Plain answers to complex retirement questions
Accurate, jargon-free guides on FERS pension, TSP strategy, the MRA+10 reduction, the FERS Supplement, and everything federal employees need to retire with confidence.
When to Claim Social Security as a FERS Employee: 62, 67, or 70?
The breakeven math between claiming early and waiting is well known. What most guides miss is how the FERS Supplement, your pension, and your TSP interact with your Social Security claiming decision.
FERS vs. CSRS: Key Differences Every Federal Employee Should Understand
CSRS was replaced by FERS in 1987, but thousands of federal employees still fall under CSRS or CSRS Offset. Here’s how the two systems differ in formula, Social Security, TSP matching, and retirement eligibility."
The FERS Supplement: Your Bridge Income Before Social Security
If you retire before 62 under immediate full retirement, OPM pays you a monthly supplement approximating your Social Security benefit. Here's how it's calculated, who qualifies, and when it stops.
How to Set Your TSP Withdrawal Rate When You Have a FERS Pension
The standard 4% rule was built for people with no pension. Federal employees with a FERS annuity can afford a different approach — but only if you model the interaction correctly.
The MRA+10 Trap: How Early Retirement Permanently Reduces Your FERS Pension
Retiring at your Minimum Retirement Age with 10–29 years of service triggers a 5% permanent reduction for every year you're under 62. Here's what that means in dollars, and how to decide if it's worth it.
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