My Federal Retirement

10 Things to Know About Capital Gains and Losses

Here are ten facts from the Internal Revenue Service about how gains and losses can affect your federal income tax return

Early Distribution from Retirement Plans May Have a Tax Impact

Taxpayers may sometimes find themselves in situations when they need to withdraw money from their retirement plan early. What they may not realize is that that transaction may mean a tax impact when they file their return

The Thrift Savings Plan's New Roth Option (Part I)

Starting in April or May 2012, all TSP participants who are eligible to contribute directly to the TSP via payroll deduction will be able to contribute to the Roth TSP. In this first part of the report, federal benefits expert, Ed Zurndorfer, discusses how the Roth TSP will work, including contribution limits, fund choices, matching and tax consequences associated with Roth TSP investing

White House 2013 Proposal for 0.5% Pay Raise, Cuts to Retirement Benefits Blasted by Employee Groups

While President Obama's fiscal 2013 budget proposal released today would end a two-year pay freeze for federal employees with a 0.5 percent raise in 2013, it also includes a 1.2% increase in federal employee pension contributions, and the elimination of the special annuity supplement for future employees in the Federal Employees Retirement System

Federal Employees Can Use Prior NAF Service to Qualify for Immediate Retirement

Federal benefits expert, Ed Zurndorfer, discusses how CSRS and FERS employees with prior Department of Defense or Coast Guard Non-Appropriated Fund service can use this service for etablishing eligibility for immediate retirement benefits

TSP Outlines Details of New Roth Investment Option

Anticipated in the second quarter of this year, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) will soon begin offering all active federal employees and members of the uniformed services the option to designate some or all of their contributions as Roth contributions. The TSP Roth feature will give participants flexibility in the tax treatment of their contributions now and in the future

What Is Your Investment Risk Tolerance? Take the Quiz

The online quiz was developed by two university personal finance professors, and is provided by Rutgers University

7 Tips to Help You Determine if Your Social Security Benefits are Taxable

Many people may not realize the Social Security benefits they received in 2011 may be taxable. All Social Security recipients should receive a Form SSA-1099 from the Social Security Administration which shows the total amount of their benefits. You can use this information to help you determine if your benefits are taxable

Employee Group Criticizes Federal Pension Cut Proposals

The leader of the nation's largest independent union of federal employees yesterday sharply criticized and called for the defeat of legislation that would would require all federal workers to pay an additional 1.5 percent toward their pensions

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Returns: Monthly and Annual - G, F, C, S, I and L Funds Updated: Febru

View the latest Thrift Savings Plan returns

Federal Employees Should Be On Guard Against "Self-Directed" IRAs

Certified Financial Planner, Ed Zurndorfer, discusses what federal employees should be on the lookout for with respect to self-directed IRAs -- offering individuals the opportunity to invest in riskier assets including real estate, promissory notes and tax lien certificates

CBO Study: Compensation of Federal Employees vs. Private Sector Workers

The Congressional Budget Office released a study that addresses the question: How does the compensation of federal employees compare with that of workers in the private sector?

Should You Take a Survivor Annuity for Your Spouse?

Federal retirement seminar attendees often ask about the CSRS or FERS survivor annuity at time of the employee's retirement: "Should I take any annuity for my spouse? Can I take a partial benefit? How much does it cost? Are there alternatives?" Here are some considerations for those inquiries

Democrats Oppose Additional Cuts to Federal Pay and Benefits

17 members of Congress call on conference committee to oppose salary or retirement security cuts, citing previous sacrifices

Increasing Number of Agencies May Offer Early Retirements and Buyout Incentives in 2012

With pressure to reduce their payrolls given the current federal budget-cutting environment in Congress, during 2012 an increasing number of federal agencies may have Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) and offer Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP) to eligible employees. Federal benefits expert, Ed Zurndorfer, discusses VERA and VSIP, including which employees are eligible for them, the effect on CSRS and FERS annuities and health and life insurance benefits, and post-retirement employment issues -- including non-federal and federal employment

House Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Reforming Pensions for Congress and Federal Employees

The hearing will explore options in reforming the entire federal pension system, Congress included, "to bring it more in line with the private sector workforce"

List of Federal Agency Early Retirement Offers and Incentives

The roster of federal agencies offering retirement buyouts or early outs continues to grow, and here's a place to track them

Retiring Federal Employees Need to Understand the Social Security "Earnings Test" and Its

Since many federal employees are expected to retire over the next few years and will also be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, federal benefits expert, Ed Zurndorfer, provides helpful insight to the "earnings test" as it applies to Social Security retirement benefits

Can You Withdraw From Your TSP Account Without Penalty Due to Early Retirement?

Certified Financial Planner, Sharla Rountree, highlights a little known IRS rule allowing you to take equally substantial distributions -- eliminating the 10% early withdrawal penalty normally due for withdrawals prior to age 59-�

Information to Help Federal Retirees and Annuitants Prepare for Tax Season

The Office of Personnel Management has issued information to help federal retirees and annuitants prepare for this year's tax season, including some helpful tips and answers to frequently ask questions