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Early Retirement Options for FERS Employees

Your FERS early retirement options compared: SCE/LEO, MRA+30, MRA+10, postponed, deferred and VERA, with the benefits and TSP rules for each.
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What Difference Will One More Year of Federal Service Make for FERS Retirement?

What one more year of federal service adds to your FERS annuity: the 1% and 1.1% math, the MRA+10 reduction, high-3, sick leave and current TSP limits.
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Get Ready for Retirement Now

How federal employees can tell if they are ready to retire: estimate expenses, add up FERS, Social Security and TSP income, and plan your time.
Law Enforcement Officer Retirement, The Rule of 55, TSP, and Roth TSP

Rule of 55 and the TSP: Early Access for Federal Employees, LEOs (Rule of 50) and Roth TSP

How the Rule of 55 works for TSP, the age 50 or 25-years rule for LEOs, why it doesn't apply to IRAs, and Roth TSP withdrawals before 59½.
Buying a House as a FERS Retiree

Buying a House as a FERS Retiree: Should You Use Your TSP?

Should a FERS retiree pull money from TSP to buy a house? Usually not all of it. A current example of filling the 12% bracket to fund a down payment.
Roth TSP, Roth IRAs and the Five Year Rule

Roth TSP, Roth IRAs and the Five Year Rule

How the Roth five-year rule works for Roth TSP, Roth IRAs and conversions, including in-plan TSP conversions, and what to do if you retire before 59½.
Taxes and Timing Matter

Taxes and Timing Matter: How to Time a Large TSP Withdrawal

A retiree wanted $100,000 from his TSP for a down payment. Splitting it across two tax years and planning for 20% withholding saved him $5,000.
FERS Annuity COLA

FERS Annuity COLA: How It Works and Current Rates

How the FERS COLA is calculated, who gets it and when, and why it lags inflation, with the latest FERS COLA rates.
A Great Reason Not to Take Medicare Part B

A Great Reason Not to Take Medicare Part B

For high-income federal retirees with FEHB, IRMAA can make Medicare Part B cost more than it saves. But the late enrollment penalty is the catch.
All TSP Funds Can be Bad

All TSP Funds Can Be Bad: Is the TSP the Best Place for Your Savings?

Before picking a TSP fund, ask whether the TSP is the right place for the money. Asset location, how each account is taxed, and each TSP fund's risk.