here are the best dates to retire in the year 2025: January 11, 2025 May 31, 2025 October 31, 2025 December 31, 2025 January 10, 2026 But why are these the best? Let’s go over the biggest factors you need to consider when picking Read more…
While working for the federal government, the TSP is an important part of preparing for your retirement from federal service. Between government matching contributions (up to 5% of salary) and low-cost investment options, the TSP is a no-brainer while still working for the federal government. Once you retire, you can Read more…
HR pension estimates are one of the most important documents that help you make sure you’re prepared for retirement. However, it is very common for these estimates to have mistakes. When federal employees rely on these estimates without checking them, they can run into big problems down the Read more…
Designated Beneficiaries The simplest way to specify who will receive a specific asset after your death is to add designated beneficiaries on that asset. These assets could include bank accounts, brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, annuities, pensions plans, trusts, real estate, etc. The designated beneficiary will normally gain Read more…
