Federal Retirement Academy

Learn how to get the most out of your retirement, whether you're leaving public service tomorrow or planning for the future.

Why the Capitol architect has to keep annuitant employees

The Architect of the Capitol has received congressional scrutiny for some of its hiring practices.

3 years ago

Your best retirement date in 2018

The new leave year begins on Jan. 6, 2019. So, what’s so important about retiring before the end of the leave year? I’ll tell you.

3 years ago

Pay & Benefits

Postal task force recommends changing employee pay, retirement

A task force plan to make the U.S. Postal Service more cost-effective proposes changing employee pay and retirement systems.

A civil service overhaul isn’t likely, says official. So, what is?

The stars would have to perfectly align to overhaul the Civil Service Reform Act, according to an Office of Management and Budget official, but smaller changes are still possible.

3 years ago

It’s almost December and time to decide: Will you go for the new retirement system?

The deadline is Dec. 31 if you want to enroll in the Blended Retirement System.

3 years ago

Making sure you make the minimum contribution to TSP to get matching funds

In Lesson 15, Registered Financial Consultant Ann Vanderslice takes a deeper look into your contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan.

4 years ago

Planning ahead 2018

A little time, wisely spent, can produce a big payoff.

4 years ago

Lesson 14: TSP 301 - How to make withdrawals from your TSP

Registered Financial Consultant Ann Vanderslice explains how you can take withdrawals from your Thrift Savings Plan once you retire.

4 years ago

TSP 201 Part 2: More on allocating your Thrift Savings Plan

Registered Financial Consultant Ann Vanderslice continues her look at Thrift Savings Plans, examining the predetermined allocations of the Lifecycle Funds.

4 years ago

TSP 201: How to allocate contributions to your Thrift Savings Plan

Registered Financial Consultant Ann Vanderslice explains the foundation funds of the Thrift Savings Plan, and how you can chose to pair investments in them.

4 years ago

TSP 101: The basics of investing in the Thrift Savings Plan

In Lesson 11, Registered Financial Consultant Ann Vanderslice explains the basic stipulations for participation in both the traditional and Roth TSP.

4 years ago

Lesson 10: Federal Retirement Academy — CSRS Offset

Registered Financial Consultant Ann Vanderslice explains the qualifications for and results of the hybrid Civil Service Retirement System Offset system, explaining how to calculate the benefits of Offset service.

4 years ago

What’s Up on the Hill 2018

Congress is back in session and, as usual, the members have introduced a flurry of bills, some of which would affect federal employees and retirees if they were passed and signed into law.

4 years ago

Looking ahead 2018

Time to do some end-of-year planning. Whether laying out your annual leave calendar or eyeing retirement, dates matter.

4 years ago

Lesson 9: Early out with VERA

Registered Financial Consultant Ann Vanderslice explains the requirements, arrangements and potential incentives surrounding an agency's offer of voluntary early retirement.

4 years ago

Lesson 8: The FERS Supplement

Registered Financial Consultant Ann Vanderslice explains how the FERS supplement covers the gap in retirement income when feds retire before they can start drawing their Social Security at age 62.

4 years ago

Survivor benefits: How to choose for your spouse when retiring

Registered Financial Consultant Ann Vanderslice explains the pension and health insurance choices you will be asked to make in regard to your spouse when retiring from the federal government.

4 years ago

Calculating what your Pension Benefit will be when you retire

After determining your length of federal service and computing your high-three average salary, you are now ready to calculate your annual federal pension.

5 years ago

Federal Retirement Academy Lesson 5: Retirement resources, goals and constraints

Components to calculate pension, part II of III: the formula.

5 years ago

SEC warns of ‘investment scam artists’ targeting feds

The Securities and Exchange Commission has alerted government employees of a scam involving the Thrift Savings Plan and other government employee retirement plans.

5 years ago

New DoD benefits ‘mascot’ Robyn explains new retirement offerings

The Department of Defense recently rolled out a promotional video featuring a bubbly benefits counselor who riffs on Disney tunes while serving up basic information on the Blended Retirement System.

5 years ago

Lesson 5: Components to Calculate Pension-Retirement Service Computation Date

There are three components needed to calculate your pension. The first is Retirement Service Computation Date and the actual years of service employed by the federal government.

5 years ago

When can I retire? [Infographic]

After five years of service, you have earned the right to receive a pension paid. The key is "when" you can collect that pension and whether you can continue using federal health insurance.

5 years ago

4 brokers net $1.7M cheating federal employees

The four Atlanta-based former brokers who influenced federal employees to roll over their holdings from their TSP accounts have been charged with fraud.

5 years ago

Lesson 3: deferred retirement

In this lesson, registered financial consultant Ann Vanderslice explains what your options are for deferred retirement if you leave Federal employment before you reach minimum retirement age.

5 years ago

When Can I Retire?

Registered Financial Consultant Ann Vanderslice explains Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) and pension eligibility for federal employees.

5 years ago

Dirty Dozen: 12 documents every fed needs before retiring

Registered Financial Consultant Ann Vanderslice lists the 12 documents that every federal employee needs to gather while planning for retirement.

5 years ago

Intro to Year 2: Retirement planning in the new era of public service

Ann Vanderslice, a registered financial consultant, outlines the information to be found in Year 2 of the Federal Retirement Academy to help you better understand your federal benefits and plan for your retirement.

5 years ago