Retirement doesn't always align with age 59½ for federal employees, leaving many wondering how to tap into their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) funds sooner without hefty penalties.
The good news is, you can often avoid the standard 10% early withdrawal penalty if…
The right timing can greatly impact your federal retirement by helping you maximize your annuity start date, annual leave lump-sum payout, sick leave credit, and overall cash flow during the transition to retirement. Poor timing, on the other hand, could mean forfeiting…
The number of Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) participants with seven-figure account balances continues to rise, underscoring the impact of long-term participation and sustained market growth on federal retirement savings. As of January 1, 2026, a record 194,722 TSP account holders reported balances…
For the second year in a row, all TSP funds ended the year in positive territory. Federal employees heavily invested in the I Fund benefited from an impressive 32.45% return, the highest ever for that fund. Stock-based funds (C, S & I)…
Two important updates could affect retirement planning for federal employees: increasing payroll and earnings-limit thresholds, and upcoming cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to your annuity.
Social Security & Payroll Tax Changes Starting in 2026, the Social Security payroll tax for most federal employees…
You’ve defined your financial goals, established an investment strategy, and begun the journey toward retirement. But along the way, change is inevitable. Life events, market volatility, and updates to laws or regulations can all affect your plans. Conducting an annual review of…
As the fallout from the Deferred Resignation Program and the uncertainty surrounding the federal workforce continue to play out, OPM received 23,393 federal retirement claims in November. Though the deadline for the DRP was September 30, employees who would become retirement eligible…
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Life Annuity is a retirement income option available to federal employees participating in the TSP. Increased longevity and fear of outliving their retirement savings have prompted more retirees to explore this option to convert their TSP savings…
As 2026 approaches, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is preparing to introduce a significant enhancement to retirement planning, while recent data signals shifting participant behavior. Now is an ideal time for federal employees and retirees to reassess their TSP strategy in light…
A late-November stock-market rally helped deliver a boost to Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) performance in 2025, underscoring how strategic fund allocation can impact retirement outcomes. Federal employees with assets in the stock-based funds saw notable gains, while those in conservative funds experienced…
