The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) shutdown has put federal employees in a tough spot, with furloughs and missed paychecks creating a lot of uncertainty. Beyond the immediate financial strain, it raises bigger questions about job security, retirement savings, ... Read More

In this episode, Dan and Katelyn break down the 2025 federal return-to-office mandate-what it means for federal employees and how to adapt. They also dive into the various federal retirement options, including Normal, Deferred, Postponed, and Reduced Retirement, as well ... Read More

In 2025, lawmakers passed major changes to Social Security that are reshaping retirement for federal employees. The Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) increases benefits for millions of public sector workers – including Feds – by repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These changes ... Read More

  You can receive income from the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) as a federal government retiree. The three pillars of FERS include the Basic Benefit Plan and Social Security, with distributions based on your salary. There is also the Thrift Savings ... Read More

In this episode, Dan and Katelyn dive into RMDs-when to take them, why they matter, and how to avoid penalties-and explain Discontinued Service Retirement (DSR), including who qualifies and what to expect if facing early separation. Check Out Our Next ... Read More

In this episode, Dan and Katelyn dive into FEDVIP coverage, premiums, and retirement benefits. They also share tips on protecting federal benefits from quantum threats, including securing financial accounts and estate planning in the digital age. Check Out Our Next ... Read More

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) offers two types of loans for TSP participants. One loan is called a general-purpose loan, and the other is called a primary residence loan. When a TSP loan is disbursed, the TSP Service Office will ... Read More

A government shutdown brings more than political drama – it also brings real financial stress to our Feds. When paychecks stop, but bills don’t, even a short disruption can stretch household budgets. While unpredictable, shutdowns aren’t uncommon, so planning for ... Read More

President Barack Obama (with help from Congress) launched the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. The goal? To protect consumers from scams, deceptive practices, fraud, and abuse from the ... Read More

On day one of his administration, President Donald Trump called for federal employees to return to the office, telling agency leaders to “take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in person ... Read More