Pay & Benefits

TSP funds posted a mixed bag in June

Only three of the five core investment offerings of the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program ended the month in the black.

  • Erich Wagner

Your pre-retirement questions answered, part 3

The third in a series tackling your pressing questions.

  • Tammy Flanagan

How to use the ‘Bucket Strategy’ to optimize your retirement savings

COMMENTARY | There are ways to strategically withdraw money in retirement to make your funds last longer.

  • Austin Costello

Federal whistleblowers are entitled to damages for missed future pay, court rules

Employees can receive compensatory payments if their firings caused harm that prevented future earnings.

  • Eric Katz

Biden’s 2% raise more likely upon advancement of Senate defense policy bill

The Senate Armed Services Committee last week advanced its version of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, endorsing a 2% average pay raise for civilian federal workers alongside a 4.5% increase for military service members.

  • Erich Wagner

Your pre-retirement questions answered, part 2  

The second in a series tackling your pressing questions.

  • Tammy Flanagan

Feds are still slated for a 2% average pay raise in 2025 per House appropriations bill

The House Appropriations Committee advanced legislation Thursday that failed to override President Biden’s 2025 pay plan.

  • Erich Wagner

Your pre-retirement questions answered, part 1  

The first in a series tackling your pressing questions.

  • Tammy Flanagan

FBI agents say they need more money to stay in the bureau

Agents in high-cost cities say they cannot support their elevated expenses on their current salaries.

  • Eric Katz

OPM’s retirement backlog hit an 8-year low last month

Efforts to streamline the processing of departing federal workers’ retirement applications continue to pay dividends, as the inventory of pending claims hit the lowest point since 2016.

  • Erich Wagner

The State of Civil Service Retirement: CSRS and FERS

How optimistic are you about your retirement? Small steps can help allay your fears of the future.

  • Tammy Flanagan

Senate plans swift action on IVF bill containing new requirements for FEHBP

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that he had already begun the process of bringing a legislative package aimed at protecting Americans’ access to assistive reproductive technology to the floor for a vote.

  • Erich Wagner
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OPM’s unfulfilled recommendations include health insurance benefits changes, IG says

The agency is making progress on implementing IG recommendations, but three of its top yet-to-be-completed recommendations included changes that would prevent improper and inaccurate payments within the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.  

  • Carten Cordell

Lawmakers blast VA over executive bonus scandal, but secretary declines to offer any heads

Many Republicans called for VA to fire top officials after it improperly approved $11M in bonuses for senior executives.

  • Eric Katz

TSP funds all bounced back in May

After a rough April, each of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program finished last month in the black.

  • Erich Wagner

New bill would task VA with more actively promoting veteran transition assistance

The Informing VETS Act would require the department to regularly promote programs designed to assist veterans leaving military service and offer more comparison of information on educational benefits. 

  • Carten Cordell

I have $1,000,000 (or $500,000 or $750,000) for retirement, now what?

Figuring out how to use your money in retirement.

  • Tammy Flanagan

L Funds: A Love Affair

COMMENTARY | For these “set it and forget it” funds, “setting it” may require a bit more work than matching your birth year to the “right” fund.

  • Lisa Whitley

Problem Solvers Caucus throws its weight behind an effort to kill the windfall elimination provision

Some lawmakers have spent years garnering support to repeal a controversial tax rule that cuts Social Security benefits for some public servants.

  • Erich Wagner

What is the retirement age for federal employees?

Retirement involves making many decisions including deciding when to retire.

  • Tammy Flanagan

The pitfalls of single-solution financial advisors

COMMENTARY | There is an increasing trend of companies advertising themselves as financial advisors or benefits centers targeting federal employees. Here’s how to find a holistic financial planning partner.

  • Austin Costello