Military Buyback for Federal Employees: Is It Really Worth It?

2026-09-09T19:45:13+00:00September 7, 2026|Retirement|

When most veterans transition into federal civilian service, HR usually hands them a stack of paperwork and briefly mentions a "military buyback." Most feds nod, file it away with their onboarding forms, and forget about it. Fast-forward 10, 15, or 20 years: retirement is on the horizon, and those military [...]

How Much Cash Should Federal Employees Have Before Retirement?

2026-09-09T16:47:08+00:00August 31, 2026|Financial Basics, Retirement|

Most federal employees spend years obsessing over their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) balance. They check their C and S Fund allocations weekly, project their High-3 average salary down to the penny, and run FERS pension calculations until their eyes cross. Yet, one of the biggest threats to a smooth [...]

Why Federal Employees Underestimate Taxes in Retirement

2026-09-09T16:48:10+00:00August 24, 2026|Retirement|

Federal Retirement Taxes Under FERS: What’s Taxed, What’s Not, and How to Prepare Many federal employees assume that after paying into the system for 20, 30, or 40 years, the government will offer a "thank you" in the form of tax-free retirement income. Unfortunately, that is one of the [...]

The Hidden Cost of FEGLI Option B After Age 50

2026-09-09T16:50:08+00:00August 17, 2026|Insurance|

FEGLI Option B Cost After 50: The Hidden Price Cliff Every Federal Employee Must Plan For For most federal employees in their 30s and 40s, Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Option B feels like a no-brainer. It provides cheap, hassle-free life insurance equal to up to five times [...]

Traditional vs. Roth TSP: Which Is Better for Federal Employees in 2026?

2026-09-09T16:41:36+00:00August 10, 2026|Retirement|

Deciding between the Traditional TSP and Roth TSP is one of the most consequential tax choices you will make during your federal career. With evolving tax brackets, major SECURE 2.0 provisions taking effect, and updated elective deferral limits, the strategy you select today directly shapes how much income you [...]

How Much Will My FERS Pension Actually Be?

2026-09-09T16:35:08+00:00July 27, 2026|Retirement|

For federal employees working under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), determining your future pension amount is the bedrock of retirement planning. While the basic calculation looks simple on the surface, your actual take-home check depends on specific multiplier rules, unused sick leave credits, and mandatory deductions. This guide [...]

When can I retire? Try our Federal Retirement Blueprint tool

2026-09-09T21:20:05+00:00June 15, 2026|Retirement, Tools|

This tool is ideal for federal employees who want a practical, spreadsheet-based way to organize retirement planning assumptions before making major decisions. It is especially useful for employees who want to better understand the relationship between FERS pension income, TSP savings, retirement age, years of service, and long-term savings [...]

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