The White House released its fiscal 2015 budget proposal on Tuesday. The budget aims to “put a stop to short-sighted cuts to government operations” and to expand funding for federal-employee training. Federal employees’ pocketbooks would also get a slight boost. For the second year in a row, the Obama administration is proposing a 1 percentRead… Read more »
“It’s the year 2043 and Cheryl, a 60-year-old public works employee with 30 years of service, has just reviewed her retirement savings with a financial adviser. She is surprised that she will need to work several more years to reach her retirement income goals. “My father retired from city government after 25 years and hadRead… Read more »
Our 2014 Leave Record & Scheduling Spreadsheet is now available for download to your desktop. Use it to automatically track your leave balances in all categories, annotate your schedule, and to establish realistic retirement target dates to maximize your benefits when you leave. This FREE spreadsheet automatically calculates your accrued annual and sick leave balances,Read… Read more »
Federal retirees, social security recipients, and military retirees will receive a 1.5% COLA next year! This is the lowest COLA since 1985 not counting the two years we did without one. Based on the average retiree’s annuity the 2014 COLA will add approximately $48 monthly for CSRS retirees and $18 for FERS retirees age 62Read… Read more »
I would say that anyone who has to borrow to pay their mortgage is in trouble, wouldn’t you! Can you imagine having to borrow not only to pay the mortgage but to just make the interest payments on your credit cards and other debt? Fortunately the government shutdown is over and everyone should be backRead… Read more »
Now that a semblance of normality has returned to Washington it’s time to ask an important question: What are the shutdown’s costs to the federal workforce? We know the tangible costs in terms of dollars. But what about the hidden costs which are more difficult to measure? In addition to lost economic productivity and America’sRead… Read more »
There was no budget or debt deal made in Washington last week, but that didn’t stop the market from reacting to the rumors. For those who like volatility, it was a week of big swings. Stocks were down sharply on Monday and Tuesday, stabilized on Wednesday with a positive reversal day, then they soared onRead… Read more »
Many federal employees and retirees alike are concerned about being forced out of the FEHB program and into local health care exchanges that are mandated by President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. I’m not sure why it was called the Affordable Care Act when in reality insurance costs have already increased considerably across all sectors sinceRead… Read more »
During what is supposed to be the weakest month of the year historically, stocks had another great week adding to some impressive gains for the month of September. Some were calling it a relief rally after the threat of a strike on Syria subsided, and if that is the case, it may be an overreaction.Read… Read more »
Many FERS annuitants that retire before age 62 are eligible for an annuity supplement that will end when they reach age 62. You may be eligible for a Special Retirement Supplement if you retire: After the Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) with 30 years of service; At age 60 with 20 years of service; or UponRead… Read more »