Expert’s View

When you retire, a key element in your annuity computation will be your high-3. That’s the average of your highest …More

There have always been areas of the country where non-federal pay has been higher than that for GS employees. To …More

If you are interested in participating in the phased retirement program, you need to know how it would impact your …More

If you want to participate in phased retirement and are eligible to do so, you’ll need to find out if …More

Federal employees could begin filing applications for phased retirement beginning on November 6, 2014. However, that didn’t mean that agencies …More

Alert! While you were busy doing what you do at work or home, the Congress was busy thinking up things …More

This week I want to write about a really determined group of workers. I’m talking about Civil Service Retirement System …More

The last two weeks, I’ve written about the creditability of active duty service in the armed forces, how it affects …More

Last week I pointed out that you could get credit for active duty service in the armed forces in determining …More

“Can I get credit for active duty service in the armed forces and have it used in determining my length …More

Not a week goes by that some employee doesn’t ask me, “What’s the best date to retire?” My answer is, …More

CSRS employees have long been blessed with a benefit that once wasn’t available to their FERS colleagues. When they are …More

Most employees know the amount of service they need to retire and the age at which they can do that. …More

Last week, I laid out the formulas for computing CSRS annuities. This time, I’ll do the same for FERS annuities. …More

After giving you a good scare last week when I wrote about Congressman Westerman’s bill that would change the way …More

Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., has introduced a bill to change the current method for calculating a federal employee’s annuity from …More

You know you can retire on an immediate, unreduced annuity if you meet the age and service requirements. But suppose …More

There are a wide variety of benefits that may be paid to federal retirees and their survivors. However, there are …More

I’ve been getting a lot of questions from employees who are either separated or divorced (or soon will be), plus …More

Over the last three weeks, I’ve filled you in about 2015 pay increases and TSP contribution limits for employees, cost-of-living …More

Over the last two weeks, I’ve brought you up-to-date on pay increases for employees and TSP limits, cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) …More

Last week I went over the changes to federal employee salaries and TSP contribution limits, and cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for …More

Every year some of the numbers affecting federal employee and retiree benefits change. This year, all of them did. Some …More

Up to and including 2014, fee-for-service FEHB carriers have been required to provide benefits to plan participants in Medically Underserved …More

Federal employees and retirees with only one family member eligible for FEHB coverage are still dissatisfied about the fact that …More

For years retirees and survivors have been advised to call OPM if they have a question or a problem. While …More

Annual Leave End-of-Year Roundup Attention please. The 2014 leave year ends on Saturday, January 10, 2014, and the 2015 leave …More

The Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) was created by the Long-Term Care Security Act of 2000. It covered a …More

A lot of retirement-eligible employees have their tongues hanging out hoping that their agencies will agree to let them retire …More

Usually when I receive important information from OPM, I paraphrase it and add my own spin. However, this time, I’m …More