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.
What Is Your 'High-3' Salary — And How Can You Increase It Before Retiring?
Your pension is based on your highest 36 consecutive months of basic pay — not your final salary, and not your average career salary. Understanding how it is calculated opens up real opportunities to increase it.
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.
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."
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